bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aktuelle Anwendungen für Phasenübergangsmaterialien (PCMs): auch Hans kann noch was lernen!
Authors: Hyun Dong Choon , Levinson Nathanael S. , Jeong Unyong , Xia Younan 
Published: January 2014

AbstractDer nebulöse Begriff Phasenübergangsmaterial (phase change material, PCM) bezieht sich auf jegliche Substanz mit einer hohen Schmelzwärme und einem scharfen Schmelzpunkt. PCMs werden seit Jahren in kommerziellen Anwendungen eingesetzt, im Wesentlichen für Wärmemanagementzwecke. Seit kurzem finden diese faszinierenden Materialien jedoch eine neue Verwendung in vielfältigen Technologiebereichen, die von einem zielgerichteten Wirkstofftransport, über Informationsspeicherung, Strichcodierung bis hin zur Detektion reichen. Mit diesem Aufsatz möchten wir das Interesse an dieser unglaublich vielseitigen Materialklasse neu beleben und verschiedenste Aspekte im Hinblick auf Zusammensetzungen, Herstellung und neue Anwendungen von PCMs beleuchten.
Toehold‐initiated Rolling Circle Amplification for Visualizing Individual MicroRNAs In Situ in Single Cells
Authors: Deng Ruijie , Tang Longhua , Tian Qianqian , Wang Ying , Lin Lei , Li Jinghong 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe ability to quantitate and visualize microRNAs (miRNAs) in situ in single cells would greatly facilitate the elucidation of miRNA‐mediated regulatory circuits and their disease associations. A toehold‐initiated strand‐displacement process was used to initiate rolling circle amplification of specific miRNAs, an approach that achieves both stringent recognition and in situ amplification of the target miRNA. This assay, termed toehold‐initiated rolling circle amplification (TIRCA), can be utilized to identify miRNAs at physiological temperature with high specificity and to visualize individual miRNAs in situ in single cells within 3 h. TIRCA is a competitive candidate technique for in situ miRNA imaging and may help us to understand the role of miRNAs in cellular processes and human diseases in more detail.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Direct CH Amidation with Weakly Coordinating Carbonyl Directing Groups under Mild Conditions
Authors: Kim Jinwoo , Chang Sukbok 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAn iridium‐catalyzed direct CH amidation of weakly coordinating substrates, in particular of those bearing ester and ketone groups, under very mild conditions has been developed. The observed high reaction efficiency was achieved by the combined use of acetic acid and lithium carbonate as additives.
Heart Regeneration: Opportunities and Challenges for Drug Discovery with Novel Chemical and Therapeutic Methods or Agents
Authors: Plowright Alleyn T. , Engkvist Ola , Gill Adrian , Knerr Laurent , Wang Qing‐Dong 
Published: January 2014

AbstractFollowing a heart attack, more than a billion cardiac muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) can be killed, leading to heart failure and sudden death. Much research in this area is now focused on the regeneration of heart tissue through differentiation of stem cells, proliferation of existing cardiomyocytes and cardiac progenitor cells, and reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes. Different chemical modalities (i.e. methods or agents), ranging from small molecules and RNA approaches (including both microRNA and anti‐microRNA) to modified peptides and proteins, are showing potential to meet this medical need. In this Review, we outline the recent advances in these areas and describe both the modality and progress, including novel screening strategies to identify hits, and the upcoming challenges and opportunities to develop these hits into pharmaceuticals, at which chemistry plays a key role.
Structural Basis of Microtubule Stabilization by Laulimalide and Peloruside A
Authors: Prota Andrea E. , Bargsten Katja , Northcote Peter T. , Marsh May , Altmann Karl‐Heinz , Miller John H. , Díaz José Fernando , Steinmetz Michel O. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractLaulimalide and peloruside A are microtubule‐stabilizing agents (MSAs), the mechanism of action on microtubules of which is poorly defined. Here, using X‐ray crystallography it is shown that laulimalide and peloruside A bind to a unique non‐taxane site on β‐tubulin and use their respective macrolide core structures to interact with a second tubulin dimer across protofilaments. At the same time, they allosterically stabilize the taxane‐site M‐loop that establishes lateral tubulin contacts in microtubules. Structures of ternary complexes of tubulin with laulimalide/peloruside A and epothilone A are also solved, and a crosstalk between the laulimalide/peloruside and taxane sites via the M‐loop of β‐tubulin is found. Together, the data define the mechanism of action of laulimalide and peloruside A on tubulin and microtubules. The data further provide a structural framework for understanding the synergy observed between two classes of MSAs in tubulin assembly and the inhibition of cancer cell growth.
Mechanistic Insights into the Interface‐Directed Transformation of Thiols into Disulfides and Molecular Hydrogen by Visible‐Light Irradiation of Quantum Dots
Authors: Li Xu‐Bing , Li Zhi‐Jun , Gao Yu‐Ji , Meng Qing‐Yuan , Yu Shan , Weiss Richard G. , Tung Chen‐Ho , Wu Li‐Zhu 
Published: January 2014

AbstractQuantum dots (QDs) offer new and versatile ways to harvest light energy. However, there are few examples involving the utilization of QDs in organic synthesis. Visible‐light irradiation of CdSe QDs was found to result in virtually quantitative coupling of a variety of thiols to give disulfides and H2 without the need for sacrificial reagents or external oxidants. The addition of small amounts of nickel(II) salts dramatically improved the efficiency and conversion through facilitating the formation of hydrogen atoms, thereby leading to faster regeneration of the ground‐state QDs. Mechanistic studies reveal that the coupling reaction occurs on the QD surfaces rather than in solution and offer a blueprint for how these QDs may be used in other photocatalytic applications. Because no sacrificial agent or oxidant is necessary and the catalyst is reusable, this method may be useful for the formation of disulfide bonds in proteins as well as in other systems sensitive to the presence of oxidants.
High performance of bamboo‐based fiber composites from long bamboo fiber bundles and phenolic resins
Authors: Yu Yang‐Lun , Huang Xian‐Ai , Yu Wen‐Ji 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTLignocellulosic materials can be used for the development of bio‐based composites. This study explores the potential of long bamboo fiber bundles extracted directly from bamboo stems using the novel mechanical method and bamboo‐based fiber composites (BFC) fabricated using long bamboo fiber bundles and phenolic resins via cold pressing and thermal cure process. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and durability of BFC were evaluated, results being compared with raw bamboo and other commercialized bamboo fiber composites. The mechanical properties of BFC reinforced with 87% (w/w) long bamboo fiber bundles increased more than 50% than those of raw bamboo and were significantly higher than those of other bamboo‐based composites. Lower water absorption and thickness swelling were obtained in the case where bamboo fiber bundles with the small fineness. Higher tensile strength was obtained in the case where bamboo fiber bundles with large sizes of bamboo fiber bundles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40371.
Influence of the synthesis conditions on the structural and thermal properties of poly(l‐lactide)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(l‐lactide)
Authors: Trinca Rafael Bergamo , Felisberti Maria Isabel 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTThe poly(l‐lactide)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(l‐lactide) block copolymers (PLLA‐b‐PEG‐b‐PLLA) were synthesized in a toluene solution by the ring‐opening polymerization of 3,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐dioxan‐2,5‐dione (LLA) with PEG as a macroinitiator or by transterification from the homopolymers [polylactide and PEG]. Two polymerization conditions were adopted: method A, which used an equimolar catalyst/initiator molar ratio (1–5 wt %), and method B, which used a catalyst content commonly reported in the literature (<0.05 wt %). Method A was more efficient in producing copolymers with a higher yield and monomer conversion, whereas method B resulted in a mixture of the copolymer and homopolymers. The copolymers achieved high molar masses and even presenting similar global compositions, the molar mass distribution and thermal properties depends on the polymerization method. For instance, the suppression of the PEG block crystallization was more noticeable for copolymer A. An experimental design was used to qualify the influence of the catalyst and homopolymer amounts on the transreactions. The catalyst concentration was shown to be the most important factor. Therefore, the effectiveness of method A to produce copolymers was partly due to the transreactions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40419.
Pregnancy Outcome After Methotrexate Treatment for Rheumatic Disease Prior to or During Early Pregnancy: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Weber‐Schoendorfer Corinna , Chambers Christina , Wacker Evelin , Beghin Delphine , Bernard Nathalie ,   on behalf of the Network of French Pharmacovigilance Centers, Shechtman Svetlana , Johnson Diana , Cuppers‐Maarschalkerweerd Benedikte , Pistelli Alessandra , Clementi Maurizio , Winterfeld Ursula , Eleftheriou Georgios , Pupco Anna , Kao Kelly , Malm Heli , Elefant Elisabeth , Koren Gideon , Vial Thierry , Ornoy Asher , Meister Reinhard , Schaefer Christof 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveHigh‐dose methotrexate (MTX) exposure during pregnancy is associated with embryopathy. The teratogenic potential of MTX at dosages typically used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of spontaneous abortion, major birth defects, elective termination of pregnancy, shortened gestational age at delivery, and reduced birth weight in women exposed to MTX.MethodsPregnancy outcome in women taking MTX (≤30 mg/week) either after conception or within the 12 weeks before conception was evaluated in a prospective observational multicenter cohort study. Pregnancy outcomes in the MTX group were compared to outcomes in a group of disease‐matched women and a group of women without autoimmune diseases (neither group was exposed to MTX).ResultsThe study sample included 324 MTX‐exposed pregnancies (188 exposed post‐conception, 136 exposed pre‐conception), 459 disease‐matched comparison women, and 1,107 comparison women without autoimmune diseases. In the post‐conception cohort, the cumulative incidence of spontaneous abortion was 42.5% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 29.2–58.7), which was significantly higher than the incidence of spontaneous abortion in either comparison group. The risk of major birth defects (7 of 106 [6.6%]) was elevated compared to both the cohort of women without autoimmune diseases (29 of 1,001 [2.9%]) (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.1 [95% CI 1.03–9.5]) and the disease‐matched cohort (14 of 393 [3.6%]) (adjusted OR 1.8 [95% CI 0.6–5.7]). None of the malformations were clearly consistent with MTX embryopathy. Neither the cumulative incidence of spontaneous abortion (14.4% [95% CI 8.0–25.3]) nor the risk of major birth defects (4 of 114 [3.5%]) was increased in the pre‐conception cohort. Elective termination rates were increased in both of the MTX‐exposed cohorts. There were no other significant differences among groups in other study end points.ConclusionPost‐conception administration of MTX at dosages typically used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases was associated with an increased risk of major birth defects and spontaneous abortion. Such evidence was not found among women in our pre‐conception cohort.
Myeloid‐Related Proteins 8 and 14 Contribute to Monosodium Urate Monohydrate Crystal–Induced Inflammation in Gout
Authors: Holzinger Dirk , Nippe Nadine , Vogl Thomas , Marketon Kristina , Mysore Vijayashree , Weinhage Toni , Dalbeth Nicola , Pool Bregina , Merriman Tony , Baeten Dominique , Ives Annette , Busso Nathalie , Foell Dirk , Bas Sylvette , Gabay Cem , Roth Johannes 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveMonosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystal–induced interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) secretion is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of gout. However, without costimulation by a proIL‐1β–inducing factor, MSU crystals alone are insufficient to induce IL‐1β secretion. The responsible costimulatory factors that act as a priming endogenous signal in vivo are not yet known. We undertook this study to analyze the costimulatory properties of myeloid‐related protein 8 (MRP‐8) and MRP‐14 (endogenous Toll‐like receptor 4 [TLR‐4] agonists) in MSU crystal–induced IL‐1β secretion and their relevance in gout.MethodsMRP‐8/MRP‐14 was measured in paired serum and synovial fluid samples by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and localized in synovial tissue from gout patients by immunohistochemistry. Serum levels were correlated with disease activity, and MSU crystal–induced release of MRPs from human phagocytes was measured. Costimulatory effects of MRP‐8 and MRP‐14 on MSU crystal–induced IL‐1β secretion from phagocytes were analyzed in vitro by ELISA, Western blotting, and polymerase chain reaction. The impact of MRP was tested in vivo in a murine MSU crystal–induced peritonitis model.ResultsMRP‐8/MRP‐14 levels were elevated in the synovium, tophi, and serum of patients with gout and correlated with disease activity. MRP‐8/MRP‐14 was released by MSU crystal–activated phagocytes and increased MSU crystal–induced IL‐1β secretion in a TLR‐4–dependent manner. Targeted deletion of MRP‐14 in mice led to a moderately reduced response of MSU crystal–induced inflammation in vivo.ConclusionMRP‐8 and MRP‐14, which are highly expressed in gout, are enhancers of MSU crystal–induced IL‐1β secretion in vitro and in vivo. These endogenous TLR‐4 ligands released by activated phagocytes contribute to the maintenance of inflammation in gout.
Modulation of the Relationship Between External Knee Adduction Moments and Medial Joint Contact Forces Across Subjects and Activities
Authors: Trepczynski Adam , Kutzner Ines , Bergmann Georg , Taylor William R. , Heller Markus O. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveThe external knee adduction moment (EAM) is often considered a surrogate measure of the distribution of loads across the tibiofemoral joint during walking. This study was undertaken to quantify the relationship between the EAM and directly measured medial tibiofemoral contact forces (Fmed) in a sample of subjects across a spectrum of activities.MethodsThe EAM for 9 patients who underwent total knee replacement was calculated using inverse dynamics analysis, while telemetric implants provided Fmed for multiple repetitions of 10 activities, including walking, stair negotiation, sit‐to‐stand activities, and squatting. The effects of the factors “subject” and “activity” on the relationships between Fmed and EAM were quantified using mixed‐effects regression analyses in terms of the root mean square error (RMSE) and the slope of the regression.ResultsAcross subjects and activities a good correlation between peak EAM and Fmed values was observed, with an overall R2 value of 0.88. However, the slope of the linear regressions varied between subjects by up to a factor of 2. At peak EAM and Fmed, the RMSE of the regression across all subjects was 35% body weight (%BW), while the maximum error was 127 %BW.ConclusionThe relationship between EAM and Fmed is generally good but varies considerably across subjects and activities. These findings emphasize the limitation of relying solely on the EAM to infer medial joint loading when excessive directed cocontraction of muscles exists and call for further investigations into the soft tissue–related mechanisms that modulate the internal forces at the knee.
FRET‐based and other fluorescent proteinase probes
Authors: Hu Hai‐Yu , Gehrig Stefanie , Reither Gregor , Subramanian Devaraj , Mall Marcus A. , Plettenburg Oliver , Schultz Carsten 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe continuous detection of enzyme activities and their application in medical diagnostics is one of the challenges in the translational sciences. Proteinases represent one of the largest groups of enzymes in the human genome and many diseases are based on malfunctions of proteolytic activity. Fluorescent sensors may shed light on regular and irregular proteinase activity in vitro and in vivo and provide a deeper insight into the function of these enzymes and their role in pathophysiological processes. The focus of this review is on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)‐based proteinase sensors and reporters because these probes are most likely to provide quantitative data. The medical relevance of proteinases are discussed using lung diseases as a prominent example. Probe design and probe targeting are described and fluorescent probe development for disease‐relevant proteinases, including matrix‐metalloproteinases, cathepsins, caspases, and other selected proteinases, is reviewed.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of enhanced recovery programmes in surgical patients
Authors: Nicholson A , Lowe M C , Parker J , Lewis S R , Alderson P , Smith A F 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) have been developed over the past 10 years to improve patient outcomes and to accelerate recovery after surgery. The existing literature focuses on specific specialties, mainly colorectal surgery. The aim of this review was to investigate whether the effect of ERPs on patient outcomes varies across surgical specialties or with the design of individual programmes.

Methods
MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to January 2013 for randomized or quasi-randomized trials comparing ERPs with standard care in adult elective surgical patients.

Results
Thirty-eight trials were included in the review, with a total of 5099 participants. Study design and quality was poor. Meta-analyses showed that ERPs reduced the primary length of stay (standardized mean difference −1·14 (95 per cent confidence interval −1·45 to −0·85)) and reduced the risk of all complications within 30 days (risk ratio (RR) 0·71, 95 per cent c.i. 0·60 to 0·86). There was no evidence of a reduction in mortality (RR 0·69, 95 per cent c.i. 0·34 to 1·39), major complications (RR 0·95, 0·69 to 1·31) or readmission rates (RR 0·96, 0·59 to 1·58). The impact of ERPs was similar across specialties and there was no consistent evidence that elements included within ERPs affected patient outcomes.

Conclusion
ERPs are effective in reducing length of hospital stay and overall complication rates across surgical specialties. It was not possible to identify individual components that improved outcome. Qualitative synthesis may be more appropriate to investigate the determinants of success.
Observations from the IMPROVE trial concerning the clinical care of patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors:   IMPROVE trial investigators, Powell J T , Hinchliffe R J , Thompson M M , Sweeting M J , Ashleigh R , Bell R , Gomes M , Greenhalgh R M , Grieve R J , Heatley F , Thompson S G , Ulug P 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Single-centre series of the management of patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are usually too small to identify clinical factors that could improve patient outcomes.

Methods
IMPROVE is a pragmatic, multicentre randomized clinical trial in which eligible patients with a clinical diagnosis of ruptured aneurysm were allocated to a strategy of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) or to open repair. The influences of time and manner of hospital presentation, fluid volume status, type of anaesthesia, type of endovascular repair and time to aneurysm repair on 30-day mortality were investigated according to a prespecified plan, for the subgroup of patients with a proven diagnosis of ruptured or symptomatic AAA. Adjustment was made for potential confounding factors.

Results
Some 558 of 613 randomized patients had a symptomatic or ruptured aneurysm: diagnostic accuracy was 91·0 per cent. Patients randomized outside routine working hours had higher operative mortality (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1·47, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·00 to 2·17). Mortality rates after primary and secondary presentation were similar. Lowest systolic blood pressure was strongly and independently associated with 30-day mortality (51 per cent among those with pressure below 70 mmHg). Patients who received EVAR under local anaesthesia alone had greatly reduced 30-day mortality compared with those who had general anaesthesia (adjusted OR 0·27, 0·10 to 0·70).

Conclusion
These findings suggest that the outcome of ruptured AAA might be improved by wider use of local anaesthesia for EVAR and that a minimum blood pressure of 70 mmHg is too low a threshold for permissive hypotension.
Neurofilament Heavy polypeptide CpG island methylation associates with prognosis of renal cell carcinoma and prediction of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy response
Authors: Dubrowinskaja Natalia , Gebauer Kai , Peters Inga , Hennenlotter Jörg , Abbas Mahmoud , Scherer Ralph , Tezval Hossein , Merseburger Axel S. , Stenzl Arnulf , Grünwald Viktor , Kuczyk Markus A. , Serth Jürgen 
Published: January 2014

AbstractNeurofilament Heavy polypeptid (NEFH) belongs to the group of type IV intermediate filament proteins. DNA methylation of the NEFH promoter and loss of expression have previously been shown to activate the AKT/β‐catenin pathway in tumor cells. When identifying hypermethylation of the NEFH CpG island (CGI) in renal cell cancer (RCC) we asked whether methylation could provide clinical or prognostic information for RCC and/or predict therapy response in patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC) undergoing antiangiogenic therapy. Relative methylation of the NEFH CGI was analyzed in 132 RCC samples and 83 paired normal tissues using quantitative methylation‐specific PCR. Results were statistically compared with tumor histology, clinicopathological parameters, progression‐free survival (PFS) as well as with overall survival (OS) in a subset of 18 mRCC patients following antiangiogenic therapy regimens. The NEFH CGI methylation demonstrated a tumor‐specific increase (P < 0.001), association with advanced disease (P < 0.001), and distant metastasis (P = 0.005). Higher relative methylation was also significantly associated with a poor PFS (HR = 8.6, P < 0.001) independent from the covariates age, gender, diameter of tumors, state of advanced disease, and local and distant metastasis. Median OS following targeted therapy was 29.8 months for patients with low methylation versus 9.8 months for the group with high methylation (P = 0.028). We identified NEFH methylation as a candidate epigenetic marker for prognosis of RCC patients as well as prediction of anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor‐based therapy response.