bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunological patterns in young children with Down syndrome: is there a temporal trend?
Authors: Cocchi Guido , Mastrocola Maura , Capelli Marilu' , Bastelli Annalisa , Vitali Francesca , Corvaglia Luigi 
Published: September 2007

AbstractDown syndrome is associated with an increased susceptibility to infections due to a deficiency of both specific and nonspecific immunity.Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the temporal trends, if any, of some variables related to the immunological status of children affected by Down syndrome.Methods: Heparinized blood samples were obtained by venipuncture in 30 children with Down syndrome, who were regularly followed in our department and analyzed for hematologic values, lymphocyte subpopulations, immunoglobulin dosage and zinc level. Results were compared with those of the normal population.Results: In the first 5 years of life, we observed a progressive decrease in the medium values of lymphocytes, CD4+ and plasma zinc levels, and an increase in CD8+, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M and natural killer, but generally without exceeding the interval of normality.Conclusions: In Down syndrome children, the immune cellular status is similar to the normal population as far as white blood cell, lymphocyte, CD4+, CD8+, natural killer and immunoglobulins are concerned.Plasma level of zinc is normal from birth until 5 years but with a temporal trend of progressive reduction.This observation supports the hypothesis that a pharmacological supplementation may be necessary in Down syndrome children only after 5 years of age.
Novel Model To Study Virulence Determinants of
Escherichia coli
K1
Authors: Khan Naveed Ahmed , Goldsworthy Graham John 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

It is shown here for the first time that locusts can be used as a model to study
Escherichia coli
K1 pathogenesis.
E. coli
K-12 strain HB101 has very low pathogenicity to locusts and does not invade the locust brain, whereas the injection of 2 × 10
6
E. coli
K1 strain RS218 (O18:K1:H7) kills almost 100% of locusts within 72 h and invades the brain within 24 h of injection. Both mortality and invasion of the brain in locusts after injection of
E. coli
K1 require at least two of the known virulence determinants shown for mammals. Thus, deletion mutants that lack outer membrane protein A or cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 have reduced abilities to kill locusts and to invade the locust brain compared to the parent
E. coli
K1. Interestingly, deletion mutants lacking FimH or the NeuDB gene cluster are still able to cause high mortality. It is argued that the likely existence of additional virulence determinants can be investigated in vivo by using this insect system.
Self Checking Design Technique for NumericalComputations
Authors: Vainstein F. S. 
Published: September 2007

The objective of this paper is to develop an efficient method for testing of numerical
computations based on algebraic concepts such as transcendental degree of field
extensions.A class of polynomially checkable functions is introduced, and for computation of the
functions from this class a new method for error detection/error correction is proposed.
This class of functions is shown to be large. The proposed method can also be extended to
testing of computations of functions which are not polynomially checkable.The preliminary results show great potential of this approach. In particular the
proposed approach will lead to substantial reduction in hardware overhead required for
multiple error detection and correction, as compare to the check sum method and other
existing techniques.
An Edge‐endpoint‐based Configurable HardwareArchitecture for VLSI Layout Design Rule Checking
Authors: Luo Zhen , Martonosi Margaret , Ashar Pranav 
Published: September 2007

Previous efforts to build hardware accelerators for VLSI layout Design Rule Checking
(DRC) were hobbled by the fact that it is often impractical to build a different rulechecking
ASIC each time design rules or fabrication processes change. In this paper, we
propose a configurable hardware approach to DRC. It can garner impressive speedups
over software approaches, while retaining the flexibility needed to change the rule checker
as rules or processes change.Our work proposes an edge‐endpoints‐based method for performing Manhattan
geometry checking and a general scalable architecture for DRC. We then demonstrate
our approach by applying this architecture to a set of design rules for MOSIS
SCN4N_SUB process. We have implemented several design rule checks within a single
Xilinx XC4013 FPGA and demonstrated overall speedups in excess of 25X over software
methods. We have used a Compaq Pamette board to do the hardware prototyping and
have achieved a clock rate of 33 MHz.
Relationship of depression, disability, and family caregiver attitudes to the quality of life of Kuwaiti persons with multiple sclerosis: a controlled study
Authors: Alshubaili Asmahan F , Awadalla Abdel W , Ohaeri Jude U , Mabrouk Asser A 
Published: September 2007

Abstract

Background
Assessment of subjective quality of life (QOL) of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) could facilitate the detection of psychosocial aspects of disease that may otherwise go unrecognized. The objectives of the study were to (i) compare the QOL ratings of relapsing remitting (RRMS) and progressive (PMS) types of MS with those of a general population group and the impression of their family caregivers; and (ii) assess the association of demographic, clinical, treatment, depression, and caregiver variables with patients' QOL.

Methods
Consecutive clinic attendees at the national neurology hospital were assessed with the 26 -item WHOQOL Instrument, Beck's Depression Inventory and Expanded Disability Scale. Caregivers rated their impression of patients' QOL and attitudes to patients' illness.

Results
The 170 patients (60 m, 109 f) consisted of 145(85.3%) with RRMS and 25 with PMS, aged 32.4(SD 8.8), age at onset 27.1(7.7), EDSS score 2.9 (1.8), and 76% were employed. The patients were predominantly dissatisfied with their life circumstances. The RRMS group had higher QOL domain scores (P < 0.001), and lower depression(P > 0.05) and disability (P < 0.0001) scores than the PMS group. Patients had significantly lower QOL scores than the control group (P < 0.001). Caregiver impression was significantly correlated with patients' ratings. Depression was the commonest significant covariate of QOL domains. When we controlled for depression and disability scores, differences between the two MS groups became significant for only one (out of 6) QOL domains. Patients who were younger, better educated, employed, felt less sick and with lesser side effects, had higher QOL. The predictors of patients' overall QOL were disability score, caregiver impression of patients' QOL, and caregiver fear of having MS.

Conclusion
Our data indicate that MS patients in stable condition and with social support can hope to have better QOL, if clinicians pay attention to depression, disability, the impact of side effects of treatment and family caregiver anxieties about the illness. The findings call for a regular program of psychosocial intervention in the clinical setting, to address these issues and provide caregiver education and supports, in order to enhance the quality of care.
Induction of complement proteins in a mouse model for cerebral microvascular Aβ deposition
Authors: Fan Rong , DeFilippis Kelly , Van Nostrand William E 
Published: September 2007

Abstract
The deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in cerebral vasculature, known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), is a common pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. In familial forms of CAA single mutations in the Aβ peptide have been linked to the increase of vascular Aβ deposits accompanied by a strong localized activation of glial cells and elevated expression of neuroinflammatory mediators including complement proteins. We have developed human amyloid-β precursor protein transgenic mice harboring two CAA Aβ mutations (Dutch E693Q and Iowa D694N) that mimic the prevalent cerebral microvascular Aβ deposition observed in those patients, and the Swedish mutations (K670N/M671L) to increase Aβ production. In these Tg-SwDI mice, we have reported predominant fibrillar Aβ along microvessels in the thalamic region and diffuse plaques in cortical region. Concurrently, activated microglia and reactive astrocytes have been detected primarily in association with fibrillar cerebral microvascular Aβ in this model. Here we show that three native complement components in classical and alternative complement pathways, C1q, C3, and C4, are elevated in Tg-SwDI mice in regions rich in fibrillar microvascular Aβ. Immunohistochemical staining of all three proteins was increased in thalamus, hippocampus, and subiculum, but not frontal cortex. Western blot analysis showed significant increases of all three proteins in the thalamic region (with hippocampus) as well as the cortical region, except C3 that was below detection level in cortex. Also, in the thalamic region (with hippocampus), C1q and C3 mRNAs were significantly up-regulated. These complement proteins appeared to be expressed largely by activated microglial cells associated with the fibrillar microvascular Aβ deposits. Our findings demonstrate that Tg-SwDI mice exhibit elevated complement protein expression in response to fibrillar vascular Aβ deposition that is observed in patients with familial CAA.
Expression and regulation of CCL18 in synovial fluid neutrophils of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Auer Judith , Bläss Markus , Schulze-Koops Hendrik , Russwurm Stefan , Nagel Thomas , Kalden Joachim R , Röllinghoff Martin , Beuscher Horst Ulrich 
Published: September 2007

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the recruitment of leukocytes and the accumulation of inflammatory mediators within the synovial compartment. Release of the chemokine CCL18 has been widely attributed to antigen-presenting cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells. This study investigates the production of CCL18 in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), the predominant cell type recruited into synovial fluid (SF). Microarray analysis, semiquantitative and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction identified SF PMN from patients with RA as a novel source for CCL18 in diseased joints. Highly upregulated expression of other chemokine genes was observed for CCL3, CXCL8 and CXCL10, whereas CCL21 was downregulated. The chemokine receptor genes were differentially expressed, with upregulation of CXCR4, CCRL2 and CCR5 and downregulation of CXCR1 and CXCR2. In cell culture experiments, expression of CCL18 mRNA in blood PMN was induced by tumor necrosis factor α, whereas synthesis of CCL18 protein required additional stimulation with a combination of IL-10 and vitamin D3. In comparison, recruited SF PMN from patients with RA were sensitized for CCL18 production, because IL-10 alone was sufficient to induce CCL18 release. These results suggest a release of the T cell-attracting CCL18 by PMN when recruited to diseased joints. However, its production is tightly regulated at the levels of mRNA expression and protein synthesis.
Drawing the tree of eukaryotic life based on the analysis of 2,269 manually annotated myosins from 328 species
Authors: Odronitz Florian , Kollmar Martin 
Published: September 2007

Abstract
Background
The evolutionary history of organisms is expressed in phylogenetic trees. The most widely used phylogenetic trees describing the evolution of all organisms have been constructed based on single-gene phylogenies that, however, often produce conflicting results. Incongruence between phylogenetic trees can result from the violation of the orthology assumption and stochastic and systematic errors.

Results
Here, we have reconstructed the tree of eukaryotic life based on the analysis of 2,269 myosin motor domains from 328 organisms. All sequences were manually annotated and verified, and were grouped into 35 myosin classes, of which 16 have not been proposed previously. The resultant phylogenetic tree confirms some accepted relationships of major taxa and resolves disputed and preliminary classifications. We place the Viridiplantae after the separation of Euglenozoa, Alveolata, and Stramenopiles, we suggest a monophyletic origin of Entamoebidae, Acanthamoebidae, and Dictyosteliida, and provide evidence for the asynchronous evolution of the Mammalia and Fungi.

Conclusion
Our analysis of the myosins allowed combining phylogenetic information derived from class-specific trees with the information of myosin class evolution and distribution. This approach is expected to result in superior accuracy compared to single-gene or phylogenomic analyses because the orthology problem is resolved and a strong determinant not depending on any technical uncertainties is incorporated, the class distribution. Combining our analysis of the myosins with high quality analyses of other protein families, for example, that of the kinesins, could help in resolving still questionable dependencies at the origin of eukaryotic life.
Surrogate End Points for Median Overall Survival in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Literature-Based Analysis From 39 Randomized Controlled Trials of First-Line Chemotherapy
Authors: Tang Patricia A. , Bentzen Søren M. , Chen Eric X. , Siu Lillian L. 
Published: September 2007

Purpose Our aims were to determine the correlations between progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP), and response rate (RR) with overall survival (OS) in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC), and to identify a potential surrogate for OS. Methods Randomized trials of first-line chemotherapy in MCRC were identified, and statistical analyses were undertaken to evaluate the correlations between the end points. Results Thirty-nine randomized controlled trials were identified containing a total of 87 treatment arms. Among trials, the nonparametric Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rs) between differences (Δ) in surrogate end points (ΔPFS, ΔTTP, and ΔRR) and ΔOS were 0.74 (95% CI, 0.47 to 0.88), 0.52 (95% CI, 0.004 to 0.81), 0.39 (95% CI, 0.08 to 0.63), respectively. The rs for ΔPFS was not significantly different from the rs ΔTTP (P = .28). Linear regression analysis was performed using hazard ratios for PFS and OS. There was a strong relationship between hazard ratios for PFS and OS; the slope of the regression line was 0.54 ± 0.10, indicating that a novel therapy producing a 10% risk reduction for PFS will yield an estimated 5.4% ± 1% risk reduction for OS. Conclusion In first-line chemotherapy trials for MCRC, improvements in PFS are strongly associated with improvements in OS. In this patient population, PFS may be an appropriate surrogate for OS. As a clinical end point, PFS offers increased statistical power at a given time of analysis and a significant lead time advantage compared with OS.
Establishment and preliminary application of personalized three‐dimensional reconstruction of thyroid gland with automatic detection of thyroid nodules based on ultrasound videos
Authors: Yandong Huang , Shiqi Zhang , Lanting Jia , Wenxin Hu , Leyao Chen , Hejing Huang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPurposeA well display of the spatial location of thyroid nodules in the thyroid is important for surgical path planning and surgeon‐patient communication. The aim of this study was to establish a three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction method of the thyroid gland, thyroid nodule, and carotid artery with automatic detection based on two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasound videos, and to evaluate its clinical value.MethodsUltrasound videos, including the thyroid gland with nodule, isthmus of thyroid gland, and ipsilateral carotid artery, were recorded. BC‐UNet, MTN‐Net, and RDPA‐U‐Net network models were innovatively employed for segmentation of the thyroid glands, the thyroid nodules, and the carotid artery respectively. Marching Cubes algorithm was used for reconstruction, while Laplacian smoothing algorithm was employed to smooth the 3D model surface. Using this model, 20 patients and 15 surgeons completed surveys on the effectiveness of this model for the pre‐surgery demonstration of nodule location as well as surgeon‐patient communication.ResultsThe thyroid gland with nodule, isthmus of gland, and carotid artery were reconstructed and displayed. With the 3D model, the understanding of the spatial location of thyroid nodules improved in all three surgeon groups, eliminating the influence of professional levels. In the patient survey, the patients’ understanding of the thyroid nodule location and procedure for surgery were significantly improved. In addition, with the 3D model, the time for doctors to explain to patients was significantly reduced (16.75 vs. 8.85 min, p = 0.001).ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first report of constructing a 3D thyroid model using a deep learning technique for personalized thyroid segmentation based on 2D ultrasound videos. The preliminary clinical application showed that it was conducive to the comprehension of the location of thyroid nodules for surgeons and patients, with significant improvement on the efficiency of surgeon‐patient communication.
Deformable Joule Heating Electrode Based on Hybrid Layers of Silver Nanowires and Carbon Nanotubes and its Application in a Refreshable Multi‐Cell Braille Display
Authors: Kim Jinsung , Xie Zhixin , Peng Zihang , Hong HyeonJi , Shajari Shaghayegh , Guo Yuxuan , Wu Hanxiang , Meng Yuan , Plamthottam Roshan , Zhu Yuan , Qiu Yu , Wang Huiying , Cheng Alex , Pei Qibing 
Published: March 2024

AbstractJoule heating electrodes (JHEs) are required for thermal actuation systems. A highly stretchable, patternable, and low‐voltage operating JHE based on hybrid layers of silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes are reported. The conductive layers are applied on a locally pre‐strained bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP) membrane to form a wrinkled conductive surface with a low resistance of 300 Ω/sq, and subsequently patterned to a serpentine trace by laser engraving. The resistance of the resulting JHE electrode remains nearly unchanged up to 80−90% area strain. By applying a voltage of 7 − 9 V to the electrode, the temperature of the BSEP membrane increased to ~60 °C, well above the polymer's phase transition temperature of 46 °C, thereby lowering its modulus by a factor of 103. An electronic Braille device based on the JHEs on a BSEP membrane is assembled with a diaphragm chamber. The electrode is patterned into 3 × 2 individually addressable pixels. Through Joule heating of the pixels and local expansion of the BSEP membrane using a pneumatic pressure, the pixels deformed out of the plane by over 0.5 mm to display Braille letters. The Braille content can be refreshed for 20 000 cycles at the same operating voltage.
A Triple Shape Memory Material of Trans‐Polyisoprene/Polycaprolactone with Customizable Response Temperature Controlled by Crosslinking Density
Authors: Zhang Wenzhe , Zou Chenglong , Pan Qizhu , Hu Guixin , Shi Huihong , Zhang Yi , He Xiyang , He Yiheng , Zhang Xiucheng 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBody‐temperature responsive shape memory polymers (SMPs) attract a lot of attention with the application in biomedicine. Multiple SMPs regulate the response temperature through the proportion of their stationary and reversible phases by changing the molecular weight of the polymer or the components of the composite. Herein, a crosslinking reaction of trans‐polyisoprene (TPI) and polycaprolactone (PCL) initiated by benzoyl peroxide gave a SMP of TPI/PCL, whose shape memory property is realized by stage‐division crystallization zone. Under the fixed ratio of TPI:PCL, the crystallization performance of TPI/PCL is controlled by the crosslinking density. The response temperatures of the components in TPI/PCL are selected for the stage‐division crystallization zone, making excellent shape memory performance at corresponding response temperatures. For the further achievement in controllable response temperature within a certain range, the relationship model between crosslinking density and response temperature is established, obtaining the customizable response temperature ranging 37–55 °C. The presented facile regulation method for response temperature will provide a new idea for the SMPs development.
A Covalent‐Metal Hybrid‐Link Organic Framework Spray for Portable and Instant Therapy of Deep‐Degree Burn
Authors: Lu Jiali , Xiang Yiming , Mao Congyang , Wu Shuilin , Wang Chaofeng , Zheng Yufeng , Zhang Yu , Yeung Kelvin W. K. , Liu Xiangmei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDeep burns lead to extensive damage to the dermal layer, necessitating a longer treatment duration than typical skin injuries. Such burn wounds become more susceptible to drug‐resistant bacterial infections, thereby complicating and prolonging the therapeutic process. In this study, a unique spray composed of covalent metal hybrid‐linked organic frameworks (HLOF) material is developed that effectively eradicates methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) within 20 min by disrupting MRSA's surface electrons, destroying its cell membrane structure, and ultimately causing its demise with an impressive antibacterial rate of 96.7%. This HLOF material exhibited exceptional biological activity and stability. During the wound recovery procedure, HLOF promoted the expression of Vascular endothelial growthfactor(VEGF) to stimulate angiogenesis while inhibiting the proinflammatory factor Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) expression to eliminate inflammation and further enhance wound repair. This study presents an innovative approach for achieving outstanding antibacterial properties and improved biocompatibility through modifications made to common metal organic frameworks (MOFs), thus expanding their potential applications.
Bioactive Nanofiber‐Hydrogel Composite Regulates Regenerative Microenvironment for Skeletal Muscle Regeneration after Volumetric Muscle Loss
Authors: Yu Wei , Zhang Xiangqi , Gu Muge , Wang Jiayu , Zhang Yihui , Zhang Wenkai , Yuan Wei‐En 
Published: March 2024

AbstractVolumetric muscle loss (VML) is a severe form of muscle trauma that exceeds the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to substantial functional impairment. The abnormal immune response and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation hinder muscle regeneration following VML. Here, an interfacial cross‐linked hydrogel‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) nanofiber composite, that incorporates both biophysical and biochemical cues to modulate the immune and ROS microenvironment for enhanced VML repair, is engineered. The interfacial cross‐linking is achieved through a Michael addition between catechol and thiol groups. The resultant composite exhibits enhanced mechanical strength without sacrificing porosity. Moreover, it mitigates oxidative stress and promotes macrophage polarization toward a pro‐regenerative phenotype, both in vitro and in a mouse VML model. 4 weeks post‐implantation, mice implanted with the composite show improved grip strength and walking performance, along with increased muscle fiber diameter, enhanced angiogenesis, and more nerve innervation compared to control mice. Collectively, these results suggest that the interfacial cross‐linked nanofiber‐hydrogel composite could serve as a cell‐free and drug‐free strategy for augmenting muscle regeneration by modulating the oxidative stress and immune microenvironment at the VML site.