bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a Detailed Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Computational
Fluid Dynamics Model for Analyzing Cell Performance Degradation
Authors: Verda Vittorio , von Spakovsky Michael R. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are a promising technology for distributed electricity generation and cogeneration. Numerous papers have been published in the past several years proposing mathematical/computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models for predicting the transient and steady-state performance of such cells. In this paper, a detailed steady-state CFD model of a planar anode supported SOFC is proposed, which accounts for mass, thermal, and charge transport as well as electrochemistry and the chemistry of internal fuel reforming. Its main characteristics include the use of a continuous model for the electrochemistry, allowing one to examine different three-phase boundary geometries. This is an improvement over the typical model reported in literature, which utilizes an equivalent resistive circuit approach or a homogeneous distribution of three-phase boundaries. The model proposed here is used to simulate the degradation of anode, cathode, and electrolyte due to instabilities (e.g., anode oxidation due to fuel depletion) or to the delamination of the electrodes from the electrolyte. Such degradations result in a drop in cell performance but are difficult to predict without the use of models that can be helpful for diagnosis. The model is applied to experimental data available in literature both for the nondegraded and degraded cases.
Reading culture from tobacco advertisements in Indonesia
Authors: Nichter Mimi , Padmawati S , Danardono M , Ng N , Prabandari Y , Nichter Mark 
Published: November 2008

Background:Tobacco advertising in Indonesia is among the most aggressive and innovative in the world, and tobacco advertisements saturate the environment. Tobacco companies are politically and financially powerful in the country because they are one of the largest sources of government revenue. As a result, there are few restrictions on tobacco marketing and advertising. National surveys reveal that 62% of men and 1% to 3% of women are smokers. Over 90% of smokers smoke clove cigarettes (kretek). This paper examines the social and cultural reasons for smoking in Indonesia and discusses how the tobacco industry reads, reproduces and works with culture as a means of selling cigarettes. An analysis is provided of howkretektobacco companies represent themselves as supporters of Indonesian national identity. This analysis is used to identify strategies to break the chains of positive association that currently support widespread smoking.Methods:Between November 2001 and March 2007, tobacco advertisements were collected from a variety of sources, including newspapers and magazines. Frequent photographic documentation was made of adverts on billboards and in magazines. Advertisements were segmented into thematic units to facilitate analysis. In all, 30 interviews were conducted with smokers to explore benefits and risks of smoking, perceptions of advertisements and brand preferences. Focus groups (n = 12) were conducted to explore and pretest counter advertisements.Results:Key themes were identified in tobacco advertisements including control of emotions, smoking to enhance masculinity and smoking as a means to uphold traditional values while simultaneously emphasising modernity and globalisation. Somekretekadvertisements are comprised of indirect commentaries inviting the viewer to reflect on the political situation and one’s position in society.Conclusions:After identifying key cultural themes in cigarette advertisements, our research group is attempting to engage the tobacco industry on “cultural ground” to reduce consumption and social acceptability. To do this, we need to take back social spaces that the tobacco industry has laid claim to through advertising. Active monitoring and surveillance of tobacco advertising strategies is necessary and legislation and enforcement to curb the industry should be put in place.
The Effect of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 -675 4G/5G Polymorphism on Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) Disease
Authors: Ozel Demiralp Duygu , Ekim Mesiha , Akar Nejat 
Published: November 2008

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease that is the most common of a rare group of disorders collectively termed familial hereditary periodic fever syndromes, also known as autoinflammatory syndromes. FMF is predominantly affecting people of Mediterranean descent and clinically characterized by intermittent attacks of fever with peritonitis and abdominal pain, pleuritis, arthritis, or erysipelas-like rashes. Amyloidosis due to chronic inflammation progressing to renal failure is one of the most serious potential complications of this disease. Patients with inflammatory diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, and conditions with chronic subclinical inflammation, like obesity and diabetes mellitus, are now considered to have an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular complications. FMF is also an inflammatory disease, and it is accepted that even during attack-free periods significant inflammatory reaction continues. However, whether this inflammatory process causes premature atherosclerosis is not known due to a lack of data. Different studies have investigated the association between the fibrinolytic and inflammatory process parameters. PAI-1 is paracrine secretion of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines, thereby playing a possible role in the adiposity-related inflammation and atherosclerosis. The patients with IRS have higher values of fibrinogen, factor VII, VIII, Von Willebrand factor and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor (PAI) compared to control subjects. So that we aimed in this study to investigate whether FMF patients with/without amyloidosis and with M694V homozygote mutation, have increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular complications and to determine the strength of association between MEFV gene-mutation types. To our knowledge, this is the first case control and cross-sectional study in the pediatric age groups.
Plasma fibronectin depletion enhances platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in mice lacking fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor
Authors: Reheman Adili , Yang Hong , Zhu Guangheng , Jin Wuxun , He Feng , Spring Christopher M. , Bai Xufang , Gross Peter L. , Freedman John , Ni Heyu 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
We previously showed that platelet aggregation and thrombus formation occurred in mice lacking both fibrinogen (Fg) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) and that plasma fibronectin (pFn) promoted thrombus growth and stability in injured arterioles in wild-type mice. To examine whether pFn is required for Fg/VWF-independent thrombosis, we generated Fg/VWF/conditional pFn triple-deficient (TKO; Cre+, Fnflox/flox, Fg/VWF−/−) mice and littermate control (Cre−, Fnflox/flox, Fg/VWF−/−) mice. Surprisingly, TKO platelet aggregation was not abolished, but instead was enhanced in both heparinized platelet-rich plasma and gel-filtered platelets. This enhancement was diminished when TKO platelets were aggregated in pFn-positive control platelet-poor plasma (PPP), whereas aggregation was enhanced when control platelets were aggregated in pFn-depleted TKO PPP. The TKO platelet aggregation can be completely inhibited by our newly developed mouse anti–mouse β3 integrin antibodies but was not affected by anti–mouse GPIbα antibodies. Enhanced platelet aggregation was also observed when heparinized TKO blood was perfused in collagen-coated perfusion chambers. Using intravital microscopy, we further showed that thrombogenesis in TKO mice was enhanced in both FeCl3-injured mesenteric arterioles and laser-injured cremaster arterioles. Our data indicate that pFn is not essential for Fg/VWF-independent thrombosis and that soluble pFn is probably an important inhibitory factor for platelet aggregation.
Platelets actively sequester angiogenesis regulators
Authors: Lakka Klement Giannoula , Yip Tai-Tung , Cassiola Flavia , Kikuchi Lena , Cervi David , Podust Vladimir , Italiano Joseph E. , Wheatley Erin , Abou-Slaybi Abdo , Bender Elise , Almog Nava , Kieran Mark W. , Folkman Judah 
Published: November 2008

AbstractClinical trials with antiangiogenic agents have not been able to validate plasma or serum levels of angiogenesis regulators as reliable markers of cancer presence or therapeutic response. We recently reported that platelets contain numerous proteins that regulate angiogenesis. We now show that accumulation of angiogenesis regulators in platelets of animals bearing malignant tumors exceeds significantly their concentration in plasma or serum, as well as their levels in platelets from non–tumor-bearing animals. This process is selective, as platelets do not take up a proportional amount of other plasma proteins (eg, albumin), even though these may be present at higher concentrations. We also find that VEGF-enriched Matrigel pellets implanted subcutaneously into mice or the minute quantities of VEGF secreted by microscopic subcutaneous tumors (0.5-1 mm3) result in an elevation of VEGF levels in platelets, without any changes in its plasma levels. The profile of other angiogenesis regulatory proteins (eg, platelet-derived growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor) sequestered by platelets also reflects the presence of tumors in vivo before they can be macroscopically evident. The ability of platelets to selectively take up angiogenesis regulators in cancer-bearing hosts may have implications for the diagnosis and management of many angiogenesis-related diseases and provide a guide for antiangiogenic therapies.
Concentration-dependent inhibition of angiogenesis by mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Otsu Keishi , Das Shonit , Houser Sandra D. , Quadri Sadiqa K. , Bhattacharya Sunita , Bhattacharya Jahar 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which potentially transdifferentiate into multiple cell types, are increasingly reported to be beneficial in models of organ system injury. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying interactions between MSCs and host cells, in particular endothelial cells (ECs), remain unclear. We show here in a matrigel angiogenesis assay that MSCs are capable of inhibiting capillary growth. After addition of MSCs to EC-derived capillaries in matrigel at EC:MSC ratio of 1:1, MSCs migrated toward the capillaries, intercalated between ECs, established Cx43-based intercellular gap junctional communication (GJC) with ECs, and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These events led to EC apoptosis and capillary degeneration. In an in vivo tumor model, direct MSC inoculation into subcutaneous melanomas induced apoptosis and abrogated tumor growth. Thus, our findings show for the first time that at high numbers, MSCs are potentially cytotoxic and that when injected locally in tumor tissue they might be effective antiangiogenesis agents suitable for cancer therapy.
RICD: A rice indicacDNA database resource for rice functional genomics
Authors: Lu Tingting , Huang Xuehui , Zhu Chuanrang , Huang Tao , Zhao Qiang , Xie Kabing , Xiong Lizhong , Zhang Qifa , Han Bin 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
The Oryza sativa L. indica subspecies is the most widely cultivated rice. During the last few years, we have collected over 20,000 putative full-length cDNAs and over 40,000 ESTs isolated from various cDNA libraries of two indica varieties Guangluai 4 and Minghui 63. A database of the rice indica cDNAs was therefore built to provide a comprehensive web data source for searching and retrieving the indica cDNA clones.

Results
Rice Indica cDNA Database (RICD) is an online MySQL-PHP driven database with a user-friendly web interface. It allows investigators to query the cDNA clones by keyword, genome position, nucleotide or protein sequence, and putative function. It also provides a series of information, including sequences, protein domain annotations, similarity search results, SNPs and InDels information, and hyperlinks to gene annotation in both The Rice Annotation Project Database (RAP-DB) and The TIGR Rice Genome Annotation Resource, expression atlas in RiceGE and variation report in Gramene of each cDNA.

Conclusion
The online rice indica cDNA database provides cDNA resource with comprehensive information to researchers for functional analysis of indica subspecies and for comparative genomics. The RICD database is available through our website http://www.ncgr.ac.cn/ricd.
Effects of small interfering RNA targeting thymidylate synthase on survival of ACC3 cells from salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma
Authors: Shirasaki Takashi , Maruya Shin-ichiro , Mizukami Hiroki , Kakehata Seiji , Kurotaki Hidekachi , Yagihashi Soroku , Shinkawa Hideichi 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundThymidylate synthase (TS) is an important target for chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer and high expression of TS has been associated with poor prognosis or refractory disease in several cancers including colorectal and head and neck cancer. Although TS is known to regulate cell cycles and transcription factors, its potency as a therapeutic target has not been fully explored in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC).MethodsAn ACC cell line (ACC3) was transfected with siRNA targeting the TS gene and inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis-associated molecules were evaluatedin vitro. In addition, thein vivoeffect of TS siRNA on tumor progression was assessed using a xenograft model.ResultsOur results demonstrated that ACC3 cells showed significantly higher TS expression than non-cancer cell lines and the induction of TS siRNA led to inhibition of cell proliferation. The effect was associated with an increase in p53, p21, and active caspase-3 and S-phase accumulation. We also found up-regulation of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT), a polyamine metabolic enzyme. Furthermore, treatment with TS siRNA delivered by atelocollagen showed a significant cytostatic effect through the induction of apoptosis in a xenograft model.ConclusionTS may be an important therapeutic target and siRNA targeting TS may be of potential therapeutic value in ACC.
Selective receptor expression restricts Nipah virus infection of endothelial cells
Authors: Erbar Stephanie , Diederich Sandra , Maisner Andrea 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic paramyxovirus that causes severe diseases in animals and humans. Endothelial cell (EC) infection is an established hallmark of NiV infection in vivo. Despite systemic virus spread via the vascular system, EC in brain and lung are preferentially infected whereas EC in other organs are less affected. As in vivo, we found differences in the infection of EC in cell culture. Only brain-derived primary or immortalized EC were found to be permissive to NiV infection. Using a replication-independent fusion assay, we could show that the lack of infection in non-brain EC was due to a lack of receptor expression. The NiV entry receptors ephrinB2 (EB2) or ephrinB3 were only expressed in brain endothelia. The finding that EB2 expression in previously non-permissive aortic EC rendered the cells permissive to infection then demonstrated that EB2 is not only necessary but also sufficient to allow the establishment of a productive NiV infection. This strongly suggests that limitations in receptor expression restrict virus entry in certain EC subsets in vivo, and are thus responsible for the differences in EC tropism observed in human and animal NiV infections.
Intrathecal synthesis of IgE in children with eosinophilic meningoencephalitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Authors: Padilla-Docal Barbara , Dorta-Contreras Alberto J , Bu-Coifiu-Fanego Raisa , Hernández Hermes Fundora , Barroso Jesús Callol , Sanchez-Martinez Consuelo 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundEosinophilic meningoencephalitis caused by the helminthAngiostrongylus cantonensis, is an emerging infectious disease in America. The objective of this paper was to determine if the intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulin E is produced during the acute phase of the disease.MethodsThirteen patients, mean age 4.5 years were studied; a diagnostic lumbar puncture was performed and serum samples taken. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was quantified by nephelometry. Control patients had other infections or other neurological diseases.ResultsThe mean cell count in the CSF was 500 × 10-6cells/L and of these 23% were eosinophils. In blood the eosinophils were 13%. The chief symptoms of the patients were migraine, vomiting and fever and 50% presented some meningeal signs. IgE intrathecal synthesis analyzed by the corresponding quotient diagram (Reibergram) was observed in all patients. No intrathecal IgE synthesis was seen in control patients.ConclusionIntrathecal synthesis of IgE demonstrates the participation of this immunoglobulin in the destruction of the third stage larvae of the parasite in the CSF. The test should be considered in our environment as a tool to aid diagnosis.
Trends towards an improved disease state in rheumatoid arthritis over time: influence of new therapies and changes in management approach: analysis of the EMECAR cohort
Authors: González-Alvaro Isidoro , Descalzo Miguel Angel , Carmona Loreto ,   the EMECAR Study Group
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Introduction
The disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has improved during the past decade. The availability of new drugs and also a better assessment of the disease have been proposed to be responsible for this improvement. In the present work we estimate the effect of these factors on disease activity and function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis at the beginning of the new century.

Methods
The Estudio de la Morbilidad y Expresión Clínica de la Artritis Reumatoide (EMECAR) cohort was assembled in 2000 from the random sampling of rheumatoid arthritis patients registered in 34 centers. The cohort was composed of 789 patients who underwent a baseline assessment plus four annual follow-up visits in which functional ability (Health Assessment Questionnaire score), the disease activity score obtained from 28-joint count with three parameters (DAS28-3) and radiological progression (Larsen score) were recorded. The effect of the calendar year on the DAS28-3, the Health Assessment Questionnaire score, and the Larsen score was obtained from adjusted models in which all treatments were included as dummy variables.

Results
The effect of time as the β coefficient (95% confidence interval) for 2004, taking 2000 as a reference year, was -0.43 (-0.58 to -0.28) for the DAS28-3, 0.15 (0.07 to 0.22) for the Health Assessment Questionnaire score, and 4.4 (2.68 to 6.12) for the Larsen score. Treatment with new therapies, either leflunomide or TNF antagonists, increased in frequency from 1.1% (n = 8) in 2000 to 30.9% (n = 144) in 2004. Treatment with TNF antagonists (-0.28 (-0.5 to -0.05)) and with gold salts (-0.21 (-0.38 to -0.04)) was independently associated with a decrease in the DAS28-3 over time, whereas cyclosporin A treatment (0.45 (0.13 to 0.76)) was associated with an increase in disease activity.

Conclusions
The mean disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis has improved from 2000 to 2004. An explanation is the introduction of new therapies, but not solely. Other factors related to the calendar year, plausibly a better management of available drugs, show a greater effect on improvement than the drugs used.
Metformin-associated lactic acidosis in an intensive care unit
Authors: Peters Nicolas , Jay Nicolas , Barraud Damien , Cravoisy Aurélie , Nace Lionel , Bollaert Pierre-Edouard , Gibot Sébastien 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Introduction
Metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is a classic side effect of metformin and is known to be a severe disease with a high mortality rate. The treatment of MALA with dialysis is controversial and is the subject of many case reports in the literature. We aimed to assess the prevalence of MALA in a 16-bed, university-affiliated, intensive care unit (ICU), and the effect of dialysis on patient outcome.

Methods
Over a five-year period, we retrospectively identified all patients who were either admitted to the ICU with metformin as a usual medication, or who attempted suicide by metformin ingestion. Within this population, we selected patients presenting with lactic acidosis, thus defining MALA, and described their clinical and biological features.

Results
MALA accounted for 0.84% of all admissions during the study period (30 MALA admissions over five years) and was associated with a 30% mortality rate. The only factors associated with a fatal outcome were the reason for admission in the ICU and the initial prothrombin time. Although patients who went on to haemodialysis had higher illness severity scores, as compared with those who were not dialysed, the mortality rates were similar between the two groups (31.3% versus 28.6%).

Conclusions
MALA can be encountered in the ICU several times a year and still remains a life-threatening condition. Treatment is restricted mostly to supportive measures, although haemodialysis may possess a protective effect.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Activates Gene Transcription Programs Strongly Associated With Poor Breast Cancer Prognosis
Authors: Creighton Chad J. , Casa Angelo , Lazard ZaWaunyka , Huang Shixia , Tsimelzon Anna , Hilsenbeck Susan G. , Osborne Charles Kent , Lee Adrian V. 
Published: November 2008

Purpose Substantial evidence implicates insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) signaling in the development and progression of breast cancer. To more clearly elucidate the role of IGF in human breast cancer, we identified and then examined gene expression patterns of IGF-I–treated breast cancer cells. Methods MCF-7 cells were stimulated with IGF-I for 3 or 24 hours and were profiled for greater than 22,000 RNA transcripts. We defined an IGF-I signature pattern of more than 800 genes that were up- or downregulated at both time points. The gene signature was examined in clinical breast tumors and in experimental models that represented other oncogenic pathways. The signature was correlated with clinical and pathologic variables and with patient outcome. Results IGF-I caused temporal changes in gene expression that were strongly associated with cell proliferation, metabolism, and DNA repair. Genes with early and sustained regulation by IGF-I were highly enriched for transcriptional targets of the estrogen receptor (ER), Ras/extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathways. In three large, independent data sets of profiled human breast tumors, the IGF-I signature was manifested in the majority of ER-negative breast tumors and in a subset (approximately 25%) of ER-positive breast tumors. Patients who had tumors that manifested the IGF-I signature (including patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy) had a shorter time to a poor outcome event. The IGF gene signature was highly correlated with numerous poor prognostic factors and was one of the strongest indicators of disease outcome. Conclusion Transcriptional targets of IGF-I represent pathways of increased aggressiveness and possibly hormone independence in clinical breast cancers.