bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal changes and regional differences in treatment uptake of hepatitis C therapy in EuroSIDA
Authors: Grint D , Peters L , Vogel M , Beniowski M , Pradier C , Battegay M , Jevtovic D , Soriano V , Lundgren J , Rockstroh J , Kirk O , Mocroft A 
Published: November 2012

AbstractUp to 30% of European HIV‐positive patients tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV) are seropositive. All co‐infected patients with chronic HCV and ≥F2 fibrosis should be considered for HCV therapy given their increased risk of death from liver disease. Despite this the extent to which co‐infected patients initiate HCV treatment is not well described. The aims of this study were to determine the rate of HCV treatment uptake among co‐infected patients and to estimate the effect of treatment on all‐cause and liver‐related death. EuroSIDA patients positive for HCV antibody and HCV‐RNA were included in the study. Baseline was defined as the date of recruitment or HCV seroconversion, whichever occurred later. Poisson regression was used to identify temporal changes and regional differences in HCV treatment uptake (use of at least interferon‐α [peg‐IFN]± ribavirin) and to study the association between HCV treatment and progression to all‐cause and liver‐related death. 1947 patients were included, with a median follow‐up time of 107 months (IQR: 57–156). Overall 456 (23.4%) of HIV/HCV co‐infected patients have received HCV therapy so far. The incidence of HCV treatment rose from 0.29 (95% CI: 0.13–0.45) per 100 person‐years follow‐up in 1998 to 5.26 (95% CI: 3.87–65) in 2007, before falling to 3.73 (95% CI: 2.40–5.06) in 2009. There were considerable regional differences (Figure). In a multivariable model treatment incidence increased 11.0% (95% CI: 4.0–18.4; p=0.0016) per 2 calendar years. Patients with CD4 cell counts greater than 350 cell/mm3 (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.75 [1.37–2.23; p < 0.0001]), HIV‐RNA less than 500 copies/ml (IRR: 1.58 [1.18–2.12; p=0.0023]), with HCV genotype 3 (IRR: 1.55 [1.21–1.98; p=0.0006]) compared to genotype 1) and those from south (IRR: 1.99 (1.45–2.72; p<0.0001) and east central Europe (IRR: 1.61 [1.11–2.34; p=0.011]) compared to west Europe, were more likely to initiate treatment. In a multivariable model treatment for HCV was not significantly associated with all‐cause death (355 deaths, IRR: 0.81 [95% CI: 0.54–1.19; p=0.28]) or liver‐related death (95 deaths, IRR: 1.0 [95% CI: 0.50–2.02; p=0.99]). The incidence of treatment for HCV among co‐infected patients increased from 1998 until 2007 and was common in those with higher CD4 cell counts and lower HIV‐RNA, consistent with HCV treatment guidelines. HCV treatment was not associated with all‐cause or liver‐related death in this population.
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CD4 count and viral load specific rates of AIDS, non‐AIDS and deaths according to current antiretroviral use
Authors: Mocroft A , Phillips A , Gatell J , Horban A , Ledergerber B , Zilmer K , Jevtovic D , Maltez F , Kirk O , Lundgren J 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundCD4 and viral loads are used in clinical trials as surrogate endpoints for assessing efficacy of newly available antiretrovirals. If antiretrovirals act through other pathways or negatively affect the risk of disease this would not be identified prior to licensing. The aims of this study were to investigate the CD4 and viral load specific rates of fatal and non‐fatal AIDS and non‐AIDS events according to current antiretrovirals.MethodsPoisson regression was used to compare overall events (fatal or non‐fatal AIDS, non‐AIDS or death), AIDS events (fatal and non‐fatal) or non‐AIDS events (fatal or non‐fatal) for specific nucleoside pairs and third drugs used with>1000 person‐years of follow‐up (PYFU) after January 1st 2001.Results9801 patients were included. The median baseline date was January 2004 (interquartile range [IQR] January 2001–February 2007), age was 40.4 (IQR 34.6–47.3 years), and time since starting cART was 3.3 (IQR 0.9–5.1 years). At baseline, the median nadir CD4 was 162 (IQR 71–257/mm3), baseline CD4 was 390 (IQR 249–571/mm3), viral load was 1.9 (IQR 1.7–3.3 log10copies/ml) and 2961 (30.2%) had a prior AIDS diagnosis and 6.4 years) prior to baseline. During 42372.5 PYFU, 1203 (437 AIDS and 766 non‐AIDS) events occurred. The overall event rate was 2.8 per 100 PYFU (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.7–3.0), of AIDS events was 1.0 (95% CI 0.9–1.1) and of non‐AIDS events was 1.8 (95% CI 1.7–1.9). Of the AIDS events, 53 (12.1%)were fatal as were 239 (31.2%) of the non‐AIDS events. After adjustment, there was weak evidence of a difference in the overall events rates between nucleoside pairs (global p‐value=0.084), and third drugs (global p‐value=0.031). Compared to zidovudine/lamivudine, patients taking abacavir/lamivudine (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 1.22; 95% CI 0.99–1.49) and abacavir plus one other nucleoside (aIRR 1.51; 95% CI 1.14–2.02) had an increased incidence of overall events. Comparing the third drugs, those taking unboosted atazanavir had an increased incidence of overall events compared to those taking efavirenz (aIRR 1.46; 95% CI 1.09–1.95)(Figure).imageConclusionsThere was little evidence of substantial differences between antiretrovirals in the incidence of fatal and non‐fatal AIDS and non‐AIDS events for a given CD4 or viral load, suggesting there are unlikely to be major unidentified adverse effects of specific antiretrovirals, although confounding by indication cannot be ruled out.
Molecular Sieving on the Surface of a Protein Provides Protection Without Loss of Activity
Authors: Liu Mi , Tirino Pasquale , Radivojevic Milos , Phillips Daniel J. , Gibson Matthew I. , Leroux Jean‐Christophe , Gauthier Marc A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractTethering polymers to surfaces represents the cornerstone of a wide range of applications, including the stabilization of colloids/biomolecules and the preparation of functional coatings. Unfortunately, despite the prevalence of protein‐tethered polymers in the pharmaceutical sector, the analysis of such polymer monolayers on a molecular level is difficult. In this work, simple 1H NMR spectroscopy and the catalytic properties of α‐chymotrypsin are used to analyze the conformational/permeability properties of protein‐bound monolayers of poly(oligoethyleneglycol monomethylether methacrylate) (pOEGMA), a biocompatible comb‐polymer of interest in the biomedical field. By analyzing >100 distinct conjugates of α‐chymotrypsin and pOEGMA, a detailed picture of the behavior of pOEGMA on the surface of a protein was obtained. Remarkably, control of polymer conformation and inter‐penetration produced a thus far overlooked molecular sieving effect. The application of this effect for the “smart” PEGylation of proteins is portrayed, from which insight is provided for the design of other therapeutic bioconjugates and functional coatings with selective permeability properties.
On The Lower Lewis Basicity of Siloxanes Compared to Ethers
Authors: Passmore Jack , Rautiainen J. Mikko 
Published: November 2012

Abstract1,3‐Dimethyldisiloxane, O(SiH2Me)2, diethyl ether, OEt2, and their metal complexes (Li+,Ag+) have been used as model systems to uncover the reasons underlying the lower Lewis basicity of siloxanes compared to analogous ethers. Bonding in the metal complexes has been analyzed with quantum theory of atoms in molecules as well as natural bond orbital theory. The binding to Li+by O(SiH2Me)2and OEt2is largely of monopole – dipole type whereas binding of Ag+also shows small charge transfer components. The more ionic Si–O bonds in O(SiH2Me)2compared to C–O bonds in OEt2lead to more negative charge on the oxygen atom of O(SiH2Me)2but the electrostatic attraction between metal cations and OEt2is calculated to be slightly stronger by interacting quantum atoms energy decomposition analysis. The lower electrostatic attraction by O(SiH2Me)2is due to repulsion between positively charged silicon atoms and the metal cations that compensate for the stronger attraction from the oxygen atom relative to OEt2. The total interaction of metal cations with O(SiH2Me)2was calculated to be almost as strong as that with OEt2and the lower stability of O(SiH2Me)2complexes and the lower Lewis basicity of O(SiH2Me)2is attributed to changes in the bonding and polarization of the ligands in the presence of metal cations. The polarization of O–Si bonds in O(SiH2Me)2raises the energy of the molecule more than does the polarization O–C bonds in OEt2. Despite the lower stability of O(SiH2Me)2metal complexes, solid state reaction enthalpies arising from a volume‐based thermodynamics approach suggest that they could be stabilized with a sufficiently large anion such as [Al(ORF)4]–.
Regioselective Preparation of 3‐Alkoxy‐4,5‐difluoroanilines by SNAr
Authors: Van Brandt Sven , Rombouts Frederik J. R. , Martínez‐Lamenca Carolina , Leenaerts Jos , Rauws Tom R. M. , Trabanco Andrés A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA simple and scalable procedure to introduce alcohols selectively at the 3‐position of 3,4,5‐trifluoroaniline is described. The procedure uses powdered NaOH as base and catalytic 15‐crown‐5 in refluxing toluene with a Dean–Stark trap. A short exploration of other nucleophiles and fluoroaryl electrophiles is also described.
Investigation of Impactors on Cell Degradation Inside Planar SOFC Stacks
Authors: Guan W. B. , Jin L. , Ma X. , Wang W. G. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe impactors on cell degradation inside planar SOFC stacks were investigated using both coated and uncoated Fe–16Cr alloys as the interconnects under stable operating conditions at 750 °C and thermal cycling conditions from 750 to 200 °C. It was found that cell degradation inside the stack is primarily dependent on the interfacial contact between the cathode current‐collecting layer and the interconnect. Additionally, cell degradation is found to be independent of the high‐temperature oxidation and Cr vaporization of the interconnects during stack operation, as the stacks are well sealed. The coating on the interconnect can further improve the contact between the cell cathode and the interconnect when the latter is properly embedded into the current‐collecting layer.
Activation of canonical wnt pathway promotes differentiation of mouse bone marrow‐derived MSCs into type II alveolar epithelial cells, confers resistance to oxidative stress, and promotes their migration to injured lung tissue in vitro
Authors: Liu Ai‐ran , Liu Le , Chen Song , Yang Yi , Zhao Hong‐jie , Liu Ling , Guo Feng‐mei , Lu Xiao‐min , Qiu Hai‐bo 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into type II alveolar epithelial (AT II) cells in vivo and in vitro, is critical for reepithelization and recovery in acute lung injury (ALI), but the mechanisms responsible for differentiation are unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of the canonical wnt pathway in the differentiation of mouse bone marrow‐derived MSCs (mMSCs) into AT II cells. Using a modified co‐culture system with murine lung epithelial‐12 (MLE‐12) cells and small airway growth media (SAGM) to efficiently drive mMSCs differentiation, we found that GSK 3β and β‐catenin in the canonical wnt pathway were up‐regulated during differentiation. The levels of surfactant protein (SP) C, SPB, and SPD, the specific markers of AT II cells, correspondingly increased in mMSCs when Wnt3a or LiCl was added to the co‐culture system to activate wnt/β‐catenin signaling. The expression of these factors was depressed to some extent by inhibiting the pathway with the addition of DKK 1. The differentiation rate of mMSCs also depends on their abilities to accumulate and survive in inflammatory tissue. Our results suggested that the activation of wnt/β‐catenin signaling promoted mMSCs migration towards ALI mouse‐derived lung tissue in a Transwell assay, and ameliorated the cell death and the reduction of Bcl‐2/Bax induced by H2O2, which simultaneously caused reduced GSK 3β and β‐catenin in mMSCs. These data supports a potential mechanism for the differentiation of mMSCs into AT II cells involving canonical wnt pathway activation, which may be significant to their application in ALI. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1270–1283, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence of human parechoviruses in central nervous system infections in children: A retrospective study in Shanghai, China
Authors: Zhong Huaqing , Lin Yong , Su Liyun , Cao Lingfeng , Xu Menghua , Xu Jin 
Published: November 2012

AbstractHuman parechoviruses (HPeV) are associated with central nervous system (CNS) infections and sepsis‐like illnesses. However, data from China are not available. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, age, and seasonal distributions and genotypes of HPeV infections in children with CNS related disease in Shanghai, China. Of 776 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from children with CNS‐related diseases under the age of 16 years during the years 2008–2011, 68 (9%) were identified to be HPeV positive. The annual prevalence varied remarkably: 1% (2/153) in 2008, 7% (12/177) in 2009, 15% (23/153) in 2010, and 11% (31/293) in 2011. The virus was detected in all age groups of children ranging from 2 days to 13 years and the median age was 14 months. Of the 31 positive samples that were genotyped successfully, 28 were HPeV1 and 3 were HPeV3. This study provided data on the molecular epidemiology of HPeV infections in CNS‐related diseases in Shanghai, China and suggest that the screening for HPeV by PCR should be included in the routine viral testing of CSF. J. Med. Virol. 85:320–326, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of human coronavirus HKU1 in patients with acute respiratory illness
Authors: Lee Wan‐Ji , Chung Yoon‐Seok , Yoon Hee Sook , Kang Chun , Kim Kisoon 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIn 2005, human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV‐HKU1) was isolated and identified from a 71‐year‐old man with pneumonia in Hong Kong. To identify and classify genotypes of HCoV‐HKU1 in Korea, a sensitive, specific, and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed and analyzed the sequences of HCoV‐HKU1 isolated in Korea. A total of 1,985 respiratory specimens taken from patients with acute respiratory illness were tested for HCoV‐HKU1 from January 2007 to May 2008. The major clinical symptoms associated with HCoV‐HKU1 infection were examined statistically and sequence variations of the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), spike, and nucleocapsid genes were also analyzed. Fifty cases (2.5%) HCoV‐HKU1 were identified by real‐time PCR and viral loads ranged from 6.7 × 104 to 1.6 × 109 copies/ml. The clinical symptoms of HCoV‐HKU1 infection included rhinorrhea (72%), cough (64%), nasal congestion (56%), fever (32%), sputum (30%), sore throat (18%), chills (16%), postnasal discharge (14%), and tonsillar hypertrophy (10%). There was a seasonal distribution of HCoV‐HKU1 infection, peaking in winter and spring. Both genotypes A and B were detected but no recombination between them was found. This is the first report on the identification and genotyping of HCoV‐HKU1 as a causative agent of acute respiratory illness in Korea. The data suggest that at least two genotypes, A and B, of HCoV‐HKU1 with scattered silent mutations were circulating in Korea from 2007 to 2008. J. Med. Virol. 85:309–314, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Constraining Holocene sea‐surface conditions in the south‐western Black Sea using dinoflagellate cysts
Authors: Bradley L. R. , Marret F. , Mudie P. J. , Aksu A. E. , Hiscott R. N. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper presents two dinoflagellate cyst records from the south‐western shelf of the Black Sea. A new site, MAR05‐13, from the Sakarya shelf is described and placed into context with site MAR02‐45, ∼250 km distant on the Thracian shelf. The records provide a centennial resolution of surface water conditions in the Holocene. Analysis of the data suggests that the surface salinity of the south‐western shelf increased in a gradual and progressive manner. In the period ∼11 000–9000 cal a BP the assemblages suggest surface‐water salinities between 7–13 psu. The initial arrival of euryhaline species, ∼8100 cal a BP, is linked to the reconnection of the Black Sea and Marmara Sea. The suggested surface water changes related to the reconnection took approximately 1000 years. Following this initial change in assemblages, a further increase in the number of euryhaline species is noted between 5000 and 4000 cal a BP. This is linked to the establishment of more saline surface‐water conditions, close to present‐day values. The record for MAR05‐13 highlights the complexity of the changes in cyst assemblages during the mid‐Holocene. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck: 32‐year experience in a tertiary referral hospital
Authors: Chan Richie Chiu‐Lung , Chan Jimmy Yu Wai , Wei William Ignace 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIntroduction:Primary mucosal melanomas of the head and neck (HNMM), albeit being rare, are rapidly lethal. Here we report the experience of patients with HNMM treated in our institution over a 32‐year period.Objectives/Hypothesis:We aim to review our experience in managing HNMM patients over a 32‐year period.Study Design:Retrospective study.Methods:Thirty‐five patients diagnosed with HNMM from 1978 to 2009 were retrospectively reviewed, with an emphasis on predictors on survival outcome.Results:Twenty‐four patients received curative resection, 6 of them followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Neck dissections were performed in 8 patients. Four patients received radiotherapy as primary treatment. Seven patients were treated conservatively.The overall mean and median survivals were 50 and 26 months, respectively. The median survival of stage I, II, and III diseases in our group of patients were 39, 10, and 16 months, respectively. The 1‐year and 5‐year overall survival rates were 65.7% and 22.9%, respectively.Age above 60 (p = 0.007), nodal involvement (p = 0.047;) and stage at presentation (p = 0.046) were shown to be associated with worse overall survival. Sites of tumour did not seem to impact on survival. On multivariate analysis, only age (below or above 60) was found to be statistically significant [RR 4.79 (1.65–13.9), p = 0.004].Conclusions:Oral cavity melanomas are more likely to have nodal involvement at presentation. Prognosis of HNMM remains grave. Current evidence still supports surgery as the best chance of cure. Role of adjuvant radiotherapy is controversial and does not appear to improve overall survival. Similarly, role of neck dissection is ill‐defined. Laryngoscope, 2012
The anatomical relationship between the eustachian tube and petrous internal carotid artery
Authors: Ozturk Kayhan , Snyderman Carl H. , Gardner Paul A. , Fernandez‐Miranda Juan C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the eustachian tube (ET) and petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) in whole‐mount human temporal bone specimens.Study Design:Descriptive study.Methods:Histologically prepared serial sections of 10 adult temporal bones were included in the study. Five specific landmarks were selected to evaluate relationships between the petrous segment of the ICA and the ET. The selected distances were measured using computer software (Metamorph 7.5.2.0; Molecular Devices, LLC, Sunnyvale, CA).Results:The ET and the ICA get close posteriorly, and the bony part of the ET and the ICA generally share the same wall.Conclusions:The junctional part of the ET may be a safe landmark to identify and protect the ICA during endoscopic endonasal surgery of the cranial base. Knowledge of the anatomical relationships of the ET and petrous part of the ICA, as well as their relationship with other surgical and radiological landmarks, would be useful to surgeons. Laryngoscope, 2012
Detection of human papillomavirus in sinonasal papillomas: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Syrjänen Kari , Syrjänen Stina 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To perform a systematic review and formal meta‐analysis of the literature reporting on HPV detection in sinonasal papillomas. Since first reported in 1983, the etiological role for human papillomavirus (HPV) in sinonasal papillomas has been subject to increasing interest.Study Design:A systematic review, with meta‐analysis and formal meta‐regression.Methods:Literature was searched through April 2012. The effect size was calculated as event rates (95% confidence interval [CI]), with homogeneity testing using Cochran's Q and I2 statistics. Meta‐regression was used to test the impact of study‐level covariates (HPV detection method, geographic origin, papilloma type) on effect size, and potential publication bias was estimated using funnel plot symmetry.Results:Seventy‐six studies were eligible covering 1,956 sinonasal papillomas from different geographic regions. Altogether, 760 (38.8%) cases tested HPV‐positive; effect size 0.421 (95% CI 0.359‐0.485, random effects model). The summary HPV prevalence was highest (65.3%) in exophytic papillomas (EP), followed by inverted papillomas (37.8%) and cylindrical cell papillomas (22.5%). In meta‐analysis stratified by 1) HPV detection technique, 2) geographic study origin, and 3) papilloma type, the between‐study heterogeneity was significant only for the papilloma types (P = .001). In meta‐regression, HPV detection method (P = .102), geographic origin (P = .149), or histological type (P = .240) were not significant study‐level covariates. Some evidence for publication bias was found only for studies on EP. In sensitivity analysis, all meta‐analytic results were robust to all one‐by‐one study removals.Conclusions:Variability in HPV detection rates in sinonasal papillomas is explained by their histological types (not by HPV detection method or geographic origin of study), but none of the three were significant study‐level covariates in formal meta‐regression. Laryngoscope, 2013
Fat confounds the observed apparent diffusion coefficient in patients with hepatic steatosis
Authors: Hansmann Jan , Hernando Diego , Reeder Scott B. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPurpose: Triglyceride signal contained in peaks near the water peak remains unsuppressed by conventional fat suppression techniques used in diffusion‐weighted imaging. In this work, we investigated the dependence of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on liver fat content and whether it is confounded by fat signal. Methods: 43 patients underwent liver diffusion‐weighted imaging (b = 0, 500 s/mm2) and single‐voxel MR‐spectroscopy. Proton density fat‐fraction (PDFF; range 0.23–34.5%) was measured from MR‐spectroscopy. A theoretical model was developed to account for the effects of fat on observed ADC, and used to correct the ADC. Linear correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between PDFF and ADC before and after correction. Results: Linear correlation analysis showed an inverse dependence between observed ADC and PDFF before correction (r2 = 0.132; P = 0.017), and no dependence after correction (r2 = 0.033; P = 0.24). Conclusion: The observed decrease in ADC in patients with fatty liver is, at least in part, artifactual due to residual fat signal near the water peak. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Donor–acceptor semiconducting polymers for organic solar cells
Authors: Kularatne Ruvini S. , Magurudeniya Harsha D. , Sista Prakash , Biewer Michael C. , Stefan Mihaela C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis review describes the synthesis and photovoltaic performance of donor–acceptor (D–A) semiconducting polymers that have been reported during the last decade. 9,9‐Dialkyl‐2,7‐ fluorene, 2,7‐carbazole, cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene, dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]silole, dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole, benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene, benzo[1,2 b:4,5 b′]difuran building blocks, and their D–A copolymers are described in this review. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013