bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Analytical Platforms for Cerebrospinal Fluid Measures of β-Amyloid 1-42, Total tau, and P-tau181 for Identifying Alzheimer Disease Amyloid Plaque Pathology
Authors: Fagan Anne M. , Shaw Leslie M. , Xiong Chengjie , Vanderstichele Hugo , Mintun Mark A. , Trojanowski John Q. , Coart Els , Morris John C. , Holtzman David M. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of Alzheimer disease (AD) are currently being considered for inclusion in revised diagnostic criteria for research and/or clinical purposes to increase the certainty of antemortem diagnosis.ObjectiveTo test whether CSF biomarker assays differ in their ability to identify true markers of underlying AD pathology (eg, amyloid plaques and/or neurofibrillary tangles) in living individuals.DesignWe compared the performances of the 2 most commonly used platforms, INNOTEST enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and INNO-BIA AlzBio3, for measurement of CSF β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau proteins to identify the presence of amyloid plaques in a research cohort (n=103). Values obtained for CSF Aβ1-42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181) using the 2 assay platforms were compared with brain amyloid load as assessed by positron emission tomography using the amyloid imaging agent Pittsburgh compound B.SettingThe Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri.SubjectsResearch volunteers who were cognitively normal or had mild to moderate AD dementia.ResultsThe 2 assay platforms yielded different (approximately 2- to 6-fold) absolute values for the various analytes, but relative values were highly correlated. The CSF Aβ1-42 correlated inversely and tau and p-tau181 correlated positively with the amount of cortical Pittsburgh compound B binding, albeit to differing degrees. Both assays yielded similar patterns of CSF biomarker correlations with amyloid load. The ratios of total tau to Aβ1-42 and p-tau181 to Aβ1-42 outperformed any single analyte, including Aβ1-42, in discriminating individuals with vs without cortical amyloid.ConclusionsThe INNOTEST and INNO-BIA CSF platforms perform equally well in identifying individuals with underlying amyloid plaque pathology. Differences in absolute values, however, point to the need for assay-specific diagnostic cutoff values.
Disease‐related differential item functioning in the work instability scale for rheumatoid arthritis: Converging results from three methods
Authors: Tang Kenneth ,   Canadian Arthritis Network Work Productivity Group
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjectiveThe 23‐item Work Instability Scale for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA‐WIS) is a promising measure to assess risk for future work disability. Validated in both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), it has high potential for cross‐disease applications. Our objective was to examine disease‐related differential item functioning (DIF) in the RA‐WIS.MethodsWorkers with RA (n = 120) or OA (n = 130) were recruited from 3 sites and completed a questionnaire consisting of demographic and health‐ and work‐related variables, including the RA‐WIS (range 0–23, where 23 = highest work instability). Multiple DIF detection methods were applied for comparability: 1) Mantel‐Haenszel and Breslow‐Day procedures, 2) hierarchical 3‐step sequential logistic regression procedure, and 3) a 1‐parameter item response theory approach (Rasch analysis). Both tests of significance (chi‐square and F tests) and effect size statistics (ΔMH, ΔR2) were assessed to confirm items demonstrating uniform or nonuniform DIF. A 2‐step purification procedure was applied to establish a DIF‐free conditioning variable (total RA‐WIS score) for DIF analyses. The resultant impact of disease‐related DIF at the scale level was also evaluated.ResultsAll 3 DIF detection methods converged to reveal 3 RA‐WIS items as having significant disease‐related uniform DIF. Two items (“difficulty opening doors” and “pressure on hand”) were more likely affirmed in RA, while 1 item (“very stiff”) was more likely affirmed in OA. Overall, only a marginal impact at the scale level was found due to a small proportion of scale items exhibiting DIF and the bidirectional nature of DIF effects.ConclusionRA‐WIS scores can be directly compared between RA and OA without significant concerns for DIF‐related measurement bias.
Patient characteristics that predict progression of knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review of prognostic studies
Authors: Chapple Cathy M. , Nicholson Helen , Baxter G. David , Abbott J. Haxby 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo identify, by systematic review, patient characteristics that can be used by health care practitioners to predict the likelihood of knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression.MethodsA search was conducted of the electronic databases Medline, EMBase, CINAHL, AMED, and Web of Science in November 2010. Two reviewers screened articles using inclusion/exclusion criteria. Study participants were adults with established knee OA. Outcome measures for disease progression were change in pain or function or deterioration in radiographic features. Included studies identified clinically relevant prognostic factors at baseline and reported a statistical association with outcome. Minimum followup was 1 year. Articles were assessed for bias, and strength of evidence was summarized for potential predictors of progression.ResultsThirty studies were included, of which 26 were of high quality. Age, varus knee alignment, presence of OA in multiple joints, and radiographic features had strong evidence as predictors of knee OA progression. Body mass index was a strong predictor for long‐term progression (>3 years). Moderate participation in physical activity was not associated with progression. Numerous variables had limited or conflicting evidence.ConclusionRelatively few predictive variables have strong supporting evidence; numerous variables have limited or conflicting evidence. All variables with strong evidence can be easily evaluated and utilized in clinical practice. Existing knowledge should be developed in future research, particularly in cases where study numbers are low or findings are limited or conflicting. Standardized measurement of potential predictors and outcome measures is recommended.
Ultrafine Grinding of Oxide Powders with a Controlled Viscosity of Slurries
Authors: Houivet David , Quercioli Regis , Itaalit Brahim , Kassas Ahmad , Kamlo Alexis Ngueteu , Bernard Jerome , Haussonne Jean‐Marie 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis study shows the importance of controlling the rheological behavior of slurries during attrition milling in aqueous media. Indeed, during grinding, the creation of new surfaces that react with the aqueous dispersing medium leads to modification of the slurry's properties, in particular pH and rheological behavior. The slurry can then flocculate and its viscosity increases. Thus, grinding efficiency can very quickly become null and a “setting” of the slurry in the grinder is sometimes noted. Our approach of the problem is in two steps. First, we determine the optimum dispersion conditions to obtain deflocculated slurries. This is possible by control of the solid load or pH, or by the addition of dispersant in order to enhance electrostatic and/or steric repulsion between particles. The characterization of the dispersion state is also possible with tools such as zetametry and rheology. The second step is to preserve this deflocculated state of dispersion throughout the milling process. This is possible, for example, by maintaining relatively constant the optimal pH value for the slurry. We apply this concept for the grinding of classically used powder oxides TiO2 and Al2O3. To this end, we implement a horizontal attrition mill (dyno‐mill), using different kind of balls: zircon or stabilized yttrium–zirconia with diameters ranging from 0.4 to 1.6 mm. We have observed the grinding efficiency by powder BET specific area measurements, and by DRX and TEM observations. So the grinding is very efficient, starting powders areas of about 10 m2 · g−1 have reached 40 m2 · g−1 after grinding, that is to say, average grains diameter lower than 50 nm.
Surface Modification of an Alumina‐Based Bioceramic for Cement Application
Authors: Pedimonte J. , Travitzky N. , Korn M. , Kriegelstein S. , Greil P. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBiograde zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) has found wide application in load bearing endoprosthetic implants due to high strength, fracture toughness, and wear resistance. In order to enhance bonding to acrylic bone cement (BC) for implants, fixation modification of ZTA with a thin layer of porous anodic alumina (PAA) was investigated. An Al‐layer of approximately 500 nm was sputtered on the ZTA substrate which subsequently was electrochemically oxidized by anodic polarization in H2C2O4 or H3PO4 solution. PAA layers with a total porosity ranging from 11 to 30%, mean pore spacing of 90–200 nm and pore diameters of 30–110 nm were prepared. Compared to unmodified ZTA/BC interface (≈ 30 MPa), the PAA modified specimens (ZTA/PAA/BC) achieved a significantly higher interface bonding strength (≈ 60 MPa) measured by four point bending on composite beam specimens. While crack propagation in the unmodified ZTA/BC specimen was found to proceed along the interface, fracture analysis on the ZTA/PAA/BC specimens showed a mixed mode fracture with part of the fracture propagation localized along the PAA/BC interface and part through BC. Thus, pore structure controlled mechanical interlocking is expected to offer a high potential for applying PAA surface modification to improve biomaterial to BC bonding.
Detailed analysis of air flow and spray loss in a pharmaceutical coating process
Authors: Toschkoff Gregor , Suzzi Daniele , Tritthart Walter , Reiter Franz , Schlingmann Merten , Khinast Johannes G. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn the pharmaceutical industry, more than half of all tablets receive a film coating. A commonly used technique is drum coating, where a film solution is applied to the moving tablets by a spray nozzle. Important process parameters include the amount and temperature of drying air, as well as spray nozzle position. Among other influences, the proper adjustment of these parameters has a great impact on spray loss, defined as the fraction of spray liquid that does not form a film on the tablets. Often, the lack of scientific data hinders a process setup based on engineering principles, resulting in operational conditions based on trial‐and‐error approaches. Here, we show how a coating system can be numerically modeled by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. Furthermore, we present how different parameters affect the efficiency of the process, leading to a deeper understanding of the coating device. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
A sheep model to investigate the role of fungal biofilms in sinusitis: fungal and bacterial synergy
Authors: Boase Sam , Valentine Rowan , Singhal Deepti , Tan Lor Wai , Wormald Peter‐John 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe role of fungi in the spectrum of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is poorly understood. Fungal biofilms have recently been discovered in CRS patients. We have developed an animal model for the investigation of sinonasal fungal biofilms. The role of type I hypersensitivity and pathogenic bacteria is presented.MethodsThirty sheep were sensitized with fungal antigens—Aspergillus fumigatus and Alternaria alternata, or control. Endoscopic surgery was performed to expose both frontal sinus ostia—1 was occluded. Fungi with or without Staphylococcus aureus were inoculated into the sinus. Skin‐prick tests assessed for fungal allergy. Fungal and S. aureus biofilms, histology, and culture rates were assessed.ResultsForty‐five percent of experimental sheep were sensitized to fungal antigen. Only 1 sinus inoculated with fungus developed minimal fungal biofilm. Eighty percent developed fungal biofilm when S. aureus was co‐inoculated. The presence of hypersensitivity to fungus was not related to fungal biofilm development.ConclusionSignificant fungal biofilm only occurred when S. aureus was the co‐inoculum. Hypersensitivity was not requisite. The relationship of S. aureus to fungal biofilms is of great clinical interest. Fungi may be opportunistic pathogens that simply require inflamed mucosa with weakened innate defenses; alternatively, a cross‐kingdom synergy could be contributing to fungal proliferation. © 2011 ARS‐AAOA, LLC.
Structure and properties of electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride)/polycarbonate membranes after hot‐press
Authors: Na Haining , Zhao Yunhui , Liu Xiwang , Zhao Ci , Yuan Xiaoyan 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPoly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/polycarbonate (PC) dispersed solutions were electrospun into ultrafine core/shell fibers and modified by hot‐press. Morphology, tensile properties, porosity, and liquid absorption of the electrospun membranes as well as the crystallinity of PVDF were examined before and after hot‐press. Results showed that the tensile strength and tensile modulus of the electrospun membranes increased after hot‐press, especially when poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or benzyl triethylammonium chloride (BTEAC) was introduced for the formation of distinct core/shell fiber structure. The elongation of the hot‐pressed electrospun PVDF/PC membrane with addition of BTEAC was also significantly enhanced by reason of the clearest core/shell structure. The crystallinity of PVDF did not change too much before and after hot‐press, however the porosity and liquid absorption of the hot‐pressed electrospun membranes decreased to about 58% and around 75–90%, respectively, with no significant differences between PVDF/PC, PVDF/PC/PMMA, and PVDF/PC with BTEAC membranes. This study could be an example of electrospun membranes in multi‐polymer components and it could be extended to other systems of electrospinning for applications in filtration and so on. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Microencapsulation of imidazole curing agents by spray‐drying method
Authors: Lee Dong Ho , Yang Minhee , Kim Sun Hee , Shin Min Jae , Shin Jae Sup 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAn epoxy resin–imidazole system was used to form the adhesives for the anisotropic conducting film (ACF), and a latent curing system was necessary for the ACF. In this study, imidazoles were microencapsulated for the latent curing system. Polycaprolactone (PCL) was used as the wall material, and the spray‐drying method was used to form the microcapsule. The imidazoles used in this study were imidazole, 2‐methylimidazole, and 2‐phenylimidazole. The effect of the ratio of PCL to imidazoles, and the effect of PCL molecular weight were investigated during the microcapsule formation. The amount of imidazoles in the microcapsule was measured using thermogravimetric analyzer and elemental analysis. The permeability of the microcapsules was measured in ethanol, and the shelf life of the microcapsules was studied for the epoxy resin. The curing behavior of these microcapsules to epoxy resin was examined using differential scanning calorimeter. In the curing reaction, the microcapsule of imidazoles exhibited delayed kinetic behaviors compared to pure imidazoles. And the curing times were estimated at 150 and 180°C using an indentation method. These microcapsules of imidazoles exhibited a long shelf life, and the curing did not occur in some of the microcapsule–epoxy resin systems at 20°C for 15 days. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Genome‐wide and species‐wide dissection of the genetics of arthritis severity in heterogeneous stock mice
Authors: Johnsen Alyssa K. , Valdar William , Golden Louis , Ortiz‐Lopez Adriana , Hitzemann Robert , Flint Jonathan , Mathis Diane , Benoist Christophe 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjectiveSusceptibility to inflammatory arthritis is determined by a complex set of environmental and genetic factors, but only a portion of the genetic effect can be explained. Conventional genome‐wide screens of arthritis models using crosses between inbred mice have been hampered by the low resolution of results and by the restricted range of natural genetic variation sampled. The aim of this study was to address these limitations by performing a genome‐wide screen for determinants of arthritis severity using a genetically heterogeneous cohort of mice.MethodsHeterogeneous stock (HS) mice derive from 8 founder inbred strains by serial intercrossing (n > 60), resulting in fine‐grained genetic variation. With a cohort of 570 HS mice, we performed a genome‐wide screen for determinants of arthritis severity in the K/BxN serum–transfer model.ResultsWe mapped regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, and 15 that contain quantitative trait loci influencing arthritis severity at a resolution of a few megabases. In several instances, these regions proved to contain 2 quantitative trait loci: the region on chromosome 2 included the C5 fraction of complement known to be required for K/BxN serum–transfer arthritis but also contained a second adjacent quantitative trait locus, for which an intriguing candidate is Ptgs1 (Cox1). Interesting candidates on chromosome 4 included the Padi family, encoding the peptidyl arginine deiminases responsible for citrulline protein modification; suggestively, Padi2 and Padi4 RNA expression was correlated with arthritis severity in HS mice.ConclusionThese results provide a broad overview of the genetic variation that controls the severity of K/BxN serum–transfer arthritis and suggest intriguing candidate genes for further study.
Introduction of vertical integration and case‐based learning in anatomy for undergraduate physical therapy and occupational therapy students
Authors: Parmar Suresh K. , Rathinam Bertha A.D. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe purpose of the present pilot study was to evaluate the benefits of innovative teaching methodologies introduced to final year occupational and physical therapy students in Christian Medical College in India. Students' satisfactions along the long‐term retention of knowledge and clinical application of the respiratory anatomy have been assessed. The final year undergraduate physical therapy and occupational therapy students had respiratory anatomy teaching over two sessions. The teaching involved case‐based learning and integrated anatomy lectures (vertical integration) with the Anatomy department. Pretest and immediate and follow‐up post‐tests were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the innovative methods. A feedback questionnaire was marked to grade case‐based learning. The method of integrated and case‐based teaching was appreciated and found to be useful in imparting knowledge to the students. Students retained the gained knowledge adequately and the same was inferred by statistically significant improvement in both post‐test scores. Vertical integration of anatomy in the final year reinforces their existing knowledge of anatomy. Case‐based learning may facilitate the development of effective and clinically sound therapists. Anat Sci Educ 4:170–173, 2011. © 2011 American Association of Anatomists
Theoretical Investigation of 4,4′,6,6′‐Tetra(azido)azo‐1,3,5‐triazine‐N‐oxides and the Effects of N→O Bonding on Organic Azides
Authors: Qi Cai , Zhang Ru‐Bo , Zhang Xue‐Jiao , Li Yu‐Chuan , Wang Yuan , Pang Si‐Ping 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA family of 4,4′,6,6′‐tetra(azido)azo‐1,3,5‐triazine‐N‐oxides was designed and investigated by theoretical method. The effects of the N→O bond on the properties of TAAT‐N‐oxides, such as density, heat of formation, and detonation performance, were discussed. By comparison with the bond‐dissociation energy of the weakest bond and the electrostatic potentials, the effects of the N→O bond on the stability and impact sensitivity of organic azides were also discussed. The results show that the introduction of N→O bonds at the appropriate positions increases the oxygen balance and density of the compounds, while it has little effect on the stability and impact sensitivity. Consequently, their introduction results in energetic compounds with improved detonation performances.
New Design Tactics in OLEDs Using Functionalized 2‐Phenylpyridine‐Type Cyclometalates of Iridium(III) and Platinum(II)
Authors: Zhou Guijiang , Wong Wai‐Yeung , Yang Xiaolong 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAs a result of their outstanding attributes, organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) and white organic light‐emitting diodes (WOLEDs) have been recognized in recent years as the most promising candidates for future flat‐panel display technologies and next generation solid‐state energy‐saving lighting sources. New advancements in the area of high performance triplet emitters become vital for realizing more practical applications. In this regard, several critical issues must be carefully identified and addressed, and these include the ways to enhance device efficiency and suppress efficiency roll‐off, to achieve versatile color tuning and simple device manufacture, as well as to obtain high‐quality white light from WOLEDs. It has been shown that some functionalized phosphorescent IrIII and PtII ppy‐type cyclometalated complexes (ppy=2‐phenylpyridine) possess unique features that are suitable for solving these difficult and challenging tasks. In this Focus Review, we will highlight the recent design tactics adopted for these functional metallophosphors and the critical roles they may play in developing more realistic devices.
Exploring New Molecular Architectures for Anion Recognition: Synthesis and ATP Binding Properties of New Cyclam‐Based Ditopic Polyammonium Receptors.
Authors: Pouessel Jacky , Bazzicalupi Carla , Bencini Andrea , Bernard Hélène , Giorgi Claudia , Handel Henri , Matera Irene , Le Bris Nathalie , Tripier Raphaël , Valtancoli Barbara 
Published: May 2011

AbstractSynthesis and characterization of three new polyamine receptors, composed of a cyclam unit (cyclam=1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane) linked by a 2,6‐dimethylpyridinyl spacer to the linear polyamines 1,4,8,11‐tetraazaundecane (L1py), 1,4,7‐triazaheptane (L2py), and to a quaternary ammonium group (L3 py+), are reported. All receptors form highly charged polyammonium cations at neutral pH, suitable for anion recognition studies. ATP recognition was analyzed by using potentiometric, calorimetric, 1H and 31P NMR measurements in aqueous solution. All receptors form 1:1 adducts with ATP in aqueous solution, stabilized by charge–charge and hydrogen‐bonding interactions between their ammonium groups and the anionic triphosphate chain of ATP. The binding ability of the three receptors for ATP increases in the order of L3 py+<L2py<L1py. These adducts are stabilized by largely favourable entropic contributions, probably due to the large desolvation of the host and guest species upon complexation. The sequence observed for the binding affinity is explained in terms of the different ability of the three receptors to wrap around the phosphate chain of ATP.
Lipid Bilayer Membrane of Egg‐PC Liposome Evaluated as Chemical Reaction Field with Picosecond Time‐Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Nojima Yuki , Iwata Koichi 
Published: May 2011

AbstractViscosity inside the lipid bilayer of egg‐PC (egg yolk phosphatidylcholine) liposome with a diameter of 100 nm is examined with picosecond time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The viscosity is estimated independently from the photoisomerization rate and from the rotational relaxation time of the first excited singlet state of trans‐stilbene solubilized within the lipid bilayer. The presence of two solvation environments within the bilayer is suggested from both of the methods. One environment is 50 to 100 times more viscous than the other. The use of trans‐stilbene as a probe provides valuable information on the solvation environments inside the lipid bilayer of liposome, which serves as a field for a number of biochemical reactions.