bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The efficacy and safety of an office‐based polypectomy with a vacuum‐powered microdebrider
Authors: Gan Eng Cern , Habib Al‐Rahim R. , Hathorn Iain , Javer Amin R. 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundThe waiting time for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in the Canadian public healthcare system can be lengthy. Many such patients have significant nasal obstruction resulting in a poor quality of life. A simple and safe office‐based polypectomy device to debulk nasal polyps allows immediate alleviation of nasal obstruction and better access for topical medications. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy, safety, and patient tolerability of a vacuum‐powered microdebrider in the outpatient clinic setting.MethodsThe clinical charts of patients with CRSwNP who underwent office polypectomy with a vacuum‐powered microdebrider between May 2012 and February 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. These patients were either awaiting surgery or had recurrent polyposis postsurgery that was amenable to office polypectomy. Previously completed procedural and clinical outcomes questionnaires by the patients and surgeon were analyzed.ResultsSixty‐eight patients underwent office polypectomy in this case series. Fifty‐nine procedures (87%) were successfully completed. Failed complete polyp resections were due to fibrous polyps (n = 7; 10%), device failure (n = 1; 1.5%), and obstruction from a deviated nasal septum (n = 1; 1.5%). There was a 43% improvement in nasal obstruction score and significant reduction in polyp grade postpolypectomy. Majority of patients (n = 66; 97%) reported a comfort level of “fair” to “excellent.” Bleeding was “light” in 61 cases (90%). There were no complications encountered.ConclusionThe vacuum‐powered microdebrider is a safe, effective, and well‐tolerated instrument to resect nonfibrous nasal polyps in the outpatient setting.
Persistent ischemic stroke disparities despite declining incidence in Mexican Americans
Authors: Morgenstern Lewis B. , Smith Melinda A. , Sánchez Brisa N. , Brown Devin L. , Zahuranec Darin B. , Garcia Nelda , Kerber Kevin A. , Skolarus Lesli E. , Meurer William J. , Burke James F. , Adelman Eric E. , Baek Jonggyu , Lisabeth Lynda D. 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveTo determine trends in ischemic stroke incidence among Mexican Americans and non‐Hispanic whites.MethodsWe performed population‐based stroke surveillance from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2010 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ischemic stroke patients 45 years and older were ascertained from potential sources, and charts were abstracted. Neurologists validated cases based on source documentation blinded to ethnicity and age. Crude and age‐, sex‐, and ethnicity‐adjusted annual incidence was calculated for first ever completed ischemic stroke. Poisson regression models were used to calculate adjusted ischemic stroke rates, rate ratios, and trends.ResultsThere were 2,604 ischemic strokes in Mexican Americans and 2,042 in non‐Hispanic whites. The rate ratios (Mexican American:non‐Hispanic white) were 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.67–2.25), 1.50 (95% CI = 1.35–1.67), and 1.00 (95% CI = 0.90–1.11) among those aged 45 to 59, 60 to 74, and 75 years and older, respectively, and 1.34 (95% CI = 1.23–1.46) when adjusted for age. Ischemic stroke incidence declined during the study period by 35.9% (95% CI = 25.9–44.5). The decline was limited to those aged ≥60 years, and happened in both ethnic groups similarly (p> 0.10), implying that the disparities seen in the 45‐ to 74‐year age group persist unabated.InterpretationIschemic stroke incidence rates have declined dramatically in the past decade in both ethnic groups for those aged ≥60 years. However, the disparity between Mexican American and non‐Hispanic white stroke rates persists in those <75 years of age. Although the decline in stroke is encouraging, additional prevention efforts targeting young Mexican Americans are warranted. Ann Neurol 2013;74:778–785
Iron and neurodegeneration in the multiple sclerosis brain
Authors: Hametner Simon , Wimmer Isabella , Haider Lukas , Pfeifenbring Sabine , Brück Wolfgang , Lassmann Hans 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveIron may contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) due to its accumulation in the human brain with age. Our study focused on nonheme iron distribution and the expression of the iron‐related proteins ferritin, hephaestin, and ceruloplasmin in relation to oxidative damage in the brain tissue of 33 MS and 30 control cases.MethodsWe performed (1) whole‐genome microarrays including 4 MS and 3 control cases to analyze the expression of iron‐related genes, (2) nonheme iron histochemistry, (3) immunohistochemistry for proteins of iron metabolism, and (4) quantitative analysis by digital densitometry and cell counting in regions representing different stages of lesion maturation.ResultsWe found an age‐related increase of iron in the white matter of controls as well as in patients with short disease duration. In chronic MS, however, there was a significant decrease of iron in the normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) corresponding with disease duration, when corrected for age. This decrease of iron in oligodendrocytes and myelin was associated with an upregulation of iron‐exporting ferroxidases. In active MS lesions, iron was apparently released from dying oligodendrocytes, resulting in extracellular accumulation of iron and uptake into microglia and macrophages. Iron‐containing microglia showed signs of cell degeneration. At lesion edges and within centers of lesions, iron accumulated in astrocytes and axons.InterpretationIron decreases in the NAWM of MS patients with increasing disease duration. Cellular degeneration in MS lesions leads to waves of iron liberation, which may propagate neurodegeneration together with inflammatory oxidative burst. Ann Neurol 2013;74:848–861
Einführung von Fluor und fluorhaltigen funktionellen Gruppen
Authors: Liang Theresa , Neumann Constanze N. , Ritter Tobias 
Published: July 2013

AbstractDie wichtigsten konzeptionellen Fortschritt auf dem Gebiet der Fluorierungen der letzten zehn Jahre wurden durch die Organo‐ und Übergangsmetallkatalyse ermöglicht. Die schwierigste Umwandlung ist weiterhin die Bildung der C‐F‐Stammbindung, was in erster Linie eine Folge der hohen Hydratationsenergie von Fluorid, starker Metall‐Fluor‐Bindungen und der hoch polarisierten Bindungen zu Fluor ist. Den meisten Fluorierungen fehlt es immer noch an Allgemeingültigkeit, Vorhersagbarkeit und Kosteneffizienz. Trotz der Einschränkungen sind fluorierte Verbindungen mit modernen Fluorierungsmethoden leichter zugänglich als je zuvor. Vor allem beginnen sich die modernen Methoden auf Forschungsgebiete auszuwirken, die keine großen Materialmengen benötigen, z. B. die Wirkstoffentwicklung und die Positronenemissionstomographie. Diese Entwicklungen werden in diesem Aufsatz zusammengefasst und vor dem Hintergrund konventioneller Fluorierungsmethoden diskutiert.
Two‐Step pH‐Modulated Rapid Assembly of Trace‐Element‐Doped Calcium‐Phosphate Nanocrystals into Giant Porous Beads in Gelatin Hydrosol for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Li Zhicheng , Chen Xiaoyi , Yang Yongzhu , Yang Xianyan , Zhang Lei , Yang Guojing , Tang Ruikang , Gou Zhongru 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBiomolecule–ion interactions that occur during changes in pH value are a crucial but poorly investigated area that underlies the aggregation of inorganic nanocrystals. Meanwhile, the disorderly growth of calcium phosphate (CaP) nanocrystals is an obstacle that limits its practical applications. Herein, we have demonstrated for the first time that a simple two‐step pH‐adjustment process for a gelatin hydrosol reaction medium can modulate the ordered self‐assembly of trace‐element‐doped CaP nanocrystals into porous beads. Two methods are used to adjust the initial pH value of gelatin hydrosol: One is to firstly adjust the pH value to 3.0 and then to 4.0 with acid/base solutions, whilst the other is to directly adjust the pH value to 4.0 with acid. Spherical CaP porous beads are rapidly produced through the two‐step pH‐adjustment process, whereas the one‐step pathway results in disorderly CaP aggregates. We believe that the introduction of additives for pH adjustment is the dominant factor in disturbing the electrokinetic parameters and for driving the self‐assembly of nanocrystals, whereas the nucleation of CaP nanocrystals prior to assembly is caused by the relaxation/condensation of the polypeptide network, owing to the increase in pH value on the introduction of the basic calcium salt. This method is facile and rapid and these highly bioactive porous beads are particularly promising for use in hard‐tissue repair, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.
A Nanoporous PdCo Alloy as a Highly Active Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction and Formic Acid Electrooxidation
Authors: Xu Caixia , Liu Yunqing , Zhang Huan , Geng Haoran 
Published: July 2013

AbstractA nanoporous (NP) PdCo alloy with uniform structure size and controllable bimetallic ratio was fabricated simply by one‐step mild dealloying of a PdCoAl precursor alloy. The as‐made alloy consists of a nanoscaled bicontinuous network skeleton with interconnected hollow channels that extend in all three dimensions. With a narrow ligament size distribution around 5 nm, the NP PdCo alloy exhibits much higher electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) with enhanced specific and mass activities relative to NP Pd and commercial Pt/C catalysts. A long‐term stability test demonstrated that NP PdCo has comparable catalytic durability with less loss of ORR activity and electrochemical surface area than Pt/C. The NP PdCo alloy also shows dramatically enhanced catalytic activity towards formic acid electrooxidation relative to NP Pd and Pd/C catalysts. The as‐made NP PdCo holds great application potential as a promising cathode as well as an anode electrocatalyst in fuel cells with the advantages of superior catalytic performance and easy preparation.
Recyclable Porous Polymer‐Supported Copper Catalysts for Glaser and Huisgen 1,3‐Diolar Cycloaddition Reactions
Authors: Sun Qi , Lv Zhonfei , Du Yuyang , Wu Qinming , Wang Liang , Zhu Longfeng , Meng Xiangju , Chen Wanzhi , Xiao Feng‐Shou 
Published: July 2013

AbstractA family of polymer‐attached phenanthrolines was prepared from solvothermal copolymerization of divinylbenzene with N‐(1,10‐phenanthroline‐5‐yl)acrylamide in different ratios. The polymer‐supported copper catalysts were obtained through typical impregnation with copper(II) salts. The polymers and supported copper catalysts have been characterized by N2 adsortion, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG); they exhibit a high surface area, hierarchical porosity, large pore volume, and high thermal and chemical stabilities. The copper catalyst has proved to be highly active for Glaser homocoupling of alkynes and Huisgen 1,3‐diolar cycloaddition of alkynes with benzyl azide under mild conditions at low catalyst loading. The heterogeneous copper catalyst is more active than commonly used homogeneous and nonporous polystyrene‐supported copper catalysts. In particular, the catalyst is easily recovered and can be recycled at least ten times without any obvious loss in catalytic activity. Metal leaching was prevented due to the strong binding ability of phenanthroline and products were not contaminated with copper, as determined by ICP analysis.
Systematic review of birth prevalence of neural tube defects in India
Authors: Bhide Prajkta , Sagoo Gurdeep S. , Moorthie Sowmiya , Burton Hilary , Kar Anita 
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUNDNeural tube defects are one of the most prevalent congenital anomalies. Data on the total birth prevalence, live birth and stillbirth prevalence of neural tube defects in India are lacking. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of birth prevalence of neural tube defects in India and compare it with existing estimates.METHODSA PubMed search identified 463 articles, of which 19 articles were eligible for inclusion in the review. Meta‐analysis was used to estimate the overall birth prevalence of neural tube defects and to investigate the variation among studies identified by this review.RESULTSThe 19 articles reported a total of 308,387 births, among which 1310 cases of neural tube defects were reported, giving an overall birth prevalence of 4.1 per 1000 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1–5.4). The live birth and stillbirth prevalence of neural tube defects was 1.3 per 1000 births (95% CI, 0.9–1.8) and 1.7 per 1000 births (95% CI, 0.7–4.0), respectively. Among the neural tube defects, the reported prevalence of anencephaly was highest at 2.1 per 1000 births (95% CI, 1.6–2.8) followed by spina bifida at 1.9 per 1000 births (95% CI, 1.4–2.7).CONCLUSIONThe systematic review suggests that neural tube defects contribute to a significant number of live births and stillbirths in India, suggesting that preconception folic acid supplementation should be an essential element of reproductive health services. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 97:437–443, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dose‐dependent bioavailability indicators for curcumin and two of its novel derivatives
Authors: Abd el Aziz Mohamed , El‐Asmer Mohamed , Rezq Ameen , Al‐Malki Abdulrahman , Kumosani Taha , Fouad Hanan , Ahmed Hanan , Taha Fatma , Hassouna Amira , Hafez Hafez 
Published: July 2013

AbstractNovel water‐soluble curcumin derivatives have been developed to overcome low in vivo bioavailability of curcumin. The aim of this work is to assess the potential utility of certain downstream targets as bioavailability indicators of systemic activity of pure curcumin and two novel water‐soluble curcumin derivatives (NCD) by constructing dose‐dependent response curves and to prove whether this novel curcumin derivatives retained, improved, or abolished biological activity of pure curcumin when applied in vivo. Pure curcumin (CUR), curcumin‐carboxy derivative (NCD‐1), and curcumin protein conjugate (NCD‐2) were administered orally to rats at escalating doses: 37, 74, 148, and 296 μM/kg body weight, respectively. Plasma levels of GST activity, cavernous tissue levels of cGMP, and enzymatic activity of both HO‐1 and GST were assessed one and half and 24 hours after oral administration of curcumin formulae. This study showed that there was a progressive elevation of cavernous tissue levels of cGMP and enzymatic activity of both HO‐1 and GST in a dose‐dependent manner that was maintained for 24 h with CUR, NCD‐1, and NCD‐2. Plasma GST activity was decreased by the lowest doses on the curve. The three dose‐dependent bioavailability indicators as surrogates of curcumin and two of its novel derivatives are valid in the studied range of concentration and extended time. The novel curcumin derivatives still conserve with improvement the biological activity of natural curcumin when applied in vivo. © 2013 BioFactors, 40(1):132–137, 2014
On the mechanism of degradation of oxytocin and its analogues in aqueous solution
Authors: Wiśniewski Kazimierz , Finnman Jens , Flipo Marion , Galyean Robert , Schteingart Claudio D. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTOxytocin (OT) is a cyclic nonapeptide containing one internal disulfide bond between its Cys1 and Cys6 residues. Although OT is one of the most commonly used peptidic drugs, the mechanism of its degradation in aqueous solution and the identity of its degradants have not been fully elucidated. To investigate the pathways and products of OT degradation in slightly acidic to neutral solutions, we prepared the peptides: OT, [d‐Cys1]OT, a series of N‐alkylated OT analogues, [[13C3,15N]Cys1]OT, and OT where each sulfur atom was systematically replaced by either methylene, 34S, or Se. The peptides were incubated at 40°C and the degradation products studied by HPLC, LCMS, and 13C‐NMR. Our findings suggest that the degradation begins with β‐elimination of the disulfide linkage to form a putative intermediate linear peptide containing an S‐thiocysteine (a persulfide) in position 6 and a dehydroalanine in position 1. This intermediate persulfide appears to donate a sulfur atom to an intact OT molecule to form OT trisulfide and higher monomeric polysulfides, while the dehydroalanine residue is hydrolyzed with loss of the N‐terminal amino group to yield a linear N‐pyruvoylated octapeptide containing a reduced Cys6. Based on the MS and 13C‐NMR data of the products from degradation of [[13C3,15N]Cys1]OT, we postulate that the ultimate degradation products of OT are dimers composed of two pyruvoylated octapeptides held together by one disulfide bridge between the two Cys6 residues and by one more, non‐reducible, linkage resulting from an aldol‐type condensation between the two N‐terminal pyruvoyl groups. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 100: 408–421, 2013.
Structural characteristics and biological performance of silk fibroin nanofiber containing microalgae spirulina extract
Authors: Cha Bum‐Gyu , Kwak Hyo Won , Park A Reum , Kim Shin Hwan , Park Sook‐Young , Kim Hyun‐Jeong , Kim Ick‐Soo , Lee Ki Hoon , Park Young Hwan 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTSilk fibroin (SF) nanofiber scaffold containing microalgae Spirulina extract were prepared by electrospinning and the performance and functionality of the scaffold were evaluated. The viscosity and conductivity of the dope solution of Spirulina containing SF were examined for electrospinability and we found that the morphological structure of SF nanofiber is affected by the concentration of Spirulina extract added. The platelet adhesion and coagulation time test confirmed that the Spirulina containing SF nanofiber scaffold had excellent ability to prevent blood clotting or antithrombogenicity that is comparable to heparin. Low cytotoxicity and excellent cell adhesion and proliferation were also observed for Sprulina containing SF nanofiber scaffold by methylthiazolyldiphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide assay and confocal fluorescence microscope using fibroblast and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Based on these results, we believe SF nanofiber scaffold containing Spirulina extract has the potential to be used as tissue engineering scaffold that requires high hemocompatibility. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 101: 307–318, 2014.
Sustainability‐Related Supply Chain Risks: Conceptualization and Management
Authors: Hofmann Hannes , Busse Christian , Bode Christoph , Henke Michael 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTThere is ample anecdotal evidence suggesting that firms can experience serious losses from social, ecological or ethical problems that exist in their supply chains. So far, however, research on supply chain risk management has largely neglected these sustainability issues. Most importantly, little is known about how sustainability issues manifest themselves as risks and how they create losses for focal firms. Without an in‐depth understanding of this materialization process, conceptualizations of sustainability risks will remain vague and effective management frameworks cannot be developed. We address this important research gap by means of a transdisciplinary approach and provide a concise description of how sustainability issues in supply chains materialize as risks for focal firms. Building on this mechanism and drawing on stakeholder theory, we develop a conceptualization of sustainability risks which lays the basis for future investigations in this respective field. In addition, we devise a viable management concept for sustainability‐related supply chain risks. The proposed concept can help firms to mitigate sustainability issues in global supply chains, thus making them less vulnerable to losses resulting from these risks. Its application will also foster sustainability standards within supply chains. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Corporate Environmental Reporting and News Coverage of Environmental Issues: an Agenda‐Setting Perspective
Authors: Pollach Irene 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTDeparting from agenda‐setting theory, this paper explores whether environmental content in newspapers is related to corporate environmental agendas presented in corporate environmental reports and annual reports. Based on a sample of 1668 corporate reports published between 1997 and 2008, this paper compares corporate reporting against environmental news content over the same period with time lags of one and two years as well as without time lags. The results suggest that the media agenda and the corporate environmental agenda mirror each other. The results further suggest that, for some issues, there may be an impact of the news media agenda on corporate environmental agendas, but not vice versa. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Influencing Clean Energy Laws: an Analysis of Business Stakeholder Engagement
Authors: Martin Nigel James , Rice John Lewis 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTOn 1 July 2012, Australia commenced operation of its clean energy legislation (CEL) with the introduction of a carbon price of A$23 per tonne. Prior to the commencement of CEL, the government engaged with business stakeholders in a round of structured consultations. This engagement process elicited various responses to the proposed laws from stakeholder firms and non‐governmental organizations (NGOs). Accordingly, in this paper we have used environmental management theories to examine the responses of firms and NGOs and identify critical ‘pressure points’ associated with the new laws. The results from our analysis showed that, during the consultations, stakeholders predominantly used pre‐emptive responses and communications to shape and change the CEL. In addition, the critical legislative pressure point for business stakeholders was the capacity to manage carbon pricing liabilities in order to maintain sound ongoing financial and investment performance. The study also showed that the use of highly defensive and aggressive responses were ineffectual and did not materially impact the introduction of the new laws. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Structural Study of the Partially Disordered Full‐Length δ Subunit of RNA Polymerase from Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Papoušková Veronika , Kadeřávek Pavel , Otrusinová Olga , Rabatinová Alžbeta , Šanderová Hana , Nováček Jiří , Krásný Libor , Sklenář Vladimír , Žídek Lukáš 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe partially disordered δ subunit of RNA polymerase was studied by various NMR techniques. The structure of the well‐folded N‐terminal domain was determined based on inter‐proton distances in NOESY spectra. The obtained structural model was compared to the previously determined structure of a truncated construct (lacking the C‐terminal domain). Only marginal differences were identified, thus indicating that the first structural model was not significantly compromised by the absence of the C‐terminal domain. Various 15N relaxation experiments were employed to describe the flexibility of both domains. The relaxation data revealed that the C‐terminal domain is more flexible, but its flexibility is not uniform. By using paramagnetic labels, transient contacts of the C‐terminal tail with the N‐terminal domain and with itself were identified. A propensity of the C‐terminal domain to form β‐type structures was obtained by chemical shift analysis. Comparison with the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement indicated a well‐balanced interplay of repulsive and attractive electrostatic interactions governing the conformational behavior of the C‐terminal domain. The results showed that the δ subunit consists of a well‐ordered N‐terminal domain and a flexible C‐terminal domain that exhibits a complex hierarchy of partial ordering.