bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Thrombelastography (TEG) in Risk Assessment and Guidance of Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Bitar Abbas , Kreutz Rolf P. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

Clinical Development Phases I‐III Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing

Thrombelastography (TEG) is a viscoelastic assay method used to assess whole blood and plasma coagulation kinetics. Specialized platelet mapping assays have been developed for the TEG platform to quantify the extent of platelet inhibition derived from P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and aspirin. In this review, we describe the current evidence and summarize the data supporting the use of TEG in patients with cardiovascular disease. High thrombin‐ or adenosine diphosphate (ADP)‐induced whole blood maximal clot strength (MA) has been associated with increased risk of ischemic events after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We discuss the data linking an increased clot strength phenotype with changes in metabolic and inflammatory markers. In addition, the data supporting the role of TEG in identifying subjects at risk for hemorrhagic complications while treated with dual antiplatelet therapy or while undergoing cardiac surgery is reviewed. In summary, TEG may provide additional information combining coagulation and platelet measurements within one assay, as compared with traditional coagulation or platelet assays. Further research is warranted to establish the role of TEG in personalized medicine treatment protocols.
Analytical Detection Capabilities of Immunoassay‐Based Antiphospholipid Antibody Tests: Do They Matter?
Authors: Lakos Gabriella 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Clinical Development Phases I‐III Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing

Antiphospholipid syndrome is one of the most frequent autoimmune diseases, with approximately 1% prevalence in the general population. The syndrome is under‐recognized and underdiagnosed, and can have devastating consequences if untreated, mainly because of recurrent thrombosis. Both diagnosis and management remains challenging, but important progress has been made in the last couple of years in the detection and measurement of antiphospholipid antibodies, the hallmarks of antiphospholipid syndrome, and also in the management and treatment of the disorder. The concepts of antiphospholipid antibody profiling and risk stratification of patients have been emerging at the same time when new therapeutic approaches have become available, and new technologies are being developed or adapted to antiphospholipid antibody measurements. These methodological improvements not only support but also drive the progress that has been improving the outcome for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.
Titanium Isopropoxide Promoted Tandem Self‐Cross and Ring‐Closing Metathesis Approach for the Synthesis of Macrotetralides
Authors: Muthusamy Sengodagounder , Azhagan Datshanamoorthy 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA new approach is demonstrated for the synthesis of macrotetralides through an olefin metathesis reaction using Grubbs' second‐generation catalyst with titanium isopropoxide as a cocatalyst. This study demonstrates a tandem self‐cross and ring‐closing metathesis approach to form macrocyclic ring systems with excellent (E) selectivity. The reaction was optimized with regard to functional group, catalyst, solvent, Lewis acid, concentration, and temperature.
Study of Cobalt(III) Corrole as the Neutral Ionophore for Nitrite and Nitrate Detection via Polymeric Membrane Electrodes
Authors: Yang Si , Meyerhoff Mark E. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractCobalt(III) 5,10,15‐tris(4‐tert‐butylphenyl) corrole was synthesized and incorporated into plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes and studied as a neutral carrier ionophore via potentiometry. This cobalt(III) complex has binding affinity to nitrite, and the resulting membrane electrode yields reversible and Nernstian response toward nitrite. Enhanced nitrite selectivity is observed over other anions, including lipophilic anions such as thiocyanate and perchlorate when an appropriate amount of lipophilic cationic sites are added to the membrane phase. Detection limit to nitrite is ca. 5 µM. Using tributylphosphate as the plasticizer with the cobalt(III) corrole species yields electrodes with enhanced nitrate selectivity.
Hepatic and nephric mercury and selenium concentrations in common mergansers, mergus merganser, from baltic region, Europe
Authors: Kalisinska Elzbieta , Gorecki Jerzy , Okonska Anna , Pilarczyk Bogumila , Tomza-Marciniak Agnieszka , Budis Halina , Lanocha Natalia , Kosik-Bogacka Danuta I. , Kavetska Katarzyna M. , Macherzynski Mariusz , Golas Janusz 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

The subject of the present study was the piscivorous common mergansers (Mergus merganser). The total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), selenium (Se) inorganic mercury (InHg; THg – MeHg), percentage of THg that is MeHg (%MeHg), molar ratios (THg:Se, MeHg:Se, InHg:Se), and their mutual relations in livers and kidneys were determined in ducks from an Se-deficient area in Poland. The authors verified a hypothesis that, as a result of living in an Se-deficient region, mergansers from Poland should have higher THg:Se ratios than other waterbirds with similar THg tissue levels. Although a comparison of healthy mergansers from Poland and Canada showed similar THg tissue contents, the group in the present study had a few times lower Se levels and higher THg:Se ratios (overall means &gt;1.7 in both livers and kidneys in all studied individuals) than the Canadian group and other European and North American waterbirds. The authors found significant correlations between various relations, including MeHg–THg, InHg–THg, Se–THg, %MeHg–THg, InHg/%THg–THg, %MeHg/THg–InHg, %InHg/THg–InHg, MeHg:Se–THg:Se, InHg:Se–THg:Se, InHg:Se–MeHg:Se in liver and InHg–THg, Se–THg, Se–InHg, %MeHg–THg, %MeHg–InHg, %InHg/THg–InHg, THg:Se–THg, InHg:Se–THg, MeHg:Se–MeHg, THg:Se–InHg, InHg:Se–InHg, and InHg:Se–THg:Se in kidney. It is likely that the main factor responsible for the high value of THG:Se ratio (&gt;1) in mergansers from Poland is Se deficiency in central and northern Europe. Therefore, this element is unlikely to participate in the detoxification of Hg in these birds. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:421–430. © 2013 SETAC
A scheme for connecting vehicular networks to the Internet
Authors: Xiaonan Wang , Haili Huang , Hongbin Cheng , Rong Zhou 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis paper proposes a scheme for connecting vehicular networks to the Internet protocol version 6‐based Internet. In this scheme, the architecture based on road domains is proposed in order to reduce the mobility handover frequency. Based on this architecture, the distributed address configuration algorithm for vehicular networks is proposed. In this algorithm, a vehicle obtains a unique address from the nearest access point (AP) without duplicate address detection. Based on this architecture, the routing algorithm based on the geographical position is proposed. The routing algorithm is performed in the link layer, and a vehicle achieves the communication with the Internet via the nearest AP. As a result, the communication delay is shortened. In this scheme, a vehicle is always identified by its home address, and during the mobility process, it does not need to be configured with a care‐of address. Therefore, the packet loss caused by the address change is avoided. Moreover, during the mobility handover process, a vehicle can receive the data from the same AP, so the packet loss rate is substantially reduced. This paper evaluates the performance of the proposed scheme, and the data results show that this scheme shortens the communication delay and lowers the packet loss. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Visual Study of Bubble Formation in Microfluidic Fuel Cells
Authors: Shyu J.‐C. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractTwo microfluidic fuel cells having microchannel widths of 1.0 mm (cell #1) and 0.5 mm (cell #2) with electrode spacing of 0.4 mm were tested at volumetric flow rates ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 ml min–1. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide was tested at 0.1, 0.3, and 0.6 M. An additional microfluidic fuel cell (cell #3) having microchannel width of 0.5 mm and electrode spacing of 0.2 mm was also tested. Bubble formation under various tested conditions in different microchannels are presented. The open circuit voltage of the cells increased as reactant volumetric flow rate increased. Effect of electrode spacing on cell performance depends on the reactant concentration and volumetric flow rate. Also reported was the area‐specific internal resistance of the present cells and their fuel utilization corresponding to peak power density at a given flow rate with [H2O2] = 0.1 M. For cell #1, cell #2, and cell #3, respectively, the maximum power densities were 9, 40, and 16 mW cm–2 at 1.0 ml min–1 and 0.6 M, while the maximum power densities were 5, 11, and 15 mW cm–2 at 1.0 ml min–1 and 0.1 M.
Fuel Cell Membranes Based on Grafted and Post‐Sulfonated Glycidyl Methacrylate (GMA)
Authors: Buchmüller Y. , Wokaun A. , Gubler L. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractGlycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was pre‐irradiation grafted into ETFE base film of 25 μm thickness up to graft levels of 300%. The grafted films were sulfonated using a mixture of sulfite and bisulfite. FTIR and SEM–EDX analysis of the synthesized films and membranes was performed to confirm the grafting and the sulfonation. A pronounced front mechanism for grafting of GMA into ETFE was found. Regarding ex situ fuel cell relevant properties, conductivities of up to 0.25 S cm–1 were attained. For the first time, fuel cell testing of this type of membrane is reported. These grafted membranes performed comparable to a commercial benchmark membrane (Nafion® 212) and better than a styrene‐based grafted membrane with similar conductivity. Post‐test FTIR analysis showed that a fraction of the grafted chains was lost during the test under constant current conditions, yet the membrane still exhibited superior durability compared to a styrene‐based grafted membrane. Hydrolysis of the methacrylate groups was shown not to be the principle cause of the loss of sulfonic acid groups.
Maximum mouth opening and trismus in 143 patients treated for oral cancer: A 1‐year prospective study
Authors: Wetzels Jan‐Willem G. H. , Merkx Matthias A. W. , de Haan Anton F. J. , Koole Ron , Speksnijder Caroline M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundPatients with oral cancer can develop restricted mouth opening (trismus) because of the oncologic treatment.MethodsMaximum mouth opening (MMO) was measured in 143 patients shortly before treatment and 0, 6, and 12 months posttreatment, and the results were analyzed using a linear mixed‐effects model.ResultsIn every patient, MMO decreased after treatment. The patients who underwent surgery, recovered partially by 6 and 12 months after treatment, whereas the patients who received both surgery and radiotherapy or primary radiotherapy did not recover. Tumor location, tumor size, and alcohol consumption had independent effects on MMO. Having trismus (MMO <35 mm) 1 year after treatment was associated most strongly with pretreatment MMO, receiving both surgery and radiotherapy, and maxillary or mandibular tumor involvement.ConclusionPostoperative radiotherapy and maxillary or mandibular tumor involvement are the highest contributing risk factors to decreasing MMO and the subsequent development of trismus after oral cancer treatment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1754–1762, 2014
Feeding tube use in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Lewis Sherri L. , Brody Rebecca , Touger–Decker Riva , Parrott James S. , Epstein Joel 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundUse of a prophylactic feeding tube before concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CRT) for patients with head and neck cancer is often debated.MethodsA retrospective, exploratory study of 109 veterans with stage III/IV head and neck cancer who completed standard CRT was conducted. Relationships among 3 feeding tube status groups: prophylactic feeding tube (PFT), reactive feeding tube (RFT), and no feeding tube (no‐FT) were compared for clinical outcomes.ResultsPatients with a PFT had significantly less weight loss during CRT, fewer nutrition‐related emergency department visits or hospitalizations, and higher proportions of chemotherapy cycles completed compared to those with an RFT or no‐FT. At 12 months post‐CRT, there was no relationship between the use of a PFT and 100% feeding tube dependency.ConclusionUse of a PFT in this veteran population with stage III/IV head and neck cancer produced better outcomes when compared to both an RFT or no feeding tube without higher rates of long‐term dysphagia. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1789–1795, 2014
The theta‐related firing activity of parvalbumin‐positive neurons in the medial septum‐diagonal band of broca complex and their response to 5‐HT1A Receptor stimulation in a rat model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Li Li‐Bo , Han Ling‐Na , Zhang Qiao‐Jun , Sun Yi‐Na , Wang Yong , Feng Jie , Zhang Li , Wang Tao , Chen Li , Liu Jian 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThe parvalbumin (PV)‐positive neurons in the medial septum‐diagonal band of Broca complex (MS‐DB) play an important role in the generation of hippocampal theta rhythm involved in cognitive functions. These neurons in this region express a high density of 5‐HT1A receptors which regulate the neuronal activity and consequently affect the theta rhythm. In this study, we examined changes in the theta‐related firing activity of PV‐positive neurons in the MS‐DB, their response to 5‐HT1A receptor stimulation and the corresponding hippocampal theta rhythm, and the density of PV‐positive neurons and their co‐localization with 5‐HT1A receptors in rats with 6‐hydroxydopamine lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The lesion of the SNc decreased the rhythmically bursting activity of PV‐positive neurons and the peak frequency of hippocampal theta rhythm. Systemic administration of 5‐HT1A receptor agonist 8‐OH‐DPAT (0.5–128 µg/kg, i.v.) inhibited the firing rate of PV‐positive neurons and disrupted rhythmically bursting activity of the neurons and the theta rhythm in sham‐operated and the lesioned rats, respectively. The cumulative doses producing inhibition and disruption in the lesioned rats were higher than that of sham‐operated rats. Furthermore, local application of 8‐OH‐DPAT (0.005 μg) in the MS‐DB also inhibited the firing rate of PV‐positive neurons and disrupted their rhythmically bursting activity in sham‐operated rats, while having no effect on PV‐positive neurons in the lesioned rats. The lesion of the SNc decreased the density of PV‐positive neurons in the MS‐DB, and percentage of PV‐positive neurons expressing 5‐HT1A receptors. These results indicate that the lesion of the SNc leads to suppression of PV‐positive neurons in the MS‐DB and hippocampal theta rhythm. Furthermore, the lesion decreases the response of these neurons to 5‐HT1A receptor stimulation, which attributes to dysfunction and/or down‐regulation of 5‐HT1A receptor expression on these neurons. These changes may be involved in cognitive impairments of Parkinson's disease. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Endogenous cathelicidin production limits inflammation and protective immunity to Mycobacterium avium in mice
Authors: Santos José Carlos , Silva‐Gomes Sandro , Silva João Pedro , Gama Miguel , Rosa Gustavo , Gallo Richard L. , Appelberg Rui 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe production of antimicrobial peptides, such as the cathelicidins, plays a prominent role in the innate immune response against microbial pathogens. Cathelicidins are widely distributed amongst living organisms, and the antimicrobial peptides generated by proteolysis of the precursor forms are typically cationic and α‐helical, a structure that facilitates their interaction and insertion into anionic bacterial cell walls and membranes, causing damage and promoting microbial death. Here, we found that mouse cathelicidin (Camp) expression was induced in bone marrow‐derived macrophages by infection with Mycobacterium avium in a TLR2‐ and TNF‐dependent manner. However, the endogenous production of the cathelin‐related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) was not required for the bacteriostasis of M. avium either in primary cultures of macrophages or in vivo, as shown by the use of CRAMP‐null mice. In contrast, the lack of Camp led to a transient improvement of M. avium growth control in the spleens of infected mice while at the same time causing an exacerbation of the inflammatory response to infection. Our data highlight the anti‐inflammatory effects of CRAMP and suggests that virulent mycobacteria may possess strategies to escape its antimicrobial activity.
Computer‐aided Discovery of Potential Inhibitors for Transthyretin‐related Amyloidosis
Authors: Zhou Zheng‐Li , Liu Hsuan‐Liang , Wu Josephine W. , Tsao Cheng‐Wen , Chen Wei‐Hsi , Liu Kung‐Tien , Ho Yih 
Published: October 2013

AbstractTransthyretin (TTR) is a homotetrameric plasma protein associated with human amyloid diseases. Although Tafamidis has been recently approved for the treatment of TTR familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), there is still a need for more effective drugs in the treatment of TTR amyloidosis diseases. In this study, a computer‐aided approach combining molecular docking, virtual screening and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations was employed to identify potent TTR amyloidosis inhibitors from National Cancer Institute (NCI), Maybridge and Asdi databases. A receptor‐specific scoring function was also developed using comparative binding energy (COMBINE) method to accurately predict the inhibitory activities for the selected compounds during virtual screening. The developed receptor‐specific scoring function demonstrated good predictive ability by yielding strong correlation coefficients between experimental activities and estimated activities for 32 training set and 9 test set compounds, respectively. Moreover, it was successfully applied to rank the candidate compounds from structure‐based virtual screening. Finally, three compounds (NSC220163, MFCD00276817 and SPB06319) were identified as potential leads, which exhibited higher predicted inhibitory activities and higher binding affinities in comparison to the Tafamidis. Our results further suggest that halogen bonding interaction plays a crucial role in stabilizing the TTR‐inhibitor complex. These results indicate that our computational approach could effectively discover more potent TTR amyloidosis inhibitors, which can be further validate by in vitro and in vivo biological tests.
Toxic Interaction between Dibutyl Phthalate and Human Serum Albumin: Spectroscopic and Molecular Modeling Investigations
Authors: Yuan Dong , Shen Zhong‐lan , Liu Ru‐tao , Wei Pei‐hai , Gao Can‐zhu 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBecause of the widely usage of Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), its residue exist extensively in the environment and can enter human body, being potential harmful. Human serum albumin (HSA) is a major transporter for endogenous and exogenous compounds in vivo. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction of HSA with DBP through spectroscopic and molecular modeling methods. The experiments revealed that DBP binds to site I (subdomain IIA) of HSA mainly through hydrophobic interactions, illustrated by the calculated ΔH and ΔS. Furthermore, molecular docking was applied to define the specific binding sites, the results of which show that DBP mainly interacts with the positively charged amino acid residues LEU 219, PHE 223, LEU 234, LEU 238, ALA 258, LEU 260, and ILE 290 predominately through hydrophobic interactions, in accordance with the conclusion of thermodynamic analysis. The binding of DBP can cause conformational and some microenvironmental changes of HSA, revealed by UV‐vis absorption, synchronous fluorescence, and circular dichroism results. The accurate and full basic data in the work is beneficial to clarifying the binding mechanism of DBP with HSA in vivo and understanding its effect on protein function during the blood transportation process.
Measurement accuracy of different active tracking sequences for interventional MRI
Authors: Wech Tobias , Shea Steven M. , Barbot Julien , Vij Kamal , Pan Li , Lorenz Christine H. , Patil Sunil 
Published: October 2013

PurposeTo compare the spatial accuracy of three typical active tracking sequences using a new, unique phantom design.Materials and MethodsThree different tracking sequences (Single Echo, Dual Echo and Hadamard Multiplexed) were compared with each other in a phantom study with respect to their positional accuracy. A custom‐built phantom was constructed to conduct the experiments with precise framework conditions which facilitated sufficient measurement accuracy. An electrophysiology catheter incorporating four micro‐coils was used as an interventional device. Tracking profiles were acquired in all three spatial dimensions and validated against the distances that were measured by a Vernier caliper in combination with a three‐dimensional reference scan.ResultsThe Bland‐Altman plots demonstrated that all three sequences show < 1.5 mm positional error. The measurement accuracy of Single Echo and Double Echo are prone to off‐resonances, whereas Hadamard Encoding is immune to it.ConclusionThe developed phantom enabled the performance of objective measurements of the accuracy of different active tracking sequences. The proposed setup allows for objectively contrasting different methods for interventional procedures. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:490–495. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical utility of endorectal MRI‐guided prostate biopsy: Preliminary experience
Authors: Jung Adam J. , Westphalen Antonio C. , Kurhanewicz John , Wang Zhen J. , Carroll Peter R. , Simko Jeffry P. , Coakley Fergus V. 
Published: October 2013

PurposeTo investigate the potential clinical utility of endorectal MRI‐guided biopsy in patients with known or suspected prostate cancer.Materials and MethodsWe prospectively recruited 24 men with known or suspected prostate cancer in whom MRI‐guided biopsy was clinically requested after multiparametric endorectal MRI showed one or more appropriate targets. One to six 18‐gauge biopsy cores were obtained from each patient. Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy results and post MRI‐guided biopsy complications were also recorded.ResultsMRI‐guided biopsy was positive in 5 of 7 patients with suspected prostate cancer (including 2 of 4 with prior negative ultrasound‐guided biopsies), in 8 of 12 with known untreated prostate cancer (including 5 where MRI‐guided biopsy demonstrated a higher Gleason score than ultrasound guided biopsy results), and in 3 of 5 with treated cancer. MRI‐guided biopsies had a significantly higher maximum percentage of cancer in positive cores when compared with ultrasound guided biopsy (mean of 37 ± 8% versus 13 ± 4%; P = 0.01). No serious postbiopsy complications occurred.ConclusionOur preliminary experience suggests endorectal MRI‐guided biopsy may safely contribute to the management of patients with known or suspected prostate cancer by making a new diagnosis of malignancy, upgrading previously diagnosed disease, or diagnosing local recurrence. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:314–323. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.