bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Determination of Diffusion Coefficients of Iron (II) Ions in Chloride Melts at 700‐750°C
Authors: Lugovskoy Alex , Zinigrad Michael , Aurbach Doron 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe diffusion coefficients of iron (II) ions depositing on solid tungsten electrodes in a molten chloride systems at about 700°C have been determined by electrochemical techniques. The deposition process occurs under diffusion control for all the iron concentrations and temperatures studied. Conventional cyclic voltammetry and convolution cyclic voltammetry methods were used. Diffusion coefficients of iron (II) were calculated according to Randles‐Sevcik and Berzins‐Delahay equations for the conventional cyclic voltammetry and also by the limiting convoluted current for the convolution cyclic voltammetry. Convolution cyclic voltammetry is believed to be superior to conventional cyclic voltammetry for the quantitative evaluation of diffusion coefficients. The values of the diffusion coefficients lay in the range 1‐40‐10−5 cm2/s for the temperature range of 700‐750°C. The Arrhenius temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficients is characterized by the value of Ea = 31.2 kJ/mol.
Deformation Behavior of Intermetallics: Models and Experiments
Authors: Greenberg Bella A. , Ivanov Michail A. , Antonova Olga V. , Patselov Alexander M. , Plotnikov Alex V. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractA sufficiently general thermally activated mechanism for extension of dislocations in some preferential direction was proposed. This mechanism comprises a necessary step of dislocation transformations that lead to blocking. The reasons for blocking of different types of dislocations in different materials are diverse. A new concept was developed concerning the possibility of thermally activated blocking of superdislocations in the absence of external stresses. Some experiments with single crystals of Ni3(Al, Nb) were performed. They included no‐load heating after preliminary low‐ or high‐temperature deformation. It was found that the initial dislocation structure, which included curvilinear dislocations, transformed to a set of long rectilinear blocked superdislocations after no‐load heating. The experimental results confirmed theoretical assumptions on the possibility of thermally activated transformations of superdislocations to indestructible barriers in the absence of external stresses.
Targeting CD22 Reprograms B-Cells and Reverses Autoimmune Diabetes
Authors: Fiorina Paolo , Vergani Andrea , Dada Shirine , Jurewicz Mollie , Wong Masie , Law Kenneth , Wu Erxi , Tian Ze , Abdi Reza , Guleria Indira , Rodig Scott , Dunussi-Joannopoulos Kyri , Bluestone Jeffrey , Sayegh Mohamed H. 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVES—To investigate a B-cell–depleting strategy to reverse diabetes in naïve NOD mice.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We targeted the CD22 receptor on B-cells of naïve NOD mice to deplete and reprogram B-cells to effectively reverse autoimmune diabetes.RESULTS—Anti-CD22/cal monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy resulted in early and prolonged B-cell depletion and delayed disease in pre-diabetic mice. Importantly, when new-onset hyperglycemic mice were treated with the anti-CD22/cal mAb, 100% of B-cell–depleted mice became normoglycemic by 2 days, and 70% of them maintained a state of long-term normoglycemia. Early therapy after onset of hyperglycemia and complete B-cell depletion are essential for optimal efficacy. Treated mice showed an increase in percentage of regulatory T-cells in islets and pancreatic lymph nodes and a diminished immune response to islet peptides in vitro. Transcriptome analysis of reemerging B-cells showed significant changes of a set of proinflammatory genes. Functionally, reemerging B-cells failed to present autoantigen and prevented diabetes when cotransferred with autoreactive CD4+ T-cells into NOD.SCID hosts.CONCLUSIONS—Targeting CD22 depletes and reprograms B-cells and reverses autoimmune diabetes, thereby providing a blueprint for development of novel therapies to cure autoimmune diabetes.
Transforming Growth Factor-β Suppresses the Activation of CD8+ T-Cells When Naïve but Promotes Their Survival and Function Once Antigen Experienced
Authors: Filippi Christophe M. , Juedes Amy E. , Oldham Janine E. , Ling Ellie , Togher Lisa , Peng Yufeng , Flavell Richard A. , von Herrath Matthias G. 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) can exhibit strong immune suppression but has also been shown to promote T-cell growth. We investigated the differential effect of this cytokine on CD8+ T-cells in autoimmunity and antiviral immunity.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We used mouse models for virally induced type 1 diabetes in conjunction with transgenic systems enabling manipulation of TGF-β expression or signaling in vivo.RESULTS—Surprisingly, when expressed selectively in the pancreas, TGF-β reduced apoptosis of differentiated autoreactive CD8+ T-cells, favoring their expansion and infiltration of the islets. These results pointed to drastically opposite roles of TGF-β on naïve compared with antigen-experienced/memory CD8+ T-cells. Indeed, in the absence of functional TGF-β signaling in T-cells, fast-onset type 1 diabetes caused by activation of naïve CD8+ T-cells occurred faster, whereas slow-onset disease depending on accumulation and activation of antigen-experienced/memory CD8+ T-cells was decreased. TGF-β receptor–deficient CD8+ T-cells showed enhanced activation and expansion after lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection in vivo but were more prone to apoptosis once antigen experienced and failed to survive as functional memory cells. In vitro, TGF-β suppressed naïve CD8+ T-cell activation and γ-interferon production, whereas memory CD8+ T-cells stimulated in the presence of TGF-β showed enhanced survival and increased production of interleukin-17 in conjunction with γ-interferon.CONCLUSIONS—The effect of TGF-β on CD8+ T-cells is dependent on their differentiation status and activation history. These results highlight a novel aspect of the pleiotropic nature of TGF-β and have implications for the design of immune therapies involving this cytokine.
Predicting Diabetes: Clinical, Biological, and Genetic Approaches
Authors: Balkau Beverley , Lange Céline , Fezeu Leopold , Tichet Jean , de Lauzon-Guillain Blandine , Czernichow Sebastien , Fumeron Frederic , Froguel Philippe , Vaxillaire Martine , Cauchi Stephane , Ducimetière Pierre , Eschwège Eveline 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—To provide a simple clinical diabetes risk score and to identify characteristics that predict later diabetes using variables available in the clinic setting as well as biological variables and polymorphisms.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Incident diabetes was studied in 1,863 men and 1,954 women, 30–65 years of age at baseline, with diabetes defined by treatment or by fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 mmol/l at 3-yearly examinations over 9 years. Sex-specific logistic regression equations were used to select variables for prediction.
RESULTS—A total of 140 men and 63 women developed diabetes. The predictive clinical variables were waist circumference and hypertension in both sexes, smoking in men, and diabetes in the family in women. Discrimination, as measured by the area under the receiver operating curves (AROCs), were 0.713 for men and 0.827 for women, a little higher than for the Finish Diabetes Risk (FINDRISC) score, with fewer variables in the score. Combining clinical and biological variables, the predictive equation included fasting glucose, waist circumference, smoking, and γ-glutamyltransferase for men and fasting glucose, BMI, triglycerides, and diabetes in family for women. The number of TCF7L2 and IL6 deleterious alleles was predictive in both sexes, but after including the above clinical and biological variables, this variable was only predictive in women (P &lt; 0.03) and the AROC statistics increased only marginally.
CONCLUSIONS—The best clinical predictor of diabetes is adiposity, and baseline glucose is the best biological predictor. Clinical and biological predictors differed marginally between men and women. The genetic polymorphisms added little to the prediction of diabetes.
Barriers to Physical Activity Among Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Brazeau Anne-Sophie , Rabasa-Lhoret Rémi , Strychar Irene , Mircescu Hortensia 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—To determine, in an adult population with type 1 diabetes, barriers to regular physical activity using a diabetes-specific barriers measure (the Barriers to Physical Activity in Diabetes [type 1] [BAPAD1] scale) and factors associated with these barriers.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—One hundred adults with type 1 diabetes answered a questionnaire assessing perceived barriers to physical activity and related factors. A1C was obtained from the medical chart of each individual.
RESULTS—Fear of hypoglycemia was identified as being the strongest barrier to physical activity. Greater knowledge about insulin pharmacokinetics and using appropriate approaches to minimize exercise-induced hypoglycemia were factors associated with fewer perceived barriers. Greater barriers were positively correlated with A1C levels (r = 0.203; P = 0.042) and negatively with well-being (r = −0.45; P &lt; 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS—Fear of hypoglycemia is the strongest barrier to regular physical activity in adults with type 1 diabetes, who should therefore be informed and supported in hypoglycemia management.
Dietary Energy Density Predicts the Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wang Jing , Luben Robert , Khaw Kay-Tee , Bingham Sheila , Wareham Nicholas J. , Forouhi Nita G. 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—Accumulating evidence suggests that energy-dense foods predispose to obesity and that such foods may also be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, but there is limited evidence. Our aim was to investigate whether there is an independent association between dietary energy density and incidence of diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk Cohort Study was a population-based prospective study of individuals aged 40–79 years at baseline. We calculated energy density for overall diet (all solids and drinks) using food frequency questionnaires. During 12 years of follow-up, we documented 725 new-onset cases of diabetes among 21,919 participants without diabetes, cancer, or cardiovascular disease at baseline.
RESULTS—Baseline energy density (adjusted for age, sex, and baseline BMI) was higher in those who developed type 2 diabetes (mean 3.08 kJ/g [95% CI 3.03–3.13]) than in those who remained nondiabetic (3.01 kJ/g [3.00–3.02]) (P = 0.012). Energy density was positively associated with incident diabetes (odds ratio 1.21 per unit increase [95% CI 1.06–1.38]) adjusted for known risk factors. There was a 60% higher risk of diabetes (1.60 [1.19–2.16]) in the highest quintile of energy density (range 3.55–7.97 kJ/g) compared with the lowest quintile (1.04–2.43 kJ/g) in adjusted analysis.
CONCLUSIONS—This is the first large population-based prospective study to report that an energy-dense diet may be associated with increased risk of development of diabetes, independent of baseline obesity. The potential public health impact of a low–energy-dense diet on reducing the risk of diabetes deserves further study.
Exhibition of persistent and drug-tolerant L-form habit of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during infection in rats
Authors: Markova Nadya , Michailova Lilia , Jourdanova Mimi , Kussovski Vesselin , Valcheva Violeta , Mokrousov Igor , Radoucheva Tatyana 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
A model for studying mycobacterial L-form formation in vivo was established to demonstrate the ability of M. tuberculosis to behave as a drug-tolerant L-form persister. Rats were infected by intranasal (i.n.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) routes with 1×108 cells/ml of M. tuberculosis. At weekly intervals during a period of five weeks, samples from lung, spleen, liver, kidney, mesenterial and inguinal lymph nodes, broncho-alveolar and peritoneal lavage liquid were plated simultaneously on Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium or inoculated into specially supplemented for L-forms Dubos broth (drug-free and drug-containing variants). The use of liquid media enabled isolation of mycobacterial L-form cultures during the whole period of experiment including the last two weeks, when tubercle bacilli were not isolated on LJ medium. An unique feature of mycobacterial L-forms was their ability to grow faster than the classical tubercle bacilli. Isolation and growth of L-form cultures in primary drug-containing media demonstrated their drug-tolerant properties. Electron microscopy of liquid media isolates showed that they consisted of morphologically heterogenous populations of membrane-bound and of variable sized L-bodies that completely lack cell walls. The identity of the isolated non-acid fast and morphologically modified L-forms as M. tuberculosis was verified by specific spoligotyping test. The results contribute to special aspects concerning the importance of mycobacterial L-form phenomenon for persistence and latency in tuberculosis, phenotypic drug tolerance, as well as for diagnosis of difficult to identify morphologically changed tubercle bacilli which are often mistaken for contaminants.
Halophilic archaea isolated from man-made young (200 years) salt lakes in Slănic, Prahova, Romania
Authors: Enache Mădălin , Itoh Takashi , Kamekura Masahiro , Popescu Gabriela , Dumitru Lucia 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
We isolated a number of extremely halophilic archaea from four salt lakes (Red Bath, Green Bath, Shepherd Bath and Bride Cave) located in Slanic Prahova, Romania. The characterization of 12 representative isolates by polyphasic approach revealed that 11 strains were members of the genus Haloferax and only one was a member of the genus Haloarcula. The 11 Haloferax isolates possessed sulfated diglycosylarchaeol-1 as the major membrane glycolipid, and G+C contents of total DNA were 63.4–65.8 mol%. The predominant isolation of Haloferax species from the lakes may suggest that the underground salt deposit possesses Haloferax species as the major biota of ancient origin. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper on the survey of halophilic archaea of man-made young salt lakes.
Serum levels of cortisol and prolactin in patients treated under total intravenous anesthesia with propofol-fentanyl and under balanced anesthesia with isoflurane-fentanyl
Authors: Mujagić Zlata , Čičko Elsada , Vegar-Brozović Vesna , Prašo Mirsada 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
The study was designed to determine pre-, intra-and postoperative serum cortisol and prolactin (PRL) concentrations in patients subjected to low abdominal surgery under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol-fentanyl, and under general balanced anesthesia with isoflurane-fentanyl. The prospective study included 50 patients of both sexes, aged between 35 and 60 years, subjected to elective low abdominal surgery. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group, consisting of 25 ASA I/II (American Society of Anesthesiologists I/II classification) patients treated under TIVA with propofol-fentanyl, and a control group consisting of 25 ASA I/II patients treated under balanced anesthesia with isoflurane-fentanyl. The length of the surgery and the degree of the surgical trauma did not differ significantly between the two anesthesia groups. Blood samples for cortisol and PRL measurements were drawn at exact time points: 30 minutes before the beginning of the surgery (T0), 30 minutes after the beginning of the surgery (T1), at the end of the surgery (T2), 2 hours after the surgery (T3), and 24 hours after the surgery (T4). Serum levels of cortisol and PRL were measured using commercially available kits. The results were evaluated with the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. The serum concentration of cortisol measured at T1 time point in patients treated under TIVA was significantly lower (p=0.04) than that in patients treated under general balanced anesthesia. The average circulating levels of PRL measured at T1, T2 and T3 time points in patients treated under TIVA were significantly lower (p=0.003; p=0.002; p<0.05; respectively) than those in patients treated under balanced anesthesia. The results obtained suggest that the endocrine stress response developed in response to surgery is probably attenuated in patients treated under TIVA with propofol-fentanyl and, thus, that these patients are less stressed in comparison to patients treated under general balanced anesthesia with isoflurane-fentanyl.
Intracranial meningioma in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Tsitsopoulos Parmenion , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis , Tsitouras Vasileios , Venizelos Ioannis , Tsitsopoulos Philippos 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable disorder characterized mainly by connective tissue manifestations. In dinstinct cases, several neurological features have also been described. A 46-year-old male with a known family history of OI type I presented with progressive gait disturbances and diminished muscle strength. Brain MRI scans revealed an infiltrative intracranial mass occupying both frontoparietal lobes. The patient underwent surgical intervention. The histological diagnosis was an atypical (Grade II) meningioma. The bony parts demonstrated a mixture of osseous defects due to OI and infiltration by the tumor. At one-year follow up the patient′s muscle power partially returned while repeat MRI scans were negative for tumor recurrence.
Predictors of Physical Therapy Clinic Performance in the Treatment of Patients With Low Back Pain Syndromes
Authors: Resnik Linda , Liu Dawei , Mor Vince , Hart Dennis L 
Published: August 2008

Background and PurposeLittle is known about organizational and service delivery factors related to quality of care in physical therapy. This study sought to identify characteristics related to differences in practice outcomes and service utilization.SubjectsThe sample comprised 114 outpatient clinics and 1,058 therapists who treated 16,281 patients with low back pain syndromes during the period 2000–2001. Clinics participated with the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes, Inc (FOTO) database.MethodsHierarchical linear models were used to risk adjust treatment outcomes and number of visits per treatment episode. Aggregated residual scores from these models were used to classify each clinic into 1 of 3 categories in each of 3 types of performance groups: (1) effectiveness, (2) utilization, and (3) overall performance (ie, composite measure of effectiveness and utilization). Relationships between clinic classification and the following independent variables were examined by multinomial logistic regression: years of therapist experience, number of physical therapists, ratio of physical therapists to physical therapist assistants, proportion of patients with low back pain syndromes, number of new patients per physical therapist per month, utilization of physical therapist assistants, and setting.ResultsClinics that were lower utilizers of physical therapist assistants were 6.6 times more likely to be classified into the high effectiveness group compared with the low effectiveness group, 6.7 times more likely to be classified in the low utilization group compared with the high utilization group, and 12.4 times more likely to be classified in the best performance group compared with the worst performance group. Serving a higher proportion of patients with low back pain syndromes was associated with an increased likelihood of being classified in the lowest or middle group. Years of physical therapist experience was inversely associated with being classified in the middle utilization group compared with the highest utilization group.Discussion and ConclusionThese findings suggest that, in the treatment of patients with low back pain syndromes, clinics that are low utilizers of physical therapist assistants are more likely to provide superior care (ie, better patient outcomes and lower service use).
Hypothesis: Dysregulation of methylation of brain‐expressed genes on the X chromosome and autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Jones Julie R. , Skinner Cindy , Friez Michael J. , Schwartz Charles E. , Stevenson Roger E. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe hypothesis is set forth that dysregulation of brain‐expressed genes on the X chromosome constitutes the major predisposition to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This dysregulation, mediated by hypomethylation or hypermethylation of CpG sites within gene promoters, leads to overexpression or partial silencing of one or more brain‐expressed genes, which in turn results in an unbalanced production of the proteins responsible for brain structure and function. This hypothesis accommodates the predominantly sporadic occurrence (95%), the male excess (4:1), and the usual absence of malformations or other syndromic manifestations in ASDs. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of the Prader‐Willi syndrome chromosome region using quantitative microsphere hybridization (QMH) array
Authors: Newkirk H.L. , Bittel D.C. , Butler M.G. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe previously developed a novel quantitative microsphere suspension hybridization (QMH) assay for high‐throughput determination of genomic copy number by direct hybridization of unique sequence probes to genomic DNA followed by flow cytometric analysis. Herein, we describe the first clinical application of this assay examining the Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) chromosome region at 15q11–13. We designed 30 unique sequence test probes (∼60 nucleotides each) spanning 11.37 Mb of chromosome 15q11.2–q13.3 and a disomic reference probe (Actin Beta, chromosome 7p22.1), conjugated to spectrally distinct polystyrene microsphere levels. All probes were hybridized to biotin‐labeled genomic DNA in multiplex QMH reactions, and hybridization was detected using phycoerythrin‐labeled streptavidin and analyzed by dual‐laser flow cytometry. Copy number differences were distinguished by comparing mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) of the test probes to the reference probe in 20 individuals with PWS and six controls. The mean MFI ratio for deleted loci was 0.56 ± 0.09 (n = 88) as compared to the MFI ratios for normal loci, 0.96 ± 0.06 (n = 236), and duplicated loci, 1.44 ± 0.10 (n = 22). A multiplex QMH assay could readily distinguish type I from type II deletions in PWS subjects, as well as small (∼4.3 kb) imprinting center (IC) deletions, with no overlap in MFI values compared with normal loci. Using this diagnostic QMH assay, the precise deleted genomic interval could be ascertained in all PWS subjects examined in the present study. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.