bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined effects of nicotine and alcohol on subjective, behavioral and physiological responses in humans
Authors: PERKINS KENNETH A. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractNicotine and alcohol have each been widely studied in humans, but there has been relatively little attention paid to their combined effects. This is surprising, given the high frequency with which they are consumed together. The limited literature on these combined effects is murky, partly because of failure to recognize that alcohol can have contrasting subjective mood effects depending on whether blood alcohol level is ascending or descending. However, in general, nicotine and alcohol (when blood alcohol level is descending) tend to have contrasting effects on mood (“stimulating” vs. “sedating”, respectively), behavioral performance (slightly improving vs. impairing, respectively), and selected physiological responses (e.g. increased beta EEG vs. increased α EEG, respectively), but similar effects on other physiological responses (e.g. heart rate). Thus, when consumed together, mood, performance, and EEG responses are often intermediate between those due to alcohol alone or nicotine alone. Responses influenced in the same direction by either, such as cardiovascular effects, are exacerbated beyond effects due to either alone. Since mood and behavioral effects are likely to reinforce drug use, the attenuating influence of nicotine on alcohol's sedative effects could explain the frequently observed increase in smoking after alcohol consumption. At the same time, nicotine plus alcohol may exacerbate some physiological responses (e.g. cardiovascular) that can impact negatively on health. Limitations of this research and possible mechanisms of interaction between nicotine and alcohol are briefly noted. The need to consider the modulating influences of environmental and baseline‐relevant factors is also emphasized.
Ethanol‐induced osmolality changes and lymphocyte proliferation
Authors: GREIG J. E. , KEAST D. , PALMER T. N. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractWhile there have been reports on the in vitro effects of ethanol on mitogen‐stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, little attention has been paid to whether these effects are mediated by the ethanol molecule per se or the associated hyperosmolality. There is controversy whether ethanol at high concentrations inhibits or has no effect on mitogen‐stimulated proliferation of T cells. In this study we sought to distinguish between effects due to ethanol and those related to increased osmolality. Rat splenocytes were cultured in vitro in hypertonic (320 mOsm) or isotonic (320 mOsm) ethanol solutions (up to 400 mg/dL), or in corresponding hypertonic solutions without ethanol. Proliferative responses to the B cell mitogen lipopolysaccharide and the T cell mitogen concanavalin A were measured by mitochondrial dimethylthiazole diphenyl tetrazolium metabolism and [3H]‐thymidine incorporation into DNA. B cell response was not significantly affected by ethanol under any conditions. By contrast, T cell proliferative responses were significantly inhibited by isotonic ethanol solutions or hypertonic solutions in the absence of ethanol, but not by hypertonic ethanol solutions. These results indicate that, while high osmolality is normally inhibitory to lymphocyte function, the increase in osmolality caused by ethanol is protective against the otherwise detrimental effects of ethanol.
Developing a scale to measure parental attitudes towards preschool speech and language therapy services
Authors: Glogowska Margaret , Campbell Rona , Peters Tim J. , Roulstone Sue , Enderby Pam 
Published: July 2002

AbstractIn the past decade, there has been growing recognition of the need to involve clients in decisions about the healthcare they receive and in the evaluation of services offered. In health services research, survey and scaling methods have become important tools for research into ‘consumer views’ and the perspectives of people receiving healthcare. In spite of the increase in recent years in the participation of parents in their children's Speech and Language Therapy (SLT), there has been little attempt to investigate parents' perceptions and opinions of the services they receive. Moreover, there has been no previous attempt to derive a scale to measure these attitudes. The paper reports a study that explored the attitudes to therapy of 81 parents whose preschool children were receiving SLT intervention. Factor analysis of 12 items on a questionnaire revealed three issues salient in parental attitudes to therapy: practical help, emotional support and the perceived effectiveness of the service. The validity of these factors was supported by other findings from the questionnaire. The properties of the resulting scales are discussed and the ways in which they might be further refined and developed for use in SLT are suggested.
Conformation Changes in Brain Calcineurin in Diabetic Rats with or without Treatment with Vanadyl Sulfate
Authors: Li Hong , Wei Qun 
Published: July 2002

AbstractRecent studies have shown that vanadium salts are able to reduce blood glucose in diabetics and overcome, to some degree, insulin resistance. This paradigm has been followed to monitor the effects of diabetes and vanadyl treatment on brain calcineurin (CN), an important protein phosphatase. Male rats were rendered diabetic by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ), resulting in an elevation of blood glucose from 108 ±13 to > 400 mg/dl. Diabetic animals were given vanadyl sulfate trihydrate (0.5 mg/dl.) in their drinking water for 3 weeks, which led to a fall in blood glucose to 156 ±53 mg/ml. Brain CN activity (units/mg brain protein) in diabetic rats was 77% that of control animals, whereas vanadyl‐treated diabetic animals were characterized by CN activities like that of controls. CN was purified from brains of control animals, STZ‐induced diabetic animals, and STZ‐induced diabetic animals receiving vanadyl, then spin‐labeled with 3‐maleimide‐proxyl and studied via electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The rotational correlation time of CN from control animals and vanadyl‐treated diabetic animals was 6.4 ×10 ‐11 s ‐1, whereas that from STZ‐induced‐diabetic animals was 8 ×10 ‐11 s ‐1 . Thus, STZ‐induced diabetes in rats results in an increase in the rotational correlation time of brain CN relative to control animals, yet vanadyl treatment of STZ‐induced diabetic animals reduced the rotational correlation time to that of control. These data suggest that diabetes can lead to apparent conformational changes in brain CN; also, CN conformation in diabetic rats was restored by vanadyl treatment.
New estimates for Ritz vectors
Authors: Knyazev Andrew 
Published: July 2002

The following estimate for the Rayleigh–Ritz method is proved:
\[

|

λ
~

−
λ

|

|

(

u
~

,
u
)

|

≤

‖
A

u
~

−

λ
~

u
~

‖

sin
⁡
∠
{
u
;

U
~

}
,
‖
u
‖
=
1.

| \tilde \lambda - \lambda | |( \tilde u , u )| \le { \| A \tilde u - \tilde \lambda \tilde u \| } \sin \angle \{ u ; \tilde U \}, \| u \| =1.

\]
Here

A
A

is a bounded self-adjoint operator in a real Hilbert/euclidian space,

{
λ
,
u
}

\{ \lambda , u \}

one of its eigenpairs,

U
~

\tilde U

a trial subspace for the Rayleigh–Ritz method, and

{

λ
~

,

u
~

}

\{ \tilde \lambda , \tilde u \}

a Ritz pair. This inequality makes it possible to analyze the fine structure of the error of the Rayleigh–Ritz method, in particular, it shows that

|

(

u
~

,
u
)

|

≤
C

ϵ
2

,

|( \tilde u , u )| \le C \epsilon ^2,

if an eigenvector

u
u

is close to the trial subspace with accuracy

ϵ
\epsilon

and a Ritz vector

u
~

\tilde u

is an

ϵ
\epsilon

approximation to another eigenvector, with a different eigenvalue. Generalizations of the estimate to the cases of eigenspaces and invariant subspaces are suggested, and estimates of approximation of eigenspaces and invariant subspaces are proved.
The LabBase system for data management in large scale biology research laboratories.
Authors: Goodman N , Rozen S , Stein L D , Smith A G 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
MOTIVATION: The development of laboratory information management systems (LIMSs) for large scale biology research projects can be a challenging problem. Many such projects generate complex datasets via complex procedures that undergo continuous refinement. A key software challenge is to simplify the database-development task so that databases can be built and modified quickly enough to keep pace with changing project-requirements. Results: LabBase extends the facilities offered by relational database systems to simplify the task of creating databases for large scale biology research projects. LabBase provides a structural object data model, similar to ACEDB, and adds to this the concepts of Materials, Steps, and States: Materials are objects representing the identifiable things that participate in a laboratory protocol; Steps are objects reporting the results of a laboratory or analytical procedure; and States are objects denoting places in a laboratory protocol. The system provides a data definition language for succinctly defining laboratory databases, and operations for conveniently storing and retrieving data in such databases. The system also provides support for workflow management. LabBase is implemented in Perl5 and provides a natural interface for laboratory application programs written in Perl. AVAILABILITY: The software is freely available. Contact the authors. CONTACT: nat@jax.org
In-vitro activity of levofloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone: evaluation against Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis
Authors: Kitzis M.-D. , Goldstein F. W. , Miegi M. , Acar J. F. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
The in-vitro activity of levofloxacin was studied against 10 β-lactamase-negative and 93 β -lactamase-positive Moraxella catarrhalis isolates, and 65 β -lactamase-negative and 35 β-lactamase-positive Haemophilus influenzae isolates. The MICs of levofloxacin were determined by agar dilution on Mueller–Hinton agar (with the addition of 5% horse blood for M. catarrhalis ) or on Haemophilus Test Medium for H. influenzae, and were compared with those of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin, as well as pefloxacin and d -ofloxacin for M. catarrhalis. The fluoroquinolones showed similar activity against isolates of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis, irrespective of β-lactamase production. Levofloxacin (MIC 50/90 0.06 mg/L) was 64 times more active against M. catarrhalis than d -ofloxacin (MIC 50/90 4/8 mg/L) and twice as active as ofloxacin (MIC 50/90 0.125 mg/L). Ciprofloxacin had an MIC 50/90 of 0.03/0.06 mg/L and sparfloxacin showed an MIC 50/90 of 0.015 mg/L against M. catarrhalis irrespective of the resistance phenotype of the isolates. Against H. influenzae, levofloxacin was twice as active as ofloxacin (MIC 90 values 0.03 mg/L versus 0.06 mg/L), while the MIC 90 s of ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin were both 0.015 mg/L. Our results therefore suggest that levofloxacin has potential for treating respiratory tract infections caused by H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis.
Thermodynamics of single peptide bond cleavage in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI)
Authors: Buczek Olga , Krowarsch Daniel , Otlewski Jacek 
Published: July 2002

AbstractA major goal of this paper was to estimate a dynamic range of equilibrium constant for the opening of a single peptide bond in a model protein, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). Ten mutants of BPTI containing a single Xaa→Met substitution introduced in different parts of the molecule were expressed in Escherichia coli. The mutants were folded, purified to homogeneity, and cleaved with cyanogen bromide to respective cleaved forms. Conformation of the intact mutants was similar to the wildtype, as judged from their circular dichroism spectra. Substantial conformational changes were observed on the chemical cleavage of three single peptide bonds—Met46‐Ser, Met49‐Cys, and Met53‐Thr—located within the C‐terminal helix. Cleavage of those peptide bonds caused a significant destabilization of the molecule, with a drop of the denaturation temperature by 56.4°C to 68°C at pH 4.3. Opening of the remaining seven peptide bonds was related to a 10.8°C to 39.4°C decrease in Tden. Free energies of the opening of 10 single peptide bonds in native mutants (ΔGop,N) were estimated from the thermodynamic cycle that links denaturation and cleavage free energies. To calculate those values, we assumed that the free energy of opening of a single peptide bond in the denatured state (ΔGop,D) was equal to −2.7 kcal/mole, as reported previously. Calculated ΔGop,N values in BPTI were in the range from 0.2 to 10 kcal/mole, which was equivalent to a >1 million–fold difference in equilibrium constants. The values of ΔGop,N were the largest for peptide bonds located in the C‐terminal helix and significantly lower for peptide bonds in the β‐structure or loop regions. It appears that opening constants for single peptide bonds in various proteins span across 33 orders of magnitude. Typical equilibrium values for a single peptide bond opening in a protein containing secondary structure elements fall into negligibly low values, from 10−3 to 10−8, and are efficient to ensure stability against proteolysis.
A Pilot Analysis of Genome‐Wide DNA Methylation Patterns in Mouse Cartilage Reveals Overlapping Epigenetic Signatures of Aging and Osteoarthritis
Authors: Izda Vladislav , Dunn Christopher M. , Prinz Emmaline , Schlupp Leoni , Nguyen Emily , Sturdy Cassandra , Jeffries Matlock A. 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveCartilage epigenetic changes are strongly associated with human osteoarthritis (OA). However, the influence of individual environmental OA risk factors on these epigenetic patterns has not been determined; herein we characterize cartilage DNA methylation patterns associated with aging and OA in a mouse model.MethodsMurine knee cartilage DNA was extracted from healthy young (16‐week, n = 6), old (82‐week, n = 6), and young 4‐week post–destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) OA (n = 6) C57BL6/J mice. Genome‐wide DNA methylation patterns were determined via Illumina BeadChip. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The top seven most differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were confirmed by pyrosequencing in an independent animal set. Results were compared to previously published human OA methylation data.ResultsAging was associated with 20,940 DMPs, whereas OA was associated with 761 DMPs. Merging these two conditions revealed 279 shared DMPs. All demonstrated similar directionality and magnitude of change (Δβ 1.0% ± 0.2%, mean methylation change ± SEM). Shared DMPs were enriched in OA‐associated pathways, including RhoA signaling (P = 1.57 × 10−4), protein kinase A signaling (P = 3.38 × 10−4), and NFAT signaling (P = 6.14 × 10−4). Upstream regulators, including TET3 (P = 6.15 × 10−4), immunoglobulin (P = 6.14 × 10−4), and TLR7 (P = 7.53 × 10−4), were also enriched. Pyrosequencing confirmed six of the seven top DMPs in an independent cohort.ConclusionAging and early OA following DMM surgery induce similar DNA methylation changes within a murine OA model, suggesting that aging may induce pro‐OA epigenetic “poising” within articular cartilage. Future research should focus on confirming and expanding these findings to other environmental OA risk factors, including obesity, as well as determining late OA changes in mice.
Aggregation‐Induced‐Emission Photosensitizer‐Loaded Nano‐Superartificial Dendritic Cells with Directly Presenting Tumor Antigens and Reversed Immunosuppression for Photodynamically Boosted Immunotherapy
Authors: Sun Zhihong , Liu Jie , Li Yueying , lin Xun , Chu Yongli , Wang Wenting , Huang Shiyun , Li Wei , Peng Jin , Liu Chuyao , Cai Lintao , Deng Wenbin , Sun Chengming , Deng Guanjun 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe success of tumor immunotherapy highlights the potential of harnessing immune system to fight cancer. Activating both native T cells and exhausted T cells is a critical step for generating effective antitumor immunity, which is determined based on the efficient presentation of tumor antigens and co‐stimulatory signals by antigen‐presenting cells, as well as immunosuppressive reversal. However, strategies for achieving an efficient antigen presentation process and improving the immunosuppressive microenvironment remain unresolved. Here, aggregation‐induced‐emission (AIE) photosensitizer‐loaded nano‐superartificial dendritic cells (saDC@Fs‐NPs) are developed by coating superartificial dendritic cells membranes from genetically engineered 4T1 tumor cells onto nanoaggregates of AIE photosensitizers. The outer cell membranes of saDC@Fs‐NPs are derived from recombinant lentivirus‐infected 4T1 tumor cells in which peptide‐major histocompatibility complex class I, CD86, and anti‐LAG3 antibody are simultaneously anchored. These saDC@Fs‐NPs could directly stimulate T‐cell activation and reverse T‐cell exhaustion for cancer immunotherapy. The inner AIE‐active photosensitizers induce immunogenic cell death to activate dendritic cells and enhance T lymphocyte infiltration by photodynamic therapy, promoting the transformation of “cold tumors” into “hot tumors,” which further boosts immunotherapy efficiency. This work presents a powerful photoactive and artificial antigen‐presenting platform for activating both native T cells and exhausted T cells, as well as facilitating tumor photodynamic immunotherapy.
Facilely Achieved Self‐Biased Black Silicon Heterojunction Photodiode with Broadband Quantum Efficiency Approaching 100%
Authors: Zhang Yibo , Loh Joel Y. Y. , Kherani Nazir P. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPhotodiodes are fundamental components in modern optoelectronics. Heterojunction photodiodes, simply configured by two different contact materials, have been a hot research topic for many years. Currently reported self‐biased heterojunction photodiodes routinely have external quantum efficiency (EQE) significantly below 100% due to optical and electrical losses. Herein, an approach that virtually overcomes this 100% EQE challenge via low‐aspect‐ratio nanostructures and drift‐dominated photocarrier transport in a heterojunction photodiode is proposed. Broadband near‐ideal EQE is achieved in nanocrystal indium tin oxide/black silicon (nc‐ITO/b‐Si) Schottky photodiodes. The b‐Si comprises nanostalagmites which balance the antireflection effect and surface morphology. The built‐in electric field is explored to match the optical generation profile, realizing enhanced photocarrier transport over a broadband of photogeneration. The devices exhibit unprecedented EQE among the reported leading‐edge heterojunction photodiodes: average EQE surpasses ≈98% for wavelengths of 570–925 nm, while overall EQE is greater than ≈95% from 500 to 960 nm. Further, only elementary fabrication techniques are explored to achieve these excellent device properties. A heart rate sensor driven by nanowatt faint light is demonstrated, indicating the enormous potential of this near‐ideal b‐Si photodiode for low power consuming applications.
Nanoneedles Induce Targeted siRNA Silencing of p16 in the Human Corneal Endothelium
Authors: Maurizi Eleonora , Martella Davide Alessandro , Schiroli Davide , Merra Alessia , Mustfa Salman Ahmad , Pellegrini Graziella , Macaluso Claudio , Chiappini Ciro 
Published: October 2022

AbstractNanoneedles can target nucleic acid transfection to primary cells at tissue interfaces with high efficiency and minimal perturbation. The corneal endothelium is an ideal target for nanoneedle‐mediated RNA interference therapy aimed at enhancing its proliferative capacity, necessary for tissue regeneration. This work develops a strategy for siRNA nanoninjection to the human corneal endothelium. Nanoneedles can deliver p16‐targeting siRNA to primary human corneal endothelial cells in vitro without toxicity. The nanoinjection of siRNA induces p16 silencing and increases cell proliferation, as monitored by ki67 expression. Furthermore, siRNA nanoinjection targeting the human corneal endothelium is nontoxic ex vivo, and silences p16 in transfected cells. These data indicate that nanoinjection can support targeted RNA interference therapy for the treatment of endothelial corneal dysfunction.
Elastic Fibers/Fabrics for Wearables and Bioelectronics
Authors: Zhang Yufan , Zhou Jiahui , Zhang Yue , Zhang Desuo , Yong Ken Tye , Xiong Jiaqing 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWearables and bioelectronics rely on breathable interface devices with bioaffinity, biocompatibility, and smart functionality for interactions between beings and things and the surrounding environment. Elastic fibers/fabrics with mechanical adaptivity to various deformations and complex substrates, are promising to act as fillers, carriers, substrates, dressings, and scaffolds in the construction of biointerfaces for the human body, skins, organs, and plants, realizing functions such as energy exchange, sensing, perception, augmented virtuality, health monitoring, disease diagnosis, and intervention therapy. This review summarizes and highlights the latest breakthroughs of elastic fibers/fabrics for wearables and bioelectronics, aiming to offer insights into elasticity mechanisms, production methods, and electrical components integration strategies with fibers/fabrics, presenting a profile of elastic fibers/fabrics for energy management, sensors, e‐skins, thermal management, personal protection, wound healing, biosensing, and drug delivery. The trans‐disciplinary application of elastic fibers/fabrics from wearables to biomedicine provides important inspiration for technology transplantation and function integration to adapt different application systems. As a discussion platform, here the main challenges and possible solutions in the field are proposed, hopefully can provide guidance for promoting the development of elastic e‐textiles in consideration of the trade‐off between mechanical/electrical performance, industrial‐scale production, diverse environmental adaptivity, and multiscenario on‐spot applications.
Mapping the Binding Energy of Layered Crystals to Macroscopic Observables
Authors: Moazzami Gudarzi Mohsen , Aboutalebi Seyed Hamed 
Published: October 2022

AbstractVan der Waals (vdW) integration of two dimensional (2D) crystals into functional heterostructures emerges as a powerful tool to design new materials with fine‐tuned physical properties at an unprecedented precision. The intermolecular forces governing the assembly of vdW heterostructures are investigated by first‐principles models, yet translating the outcome of these models to macroscopic observables in layered crystals is missing. Establishing this connection is, therefore, crucial for ultimately designing advanced materials of choice‐tailoring the composition to functional device properties. Herein, components from both vdW and non‐vdW forces are integrated to build a comprehensive framework that can quantitatively describe the dynamics of these forces in action. Specifically, it is shown that the optical band gap of layered crystals possesses a peculiar ionic character that works as a quantitative indicator of non‐vdW forces. Using these two components, it is then described why only a narrow range of exfoliation energies for this class of materials is observed. These findings unlock the microscopic origin of universal binding energy in layered crystals and provide a general protocol to identify and synthesize new crystals to regulate vdW coupling in the next generation of heterostructures.