bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proton and Electron Conducting Polymer Composite Films Based on SBS Triblock Copolymer
Authors: Adhikari Rameshwar , Khatiwada Shankar P. , Yadav Amar P. , Lebek Werner 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSummary: Conducting polymer films were prepared by introducing ionic groups via chemical modification of one of the blocks of the polystyrene‐block‐polybutadiene‐block‐polystyrene (SBS) triblock copolymer and by adding different amount of metal salts into the modified block copolymer. The butadiene part of the copolymer was partially sulphonated to prepare the proton conducting film while the epoxidized form was used to fabricate electron conducting films with different inorganic salts. The products were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and potential as well as conductivity measurements.
The Conversion of Paper Mill Sludge into Absorbent for Oil Spill Sanitation – The Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Likon Marko , Saarela Juko 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSummary: A production of a sorbent material from papermill sludge positively effects the environment instead of landfilling it and replacing an expanded polypropylene absorbent with papermill sludge sorbent for oil spill sanitations. The life cycle's assessment study shows a reduction of carbon footprint for more than 14 times and reduction of water consumption for 372 kg, based on the production of sorbent material for cleaning 1,000 kg of oil spill.A conversion of the papermill sludge into sorbent material prolongs paper products' life cycle for additional two cycles. A controlled incineration converts the used sorbent into inert meta‐kaolin product which can be further used as hydrophilic sorbent material. In this way the papermill sludge's life cycle is efficiently closed.
Nanoparticles Synthesis from Corn Cob (Xylan) and Their Potential Application as Colon‐Specific Drug Carrier
Authors: Kumar Samit , Negi Yuvraj Singh 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSummary: Corn Cob based Xylan, a natural polysaccharide extracted from agro‐waste may be used as a tool to deliver drugs especially to the colon because of their timely retention in the physiological environment of stomach and small intestine and can only be degraded in colon by vast anaerobic microflora like bifidobacterium. The objective of present research study is to incorporate the drug namely 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) into xylan macromolecular backbone, either by surface adsorption or by intermolecular covalent bond formation so that absorption of drugs is prevented in upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT). To achieve the above objective, xylan prodrug of 5‐ASA was synthesized via activation of carboxylic acid with N,N‐carbonyldiimidazole. The structure of obtained xylan prodrug was evaluated by means FT‐IR spectroscopy. The ester carbonyl absorption band was observed at 1690 cm−1 in addition to the bands originated from 5‐ASA and xylan. The resulting prodrug and xylan itself assembled into spherical nanoparticles were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The prodrug of 5‐ASA was synthesized which might be active against inflammatory bowel diseases, a novel thought towards advanced drug delivery from xylan based nanoparticles will be presented.
Some Physicochemical Measurements of Chitosan/Starch Polymers in Acetic Acid‐Water Mixtures
Authors: Singh Virpal , Kumari Kamlesh 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSummary: Physicochemical properties of chitosan/starch solution have been studied. Chitosan/starch solutions of different concentrations (90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, 30/70, 20/80, 10/90) are prepared in dilute acetic acid solution (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%). It is observed that the solution of chitosan/starch is miscible over entire range of concentration. The solution properties such as viscosity, density and refractive index are measured. The influence of concentration of solution and speed of rotation on shear stress and shear rate are also determined for polymer solution.
Off‐resonance‐robust velocity‐selective magnetization preparation for non‐contrast‐enhanced peripheral MR angiography
Authors: Shin Taehoon , Hu Bob S. , Nishimura Dwight G. 
Published: November 2012

PurposeTo develop a new velocity‐selective (VS) excitation pulse sequence which is robust to field inhomogeneity, and demonstrate its application to non‐contrast‐enhanced peripheral MR angiography (MRA).MethodsThe off‐resonance‐robust VS saturation pulse is designed by incorporating 180° refocusing pulses into the k‐space‐based reference design and tailoring sequence parameters in a velocity region of interest. The VS saturation pulse is used as magnetization preparation for non‐contrast‐enhanced peripheral MRA to suppress background tissues but not arterial blood based on their velocities. Non‐contrast‐enhanced peripheral MRA using the proposed VS preparation was tested in healthy volunteers and a patient with arterial stenosis.ResultsCalf angiograms obtained using the new VS preparation show more uniform background suppression than the reference VS preparation, as demonstrated by larger mean values and smaller standard deviations of artery‐to‐vein and artery‐to‐muscle contrast‐to‐noise ratios (71.0 ± 11.4 and 75.3 ± 12.1 versus 61.7 ± 22.7 and 58.5 ± 27.8). Two‐station peripheral MRA using the new VS preparation identifies stenosis of the femoral and popliteal arteries in the patient, as validated by digital subtraction angiography.ConclusionNon‐contrast‐enhanced MRA using the new VS magnetization preparation can reliably provide high angiographic contrast in the lower extremities with significantly improved immunity to field inhomogeneity. Magn Reson Med 70:1229–1240, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐term bladder drainage: Suprapubic catheter versus other methods: A scoping review
Authors: Hunter Kathleen F. , Bharmal Aamir , Moore Katherine N. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimsThe purpose of this scoping review was to examine research activity comparing suprapubic catheterization to any other method of chronic bladder emptying such as intermittent and indwelling catheterization in adults in relation to complications, patient satisfaction, and health‐related quality of life (QoL).MethodsA search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and OVID) was performed 1950–May 2012 using the search terms, singly or combined: suprapubic, catheter, long term, effectiveness, urinary, health promotion, incontinence, retention, QoL, and evidence based. All research designs were included. Papers were excluded if catheter duration was <30 days or were single case reports.ResultsTwenty‐six articles were identified for potential inclusion from an initial 394 and 14 retained after final review. Studies varied in subjects, outcome measures, and publication dates. The majority were retrospective reviews; four were descriptive/qualitative studies. Based on the clinical findings, suprapubic catheters are associated with a low incidence of urethral injury and stricture, but have similar rates of upper tract damage, vesicoureteral reflux, renal or bladder calculi, and symptomatic urinary tract infections compared to urethral catheters. Users report being generally satisfied with suprapubic catheters. No studies addressed stoma or skin care, urethral leakage, or adherence to the suprapubic catheter after insertion.ConclusionMost studies focused on clinical urologic issues rather than patient understanding of suprapubic catheter management, satisfaction, stoma and skin care, or health related QoL. Further studies are needed to elucidate efficacy from an individual user and clinician perspective. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 944–951, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Active proteases in nephrotic plasma lead to a podocin‐dependent phosphorylation of VASP in podocytes via protease activated receptor‐1
Authors: Harris Jessica J , McCarthy Hugh J , Ni Lan , Wherlock Matthew , Kang HeeGyung , Wetzels Jack F , Welsh Gavin I , Saleem Moin A 
Published: November 2012

AbstractFocal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is associated with glomerular podocyte injury. Podocytes undergo dramatic changes in their actin structure, with little mechanistic insight to date into the human disease. Post‐transplantation recurrence of FSGS is the archetypal form of the disease caused by unknown circulating plasma ‘factors’. There is increasing indication that plasma protease activity could be central to this disease. Using clinical plasma exchange material, collected from patients in relapse and remission stages of disease, the effects of FSGS plasma on human conditionally immortalized podocytes (ciPods) were studied. We show that vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is phosphorylated in response to relapse plasma from ten consecutively tested patients, and not in response to paired remission plasma or non‐FSGS controls. The phosphorylation signal is absent in human podocytes carrying a pathological podocin mutation. To test for a plasma ligand, inhibition of proteases in relapse plasma leads to the loss of VASP phosphorylation. By the use of siRNA technology, we show that proteases in the plasma signal predominantly via protease activated receptor‐1 (PAR1) to VASP. Mechanistically, FSGS plasma increases podocyte motility, which is dependent on VASP phosphorylation. These data suggest a specific biomarker for disease activity, as well as revealing a novel and highly specific receptor‐mediated signalling pathway to the actin cytoskeleton. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prophylactic penicillin after 5 years of age in patients with sickle cell disease: A survey of sickle cell disease experts
Authors: McCavit Timothy L. , Gilbert Megan , Buchanan George R. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundSince the publication of the Prophlyactic Penicillin Study II in 1995, the management of penicillin prophylaxis for children with sickle cell disease (SCD) after 5 years of age has been controversial. In this study, we sought to describe current practice patterns of pediatric hematologists related to cessation of penicillin prophylaxis for children with SCD after 5 years of age.ProcedureWe performed a cross‐sectional, electronic survey of pediatric hematologists with expertise in SCD to examine practices regarding penicillin prophylaxis in children with SCD after 5 years of age. We also investigated factors potentially associated with continuation of penicillin prophylaxis using the Jonckheere–Terpstra test and Fisher's exact test.ResultsOf the 106 physicians surveyed from 76 centers, 84% completed the survey. Among respondents, 76% routinely recommended cessation of penicillin prophylaxis after 5 years of age. The practice of routinely continuing penicillin after 5 years of age was associated with decreased concern about antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae (P = 0.01), with the usage of prophylactic penicillin in mild SCD genotypes (sickle hemoglobin‐C disease and sickle β+ thalassemia, P = <0.001), and with increasing use of other preventive evaluations (e.g., MRI for silent stroke) in childhood (P = 0.05).ConclusionMost pediatric hematologists with an SCD expertise recommend cessation of prophylactic penicillin after 5 years of age. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 935–939. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pulmonary hypertension following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for primary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Zeilhofer Ulrike , Ashworth Michael , Amrolia Persis , Rao Anupama , Chiesa Robert , Veys Paul , Rao Kanchan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe report two children who developed severe, fatal pulmonary hypertension (PHT) after mismatched unrelated donor cord blood transplantation using reduced intensity conditioning for HLH. PHT was diagnosed on post mortem lung biopsies with no evidence of HLH, pulmonary veno‐occlusive disease, infection or of idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. PHT may be an association with HLH and physicians treating HLH should be aware of this potential association. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 521–523. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical and hematological features of homozygous hemoglobin O‐Arab [beta 121 Glu → Lys]
Authors: Dror Sayar 
Published: November 2012

AbstractHemoglobin O‐Arab [Beta 121 Glu → Lys] (Hb O‐Arab) is a rare abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) whose clinical and hematological features have been described in adults but not in children. We report three children, 9, 12, and 36 months of age, with homozygous Hb O‐Arab and assess the value of supplementary folic acid as treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 506–507. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Minimization of surface friction effect on scratch‐induced deformation in polymers
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Motaher , Minkwitz Rolf , Sue Hung‐Jue 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSurface friction plays an important role in influencing the stress field development during scratch process, thus, scratch‐induced deformation mechanisms. In this study, three‐dimensional finite element method (FEM) parametric study was performed along with experimental validation to investigate the effect of surface friction on scratch‐induced deformation and its correlation with the constitutive behavior of polymers. As scratch depth and shoulder height are the key parameters for causing scratch visibility, the focus is to investigate the effect of surface friction on these two scratch‐induced deformation features and how the surface friction effect can be altered by varying the constitutive parameters. The FEM findings and experimental observations indicate that onset of groove formation during the scratch process is strongly influenced by yield stress and coefficient of surface friction. Also, the relative frictional effect on scratch‐induced deformation becomes minimal if the post‐yielding strain hardening slope of the polymer is high. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Screening for depression with Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Revised and its implication for consultation–liaison psychiatry practice among cancer subjects: a perspective from a developing country
Authors: Olagunju Andrew T. , Aina Olatunji F. , Fadipe Babatunde 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveCo‐morbidity of depressive symptomatology is a common indication for use of mental health services in oncology. In this regard, screening instruments are useful for prompt identification of mental disorders in cancer. This study is set to evaluate the diagnostic validity of Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Revised (CES‐DR) for depression screening in cancer.MethodsThe CES‐DR and the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) were administered by the researchers on 200 attendees of a Nigerian hospital with histological diagnoses of cancer. Subsequently, the diagnostic validity of CES‐DR was compared with SCAN.ResultsNinety‐eight (49.0%) participants had significant depressive symptomatology (CES‐DR scores of ≥16) as against the diagnosis of depression in 55 (27.5%) participants following SCAN interview. Furthermore, of these 55 (27.5%) depressed participants, two (3.6%) participants had CES‐DR scores <16 (non‐cases). The Cronbach's alpha reliability of CES‐DR was 0.86, and sensitivity and specificity of CES‐DR were 96.4% and 68.7%, respectively, whereas positive and negative predictive values of CES‐DR were found to be 0.54 and 0.98, respectively, in this study. The average administration time of CES‐DR was 6 (±2) min, and an inter‐rater reliability of 93.7% was observed.ConclusionsThe CES‐DR was found in this study to be a useful tool for screening for depression in cancer but with diagnostic limitation when compared with SCAN. The development as well as popularization of screening instrument(s) with improved diagnostic and administration property for prompt identification of mental disorders to improve consultation–liaison psychiatry services in cancer care is recommended. Furthermore, replication of similar research is warranted. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiac fibroma, anomalous pulmonary venous course, and persistent pneumonia in a patient with gorlin syndrome
Authors: Kopp Benjamin T. , Rosen Kerry L. , O'Donovan Julie C. , Sheikh Shahid 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe report the unusual case of a child referred for persistent pneumonia and possible pulmonary nodules who was found to have a cardiac fibroma and diagnosed with Gorlin syndrome. Pulmonologists should be aware of the potential for vascular anomalies associated with this syndrome as well as the risk for pulmonary metastases from primary skin tumors. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:E7–E9. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Left main bronchus compression as a result of tuberculous lymphnode compression of the right‐sided airways with right lung volume loss in children
Authors: Andronikou S. , Van Wyk M.J. , Goussard P. , Gie R.P. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractRationaleThe superior mediastinal space is confined by the sterno‐manubrium anteriorly and the vertebral column posterior. An abnormal relationship between the superior mediastinal structures may result in compression of the left main bronchus. In patients with right‐sided pneumonectomy an exaggerated compensatory response may lead to stretching and compression of the remainder of the intra‐thoracic airway. Lymphobronchial TB mimics pneumonectomy when it causes compression of the bronchus intermedius, between nodal lymphnode groups with resultant volume loss in the right lung and displacement of the mediastinum to the right. The left main bronchus may be at risk of compression due to rotation and displacement of the major vessels.AimTo report pediatric cases of right‐sided lymphobronchial TB with volume loss, demonstrate the use of angle measurements to quantify mediastinal dynamics and support a pathogenetic theory for left main bronchus compression.Materials and MethodsCT scans in children with TB and right lung volume loss, were compared retrospectively with controls using angle measurements based on descriptions of the aorta‐carinal syndrome and the post‐pneumonectomy syndrome. The Mann–Whitney U‐test was used to compare groups.ResultsThe “Pulmonary bifurcation angle” between the main pulmonary arteries reached statistical significance (P = 0.025). The “Pulmonary outflow tract rotation” angle (pulmonary trunk with the mid sagittal plane) approached statistical significance (P = 0.078). The left main bronchus ranged from complete obliteration in two patients to 0.7 cm. In 16 of 30 patients the size was reduced to less than 75% of expected.ConclusionIn children with right lung volume loss from TB, the compression of the contralateral bronchus is due to narrowing of the pulmonary artery bifurcation angle as the main trunk rotates towards the midline. This is comparable to the post‐pneumonectomy syndrome. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:263–268. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resveratrol worsens survival in SCID mice with prostate cancer xenografts in a cell‐line specific manner, through paradoxical effects on oncogenic pathways
Authors: Klink Joseph C. , Tewari Alok K. , Masko Elizabeth M. , Antonelli Jodi , Febbo Phillip G. , Cohen Pinchas , Dewhirst Mark W. , Pizzo Salvatore V. , Freedland Stephen J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDResveratrol increases lifespan and decreases the risk of many cancers. We hypothesized resveratrol will slow the growth of human prostate cancer xenografts.METHODSSCID mice were fed Western diet (40% fat, 44% carbohydrate, 16% protein by kcal). One week later, human prostate cancer cells, either LAPC‐4 (151 mice) or LNCaP (94 mice) were injected subcutaneously. Three weeks after injection, LAPC‐4 mice were randomized to Western diet (control group), Western diet plus resveratrol 50 mg/kg/day, or Western diet plus resveratrol 100 mg/kg/day. The LNCaP mice were randomized to Western diet or Western diet plus resveratrol 50 mg/kg/day. Mice were sacrificed when tumors reached 1,000 mm3. Survival differences among groups were assessed using Cox proportional hazards. Serum insulin and IGF axis were assessed using ELISAs. Gene expression was analyzed using Affymetrix gene arrays.RESULTSCompared to control in the LAPC‐4 study, resveratrol was associated with decreased survival (50 mg/kg/day—HR 1.53, P = 0.04; 100 mg/kg/day—HR 1.22, P = 0.32). In the LNCaP study, resveratrol did not change survival (HR 0.77, P = 0.22). In combined analysis of both resveratrol 50 mg/kg/day groups, IGF‐1 was decreased (P = 0.05) and IGFBP‐2 was increased (P = 0.01). Resveratrol induced different patterns of gene expression changes in each xenograft model, with upregulation of oncogenic pathways E2F3 and beta‐catenin in LAPC‐4 tumors.CONCLUSIONResveratrol was associated with significantly worse survival with LAPC‐4 tumors, but unchanged survival with LNCaP. Based on these preliminary data that resveratrol may be harmful, caution should be advised in using resveratrol for patients until further studies can be conducted. Prostate 73: 754–762, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of multiple steam treatment durations for control of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.)
Authors: Puckett Robert T , McDonald Danny L , Gold Roger E 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe factors contributing to the current resurgence of bed bug Cimex lectularius L. populations across the United States and elsewhere include, among others, the development of resistance to chemical insecticides and population management practices. This has led to the development and attempted refinement of many non‐chemical control methods that contribute to an IPM approach to solving the current bed bug population density increase in urban dwellings. One such approach is the use of heat in the form of steam to provide an effective mechanism for controlling localized infestations of bed bugs.ResultsThe work reported herein was designed to refine our understanding of the duration of bed bug/steam contact necessary to affect mortality of bed bugs in laboratory trials. Beg bug eggs, nymphs and adults were exposed to three steam treatment exposure periods in these trials. Mean percentage mortality of bed bug eggs was 100% (regardless of duration of exposure), and that of nymphs and adults ranged from 88.0 to 94.0%. Survivorship of nymphs and adults in the trials was the result of experimental protocol restrictions that would not usually be associated with actual pest management efforts.ConclusionsThe treatment equipment used in these trials is portable and relatively inexpensive and represents a non‐chemical means of killing all life stages of bed bugs. While this method would likely be seen as an inefficient means of remediating a mature bed bug infestation within a structure, it does represent a practical component of integrated management of this pest insect. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry