bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intra‐amniotic inflammation predicts microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity but not spontaneous preterm delivery in preterm prelabor membrane rupture
Authors: COBO TERESA , KACEROVSKY MARIAN , HOLST ROSE‐MARIE , HOUGAARD DAVID M. , SKOGSTRAND KRISTIN , WENNERHOLM ULLA‐BRITT , HAGBERG HENRIK , JACOBSSON BO 
Published: April 2012

Abstract Objective. To predict microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days using a panel of selected proteins from amniotic fluid in a Swedish population of preterm prelabor membrane rupture (PPROM). Design. Prospective cohort study. Setting. Evaluation of intra‐amniotic inflammation in preterm premature rupture of membranes. Population. Sixty‐six pregnant women with preterm prelabor membrane rupture at 22+0–33+6 weeks’ gestational age. Methods. Twenty‐seven amniotic fluid proteins were assayed by a multiple immunoassay. Main outcome measures. The intra‐amniotic inflammatory response was evaluated according to the presence of MIAC and the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days. A prediction model was constructed using logistic regression. Results. The overall rates of MIAC and spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days were 20 and 50%, respectively. There was a higher inflammatory response in women with MIAC than in those without. Earlier gestational age at delivery and lower birthweight were observed in the presence of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity. Amniotic fluid interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐10 were the best predictors of MIAC in terms of sensitivity (69%), specificity (81%), positive predictive value (47%), negative predictive value (91%) and a positive likelihood ratio of 3.6. There were no differences in intra‐amniotic inflammatory response according to the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days. Conclusion. Amniotic fluid IL‐6 and IL‐10 are the best inflammatory biomarkers to predict MIAC in women with PPROM. Intra‐amniotic inflammation does not predict the occurrence of spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days of PPROM.
Determinants of emergency contraceptive use after unprotected intercourse: Who seeks emergency contraception and who seeks abortion?
Authors: Kozinszky Zoltan , Sikovanyecz János , Devosa Iván , Szabó Dávid , Barabás Katalin , Pál Attila , Arthur Joyce 
Published: April 2012

Abstract Objective. To compare differences in contraceptive characteristics and the knowledge of emergency contraception (EC) between women who used EC after unprotected intercourse and those who sought abortion. Design. A questionnaire survey. Setting. A Hungarian university hospital. Sample. Two large clinical groups were enrolled: women who were prescribed EC after unprotected intercourse (n= 952) (EC group) and women who presented for termination of pregnancy who had not taken EC after a contraceptive failure despite being suitable candidates to take EC (n= 577) (control group). Methods. Questionnaire evaluation. Main outcome measures. Knowledge concerning, previous use of, and other factors related to EC use. Results. The EC group experienced a condom failure significantly more often (odds ratio (OR) = 3.07), while the control group reported more failures with the contraceptive pill (OR = 0.69) and with periodic abstinence (OR = 0.09). Use of EC depended on age, education level, place of residence, accurate knowledge of EC (OR = 3.87) and previous EC use (OR = 1.16). Awareness of EC was influenced by information obtained from healthcare providers (OR = 3.63) or by school education (OR = 1.28). Conclusions. Women who use less reliable contraceptive methods should be targeted for health education that stresses the importance of reliable contraception and provides more detailed knowledge on EC and when it should be used.
Impact of vertical loading on the implant‐bone interface
Authors: Mehl Christian , Becker Stephan T. , Acil Yahya , Harder Sönke , Wiltfang Jörg , Dabbagh‐Afrouz Arthur A. , de Buhr Wiebke , Kern Matthias 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectivesThe main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of vertical loading occurring during removal of cemented restorations on the implant‐bone interface.MethodsThirty‐six titanium implants (Camlog 4.3 × 9 mm) were placed 1 mm supraosseous in the frontal skull of four minipigs. After a 13 week healing period the implants were exposed and the implant stability was measured. Three implants per minipig were vertically loaded using 20 or 100 impulses, respectively with an 18 Ns impulse imitating a crown removal. Three implants were left unloaded as control. The animals were sacrificed after 13 or 18 weeks. The harvested specimens were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light and fluorescence microscopy.ResultsNo post operative complications or deaths of the minipigs occurred. All implants osseointegrated. The average bone‐implant contact area (BIC) was 78 ± 5.1%. No statistically significant difference could be found when comparing the BIC areas of the control and the experimental groups between the sacrificed animals at 13 weeks and 18 weeks (P > 0.05). Therefore, the results of each subgroup were pooled. No significant differences regarding the BIC area could be detected between the control and the experimental groups (P > 0.05). Except one failing implant no cracks due to vertical loading could be evaluated in the SEM. Fluorescence microscopy revealed a significantly higher bone remodeling activity in the vertically loaded groups.ConclusionsRemoval of cemented implant restorations seems not to have an impact on the mechanical implant stability, but seems to increase bone remodeling activity.
Regulated Intramembrane Cleavage of the EGF Receptor
Authors: Liao Hong‐Jun , Carpenter Graham 
Published: April 2012

Following the addition of EGF or ionomycin to A431 cells, protease activity mediates cleavage of the EGF receptor producing a 60 kDa fragment that includes the intracellular domain (ICD). This fragment is located in both membrane and nuclear fractions. On the basis of sensitivity to chemical inhibitors and overexpression of cDNAs, the rhomboid intramembrane proteases, not γ‐secretase proteases, are identified as responsible for the cleavage event. Agonist‐initiated cleavage occurs slowly over 3–24 h. Inhibition of calpain protease activity significantly increased the detectable level of ICD fragment.
Microemulsion Synthesis, Characterization of Highly Visible Light Responsive Rare Earth‐Doped Bi2O3
Authors: Wu Shuxing , Fang Jianzhang , Xu Xiaoxin , Liu Zhang , Zhu Ximiao , Xu Weicheng 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn this paper, Bi2O3 and rare earth (La, Ce)‐doped Bi2O3 visible‐light‐driven photocatalysts were prepared in a Triton X‐100/n‐hexanol/cyclohexane/water reverse microemulsion. The resulting materials were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, photoluminescence spectra (PLS) and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The XRD patterns of the as‐prepared catalysts calcined at 500°C exhibited only the characteristic peaks of monoclinic α‐Bi2O3. PLS analysis implied that the separation efficiency for electron‐hole has been enhanced when Bi2O3 was doped with rare earth. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy measurements presented an extension of light absorption into the visible region. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by degradation of methyl orange (MO) and 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP). The results displayed that the photocatalytic activity of rare earth‐doped Bi2O3 was higher than that of dopant‐free Bi2O3. The optimal dopant amount of La or Ce was 1.0 mol%. And the mechanisms of influence on the photocatalytic activity of the catalysts were discussed.
Scale Issues in the Development of Future Precipitation Scenarios
Authors: Schoof Justin T. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract:Many of the processes that govern precipitation occurrence and intensity occur at spatial and temporal scales that remain unresolved by the current generation of climate models. The resulting mismatch between the information reliably provided by such models and the needs of researchers assessing impacts associated with changes in precipitation has led to the development of downscaling techniques. In this paper, the need for downscaling is demonstrated by describing (1) the difference between real‐world precipitation‐governing processes and their representation in climate models and (2) the differences between theoretical expectations of precipitation changes at large and small scales in a warmer world. With a primary focus on empirical‐statistical downscaling, the general strategy for developing regional scenarios is described along with outstanding issues that are likely to shape the next decade of downscaling research.
A Monte Carlo study comparing PIV, ULS and DWLS in the estimation of dichotomous confirmatory factor analysis
Authors: Nestler Steffen 
Published: April 2012

Abstract We conducted a Monte Carlo study to investigate the performance of the polychoric instrumental variable estimator (PIV) in comparison to unweighted least squares (ULS) and diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) in the estimation of a confirmatory factor analysis model with dichotomous indicators. The simulation involved 144 conditions (1,000 replications per condition) that were defined by a combination of (a) two types of latent factor models, (b) four sample sizes (100, 250, 500, 1,000), (c) three factor loadings (low, moderate, strong), (d) three levels of non‐normality (normal, moderately, and extremely non‐normal), and (e) whether the factor model was correctly specified or misspecified. The results showed that when the model was correctly specified, PIV produced estimates that were as accurate as ULS and DWLS. Furthermore, the simulation showed that PIV was more robust to structural misspecifications than ULS and DWLS.
Single motor unit activity in human extraocular muscles during the vestibulo‐ocular reflex
Authors: Weber Konrad P. , Rosengren Sally M. , Michels Rike , Sturm Veit , Straumann Dominik , Landau Klara 
Published: April 2012

Key points
While the eye movements have been well characterized during the vestibulo‐ocular reflex, the corresponding motor unit activity in human eye muscles is not well understood.
The present study describes the first single motor unit recordings during the vestibulo‐ocular reflex in human eye muscles.
Simultaneous needle and surface recordings identified the inferior oblique as the eye muscle of origin of the ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP), thus validating the physiological basis of this clinical test of otolith function.
The results demonstrate short‐latency vestibulo‐ocular projections from the otoliths to individual eye muscles.
Single motor unit activity of eye muscles provides a window into neural activity of the ocular motor nuclei in humans.
Abstract  Motor unit activity in human eye muscles during the vestibulo‐ocular reflex (VOR) is not well understood, since the associated head and eye movements normally preclude single unit recordings. Therefore we recorded single motor unit activity following bursts of skull vibration and sound, two vestibular otolith stimuli that elicit only small head and eye movements. Inferior oblique (IO) and inferior rectus (IR) muscle activity was measured in healthy humans with concentric needle electrodes. Vibration elicited highly synchronous, short‐latency bursts of motor unit activity in the IO (latency: 10.5 ms) and IR (14.5 ms) muscles. The activation patterns of the two muscles were similar, but reciprocal, with delayed activation of the IR muscle. Sound produced short‐latency excitation of the IO muscle (13.3 ms) in the eye contralateral to the stimulus. Simultaneous needle and surface recordings identified the IO as the muscle of origin of the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) thus validating the physiological basis of this recently developed clinical test of otolith function. Single extraocular motor unit recordings provide a window into neural activity in humans that can normally only be examined using animal models and help identify the pathways of the translational VOR from otoliths to individual eye muscles.
Front-Loaded Linezolid Regimens Result in Increased Killing and Suppression of the Accessory Gene Regulator System of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Tsuji Brian T. , Brown Tanya , Parasrampuria Ridhi , Brazeau Daniel A. , Forrest Alan , Kelchlin Pamela A. , Holden Patricia N. , Peloquin Charles A. , Hanna Debra , Bulitta Jurgen B. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Front loading is a strategy used to optimize the pharmacodynamic profile of an antibiotic through the administration of high doses early in therapy for a short duration. Our aims were to evaluate the impact of front loading of linezolid regimens on bacterial killing and suppression of resistance and on RNAIII, the effector molecule of the accessory gene regulator system (encoded by
agr
) in methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). Time-killing experiments over 48 h were utilized for linezolid against four strains of MRSA: USA100, USA300, USA400, and ATCC 29213. A hollow-fiber infection model simulated traditional and front-loaded human therapeutic regimens of linezolid versus USA300 at 10
6
CFU/ml over 240 h. Over 48 h in time-kill experiments, linezolid displayed bacteriostatic activity, with reductions of >1 log
10
CFU/ml for all strains. Front-loaded regimens that were administered over 5 days, 1,200 mg every 12 h (q12h) (total, 10 doses) and 2,400 mg q12h (total, 10 doses) followed by 300 mg q12h thereafter, resulted in sustained bactericidal activity, with reductions of the area under the CFU curve of −6.15 and −6.03, respectively, reaching undetectable limits at the 10-day study endpoint. All regimens displayed a reduction in RNAIII relative expression at 24 h and 240 h compared with that of the growth control. Monte Carlo simulations predicted a <1.27× increase in the fractional decreases in platelets for all front-loaded regimens versus the 600 mg q12h regimen, except for the highest-dose front-loaded regimen. Front-loading strategies for linezolid are promising and may be of utility in severe MRSA infections, where early aggressive therapy is necessary.
The Posttranslocational Chaperone Lipoprotein PrsA Is Involved in both Glycopeptide and Oxacillin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Jousselin Ambre , Renzoni Adriana , Andrey Diego O. , Monod Antoinette , Lew Daniel P. , Kelley William L. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Understanding in detail the factors which permit
Staphylococcus aureus
to counteract cell wall-active antibiotics is a prerequisite to elaborating effective strategies to prolong the usefulness of these drugs and define new targets for pharmacological intervention. Methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) strains are major pathogens of hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections and are most often treated with glycopeptides (vancomycin and teicoplanin) because of their resistance to most penicillins and a limited arsenal of clinically proven alternatives. In this study, we examined PrsA, a lipid-anchored protein of the parvulin PPIase family (peptidyl-prolyl
cis/trans
isomerase) found ubiquitously in all Gram-positive species, in which it assists posttranslocational folding at the outer surface of the cytoplasmic membrane. We show by both genetic and biochemical assays that
prsA
is directly regulated by the VraRS two-component sentinel system of cell wall stress. Disruption of
prsA
is tolerated by
S. aureus
, and its loss results in no detectable overt macroscopic changes in cell wall architecture or growth rate under nonstressed growth conditions. Disruption of
prsA
leads, however, to notable alterations in the sensitivity to glycopeptides and dramatically decreases the resistance of COL (MRSA) to oxacillin. Quantitative transcriptional analysis reveals that
prsA
and
vraR
are coordinately upregulated in a panel of stable laboratory and clinical glycopeptide-intermediate
S. aureus
(GISA) strains compared to their susceptible parents. Collectively, our results point to a role for
prsA
as a facultative facilitator of protein secretion or extracellular folding and provide a framework for understanding why
prsA
is a key element of the VraRS-mediated cell wall stress response.
Fhb, a Novel Factor H-Binding Surface Protein, Contributes to the Antiphagocytic Ability and Virulence of Streptococcus suis
Authors: Pian Yaya , Gan Shuzhen , Wang Shujie , Guo Jie , Wang Pingping , Zheng Yuling , Cai Xuehui , Jiang Yongqiang , Yuan Yuan 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTStreptococcus suisserotype 2 is a Gram-positive bacterium that causes sepsis and meningitis in piglets and humans. The mechanisms ofS. suisserotype 2 invasive disease are not well understood. The surface proteins of pathogens usually play important roles in infection and bacterium-host interactions. Here, we identified a novel surface protein that contributed significantly to the virulence ofS. suisserotype 2 in a piglet infection model. This protein showed little similarity to other reported proteins and exhibited strong binding activity to human factor H (hFH). It was designated Fhb (factor H-binding protein). Thefhbgenes found inS. suisserotypes 1, 2, 4, 7, and 9 exhibited molecular polymorphism. Fhb possessed two proline-rich repeat sequences and XPZ domains, and one repeat sequence exhibited a high homology to Bac, an IgA-binding protein ofStreptococcus agalactiae. Evidence strongly indicated thatfhb-deficient mutants had diminished phagocytosis resistance in bactericidal assays. In addition, Fhb plays important roles in complement-mediated immunity by interacting with hFH. These findings indicated that Fhb is a crucial surface protein contributing to the virulence ofS. suis, with important functions in evading innate immune defenses by interaction with host complement regulatory factor hFH.
Complete Genomic Sequence of Chinese Virulent Duck Enteritis Virus
Authors: Wu Ying , Cheng Anchun , Wang Mingshu , Yang Qiao , Zhu Dekang , Jia Renyong , Chen Shun , Zhou Yi , Wang Xiaoyu , Chen Xiaoyue 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
The Chinese virulent (CHv) strain of duck enteritis virus (DEV) has a genome of approximately 162,175 nucleotides with a GC content of 44.89%. Here we report the complete genomic sequence and annotation of DEV CHv, which offer an effective platform for providing authentic research experiences to novice scientists. In addition, knowledge of this virus will extend our general knowledge of DEV and will be useful for further studies of the mechanisms of virus replication and pathogenesis.
Paleoclimate effects and geographic barriers shape regional population genetic structure of blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima: Rosaceae)
Authors: Richardson Bryce A. , Meyer Susan E. 
Published: April 2012

Coleogyne ramosissima Torr. (blackbrush) is a dominant xerophytic shrub species in the ecotone between the warm and cold deserts of interior western North America. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were used to survey genetic diversity and population genetic structure at 14 collection sites across the species range. Analysis revealed significant population differentiation (FST= 0.103, p < 0.0001) and reasonably high levels of genetic diversity (expected heterozygosity; HE= 0.26), a surprising result for a putative paleoendemic species. Model-based Bayesian clustering, principal coordinates analysis, and neighbor-joining analysis all produced support for the existence of two metapopulations, the first centered on the Mojave Desert and the second on the Colorado Plateau. These genetic data, coupled with information from Late Pleistocene and Holocene packrat (genus Neotoma Say and Ord, 1825) middens, illustrate a demographic history in which eastern and western distributions were disjunct during the Last Glacial Maximum and remained so through the Holocene, forming the present-day metapopulations in the Mojave Desert and Colorado Plateau. This strong regional genetic differentiation has implications for population persistence and migration in response to future climate change, as well as for shrubland restoration following anthropogenic disturbances such as annual grass invasion and wildfire.
A network of fluid models and its application in MANETs (abstract only)
Authors: Sonenberg Nikki , Taylor Peter G. 
Published: April 2012

Ad hoc mobile networks are peer-to-peer systems whose successful operation depends on the nodes contributing the resources of their device. Nodes rely on portable energy sources, for example batteries, to transmit to each other. For the network to function, either the nodes willingly cooperate or their behaviour is influenced by an incentive mechanism.
Building on work by Latouche and Taylor (2009) and assuming finite capacity buffers, we model each user's battery energy and credit balance as fluids, with the rate of increase or decrease of the fluid modulated by the network call occupancy. This results in a network of stochastic fluid models, which we analyse using a reduced-load approach. We study the resources required to ensure the network can maintain itself without having to drop calls and investigate the design of a credit incentive mechanism to discourage uncooperative behaviour in the sharing of resources.
jMarkov package
Authors: Cote Marco , Riano German , Akhavan-Tabatabaei Raha , Perez Juan Fernando , Sarmiento Andres , Goez Julio 
Published: April 2012

When analyzing real life stochastic systems in most cases is easier, cheaper and more effective to use analytical models rather than studying the physical system or a simulation model of it. The stochastic modeling is a powerful tool that helps the analysis and optimization of stochastic systems.
However the use of stochastic modeling is not widely spread in today's industries and among practitioners. This lack of acceptance is caused by two main reasons the first being the curse of dimensionality, which is defined by the number of states required to describe a system. This number grows exponentially as the size of the system increases. The second reason is the lack of user-friendly and efficient software packages that allow the modeling of the problem without involving the user with the implementation of the solution algorithms to solve it.
The curse of dimensionality is a constant problem that has been addressed by different approaches through time, but it is not intended within the scope of our work; our focus is on the latter issue. We propose a generic solver that enables the user to focus on modeling without getting involved in the complexity required by the solution methods.
We design an object oriented framework for stochastic modeling with four components namely, jMarkov which models Markov Chains, jQBD which models Quasi Birth and Death Processes, jPhase which models Phase Types Distributions and jMDP which models Markov Decision Processes. We concentrate all our effort on creating a software that allows the user to model any kind of system like a Markov Chain, QBD or MDP with fairly basic knowledge of programming. To this end we separate the modeling part from the solution algorithms; therefore the user only needs to mathematically model the problem and the software will do the rest. However, we leave the package with the possibility that experienced users can code their own solution algorithms; this is done since the package only contains the most common algorithms found in the literature.
The software does not use external plain files like '.txt' or '.dat' written with specific commands, but rather it is based on OOP (Object Oriented Programming). The main advantages of it include implementation in Java framework, which allows the computational representation of the model to be very similar to its mathematical representation such that it would become natural to pass from one to another. Also the program possesses the usual characteristics of Java such as the use of inheritance and abstraction. Finally, Java is a high level computational language so the user doesn't need to be concerned about technical problems.