bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of infliximab therapy on the serum proteome of rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Dwivedi Ravi C , Dhindsa Navjot , Krokhin Oleg V , Cortens John , Wilkins John A , El-Gabalawy Hani S 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Although the clinical effects of infliximab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis have been documented extensively, the biological effects of this intervention continue to be defined. We sought to examine the impact of infliximab therapy on the serum proteome of rheumatoid arthritis patients by means of a mass spectrometry-based approach.

Methods
Sera from 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were obtained prior to and following 12 weeks of infliximab therapy using a standard clinical protocol. The sera were immunodepleted of the 12 highest abundance proteins, labeled by the iTRAQ (isobaric tagging for relative and absolute protein quantification) technique, and analyzed by mass spectrometry to identify proteomic changes associated with treatment.

Results
An average of 373 distinct proteins were identified per patient with greater than 95% confidence. In the 3 patients demonstrating the most robust clinical responses, changes of greater than 20% in the serum levels were observed in 39 proteins following treatment. The majority of these proteins were regulated directly or indirectly by tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-kappa-B, with acute-phase proteins being uniformly down-regulated. A number of proteins, including members of the SERPIN family and S100A8, were down-regulated irrespective of clinical response.

Conclusions
The present study demonstrates that a robust clinical response to infliximab is associated with the down-regulation of a spectrum of serum proteins regulated by TNF-α, and provides a possible basis for defining the broader biological effects of the treatment in vivo.
Development of an atomic force microscope closed fluid cell for tribological investigations of large samples in chemically aggressive environments
Authors: Gebeshuber I C , Holzer D , Goschke R , Aumayr F , Störi H 
Published: March 2009

Many atomic force microscopes (AFM) are nowadays equipped with closed fluid cells. Most of these closed fluid cells have small volume, limiting the maximum sample size, and, furthermore, do not allow for investigations in chemically aggressive environments such as solvents. The closed fluid cell for MFP-3D, the atomic force microscope from Asylum Research, Santa Barbara, CA, has a glass base and is mainly intended for investigations of flat transparent biological samples. Starting from the MFP-3D closed fluid cell, a fluid cell tailored for investigations in tribologically relevant environments, e.g. at extreme mechanical and chemical conditions which may vary with time, was developed. Samples of various shapes and sizes can thus be investigated in controlled environments, be they fluid (e.g. solvents) or gaseous (e.g. corrosive gases). First results of AFM nanotribology experiments using this fluid cell are presented. Among the systems of interest are additives diluted in solvents adsorbing to surfaces and spreading and persistence of ionic liquids on tribologically stressed surfaces.
Variability of N-Terminal Probrain Natriuretic Peptide in Stable Chronic Heart Failure and Its Relation to Changes in Clinical Variables
Authors: Frankenstein Lutz , Remppis Andrew , Frankenstein Joerdis , Hess Georg , Zdunek Dietmar , Slottje Karen , Katus Hugo A , Zugck Christian 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Background: We investigated the variability of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and its relation to known confounding variables in patients with stable chronic heart failure who were on a stable optimized medication regimen.
Methods: At 4 sampling intervals (14-day, 1-month, 2-month, and 3-month) the results for NT-proBNP measurements and several clinical variables were measured in samples from 41 patients with chronic systolic dysfunction who met 21 prespecified criteria for stability.
Results: Mean within-person NT-proBNP variabilities expressed as percentage CV were 17.6%, 18.9%, 15.5%, and 16.2% at 14-day, 1-month, 2-month, and 3-month follow-up, respectively, and the corresponding reference change values were 34.6%, 52.5%, 43.1%, and 45.0%, respectively. Within-person variability of NT-proBNP was not found to be associated with renal function, weight, or waist circumference. Likewise, age, sex, baseline NT-proBNP, New York Heart Association functional class, and ejection fraction did not influence variability of NT-proBNP. The index of individuality ranged from 0.07–0.15 depending on the time interval between test results.
Conclusions: Although other reported studies have revealed variations in the range of 80%, in this prespecified stable heart-failure population variation of NT-proBNP at 14-day, 1-month, 2-month, and 3-month follow-up was lower and was not related to renal function or weight. In view of the low index of individuality we observed, within-person variation is quite low compared to between-person variation. Consideration of these facts is important for the interpretation of clinical trials and the use of NT-proBNP in monitoring patients with heart failure.
Role of Monitoring Changes in Sensitive Cardiac Troponin I Assay Results for Early Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction and Prediction of Risk of Adverse Events
Authors: Apple Fred S , Pearce Lesly A , Smith Stephen W , Kaczmarek Jason M , Murakami MaryAnn M 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Background: We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the cardiac troponin I (cTnI) VITROS® Troponin I-ES assay for early detection of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and for risk prediction of adverse events in patients with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Methods: cTnI was measured on admission and approximately 6 h postadmission in 381 patients. The 99th percentile cTnI concentration (0.034 μg/L) and change [delta (δ)] between admission and follow-up concentrations were evaluated in diagnostic sensitivity and specificity calculations. Risk of cardiac event or death within 60 days was evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression.
Results: AMI occurred in 52 patients. Diagnostic sensitivities (95% CI) of admission and follow-up cTnIs for AMI were 69% (55%–81%) and 94% (84%–99%), respectively. The corresponding specificities (95% CI) were 78% (73%–82%) and 81% (77%–85%), and ROC curve areas were 0.82 vs 0.96 (P &lt; 0.001). Deltas between admission and follow-up cTnI &gt;30% had a sensitivity of 75% (95% CI 61%–86%) and a specificity of 91% (95% CI 87%–94%). During follow-up, 1 cardiac death, 2 noncardiac deaths, 52 AMIs, 6 coronary artery bypass grafts, and 43 percutanous coronary interventions occurred in 62 patients. A δ cTnI &gt;30%, when added to either initial cTnI &gt;0.034 μg/L or follow-up cTnI &gt;0.034 μg/L, improved risk stratification for cardiac event or death (P &lt; 0.001).
Conclusions: Admission cTnI measured by the VITROS ES assay is a sensitive biomarker for detection of AMI. Utilizing &gt;30% cTnI δ in addition to either the baseline or follow-up concentration improved both specificity and risk assessment in patients presenting with symptoms of ACS.
Swelling and Tensile Property Evaluations of High-Fluence EBR-II Thimbles
Authors: Fish RL , Straalsund JL , Hunter CW , Holmes JJ 
Published: March 2009

The effects of very high neutron fluences on tensile properties and swelling of 300-series austenitic stainless steel were evaluated by destructive examination of several EBR-II thimbles that had accumulated fluences approaching 1.2 x 1023 n/cm2 (En &gt; 0.1 MeV). Irradiation temperatures ranged from 370 to 470 C (698 to 878 F).
Immersion density measurements on control or safety rod thimbles 3D1, 5C3, 5A3, and 3A1 indicate that swelling increases with neutron fluence. Maximum measured volume changes are about 11 percent at 1.1 x 1023 n/cm2 (En &gt; 0.1 MeV) and temperatures near 420 C (788 F). No indications of saturation were observed; in fact, swelling rates increase with increasing fluence over the whole range of fluences investigated. Anomalous swelling behavior was observed in control rod thimble 5A3. In this component, which may have been subjected to mechanical constraint, swelling gradients were found to be much lower than anticipated on the basis of the corresponding gradients in irradiation conditions. This behavior may be the result of an effect of stress on swelling not previously encountered.
Tensile property changes are similar to those classically observed. When irradiation and test temperatures are equivalent, yield strength (0.2 percent offset) increases rapidly at low fluences and becomes fluence-independent at high fluence levels (&gt;7 × 1022 n/cm2, En &gt; 0.1 MeV). Uniform elongation correspondingly decreases with increasing fluence and appears to saturate near 0.5 percent at higher fluence levels. This transition in fluence dependence of the properties is associated with a transition in fracture mechanism. The transition occurs from the usual homogeneous plastic dimpling fracture at low fluences to an extremely heterogeneous channel fracture at high fluence levels.
Isotopic Abundance Determination of Submicro Amounts of Rhenium by Neutron Activation
Authors: Michel R , Herpers U , Kulus H , Herr W 
Published: March 2009

Neutron activation is applied to the isotopic abundance measurements of rhenium in lunar matter. This is achieved by comparing the (n, γ) induced activities of 1 8 6Re and 1 8 8Re by the 137 keV and the 155 keV γ-line, respectively. Radiochemical processing to a very high purity is needed in order to avoid interferences of 1 9 9Au and 9 9 mTc. Additionally, the rhenium and tungsten contents were determined.
An isotopic anomaly of rhenium was established in Apollo 14 samples, exhibiting a remarkable enrichment of 1 8 7Re (1.4 to 1.8 percent in soils and up to 29 percent in the breccia 14321). It is shown that this enrichment is at least partially due to neutron irradiation on the lunar surface by the reaction 1 8 6W(n, γ) 1 8 7W β→ 1 8 7Re. However, the observed anomaly is not produced by lunar neutrons alone. There is also a contribution from the reaction 1 8 6W(n, γ) 1 8 7W β→ 1 8 7Re (n, γ) 1 8 8Re in the reactor itself which can be corrected for by the analysis of simultaneously irradiated tungsten standards. The lunar #x201C;share#x201D; of the 1 8 7Re enrichment is found to be 20 to 60 percent of the observed total excess. It is shown that the 1 8 6W neutron capture is mainly due to epithermal neutrons (resonances are at 18.8, 171, and 221 eV). Relationships to the recently discovered other neutron induced isotope anomalies in extraterrestrial matter are discussed, and the possibility of deriving neutron spectra and time integrated neutron fluxes is pointed up.
Study of the Skid Resistance of Different Tire Tread Polymers on Wet Pavements with a Range of Surface Textures
Authors: Lupton GN , Williams T 
Published: March 2009

As part of the British Transport and Road Research Laboratory's research program to determine the relative magnitude of the various factors influencing grip on wet pavements, measurements of skid resistance (braking force coefficient (BFC)) have been made using trailer and front wheel braking techniques.
The five sets of smooth treaded tires differed only in the tread polymers which were chosen to cover a range of physical properties. The tires were tested at speeds ranging from 1 km/h (0.5 mph) to 160 km/h (100 mph) on eight surfaces having a wide range of textures.
Macrotexture was measured by sandpatch “texture depth” and stereophotogrammetric “profile ratio” techniques. Comparison of the mean BFC/speed curves for each polymer shows a similarity of speed dependence, indicating that on the highway penetration of the water film is the overriding factor rather than a speed dependent viscoelastic effect which has been postulated from laboratory friction measurements.
However the order of the BFC shows evidence of viscoelastic behavior, the more resilient polymers giving the lower values. A hypothesis relating to a change in the tire/pavement contact conditions at high speeds is put forward that the high values of BFC on surfaces with large texture depth are partly due to modification of the contact conditions by changes in the viscosity of the lubricant brought about by heating.
Fracture Toughness Evaluation by R-Curve Methods
Authors: McCabe DE 
Published: March 2009

Description
This publication is a collection of papers presented at a technical symposium on R-curves held during the regular Committee E24 meetings in the Fall of 1971. It represents an early effort by a Subcommittee 1 task group to organize the present state of R-curve technology in preparation for a renewed attempt to apply the method to plane-stress fracture toughness evaluation. The symposium was sponsored by Committee E24 on Fracture Testing of Metals, American Society for Testing and Materials. D. E. McCabe, Armco Steel Corp., presided as symposium chairman.
Rapid Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement
Authors: Gebhardt RF 
Published: March 2009

Description
Presents many of the rapid methods used successfully for analysis of hydraulic cements – the major component in concrete. Several consider the impact of ASTM C917, Method for Evaluation of Cement Strength Uniformity From a Single Source, and suggest that it is a (suitable yardstick to assess whether quality control procedures exercised are effective.)
Nonlinear Fracture Mechanics: Volume I Time-Dependent Fracture
Authors: Saxena A , Landes JD , Bassani JL 
Published: March 2009

Description
Two volume set: Volume 1 -- Nonlinear Fracture Mechanics: Time Dependent Fracture. Volume 2 -- Nonlinear Fracture Mechanics: Elastic-Plastic Fracture
STP 995 contains recent work on traditional elastic plastic fracture mechanics as well newer areas, such as time dependent fracture mechanics and dynamic fracture. Papers discuss analytical considerations, experimental methods, and applications. Third in a series of ASTM books on nonlinear fracture mechanics.
Declining Recruitment and Growth of Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Middle Mississippi River: Implications for Conservation
Authors: Tripp Sara J. , Colombo Robert E. , Garvey James E. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTo determine how populations of shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus are changing and may respond to poor environmental conditions, current commercial harvest of black‐egg (sexually mature) females, and incidental mortality of males, we require annual information about sex‐specific age structure as it relates to the recruitment of new cohorts. We sampled shovelnose sturgeon by use of gill nets (5‐cm bar mesh) monthly during 2002‐2006 in the Middle Mississippi River between Cairo, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri. We compared patterns of size and age structure over time and projected age structure and population size into the future. Sex ratio in 2005‐2006 was 1.14:1.00 (416 males and 363 females; P = 0.06), deviating from the 1:1 ratio that occurred in 2002‐2003. Annual mortality increased from 37% in 2002‐2003 to 44% by 2005‐2006. Female shovelnose sturgeon were larger than males. Across years, the population shifted toward longer, older fish, and growth in length declined. Recruitment declined through time (29% per year). If these trends continue and if immigration from nonharvested populations is limited, population density may decline by an order of magnitude within one decade. Under current conditions, resilience to harvest and environmental perturbations is probably limited.
Electric Power Distribution and Control for Subsea Field Development
Authors: Reetmeyer H.G. , Guenther S.K. , Just H.E. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
The European offshore industry is encountering a significant change of thescenario. The necessity has come up to move from production of large fields inshallow water to many small and isolated fields in deeper water, thus requiringa higher degree of automation, higher availability, and lower cost (both subseaand on platforms). Therefore a control and power supply concept is described, which consequently introduces elements of modern automation technology tosubsea installations.

Starting Point
The situation in European oil and gas production is full of challenges bothin the engineering and commercial area.
We do have significant resources and production from our own (by far not bigenough to be autonomous, yet important at least from a political point ofview), but–distributed over many different regions,–not many big fields,–mostly offshore,–in many cases already beyond peak production rate.
The perspectives also are full of question marks, as–no big fields are to be expected in the future,–work has to concentrate on a wealth of small fields,–the fields will be offshore,–these small fields may be isolated (i.e. apart from existinginfrastructure),–water depth will increase (up to 600 m),–geographical latitude will increase (north of 62°)–the environment will become more and more hostile and pollutionsensitive,–the oil price is expected not to change significantly within the nextdecade.
M2 Macrophages Phagocytose Rituximab-Opsonized Leukemic Targets More Efficiently than M1 Cells In Vitro
Authors: Leidi Marzia , Gotti Elisa , Bologna Luca , Miranda Elena , Rimoldi Monica , Sica Antonio , Roncalli Massimo , Palumbo Giuseppe A. , Introna Martino , Golay Josée 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Because macrophages have been implicated as major players in the mechanism of action of rituximab, we have investigated the factors that modulate their tumor cell killing potential. Human macrophages, differentiated in vitro from peripheral blood monocytes, were used in binding and phagocytosis assays using B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia or lymphoma target cells opsonized with rituximab. Phagocytosis was maximal at 0.1 μg/ml rituximab and was not significantly affected by CD20 expression levels or by CD16A polymorphism at position 158 (Val/Phe). The role of FcγRs was demonstrated by complete inhibition of phagocytosis by excess human Igs. Because macrophages can be differentiated to M1- or M2-type cells with either GM-CSF or M-CSF, respectively, and can be classically activated by proinflammatory stimuli (IFN-γ/LPS) or undergo alternative activation with cytokines such as IL-4 or IL-10, we have analyzed the effect of these different polarization programs on the phagocytosis mediated by rituximab. Macrophages differentiated in presence of M-CSF showed a 2- to 3-fold greater phagocytic capacity compared with GM-CSF-induced cells. Furthermore, addition of IL-10 significantly increased, whereas IL-4 decreased phagocytosis by both M-CSF- and GM-CSF-differentiated macrophages. LPS/IFN-γ had little effect. Expression of CD16, CD32, and CD64 in different macrophage populations correlated with phagocytic activity. Interestingly, several B lymphoma cell lines were observed to secrete 400-1300 pg/ml IL-10 in vitro, and coculture of human macrophages with lymphoma conditioned medium increased significantly their phagocytic capacity. Our data suggest that cytokines secreted by lymphoma cells can favor alternate activation of macrophages with a high phagocytic capacity toward rituximab-opsonized targets.
A Novel Peptide Mimotope Identified As a Potential Immunosuppressive Vaccine for Organ Transplantation
Authors: Chiang Kuei-Chen , Shimada Yayoi , Nakano Toshiaki , Lai Chia-Yun , Hsu Li-Wen , Goto Shigeru , Ohmori Naoya , Mori Kenji , Miyagi Takamitsu , Kawamoto Seiji , Ono Kazuhisa , Chen Chao-Long , Goto Takeshi , Sato Shuji 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
We reported that anti-histone H1 autoantibody is one of the main immunosuppressive factors in serum that is induced after orthotopic liver transplantation in a rat tolerogenic model. We generated a novel anti-histone H1 IgM mAb produced by hybridoma 16G9 (16G9 mAb) that shows MLR-inhibitory activity. Identification of a functional epitope responsible for the immunosuppressive activity of 16G9 mAb may lead to the establishment of a novel therapeutic strategy. We used a combinatorial phage display peptide library to screen for peptides that bind to 16G9 mAb. Consequently, two peptides that bind to 16G9 mAb, SSV and LPQ, were selected from the library. The binding of 16G9 mAb to histone H1 was inhibited by SSV. SSV was recognized by rat tolerogenic post-orthotopic liver transplantation serum and the binding to SSV was inhibited by histone H1. Mice were immunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin-conjugated SSV and LPQ. Abs induced by SSV immunization inhibited Con A-stimulated splenocyte proliferation, and the inhibition was neutralized by preincubation with SSV. Splenocytes stimulated by anti-CD3 Ab were inhibited by SSV-induced Abs using CFSE labeling. SSV immunization in rats before heterotopic heart transplantation resulted in significant prolonged allograft survival. These findings suggested that SSV is a functional histone H1-binding epitope for 16G9 mAb. SSV is capable of determining serum immunoreactivity against histone H1 as an index marker for tolerance. The inhibitory activity of SSV-induced Abs on blast cell proliferation and the prolonged graft survival that results from SSV immunization imply a potential for the development of an immunosuppressive vaccine.
ICOS Controls Effector Function but Not Trafficking Receptor Expression of Kidney-Infiltrating Effector T Cells in Murine Lupus
Authors: Odegard Jared M. , DiPlacido Leah D. , Greenwald Lark , Kashgarian Michael , Kono Dwight H. , Dong Chen , Flavell Richard A. , Craft Joe 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Renal pathology in systemic lupus erythematosus involves both autoantibody deposition and a cellular inflammatory response, both of which are mediated by effector CD4 T cells. MRLlpr mice spontaneously develop massive perivascular infiltrates, but the pathways that regulate the development, trafficking, and effector functions of kidney-infiltrating T cells are poorly defined. To address these questions, we first surveyed inflammatory chemokine protein levels in nephritic kidneys from lupus-prone MRLlpr mice. After identifying highly elevated levels of the CXCR3 ligand CXCL9, we found that kidney-infiltrating effectors are enriched for expression of CXCR3, as well as P-selectin ligand and ICOS. Using genetic ablation, we demonstrate that ICOS plays an essential role in the establishment of renal perivascular infiltrates, although a small number of infiltrating cells remain around the blood vessels. Interestingly, though IgG autoantibody production is substantially reduced in Icos−/− MRLlpr mice, the progression of immune complex glomerulonephritis is only modestly diminished and the production of inflammatory chemokines, such as CXCL9, remains high in the kidney. We find that Icos−/− effector cell numbers are only slightly reduced and these have normal expression of CXCR3 and P-selectin ligand with intact migration to CXCL9. However, they have impaired production of inflammatory cytokines and fail to show evidence of efficient proliferation in the kidney. Thus, while dispensable for acquisition of renal trafficking receptor expression, ICOS is strictly required for local inflammatory functions of autoreactive CD4 T cells in murine lupus.