bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low‐temperature plasmas at atmospheric pressure: toward new pharmaceutical treatments in medicine
Authors: Yousfi Mohammed , Merbahi Nofel , Pathak Atul , Eichwald Olivier 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis article concerns a new field covered by low‐temperature plasmas at atmospheric pressure for medical treatments. This is based on the very attractive possibility to tune and design plasmas as possible pharmaceutical products using selectively some active species (charged particles, radicals, atomic and molecular agents, UV radiations) and even electric fields self‐generated by the plasma. The delivery of active species occurs at the gaseous level. This means that there is no need for a carrier medium, and the treatment of living tissue or surface is optimal because plasmas can penetrate small pores, spread over rough surfaces, and reach both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The present article gives first a review on the main low‐temperature plasma setups potentially usable for medical treatments with an emphasis on the setups as, for instance, plasma jets developed in our laboratory. Then, the present article gives a review of the current state of the art of such plasmas as pharmaceutical products or therapeutic tools in medicine with a light on a selection of forefront researches particularly in the field of chronic wounds, blood coagulation, and cancer treatment.
Benzimidazole analogs of l‐tryptophan are substrates and inhibitors of tryptophan indole lyase from Escherichia coli
Authors: Harris Austin P. , Phillips Robert S. 
Published: February 2013

Tryptophan indole lyase (TIL), an enzyme found in Escherichia coli and related enterobacteria, produces indole from l‐tryptophan (l‐Trp). Indole is a signaling molecule in bacteria, affecting biofilm formation, pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance. β‐(Benzimidazol‐1‐yl)‐l‐alanine (BZI‐Ala), 2‐amino‐4‐(benzimidazol‐1‐yl)butyric acid (homo‐BZI‐Ala) and 2‐amino‐5‐(benzimidazol‐1‐yl)pentanoic acid (bishomo‐BZI‐Ala) were synthesized and tested as substrates and inhibitors of TIL. BZI‐Ala is a good substrate of TIL, with Km = 300 μm, kcat = 5.6 s−1 and kcat/Km = 1.9 × 104, similar to l‐Trp. BZI‐Ala is also a good substrate for H463F mutant TIL, which has very low activity with l‐Trp. In contrast, homo‐BZI‐Ala was found to be a potent competitive inhibitor of TIL, with a Ki of 13.4 μm. However, the higher homolog, bishomo‐BZI‐Ala, was inactive as an inhibitor of TIL at a concentration of 600 μm, and is thus a much weaker inhibitor. The reaction of TIL with BZI‐Ala was too fast to be observed in the stopped‐flow spectrophotometer, and shows an aldimine intermediate in the steady state. However, H463F TIL shows equilibrating mixtures of aldimine and quinonoid complexes in the steady state. The spectra of the reaction of TIL with homo‐BZI‐Ala show a rapidly formed intermediate absorbing at 340 nm, probably a gem‐diamine, that decays slowly to form a quinonoid complex absorbing at 494 nm. The potent binding of homo‐BZI‐Ala may be due to it being a ‘bi‐product’ analog of the indole‐α‐aminoacrylate complex. These results demonstrate that an amino acid substrate may be converted to a potent inhibitor of TIL simply by homologation, which may be useful in the design of other potent TIL inhibitors.
The Effects of Multistrain Probiotic Compound on Bismuth‐Containing Quadruple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Randomized Placebo‐Controlled Triple‐Blind Study
Authors: Shavakhi Ahmad , Tabesh Elham , Yaghoutkar Arezoo , Hashemi Houriye , Tabesh Faezeh , Khodadoostan Mahsa , Minakari Mohammad , Shavakhi Sara , Gholamrezaei Ali 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundEvidence has shown benefits of single‐strain probiotics for Helicobacter pylori eradication. We investigated the effects of adding a multistrain probiotic compound on bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy for H. pylori infection.Materials and MethodsAdult patients with peptic ulcer disease and confirmed H. pylori infection (n = 180) were randomized to receive bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy (omeprazole, bismuth subcitrate, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin) plus a probiotic compound or placebo for 2 weeks. The probiotic compound contained seven bacterial species including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and Streptococcus thermophiles. Eradication of H. pylori was assessed 4 weeks after medication by 13C urea breath test. Other outcomes were dyspepsia symptoms, therapy‐related adverse effects, and patient's tolerance.ResultsEighty‐four patients in the probiotic and 86 in the placebo group completed the trial. With per‐protocol (intention to treat) analysis, H. pylori was eradicated in 82.1% (76.6%) of the probiotic and 84.8% (81.1%) of the placebo group, p = .392 (0.292). Symptoms were significantly improved with similar trends in both groups. Regarding the adverse effects, diarrhea was less frequent (2.2 vs 11.1%, p = .016), while abdominal pain was more frequent (10 vs 2.2%, p = .029) in the probiotic group. The two groups were similar in treatment tolerance (p = .851).ConclusionsIn overall, our studied multistrain probiotic compound has not beneficial effects in the treatment of H. pylori infection. It might be related to the low dosage of our probiotic regimen and/or high frequency of upper gastrointestinal adverse effects which in turn could decrease the eradication efficacy.
Radiofrequency ablation combined with transarterial chemoembolization for intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tanaka Masatoshi , Ando Eiji , Simose Shigeo , Hori Maisa , Kuraoka Kei , Ohno Miki , Yutani Shigeru , Harada Kazunori , Sata Michio 
Published: February 2013

AimRadiofrequency ablation therapy (RFA) combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) (combination therapy) is effective for early‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to compare the long‐term effects of combination therapy with supportive care alone for intermediate HCC.MethodsThe study included 58 patients with intermediate HCC who received combination therapy (n = 34) or supportive care alone (n = 24). The inclusion criteria were a single nodule of more than 50 mm in diameter or two to three nodules, each measuring more than 30 mm in diameter, or more than three nodules, no vascular invasion and no extrahepatic metastasis.ResultsThe overall survival rates at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years of the combination therapy group (91%, 65%, 53% and 27%, respectively) were significantly better (P < 0.0001) than those of the supportive care group (42%, 8%, 8% and 0%, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified treatment modality (combination therapy vs supportive care alone: P < 0.0001, risk ratio [RR] = 4.290 [95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.157–8.529]) and serum α‐fetoprotein (P = 0.017, RR = 2.318 [95% CI = 1.166–4.610]) as independent and significant factors of overall survival.ConclusionThe combination of TACE and RFA is a safe and effective therapy in patients with intermediate HCC.
Prediction of efficacy to pegylated interferon‐α‐2b plus ribavirin in patients with genotype 2 hepatitis C virus using viral response within 2 weeks
Authors: Wada Yuki , Tamai Hideyuki , Uno Akiko , Kawashima Akira , Shingaki Naoki , Mori Yoshiyuki , Moribata Kosaku , Miyata Kaori , Higashi Katsuhiko , Deguchi Hisanobu , Ueda Kazuki , Inoue Izumi , Maekita Takao , Iguchi Mikitaka , Kato Jun , Ichinose Masao 
Published: February 2013

AimRapid virological response (RVR), defined as serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA negativity at 4 weeks, is the most useful predictor of sustained virological response (SVR) to standard pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) plus ribavirin therapy for patients infected with genotype 2 HCV. The aim of the present study was to predict SVR using viral response within 2 weeks of therapy initiation.MethodsOf 64 HCV genotype 2 patients with a high viral load treated with standard PEG IFN‐α‐2b plus weight‐based ribavirin for 24 weeks, 58 patients whose adherence was more than 67% were analyzed. RNA and core antigen levels were measured at four time points: the day of therapy initiation, the following day, and at 1 and 2 weeks.ResultsSVR was achieved in 73% (47/64) of patients. Univariate analysis of SVR contributing factors showed significant differences with age, bodyweight, white blood cell count, platelet count, fibrosis marker levels, baseline core antigen level and viral response. The area under the receiver–operator curve (AUC) of the core antigen level at 1 week (AUC, 0.940) was the highest among the significant SVR predicting factors. Setting 100 fmol/L as the cut‐off value for core antigen level at 1 week, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy for predicting SVR were 100%, 86%, 96%, 100% and 97%, respectively, and for predicting RVR were 66%, 93%, 97%, 46% and 72%, respectively.ConclusionThe HCV core antigen level at 1 week after therapy initiation is the most useful predictor for SVR.
Assessing knowledge and attitudes towards screening among users of Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
Authors: Denters Maaike J. , Deutekom Marije , Essink‐Bot Marie‐Louise , Bossuyt Patrick M. , Fockens Paul , Dekker Evelien 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundInformed decision making is recognized as important in screening. Invitees should be provided with relevant information, enabling them to make an informed decision. This may be more difficult in ethnic minority and low socio‐economic status groups. We aimed to assess the proportion of informed decisions to participate in a faecal immunochemical test (FIT)‐based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening pilot and to explore differences in knowledge and attitude across various subgroups.MethodsAsymptomatic persons aged 50–74 were invited to a second round of a Dutch FIT‐based pilot screening programme for CRC. An information leaflet containing all information relevant to enable informed decision making accompanied the invitation. Informed choice was assessed by a mailed questionnaire. Knowledge was elicited through 18 items and attitude towards screening through four items. Main outcome measure was the proportion of informed decision makers among participants. Differences between subgroups were evaluated using logistic regression.ResultsOf 5367 screening participants, 2774 (52%) completed the questionnaire. Knowledge was adequate in 2554 (92%); 2736 (99%) showed a positive attitude towards screening. A total of 2525 persons had made an informed choice (91%); male gender, low education level, non‐Dutch ethnicity and not speaking Dutch at home were negatively associated with having adequate knowledge in multivariable analysis.ConclusionIn FIT‐based screening for CRC, the majority of responders made an informed decision to participate. However, we did not succeed in equally providing all population subgroups with sufficient information. Future initiatives should be aimed at reaching these groups to further enable informed decision making.
Do patients have a voice? The social stratification of health center governing boards
Authors: Wright Brad 
Published: February 2013

AbstractContextTo ensure community responsiveness, federally qualified health centres (FQHCs) in the United States are required to be governed by a patient majority. However, to the extent that these patient trustees resemble the typical low‐income patients served by FQHCs, status generalization theory suggests that they will be passed over for leadership positions within the board in favour of more prestigious individuals.MethodsUsing 4 years of data on health centre governing boards obtained from the Health Resources and Services Administration via a Freedom of Information Act Request, the likelihood of holding executive committee office is modelled as a function of trustee characteristics using Chamberlain's conditional logistic regressions.ResultsThe results indicate that representative patient trustees are significantly less likely than other trustees to hold a position on the executive committee or serve as board chair.ConclusionsGiven the power of the board leadership to set the agenda, the reduced likelihood of representative patient trustees serving in leadership positions may ultimately limit the representative voice given to patients, making FQHCs potentially less responsive to their communities. These findings also have important implications for other settings where engaging and empowering patients is sought.
Polylactic acid vs. polyacrylamide hydrogel for treatment of facial lipoatrophy: a randomized controlled trial [Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le SIDA et les Hépatites Virales (ANRS) 132 SMILE]
Authors: Lafaurie M , Dolivo M , Girard P‐M , May T , Bouchaud O , Carbonnel E , Madelaine I , Loze B , Porcher R , Molina J‐M ,   ANRS 132 SMILE study group
Published: February 2013

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to demonstrate the noninferiority of polyacrylamide hydrogel (PH) vs. polylactic acid (PLA) for the treatment of facial lipoatrophy in HIV‐infected adults.MethodsA randomized, blinded, multicentre, noninferiority 96‐week study was carried out. Patients with facial lipoatrophy were randomly assigned to receive intradermal injections with PH or PLA, and were blinded to the filler. The primary efficacy endpoint was patient satisfaction at week 48 assessed using a visual analogue scale score (VAS). Secondary efficacy end‐points included cheek thickness and skin‐fold, lipoatrophy grading and quality of life. Safety was assessed by the reporting of adverse events.ResultsA total of 148 patients were included in the study; 93% were men, the median age was 47 years, the median CD4 count was 528 cells/μL, and the median duration of antiretroviral therapy was 12 years. Mean VAS increased from 2.8 at baseline to 7.1 and 7.5 in the PLA and PH arms, respectively, at week 48 (P = 0.0002 for noninferiority) and was sustained at week 96 (6.7 and 7.9 in the PLA and PH arms, respectively; P = 0.003 for noninferiority). Cheek thickness and skin‐fold increases and lipoatrophy improvement were similar in the two arms. Quality of life remained unchanged or improved depending on the questionnaire used. In injected patients, subcutaneous nodules emerged in 28 (41%) and 26 (37%) patients in the PLA and PH arms, respectively (P = 0.73). Four patients in the PH arm developed severe inflammatory nodules, a median of 17 months after the last injection.ConclusionsPH and PLA have similar efficacies in the treatment of facial lipoatrophy, but PH may be associated with more delayed inflammatory nodules.
SiC Matrix Structure–Function Composites Prepared by Pressureless Sintering and Their Microwave Attenuation Property in the X Band
Authors: Zhou Zehua , Wang Zehua , Ding Ying , Yi Yu , Jiang Shaoqun , Zhao Weihua , Tan Shouhong , Jiang Dongliang 
Published: February 2013

For developing excellent microwave attenuation materials in a wide band, two series of SiC‐C (graphite) composites with different C additions were fabricated by pressureless sintering, using α‐SiC and β‐SiC green powder, respectively. β‐SBC composites were more suitable for microwave attenuation materials than α‐SBC composites. β‐SiC composites with 3 wt% C additions exhibited the best microwave absorption: The most significant microwave attenuation was −40.5 dB, and most other attenuations were above −30 dB in the whole X band. The composites were prepared with cost‐effective and easily controllable manufacturing process and can be considered as structure–function materials for particular applications.
Fabrication of Mn–Co Spinel Coatings on Crofer 22 APU Stainless Steel by Electrophoretic Deposition for Interconnect Applications in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhang Yong , Javed Athar , Zhou Mengmeng , Liang Shuquan , Xiao Ping 
Published: February 2013

This study investigates the microstructure, oxidation kinetics, and electrical behavior of Mn–Co spinel coating for interconnect applications in solid oxide fuel cells. A relatively dense, uniform, and well‐adherent Mn–Co (Mn1.5Co1.5O4) spinel coating with good oxidation resistance and stable conductivity was successfully prepared on the surface of Crofer 22 APU stainless steel using electrophoretic deposition followed by sintering at 1150°C. During further thermal treatment at 800°C, the chromium oxide (Cr2O3) sublayer formed at the substrate/coating interface during sintering showed a very slow growth, and no chromium penetration was detected in the Mn–Co coating. The oxidation kinetics of the Mn–Co‐coated substrate obeyed the parabolic law with the a parabolic rate constant kp of 5.20 × 10−15 g2/cm4/s, which was 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than that of the uncoated Crofer 22 APU stainless steel substrate. For oxidation (at 800°C) times ≥50 h, the area‐specific resistance of the Mn–Co‐coated Crofer 22 APU substrate became ~17 mΩ·cm2 and was almost constant after further oxidation.
A Si–SiC Oxidation‐resistant Coating for Carbon/Carbon Composites by Hot‐pressing Reaction Technique
Authors: Fu Qiangang , Cao Cuiwei , Li Hejun , Tao Jun , Li Kezhi 
Published: February 2013

A Si–SiC coating was prepared by hot‐pressing reactive sintering (HPRS) technique for protecting carbon/carbon (C/C) composites against oxidation. The Si–SiC coating has a dense and crack‐free structure with a thickness of 70–90 μm. The Si–SiC coating by HPRS has a higher SiC content and lower Si content than the coating by pressure‐less reactive sintering (PRS). It also exhibits better oxidation‐protective ability than that prepared by PRS. With hot‐pressing, the flexural strength of the Si–SiC coated C/C composites decreases from 121 MPa to 99 MPa, and the interface bonding strength increases from 6 MPa to 10 MPa.
Application of platelet‐rich gel to enhance healing of transmetatarsal amputations in diabetic dysvascular patients
Authors: Serra Raffaele , Buffone Gianluca , Dominijanni Andrea , Molinari Vincenzo , Montemurro Rossella , de Franciscis Stefano 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTransmetatarsal amputation (TMA) represents an effective surgical procedure used to treat several clinical conditions such as forefoot infection, gangrene and chronic ulceration in diabetic patients. TMA permits walking without the need for prosthesis, but nevertheless is burdened with a high complications rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility to use platelet gel (PG) as an adjuvant therapy when performing TMA procedure in diabetic patients. In a 6‐year period, 26 diabetic patients had undergone TMA procedure followed by autologous PG applications (group A) and 32 patients had undergone TMA as sole procedure (group B). After TMA procedure, the treatment is based on outpatient management and consists of a weekly platelet‐rich plasma gel application on the surgical wound for 1 month in group A and on clinical evaluation only for group B. For group A, healing rate was of 96·15% and one patient (3·84%) presented wound dehiscence, and no postoperative wound infections occurred. For group B, healing rate was of 59·37%; severe infection of the stump prompted to the proximal amputations in 40·62% of patients during the follow‐up period. PG application may be an effective adjuvant treatment to improve wound healing in diabetic dysvascular patients.
Assessing Linkages in Stream Habitat, Geomorphic Condition, and Biological Integrity Using a Generalized Regression Neural Network
Authors: Mathon Bree R. , Rizzo Donna M. , Kline Michael , Alexander Gretchen , Fiske Steve , Langdon Richard , Stevens Lori 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWatershed managers often use physical geomorphic and habitat assessments in making decisions about the biological integrity of a stream, and to reduce the cost and time for identifying stream stressors and developing mitigation strategies. Such analysis is difficult since the complex linkages between reach‐scale geomorphic and habitat conditions, and biological integrity are not fully understood. We evaluate the effectiveness of a generalized regression neural network (GRNN) to predict biological integrity using physical (i.e., geomorphic and habitat) stream‐reach assessment data. The method is first tested using geomorphic assessments to predict habitat condition for 1,292 stream reaches from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. The GRNN methodology outperforms linear regression (69% vs. 40% classified correctly) and improves slightly (70% correct) with additional data on channel evolution. Analysis of a subset of the reaches where physical assessments are used to predict biological integrity shows no significant linear correlation, however the GRNN predicted 48% of the fish health data and 23% of macroinvertebrate health. Although the GRNN is superior to linear regression, these results show linking physical and biological health remains challenging. Reasons for lack of agreement, including spatial and temporal scale differences, are discussed. We show the GRNN to be a data‐driven tool that can assist watershed managers with large quantities of complex, nonlinear data.
An Assessment of U.S. Stream Compensatory Mitigation Policy: Necessary Changes to Protect Ecosystem Functions and Services
Authors: Bronner Colleen E. , Bartlett Amy M. , Whiteway Sarah L. , Lambert Douglas C. , Bennett Sean J. , Rabideau Alan J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractCompensatory mitigation of impacted streams and wetlands has increased over the past two decades, with the associated industry spending over US$2.9 billion in aquatic restoration annually. Despite these expenditures, evaluations by the National Research Council and U.S. Government Accountability Office have provided evidence that compensatory mitigation practices are failing to protect aquatic resource functions and services, and vague federal policy and inadequate evaluation of compensatory mitigation projects are to blame. To address these weaknesses, an update to federal regulations on compensatory mitigation was released in 2008. Additionally, the 2012 Reissuance of Nationwide Permits, some of which affects compensatory stream mitigation, was recently published. Current policy, as reflected in these documents, still uses nonspecific language to direct compensatory stream mitigation leaving most implementation decisions to the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district. The majority of federal mitigation policy has focused on wetland compensation, with other aquatic resources receiving less attention (e.g., streams). In this article, weaknesses of current policy are discussed, as are suggested policy changes to minimize the loss of stream ecosystem functions and services. Compensatory mitigation policy should clearly define key terms, incorporate adaptive management procedures, and provide guidelines for determining mitigation costs and compensation ratio requirements.