bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity and its measurement in a community‐based sample of women with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Katz Patricia , Gregorich Steven , Yazdany Jinoos , Trupin Laura , Julian Laura , Yelin Edward , Criswell Lindsey A.
Published: September 2010

Objective

To determine the prevalence of obesity and evaluate how accurately standard anthropometric measures identify obesity among women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Dual x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), height, weight, and waist and hip circumference measurements were collected from 145 women with SLE. Three anthropometric proxies of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2, waist circumference [WC] ≥88 cm, and waist:hip ratio [WHR] ≥0.85) were compared with a DXA‐based obesity criterion. Correspondence between measures was assessed with Cohen's kappa. Receiver operating characteristic curves determined optimal cut points for each anthropometric measure relative to DXA. Framingham cardiovascular risk scores were compared among women who were classified as not obese by both traditional and revised anthropometric definitions, obese by both definitions, and obese only by the revised definition.

Results

Of the 145 women, 28%, 29%, 41%, and 50% were classified as obese by WC, BMI, WHR, and DXA, respectively. Correspondence between anthropometric and DXA‐based measures was moderate. Women misclassified by anthropometric measures had less truncal fat and more appendicular lean and fat mass. Cut points were identified for anthropometric measures to better approximate DXA estimates of percent body fat: BMI ≥26.8 kg/m2, WC ≥84.75 cm, and WHR ≥0.80. Framingham risk scores were significantly higher in women classified as obese by either traditional or revised criteria.

Conclusion

A large percentage of this group of women with SLE was obese. Substantial portions of women were misclassified by anthropometric measures. Utility of revised cut points compared with traditional cut points in identifying risk of cardiovascular disease or disability remains to be examined in prospective studies, but results from the Framingham risk score analysis suggest that traditional cut points exclude a significant number of at‐risk women with SLE.
Socioeconomic determinants of disability and depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Margaretten M. , Barton J. , Julian L. , Katz P. , Trupin L. , Tonner C. , Graf J. , Imboden J. , Yelin E.
Published: September 2010

Objective

To examine the relationship between functional limitation, socioeconomic inequality, and depression in a diverse cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

The study design was cross‐sectional and subjects were from the University of California, San Francisco RA Cohort. Patients were enrolled from 2 rheumatology clinics, an urban county public hospital and a university tertiary care medical center. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, disease activity, functional limitation, and medications were variables collected at clinical visits. The patient's clinic site was used as a proxy for his or her socioeconomic status. The outcome variable was depressive symptom severity measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire 9. Differences in characteristics between depressed and nondepressed patients were calculated using 2‐sided t‐tests or the Pearson's chi‐square test. For the multivariate analysis, repeated measures with generalized estimating equations were used.

Results

There were statistically significant differences between depressed and nondepressed patients related to race/ethnicity, public versus tertiary care hospital rheumatology clinic, disability, and medications. In the multivariate analysis, increased functional limitation and public clinic site remained significantly associated with increased depression scores. A significant interaction existed between clinic site and disability. Mean depression scores rose more precipitously as functional limitation increased at the public hospital rheumatology clinic.

Conclusion

There are disparities in both physical and mental health among individuals with low socioeconomic status. The psychological effects of disability vary in patients with RA such that a vulnerable population with functional limitations is at higher risk of developing depressive symptoms.
Surface Functionalized Colloidal Microparticles for Fast Endocytotic Cell Uptake
Authors: Reibetanz Uta , Lessig Jaqueline , Hoyer Jan , Neundorf Ines
Published: September 2010

Aim of this study is to enhance fast and effective endocytotic uptake of protamine sulfate and dextran sulfate layer‐by‐layer(LbL) coated silica microparticles by specific functionalization with a cell‐penetrating peptide (CPP) surface layer. CPP are known to act as efficient carriers for a wide range of different substances. By coupling CPP to a given compound, the overall cellular uptake can be increased. Coating and stability of the cell‐penetrating peptide (CPP) layer among different conditions are tested by means of fluorescence markers. Furthermore, the quality of the preparation regarding particle aggregation after peptide coating is explored. After 0.5–2 h cell/particle incubation, the number of cells with peptide‐coated particles in endolysosomes is significantly increased related to particles coated with the positively charged biopolymer protamine sulfate (PRM) on top. Thus, our new designed particles functionalized with CPPs are very useful as fast carriers for active agents addressing the endolysosomal compartment of cells.
Biomimetic Collagen Nanofibrous Materials for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Zheng Wenfu , Zhang Wei , Jiang Xingyu
Published: September 2010

Hierarchical assemblies of nanofibres are ubiquitous in nature. Mineralized type I collagen is the basic building block of hierarchically organized, highly complex structures of bone tissue. As a biomaterial, collagen is widely utilized in biomimetic nanofibrous matrix fabrication due to its inherent biocompatibility and widespread occurrence in nature. Nanotechnology has recently gained a new impetus due to the introduction of the concept of biomimetic nanofibres for tissue regeneration. The emergence of electrospinning techniques provides a new opportunity to fabricate nano‐collagen fibres for bone tissue engineering. By orchestrating major parameters, collagen fibres with different components (pure or blended), sizes (nanometre to micrometre) and surface properties (mineralized or modified by functional bioactive molecules) have been developed and their effects on bone cell adhesion, proliferation, migration and differentiation evaluated. This review briefly introduces natural mineralized collagen structures in bone, biomimetic mineralization and bone grafts, and in vitro mineralization of collagen nanofibres fabricated by using three major techniques – molecular self‐assembly, electrospinning, and phase separation. Their applications in bone tissue engineering are also discussed. We highlight the electrospinning technique in collagen nanofibre fabrication and its great potential for bone tissue regeneration.
Temperature‐Responsive Controlled Drug Delivery System Based on Titanium Nanotubes
Authors: Cai Kaiyong , Jiang Feng , Luo Zhong , Chen Xiuyong
Published: September 2010

In this study, we reported a smart temperature‐sensitive drug release system based on titanium nanotubes. Titanium nanotubes were fabricated with an electrochemical approach. The 3‐trimethoxysilyl propylmethacrylate (MPS) was initially coupling to the surfaces of titanium nanotubes, and then polymerizing with N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and acrylamide (AAm) to form a hydrogel covering layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to characterize the titanium nanotubes drug delivery systems. SEM images revealed that titanium nanotubes had relatively uniform distribution in diameters (52 ± 9 nm) and around 410 nm in length. FTIR spectra suggested that MPS was immobilized and in turn triggering the formation of PNIPAAm/PAAm network onto the surfaces of titanium nanotubes. Drug release profiles indicated that a temperature‐responsive controlled drug release system based on titanium nanotubes was achieved. This study provides alternative for developing novel implantable controlled drug delivery systems from titanium nanotubes.
Synthesis of Homogeneously Alloyed Cu2−x(SySe1−y) Nanowire Bundles with Tunable Compositions and Bandgaps
Authors: Xu Jun , Tang Yong‐Bing , Chen Xue , Luan Chun‐Yan , Zhang Wen‐Feng , Zapien Juan Antonio , Zhang Wen‐Jun , Kwong Hoi‐Lun , Meng Xiang‐Min , Lee Shuit‐Tong , Lee Chun‐Sing
Published: September 2010

Bundles of homogeneously alloyed Cu2−x(SySe1−y) nanowires with various compositions (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) are controllably prepared via a simple water‐evaporation method under mild conditions. It is found that the nanowire bundles have similar copper contents (0.37 ≤ x ≤ 0.44) and morphologies, and the same face centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure and growth orientation of [110] over the entire composition range of y. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on cubic phased ternary Cu2−x(SySe1−y) compounds. It is found that lattice parameter of the Cu2−x(SySe1−y) compound changes linearly with the S content. It is also shown that the direct and the indirect bandgaps of the nanowires vary quadratically with the S content and have bowing parameters of 0.20 and 0.21 eV respectively. Energy‐gap‐tuning via compositional change is achieved for both the direct (1.48−1.87 eV) and the indirect (0.50−0.90 eV) bandgaps. The trends of lattice parameter and bandgap variations are consistent with those described by Végard's Law.
Tailoring the Electrical Properties of Carbon Nanotube–Polymer Composites
Authors: Huang Yan Y. , Terentjev Eugene M.
Published: September 2010

Advances in functionality and reliability of nanocomposite materials require careful formulation of processing methods to ultimately realize the desired properties. An extensive study of how the variation in fabrication process would affect the mechanism of conductivity and thus the final electrical properties of the carbon nanotube–polymer composite is presented. Some of the most widely implemented procedures are addressed, such as ultrasonication, melt shear mixing, and addition of surfactants. It is hoped that this study could provide a systematic guide to selecting and designing the downstream processing of carbon nanocomposites. Finally, this guide is used to demonstrate the fabrication and performance of a stretchable (pliable) conductor that can reversibly undergo uniaxial strain of over 100%, and other key applications are discussed.
Ultrasensitive and Highly Selective Gas Sensors Based on Electrospun SnO2 Nanofibers Modified by Pd Loading
Authors: Yang Dae‐Jin , Kamienchick Itai , Youn Doo Young , Rothschild Avner , Kim Il‐Doo
Published: September 2010

This work presents a new route to suppress grain growth and tune the sensitivity and selectivity of nanocrystalline SnO2 fibers. Unloaded and Pd‐loaded SnO2 nanofiber mats are synthesized by electrospinning followed by hot‐pressing at 80 °C and calcination at 450 or 600 °C. The chemical composition and microstructure evolution as a function of Pd‐loading and calcination temperature are examined using EDS, XPS, XRD, SEM, and HRTEM. Highly porous fibrillar morphology with nanocrystalline fibers comprising SnO2 crystallites decorated with tiny PdO crystallites is observed. The grain size of the SnO2 crystallites in the layers that are calcined at 600 °C decreases with increasing Pd concentration from about 15 nm in the unloaded specimen to about 7 nm in the 40 mol% Pd‐loaded specimen, indicating that Pd‐loading could effectively suppress the SnO2 grain growth during the calcination step. The Pd‐loaded SnO2 sensors have 4 orders of magnitude higher resistivity and exhibit significantly enhanced sensitivity to H2 and lower sensitivity to NO2 compared to their unloaded counterparts. These observations are attributed to enhanced electron depletion at the surface of the PdO‐decorated SnO2 crystallites and catalytic effect of PdO in promoting the oxidation of H2 into H2O. These phenomena appear to have a much larger effect on the sensitivity of the Pd‐loaded sensors than the reduction in grain size.
Simple Chiral Diaminobinaphthyl Dilithium Salts for Intramolecular Catalytic Asymmetric Hydroamination of Amino‐1,3‐dienes
Authors: Deschamp Julia , Olier Clarisse , Schulz Emmanuelle , Guillot Régis , Hannedouche Jérôme , Collin Jacqueline
Published: September 2010

Simple and easily accessible chiral lithium amide salts are reported as efficient (pre)catalysts for the diastereo‐ [up to (E:Z)=92:8] and enantioselective [up to 72% ee (E)] hydroamination/cyclisation of conjugated primary aminodienes. These chiral lithium salts are straightforwardly prepared by in situ combination of an N‐substituted (R)‐(+)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diamine ligand and a commercial methyllithium solution. Information on the solid‐state structure of these salts was obtained by X‐ray analysis of a single crystal.
Selective Synthesis of 1,4‐Dialkylbenzenes from Terephthalic Acid
Authors: Bramborg Andrea , Linker Torsten
Published: September 2010

Terephthalic acid reacts with alkyl halides under Birch conditions to substituted 1,4‐cyclohexadienes in high yields and good stereoselectivities. Electrophiles containing ester or nitrile groups undergo a surprising fragmentation under the reaction conditions. Subsequent treatment with chlorosulfonic acid proceeds by an interesting tandem decarbonylation/decarboxylation, affording 1,4‐dialkylbenzenes in excellent regioselectivity. Thus our new method is superior to classical Friedel–Crafts alkylations.
New Platinum‐Catalysed Dihydroalkoxylation of Allenes
Authors: Paz Muñoz María , de la Torre María C. , Sierra Miguel A.
Published: September 2010

A new platinum‐catalysed dihydroalkoxylation of allenes is described to give aliphatic acetals by an unexpected attack of two molecules of methanol to the terminal carbon of the allene moiety. Deuteration experiments suggest an unprecedented formal 1,3‐dipolar addition of methanol to a zwitterionic platinum carbene as the key step. The first platinum‐catalysed intermolecular carbon‐based nucleophile addition to allenes is also reported.
Evaluation of Electron‐Deficient Phosphine Ligands for Direct Arylation of Heterocycles
Authors: René Olivier , Fagnou Keith
Published: September 2010

New electron‐deficient biarylphosphine ligands were studied and proved to be efficient for the direct arylation of heteroarenes with aryl iodides. The ability of a more electron‐deficient palladium centre to accelerate the arylation of heterocycles that remained unreactive with aryl iodides in the past has been validated and these heteroarenes can now be smoothly reacted in the presence of a new electrophilic catalyst. Experimental evidence suggests a viable concerted metalation–deprotonation pathway for the CH bond cleavage step with an electron‐deficient palladium centre.
Low‐Pressure Hydrogenation of Arenecarboxylic Acids to Aryl Aldehydes
Authors: Gooßen Lukas J. , Khan Bilal Ahmad , Fett Thomas , Treu Matthias
Published: September 2010

A highly effective palladium catalyst has been developed that allows the selective hydrogenation of arenecarboxylic acids to the aryl aldehydes in the presence of pivalic anhydride already at 5 bar hydrogen pressure. With the new catalyst, diversely functionalized aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes are conveniently accessible from the corresponding carboxylic acids in a single reaction step without any overreduction to the alcohols.
Counter‐intuitive temperature excursions during regeneration of a diesel particulate filter
Authors: Chen K. , Martirosyan K. S. , Luss D.
Published: September 2010

A major technological challenge in the regeneration of diesel particulate filters (DPFs) is that sometimes local high temperature excursions melt the cordierite ceramic filter. The cause of this melting is still an open question as the highest temperature attained under stationary (constant feed) combustion of the accumulated particulate matter is too low to cause this melting (melting temperature ∼1250°C). We recently conjectured that the high temperature excursions are a counterintuitive response to a rapid deceleration, which decreases the exhaust gas temperature and flow rate and increases the oxygen concentration. Infrared measurements of the spatiotemporal temperature during soot combustion on a single‐layer DPF showed that a simultaneous step change of the feed temperature, flow rate, and oxygen concentration can lead to a transient temperature that exceeds the highest attained for stationary operation under either the initial or the final operation conditions. The experiments revealed that the magnitude of the temperature rise depends in a complex way on several factors, such as the direction of movement of the propagating temperature front. The amplitude of the temperature rise is a monotonic decreasing function of the distance that the temperature front moved before the step change. The rapid response to the feed oxygen concentration increases initially the moving front temperature. The slow response of the ceramic DPF to a decrease in the feed temperature may eventually decrease the moving front temperature and even lead to premature extinction and partial regeneration. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Improved performance of simulated moving bed process using column‐modified feed
Authors: Lee Hyeon‐Hui , Kim Kyung‐Min , Lee Chang‐Ha
Published: September 2010

A “FeedCol” strategy was developed to improve separation performance in simulated moving bed (SMB) processes. In the FeedCol operation, a short chromatographic column was simply added to the SMB unit and feed was supplied by a pulse input through the column to the SMB process. Because the feed was made in the shape of partially separated chromatographic peaks through the column, the purities in the raffinate and extract products were improved efficiently in the SMB process. All the performance parameters for a binary mixture with low selectivity (α = 1.1) were better for the FeedCol operation than for the conventional SMB operation (2‐2‐2‐2). Because the feed injection through the feed column was synchronized with the SMB process during the switching period, two new operating variables were introduced: injection length and injection time. Their effects on the suggested strategy were evaluated in terms of performance parameters through a detailed simulation study. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Heterocyclic synthesis with isothiocyantes: Synthesis of several new polyfunctionally substituted thiophene, Δ4‐thiazoline and thiazolidinone derivatives
Authors: Mohareb Rafat Milad , Sherif Sherif Mourad
Published: September 2010

Facile unequivocal syntheses of the title compounds are reported via “in situ” cyclization of the non‐isolable adducts 2a‐d with α‐halogenated electrophilic compounds. Chemical and spectroscopic evidences for the structures of the new compounds are described.
Synthese Von β‐Aryl‐Methotrexat Derivaten
Authors: Sin Kwan Seog , Sung Sun Young , Kim Kyeong Ho , Lee Chang Kiu , Jun Jong Gap , Pachaly Peter
Published: September 2010

Es wird über die Synthese einer Reihe neuer Methotrexatanaloga berichtet, in denen die β‐Position des Clutaminsäureteils zur Erhöhung der lipophilen Eigenschaften arylsubstituiert ist. Ausgehend von trans‐3‐Aryl‐2‐carboxy‐5‐pyrrolidon‐Derivaten werden die daraus durch Hydrolyse erhaltenen β‐Arylglutaminsäuren mit dem p‐Aminobenzoesäureteil und dem Pteridinteil zu β‐Aryl‐methotrexatderivaten umgesetzt, die möglicherweise als cytostatisch und bacterizid wirksame Verbindungen Bedeutung erlangen könnten.
Methoxy‐ and acetoxy‐8‐oxoberbines ‐ synthesis, antitumor activity, and interaction with DNA
Authors: Weimar Christian , Angerer Silvia Von , Wiegrebe Wolfgang
Published: September 2010

Most of the methoxy‐8H‐dibenzo[a,g]isoquinolin‐8‐ones 3a‐h and their acetoxy derivatives 6a‐e were synthesized by condensation of 1‐oxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines 4a‐c and homophthalic acid anhydrides 5a and b, ether cleavage and acetylation. These protoberberinones were tested for cytostatic activityin vitrousing MDA‐MB‐231 mammary tumor cells and for interaction with native calf thymus DNA. Tetramethoxy‐8‐oxoberbine 3f shows an inhibition of cell proliferation of 87% at a concentration of 10−5mole; its cytostatic effect does not depend on intercalation into DNA.
Cu(II) complex of an estradiol derivative with potent anti‐inflammatory properties
Authors: Spyriounis Dimitris M. , Rekka Eleni , Demopoulos Vassilis J. , Kourounakis Panos N.
Published: September 2010

In the present study, the A‐ring of estradiol was converted to an acetylsalicylic structure which was further complexed with Cu(II). The aim was to combine the anti‐inflammatory properties of estrogens with those of Cu(II) complexes. Key intermediate of the synthesis was 2‐formyl‐estradiol (2) which was prepared in quantitative yield through reaction of the phenoxymagnesium bromide of estradiol with formaldehyde in the presence of HMPA. For a successful reaction, an excess of ethylmagnesium bromide was required, and the mechanism is discussed. The target complex 5 exhibited potent anti‐inflammatory properties, comparable to those of indomethacin, in the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema. This biological activity was not due either to the steroidal ligand or to the complexed Cu(II) alone.
1,4‐pentandien‐3‐ones, XXXII: Reaction of 2‐acetylthiophene and 2‐acetylfuran with malononitrile and aldehydes, and synthesis and properties of phenylene‐bis [(thienyl/furyl)nicotinonitrile] derivative
Authors: Greiner‐Bechert Lutz , Otto Hans‐Hartwig
Published: September 2010

The (E)‐1‐hetaryl‐2‐propen‐1‐ones 3 and 4 are prepared by condensation of 2‐acetylthiophenes (1a,1c,1d) or 2‐acetylfuran (1b) with aldehydes. The Michael adducts 5/6 are obtained from 3/4 by reaction with malononitrile/LDA in THF at −78°C, or in DMSO with NaH at room temp. Reaction of 3/4 with malononitrile and methylate in methanol yielded the substituted nicotinonitriles 7/8. From terephthalaldehyde, the diketones 9 are prepared, which yield with malononitrile the phenylene‐bis[(thienyl/furyl)nicotinonitrile] derivatives 10 under similiar conditions. Structural and spectral data are discussed.
Acute toxicity of amine‐boranes and related derivatives in mice
Authors: Hall Iris H. , Reynolds David J. , Chang J. , Spielvogel Bernard F. , Griffin T.S. , Docks E.L.
Published: September 2010

Three boron derivatives,i.e.trimethylamine‐carbomethoxyborane, tetrakis‐μ‐(trimethylamine‐boranecarboxylato)‐bis(trimethylamine‐carboxyborane)‐dicopper(II), andN,N‐dimethyl‐n‐octadecylamine borane were evaluated for acute toxicity in male mice, at 1, 2 or 5 x their therapeutic dose in rodents for pharmacological activity. Based on organ weights, clinical chemistry, hematopoietic parameters and tissue morphology, the trimethylamine‐carbomethoxyborane was shown to be free of toxicity. The dicopper(II) complex andN,N‐dimethyl‐n‐octadecylamine borane demonstrated slight toxicity with marginal disturbance in hepatic and kidney morphology. The dicopper(II) complex may cause marginal myocardial damage and theN,N‐dimethyl‐n‐octadecylamine borane caused elevations in cholic acid. All three derivatives demonstrated reductions in hematocrit.
6,7‐Dihydro‐4H‐indolones: Synthesis and biological properties
Authors: Schiller Claus‐D. , Angerer Erwin Von , Schneider Martin R.
Published: September 2010

Syntheses of 6,7‐dihydro‐4H‐indolones 6 and 10 by a selective Birch reduction of the benzene ring of the indole system are described. The antiestrogen zindoxifene and the 2‐phenylindole 2 as well as 6 and 10 were tested for their relative binding affinities at the androgen receptor as well as for antiandrogenic and estrogenic properties. Both compounds 6 and 10 showed potent indirect antiandrogenic activity which were similar to those of the 2‐phenyl‐indoles zindoxifene and 2.
Free‐radical synthesis of 3‐(2‐cyanoethyl)‐ and 3‐(2‐methoxycarbonylethyl)‐2,3‐dideoxy‐α‐D‐Erythro‐pentofuranoside and their application in the synthesis of potential antiviral nucleosides
Authors: Lau Jesper , Walczak Krzysztof , Pupek Krzysztof , Buch Carsten , Nielsen Carsten M. , Pedersen Erik B.
Published: September 2010

Free‐radical reaction of different carbohydrate educts 2, 5, and 7 with acrylonitrile in the presence of tributyltin hydride and a radical initiator (AIBN) gave the methyl 3‐(2‐cyanoethyl)‐2,3‐dideoxypentofuranosides 3a and 6. Similar reaction of 2 with methyl acrylate gave 3‐(2‐methoxycarbonylethyl>‐2,3‐dideoxypentofuranose 3b. Nucleoside coupling of 3a with silylated uracil gave an anomeric mixture of β‐ and α‐nucleoside 8 and 9 which were deprotected to give 10 and 11, respectively. Similar reaction of 3b with silylated N4‐isobutyrylcytosine gave 12 and 13 which were deprotected to give the final nucleosides 16 and 17, respectively. None of the compounds 10a, 11, 14‐17 showed significant activity against HIV.
Synthese heterocyclischer immunmodulatoren, 1. Mitt.: Alkylderivate von 1,2,4‐Dithiazolidin‐3,5‐Diyliden‐Bis(O‐Benzochinonmethid): Synthese und Prüfung Auf Immunmodulierende Wirkung
Authors: Briel Detlef , Leistner Siegfried , Drößler Karl
Published: September 2010

Die Reaktion des 1,2,4‐Dithiazolidin‐3,5‐diyliden‐bis(o‐benzochinonmethids) 3 mit Alkylhalogeniden bzw. substituierten Benzyl‐ oder Phenacylhalogeniden führt zu den 1,2,4‐Dithiazol‐3‐yliden‐chinonmethiden 4a‐4l. Die ms‐Fragmentierung von 4a, 4c und 4f wird diskutiert Die Prüfung von 4a‐c, 4e und 4g auf immunmodulierende Wirkung wird beschrieben; einige dieser Verbindungen zeigen immunstimulierende Effekte.
Alcohol consumption and markers of inflammation in women with preclinical rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lu Bing , Solomon Daniel H. , Costenbader Karen H. , Keenan Brendan T. , Chibnik Lori B. , Karlson Elizabeth W.
Published: September 2010

Objective

To examine the association between alcohol consumption and markers of inflammation in preclinical rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

We studied 174 incident RA cases with stored blood collected 1–16 years prior to RA symptoms (preclinical RA), from the Nurses' Health Study. Alcohol intake was measured using a detailed food frequency questionnaire administered every 4 years, prior to blood collection. Plasma was tested for biomarkers of inflammation, including high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti‐CCP) antibodies, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNFRII). Generalized additive models were used to identify structure in the relationship between each biomarker and cumulative average alcohol intake. Then general linear models were used for multivariable adjusted analyses with appropriate polynomial terms of alcohol consumption.

Results

After controlling for age at blood collection, smoking, parity and duration of breastfeeding, menopausal status, oral contraceptive use, body mass index, and the time between blood collection and RA onset, we found that the daily alcohol consumption showed a U‐shaped association with IL‐6 levels in RA patients, prior to symptoms. We also found an inverse relationship between alcohol intake and sTNFRII levels, but no associations with hsCRP or anti‐CCP levels.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate an association between alcohol consumption and markers of inflammation, including IL‐6 and sTNFRII, in RA patients, prior to the occurrence of symptoms.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and risk of cancer: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Simard J. F. , Neovius M. , Hagelberg S. , Askling J.
Published: September 2010

Objective

Reports of therapy‐related adverse events suggest an elevated rate of malignancy in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treated with biologic therapies. However, the scarcity of data on the underlying risk of malignancy in JIA hampers interpretation of these signals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the risk of cancer in patients with JIA as compared with that in the general population.

Methods

Through linkage with a national database, the Swedish Patient Register (comprising inpatient discharges in 1969–2007 and specialist outpatient visits in 2001–2007 in Sweden), a national JIA cohort (n = 9,027) was identified, and each JIA case was matched with 5 general population comparators. Using data from the Swedish Cancer, Census, Death, and Biologics Registers, the occurrence of cancer, vital status, and start of a biologic therapy were identified. The relative risk (RR) of first occurrence of a primary cancer in patients who had not been treated with biologics (biologics‐naive patients with JIA) was estimated using Poisson regression, stratified a priori by year of earliest identification of JIA (before 1987 versus 1987 and thereafter). In sensitivity analyses, the data were followed up to 1999, when biologics first became available.

Results

In this biologics‐naive JIA cohort, 60 malignancies were observed during 131,144 person‐years of followup, compared with 266 cancers observed during 661,758 person‐years in the general population comparator (0.46 cases/1,000 person‐years versus 0.40 cases/1,000 person‐years; RR 1.1, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.9–1.5). Patients with JIA identified before 1987 were not at increased risk of cancer, whereas JIA identified in 1987 and thereafter was significantly associated with incident lymphoproliferative malignancies (RR 4.2, 95% CI 1.7–10.7) and cancers overall (RR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.4). Sensitivity analyses did not reveal any ready explanation for this heterogeneity.

Conclusion

Although absolute risks were low, an elevated risk of malignancy was observed among biologics‐naive patients in whom the diagnosis of JIA was made in the past 20 years, which may have implications for the interpretation of cancer signals in patients with JIA treated with newer therapies.
Effects of lovastatin on the pharmacokinetics of nicardipine in rats
Authors: Chung Joong‐W. , Yang Si H. , Choi Jun‐S.
Published: September 2010

It has been reported that both nicardipine and lovastatin are substrates of both the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A subfamily and P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), and P‐gp transport is unlikely to be a significant factor. Thus, the effects of oral lovastatin on the pharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral nicardipine were investigated in rats. Nicardipine was administered intravenously (4 mg/kg) and orally (12 mg/kg) with 0 (control), 0.3 and 1 mg/kg of oral lovastatin to rats. Lovastatin was administered 30 min before nicardipine administration. After intravenous administration of nicardipine with 0, 0.3 and 1  mg/kg of lovastatin, the total areas under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity (AUCs) of nicardipine were not changed by lovastatin. However, after oral administration of nicardipine with 1 mg/kg of oral lovastatin, the AUC of nicardipine was significantly greater (by 67.4%), and the extent of absolute oral bioavailability (F) of nicardipine was increased (by 38.5%). The above data suggest that lovastatin did not considerably inhibit the metabolism of nicardipine via the hepatic CYP3A subfamily, but inhibited intestinal P‐gp and/or the CYP3A subfamily. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reaction–diffusion constraints in living tissue: Effectiveness factors in skeletal muscle design
Authors: Dasika S.K. , Kinsey S.T. , Locke B.R.
Published: September 2010

A mathematical model was developed to analyze the effects of intracellular diffusion of O2 and high‐energy phosphate metabolites on aerobic energy metabolism in skeletal muscle. We tested the hypotheses that in a range of muscle fibers from different species (1) aerobic metabolism was not diffusion limited and (2) that fibers had a combination of rate and fiber size that placed them at the brink of substantial diffusion limitation. A simplified chemical reaction rate law for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was developed utilizing a published detailed model of isolated mitochondrial function. This rate law was then used as a boundary condition in a reaction–diffusion model that was further simplified using the volume averaging method and solved to determine the rates of oxidative phosphorylation as functions of the volume fraction of mitochondria, the size of the muscle cell, and the amount of oxygen delivered by the capillaries. The effectiveness factor, which is the ratio of reaction rate in the system with finite rates of diffusion to those in the absence of any diffusion limitations, defined the regions where intracellular diffusion of metabolites and O2 may limit aerobic metabolism in both very small, highly oxidative fibers as well as in larger fibers with lower aerobic capacity. Comparison of model analysis with experimental data revealed that none of the fibers was strongly limited by diffusion, as expected. However, while some fibers were near substantial diffusion limitation, most were well within the domain of reaction control of aerobic metabolic rate. This may constitute a safety factor in muscle that provides a level of protection from diffusion constraints under conditions such as hypoxia. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:104–115. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced butyric acid tolerance and bioproduction by Clostridium tyrobutyricum immobilized in a fibrous bed bioreactor
Authors: Jiang Ling , Wang Jufang , Liang Shizhong , Cai Jin , Xu Zhinan , Cen Peilin , Yang Shangtian , Li Shuang
Published: September 2010

Repeated fed‐batch fermentation of glucose by Clostridium tyrobutyricum immobilized in a fibrous bed bioreactor (FBB) was successfully employed to produce butyric acid at a high final concentration as well as to adapt a butyric‐acid‐tolerant strain. At the end of the eighth fed‐batch fermentation, the butyric acid concentration reached 86.9 ± 2.17 g/L, which to our knowledge is the highest butyric acid concentration ever produced in the traditional fermentation process. To understand the mechanism and factors contributing to the improved butyric acid production and enhanced acid tolerance, adapted strains were harvested from the FBB and characterized for their physiological properties, including specific growth rate, acid‐forming enzymes, intracellular pH, membrane‐bound ATPase and cell morphology. Compared with the original culture used to seed the bioreactor, the adapted culture showed significantly reduced inhibition effects of butyric acid on specific growth rate, cellular activities of butyric‐acid‐forming enzyme phosphotransbutyrylase (PTB) and ATPase, together with elevated intracellular pH, and elongated rod morphology. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:31–40. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fed‐batch bioreactor performance and cell line stability evaluation of the artificial chromosome expression technology expressing an IgG1 in chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Combs Rodney G. , Yu Erwin , Roe Susanna , Piatchek Michele Bailey , Jones Heather L. , Mott John , Kennard Malcolm L. , Goosney Danika L. , Monteith Diane
Published: September 2010

The artificial chromosome expression (ACE) technology system uses an engineered artificial chromosome containing multiple site‐specific recombination acceptor sites for the rapid and efficient construction of stable cell lines. The construction of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines expressing an IgG1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) using the ACE system has been previously described (Kennard et al., Biotechnol Bioeng. 2009;104:540‐553). To further demonstrate the manufacturing feasibility of the ACE system, four CHO cell lines expressing the human IgG1 MAb 4A1 were evaluated in batch and fed‐batch shake flasks and in a 2‐L fed‐batch bioreactor. The batch shake flasks achieved titers between 0.7 and 1.1 g/L, whereas the fed‐batch shake flask process improved titers to 2.5–3.0 g/L. The lead 4A1 ACE cell line achieved titers of 4.0 g/L with an average specific productivity of 40 pg/(cell day) when cultured in a nonoptimized 2‐L fed‐batch bioreactor using a completely chemically defined process. Generational stability characterization of the lead 4A1‐expressing cell line demonstrated that the cell line was stable for up to 75 days in culture. Product quality attributes of the 4A1 MAb produced by the ACE system during the stability evaluation period were unchanged and also comparable to existing expression technologies such as the CHO‐dhfr system. The results of this evaluation demonstrate that a clonal, stable MAb‐expressing CHO cell line can be produced using ACE technology that performs competitively using a chemically defined fed‐batch bioreactor process with comparable product quality attributes to cell lines generated by existing technologies. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Frequency and risk of noncardiac surgery after drug‐eluting stent implantation
Authors: Gandhi Nainesh K. , Abdel‐Karim Abdul‐Rahman R. , Banerjee Subhash , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: September 2010

Background: Few studies have described the frequency and risk of surgery after drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation. Methods: The medical records of 827 consecutive patients who received a DES at our institution between January 1, 2005 and July 1, 2008 were retrospectively reviewed to determine the outcomes of patients who subsequently underwent noncardiac surgery. Results: During a median follow‐up of 21 months, 135 patients underwent 191 noncardiac surgeries. The incidence of noncardiac surgery was 7% at 1 year, 18% at 2 years, and 22% at 3 years. Mean age was 62 years and 96% were men. A perioperative complication occurred in 19 surgeries (10%): excessive bleeding in 11 patients (6%), myocardial infarction in four patients (2%), acute renal failure in one patient (0.5%), hypotension and syncope in one patient (0.5%) and postoperative death in three patients (1.6%). Stent thrombosis occurred in one patient (0.5%). A complication occurred in six of 58 surgeries (10%) in which patients received perioperative clopidogrel vs. 13 of 133 surgeries (10%) in which patients did not receive perioperative clopidogrel (P = 0.90). Complications occurred in three of 25 surgeries performed within 6 months (16%), in four of 37 surgeries performed between 6 and 12 months (11%), and in 12 of 129 surgeries performed after >12 months (9%) from DES implantation (P = 0.90). Conclusion: Noncardiac surgery is frequently needed in the years after DES implantation and appears to carry a low risk of stent thrombosis and perioperative complications. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transapical aortic balloon valvuloplasty in a 890‐gram infant: Hybrid is better!
Authors: Maschiettom Nicola , Vidam Vladimiro , Milanesi Ornella
Published: September 2010

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty has become in many centers the treatment of choice for neonates with critical or severe aortic stenosis. Usual approaches both antegrade and retrograde can be problematic in preterms extremely low birth weight babies. We describe a novel approach for dilating the aortic valve in an 890 grams baby. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aortic coarctation complicated by wall aneurysm
Authors: Butera Gianfranco , Heles Mohamed , MacDonald Simon T. , Carminati Mario
Published: September 2010

Objectives: To evaluate the management of aneurysms associated with aortic coarctation by covered stent deployment.

Background:

Aortic aneurysm formation complicating aortic coarctation carries a risk of rupture with high mortality rate. Surgical repair has a significant mortality and may be associated with central nervous system injury, including paraplegia. Transcatheter intervention alternatively carries a risk of aneurysmal rupture.

Methods:

Between July 2004 and September 2009, 140 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous stent implantation to treat aortic coarctation. Eleven (7.9%) patients had coarctation associated with aortic wall aneurysm: three with native coarctation with wall aneurysm, three with previous surgical coarctation repair, three with previous balloon angioplasty, and two with previous bare stent implantation. The e‐PTFE‐covered 8Zig Cheatham‐Platinum stents were used to treat all 11 patients.

Results:

Median age at procedure was 13 years (range, 6–66 years). Successful device deployment was achieved in all patients. Systolic pressure gradient reduced significantly from a median baseline of 30 mm Hg (range, 25–50 mm Hg) to a postprocedural median of 5 mm Hg (range, 0–20 mm Hg) (P < 0.01). Aortic diameter increased from a median value of 6 mm (range, 0.5–11 mm) to a median value of 12 mm (range, 10–22 mm) (P < 0.001). No early complications occurred, with successful relief of stenoses and complete sealing of all aneurysms. Median follow‐up was 50 months (range, 16–61 months). Redilatation was required in four patients (one patient with intrastent restenosis secondary to significant endothelial growth, whereas the other three patients showed restenosis secondary to somatic growth). Redilatation with a larger balloon was performed without complication in all cases.

Conclusions:

Our data show that covered stents are a safe and effective treatment with low risk of complications for the treatment of coarctation associated with aortic wall aneurysm. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feasibility of the 3D RCA catheter to engage the brachiocephalic vessels during carotid angiography and stenting
Authors: Wasty Najam , Abidi Mateen , Tanwir Anjum , Yaganti Vamsee , Mejevoi Nicolai , Cohen Marc , Zakir Ramzan M.
Published: September 2010

Background: Engagement of the brachiocephalic vessels during carotid angiography is performed using a JR‐4, Vitek, or other catheters with variable success. These catheters require additional training for safe manipulation. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using the 3D RCA catheter which requires less manipulation in the aorta, and less training, to engage the brachiocephalic vessels. Methods: We prospectively studied consecutive high‐risk patients undergoing carotid angiography and stenting from August 2005 to March 2009 at our institution. A baseline aortogram was performed to define the arch type in all patients. Engagement of the brachiocephalic vessels was initially attempted using the 3D RCA catheter using the following approach: The 3D RCA catheter is positioned in the ascending aorta beyond the brachiocephalic vessels take off. The natural curve of the catheter usually makes it point cephalad spontaneously in most patients and as it is gently withdrawn it engages the aortic arch vessels without much manipulation. Clinical follow‐up with a neurological exam was performed at one month and six months. Results: A total of 52 patients were enrolled in this study. Baseline demographics and aortic arch types encountered are listed in Table I. The 3D RCA catheter readily engaged the brachiocephalic vessels in 50/52 patients (96.0 %) in our cohort of patients undergoing carotid angiography. Of the 52 patients, 43 subsequently underwent carotid stenting and shuttle sheath placement was facilitated by initial engagement of the relevant common carotid artery with the 3D RCA catheter. There was one transient neurologic complication that resolved by 5 days in a patient that underwent carotid stenting. Conclusions: The 3D RCA catheter can be used with a high success rate to engage the brachiocephalic vessels in all 3 arch types, including a bovine arch during carotid angiography and facilitates shuttle sheath placement for carotid stenting. It requires less manipulation and therefore may be a more operator friendly approach. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The PREHAMI (PREsillion™ in high‐risk acute myocardial infarction) registry
Authors: Sciahbasi Alessandro , Pendenza Gianluca , Romagnoli Enrico , Summaria Francesco , Patrizi Roberto , Lucci Valerio , Giannico Maria Benedetta , Penco Maria , Lioy Ernesto
Published: September 2010

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of the new Cobalt–Chromium (Co‐Cr) Presillion™ stent for the treatment of high‐risk acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent represents the gold standard treatment for acute MI. Methods and Results: We enrolled patients with high‐risk acute MI (either ST‐segment elevation MI or non‐ST‐segment elevation MI) treated with PCI using a new Co‐Cr bare metal stent with closed cells design and limited balloon compliance. We considered high‐risk features as one of the following: age ≥70 years, ejection fraction ≤35%, glomerular filtration rate ≤60 mL/min, diabetes mellitus, rescue PCI, or chronic atrial fibrillation or other conditions requiring long‐term oral anticoagulation therapy. Primary outcome of the study was rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as all‐cause death, new MI, and target‐vessel revascularization. A total of 129 consecutive patients were enrolled (69 ± 11 years, 74% men): 71 (55%) patients with ST‐segment elevation MI and 58 (45%) patients with non‐ST‐segment elevation MI. A total of 153 vessels (169 lesions and 179 stents) were treated. The device success rate was high (98.8%). In‐hospital MACE rate was 5.4% mainly because of death associated with the acute MI. At 1‐year follow‐up, the MACE rate was 17.3%, with 11% all‐cause death (7.9% of cardiac origin), 0.6% of stent thrombosis, and 4.6% target‐vessel revascularization. Conclusions: The use of the Co‐Cr Presillion stent in patients with high‐risk acute MI treated invasively seems to be safe and efficacious with optimal deliverability and good long‐term outcomes and represents a good option in the treatment of these patients. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Case of mistaken identity: Persistent sciatic artery stenosis as a cause of critical limb ischemia
Authors: Jones W. Schuyler , Patel Manesh R. , Mills James S.
Published: September 2010

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and is defined as leg pain that occurs at rest, tissue ulceration, or gangrene. Initial diagnostic testing is often focused on localizing the level or site of atherosclerotic narrowing and determining the severity of ischemia, usually with disease noted below the knee. This report highlights a case of CLI in a patient with an arterial stenosis in an anatomic variant, a persistent sciatic artery. As more endovascular procedures are being done by cardiologists, knowledge of aberrant anatomy is essential in the approach to diagnosis and treatment of patients with PAD. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution of Platinum Particles Dispersed on Zeolite upon Oxidation Catalysis and Ageing
Authors: Rivallan Mickaël , Thomas Sébastien , Lepage Muriel , Takagi Nobuyuki , Hirata Hirohito , Thibault‐Starzyk Frédéric
Published: September 2010

Colloid impregnation and ion‐exchange methods for the preparation of platinum‐containing zeolites offer two distinct types of catalysts. The former leads to the stabilization of platinum nanoparticles on the outer surface of the zeolite, while the latter introduces Pt inside the micropores. The active sites are consequently confined in two different locations, as shown by two‐dimensional pressure jump of adsorbed species infrared (2D‐PJAS‐IR) spectroscopy, and the activity in CO oxidation is found to be lower when Pt is in the pores. After ageing in air, both catalysts undergo a partial oxidative redispersion and Pt atoms are then found both on the external surface and in the pores. The presence of electron‐deficient Pt species entrapped in the micropores is also evidenced by operando FTIR spectroscopy, through adsorbed dicarbonyl complexes, and chemometrics. Such particular species vanished at 475 K during the CO oxidation reaction and gave rise to metallic nanoparticles located in the pores.