bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Tobacco Exposure and Reduction of Radiographic Progression in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results From a French Multicenter Cohort
Authors: Vesperini Veronique , Lukas Cedric , Fautrel Bruno , Le Loet Xavier , Rincheval Nathalie , Combe Bernard 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate the initial response to treatment and risk of radiographic disease progression in current smokers (S), ex‐smokers (EX), and nonsmokers (NS) in a prospective early arthritis cohort and to analyze the influence of smoking cessation on arthritis outcome.MethodsThe ESPOIR cohort is a prospective cohort study monitoring clinical, biologic, and radiographic data for patients with inflammatory arthritis lasting 6 weeks to 6 months. We examined the influence of smoking status on disease presentation (baseline characteristics) and therapeutic response at 1 year. Risk of structural progression at 12 months, defined as change in the modified Sharp/van der Heijde score ≥1, was analyzed by multivariate regression adjusted for potential confounders (age, sex, joint erosion at inclusion, educational level, positivity for rheumatoid factor or anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 antibodies, and shared HLA–DRB1 epitope).ResultsA total of 813 patients were included; 641 (79%) fulfilled the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). At inclusion, 138 (21.5%) were S patients, 168 (26.2%) were EX patients, and 335 (52.3%) were NS patients. Baseline acute‐phase indicator values were significantly lower for S patients than EX and NS patients (mean ± SD erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 24.2 ± 18.2 mm/hour versus 33.4 ± 28.0 and 31.4 ± 25.0 [P = 0.02], respectively, and mean ± SD C‐reactive protein level was 17.7 ± 28.0 mg/dl versus 28.5 ± 42.5 and 21.4 ± 29.0 [P = 0.01], respectively). Smoking status had no influence on Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, EULAR response, or use of disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic therapy in the first 12 months of followup (P > 0.05). The adjusted risk for structural disease progression was associated with active smokers (odds ratio 0.50 [95% confidence interval 0.27–0.93], P = 0.028). Sixteen patients had stopped smoking at 12 months, with no significant difference in observed outcomes from other patients.ConclusionIn this large prospective cohort of patients with early arthritis, smoking status had no significant effect on disease activity and disability but did reduce 1‐year radiographic disease progression. The antiinflammatory role of nicotine may explain the lower systemic inflammation and structural disease progression in current smokers with early RA.
Exploratory Study of Radiographic Change in Patients With Tophaceous Gout Treated With Intensive Urate‐Lowering Therapy
Authors: Dalbeth Nicola , Doyle Anthony J. , McQueen Fiona M. , Sundy John , Baraf Herbert S. B. 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveTophi are strongly associated with structural damage in gout, and urate‐lowering therapy reduces tophus size. Pegloticase leads to dramatic reductions in serum urate and subcutaneous tophi in treatment responders. The aim of this analysis was to examine whether profound urate lowering can alter radiographic findings in gout.MethodsSerial plain radiographs of the hands and feet were obtained from 8 patients with tophaceous gout treated with pegloticase. Radiographs were scored for erosion and joint space narrowing (JSN) according to the gout‐modified Sharp/van der Heijde method. Scorers were blinded to each other's scores and to the clinical characteristics of the patients (including the clinical response to pegloticase). A detailed qualitative site‐by‐site analysis was undertaken to define additional changes observed from baseline.ResultsAll patients experienced a profound urate‐lowering response (serum urate level <1 mg/dl) during pegloticase treatment. For the entire group, the median total radiographic scores reduced from 69.25 (range 1.5–138) at baseline to 57.25 (range 1.5–110) at 12 months (P = 0.02). Median erosion scores reduced over 1 year (P = 0.008), but JSN scores did not change (P = 0.50). Further reductions were observed in total scores and erosion scores in 5 patients with 24‐month followup films (one‐way analysis of variance P = 0.009 for total score, 0.02 for erosion, and 0.95 for JSN). Qualitative site‐by‐site analysis identified regression of soft tissue masses, increased sclerosis, and filling in of erosions in the followup films.ConclusionThis exploratory study suggests that profound urate lowering can lead to improvement in structural damage, particularly bone erosion, in patients with tophaceous gout.
Prophylaxis for Latent Tuberculosis Infection Prior to Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy in Low‐Risk Elderly Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Decision Analysis
Authors: Hazlewood Glen S. , Naimark David , Gardam Michael , Bykerk Vivian , Bombardier Claire 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveTo determine if low‐risk elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who screen positive for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection prior to anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) therapy should be given isoniazid (INH).MethodsA Markov model was developed. The base case was a patient age 65 years with RA starting anti‐TNF therapy with a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) finding of 5–9 mm, who was born in a country with low TB prevalence and had no other TB risk factors. The decision was 9 months of INH or not. The primary outcome was quality‐adjusted life expectancy. Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsNo prophylaxis was favored, with a gain of 1.1 quality‐adjusted life days, but the decision was sensitive to several variables. Prophylaxis was favored for patients ages <61 years, if the relative risk (RR) of TB reactivation with RA alone was >2.5, if the RR with anti‐TNF therapy was >5.8, or if the utility associated with INH therapy was >0.98. Prophylaxis was also preferred for patients with a TST result >10 mm and for patients from higher risk countries. If 6 months of INH or 4 months of rifampin were used, prophylaxis was preferred, providing that therapy reduced the risk of TB reactivation by >47% and >27%, respectively.ConclusionWithholding prophylaxis prior to anti‐TNF therapy may be reasonable for low‐risk elderly RA patients with a TST finding of 5–9 mm, although the decision is sensitive to patient preferences. For patients age <61 years from a higher risk country, or with a TST finding >10 mm, prophylaxis is preferred.
Covalently Tethered Polyoxometalate–Pyrene Hybrids for Noncovalent Sidewall Functionalization of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes as High‐Performance Anode Material
Authors: Ma Dui , Liang Liying , Chen Wei , Liu Haimei , Song Yu‐Fei 
Published: July 2013

AbstractA covalently tethered polyoxometalate (POM)–pyrene hybrid (Py–SiW11) is utilized for the noncovalent functionalization of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The resulting SWNTs/Py–SiW11 nanocomposite shows that both SiW11 and pyrene moieties could interact with SWNTs without causing any chemical decomposition. When used as anode material in lithium‐ion batteries, the SWNTs/Py–SiW11 nanocomposite exhibits higher discharge capacities, and better rate capacity and cycling stability than the individual components. When the current density is 0.5 mA cm−2, the nanocomposite exhibits the initial discharge capacity of 1569.8 mAh g−1, and a high discharge capacity of 580 mAh g−1 for up to 100 cycles.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polyaniline/Zinc Sulfite Composite Films and Investigation of Properties
Authors: Tuncer Ebru , Turac Ersen 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTIn the present work, we explore the opportunity to deposit zinc sulfide (ZnS)/polyaniline (PANI) composite films through an electrochemical route. The structural and the optical characterization showed the interaction between ZnS nanoparticular and PANI. The structure of the PANI–ZnS composite films was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of the resulting material. The existence of Zn and S on PANI–ZnS composite films was proved by the EDX‐mapping method. The conductivity measurements of PANI–ZnS composite films and PANI were accomplished by the four‐probe technique. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Technol 2013, 32, 21373; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21373
Structure and dielectric breakdown strength of nano calcium carbonate/polypropylene composites
Authors: Virtanen Suvi , Ranta Hannes , Ahonen Susanna , Karttunen Mikko , Pelto Jani , Kannus Kari , Pettersson Mika 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTNanodielectrics, a 21st‐century phenomena, is envisioned to be the answer for material challenges in progressive high‐voltage technology. It is well known that the proper dispersion of nanoparticles plays a key role in improving the dielectric properties of a material, but to understand where changes in the properties of a material originate, it is also essential to reveal the multiscale structure of the material. In this study, the dielectric permittivity, breakdown strength, and structure of nano calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO3)/polypropylene composites with 1.8–8.1 wt % doping were characterized systematically. The combined results from transmission electron microscopy, Raman microscopy, and optical microscopy show that the quality of nanodispersion was similar in all of the filler concentrations studied. However, all of the samples also contained smoothly distributed microparticles. The density of the microparticles increased exponentially when the concentration of nano‐CaCO3 was increased in the manufacturing process. The dielectric direct‐current breakdown of the composites had a maximum at 1.8 wt % concentration and then decreased as the filler concentration was increased. The differences could be explained by the existence of large microparticles rather than the quality of the nanoparticle dispersion; this indicated the importance of multiscale characterization. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39504.
Graphene nanoplatelet‐polyetherimide composites: Revealed morphology and relation to properties
Authors: Wu Huang , Drzal Lawrence T. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTIn this research, a novel sample preparation technique was applied to reveal the morphology exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets [GNP, ∼10 nm thick and ∼5 µm in diameter)] and Polyetherimide (PEId) nanocomposite and study the relationship between processing and properties. The morphology of nanoscale fillers used to be hard to capture through conventional sample preparation. The polish‐plasma etching approach presented in this article successfully created contrast between filler and matrix. As a result, distribution and orientation of the fillers were obtained to study the effect of injection molding, compression molding and annealing. It was found that the orientation was significantly different depending on processing routes. The information obtained from morphology study also led to the modification of Tandon–Weng model, resulting in improved prediction of elastic modulus of the composite. The SEM images also clearly revealed change of filler orientation after annealing. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4081–4089, 2013
Micropatterning of polymethacrylates by single‐ or two‐photon irradiation using π‐conjugated o‐nitrobenzyl ester phototrigger as side chains
Authors: Jin Ming , Xu Haoran , Hong Hong , Bao Chunyan , Pu Hongting , Wan Decheng , Zhu Linyong 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTA new single‐/two‐photon sensitive monomer, (E)‐5‐(4‐ethoxystyryl)−2‐nitrobenzyl methacrylate (ENbMA), was synthesized and copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) to form a series of photosensitive copolymers P(ENbMA–MMA)s that were well characterized by 1H NMR and GPC. The photochemical and photophysical properties of both photosensitive monomer and copolymers upon visible light irradiation were studied by UV–Vis, FTIR, and HPLC spectra, which confirmed that 5‐(4‐ethoxystyryl)‐2‐nitrobenzyl ester can be photolyzed effectively with generation of the corresponding 5‐(4‐ethoxystyryl)‐2‐nitrosobenzaldehyde and carboxylic acid groups. The successful photocleavage endowed the optimized copolymers with excellent micropatterning property due to the effective generation of alkaline‐soluble carboxylic acid groups. Moreover, the high two‐photon absorption cross‐sections (over 20 GM at 800 nm) and the comparable photolysis upon two‐photon NIR light irradiation of the chromophores provided the copolymers with significant application in two‐photon microfabrication. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4099–4106, 2013
Synthesis and properties of fluorine‐ and siloxane‐containing polybenzimidazoles for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Hsu Steve Lien‐Chung , Lin Yung‐Chung , Tasi Tsung‐Yu , Jheng Li‐Cheng , Shen Cheng‐Hsun 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTIn this study, new fluorine–siloxane‐containing polybenzimidazole (PBI) copolymers were synthesized by copolymerization of 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine, 2,2‐bis(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐hexafluoropropane (HFA), and 1,3 bis(carboxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane (BTMDS) with different molar ratios. PBI copolymer membranes were prepared by solution‐casting and then doped with phosphoric acid. The structures of PBI copolymers were characterized by FTIR and X‐ray diffraction. The solubility of the PBI copolymers was significantly increased by the introduction of the bulky HFA group and the flexible BTMDS group into the polymer backbone. The PBI copolymers still maintained good thermal stability and mechanical properties. Because of the introduction of the flexible and hydrophobic siloxane group in the polymer backbone, the methanol permeability was reduced and the proton conductivity under anhydrous condition at high temperatures was increased compared to the PBI without the siloxane group. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4107–4112, 2013
The response of otters to environmental changes imposed by the construction of large dams
Authors: Pedroso Nuno M. , Marques Tiago A. , Santos‐Reis Margarida 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

The number of dams is progressively increasing, but nonetheless there are few examples of long‐term studies involving otters and these structures.
This study assessed how Eurasian otter Lutra lutra responded over time to environmental changes imposed by the construction of a large reservoir, the Alqueva Dam (250 km2, SE Portugal).
Otter distribution was monitored over four phases (pre‐deforestation/flooding, deforestation, flooding, and post‐flooding) from 2000 to 2006 in both the flooded and surrounding areas. During each phase, presence was assessed at two resolutions: 25 km2 (76 survey sites in wet and dry seasons) and 1 km2 (39 survey sites, every three months). In addition, otter spraints were collected at eight survey sites in 2000 (pre‐dam) and 2006 (post‐dam) to assess and compare otter diet with prey availability.
Otters were widespread before dam construction (>82.4% positive cells), decreased during deforestation (68.5%), and particularly during the flooding phase (33.3%), recovered during the post‐flooding phase, although not at the level recorded before dam construction (61.5–83.3%). Otter diet was dominated by fish and American crayfish Procambarus clarkii during the pre‐deforestation/flooding phase (56.7% fish, 35.3% crayfish) and at the end of the post‐flooding phase (60.7% fish, 33.2% crayfish). Species richness of fish prey decreased with flooding (16 to 8), as did the ratio of native/non‐native fish species (1.7 to 0.3).
Changes in the availability of the main ecological requirements of otter were similar to the changes in the observed otter distribution in the flooded area throughout the impact phases, and decreased during deforestation and flooding with some recovery in the post‐flooding phase.
The results emphasize the importance of long‐term monitoring studies that include several post‐impact phases, to evaluate species response to impacts. This will allow better planning of mitigation and compensation measures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tibetan ice core evidence for an intensification of the East Asian jet stream since the 1870s
Authors: Moore G. W. K. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe subtropical jet stream plays a significant role in the climate system and there exists evidence that it has intensified since the 1950s. However, the lack of upper‐air observations before this time makes it difficult to place this trend in a longer term context. Here, we show that a Tibetan ice core's snow accumulation and dust concentration records are respectively correlated and anti‐correlated with wind speeds in the jet stream over Asia as represented in both the NCEP and the 20th Century Reanalyses. This behavior is consistent with an intensification of this jet stream that began in the 1870s.
Rare missense variants in DVL1, one of the human counterparts of the Drosophila dishevelled gene, do not confer increased risk for neural tube defects
Authors: Merello Elisa , Kibar Zoha , Allache Redouane , Piatelli Gianluca , Cama Armando , Capra Valeria , De Marco Patrizia 
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUNDNeural tube defects (NTDs) are severe malformations that arise when the neural tube fails to close during embryogenesis. The planar cell polarity pathway is involved in neural tube closure and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of NTDs both in animal models and human cohorts. Dishevelled (Dvl/Dsh) is a multi‐module protein and a key regulator of both the canonical Wnt and the PCP pathway. In mouse, all Dvl1−/−; Dvl2−/− double mutants display craniorachischisis, a severe form of open NTDs. Recently, we have reported a possible role for rare variants of DVL2 as risk factors for NTDs.METHODSIn view of these data, we hypothesized that DVL1 mutations might increase the risk for NTDs in some cases. Resequencing of the DVL1 gene in a cohort of 473 NTDs patients and 150 ethnically matched controls was performed. Prediction of the downstream effects of the nonsynonymous variants was done using computational methods.RESULTSWe identified six missense variants that were absent in our ethnically matched controls group, and four of them (p.Arg153Cys; p.Glu544Arg; p.Arg568Trp; p.Val644Phe) were predicted to have a functional effect on protein structure by one or more bioinformatic programs. However, there was no difference in the overall rate of deleterious variants between the patients and controls (four in patients and three in controls; p = 0.36).CONCLUSIONOur findings did not provide evidence for the implication of DVL1 in the pathogenesis of human NTDs. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 97:452–455, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sensitive determination of 2‐methoxyestradiol in pharmaceutical preparations and serum samples using flow injection chemiluminescence
Authors: Yao Hanchun , Zhang Min , Zeng Wenyuan , Zeng Xiaoying , Zhang Zhenzhong 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTA rapid and sensitive flow injection chemiluminescence (FI–CL) method is described for the determination of 2‐methoxyestradiol (2ME) based on enhancement of the CL intensity from a potassium ferricyanide–calcein system in sodium hydroxide medium. The optimum conditions for the CL emission were investigated. Under optimized conditions, a linear calibration graph was obtained over the range 1.0 × 10‐8 to 1.0 × 10‐6 mol/L (r = 0.998) 2ME with a detection limit (3σ) of 5.4 × 10‐9 mol/L. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 5.0 × 10‐7 mol/L 2ME was 1.7%. As a preliminary application, the proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of 2ME in injection solutions and serum samples. The possible CL mechanism was also proposed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of the cycle length on the production of PHA and polyglucose from glycerol by bacterial enrichments in sequencing batch reactors
Authors: Moralejo‐Gárate Helena , Palmeiro‐Sánchez Tania , Kleerebezem Robbert , Mosquera‐Corral Anuska , Campos José Luis , van Loosdrecht Mark C.M. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTPHA, a naturally occurring biopolymer produced by a wide range of microorganisms, is known for its applications as bioplastic. In recent years the use of agro‐industrial wastewater as substrate for PHA production by bacterial enrichments has attracted considerable research attention. Crude glycerol as generated during biodiesel production is a waste stream that due to its high organic matter content and low price could be an interesting substrate for PHA production. Previously we have demonstrated that when glycerol is used as substrate in a feast‐famine regime, PHA and polyglucose are simultaneously produced as storage polymers. The work described in this paper aimed at understanding the effect of the cycle length on the bacterial enrichment process with emphasis on the distribution of glycerol towards PHA and polyglucose. Two sequencing batch reactors where operated with the same hydraulic and biomass retention time. A short cycle length (6 h) favored polyglucose production over PHA, whereas at long cycle length (24 h) PHA was more favored. In both communities the same microorganism appeared dominating, suggesting a metabolic rather than a microbial competition response. Moreover, the presence of ammonium during polymer accumulation did not influence the maximum amount of PHA that was attained. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 3148–3155. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of 2‐phenylethanol via Ehrlich pathway
Authors: Kim Bosu , Cho Bo‐Ram , Hahn Ji‐Sook 
Published: July 2013

Abstract2‐Phenylethanol (2‐PE), a fragrance compound with a rose‐like odor, is widely used in perfumery and cosmetics. Here, we report the first metabolic engineering approach for 2‐PE production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 2‐PE can be produced from the catabolism of L‐phenylalanine via Ehrlich pathway, consisting of transamination to phenylpyruvate by Aro9, decarboxylation to phenylacetaldehyde by Aro10, and reduction to 2‐PE by alcohol dehydrogenases. We demonstrated that Ald3 is mainly responsible for phenylacetaldehyde oxidation, competing with 2‐PE production. ALD3 deletion strain overexpressing ARO9 and ARO10 both by episomal overexpression and by induction of the endogenous genes through overexpression of Aro80 transcription factor, produced 4.8 g/L 2‐PE in a medium containing 10 g/L L‐phenylalanine as a sole nitrogen source. Considering the cytotoxicity of 2‐PE, this production titer is almost the upper limit that can be reached in batch cultures, suggesting the great potential of this yeast strain for 2‐PE production. 2‐PE production was further increased by applying two‐phase fermentation method with polypropylene glycol 1200 as an extractant, reaching 6.1 g/L 2‐PE in organic phase with the molar yield of 82.5%, which is about ninefold increase compared with wild type. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 115–124. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.