bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐invasive tension time index in relation to severity of disease in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Hahn Andreas , Ankermann Tobias , Claass Andreas , Mann Marion , Lindemann Hermann , Neubauer Bernd A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe non‐invasive tension‐time index of the inspiratory muscles at rest (TTMUS) can be used for assessing respiratory muscle function in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study aimed to investigate how TTMUS becomes altered with increasing pulmonary impairment, and which factors determine TTMUS changes in CF. We assessed TTMUS in 47 patients with stable CF ranging in age from 9 to 26 years and in 47 controls of same age and gender. Pulmonary impairment was assessed by the pulmonary function score (PFS) according to Cropp (PFS 0–2 = no, 3–7 = mild, 8–12 = moderate, and 13–18 = severe dysfunction). Median TTMUS was significantly higher in the entire CF‐group than in controls ((0.112 (0.079–0.174) vs. 0.07 (0.052–0.094), P < 0.001)). It was nearly identical in CF‐patients without (0.079 (0.056–0.114)) and mild (0.080 (0.059–0.128)) pulmonary dysfunction. It was non‐significantly higher in subjects with moderate (0.118 (0.103–0.173)) and grossly elevated in individuals with severe (0.232 (0.211–0.31), P < 0.001)) respiratory impairment when compared to the other PFS‐groups. TTMUS was significantly related to percent predicted airway resistance (Raw%pred) (r = 0.60, P < 0.001), percent predicted Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec (r = −0.49, P < 0.001), percent predicted Vital Capacity (−0.57, P < 0.001), Functional Residual Capacity in percent Total Lung Capacity (r = 0.42, P = 0.003), and transcutaneous oxygen saturation (r = −0.49, P < 0.001). By contrast, Raw%pred was the only variable that had a significant effect on TTMUS (P = 0.01), when a multivariate logistic regression was applied, using the median of the entire CF‐cohort to dichotomise TTMUS. These findings suggest that subjects with stable CF and severe pulmonary dysfunction are prone to respiratory muscle fatigue, and that airway obstruction is an important factor contributing to the increase of TTMUS in CF. Regular determination of TTMUS may be clinically useful during course of disease, and may aid the decision to institute therapies like respiratory muscle training or non‐invasive intermittent ventilation. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:973–981. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The origin of reduced fill factors of emitter‐wrap‐through‐solar cells
Authors: Ulzhöfer Christian , Hermann Sonja , Harder Nils‐Peter , Altermatt Pietro P. , Brendel Rolf 
Published: September 2008

AbstractLow fill factors generally limit the efficiency of emitter‐wrap‐through (EWT) solar cells. Until now, a conventional series resistance limitation along the laser‐drilled EWT vias has usually been assumed to be responsible for this effect. We demonstrate that the characteristic fill factor loss is caused by a crucial change in the diffusion currents inside the base, which are influenced by the conductivity along the laser‐drilled EWT vias. In addition, we show that the EWT via conductivity influences the fill factor loss caused by an iron contaminated base. This result affects the proposition that the EWT design is suitable for multicrystalline silicon in which interstitial iron is known to be the main contaminant. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrocaloric effect in antiferroelectric PbZrO3 thin films
Authors: Parui Jayanta , Krupanidhi S. B. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAntiferroelectric PbZrO3 thin films have been deposited on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate by polymer modified sol–gel route. Temperature dependent P –E hysteresis loops have been measured at 51 MV/m within a temperature range of 40 °C to 330 °C. The maximum electrocaloric effect ∼0.224 × 10–6 K mV–1 has been observed near the dielectric phase transition temperature (235 °C) of the thin films. The electrocaloric effect and its strong temperature dependence have been attributed to nearly first‐order phase transition. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Site modelling methods for detecting hydrologic alteration of flood frequency and flood duration in the floodplain below the carlyle dam, lower Kaskaskia River, Illinois, USA
Authors: Romano Susan P. , Baer Sara G. , Zaczek James J. , Williard Karl W. J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractReports concerning the influence of dams on river hydrology vary among researchers, interest groups and government agencies. These often contradicting statements may occur because changes in hydrology caused by dams are distinct for each dam and river watershed. The objective of this research was to use site specific techniques to determine if the 1967 installation of the Carlyle Dam, lower Kaskaskia River, Illinois, altered flood frequency and duration within the forested floodplain located below the dam. Results indicated a decrease in flood duration and frequency, and a decrease in annual flood frequency variation at a site 6.4 km below the dam. Pre‐dam versus post‐dam differences in flood frequency and duration at the site 32.2 km below the dam were related to climate rather than dam effects. Although dam impacts are a concern, this research shows that distance downstream from the dam and downstream tributary and watershed characteristics should be considered before assuming that the dam has changed hydrologic parameters for portions of rivers. This research also indicates that areas of the lower Kaskaskia River may still maintain hydrologic ecological integrity, and could be targeted for restoration and adaptive management purposes. Hydrologic modelling combined with river gage and on‐site well measurement techniques presented in this study could provide detailed flood frequency and duration information for land use, sociological and geomorphological questions in focus areas within river floodplains. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving the performance and functionality of Mondrian open‐source OLAP systems
Authors: Sendín‐Raña Pablo , González‐Castaño Francisco J. , Pérez‐Barros Enrique , Rodríguez‐Hernández Pedro S. , Gil‐Castiñeira Felipe , Pousada‐Carballo José M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractFor a long time, the design of relational databases has focused on the optimization of atomic transactions (insert, select, update or delete). Currently, relational databases store tactical information of data warehouses, mainly for select‐like operations. However, the database paradigm has evolved, and nowadays on‐line analytical processing (OLAP) systems handle strategic information for further analysis. These systems enable fast, interactive and consistent information analysis of data warehouses, including shared calculations and allocations. OLAP and data warehouses jointly allow multidimensional data views, turning raw data into knowledge. OLAP allows ‘slice and dice’ navigation and a top‐down perspective of data hierarchies. In this paper, we describe our experience in the migration from a large relational database management system to an OLAP system on top of a relational layer (the data warehouse), and the resulting contributions in open‐source ROLAP optimization. Existing open‐source ROLAP technologies rely on summarized tables with materialized aggregate views to improve system performance (in terms of response time). The design and maintenance of those tables are cumbersome. Instead, we intensively exploit cache memory, where key data reside, yielding low response times. A cold start process brings summarized data from the relational database to cache memory, subsequently reducing the response time. We ensure concurrent access to the summarized data, as well as consistency when the relational database updates data. We also improve the OLAP functionality, by providing new features for automating the creation of calculated members. This makes it possible to define new measures on the fly using virtual dimensions, without re‐designing the multidimensional cube. We have chosen the XML/Ade factostandard for service provision. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the problems of symbol‐spaced tapped‐delay‐line models for WSSUS channels
Authors: Guti Carlos A. , Cabrera‐Bean Margarita , Pätzold Matthias 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper analyzes the validity and statistical behavior of symbol‐spaced tapped‐delay‐line (SSTDL) models for wide‐sense stationary uncorrelated scattering (WSSUS) mobile radio channels. SSTDL models are obtained by sampling the channel impulse response (CIR) in delay domain at a rate equal to the reciprocal of the symbol duration. They were proposed more than four decades ago as canonical channel models for band‐limited time‐variant linear (TVL) systems, and are nowadays widely in use for assessing the performance of several wireless communication systems. The applicability of these tapped‐delay‐line (TDL) models seems to be unquestionable, as they were developed in the framework of the sampling theorem. Nonetheless, we show here that SSTDL models should be used with care to model WSSUS channels, because the channel's uncorrelated scattering (US) condition might easily be violated. Furthermore, we show that SSTDL models suffer from strong limitations in emulating the channel frequency correlation function (FCF). This drawback leads to an inaccurate performance evaluation of wireless communication systems sensitive to the FCF. To cope with this problem, we present a simple solution by doubling the channel's sampling rate. The benefits of this solution are demonstrated with some exemplary simulation results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
l‐2‐Hydroxyglutaric aciduria: Clinical and molecular study in three Tunisian families. Identification of a new mutation and inter‐familial phenotype variability
Authors: Larnaout A. , Amouri R. , Kefi M. , Hentati F. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryWe report clinical and molecular studies in three unrelated Tunisian families containing seven patients with L2HGA. Although the age of onset is similar in all these patients at nearly 6 years, they progressively developed peculiar clinical phenotypes different from family to family. The three patients of family 1 showed mental retardation, epilepsy, cerebellar ataxia and pyramidal and pseudobulbar syndromes. The two patients of family 2 showed mental retardation and parkinsonism especially extrapyramidal stiffness, dystonia and myoclonus. The two patients of family 3 showed an intermediate phenotype; they share some clinical signs of the patients of family 1 (epilepsy, pyramidal and extrapyramidal syndromes) and some clinical signs of the patients of family 2 (extrapyramidal stiffness and dystonia). Molecular study identified a novel homozygous c.185C > A, p.A62D mutation on the L2HGDH gene in families 1 and 3 and the already known homozygous c.241A > G, p.K81E mutation in family 2. We suppose that the type of mutation in the L2HGDH gene does not play a complete role in the inter‐familial phenotype variability. Disturbance of other unknown metabolic pathways related to L2HGA may contribute to this phenomenon.
Standardization of a Surgical Site Precleansing Technique for Vascular Patients
Authors: Grelle Kelli , Linker Laura , Maninang Jennifer , Bruce Susan , Vish Nancy , Sample Shirley 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTSURGICAL SITE INFECTION (SSI) is a serious complication that can increase hospital costs and length of stay and may be life threatening.THE PREOPERATIVE CHLORHEXIDINE shower is widely recommended to decrease SSI risk, although standardized guidelines for this practice and supporting clinical evidence are lacking.BECAUSE VASCULAR PATIENTS often have comorbidities that hinder preoperative showering, OR nurses at a specialty hospital in Dallas, Texas, developed and implemented an intraoperative surgical site precleansing technique as standard practice for patients undergoing procedures involving the axilla or groin. AORN J 88 (August 2008) 261–265. © AORN, Inc, 2008.
Physiological levels of insulin and IGF‐1 synergistically enhance the differentiation of mesenteric adipocytes.
Authors: Sato Takashige , Nagafuku Masakazu , Shimizu Kyoko , Taira Toshio , Igarashi Yasuyuki , Inokuchi Jin‐ichi 
Published: September 2008

AbstractVisceral adipose tissue, particularly mesenteric adipose tissue, is important in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Here, we present a physiologically relevant differentiation system of rat mesenteric‐stromal vascular cells (mSVC) to mesenteric‐visceral adipocytes (mVAC). We optimized the insulin concentration at levels comparable to thosein vivo(∼0.85 ng/ml) by including physiological concentrations of IGF‐1. We found that the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1) and insulin worked synergistically, since IGF‐1 alone could induce CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) and adipocyte lipid binding protein (aP2) mRNA expression but not lipid droplet accumulation associated with maturation. Using real‐time PCR analyses on 180 adipocyte‐related genes, we identified a dramatic effect by IGF‐1 plus insulin. We also demonstrated the state of insulin resistance at pathologically high insulin concentrations. This culture system will contribute to understanding the physiological differentiation process and the patho/physiology of mVAC.
Dynamic determination of Ox‐LDL‐induced oxidative/nitrosative stress in single macrophage by using fluorescent probes
Authors: Deng Tongle , Xu Kedi , Zhang Le , Zheng Xiaoxiang 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIncreased oxidative/nitrosative stress, resulting from generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) appears to play an important role in the inflammatory responses to atherosclerosis. By using MitoTracker Orange CM‐H2TMRos, CM‐H2DCFDA (DCF‐DA), Dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR123), DAF‐FM, Dihydroethidium (DHE) and JC‐1 alone or in all combinations of red and green probes, the present study was designed to monitor the ROS and RNS generation in acute exposure of single monocyte U937‐derived macrophage to oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox‐LDL). Acute Ox‐LDL (100 μg/ml) treatment increased time‐dependently production of intracellular nitric oxide (NO), superoxide (O2−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−), and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (Δ∍) in single cell. Pretreatment of aminoguanidine (an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), 10 μM) and vitamin C (an antioxidant agent, 100 μM) for 2 h, reduced significantly the Ox‐LDL‐induced increase of NO and O2−, and vitamin C completely inhibited increase of intracellular NO and O2−. In contrast to aminoguanidine, Vitamin C pretreatment significantly prevented Ox‐LDL‐induced overproduction of NO and O2−(P< 0.01), indicating that antioxidant may be more effective in therapeutic application than iNOS inhibitor in dysfunction of ROS/RNS. By demonstrating a complex imbalance of ROS/RNS via fluorescent probes in acute exposure of single cell to Ox‐LDL, oxidative/nitrosative stress might be more detected in the early atherosclerotic lesions.
Characterization and hepatogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from human amniotic fluid and human bone marrow: A comparative study
Authors: Zheng Yu‐Bao , Gao Zhi‐Liang , Xie Chan , Zhu Hai‐Peng , Peng Liang , Chen Jun‐Hong , Chong Yu Tian 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSince stem cells can differentiate into hepatocyte, stem cell‐based therapy becomes a potential alternative treatment for terminal liver diseases. However, an appropriate source of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for hepatocytes has not yet been clearly elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro biological characterization and hepatic differentiation potential of human amniotic fluid‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AF‐hMSCs) and human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐hMSCs). Our results show that AF‐hMSCs possess higher proliferation and self‐renewal capacity than BM‐hMSCs. Cytogenetic studies indicate that AF‐hMSCs are as genetically stabile as BM‐hMSCs. Following incubation with specific hepatogenic agents, AF‐hMSCs showed a higher hepatic differentiation potential than BM‐hMSCs. Expression of several liver‐specific markers was significantly greater in AF‐hMSCs than in BM‐hMSCs, as shown by real time RT‐PCR and immunofluorescence (IF). In conclusion, AF‐hMSCs possess superior potential for hepatic differentiation, making them more suitable for diverse terminal liver diseases.
Effect of polyamine deficiency on proteins involved in Okazaki fragment maturation
Authors: Johansson Veronica M. , Miniotis Maria Falck , Hegardt Cecilia , Jönsson Göran , Staaf Johan , Berntsson Pia S.H. , Oredsson Stina M. , Alm Kersti 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPolyamine depletion causes S phase prolongation, and earlier studies indicate that the elongation step of DNA replication is affected. This led us to investigate the effects of polyamine depletion on enzymes crucial for Okazaki fragment maturation in the two breast cancer cell lines MCF‐7 and L56Br‐C1. In MCF‐7 cells, treatment withN1,N11‐diethylnorspermine (DENSPM) causes S phase prolongation. In L56Br‐C1 cells the prolongation is followed by massive apoptosis. In the present study we show that L56Br‐C1 cells have substantially lower basal expressions of two Okazaki fragment maturation key proteins, DNA ligase I and FEN1, than MCF‐7 cells. Thus, these two proteins might be promising markers for prediction of polyamine depletion sensitivity, something that can be useful for cancer treatment with polyamine analogues. DENSPM treatment affects the cellular distribution of FEN1 in L56Br‐C1 cells, but not in MCF‐7 cells, implying that FEN1 is affected by or involved in DENSPM‐induced apoptosis.
Unique membrane‐interacting properties of the immunostimulatory cationic peptide KLKL5KLK (KLK)
Authors: Aichinger Michael C. , Ortbauer Martina , Reipert Siegfried , Zauner Wolfgang , Bogner Péter , Froschauer Elisabeth , Nowikovsky Karin , Lingnau Karen , von Gabain Alexander , Schweyen Rudolf , Henics Tamás 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe have monitored the effects of KLKL5KLK (KLK), a derivative of a natural cationic antimicrobial peptide (CAP) on isolated membrane vesicles, and investigated the partition of the peptide within these structures. KLK readily interacted with fluorescent dyes entrapped in the vesicles without apparent pore formation. Fractionation of vesicles revealed KLK predominantly in the membrane. Peptide‐treated vesicles appeared with generally disorganized bilayers. While KLK showed no effect on osmotic resistance of human erythrocytes, dramatic decrease in core and surface membrane fluidity was observed in peptide‐treated erythrocyte ghosts as measured by fluorescence anisotropy. Finally, CD spectroscopy revealed lipid‐induced random coil to β‐sheet and β‐sheet to α‐helix conformational transitions of KLK. Together with the oligonucleotide oligo‐d(IC)13 [ODN1a], KLK functions as a novel adjuvant, termed IC31™. Among other immunological effects, KLK appears to facilitate the uptake and delivery of ODN1a into cellular compartments, but the nature of KLK's interaction with the cell surface and other membrane‐bordered compartments remains unknown. Our results suggest a profound membrane interacting property of KLK that might contribute to the immunostimulatory activities of IC31™.
Differences in the sensitivity of behavioural measures of pain to the selectivity of cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitors
Authors: Huntjens Dymphy R.H. , Spalding David J.M. , Danhof Meindert , Pasqua Oscar E. Della 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTObjectives:Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) is an animal model of inflammatory pain commonly used in the screening of COX‐inhibitors. However, there is little understanding of how behavioural measures of the anti‐inflammatory effect in the FCA model correlate to differences in mechanism of action and whether such endpoints equally reflect drug activity in humans. In the current investigation we evaluate the time course of the analgesic effect for different endpoints after treatment with drugs with varying degrees of selectivity for COX‐1 and COX‐2. We also assess prostaglandin (PGE2) and thromboxane (TXB2) inhibition to establish the correlation between behavioural measures and the degree of selectivity for COX‐1 and COX‐2.Methods:Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with FCA by intra‐plantar injection. On post‐inoculation day (PID) 7, rats received a single oral dose of naproxen, diclofenac, ketorolac or rofecoxib. Drug treatment continued until PID 21. A control group received placebo only. Behavioural endpoints for inflammatory pain and blood samples for biomarkers were obtained at various time points before and after dosing to characterise the time course of drug effect and disease progression.Results:COX‐inhibitors showed no effect on the dynamic plantar test. In contrast, full analgesia was observed after drug administration for weight bearing capacity (WBC) and paw pressure (PP), with varying duration of the effect for each of the endpoints. No tolerance to drug effect was observed up to 14 days of chronic treatment. Rofecoxib showed an increase in baseline pain threshold values after chronic treatment, which may be related to its pharmacokinetic characteristics.Conclusions:Changes in paw pressure threshold seem to best reflect the anti‐hyperalgesic properties of COX‐inhibitors with enough sensitivity to enable estimation of the dose‐exposure‐response curve.
The impact of stressful life events on risk of relapse in women with multiple sclerosis: A prospective study
Authors: Mitsonis Charalampos I. , Zervas Iannis M. , Mitropoulos Panagiotis A. , Dimopoulos Nikolaos P. , Soldatos Constantin R. , Potagas Constantin M. , Sfagos Constantin A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPurposeThe aims of this study were first, to examine the general relation between stressful life events (SLEs) and clinical relapses in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and second, to investigate the relations of the specific stressor attributes of duration, type, and severity on MS exacerbations.MethodsTwenty six ambulating women with relapsing-remitting MS were followed-up for a mean of 56.3 weeks. Patients documented SLEs weekly in self report diaries which were then collected at regular pre-scheduled clinic visits every 4 weeks. SLEs were classified as short-term if they had subjectively no lasting effect and long-term if they had a subjectively felt psychological impact that lasted at least 10–14 days after the event. The severity of SLEs was determined using the Recent Life Change Questionnaire.ResultsExperiencing three or more SLEs, during a 4-week period, was associated with a 5-fold increase of MS relapse rate (95% CI 1.7–16.4, p = 0.003). The presence of at least one long-term SLE was associated with three times (95% CI 1.01–9.13, p < 0.05) the rate of MS exacerbation during the following 4 weeks. There was no significant association between the severity (95% CI 0.99–1.01, p > 0.05) or the type (χ2 = 7.29, df = 5, p > 0.05) of stressor and the risk for relapse.ConclusionAmbulatory women with relapsing-remitting MS who experience cumulative SLEs may be at a greater risk for relapse. Duration is the only stress attribute that seems to increase the risk for relapsing in contrast to stress type and stress severity that were not found to interact with MS exacerbation.