bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence and outcome of ischemic hepatitis complicating septic shock
Authors: Raurich Joan M. , Pérez Olatz , Llompart‐Pou Juan A. , Ibáñez Jordi , Ayestarán Ignacio , Pérez‐Bárcena Jon 
Published: March 2009

Aim:  The specific incidence of ischemic hepatitis in septic shock patients remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of ischemic hepatitis in septic shock and its relationship with mortality.Methods:  We retrospectively studied 181 patients with septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We defined ischemic hepatitis as having a value of serum aminotransferases equal to or higher than 1000 IU/L. We recorded the age, sex, comorbidity, site of infection, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score on admission to the ICU, maximum SOFA score and inadequate antibiotic therapy.Results:  Twenty‐five (13.8%) patients developed ischemic hepatitis. In‐hospital mortality was 57% (103 patients). In the ischemic hepatitis group, mortality increased up to 84.0% (21 patients) compared with 52.6% (82 patients) in patients without ischemic hepatitis (control group) (odds ratio [OR]: 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6–14.4; P = 0.003). The development of ischemic hepatitis, age, maximum SOFA score and inadequate antibiotic therapy were independently associated with an increased risk of death. The odds of death increased by 247% in ischemic hepatitis (OR: 3.47; 95% CI: 1.02–11.8; P = 0.047).Conclusion:  Ischemic hepatitis is a common complication in septic shock patients, associated with a high mortality.
A long-lasting, plasmin-activatable thrombin inhibitor aids clot lysis in vitro and does not promote bleeding in vivo
Authors: Eltringham-Smith Louise , Gataiance Sharon , Bhakta Varsha , Sheffield William 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe leech protein hirudin is a potent inhibitor of thrombin, but clinical use of recombinant hirudin is restricted by haemorrhagic risks, and complicated by hirudin’s rapid clearance from the circulation. We previously employed albumin fusion to slow hirudin variant 3 (HV3) clearance. In this study, we hypothesized that reconfiguration of the chimera, appending human serum albumin (HSA) to the N-terminus of HV3, with an intervening plasmin cleavage site, would create a slowly cleared, plasmin-activatable HV3. Potential plasmin cleavage sites were screened by expression in Escherichia coli, interposed between glutathione sulfotransferase and HV3 domains. The most reactive sequence (GSGIYR-ITY) was recreated in C-terminally His-tagged albumin fusion protein HSACHV3, expressed in Pichia pastoris yeast and purified by nickel-chelate affinity chromatography. HSACHV3 showed no thrombin inhibitory activity in the absence of plasmin, but liberated active HV3 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in its presence. In a discontinuous clot assay involving clot-bound thrombin, HSACHV3 assisted clot lysis by limiting clot extension in a tPA- and concentration-dependent manner. Similar results were obtained in plasma at higher concentrations of HSACHV3. The chimeric protein exhibited much slower clearance in mice than unfused HV3, and indistinguishable pharmacokinetics from unfused recombinant HSA. In a mouse tail transection bleeding model, doses of HSACHV3 identical to those of HV3 that elicited a four-fold increase in the volume of shed blood were without effect. Our results suggest that HSACHV3 is a fully latent, plasmin activatable, long-lasting hirudin, of potential benefit in thrombotic disorders resistant to natural or pharmacological clot lysis.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate: A bioactive lipid that confers high-density lipoprotein with vasculoprotection mediated by nitric oxide and prostacyclin
Authors: Badimon Lina , Rodríguez Cristina , González-Díez María , Martínez-González José 
Published: March 2009

SummarySphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid generated in the intracellular membranes from the metabolism of sphingomyelin. Once secreted/exported by cells of haematopoietic origin and vascular cells S1P interacts with plasma proteins and accumulates in high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Growing evidence indicates that HDL-associated S1P is responsible for the beneficial effects of these lipoproteins on vasorelaxation, cell survival, cell adhesiveness, angiogenesis and synthesis of two powerful endogenous anti-atherogenic and anti-thrombotic molecules such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2). It is likely that vascular effects of HDL-S1P are regulated by the local expression of S1P receptors. Five G protein-coupled receptors (S1P1 to S1P5), with differential expression patterns and dissimilar coupling mechanism to G protein subunits, have been identified in the vasculature. This review is focused on the central role of S1P as a bioactive component that confers vasculoprotective properties to HDL by eliciting a wide range of biological responses on endothelial and smooth muscle cells largely dependent on the up-regulation of NO and prostacyclin.
Autoimmune mediated G-protein receptor activation in cardiovascular and renal pathologies
Authors: Philippe Aurélie , Catar Rusan , Hegner Björn , Dragun Duska 
Published: March 2009

SummaryAntibodies directed against G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) can act as allosteric receptor agonists or antagonists. Prototypic disease for agonistic antibody action is a Graves disease of the thyroid gland where antibodies that stimulate G-protein coupled thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) were first described 50 years ago. Myasthenia gravis is the prototype for antagonistic autoimmune actions, where antibodies directed against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) cause blockade of neuromuscular junctions. Antibodies and B-cells are increasingly recognised as major modulators of various cardiovascular and renal pathologies. We aim to critically review the notion that antibodies targeting other GPCRs may amplify or cause various cardiovascular and renal pathologies and summarise the current state of research, as well as perspectives in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In terms of targets we will focus on the α-adrenergic receptor (α1AR), the β-adrenergic receptor (β1AR), and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R).
Do common prothrombotic mutations influence the risk of cerebral ischaemia in patients with patent foramen ovale?
Authors: Grassi Mario , Zotto Elisabetta Del , Giossi Alessia , Volonghi Irene , Costa Paolo , Grau Armin , Magoni Mauro , Padovani Alessandro , Lichy Christoph , Pezzini Alessandro 
Published: March 2009

SummaryConflicting results are available on the association of prothrombotic genetic abnormalities with patent foramen ovale (PFO)-related cerebral ischaemia. We comprehensively sought and identified studies of the association of both the factor V Leiden (FVG1691A mutation) and the prothrombin mutation (PTG20210A mutation) with PFO-related cerebral ischaemia and did meta-analyses to assess the evidence for such a relation. We analysed data from six eligible studies in 856 cases and 1,001 control subjects. Additional unpublished data from a new series including 463 subjects were also entered into the analysis. The PTG20210A variant was significantly associated with PFO-related stroke in comparison with both control subjects (odds ratio [OR] 3.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.22 to 6.66) and non-PFO-associ ated stroke patients (OR 2.31; 95% CI 1.20 to 4.43), whereas a trend toward an association was observed for the FVG1691A mutation (OR 1.18; 95% CI 0.73 to 1.90, compared to control subjects; OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.62 to 2.09, compared to non-PFO-associated stroke patients). The status of carrier of either the FVG1691A mutation or the PTG20210A variant was associated with a risk for stroke of 1.98 (95% CI 1.38 to 2.83) and 1.62 (95% CI 1.03 to 2.57), as compared to control subjects and non-PFO-associated stroke patients, respectively. Addition of common prothrombotic genetic variants to standard initial screening may contribute to stratifying PFO-associated stroke patients at different risk of ischaemic events and targeting secondary prevention strategies.
The Effects of Mesoscale Ocean–Atmosphere Coupling on the Large-Scale Ocean Circulation
Authors: Hogg Andrew Mc C. , Dewar William K. , Berloff Pavel , Kravtsov Sergey , Hutchinson David K. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Small-scale variation in wind stress due to ocean–atmosphere interaction within the atmospheric boundary layer alters the temporal and spatial scale of Ekman pumping driving the double-gyre circulation of the ocean. A high-resolution quasigeostrophic (QG) ocean model, coupled to a dynamic atmospheric mixed layer, is used to demonstrate that, despite the small spatial scale of the Ekman-pumping anomalies, this phenomenon significantly modifies the large-scale ocean circulation. The primary effect is to decrease the strength of the nonlinear component of the gyre circulation by approximately 30%–40%. This result is due to the highest transient Ekman-pumping anomalies destabilizing the flow in a dynamically sensitive region close to the western boundary current separation. The instability of the jet produces a flux of potential vorticity between the two gyres that acts to weaken both gyres.
The Shape of Things to Come: Why Is Climate Change So Predictable?
Authors: Baker Marcia B. , Roe Gerard H. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
The framework of feedback analysis is used to explore the controls on the shape of the probability distribution of global mean surface temperature response to climate forcing. It is shown that ocean heat uptake, which delays and damps the temperature rise, can be represented as a transient negative feedback. This transient negative feedback causes the transient climate change to have a narrower probability distribution than that of the equilibrium climate response (the climate sensitivity). In this sense, climate change is much more predictable than climate sensitivity. The width of the distribution grows gradually over time, a consequence of which is that the larger the climate change being contemplated, the greater the uncertainty is about when that change will be realized. Another consequence of this slow growth is that further efforts to constrain climate sensitivity will be of very limited value for climate projections on societally relevant time scales. Finally, it is demonstrated that the effect on climate predictability of reducing uncertainty in the atmospheric feedbacks is greater than the effect of reducing uncertainty in ocean feedbacks by the same proportion. However, at least at the global scale, the total impact of uncertainty in climate feedbacks is dwarfed by the impact of uncertainty in climate forcing, which in turn is contingent on choices made about future anthropogenic emissions.
Response of the West African Monsoon to the Madden–Julian Oscillation
Authors: Lavender Sally L. , Matthews Adrian J. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Observations show that rainfall over West Africa is influenced by the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). A number of mechanisms have been suggested: 1) forcing by equatorial waves; 2) enhanced monsoon moisture supply; and 3) increased African easterly wave (AEW) activity. However, previous observational studies are not able to unambiguously distinguish between cause and effect. Carefully designed model experiments are used to assess these mechanisms. Intraseasonal convective anomalies over West Africa during the summer monsoon season are simulated in an atmosphere-only global circulation model as a response to imposed sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies associated with the MJO over the equatorial warm pool region. 1) Negative SST anomalies stabilize the atmosphere leading to locally reduced convection. The reduced convection leads to negative midtropospheric latent heating anomalies that force dry equatorial waves. These waves propagate eastward (Kelvin wave) and westward (Rossby wave), reaching Africa approximately 10 days later. The associated negative temperature anomalies act to destabilize the atmosphere, resulting in enhanced monsoon convection over West and central Africa. The Rossby waves are found to be the most important component, with associated westward-propagating convective anomalies over West Africa. The eastward-propagating equatorial Kelvin wave also efficiently triggers convection over the eastern Pacific and Central America, consistent with observations. 2) An increase in boundary layer moisture is found to occur as a result of the forced convective anomalies over West Africa rather than a cause. 3) Increased shear on the African easterly jet, leading to increased AEW activity, is also found to occur as a result of the forced convective anomalies in the model.
Large Eddy Simulations of Upper-Ocean Response to a Midlatitude Storm and Comparison with Observations*
Authors: Li Ming , Vagle Svein , Farmer David M. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
A large eddy simulation (LES) model is used to investigate an upper-ocean response to a fall storm in the open ocean of the North Pacific Ocean. The storm is characterized by rapid increases in wind speed and surface heat loss but a relatively steady wave field. The LES model shows that surface convergence zones or windrows organize into line patterns aligned with the wind direction, evolving from nearly parallel lines to irregular structures featuring Y junctions as the wind speed increases. The downwelling-to-upwelling velocity ratio ranges between 1.2 and 1.6, indicating a moderate level of asymmetry between the downwelling and upwelling plumes in Langmuir circulation. During the storm, the turbulent Langmuir number Lat increases from 0.2 to 0.5 while the vertical turbulence intensity σw2 decreases from 1.4 to 0.7 u*2, where u* is the friction velocity. The order of turbulence intensities in three directions switches from crosswind ≈ vertical &gt; downwind directions to downwind &gt; crosswind &gt; vertical directions. This suggests a transition from Langmuir to shear turbulence as the storm progresses. The Hoennikker number (Ho) remains below 0.1 and the strong evaporative heat loss does not contribute much to the turbulence generation in the ocean mixed layer. The LES results are compared with in situ and acoustic measurements collected during the storm. Patterns of model-predicted near-surface downwelling zones are in good agreement with horizontal distributions of bubble clouds revealed in sidescan sonar images. Striking similarity is also found in the temperature anomalies between the LES model and high-resolution thermistor chain measurements.
The Effects of Precipitation on Cloud Droplet Measurement Devices
Authors: Baker Brad , Mo Qixu , Lawson R. Paul , O’Connor Darren , Korolev Alexei 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Aircraft in situ observations of precipitation during the Rain in Cumulus over the Ocean (RICO) field project are used to study and parameterize the effects of precipitation on cloud probes. Specifically, the effects of precipitation on the Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe, the King cloud liquid water hot-wire probe, and the particle volume monitor are parameterized as linear functions of the precipitation water content.
Modernity and Confucian Political Philosophy in a Globalizing World
Authors: Ming Chen 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe scholarship of Confucianism in China is in the process of restoration. Its historical missions are two-fold. It should preserve Chinese national characters and promote China's modernization. These objectives are partly in conflict with each other. To realize the former objective, it is necessary to stress a historical continuity and consistency, to re-examine and justify the preservation of classical Confucian ideas and values in order to provide spiritual support for Chinese cultural identity and social cohesion. As to the latter objective, it is necessary to reinterpret some part of the classical ideas and values and link them with the modern values such as liberty, justice and democracy. This essay analyzes the position of three Confucianist scholars, Jiang Qing, Chen Ming and Kang Xiaoguang, to show the different balances between conservatism and reformers when their writings confront the challenges of modernization and globalization.
The Most Fashionable and the Most Relevant: A Review of Contemporary Chinese Political Philosophy
Authors: Lian Zhou 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper presents a review of the main trends of contemporary political philosophy in China. First, it provides a general picture of the presence of contemporary western political philosophy in China. It shows how the different political positions (New Left, liberalist, conservative) relate to the different stances adopted before Western authors, and focuses in particular on the reception of Carl Schmitt and Leo Strauss in China's academic and cultural circles. Second, it provides an account of what might be contemporary Chinese political philosophers’ unique contributions to political theory. It pays particular attention to two Chinese scholars, Gan Yang and Zhao Tingyang. While both of them specialize in western philosophy, they neither echo western political philosophy nor repeat traditional Chinese political thought, but, rather, commit themselves to a transformation of Chinese tradition thought, in order to figure out some original and debatable theories. By focusing on analyzing these philosophers’ ideas and influences, the author hopes to answer two distinct but interrelated questions: how and why are they are so fashionable or popular, and whose thought might retain some pertinence in the context and issues of Chinese political tradition and the existing political practices.
Commotio Cordis
Authors: Palacio Luis E. , Link Mark S. 
Published: March 2009

Content: Commotio cordis is blunt, nonpenetrating trauma to the chest resulting in irregular heart rhythm and often leading to sudden death. This article presents the epidemiology, variables leading to commotio cordis, theories on predisposing factors, diagnosis, treatment, treatment outcomes, and return-to-play recommendations. Evidence Acquisition: A PubMed (MEDLINE) search for commotio cordis was conducted on July 1, 2008, and it yielded 106 results, of which 26 were used for this review, including experimental models, simulation studies, case analysis studies, case reports, general recommendation, review articles, and editorials. Results: There are more than 190 reported cases of commotio cordis in the United States. Forty-seven percent of reported cases occurred during athletic participation. Commotio cordis is the second-most common cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes. Occurrence of commotio cordis is related to time of impact during the cardiac cycle, direct impact over the heart, the hardness and speed of the projectile, and the ineffectiveness of chest barriers. As a result, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that softer “safety” baseballs be used for youth baseball. Resuscitation using defibrillation was effective in only 15% of cases. Resuscitation within 3 minutes resulted in a survival rate of 25% (17 of 68 cases). Survival drops to 3% when resuscitation is delayed beyond 3 minutes. Survival of commotio cordis has risen from 10% to 15% since 2001. Reduced ventricular ejection fraction has been identified in some commotio cordis survivors. Conclusion: Preventive measures, such as using soft “safety” balls and making automated external defibrillators available at sporting venues, can reduce commotio cordis morbidity and mortality. Chest protector designs can be improved to enhance protection. Return to play is best left to clinical judgment given that data are lacking with regard to susceptibility for reoccurrence.
Endogenous IL-17 contributes to reduced tumor growth and metastasis
Authors: Kryczek Ilona , Wei Shuang , Szeliga Wojciech , Vatan Linhua , Zou Weiping 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
It has been reported that ectopically expressed interleukin-17 (IL-17) in tumor cells suppresses tumor progression through enhanced antitumor immunity in immune competent mice or promote tumor progression through an increase in inflammatory angiogenesis in immune-deficient mice. The role of endogenous IL-17 in tumor immunity remains undefined. Here we showed that tumor growth and lung metastasis were enhanced in IL-17–deficient mice, associated with decreased interferon-γ+ natural killer cells and tumor specific interferon-γ+ T cells in the tumor draining lymph nodes and tumors. Together with the published data showing that in vitro transforming growth factor-β and IL-6–polarized Th17 cells induce tumor regression, our work supports the notion that endogenous IL-17 or/and Th17 cells may play a protective role in tumor immunity.
Direct Observation of Well-dispersed Pt Nanoparticles inside the Pores of Mesoporous Carbon through the Cross Section of Pt/Mesoporous Carbon Particles
Authors: Hayashi Akari , Kimijima Ken’ichi , Miyamoto Junichi , Yagi Ichizo 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Pt nanoparticles were deposited on mesoporous carbon support using two different Pt precursors, and the difference in mass activity toward oxygen reduction between the two was successfully examined through direct observation of Pt nanoparticles inside the mesopores. Existence of 1-nm-sized Pt particles on the wall of mesopores was observed, and catalytic activity was higher if the size of Pt particles inside the pores was smaller. The size and stability of Pt catalysts encapsulated in nanospace is key for catalytic activity.
Peritumoral Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells Predict Poor Clinical Outcome in Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Curative Resection
Authors: Ju Min-Jie , Qiu Shuang-Jian , Fan Jia , Xiao Yong-Sheng , Gao Qiang , Zhou Jian , Li Yi-Wei , Tang Zhao-You 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe inflammatory components of the liver remnant after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resection are of prognostic importance. We evaluated prognostic potential of peritumoral activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in 130 HCC cases. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the functional genes in HSCs (ie, seprase, osteonectin, and tenascin-C), quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the density of peritumoral Foxp3+ T-regulatory cells (Tregs) and CD68+ macrophages (MΦ), assessed immunohistochemically in tissue microarray sections, were positively correlated with the density of peritumoral activated HSCs. The density (P = .007 for recurrence-free survival [RFS] and P =.021 for overall survival [OS]) and functional genes (seprase, P = .001 for RFS; osteonectin, P = .007 for RFS and P =.021 for OS) of peritumoral activated HSCs independently contributed to high recurrence or death rates, as did peritumoral Tregs or MΦ. Moreover, peritumoral HSCs were related to more early recurrences. It is important to note that the density of peritumoral activated HSCs, in combination with seprase and osteonectin mRNA or density of Tregs and MΦ, might predict prognoses more effectively.