bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential effects of Th1, monocyte/macrophage and Th2 cytokine mixtures on early gene expression for molecules associated with metabolism, signaling and regulation in central nervous system mixed glial cell cultures
Authors: Lisak Robert P , Benjamins Joyce A , Bealmear Beverly , Nedelkoska Liljana , Studzinski Diane , Retland Ernest , Yao Bin , Land Susan 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Cytokines secreted by immune cells and activated glia play central roles in both the pathogenesis of and protection from damage to the central nervous system (CNS) in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods
We have used gene array analysis to identify the initial direct effects of cytokines on CNS glia by comparing changes in early gene expression in CNS glial cultures treated for 6 hours with cytokines typical of those secreted by Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes and monocyte/macrophages (M/M).

Results
In two previous papers, we summarized effects of these cytokines on immune-related molecules, and on neural and glial related proteins, including neurotrophins, growth factors and structural proteins. In this paper, we present the effects of the cytokines on molecules involved in metabolism, signaling and regulatory mechanisms in CNS glia. Many of the changes in gene expression were similar to those seen in ischemic preconditioning and in early inflammatory lesions in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), related to ion homeostasis, mitochondrial function, neurotransmission, vitamin D metabolism and a variety of transcription factors and signaling pathways. Among the most prominent changes, all three cytokine mixtures markedly downregulated the dopamine D3 receptor, while Th1 and Th2 cytokines downregulated neuropeptide Y receptor 5. An unexpected finding was the large number of changes related to lipid metabolism, including several suggesting a switch from diacylglycerol to phosphatidyl inositol mediated signaling pathways. Using QRT-PCR we validated the results for regulation of genes for iNOS, arginase and P glycoprotein/multi-drug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) seen at 6 hours with microarray.

Conclusion
Each of the three cytokine mixtures differentially regulated gene expression related to metabolism and signaling that may play roles in the pathogenesis of MS, most notably with regard to mitochondrial function and neurotransmitter signaling in glia.
Antiviral therapy in acute viral hepatitis B: why and when
Authors: Morelli Giuseppe , Perrella Alessandro , Sbreglia Costanza , Bellopede Pasquale , Riccio Vincenzo , Perrella Oreste 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Acute viral hepatitis B is cleared in more than 95% of patients, while the remainder ones may develop either chronic HBV infection or, rarely, fulminant hepatitis.
Therefore there are elderly patients with severe acute HBV hepatitis caractherized by high serum bilirubin levels >15 mmole/dl, international normalized ratio (INR) with value more than 1.6; these patients are caractherized by a severe outcome of HBV infection.
As known, outcome of infection and the pathogenesis of liver diseases are determined by viral and host factors, such as T reg lymphocytes.
T regs may be associated with a negative immune response such as an inhibition of gamma- IFN secretion.
The impact of viral load on antiviral T cell responses may play a critical role in thaese patients, influencing disease persistence and immune response.
Antiviral drugs could be useful in these patients determing a possible down -regulation of T regs.
Albumin dialysis improves hepatic encephalopathy and decreases circulating phenolic aromatic amino acids in patients with alcoholic hepatitis and severe liver failure
Authors: Parés Albert , Deulofeu Ramón , Cisneros Laura , Escorsell Angels , Salmerón Joan Manuel , Caballería Joan , Mas Antoni 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Introduction
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of albumin dialysis on hepatic encephalopathy and circulating levels of amino acids in severe alcoholic hepatitis.

Methods
The study was carried out in nine patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis and four with primary biliary cirrhosis treated with the molecular adsorbent recirculating system. Besides standard liver function tests, circulating levels of ammonia, total, branched chain and aromatic amino acids, the presence and severity of hepatic encephalopathy, and number connection test were measured before and after each treatment.

Results
There were eight episodes of encephalopathy in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Albumin dialysis was associated with significant improvement in encephalopathy (p = 0.02), and a decrease in total amino acid levels (2490 ± 152 μM to 2229 ± 114 μM, p < 0.001). Moreover, the Fischer's ratio, which was significantly lower in patients with alcoholic hepatitis (1.32 ± 0.08) than in controls (3.20 ± 0.16), increased by 17% after albumin dialysis (p < 0.02) because of a significant decrease in phenolic aromatic amino acids (193 ± 17 μM to 165 ± 9 μM, p = 0.04). No differences were observed in circulating ammonia. Changes in phenolic aromatic amino acids and the Fischer's ratio were more prominent in patients with encephalopathy and higher bilirubin removal. Albumin dialysis did not significantly affect the amino acid profile in the controls.

Conclusions
Albumin dialysis results in a significant decrease in circulating phenolic aromatic amino acids and improvement of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with severe liver failure.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lev Benjamin 
Published: February 2009

In Book Reviews, we review an extensive and diverse range of books. They cover theory and applications in operations research, statistics, management science, econometrics, mathematics, computers, and information systems. In addition, we include books in other fields that emphasize technical applications. However, we do not review software. To submit a book for review, please send it to me at the above address. Although we cannot review all books because of space limitations, we do list all books that we receive. We commission all book reviews and do not accept unsolicited reviews. To become a reviewer, please send me your name, address, and specific areas of expertise. We encourage readers to suggest books for review or to ask publishers to send copies of such books. The authors or editors of books we review in this issue are Milind W. Dawande, H. Neil Geismar, Suresh P. Sethi, Chelliah Sriskandarajah, Finn R. Forsund, Yu-Chi Ho, Qian-Chuan Zhao, and Qing-Shan Jia.
Stability of Reconstituted Fluconazole Oral Suspension in Plastic Bottles and Oral Syringes
Authors: Dentinger Paul J , Swenson Chad F 
Published: February 2009

Background: Fluconazole for oral suspension is a dry powder with a beyond-use date of 14 days after being reconstituted. Dispensing fluconazole liquid in the inpatient setting would be much more efficient if prefilled oral syringes containing standard doses were readily available. In addition, if the beyond-use date could be extended, the resulting decreased waste would be economically beneficial. Objective: To determine the stability of reconstituted fluconazole oral suspension using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Methods: Diflucan lyophilized powder was reconstituted to fluconazole 40 mg/mL using Sterile Water for Irrigation, USP. Samples were stored at room temperature in both the original Diflucan plastic bottles and in amber polyethylene oral syringes with silicon elastomer plunger tips that were sealed with high-density polyethylene caps. Samples were analyzed immediately and at 14, 28, 42, 56, and 70 days. Fluconazole concentrations were measured using a modified stability-indicating HPLC method. At each test interval, the density of the suspension was determined gravimetrically and then used to calculate the exact volume of sample used for each analysis. Excessive degradation was defined as greater than 10% loss of the initial concentration. Results: The stock internal standard was stable for at least 77 days when stored in the dark at room temperature. The stock and working fluconazole standard solutions were prepared fresh at each test interval. Reconstituted oral suspension retained more than 90% of the initial fluconazole concentration for at least 70 days at 22–25 °C. No changes in color, odor, or visible microbiological growth were observed in any sample. The pH of the suspension was initially 4.2 and remained essentially unchanged throughout the study. Conclusions: Reconstituted fluconazole oral suspension is stable in both the product's original plastic bottles and in amber polyethylene oral syringes for at least 70 days when stored at 22-25 °C.
Modeling Extended Twin Family Data II: Power Associated With Different Family Structures
Authors: Medland Sarah E. , Keller Matthew C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractModeling the data from extended twin pedigrees allows the estimation of increasing complex covariance relationships in which the effects of cultural transmission, nonrandom mating and genotype x environment covariation can be incorporated. However, the power to detect these effects in existing data sets has not yet been examined. The present study examined the effects that different family structures (i.e., the ratio of MZ to DZ families and the importance of cousins vs. avuncular relatives) have on statistical power. In addition, we examined the power to detect genetic and environmental effects within the context of two large data sets (VA30K and the OZVA60K). We found that power to detect additive genetic and cultural transmission effects were maximized by over sampling MZ families. In terms of ascertainment, there was little difference in power between samples that had focused on recruiting a third generation (the children of twins) versus those that had focused on recruiting the siblings of the twins. In addition, we examined the power to detect additive and dominant genetic effects, cultural transmission and assortative mating in the existing VA30K and OZVA60K samples, under two different models of mating: phenotypic assortment and social homogamy. There was nearly 100% power to detect assortative mating and cultural transmission, against a background of small additive and dominant genetic and familial environmental effects. In addition, the power to detect additive or dominant genetic effects quickly asymptoted, so that there was almost 100% power to detect effects explaining 20% or more of the total variance. These results demonstrate that the Cascade model has sufficient power to detect parameters of interest in existing datasets. Mx scripts are available from www.vipbg.vcu.edu/~sarahme/cascade.
Modeling xylan solubilization during autohydrolysis of sugar maple wood meal: Reaction kinetics
Authors: Mittal Ashutosh , Chatterjee Siddharth G. , Scott Gary M. , Amidon Thomas E. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
The objective of this work was to study the kinetics of hemicelluloses extraction during hydrothermal pretreatment of sugar maple wood meal. Pretreatment was conducted in a batch reactor at 145–185°C with reaction times up to 8 h and with liquor to solid ratio of 20:1. Under these conditions, hemicelluloses were selectively solubilized and little degradation (approximately 6–9% of the initial amount) of cellulose and lignin was observed. A kinetic model was developed. It was supposed that there are no diffusion limitations and that the reaction rate constants have first-order kinetics with Arrhenius-type temperature dependence. The model proposes the formation of xylose directly from wood xylan as well as from xylooligomers formed in the liquid phase by the hydrolysis of xylan. The model is able to correlate satisfactorily experimentally measured yields of residual xylan, xylooligomers, xylose, and furfural obtained during the pretreatment.
Genusparameter in der Diskussion
Authors: Scheibl György 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
This article gives an overview of some general, but also controversal gender features generally accepted by the typological literature in describing gender languages.
I pursue a contrastive typological strategy as my methodological principle by applying the typological connections to “unshakable” categorisations of the individual language (based on grammatical traditions) in order to test their stability. During the work I discuss these controversal gender parameters and their application to the German nominal gender system. I do not claim to supply proof for a radically new gender theory for German on the basis of this analysis, but rather I would like to show how these typological classifications and definitions show traditional grammatical categorisations of German in a different light.
Die deutsche Pluralbildung zwischen deskriptiver Angemessenheit und Sprachtheorie
Authors: Gaeta Livio 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
How many inflectional classes displays the German substantive? As basic as this question may be, a satisfactory answer is still lacking. In this paper, the question will be tackled again, taking into consideration the contribution provided by several recent theoretical approaches to an adequate description and comprehension of the German inflectional system. On the other hand, the intricacies of the German plural constitute an optimal test bed to verify the empirical adequacy of recent theoretical thinking on language.
Eine neue hebräische Lesart für Kluft ‚Anzug‘
Authors: den Besten Hans 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
German Kluft ‘dress, uniform, working clothes’ looks Germanic but is supposed to derive (via Yiddish) from a Hebrew word meaning ‘peel’. Ten pertinent hypotheses are discussed and rejected – mainly on phonological grounds. On the basis of Kluft and the older occurrences klabot and claffot, it is concluded that we should look for a Hebrew “word”{q/k}-ǝ-l-ā-{v/w}-{o/ō}-{ṭ/ð} and that two dialects of medieval Judeo-German must be kept apart: Rhinelandic (klabot, Claffot, Klaft} and “Danubelandic” (Kluft, Kloft). This word is interpreted as a Hebrew syntactic compound kǝlī + ʕāvōð ‘working clothes’, with kǝlī ‘instrument, clothes’.
„Wenn zahle nix dann geht dir schlecht“. Ein Experiment zu sprachlichen Verstellungsstrategien in Erpresserbriefen
Authors: Dern Christa 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
The following paper deals with the issue of disguise in incriminated writings within the framework of forensic authorship assessment. Although it does not seem to be widely known among linguistically untrained speakers that written language can indeed contain traces of the individual author and that these traces may be detected by a linguist, authors of incriminated writings such as extortion letters or threatening letters frequently attempt to disguise not only their handwriting, but also their language. Everyday practice points to a number of possible strategies of disguise which, however, have not as yet been empirically investigated. In order to acquire some empirical data a study was carried out with 52 students of German Studies, the results of which are presented and discussed. Although the results remain to be tested against data acquired under more representative conditions, different strategies of disguise can indeed be distinguished which may facilitate the forensic linguist's task of identifying disguised as opposed to authentic language in written texts. Also, it is suggested that the results of an experiment such as the one outlined here may contribute to research into issues concerning the general metalinguistic knowledge of native speakers in general.
Serological screening for coeliac disease in adults with Turner's syndrome: prevalence and clinical significance of endomysium antibody positivity
Authors: Frost Amy R , Band Margaret M , Conway Gerard S 
Published: February 2009

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) in an adult population with Turner's syndrome (TS).DesignA clinic population with TS was screened using a serological test for CD.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty six patients with TS were included in the study. Five patients had existing diagnoses of CD. The remaining 251 asymptomatic patients were screened using an IgA endomysium antibody (EMA) test. Positive cases were offered endoscopy with duodenal biopsy. HLA typing was undertaken in existing cases and new EMA-positive cases.ResultsOf the 251 patients screened, eight were found to be EMA positive (3.2%). Seven patients proceeded to duodenal biopsy on which all were confirmed histologically to have cluster of differentiation (2.8%). The prevalence of subclinical cluster of differentiation in the population can therefore be estimated between 2.8 and 3.2%. The total population prevalence of CD, including the previously diagnosed cases, is estimated between 4.7 and 5.1%. Ten patients with histologically confirmed cluster of differentiation underwent HLA typing of which eight were HLA-DQ2 positive, one was HLA-DQ8 positive and one was negative to both HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates an increased prevalence of cluster of differentiation in an adult population with TS over the general population. This is consistent with previous data published in paediatric populations.
Interleukin-21 Is Required for the Development of Type 1 Diabetes in NOD Mice
Authors: Sutherland Andrew P.R. , Van Belle Tom , Wurster Andrea L. , Suto Akira , Michaud Monia , Zhang Dorothy , Grusby Michael J. , von Herrath Matthias 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVEInterleukin (IL)-21 is a type 1 cytokine that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes via the unique biology of the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse strain. The aim of this study was to investigate a causal role for IL-21 in type 1 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe generated IL-21R–deficient NOD mice and C57Bl/6 mice expressing IL-21 in pancreatic β-cells, allowing the determination of the role of insufficient and excessive IL-21 signaling in type 1 diabetes.RESULTSDeficiency in IL-21R expression renders NOD mice resistant to insulitis, production of insulin autoantibodies, and onset of type 1 diabetes. The lymphoid compartment in IL-21R−/− NOD is normal and does not contain an increased regulatory T-cell fraction or diminished effector cytokine responses. However, we observed a clear defect in autoreactive effector T-cells in IL-21R−/− NOD by transfer experiments. Conversely, overexpression of IL-21 in pancreatic β-cells induced inflammatory cytokine and chemokines, including IL-17A, IL17F, IFN-γ, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, MCP-2, and interferon-inducible protein-10 in the pancreas. The ensuing leukocytic infiltration in the islets resulted in destruction of β-cells and spontaneous type 1 diabetes in the normally diabetes-resistant C57Bl/6 and NOD × C57Bl/6 backgrounds.CONCLUSIONSThis work provides demonstration of the essential prodiabetogenic activities of IL-21 on diverse genetic backgrounds (NOD and C57BL/6) and indicates that IL-21 blockade could be a promising strategy for interventions in human type 1 diabetes.
Informational analysis of the grinding process of granular material using a multi-ribbon blender
Authors: Masiuk Stanisław , Rakoczy Rafał , Kordas Marian 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA new concept of investigation on granular material grinding process using a multi-ribbon blender is demonstrated. A new approach of mathematical description of this process is presented using the Shannon’s entropy definition for random processes. The analysis of experiments was carried out employing the probability size distribution variation with the time of grinding process. The investigations reported in this work provide useful insight into the granular material grinding process. Moreover, the proposed informational description may be used to quantify the progress of this process whose importance in plant design and process optimisation, according to other experimental works, appears to be underestimated.
Influence of reaction medium composition on enzymatic synthesis of galactooligosaccharides and lactulose from lactose concentrates prepared from whey permeate
Authors: Adamczak Marek , Charubin Danuta , Bednarski Włlodzimierz 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe paper presents the results of investigations into the technological possibilities of controlling the transgalactosylation process of lactose in permeate after whey ultrafiltration in order to improve the efficiency of galactooligosaccharides or lactulose synthesis. The synthesis efficiency was influenced by the selection of a β-galactosidase preparation, substrate concentration and, in the synthesis of lactulose, also by the ratio of lactose and fructose added to the reaction mixture. The obtained synthesis efficiency of GOS and, most of all, of lactulose (65 g L−1), may be found satisfactory. The study also resulted in a proposed GOS or lactulose concentrates (concentrated or dried) production technology using permeate after ultrafiltration of milk or whey as lactose sources.
Effects of vessel baffling on the drawdown of floating solids
Authors: Karcz Joanna , Mackiewicz Beata 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe effects of baffling of an agitated vessel on the production of floating particles suspension are presented in this paper. Critical agitator speed, needed for particles dispersion in a liquid agitated in a vessel of the inner diameter of 0.295 m, was determined. The just drawdown agitator speeds were defined analogously to the Zwietering criterion. Specific agitation energy was calculated from the power consumption experimental data obtained by means of the strain gauge method. The experiments were carried out for twelve configurations of the baffles differing in number, length and their arrangement in the vessels. The following high-speed impellers were used: up- and downpumping six blade pitched blade turbines, Rushton turbine, and propeller. The impeller was located in the vessel in the height equal to two-thirds or one-third of the vessel diameter from the bottom of the vessel. The results were described in the form of a dimensionless equation.
Immobilization of modified penicillin G acylase on Sepabeads carriers
Authors: Žuža Milena , Milosavić Nenad , Knežević-Jugović Zorica 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAn approach to stable covalent immobilization of chemically modified penicillin G acylase from Escherichia coli on Sepabeads® carriers with high retention of hydrolytic activity and thermal stability is presented. The two amino-activated polymethacrylate particulate polymers with different spacer lengths used in the study were Sepabeads® EC EA and Sepabeads® EC HA. The enzyme was first modified by cross-linking with polyaldehyde derivatives of starch in order to provide it with new useful functions. Such modified enzyme was then covalently immobilized on amino supports. The method seems to provide a possibility to couple the enzyme without risking a reaction at the active site which might cause the loss of activity. Performances of these immobilized biocatalysts were compared with those obtained by the conventional method with respect to activity and thermal stability. The thermal stability study shows that starch-PGA immobilized on Sepabeads EC-EA was almost 4.5-fold more stable than the conventionally immobilized one and 7-fold more stable than free non-modified PGA. Similarly, starch-PGA immobilized on Sepabeads EC-HA was around 1.5- fold more stable than the conventionally immobilized one and almost 9.5-fold more stable than free non-modified enzyme.