bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Weathering on Glauconite: Evidence from The Abu Tartur Plateau, Egypt
Authors: Pestitschek Brigitte , Gier Susanne , Essa Mahmoud , Kurzweil Hans 
Published: April 2012

AbstractRecognizing weathering effects is significant for any work carried out on glauconites at the surface. The mineralogy and chemistry of glauconite grains exposed to weathering in a hot arid climate for a maximum of 42 y were studied here. The objective of the study was to find the mineralogical and chemical differences between weathered glauconite from the surface and fresh glauconite from the subsurface.One specific glauconite-bearing layer at the surface (Layer 16) of the Abu Tartur phosphate mine, located in the Western Desert of Egypt, was studied in detail and compared to a fresh, subsurface glauconitic sandstone from the underground mine.Even within this single surface layer, the brownish-green glauconite grains vary in color and chemical composition. From top to bottom, the grains show an increase in Fe and K and a decrease in Al and S. In addition, the grains show an internal color zonation caused by variation of Fe and K contents between the center and rim of the grains. The differences in color and chemical composition are even more pronounced between the weathered-glauconite grains from the surface and the fresh glauconite grains from the subsurface which are dark green and enriched in Fe and K.The clay fractions consisted of mixed-layer glauconite (illite)-smectite, with the surface samples containing more expandable smectite (50%) than the subsurface samples (20%). In the charge-distribution diagram for muscovite-pyrophyllite-celadonite, the weathered glauconites at the surface showed a clear trend from smectitic glauconite at the top to illitic glauconite at the bottom of the layer, whereas the fresh subsurface sample plotted exactly in the glauconite field.The color, mineralogy, and chemistry indicate that the surface samples were strongly altered by weathering processes and that glauconite transformed progressively into Fe-rich mixed-layer illite-smectite and then into smectites.Weathering can thus completely reverse the glauconitization process. For any chemical and mineralogical characterization of glauconites at the surface, these weathering effects must be taken into consideration.
Optimale Verteilung von Mautgebühren zur Verkehrsführung: Einführung in die Modellierung und Analyse
Authors: Müller Christian , Rehkopf Andreas , Bauersfeld Sindy 
Published: April 2012

Zusammenfassung
Dieser Beitrag befasst sich mit der Modellierung und Analyse einer optimalen Verteilung von Mautgebühren. Dazu wird das betrachtete Straßennetz zunächst als Graph beschrieben und untersucht. Auf dieses Netzwerk werden anschließend (Verkehrs)-Flussalgorithmen angewendet und deren Robustheit gegenüber Schwankungen in den Streckenkosten bestimmt. Der Beitrag stellt gleichermaßen eine Einführung in die mathematische Methodik dar, welche an einem praktischen Beispiel verdeutlicht wird.
Renal stones and calcifications in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: associations with biochemical variables
Authors: Starup-Linde Jakob , Waldhauer Elin , Rolighed Lars , Mosekilde Leif , Vestergaard Peter 
Published: April 2012

ObjectiveTo study the prevalence of renal stones and nephrocalcinosis in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and to appraise biochemical variables as risk factors for developing renal calcifications.DesignCross-sectional.Materials and methodsAll patients (n=177) undergoing diagnostic evaluation and surgery for PHPT at Aarhus University Hospital between 2007 and 2009. All patients underwent routine spiral CT scans of the abdomen to determine the presence or absence of renal calcifications.ResultsA total of 45 patients (25.4%, 95% confidence intervals: 19.0–31.4%) had renal stones (15.3%) and/or renal calcifications (10.2%) on the CT scans. Compared with those without calcification (n=132), the group with calcification had a significantly lower plasma creatinine level (67.0±25.1 vs 74.6±17.5 μmol/l, 2P=0.03). Moreover, CaE was higher in PHPT patients with renal calcification than in PHPT patients without (0.91±0.28 vs 0.74±0.40 mmol/mmol, 2P=0.02). The other measured or derived biochemical variables were similar in the two groups. No biochemical variable was predictive for renal calcifications in a multiple regression analysis.ConclusionWe found a high prevalence of renal calcifications among PHPT patients but no deterioration of renal function. The occurrence of calcifications was related to low plasma creatinine and a high urine calcium/creatinine ratio. However, biochemical markers in general were poor predictors for the risk of renal stones or nephrocalcinosis indicating that routine image diagnostics may be needed for the identification of these complications in order to establish indication for surgery and ensure proper treatment.
Hypophysitis Induced by Monoclonal Antibodies to Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 4: Challenges from a New Cause of a Rare Disease
Authors: Torino Francesco , Barnabei Agnese , De Vecchis Liana , Salvatori Roberto , Corsello Salvatore M. 
Published: April 2012

Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Identify symptoms of hypophysitis as an infrequent immune related side effect of ipilimumab and other anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies.Select the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic work-up for patients suspected of having anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal-induced hypophysitis.
CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com
Specific human monoclonal antibodies antagonize cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (anti–CTLA-4 mAbs), a negative regulator of the immune system, inducing unrestrained T-cell activation. In patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma, one of these agents, ipilimumab, produced considerable disease control rates and, for the first time, a clear improvement in overall survival outcomes. However, accumulating clinical experience with anti–CTLA-4 mAbs identified a novel syndrome of autoimmune and autoinflammatory side effects, designated as “immune-related adverse events,” including mainly rash, colitis, and hepatitis. Autoimmune hypophysitis has emerged as a distinctive side effect induced by anti–CTLA-4 mAbs. This condition may be life threatening because of adrenal insufficiency if not promptly recognized, but it may easily be diagnosed and treated if clinically suspected. Hypopituitarism caused by these agents is rarely reversible and prolonged or life-long substitutive hormonal treatment is often required. The precise mechanism of injury to the pituitary triggered by anti–CTLA-4 mAbs is yet to be fully elucidated.
Accumulating Evidence for a Drug–Drug Interaction Between Methotrexate and Proton Pump Inhibitors
Authors: Bezabeh Shewit , Mackey Ann Corken , Kluetz Paul , Jappar Dilara , Korvick Joyce 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background.
A number of medications are known to interact with methotrexate through various mechanisms. The aim of this article is to apprise practitioners of a new labeling change based on the accumulating evidence for a possible drug–drug interaction between methotrexate (primarily at high doses) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Methods.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) database of spontaneous adverse event reports and the published literature were searched for cases reporting an interaction between methotrexate and PPIs.

Results.
A search of the AERS database and existing literature found several individual case reports of drug–drug interactions and three additional supportive studies that suggest potential underlying mechanisms for the interaction.

Conclusion.
There is evidence to suggest that concomitant use of methotrexate (primarily at high doses) with PPIs such as omeprazole, esomeprazole, and pantoprazole may decrease methotrexate clearance, leading to elevated serum levels of methotrexate and/or its metabolite hydroxymethotrexate, possibly leading to methotrexate toxicities. In several case reports, no methotrexate toxicity was found when a histamine H2 blocker was substituted for a PPI. Based on the reviewed data, the FDA updated the methotrexate label to include the possible drug–drug interaction between high-dose methotrexate and PPIs. Physicians should be alerted to this potential drug–drug interaction in patients receiving concomitant high-dose methotrexate and PPIs.
On Tarski's Foundations of the Geometry of Solids
Authors: Betti Arianna , Loeb Iris 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe paper [Tarski:Les fondements de la géométrie des corps,Annales de la Société Polonaise de Mathématiques, pp. 29–34, 1929] is in many ways remarkable. We address three historico-philosophical issues that force themselves upon the reader. First we argue that in this paper Tarski did not live up to his own methodological ideals, but displayed instead a much more pragmatic approach. Second we show that Leśniewski's philosophy and systems do not play the significant role that one may be tempted to assign to them at first glance. Especially the role of background logic must be at least partially allocated to Russell's systems ofPrincipia mathematica. This analysis leads us, third, to a threefold distinction of the technical ways in which the domain of discourse comes to be embodied in a theory. Having all of this in place, we discuss why we have to reject the argument in [Gruszczyński and Pietruszczak:Full development ofTarski's Geometry of Solids,The Bulletin of Symbolic Logic, vol. 4 (2008), no. 4, pp. 481–540] according to which Tarski has made a certain mistake.
On subgroups of the additive group in differentially closed fields
Authors: Süer Sonat 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn this paper we deal with the model theory of differentially closed fields of characteristic zero with finitely many commuting derivations. First we observe that the only known lower bound for the Lascar rank of types in differentially closed fields, announced in a paper of McGrail, is false. This gives us a new class of regular types which are orthogonal to fields. Then we classify the subgroups of the additive group of Lascar rank omega with differential-type 1 which are nonorthogonal to fields. The last parts consist of an analysis of the quotients of the heat variety. We show that the generic type of such a quotient is locally modular. Finally, we answer a question of Phylliss Cassidy about the existence of certain Jordan-Hölder type series in the negative.
A real of strictly positive effective packing dimension that does not compute a real of effective packing dimension one
Authors: Conidis Chris J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractRecently, the Dimension Problem for effective Hausdorff dimension was solved by J. Miller in [14], where the author constructs a Turing degree of non-integral Hausdorff dimension. In this article we settle the Dimension Problem for effective packing dimension by constructing a real of strictly positive effective packing dimension that does not compute a real of effective packing dimension one (on the other hand, it is known via [10. 3. 7] that every real of strictly positive effective Hausdorff dimension computes reals whose effective packing dimensions are arbitrarily close to, but not necessarily equal to, one).
Hausdorff measure on o-minimal structures
Authors: Fornasiero A. , Rifo E. Vasquez 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe introduce the Hausdorff measure for definable sets in an o-minimal structure, and prove the Cauchy–Crofton and co-area formulae for the o-minimal Hausdorff measure. We also prove that every definable set can be partitioned into “basic rectifiable sets”, and that the Whitney arc property holds for basic rectifiable sets.
Role of reactive species in processing materials at laboratory temperature by spray plasma devices
Authors: Nikravech Mehrdad , Baba Kamal , Leneindre Bernard , Rousseau Frédéric 
Published: April 2012

AbstractProcessing the aerosol of metal salts in non-equilibrium plasma represents a promising technique that combines the advantages of spray pyrolysis with the high reactivity of plasmas at nearlaboratory temperature in order to produce mixed-oxides and perovskite materials. The aim of this paper is to describe the principles of this new technique and to present the various applications and latest developments. This technique’s capacity to deposit various mixed metal oxides with precise stoichiometry is demonstrated. It is shown that oxidant plasma species play a key role in the chemical transformation of starting materials into oxides at laboratory temperature, while the configuration of the reactor determines the morphology and texture of the deposited layers. Two different reactor configurations are presented. The porous layers of LaxSr1−x MnO3 as the cathode for fuel cells were synthesised in a wave shock reactor configuration, while nanostructured ZnO-Al layers to form a transparent conductive cathode for photovoltaic cells were deposited in the spray plasma reactor of the latest generation for this technique. The experimental results emphasise the role of plasma species in the rate of chemical reactions and in the chemical composition of the deposited layers.
Eudraginated polymer blends: A potential oral controlled drug delivery system for theophylline
Authors: Emeje Martins , John-Africa Lucy , Isimi Yetunde , Kunle Olobayo , Ofoefule Sabinus 
Published: April 2012

Eudraginated polymer blends: A potential oral controlled drug delivery system for theophylline
Sustained release (SR) dosage forms enable prolonged and continuous deposition of the drug in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and improve the bioavailability of medications characterized by a narrow absorption window. In this study, a new strategy is proposed for the development of SR dosage forms for theophylline (TPH). Design of the delivery system was based on a sustained release formulation, with a modified coating technique and swelling features aimed to extend the release time of the drug. Different polymers, such as Carbopol 71G (CP), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC), ethylcellulose (EC) and their combinations were tried. Prepared matrix tablets were coated with a 5 % (m/m) dispersion of Eudragit (EUD) in order to get the desired sustained release profile over a period of 24 h. Various formulations were evaluated for micromeritic properties, drug concentration and in vitro drug release. It was found that the in vitro drug release rate decreased with increasing the amount of polymer. Coating with EUD resulted in a significant lag phase in the first two hours of dissolution in the acidic pH of simulated gastric fluid (SGF) due to decreased water uptake, and hence decreased driving force for drug release. Release became faster in the alkaline pH of simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) owing to increased solubility of both the coating and matrixing agents. The optimized formulation was subjected to in vivo studies in rabbits and the pharmacokinetic parameters of developed formulations were compared with the commercial (Asmanyl®) formulation. Asmanyl® tablets showed faster absorption (tmax 4.0 h) compared to the TPH formulation showing a tmax value of 8.0 h. The Cmax and AUC values of TPH formulation were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those for Asmanyl®, revealing relative bioavailability of about 136.93 %. Our study demonstrated the potential usefulness of eudraginated polymers for the oral delivery of the sparingly soluble drug theophylline.
Simple RP-HPLC method for determination of triple drug combination of valsartan, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma
Authors: Sharma Ritesh , Pancholi Shyam 
Published: April 2012

Simple RP-HPLC method for determination of triple drug combination of valsartan, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma
A simple RP-HPLC method for the quantification of valsartan (VAL), amlodipine (AML) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) in human plasma was developed and validated. VAL, AML and HCT were resolved using a Gemini C18 column and mobile phase gradient starting from 20 % acetonitrile and 80 % 10 mmol L-1 ammonium formate (V/V, pH 3.5 ± 0.2, by formic acid) to 70 % acetonitrile and 30 % 10 mmol L-1 ammonium formate, over 20 minutes, with a flow rate of 1 mL min-1. The samples were purified by protein precipitation and extraction. Telmisartan was used as internal standard. The method was validated according to USFDA and EMEA guidelines with good reproducibility and linear responses R = 0.9985 (VAL), 0.9964 (AML), and 0.9971 (HCT). RSDs of intra- and inter-day precision ranged 2.2-8.1 and 4.6-11.7 %, respectively, for all three drugs. Mean extraction recoveries of three QCs for the triple drug combination were 76.5 (VAL), 72.0 (AML) and 73.0 (HCT) % for human plasma. Although the LC-MS/MS method is more sensitive than HPLC, HPLC is still suitable for preliminary pharmacokinetic study. The experiments performed demostrated that simultaneous determination of all components of the triple drug combination in human plasma can be done by this method. Proposed method can be also used for guidance to the LC-MS/MS method.
Vitex Agnus-Castus L. Essential Oil Increases Human Erythrocyte Membrane Fluidity
Authors: Ajdžanović Vladimir , Spasojević Ivan , Pantelić Jasmina , Šošić-Jurjević Branka , Filipović Branko , Milošević Verica , Severs Walter 
Published: April 2012

Vitex Agnus-CastusL. Essential Oil Increases Human Erythrocyte Membrane FluidityErythrocyte membrane fluidity is related to their rheologic behavior, the dynamic quality of erythrocytes, which is tempted in hypertension and atherosclerosis. An increased risk of these and other cardiovascular diseases occurs in ageing women. Menopause-related conditions are often treated with hormone replacement therapy that may increase the risk of malignancies.Vitex agnus-castusL. essential oil contains various organic compounds (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and terpenoids), and is increasingly used as an alternative therapy for menopausal symptoms. These components of the oil may be incorporated into cell membranes, thereby changing the membrane fluidity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects ofVitex agnus-castusessential oil on human erythrocyte membrane fluidity at graded depths. We used Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy and fatty acid spin probes (5-doxyl stearic acid and 12-doxyl stearic acid), whose spectra depend on membrane fluidity. After treatment withVitex agnus-castusessential oil the erythrocytes had a significant (p=0.029) and reversible increase in membrane fluidity in the deeper hydrophobic membrane regions, with no change (p>0.05) in fluidity near the membrane's hydrophilic surface. These results document increased fluidity of the human erythrocyte membrane byVitex agnus-castusessential oil, and this action may be useful in patients with menopause-related hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.
Pathways of Complement Activation Following Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion in Macaque
Authors: Xu Lantao , Wu Yanyan 
Published: April 2012

Pathways of Complement Activation Following Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion in MacaqueComplement activation is a key component in the inflammation cascade. In the present study, intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IIR) was introduced to macaques, and the pathways of complement activation in the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) following IIR were investigated, which may provide evidence on the mechanisms underlying the endogenous protection in systemic inflammatory response. IIR was performed by clamping superior mesenteric artery and releasing clamp in 5 macaques. Immunization rate nephelometry and CH50 total complement detection were employed to measure the serum concentration of C3, C4, C-reactive protein (CRP) and total complements. Immunocytochemistry was carried out to detect the contents of IL-1 and NF-κB in polymorphonuclear cells (PMN). Flow cytometry was done to measure the apoptosis rate of PMN. At 24 h after IIR, the amount of total complement (106.6±18.07 U/mL) was reduced to 62.1±9.52 U/mL (p<0.05). In addition, the C3 was reduced by 30% (p<0.05) but C4 remained unchanged after IIR (0.1342±0.07 vs 0.1420±0.06, P>0.05). The apoptosis rate (15.4%±1.14%) of PMN was markedly reduced (3.5%±0.53%) following IIR (p<0.05) accompanied by increased contents of IL-1 and NF-κB. Moreover, CRP was also significantly elevated after IIR (4.33±1.13 mg/L vs 17.73±0.86 mg/L; p<0.01). Following IIR, complements are activated through the alternative pathway. Complement activation fragments can inhibit the apoptosis of PMN and elevate the expressions of acute phase inflammatory proteins including CRP and IL-1, which promotes the inflammation cascade and facilitates the occurrence of MODS.
The Past and Present of Paraoxonase Enzyme: Its Role in the Cardiovascular System and Some Diseases
Authors: Aydin Suleyman , Sahin İbrahim , Aydin Suna , Aksoy Aziz , Citil Cihan 
Published: April 2012

The Past and Present of Paraoxonase Enzyme: Its Role in the Cardiovascular System and Some DiseasesAlthough paraoxonase is synthesized in many tissues including the heart, colon, kidneys, lungs, small intestines and brain, its major locus of synthesis is the liver. PON1 is in close association with apolipoproteins and protects LDL against oxidation. It was reported that PON1 quantities dropped to 40 times lower than normal in cardiovascular diseases and diseases like diabetes, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, chronic renal failure, SLE, Behcet's disease, cancer, hepatitis B, obesity, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer's and dementia. It is speculated that the concerning decline in serum PON1 amount results from single nucleotide polymorphism in the coding (Q192R, L55M) and promoter (T-108C) sites of the PON1 gene. Additionally, circulating amounts of PON1 are affected by vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acids, dietary factors, drugs, age and lifestyle. This collection attempts to review and examine the past and present studies of paraoxonase and its relation with the cardiovascular system and some relevant diseases.
Uncertainty analysis of the kinetic model of natural gas combustion in IC Engine
Authors: Mansha M , Naqvi Javed 
Published: April 2012

Uncertainty analysis of the kinetic model of natural gas combustion in IC Engine
The purpose of this analysis is to determine the uncertainties originating due to the kinetic parameters of the rate of a reaction proposed kinetic model. A kinetic model consisting of 208 reaction steps and 73 species was adopted for analysis. In the required uncertainty analysis, the accuracy of approximate models, generated by the Chemkin 4.1.1 for pollutant species, is determined. The reactions which contribute the uncertainty in the output concentrations of the pollutnats species formed in the combustion chamber were identified. The percentage contribution to the uncertainty in the output concentrations of pollutants were also determined.