bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 during a course of experimental contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
Authors: Sacchini Flavio , Luciani Mirella , Salini Romolo , Scacchia Massimo , Pini Attilio , Lelli Rossella , Naessens Jan , Poole Jane , Jores Joerg 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. The current live vaccine T1/44 has limited efficacy and occasionally leads to severe side effects in the animals. A better understanding of the immune responses triggered by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides and their role in disease progression will help to facilitate the design of a rational vaccine. Currently, knowledge of cytokines involved in immunity and immunopathology in CBPP is rather limited. The aim of this study was to characterize the in vivo plasma concentrations of the cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and the overall role of CD4+ T cells in the development of cytokine levels during a primary infection. Plasma cytokine concentrations in two groups of cattle (CD4+ T cell-depleted and non-depleted cattle) experimentally infected with Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides were measured and their relationship to the clinical outcomes was investigated.

Results
Plasma cytokine concentrations varied between animals in each group. Depletion of CD4+ T cells did not induce significant changes in plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10, suggesting a minor role of CD4+ T cells in regulation or production of the three cytokines during the time window of depletion (1-2 weeks post depletion). Unexpectedly, the IFN-γ concentrations were slightly, but statistically significantly higher in the depleted group (p < 0.05) between week three and four post infection. Three CD4+ T cell-depleted animals that experienced severe disease, had high levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ. Only one severely diseased non-depleted animal showed a high serum concentration of IL-4 post infection.

Conclusions
Comparison of most severely diseased animals, which had to be euthanized prior to the expected date, versus less severe diseased animals, irrespective of the depletion status, suggested that high TNF-α levels are correlated with more severe pathology in concomitance with high IFN-γ levels.
The I2020T Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 transgenic mouse exhibits impaired locomotive ability accompanied by dopaminergic neuron abnormalities
Authors: Maekawa Tatsunori , Mori Sayuri , Sasaki Yui , Miyajima Takashi , Azuma Sadahiro , Ohta Etsuro , Obata Fumiya 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is the gene responsible for autosomal-dominant Parkinson’s disease (PD), PARK8, but the mechanism by which LRRK2 mutations cause neuronal dysfunction remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated for the first time a transgenic (TG) mouse strain expressing human LRRK2 with an I2020T mutation in the kinase domain, which had been detected in the patients of the original PARK8 family.

Results
The TG mouse expressed I2020T LRRK2 in dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and olfactory bulb. In both the beam test and rotarod test, the TG mice exhibited impaired locomotive ability in comparison with their non-transgenic (NTG) littermates. Although there was no obvious loss of DA neurons in either the substantia nigra or striatum, the TG brain showed several neurological abnormalities such as a reduced striatal dopamine content, fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus in DA neurons, and an increased degree of microtubule polymerization. Furthermore, the tyrosine hydroxylase-positive primary neurons derived from the TG mouse showed an increased frequency of apoptosis and had neurites with fewer branches and decreased outgrowth in comparison with those derived from the NTG controls.

Conclusions
The I2020T LRRK2 TG mouse exhibited impaired locomotive ability accompanied by several dopaminergic neuron abnormalities. The TG mouse should provide valuable clues to the etiology of PD caused by the LRRK2 mutation.
Analyzing Open-Voltage of Double-Layer Organic Solar Cells Using Optical Electric-Field-Induced Second-Harmonic Generation
Authors: Taguchi Dai , Chen Xiangyu , Manaka Takaaki , Iwamoto Mitsumasa 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTBy using electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation (EFISHG) measurement, we analyzed photovoltaic effect of two-layer solar cells (indium zinc oxide/pentacene/C60/Al). Results evidently showed that negative and excessive charges Qs accumulated at the two-layer interface under illumination, e.g., Qs =-1.7×10-9 C/cm2 at 0.05 mW/cm2 and –3.6×10-9 C/cm2 at 0.5 mW/cm2, while a short-circuit current flowed. The open-circuit voltage changed in accordance with accumulation charge Qs, and finally saturated. Modeling that accumulated negative charge is a source of space charge field and directly effects on the electrostatic energy stored in OSCs, dependence of the open voltage on the accumulated charge Qs was explained.
Dependence of Annealing Temperature on the Conductivity Changes of ZnO and MgZnO Nanoparticle Thin Films from Annealing in a Hydrogen Atmosphere at Mild Temperatures
Authors: Berven Christine , Sanchez Lorena , Chava Sirisha , Young Hannah Marie , Dick Joseph , Morrison John L. , Huso Jesse , Bergman Leah 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTWe report apparent robust doping of ZnO and MgxZn1-xO (x ∼20%) nanoparticle films by annealing in hydrogen gas. The annealing was done at sequentially higher temperatures from about 20 °C to 140 °C. The effect of the annealing was determined by comparing current-voltage measurements of the samples at room-temperature and in vacuum after each annealing cycle.The nanoparticles were grown using an aqueous solution and heating process that created thinfilms of ZnO or MgZnO nanoparticles with diameters of about 30 nm. When exposed to hydrogen gas at room-temperature or after annealing at temperatures up to about 100 °C, no measureable changes to the room-temperature vacuum conductivity of the films was observed. However, when the samples were annealed at temperatures above 100 °C, an appreciable robust increase in the room-temperature conductance in vacuum occurred. Annealing at the maximum temperature (∼135-140 °C) resulted in about a factor of about twenty increase in the conductivity. Furthermore, the ratio of the conductance of the ZnO and MgZnO nanoparticle films while being annealed to their conductance at room-temperature were found to increase and then decrease for increasing annealing temperatures. Maximum changes of about five-fold and seven-fold for the MgZnO and ZnO samples, respectively, were found to occur at temperatures just below the annealing temperature threshold for the onset of the robust hydrogen gas doping. Comparisons of these results to other work on bulk ZnO and MgZnO films and reasons for this behavior will be discussed.
Melt Mixed Polymer-MWCNT Composites for Liquid Sensing Applications
Authors: Pötschke Petra , Villmow Tobias , Pegel Sven , John Andreas , Rentenberger Rosina 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTPolymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites show next to improved mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties also sensitivity to external stimuli. A detection of environmental condition changes is possible, if it affects the electrically conductive CNT network inside the insulating polymer matrix. In case of liquid sensing, swelling of the polymer matrix due to contact with organic liquids and interactions between solvent molecules and CNTs result in a local gap enlargement between individual CNTs and/or CNT clusters, resulting in a detectable increase of electrical resistance. Accordingly, CNT based conductive polymer composites (CPCs) represent very promising candidates for the design of smart components capable of integrated monitoring. In this presentation we focus on their use as leakage detectors for organic solvents.The sensor concept, as well as the underlying mechanism, is demonstrated for polycarbonate (PC)/CNT based CPCs on compression-molded samples. The selectivity as an important sensor property will be discussed in context with the Hansen solubility parameters and the solvent molecule’s size. The time dependent electrical response characteristic upon immersion depends on the diffusion kinetics of the specific solvent molecules into the CPC. A model allowing the calculation of the time dependent relative resistance (Rrel) change is presented considering several factors like the diffusion parameters, composite characteristics like initial resistance and geometrical values of the sensing sample. Using this model, Rrel curves of PC/MWCNT composites were simulated which fit very well the experimental data.In order to examine the production of first prototype large area sensors, fibers and textiles based on composites of different polymer matrices with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were produced. MWCNT containing fibers based on poly lactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL)/ polypropylene (PP) blends were produced by melt spinning and textile fabrication was performed for PCL/PLA blends. For all presented composite systems the electrical response characteristics was analyzed for various organic solvents.
Electrical Conductivity of Anisotropic iPP Carbon Nanotube Thin Films
Authors: Kalakonda Parvathalu , Gombos Erin A. , Hoonjan Gajinder S. , Georgiev Georgi Y. , Iannacchione Germano S. , Cebe Peggy 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTPolymer and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites exhibit many properties that are not present in either the pure polymer or CNTs. The polymer crystallization kinetics and crystal forms are greatly changed by dispersion of CNTs nanotubes. In addition to various thermophysical properties, CNTs are metallic or semiconductive and highly anisotropic while the polymer hosts are typically excellent insulators and isotropic. In this work, measurements of the electrical conductivity, σ, of thin-film nanocomposites of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and CNTs as a function of CNT concentration (0, 1, 2, and 5% by weight of CNT) and melt-shearing induced anisotropy in σ between parallel and perpendicular to the shearing axis is presented and compared them with analogous data for their thermal transport properties. The iPP host is itself one of the most widely used polymers, has liquid crystalline phases, and it is expected that iPP/CNT nanocomposites will be widely used in many polymer applications, some of which are for flexible electrodes, medical and electronics packaging and chemical sensors. The effect of melt-shearing is expected to induce anisotropy in the various properties of the iPP/CNT thin film that should be particularly apparent in the electrical conductivity of the polymer films, higher in the direction of the alignment and lower in the direction perpendicular to it. With increasing CNT content, the average conductivity 〈σ〉 increases slightly from 0 to 2% CNT then dramatically increases by eight orders of magnitude for 5%. The shear induced property of anisotropy, δσs = (σ‖ − σ┴) / 〈σ〉, overall increases with CNT content, revealing a large spike for the 1% sample, indicating the possibility of enhanced δσs due to optimized orienting procedures.
Ultrasonographic anatomy of the coelomic organs of boid snakes (Boa constrictor imperator, Python regius, Python molurus molurus, and Python curtus)
Authors: Banzato Tommaso , Russo Elisa , Finotti Luca , Milan Maria C. , Gianesella Matteo , Zotti Alessandro 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Objective—To determine the ultrasonographic features of the coelomic organs of healthy snakes belonging to the Boidae and Pythonidae families.
Animals—16 ball pythons (Python regius; 7 males, 8 females, and 1 sexually immature), 10 Indian rock pythons (Python molurus molurus; 5 males, 4 females, and 1 sexually immature), 12 Python curtus (5 males and 7 females), and 8 boa constrictors (Boa constrictor imperator; 4 males and 4 females).
Procedures—All snakes underwent complete ultrasonographic evaluation of the coelomic cavity; chemical restraint was not necessary. A dorsolateral approach to probe placement was chosen to increase image quality and to avoid injury to the snakes and operators. Qualitative and quantitative observations were recorded.
Results—The liver, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, small and large intestines, kidneys, cloaca, and scent glands were identified in all snakes. The hemipenes were identified in 10 of the 21 (48%) male snakes. The spleen was identified in 5 of the 46 (11%) snakes, and ureters were identified in 6 (13%). In 2 sexually immature snakes, the gonads were not visible. One (2%) snake was gravid, and 7 (15%) had small amounts of free fluid in the coelomic cavity. A significant positive correlation was identified between several measurements (diameter and thickness of scent glands, gastric and pyloric walls, and colonic wall) and body length (snout to vent) and body weight.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The study findings can be used as an atlas of the ultrasonographic anatomy of the coelomic cavity in healthy boid snakes. Ultrasonography was reasonably fast to perform and was well tolerated in conscious snakes.
Evaluation of intraocular pressure measurements obtained by use of a rebound tonometer and applanation tonometer in dogs before and after elective phacoemulsification
Authors: Thompson-Hom Amy L. , Gerding Jr Paul A. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Objective—To determine whether an applanation tonometer and rebound tonometer can be used to detect similar intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements in eyes of dogs undergoing phacoemulsification.
Animals—24 dogs (40 eyes) undergoing elective phacoemulsification.
Procedures—IOP measurements were obtained from each eye by use of both the rebound tonometer and applanation tonometer. Central corneal thickness was measured by use of an ultrasonic pachymeter 3 hours before surgery and 2 and 24 hours after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed by use of paired t tests.
Results—Mean ± SD IOP 3 hours before surgery, 2 hours after surgery, and 24 hours after surgery was 11.9 ± 4.7 mm Hg, 15.5 ± 11.7 mm Hg, and 10.9 ± 6.7 mm Hg, respectively, as measured with the rebound tonometer and 12.2 ± 5.3 mm Hg, 15.7 ± 12.5 mm Hg, and 12.4 ± 5.4 mm Hg, respectively, as measured with the applanation tonometer. Measured IOP did not differ significantly between the 2 tonometers 3 hours before surgery and 2 hours after surgery, but measured IOP differed significantly between the tonometers 24 hours after surgery.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Use of a rebound tonometer underestimated IOP, relative to results for use of an applanation tonometer, by 1.65 mm Hg in eyes 24 hours after phacoemulsification. Caution should be used when IOP measurements obtained with a rebound tonometer are in the high part of the reference range, and verification of these values with an applanation tonometer would be advised.
Evaluation of coronary band temperatures in healthy horses
Authors: Rosenmeier Jesper G. , Strathe Anders B. , Andersen Pia H. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Objective—To measure coronary band temperature (CBT) in healthy horses fed high-fructan or low-carbohydrate diets and to analyze the association of CBT with diet, time of day, and ambient temperature.
Animals—6 healthy horses.
Procedures—Horses were fed 3 diets (treatment 1, 1 g of fructan/kg fed daily in the morning; treatment 2, 1 g of fructan/kg fed daily in the afternoon; and treatment 3, a low-carbohydrate [7.2%] diet) in a 3 × 3 Latin square study design. For each horse, the CBT of all 4 limbs as well as rectal and ambient temperatures were recorded by use of infrared thermometry and standard thermometers hourly from 8 am to 10 pm for 4 consecutive days after the initiation of each diet. Each horse received each diet, and there was a 10-day washout period between each diet change. Data were analyzed by use of a mixed linear model.
Results—4,320 CBTs were obtained from the 6 horses. The CBT ranged from 9.6° to 35.5°C. Coronary band temperature followed a diurnal pattern and was positively associated with ambient temperature but was not associated with diet.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—CBT of healthy horses varied significantly during the day and among limbs. These results should be considered whenever increased CBT is used as an indication of incipient laminitis or in other clinical investigations.
Corneal Cross-Linking for Progressive Keratoconus in Children: Our Experience
Authors: Bakshi Erez , Barkana Yaniv , Goldich Yakov , Avni Isaac , Zadok David 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Purpose
To assess the effect of corneal cross-linking on progressive keratoconus in children.

Method
In this retrospective study we enrolled nine eyes of nine consecutive children aged 11 to 17 years old who underwent corneal riboflavin-UVA induced cross-linking for progressive keratoconus at the Department of Ophthalmology at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center. They were followed for 6 to 24 months (average 16 ± 8.1 months). Evaluated parameters were uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest refraction, pachymetry, slit lamp examination and corneal topography.

Results
Cross-linking resulted in stability of visual acuity in seven of the nine (77.8%) treated eyes. We found a nonsignificant improvement in UCVA and BSCVA with a small reduction of manifest cylinder. Furthermore, there was an improvement in spherical equivalent that was close to statistical significance (p = 0.07). There was 0.86 D reduction of average Kmax value postoperatively (p = 0.36). Most patients (7 of 9, 77.8%) showed a long-term stability or reduction in Kmax.

Conclusion
In this study, we demonstrated the efficacy of corneal cross-linking in arresting the progression of keratoconus in children. We believe that larger scale studies in this age group should be performed to further establish the relevance of this technique in children.

How to cite this article
Bakshi E, Barkana Y, Goldich Y, Avni I, Zadok D. Corneal Cross-Linking for Progressive Keratoconus in Children Our Experience. Int J Keratoco Ectatic Corneal Dis 2012;1(1):53-56.
CO
2
‐Expanded Liquids for Nanoparticle Processing
Authors: Saunders Steven R. , Roberts Christopher B. , Hurst Kendall M. , Kitchens Christopher L. , White Gregory Von , Akers D. Brad 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The sections in this article are

Introduction

Gas‐Expanded Liquids

Controlling Nanoparticle Dispersibility and Precipitation

Size‐Selective Fractionation of Nanoparticles

Small‐Scale Size‐Selective Fractionation

Large‐Scale Size‐Selective Fractionation

Tuning the Precipitation Range

Effect of Temperature

Effect of Solvent

Effect of Stabilizing Ligand

Modeling Nanoparticle Dispersibility in
CXLs

Thin‐Film Deposition

Nanoparticle Thin‐Film Deposition on
MEMS
Devices

Formation and Synthesis of Nanoparticles in
CXLs

Nanoparticle Phase Transfer Using
CXLs

Conclusion
Nanoencapsulation for Process Intensification
Authors: Yap Aaron J. , Masters Anthony F. , Maschmeyer Thomas 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The sections in this article are

Introduction and Scope

Cascade Reactions for Process Intensification

Background

Cascade Reactions with Incompatible Catalysts and Nanoencapsulation

Summary of Reactions and Systems

Other Cascade Reactions with Incompatible Catalysts – Polydimethylsiloxane (
PDMS
) Thimbles for Generic Site Isolation

Potential Methods of Nanoencapsulation

Layer‐by‐Layer (
Lb
L
) Methods

Sol–Gel‐Based Methods

Inorganic Methods

Layered Inorganic Solids

Inorganic Spheres

Polymer‐Based Methods

Micelle/Emulsion Encapsulation

Vesicle‐Based Encapsulation

Cage Protein Encapsulation

Combinatorial Approaches

Conclusion and Future Directions

Abbreviations

Acknowledgments
Designing for Non‐Persistence
Authors: Howard Philip H. , Boethling Robert S. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractUnder the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, it is the policy of the United States that pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever possible. One way to accomplish this is to design safer chemicals. Until now, safer has usually meant less toxic, but environmental persistence should also be viewed as integral to product safety. Chemicals that persist in the environment remain potentially available to exert toxic effects and bioaccumulate. This chapter addresses the design of small molecules to minimize persistence, along with tools and models that can assist in this task. One of the great challenges is that over 30 000 chemicals are used in commercial quantities, but very few have experimental data on their environmental behavior. This chapter reviews databases that can be searched for such information, but we also outline a path forward for when the chemical of interest does not have any experimental data. Two general approaches are suggested: (1) identify chemicals that are similar in structure and have persistence data; or (2) use structure–degradation relationships or models to predict degradability. Estimation methods are available for the most important degradation processes: atmospheric oxidation, biodegradation, and hydrolysis. Finally, case studies are used to show how these processes and resources can be used to implement design for non‐persistence. The examples also illustrate some of the challenges in designing safer chemicals in the real world, where “green” usually comes only in shades of gray and conflicting demands always lead to compromise.
Reducing Physical Hazards: Encouraging Inherently Safer Production
Authors: Ashford Nicholas A. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

It is now generally recognized that in order to make significant advances in accident prevention, the focus of industrial firms must shift from assessing the risks of existing production and manufacturing systems to discovering technological alternatives, that is, from the identification of problems to the identification and design of solutions. Encouraging the industrial firm to perform

an inherent safety opportunity audit (ISOA) to identify where inherently safer technology is needed, and

a technology options analysis (TOA) to identify specific inherently safer options, will advance the adoption and design of primary prevention strategies that will alter production systems so that there are fewer inherent safety risks.

Successful approaches require both technological and managerial changes. Firms must have the willingness, opportunity, and capability to change.
Gold‐Catalysis: Highly Efficient and Regio‐Selective Carbonyl Migration in Alkynyl‐Substituted Indole‐3‐Carboxamides Leading to Azepino[3,4‐b]indol‐1‐ones
Authors: Hashmi A. Stephen K. , Yang Weibo , Rominger Frank 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAn unprecedented rearrangement/anellation sequence allows the clean synthesis of azepino[3,4‐b]indol‐1‐ones from readily available starting materials. Alkyne‐substituted indole‐3‐carboxamides were prepared and converted to azepino[3,4‐b]indol‐1‐ones by the SPhosAuNTf2 catalyst (SPhos=2‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐2′,6′‐dimethoxybiphenyl). The new connectivity, which involves an unprecedented 3,2‐shift of an acylamino group for the product formation, was proven by a crystal structure analysis.