bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
X‐RAY INVESTIGATION OF THE PYROCHEMICAL CHANGES IN MISSOURI HALLOYSITE*
Authors: Zvanut Frank J. , Wood Lyman J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractResults are presented of an X‐ray study of the chemical changes that take place during the progressive firing of Missouri halloysite. A General Electric multiple‐diffraction unit was used to obtain patterns of samples that had been fired at temperatures ranging from 350 °C to the melting point (about 1800 °C) at 50 ° intervals. Twenty‐three of these samples were fired for 12‐hour periods, five for 200‐hour periods, and a few at the higher temperatures for shorter periods of time. The results seem to indicate the dehydration of the kaolin mineral to be near 450 °C, the precipitation of a modified phase of gamma‐alumina at 900 °C, the appearance of mullite at 1150 °C, and the crystallization of cristobalite at about 1350 °C, with its subsequent disappearance above 1500 °C. A short summary of the results of the chemical and petrographic studies which were made with the X‐ray study is appended.
I, Effect of Small Imposed Loads on Shrinkage Behavior and Plastic Properties of Some Clays*
Authors: Schurkcht H. G. , Lampman C. Major 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMarked differences in shrinkage behavior and plastic deformations are caused by pressures commonly present in large shapes and in ware stacked during the drying period. Strains resulting from these variations may explain excessive cracking frequently encountered in large shapes and in the lower pieces in drier car settings. Plastic clays tested under the conditions of this test showed two yield values instead of one as was the ease with tests made with the Bingham plastometer. The tensile strength of a clay during drying was found to be a linear function of its water content.
SILICATE SCIENCE*
Authors: Morey George W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAn attempt is made to correlate, by means of the changing properties of silica in a crystallizing rock magma, the various branches of science and technology which are concerned with the properties of silicates. Such a discussion serves to bring out both similarities and differences between the processes taking place in nature and those characteristic of the many branches of technology dependent on the properties of silicates.
EFFECT OF HEAT TREATMENT ON THE THERMAL EXPANSION OF SOME SILICA‐ALUMINA GLASSES*
Authors: Thompson C. L. , Parmelee C. W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractGlasses made from Florida kaolin and quartz so that the compositions lie in the field in which mullite is the primary phase showed characteristic changes in their thermal expansion when heated. These may be due in part to stresses in the glass and in part to the crystallization of submicroscopic mullite.Cristobalite or tridymite also crystallized from the glasses when they were heated to 1230°C.
PRACTICAL DE‐AIRING*
Authors: Isenhour John H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe following points are discussed in this paper: (1) theoretical de‐airing: (a) theory of colloids, (b) effect of de‐aired material on metal, (c) nature of different materials relative to de‐airing, (d) unequal density, and (e) lamination; (2) drying: (a) rate of drying, (b) drying strength, and (c) shrinkage; (3) firing; and (4) practical experiments with de‐airing from the machine to the finished product, using three different clays and their combinations.
THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE STRUCTURE OF SOAPSTONE*
Authors: Wilson Hewitt , Pask J. A. 
Published: April 2007

ArstractSamples of soapstone from a deposit in the Cascade Mountains of Washington were heated to various temperatures, draw trials were made, and the effect of temperature on the structure and texture was studied microscopically. The results obtained indicate a change of the talc to enstatite at about 1000°C. with a further change to clinoenstatite at about 1200°C. At the higher temperatures iron impurities have united with silica, probably to form fayalitc along the original impure schistosic planes of the soapstone.
Dual inhibition of ras and bcr‐abl signalling pathways in chronic myeloid leukaemia: a phase I/II study in patients in complete haematological remission
Authors: Pavlu Jiri , Andreasson Catharina , Chuah Charles , Kaeda Jaspal , Goldman John M. , Apperley Jane F. , Marin David 
Published: April 2007

SummaryZoledronic acid inhibits the prenylation of ras‐related proteins downstream of bcr‐abl and preclinical studies have shown augmentation of the inhibitory effects of imatinib in BCR‐ABL expressing cells. A Phase I/II study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the addition of zoledronic acid to imatinib in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) with a suboptimal response to imatinib alone. Ten patients with CML who had been treated with imatinib for at least 2 years and had achieved and maintained a complete haematological response were included. Zoledronic acid was administered intravenously on one occasion every 28 d. The initial dose of 4 mg was given for three consecutive months; in the absence of significant toxicity and/or response the dose was escalated to 8 mg for an additional 3 months. Efficacy was assessed by serial monitoring of blood levels of BCR‐ABL transcripts and bone marrow cytogenetics. Addition of zoledronic acid to imatinib caused no haematological toxicity. There were no grade III or IV non‐haematological adverse effects. Grade I fatigue, hypocalcaemia and fever were common side effects. No responses were demonstrated after 6 months on the combination.
Knowledge about social networks and integration: a co‐operative research project
Authors: Granerud Arild , Severinsson Elisabeth 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTitle.  Knowledge about social networks and integration: a co‐operative research project Aim.  This paper is a report of a study investigating how knowledge of social network and integration influenced mental health professionals’ understanding and practice.Background.  Community mental health work focuses on people suffering from mental health problems as well as the consequences for the person involved and their family or network. There is a need to expand community mental health workers’ knowledge about social networks and their functions.Method.  A qualitative study using a co‐operative research approach was used to develop participants’ knowledge of social network and social integration theory. Action research has the potential to facilitate changes in the field. Data were collected using focus groups. Qualitative content analysis was employed to develop the theme and categories. The data were collected in 2004–2005.Findings.  The main theme identified was the potential of experiential knowledge‐based competence, which was characterized by the following categories: (1) increased knowledge, (2) awareness of social interactions, (3) cross‐disciplinary professionalism and (4) potential for changes in practice. Participants’ knowledge and awareness of the potential of social integration as a tool for social network interventions were considerably strengthened. However, this knowledge needs to be implemented in practice.Conclusion.  Co‐operative research is an approach that can be beneficial in the public sector. To achieve the best possible results, the whole team must be involved and play an active part in all areas of the research project. If the groups involved are too large, participants’ level of engagement may suffer.
Increasing compression depth during manikin CPR using a simple backboard
Authors: Andersen L. Ø. , Isbye D. L. , Rasmussen L. S. 
Published: April 2007

Background:  The quality of external chest compressions (ECC) is influenced by the surface supporting the patient. The aim of this study was to compare chest compression depth with and without a rigid backboard. The authors hypothesized that the presence of a backboard would result in an increased depth of chest compressions.Methods:  A randomized, double‐blinded, cross‐over trial. We simulated in‐hospital cardiac arrest using a resuscitation manikin placed in a standard hospital bed. In total, 23 hospital orderlies were randomly assigned to perform ECC for 2 min on two identical ResusciAnne manikins, under one of which a rigid backboard had been placed. Data were recorded using the Laerdal PC‐Skill Reporting System.Results:  Mean chest compression depth increased from 43 to 48 mm (P < 0.0001) when a backboard was present (mean difference 5 mm, 95% CI 3.6–7.5 mm, SD 4.6). There was a significant increase in mean proportion of compressions >40 mm when using a backboardMean 92% vs. 69%, P= 0.0007). No difference was found between the two groups in the following variables: duty cycle, compression rate, mean proportion of compressions of correct depth (40–50 mm) or proportion of compressions with incomplete release.Conclusions:  Applying a backboard significantly increases depth of chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation when performed on a manikin model.
Evaluation of the utility of the HemoCue 301 haemoglobinometer for blood donor screening
Authors: Morris L. D. , Osei‐Bimpong A. , McKeown D. , Roper D. , Lewis S. M. 
Published: April 2007

Background and Objectives  Reliable blood donor screening requires more accurate measure of haemoglobin (Hb) than by either copper sulphate or the haemoglobin colour scale. The HemoCue haemoglobinometer has established a method for this, but it is considerably more expensive; a modified version (HemoCue 301) has now been developed with a cheaper reagent‐free cuvette for use in budget‐restricted situations. This report describes evaluation of the performance, the assessment of reproducibility and accuracy of this modified analyser against the reference technique for Hb measurement.Materials and Methods  Over 300 routine blood samples from specimens received routinely in a hospital laboratory were tested in accordance with the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) protocol. Accuracy and linearity were confirmed by the reference method with the WHO international haemoglobincyanide reference standard. Tests were also performed on selected samples for checking interference by biochemical abnormalities and leucocytosis. The effects of various sample storage conditions prior to testing were also tested.Results  Ninety per cent of results were within 4% of true values, 96% within 6% and in only three cases was the deviation > 10%, due to interference by bilirubinaemia and/or C‐reactive protein. At an Hb value of 120 g/l for donor selection, there were no cases where the method would have been misleading.Conclusion  HemoCue 301 provides a simple and reliable anaemia screen method, conforming to the requirements of CLIA’88 regulations; it is reliable for discriminating Hb values for donor acceptance. The main advantage is that the cuvettes are significantly cheaper than the previous models, and will not deteriorate in adverse climatic conditions.
Transfusion‐related acute lung injury and leucocyte‐reacting antibodies
Authors: Zupanska B. , Uhrynowska M. , Michur H. , Maslanka K. , Zajko M. 
Published: April 2007

Background and Objectives  Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is underdiagnosed and underreported. This is why we present cases suspected for TRALI, in which leucocyte antibodies were examined.Material and Methods  We analysed 44 patients with respiratory insufficiency, related to transfusion, who met criteria of acute lung injury (ALI). Lymphocyte and granulocyte antibodies were examined in donors and patients by six methods.Results  Based on recent trends, we divided patients into two groups: TRALI (without risk factors for ALI) and possible TRALI (with probable risk factors). The incidence of antibodies was 68·2%, the majority were human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I and/or II, the minority were non‐specific granulocyte antibodies; half of all detected antibodies, however, reacted with granulocytes. Antibodies were found in 17 donors (more often in TRALI than in possible TRALI) and in 19 patients (in four – suspected to be of the donor origin, which would diminish the number of antibodies to 15). In seven available cases, we observed cognate antigen and/or positive cross‐match. In the majority of patients, TRALI occurred after transfusion of red cells, in 56·2%– stored above 14 days; all the units were non‐leucoreduced. Lookback in two donors showed that transfusions in 20 patients did not result in reported TRALI, even in the patient with cognate antigen.Conclusions  Our clinical observations suggest that to distinguish between TRALI and possible TRALI is difficult and the results are equivocal – it is worth considering whether it can be omitted. We have confirmed that antibodies are involved in TRALI, although their role is very complex. The role of stored red blood cells in the development of TRALI requires further observations in comparison with a control group of patients without TRALI.
COMPARISON OF HYPERTENSION, DYSLIPIDAEMIA AND HYPERGLYCAEMIA BETWEEN BUCKWHEAT SEED‐CONSUMING AND NON‐CONSUMING MONGOLIAN‐CHINESE POPULATIONS IN INNER MONGOLIA, CHINA
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Wei , Zhang Yong‐Hong , Lu Ming‐Jun , Tong Wei‐Jun , Cao Guang‐Wen 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARY

In the present study, a total of 3542 Mongolians in two adjacent counties of Inner Mongolia, China, were randomly sampled in a cross‐sectional study to assess the association of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and hyperglycaemia with lifetime consumption of buckwheat seed as a staple food. A sample group of 961 participants was also examined for fasting serum concentrations of lipids and glucose.
Frequent alcohol consumption significantly contributed to the high prevalence rate of hypertension in the pastureland Mongolian population.
The age‐adjusted prevalence rate of hypertension in Kulun participants who consumed buckwheat seed as a staple food was 18.22% (95% confidence interval (CI): 16.95%, 19.49%), whereas that in Kezhuohou participants, who consumed corn as a staple food, was 23.31% (95% CI: 21.92%, 24.70%). A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (P < 0.01).
Age‐adjusted prevalence rates in Kulun participants compared with Kezhuohou participants for hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and abnormalities in low‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol were 4.02% (95% CI: 2.24%, 5.80%) versus 7.76% (95% CI: 5.39%, 10.13%; P < 0.01), 26.58% (95% CI: 22.59%, 30.57%) versus 31.04% (95% CI: 26.59%, 35.13%; P < 0.05) and 4.66% (95% CI: 2.75%, 6.57%) versus 8.81% (95% CI: 6.30%, 11.32%; P < 0.01), respectively.
The age‐adjusted prevalence rate of hyperglycaemia in Kulun participants was 1.56% (95% CI: 0.78%, 2.34%), whereas that in Kezhuohou participants was 7.70% (95% CI: 6.01%, 9.39%). The difference was significant (P < 0.01).
These findings suggest that the consumption of buckwheat seed may be a preventative factor for hypertension, dyslipidaemia and hyperglycaemia in the pastureland Mongolian population.
SERUM NITRIC OXIDE METABOLITE (NOX) LEVELS IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS AT REST: A COMPARISON OF AGE, GENDER, BLOOD PRESSURE AND COMPLICATIONS USING NORMOTENSIVE CONTROLS
Authors: Higashino Hideaki , Miya Hirohisa , Mukai Hidenori , Miya Yoshihisa 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARY

Hypertensive patients have pathophysiological changes such as atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction and inflammations. The patients’ serum nitric oxide metabolite (nitrate/nitrite; NOx) levels were measured in peripheral blood using normotensive controls for comparison.
The NOx levels in 175 hypertensive patients with or without comorbid diseases (aged 37–95 years; average 50.6 ± 0.8 years) were compared with those in 80 normotensive controls (aged 25–73 years; average 37.1 ± 1.8 years).
The NOx levels increased with age in both the normotensive and hypertensive women, but not in men. No difference was noted in the NOx levels between the normotensive and hypertensive patients without comorbid diseases. The mean value of NOx in male hypertensive patients aged under 50 years was close to that of female patients aged 51–60 years. Hypertensive males aged 61–70 years showed almost the same NOx levels as those of female patients aged over 81 years. A male group of hypertensive patients with diabetes, hyperlipaemia and renal disorder had a significantly higher NOx level compared with a normotensive control group. However, in female groups, only hypertensive patients with hyperlipaemia showed higher serum NOx values compared with the normotensive group.
These findings suggest that: (i) the occurrence of NOx in the serum is not solely the outcome of high blood pressure; (ii) higher serum NOx levels in older women are because of an oestrogen deficiency‐induced cardiovascular disease; (iii) ageing effects on the circulation system are more apparent in men than in women; and (iv) measurement of NOx levels in the serum is helpful for understanding the pathological progress in male hypertensive patients with diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hyperlipaemia and renal disorder.
HYPOXIA‐INDUCED ASTROCYTES PROMOTE THE MIGRATION OF NEURAL PROGENITOR CELLS VIA VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL FACTOR, STEM CELL FACTOR, STROMAL‐DERIVED FACTOR‐1α AND MONOCYTE CHEMOATTRACTANT PROTEIN‐1 UPREGULATION IN VITRO
Authors: Xu Qiang , Wang Shaoxia , Jiang Xijuan , Zhao Yali , Gao Ming , Zhang Yanjun , Wang Xiaoming , Tano Kaori , Kanehara Masayuki , Zhang Wenping , Ishida Torao 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARY

The aim of the present study was to examine if and how rat hypoxia‐induced astrocytes affect the migration of neural progenitor cells (NPC) and to investigate the expression patterns of some chemokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stem cell factor (SCF), stromal‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α), fractalkine and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) in hypoxia‐induced astrocytes and their contribution to NPC migration in vitro.
Costar Transwell inserts were used for the chemotaxis assay and quantified changes in the chemokines mRNA for between 0 h and 24 h posthypoxia were tested using real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. The results showed that the chemotaxis of astrocyte cells exposed to hypoxia for 18 h reached a peak value, whereas the chemotaxis of astrocytes exposed to hypoxia for 24 h began to decrease compared with those exposed to hypoxia for 18 h. Hypoxia upregulated chemokine VEGF, SCF, SDF‐1α and MCP‐1 expression in a time‐dependent manner but downregulated fractalkine expression in astrocytes. In addition, the time points of the peak expressions for VEGF, SCF, SDF‐1α and MCP‐1 were similar to the time point of maximum NPC migration.
Specific inhibitors that block the binding of specific chemokines to its receptors were used for analysing the contribution of the chemokine to NPC migration. When VEGF, SCF, SDF‐1α and MCP‐1 were each inhibited independently, NPC migration was reduced. When they were inhibited together, NPC migration was obviously inhibited compared with both the control and single‐block cultures, which implies that the migratory effect of hypoxia‐induced astrocytes was synergetic by several chemokines.
In conclusion, we demonstrated the time‐dependent manner of NPC migration promotion by hypoxia‐induced astrocytes. We also provide evidence that soluble factors, such as VEGF, SCF, SDF‐1α and MCP‐1, released from astrocytes, direct the migration of NPC under hypoxic circumstances. Given that astrocytes were activated to all hypoxia–ischaemia diseases, these results indicate an important role for astrocytes in directing NPC replacement therapy in the central nervous system.
CHARACTERIZATION OF AN EXTRACELLULAR EPITOPE ANTIBODY TO THE NEURONAL K‐Cl COTRANSPORTER, KCC2
Authors: Gagnon Kenneth BE , Fyffe Robert EW , Adragna Norma C , Lauf Peter K 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARY

Ion gradients across the cell membrane are important for proper cellular communication and homeostasis. With the exception of erythrocytes, chloride (Cl), one of the most important free anions in animal cells, is not distributed at thermodynamic equilibrium across the plasma membrane. The K‐Cl cotransporter (COT), consisting of at least four isoforms, utilizes the larger outwardly directed chemical driving force of K to expel Cl from the cell against its inwardly directed chemical gradient and has been implicated recently as one of the main Cl extruders in developing neurons.
Previous in situ hybridization studies have indicated widespread mRNA distribution of the neuronal‐specific K‐Cl COT isoform (KCC2) throughout the rat central nervous system (CNS). However, immunohistochemical studies have been limited owing to the availability of a more selective antibody to KCC2. The goal of the present study was to develop a new molecular tool for the immunohistochemical identification and neuronal distribution of KCC2.
Herein, we present evidence of immunohistochemical corroboration of the widespread KCC2 mRNA expression using a novel extracellular anti‐peptide antibody directed against the second extracellular loop (ECL2) of KCC2. Immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent labelling revealed widespread post‐synaptic somatic and dendritic localization of KCC2 in multiple neuronal populations in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, brainstem, lumbar spinal cord and cerebellum. We also demonstrate that binding of the antibody to an extracellular epitope within ECL2 does not alter cotransporter function. In essence, the present study reports on a new molecular tool for structural and functional studies of KCC2.
BISOPROLOL INHIBITS SODIUM CURRENT IN VENTRICULAR MYOCYTES OF RATS WITH DIASTOLIC HEART FAILURE
Authors: Tang Hui‐Fang , Wu Shu‐Lin , Deng Chun‐Yu , Zhang Wen‐Chang , Kuang Su‐Juan 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARY

Changes in sodium currents (INa) in heart failure contribute to cardiac electrophysiological alterations and, thereby, to ventricular arrhythmias. Bisoprolol has anti‐arrhythmic effects, but its direct effect on INa in cardiac cells remains unclear. Accordingly, in the present study we investigated the effects of bisoprolol on ventricular INa in diastolic heart failure (DHF) and normal rats.
The DHF model was produced by abdominal aortic coarctation for 4 weeks and single ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzymatic dissociation. The electrophysiological actions of bisoprolol on INa currents were investigated using a whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique.
The membrane capacitance of rats in the DHF group was significantly greater than that of the control group and the current–voltage curve was simultaneously shifted downward. Bisoprolol concentration‐dependently decreased INa in ventricular myocytes of both groups (at −45 mV), with IC50 values of 19.53 ± 0.06 and 40.78 ± 0.03 µmol/L in the control and DHF groups, respectively.
In both groups, the current–voltage curves were shifted upwards, whereas activation potentials, peak currents and reversal potentials showed no significant changes. At −45 mV, the descent ratio of current densities in the DHF group was lower than that of the control group. In both groups, inactivation curves were shifted to more negative potentials, but activation curves and recovery curves were not altered. Changes in the half‐inactivation voltage, V0.5, and the slope of the inactivation curve, S, were similar for both groups.
In conclusion, bisoprolol concentration‐dependently decreases INa in ventricular myocytes of DHF and normal rats, which could be responsible, at least in part, for its anti‐arrhythmic effects.