bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Metabolic Risk Factors With Cartilage Degradation Assessed by T2 Relaxation Time at the Knee: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Jungmann P. M. , Kraus M. S. , Alizai H. , Nardo L. , Baum T. , Nevitt M. C. , McCulloch C. E. , Joseph G. B. , Lynch J. A. , Link T. M. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of metabolic risk factors with severity and 2‐year progression of early degenerative cartilage changes at the knee, measured with T2 relaxation times in middle‐aged subjects from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.MethodsCartilage segmentation and T2 map generation were performed in knee 3T magnetic resonance images from 403 subjects ages 45–60 years without radiographic osteoarthritis (OA). The influence of risk factors on baseline T2 and longitudinal progression of T2 was analyzed using linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, and other OA risk factors.ResultsFour metabolic risk factors, i.e., high abdominal circumference (P < 0.001), hypertension (P = 0.041), high fat consumption (P = 0.023), and self‐reported diabetes mellitus (P = 0.010), were individually associated with higher baseline T2. When the 4 metabolic risk factors were considered in a multivariate regression model, higher T2 remained significantly associated with abdominal circumference (P < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.026), and there was a trend for high fat consumption (P = 0.096). For the individual risk factors, only diabetes mellitus remained associated with higher baseline T2 after adjustment for body mass index (BMI). After adjustment for BMI, baseline T2 increased in a dose‐response manner with the number of metabolic risk factors present (P = 0.032 for linear trend), and subjects with ≥3 metabolic factors (versus <3) had significantly higher baseline T2 (mean difference 1.2 msec [95% confidence interval 0.3, 2.1]; P = 0.011). Metabolic risk factors were not significantly associated with increases in T2 during followup.ConclusionMetabolic risk factors are associated with higher T2, suggesting that increased cartilage degeneration may be caused by modifiable metabolic disorders.
Evaluation of Ankle Swelling Due to Lofgren's Syndrome: A Pilot Study Using B‐Mode and Power Doppler Ultrasonography
Authors: Le Bras E. , Ehrenstein B. , Fleck M. , Hartung W. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectivePatients with acute sarcoidosis frequently present with bilateral painful swelling of the ankles, establishing ankle arthritis as a hallmark of Lofgren's syndrome. Standardized high‐resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS), including power Doppler, has been utilized to further characterize the nature of ankle swelling in patients presenting with Lofgren's syndrome.MethodsThe ankle joints of 36 consecutive patients with Lofgren's syndrome were investigated by high‐resolution MSUS using B‐mode and power Doppler mode. The presence of effusion/synovitis and tenosynovitis was determined, and hyperperfusion was scored in a semiquantitative fashion (grade 0–3).ResultsThe majority of patients (26 [72.2%] of 36) did not present characteristic arthrosonographic findings of an acute arthritis (distension of the capsule and hyperperfusion). Ankle joint effusion was only observed in 9 (25%) of the 36 patients, with a generally mild character (grade I ankle joint effusion: n = 8 [88.8%], grade II ankle joint effusion: n = 1 [11.2%]). In contrast, an extensive subcutaneous edema indicating periarthritis was detected in 23 (92%) of 25 patients. In addition, tenosynovitis could be visualized in 14 patients (38.8%) using MSUS.ConclusionUtilizing MSUS, including power Doppler, the present results clearly demonstrate that ankle swelling in patients with Lofgren's syndrome is predominantly due to periarticular soft tissue swelling and tenosynovitis. In contrast, distinct articular synovitis is rare and if present, only to a mild degree, without relevant power Doppler activity.
Feasibility, Reliability, and Sensitivity to Change of Four Radiographic Scoring Methods in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Tillett W. , Jadon D. , Shaddick G. , Robinson G. , Sengupta R. , Korendowych E. , de Vries C. S. , McHugh N. J. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveWe set out to assess the feasibility, reliability, and sensitivity to change of 4 radiographic scoring methods in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsHand and feet radiographs from 50 patients with PsA were scored at 2 time points by 2 assessors with each of the following methods: modified Steinbrocker score, modified Sharp score (MSS), modified Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS), and the Ratingen score for PsA. The radiographs of 10 patients were scored by both assessors to assess reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Sensitivity to change was estimated using a standardized response mean (SRM) and smallest detectable change (SDC).ResultsThe patients' mean ± SD age at baseline was 50 ± 12.1 years, the mean ± SD disease duration was 10 ± 8.4 years, and the mean ± SD followup period was 25 ± 9.6 months. Intrarater reliability was excellent for all methods (ICC >0.97). Interrater reliability was highest for the SHS (ICC 0.95–0.99). The percentage SDC for the Steinbrocker method, the Ratingen method, the MSS, and the SHS was 2.9%, 2.1%, 1.4%, and 1.2%, respectively, and the SRMs were 0.46, 0.44, 0.77, and 0.79, respectively. The mean time to score each of the Steinbrocker method, the Ratingen method, the MSS, and the SHS was 6.2, 10.5, 14.6, and 14.4 minutes, respectively.ConclusionThe SHS method was the most reliable and sensitive to change but took longer to perform. The Steinbrocker method is the most feasible but lacks the sensitivity of the SHS. The SDC of the Ratingen method is close to that of the SHS and MSS, but is quicker to perform.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Objective Structured Clinical Examination: An Assessment of the Test
Authors: Kissin Eugene Y. , Grayson Peter C. , Cannella Amy C. , DeMarco Paul J. , Evangelisto Amy , Goyal Janak , al Haj Rany , Higgs Jay , Malone Daniel G. , Nishio Midori J. , Tabechian Darren , Kaeley Gurjit S. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo determine the reliability and validity of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS).MethodsA 9‐station OSCE was administered to 35 rheumatology fellows trained in MSUS and to 3 expert faculty (controls). Participants were unaware of joint health (5 diseased/4 healthy). Faculty assessors (n = 9) graded image quality with predefined checklists and a 0–5 global rating, blinded to who performed the study. Interrater reliability, correlation between a written multiple choice question examination (MCQ) and OSCE performance, and comparison of fellow OSCE results with those of the faculty were measured to determine OSCE reliability, concurrent validity, and construct validity.ResultsAssessors' interrater reliability was good (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.7). Score reliability was good in the normal wrist and ankle stations (ICC 0.7) and moderate in the abnormal wrist and ankle stations (ICC 0.4). MCQ grades significantly correlated with OSCE grades (r = 0.52, P < 0.01). The fellows in the bottom quartile of the MCQ scored 3.07 on the OSCE, significantly worse than the top quartile fellows (3.32) and the faculty (3.29; P < 0.01). Scores also significantly discriminated bottom quartile fellows from faculty in the normal wrist and ankle stations (3.38 versus 3.78; P < 0.01), but not in the abnormal stations (3.37 versus 3.49; P = 0.08).ConclusionMSUS OSCE is a reliable and valid method for evaluation of MSUS skill. Normal joint assessment stations are more reliable than abnormal joint assessment stations and better discriminate poorly performing fellows from faculty. Therefore, MSUS OSCE with normal joints can be used for the assessment of MSUS skill competency.
Preparation and characterization of thermo‐sensitive poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based hydrogel as drug carrier
Authors: An Qiaozhi , Beh Catherine , Xiao Huining 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTPoly(vinyl alcohol)s (PVA) with high and low molecular weights were chemically modified by introducing acetaldehyde onto the polymer backbone to induce thermal‐responsive properties. The influence of both molecular weight (
) and acetalization degree on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of thermo‐sensitive polymer was investigated. Moreover, a temperature responsive hydrogel was prepared by controlled cross‐linking of acetalized poly(vinyl alcohol) (APVA) and glutaraldehyde. As a model drug, ciprofloxacin was introduced into the prepared thermal sensitive hydrogel to reveal the drug loading and release behaviors. The structure, thermo‐sensitivity, swelling/deswelling kinetics, morphology, and drug loading/release behaviors were also investigated. The results indicated that the APVA polymer solution exhibited temperature responsivity, and APVA with high acetalization degree showed low LCST, whereas those with high
PVAs showed high LCST. Meanwhile, morphology study was identical with the swelling/de‐swelling behavior. The loading and release of ciprofloxacin were controllable. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39720.
Electrical properties and the role of inhomogeneities at the polyvinyl alcohol/n‐inp schottky barrier interface
Authors: Reddy M. Siva Pratap , Kang Hee‐Sung , Lee Jung‐Hee , Reddy V. Rajagopal , Jang Ja‐Soon 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIn this work, we have investigated the electrical properties of Au/n‐InP contacts with a thin layer of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as an interlayer. The current–voltage (I–V) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements are carried out in the temperature range of 175–425 K. The Au/PVA/n‐InP Schottky structure show nonideal behaviors and indicates the presence of a nonuniform distribution of interface states. The temperature dependent interface states densities (NSS), ideality factor
and barrier height
are obtained. An abnormal decrease in zero‐bias barrier height (BH) and increase in the ideality factor (
) with decreasing temperature have been explained on the basis of the thermionic emission theory with Gaussian distribution (GD) of the BHs due to the BH inhomogeneities. The experimental I–V characteristics of Au/PVA/n‐InP Schottky diode has revealed the existence of a double GD with mean BH values of (
) of 1.246 and 0.899 eV and standard deviation (
) of 0.176 and 0.137 V, respectively. Consequently, the modified conventional activation energy
versus
plot gives
and Richardson constants (
) and the values are 1.17 and 0.71 eV and 9.9 and 6.9 A/cm2 K2, respectively, without using the temperature coefficient of the BH. The effective Richardson constant value of 9.9 A/cm2 K2 is very close to the theoretical value of 9.4 A/cm2 K2 for n‐InP. The discrepancy between Schottky barrier heights estimated from I–V and C–V measurements is also discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39773.
Fabrication of carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole/carbon nanotubes/melamine foam for supercapacitor
Authors: Liu Feifei , Han Gaoyi , Chang Yunzhen , Fu Dongying , Li Yanping , Li Miaoyu 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThe carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been loaded on the melamine foam (MF) to form the composite (CNTs/MF) by dip‐dry process, then polypyrrole (PPy) is coated on CNTs/MF (PPy/CNTs/MF) through chemical oxidation polymerization by using FeCl3·6H2O adsorbed on CNTs/MF as oxidant to polymerize the pyrrole vapor. Finally, CNTs are coated on the surface of PPy/CNTs/MF to increase the conductivity of the composite (CNTs/PPy/CNTs/MF) by dip‐dry process again. The composites have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical method. The results show that the structure of the composites has obvious influence on their capacitive properties. According to the galvanostatic charge/discharge test, the specific capacitance of CNTs/PPy/CNTs/MF is about 184 F g−1 based on the total mass of the composite and 262 F g−1 based on the mass of PPy (70.2 wt % in the composite) at the current density of 0.4 A g−1, which is higher than that of PPy/CNTs/MF (120 F g−1 based on the total mass of the composite and 167 F g−1 based on the mass of the PPy). Furthermore, the capacitor assembled by CNTs/PPy/CNTs/MF shows excellent cyclic stability. The capacitance of the cell assembled by CNTs/PPy/CNTs/MF retains 96.3% over 450 scan cycles at scan rate of 20 mV s−1, which is larger than that assembled by CNTs/PPy/MF (72.5%). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39779.
Bio‐sorbents from cassava waste biomass and its performance in removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solution
Authors: Shi Jinheng , Luo Hongsheng , Xiao Dingshu , Hu Jiwen , Zhang Ganwei , Li Yinhui , Lin Baofeng , Liang Xingquan , Tu Yuanyuan 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTCassava xanthogenate and their derivatives, as adsorbents to remove Pb2+ from aqueous solution, are studied based upon orthogonal factorial design. The structural and thermal properties, adsorption performance as well as equilibrium‐kinetics are comprehensively investigated with multiple tools, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV–visible spectrum technique. The influence of multiple parameters, including initial Pb2+ concentrations, compositions, pH values, and temperatures, on the adsorption performance is emphasized. The crosslinked cassava xanthogenate serves as an effective bio‐sorbent to remove Pb ions from aqueous solution, allowing regeneration in dilute acid solution. The findings in this study are beneficial for the development of adsorbents from cassava waste biomass and may contribute to environment recovery in “nature‐to‐nature” manner. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39780.
The Percentage of FoxP3+Helios+ Treg Cells Correlates Positively With Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Golding Amit , Hasni Sarfaraz , Illei Gabor , Shevach Ethan M. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo assess the use of Helios in combination with FoxP3 as a superior method for identifying non–cytokine‐producing human Treg cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to determine if FoxP3+Helios+ Treg cells are maintained at normal levels in patients with clinically active disease.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were purified from the blood of healthy volunteer donors and from 52 consecutive patients with SLE of varying clinical activity (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index scores of 0, 2–4, and ≥5). PBMCs (either fresh or after 4 hours of stimulation for cytokine production) were then analyzed by flow cytometry for the expression of cell surface markers (CD4, CD25, CD127, and CD45RA) and transcription factors (FoxP3 and Helios), as well as for the production of cytokines (interleukin‐2 and interferon‐γ).ResultsFoxP3+Helios+ Treg cells were found to be non–cytokine producing in both SLE patients and healthy controls. Patients with clinically active SLE had higher percentages of FoxP3+Helios+ Treg cells than did patients with inactive SLE or healthy controls. When corrected for the total CD4 cell count, the absolute numbers of FoxP3+Helios+ Treg cells in patients with moderately‐to‐highly active SLE were normal.ConclusionPrevious reports of a deficiency in Treg cell number or function in SLE are limited by their use of CD25, either alone or in combination with other markers, to identify human Treg cells. Helios in combination with FoxP3 is a superior method for detecting all non–cytokine‐producing Treg cells, irrespective of CD25 or CD45RA expression. Using this method, we showed that FoxP3+Helios+ Treg cell numbers are not reduced in patients with clinically active SLE.
Electrochemical Characteristics of Discrete, Uniform, and Monodispersed Hollow Mesoporous Carbon Spheres in Double‐Layered Supercapacitors
Authors: Chen Xuecheng , Kierzek Krzysztof , Wenelska Karolina , Cendrowski Krzystof , Gong Jiang , Wen Xin , Tang Tao , Chu Paul K. , Mijowska Ewa 
Published: August 2013

AbstractCore–shell‐structured mesoporous silica spheres were prepared by using n‐octadecyltrimethoxysilane (C18TMS) as the surfactant. Hollow mesoporous carbon spheres with controllable diameters were fabricated from core–shell‐structured mesoporous silica sphere templates by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). By controlling the thickness of the silica shell, hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) with different diameters can be obtained. The use of ethylene as the carbon precursor in the CVD process produces the materials in a single step without the need to remove the surfactant. The mechanism of formation and the role played by the surfactant, C18TMS, are investigated. The materials have large potential in double‐layer supercapacitors, and their electrochemical properties were determined. HCSs with thicker mesoporous shells possess a larger surface area, which in turn increases their electrochemical capacitance. The samples prepared at a lower temperature also exhibit increased capacitance as a result of the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) area and larger pore size.
Clinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability of darexaban, an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor, in healthy Caucasian and Japanese subjects
Authors: Kadokura Takeshi , Kashiwa Makoto , Groenendaal Dorien , Heeringa Marten , Mol Roelof , Verheggen Frank , Garcia‐Hernandez Alberto , Onkels Hartmut 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTBackground. Darexaban (YM150) is a potent direct factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor developed for the prophylaxis of venous and arterial thromboembolic disease. This drug is rapidly and extensively metabolized to darexaban glucuronide (YM‐222714), which is a pharmacologically active metabolite. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), safety and tolerability of ascending multiple oral doses of darexaban in healthy non‐elderly Caucasian and Japanese subjects. Methods. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, single and multiple dose‐escalating study of healthy Caucasian and Japanese male and female subjects was performed. The tested doses were 20, 60, 120 and 240 mg of darexaban. Results. Plasma concentrations of darexaban glucuronide increased with dose, and Cmax and AUC increased dose‐dependently after both single and repeated doses in both Caucasians and Japanese. Cmax was about 17%–19% lower in Caucasians than in Japanese, although AUC appeared to be similar. The time‐profiles of prothrombin time reported as the international normalized ratio (PT‐INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and FXa activity closely followed the time–concentration profile of darexaban glucuronide, and no clear differences were observed in ethnicity. Overall, 38 of the 82 enrolled subjects reported a total of 57 treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Fifty‐five TEAEs were of mild intensity and two were of moderate intensity. Conclusion. It is concluded that single and multiple doses of darexaban are safe and well tolerated up to 240 mg with predictable PK and PD profiles in both Caucasians and Japanese, and that ethnicity does not affect its PK, PD or tolerability. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extension and application of the “enzyme test bench” for oxygen consuming enzyme reactions
Authors: Rachinskiy Kirill , Kunze Martin , Graf Careen , Schultze Hergen , Boy Matthias , Büchs Jochen 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTWithin industrial process development, powerful screening techniques are required to select the optimal biocatalyst regarding such process characteristics as cost effectiveness, turnover number or space time yield. Conventional measurement of the initial enzyme activity, which is the established high throughput screening technique, disregards the long‐term stability of an enzyme. A new model based technique called “enzyme test bench” was recently presented before by our group which addresses this issue. It combines the high throughput screening approach with an extensive enzyme characterization, focusing especially on the long‐term stability. The technique is based on modeling enzyme activation and deactivation as temperature dependent reactions in accordance with the Arrhenius law. Controlling these reactions by tailor made temperature profiles, the slow long‐term deactivation effects are accelerated and characterizing models are parameterized. Thus, the process properties of an enzyme can be predicted and included into the screening procedure. Moreover, the optimum process temperature as function of the envisaged operation time can be found by these means. In this work, the technique is extended to the important class of oxygen consuming reactions. For this aim, a suitable assay and a defined oxygen supply were established. This extended technique was applied to characterize and to optimize a complex, multi‐stage laccase‐mediator system (LMS). For the variation and optimization of the enzyme to mediator to substrate ratio, experiments in microtiter plates were performed. Predictions from this high throughput characterization were compared to long‐term experiments in a RAMOS device (Respiration Activity Monitoring System), a technique for on‐line monitoring of the oxygen transfer rate in shake flasks. Within the limits of the model validity, the enzyme test bench predictions are in good agreement with the long‐term experiments. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 244–253. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phosphite‐driven Self‐sufficient Cytochrome P450
Authors: Watanabe Hiroshi , Hirakawa Hidehiko , Nagamune Teruyuki 
Published: August 2013

AbstractCytochrome P450s (P450s) are attractive for biotechnology applications because P450s can catalyze regio‐ and stereo‐selective oxidations of non‐activated hydrocarbons. Many bacterial P450s require electron transfer from ferredoxins, which are in turn reduced by specific ferredoxin reductases and NAD(P)H. Stoichiometric consumption of NADH, an expensive reagent, is a major challenge for practical applications. A phosphite dehydrogenase (PTDH) that catalyzes the oxidation of phosphite to phosphate using NAD+, is an attractive choice of enzyme for NADH regeneration. In this study, we incorporated PTDH into an artificial heterotrimeric complex of Pseudomonas putida P450, putidaredoxin and putidaredoxin reductase, and the resulting complex almost completely hydroxylated 1 mm d‐camphor using 10 mM phosphite in the presence of 20 μM NAD+. This phosphite‐driven self‐sufficient P450 complex could provide a useful prototype for industry‐scale oxidizing biocatalysts.
Fabrication and Evaluation of Non‐porous Graphene by a Unique Spray Pyrolysis Method
Authors: Jabari‐Seresht R. , Jahanshahi M. , Rashidi A. , Ghoreyshi A. A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractGraphenes were synthesized simply by spray pyrolysis at different temperatures and subsequently characterized. The graphene oxide‐based precursor served as source of carbon, while nitrogen was selected as carrier gas. Fabrication at a temperature of 800 °C led to the product with highest quality. This graphene had a high specific surface area and presented a nanoporous structure. Characteristics of the obtained graphenes such as crystallinity and crystal size varied under different temperatures. These findings were confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) studies.