bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimum Reaction Conditions for the Synthesis of Macromonomers Via the High‐Temperature Polymerization of Acrylates
Authors: Junkers Tanja , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher 
Published: September 2009

AbstractMacromonomers are valuable synthetic building blocks: They can be copolymerized with low molecular weight monomers to generate brush‐like structures or serve as conjugation substrates in pericylic, metathesis, and thiolene reactions. Based on earlier reports on the facile high temperature formation of macromonomers from acrylates, a complex kinetic model is developed which accounts for the key reactions constituting the macromonomer formation process. On the basis of the kinetic model, the important rate coefficients governing acrylate polymerization (e.g., β‐scission and termination rate coefficients of midchain radicals, backbiting and intramolecular chain transfer rate coefficients) as well as the reaction conditions (e.g., initial monomer concentration, reaction temperature, radical flux) are systematically varied and their influence on the synthetic success is critically evaluated. The systematic coefficient variation reveals that there exist optimum reaction conditions under which the high temperature macromonomers formation may be conducted with maximum success. The present study provides a concise summary of these conditions.magnified image
Postoperative outcomes and reliability of “sensation‐sparing” sural nerve biopsy
Authors: Campbell Chris A. , Turza Kristin C. , Morgan Raymond F. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractSural nerve biopsy is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of neuropathic disorders. However, concerns of persisting pain and numbness resulting from traditional whole sural nerve biopsy have led to interfascicular dissection techniques with inconsistent benefits over whole nerve biopsy. In this study we describe a novel technique of atraumatic anterior fascicular sural nerve biopsy designed to preserve calcaneal sensation while maintaining diagnostic benefit, without requiring significant interfascicular dissection. A 10‐year chart review was conducted to identify patients who underwent anterior fascicular sural nerve biopsy. Pathology reports were reviewed to confirm specimen adequacy, and clinical notes were reviewed to determine if a diagnosis was rendered. Retrospective questionnaires were conducted to evaluate perioperative and long‐term sequelae and patient satisfaction. The proportion of patients with symptoms involving the heel versus the dorsolateral foot was evaluated with Fisher's exact test. Specimens from all 53 patients were acceptable and permitted a diagnosis. Twenty‐two patients completed the retrospective survey with an average follow‐up of 5 years (1.2–11.4 years). Eight patients (34%) experienced numbness of the dorsolateral foot, and 1 patient (4.5%) reported numbness of the lateral heel that lasted >6 months (P = 0.001). Persistent dorsolateral foot pain and cold sensitivity were reported by 5 patients (22.7%), but no patients reported lateral heel symptoms (P = 0.04). Symptoms were noted by patients most commonly while standing or walking, but they did not result in functional impairment in any case. Atraumatic anterior fascicular sural nerve biopsy predictably preserved essential lateral heel sensation in patients with neuropathic disorders while providing diagnostic utility. Muscle Nerve 40: 603–609, 2009
Prediction of antibody response using recombinant human protein fragments as antigen
Authors: Rockberg Johan , Uhlén Mathias 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA great need exists for prediction of antibody response for the generation of antibodies toward protein targets. Earlier studies have suggested that prediction methods based on hydrophilicity propensity scale, in which the degree of exposure of the amino acid in an aqueous solvent is calculated, has limited value. Here, we show a comparative analysis based on 12,634 affinity‐purified antibodies generated in a standardized manner against human recombinant protein fragments. The antibody response (yield) was measured and compared to theoretical predictions based on a large number (544) of published propensity scales. The results show that some of the scales have predictive power, although the overall Pearson correlation coefficient is relatively low (0.2) even for the best performing amino acid indices. Based on the current data set, a new propensity scale was calculated with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.25. The values correlated in some extent to earlier scales, including large penalty for hydrophobic and cysteine residues and high positive contribution from acidic residues, but with relatively low positive contribution from basic residues. The fraction of immunogens generating low antibody responses was reduced from 30% to around 10% if immunogens with a high propensity score (>0.48) were selected as compared to immunogens with lower scores (<0.29). The study demonstrates that a propensity scale might be useful for prediction of antibody response generated by immunization of recombinant protein fragments. The data set presented here can be used for further studies to design new prediction tools for the generation of antibodies to specific protein targets.
From pathogenesis to prevention of castration resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Bonkhoff Helmut , Berges Richard 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDSignificant progress in understanding the molecular basis of castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPCa) has been achieved in recent years. Despite this progress, CRPCa still remains a lethal disease. Early detection and prevention of CRPCa may provide a new strategy to improve survival of patients diagnosed with PCa at risk to fail standard androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).METHODSHerein, we review pathogenetic mechanisms implicated in PCa progression toward castration resistant disease that are detectable in hormone naive PCa to define relevant therapeutic targets for prevention.RESULTSUpregulation of androgen receptor (AR) expression has been recognized a major determinant for the development of CRPCa. This hypersensitive pathway is further boosted by the increase of intratumoral androgen synthesis. AR mutants bind promiscuous steroids, and may convert AR antagonists to agonists. Various non‐hormonal growth factor receptors transactivate the AR, even in absence of androgens (outlaw pathway). Finally, PCa cells can bypass the AR through various mechanisms, including BCL‐2, COX‐2, neuroendocrine differentiation. Most of these pathogenetic factors involved in the development of CRPCa are detectable in hormone naive PCa tissue even at the time of initial diagnosis, and could be targeted by drugs currently available.CONCLUSIONSCRPCa is the end‐stage of a multifactorial and heterogeneous disease process. Pathogenetic factors responsible for the development of the CRPCa phenotype are detectable in the patient's PCa tissue long before the clinical onset of the disease. This approach provides opportunity for early detection and prevention by targeting pathways relevant for the individual disease process. Prostate 70: 100–112, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of a biologically inspired locomotion system for a capsule endoscope
Authors: Hosokawa Daisuke , Ishikawa Takuji , Morikawa Hirohisa , Imai Yohsuke , Yamaguchi Takami 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackgroundA capsule endoscope has a limited ability to obtain images of the digestive organs because its movement depends on peristaltic motion. To overcome this problem, capsule endoscopes require a propulsion system.MethodsThis paper proposes a propulsion system for a capsule endoscope that mimics the locomotive mechanism of snails and earthworms. The prototype crawler can elongate and contract itself longitudinally and adhere to a wall via suction cups.ResultsWe investigated the effect of the inclination angle of the propulsion plane, the mucus viscosity between the propulsion plane and the crawler, and the stiffness of the propulsion plane on the locomotion of the prototype crawler. We found that the crawler could move on a rubber sheet and on inclined planes covered with mucus. We discussed advantages and limitations of the prototype crawler compared to the different locomotive systems developed in former studies.ConclusionsWe believe that the prototype crawler provides a better understanding of the propulsion mechanism for use in the gastrointestinal tract. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of properties of titanium aluminium nitride film produced by using two different types of Ti–Al target
Authors: Larpkiattaworn Siriporn , Ikeuchi Jun , Eamchotchawalit Chutima 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis work aims to study the influence of two different types of Ti–Al target (sintered and melted) which have same nominal composition (50 at% Ti, 50 at% Al) on the properties of thin films coated by using arc ion plating (AIP) method. The hardness of the melted target was of higher value than that of the sintered target. The property of the film is related to the microstructure and phase analysis of both types of target that have quite different phases. Ti and Al metals were found as major phases and TiAl2 as minor phase in the sintered target but only TiAl compound was found in the melted target. After film coating at the same operation parameters, it was found that although the phase structures of the sintered and melted targets were quite different, the coated thin films using these targets showed the same phase structure of Ti0.5 Al0.5 N. However, the microstructure of films coated by using the sintered target showed higher density of droplets and pores than those of film produced by using the melted target. As a result, the hardness and adhesion strength of thin film produced by using the melted target were slightly higher than those values of film produced by using the sintered target. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple testing for bioequivalence with pharmacokinetic data in 2 × 2 crossover designs
Authors: Chen Yuh‐Ing , Huang Chi‐Shen 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTo evaluate globally the average bioequivalence of a test drug to a reference drug in a pharmacokinetic (PK) study under a 2 × 2 crossover design, we consider directly comparing the associated drug concentration–time curves. Statistical models for the drug concentrations are suggested when the concentrations measured at different time points are distributed according to a generalized gamma distribution and the mean concentrations over time is described by a one‐compartment PK model. A multiple test based on the supreme distance between the two curves over the time interval under study is then proposed for testing the equivalence of the two drug concentration–time curves. The results of a Monte Carlo study suggest that, comparative to the conventional univariate and bivariate tests, the proposed test is more powerful for detecting the global bioequivalence and superior on maintaining its level when the global bioequivalence is violated. The application of the proposed tests is finally illustrated by using the data in a PK study involving two brands of benzbromarone tablets for reducing the uric acid. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
β‐benzene hexachloride induces apoptosis of rat sertoli cells through generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of JNKs and FasL
Authors: Shi Yuqin , Song Yang , Wang Yuping , Wang Yinan , Liang Xianmin , Hu Yafei , Yu Haige , Guan Xia , Cheng Jin , Yang Kedi 
Published: September 2009

Abstractβ‐benzene hexachloride (β‐BHC), the major metabolite of benzene‐hexachloride (BHC), is a weak estrogen‐like chemical. It is a known persistent organic pollutant and male reproductive toxicant. However, the mechanism by which β‐BHC exposure causes male reproductive toxicity remains unknown. In the present study, rat Sertoli cells were used to investigate the molecular mechanism involved in β‐BHC‐induced toxicity in male reproductive system. The results indicated that β‐BHC exposure at over 30 μM showed the induction of apoptotic cell death. β‐BHC could induce elevation in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, increase in the leakage rate of LDH and MDA level, and decrease in SOD activity. In addition, there was an increase in the cellular levels of phospho‐JNKs and FasL in the β‐BHC‐induced apoptosis; and a significant reduction of procaspase‐3 and ‐8 was observed over 30‐μM β‐BHC treatment. The translocation of NF‐κB enhanced with the increase of concentration of β‐BHC. Furthermore, NAC administration, a scavenger of ROS, reversed β‐BHC‐induced apoptosis effects via inhibition of JNKs activation, FasL expression, and NF‐κB translocation. These results lead us to speculate that ROS generation may play a critical role in the initiation of β‐BHC‐induced apoptosis by activation of the JNKs, translocation of NF‐κB, expression of FasL, and further activation of caspase cascade. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 26: 124–135, 2011.
Object Perception, Perceptual Recognition, and That-Perception Introduction
Authors: Hope Vincent 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe philosophy of perception currently considers how perception relates to action. Some distinctions may help, distinguishing object perception from perceptual recognition, and both from that-perception. Examples are seeing a man, recognising a man, and seeing that there is a man. Perceiving an object controls self-location by its recognising an object, which depends on memory of how it looks, controls looking for it and interacting with it, or not, and that-perceiving controls saying that an object exists. Perception controls action. Milner and Goodale, Jacob and Jeannerod, and Noë are considered.
Statistical Estimation and Adaptation for Visual Compensation in Object Tracking
Authors: Jung Sangkil , Lee Jinseok , Hong Sangjin 
Published: September 2009

The multi-modal tracking model in [ 1 ] enables the on-the-fly error compensation with low complexity by adopting acoustic sensors for the main tracking task and visual sensors for correcting possible tracking errors. The visual compensation process in the model is indispensable to the accurate tracking task in a dynamic object movement. This article proposes an algorithm to approximate the successful visual compensation rate appearing in the multi-modal tracking system. The acoustic sampling interval of the object signal and the random occurrence of transmission delays of multi-modal data are critical to the compensation process. Therefore, by using the two key factors as parameters, the algorithm called SEA can estimate the successful visual compensation of a tracking system. After we build up a tracking system, it is required to maintain the system at a certain level of tracking accuracy. This task can be done by controlling the aforementioned parameters since the visual compensation influences the tracking accuracy. Thus, we propose another algorithm called SEA2 for the parameter adaptation. The algorithm controls only acoustic sampling interval due to the easiness of adjustment and having the main impact on the success of the visual compensation. From the algorithm validation, we show the SEA properly quantifies the visual compensation process successfully occurring in the tracking scenarios, and SEA2 is feasible for parameter adaptation and achieving the target level of accuracy.
Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus in Patients Having Major Surgery
Authors: Montecalvo Marisa A. , Lee M. Sung , DePalma Helene , Wynn Pe Shein , Lowenfels Albert B. , Jorde Ulrich , Wuest David , Klingaman Arlene , O'Brien Thomas A. , Calmann Mark , Wormser Gary P. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective:To determine the proportion of major surgical procedures that involve patients having serologic evidence of infection with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a single center in Westchester County, New York.Methods:Blood samples sent for transfusion screening or cross-match were tested blindly for HIV antibody (anti-HIV), HBV core antibody, HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and HCV antibody (anti-HCV). Demographic characteristics and operation category were correlated with serologic results by univariate and regression analyses.Results:Of 1,062 operations evaluated, 71 (6.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI95], 5.2% to 8.4%) were performed on patients with either anti-HIV, HBsAg, or anti-HCV. In 17 (1.6%, CI95, .93% to 2.5%) of these operations, the patient evidenced anti-HIV; in 15 (1.4%, CI95, .79% to 2.3%), HBsAg; and in 55 (5.2%, CI95, 3.9% to 6.7%), anti-HCV. Anti-HCV was detected significantly more often than anti-HIV (5.2% versus 1.6%, P<.001) or HBsAg (5.2% versus 1.4%, P<.001). Operations involving women aged 25 to 44 years had the highest proportion with serologic evidence of at least one of the three viruses (17.2%); of anti-HCV (15.3%); and of anti-HIV (6.7%). Logistic regression analysis found that being in the 25- to 44-year age group was associated significantly with infection with any virus (P<.001) and with anti-HCV (P<.001). The strongest logistic predictors of anti-HIV seropositivity were having anti-HCV seropositivity (P<.001), being age 25 to 44 years (P<.001), and having a general surgery operation (P=.002).Conclusion:The prevalences of serologic evidence of at least one of the three viruses (16.7%), of anti-HCV (14.5%), and of anti-HIV (5.6%) are high in patients aged 25 to 44 years undergoing major surgery at a tertiary-care medical center located in Westchester County, New York. Anti-HCV is more prevalent than anti-HIV or HBsAg and is predictive of anti-HIV seropositivity. Testing for anti-HIV alone would have detected only 24% of patients infected with a bloodborne pathogen. These data strongly underscore the importance of universal precautions.
Molecular Aspects of Bacterial Colonization
Authors: Bisno Alan L. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBacteria have developed a wide variety of molecular mechanisms that permit firm adherence to a biologic surface. This review summarizes basic principles involved in this process, as exemplified by adherence of the group A streptococcus to oral epithelium, staphylococci to indwelling prostheses, and Escherichia coli to uroepithelium and enterocytes.
An Apparent Excess of Operative Site Infections: Analyses to Evaluate False-Positive Diagnoses
Authors: Ehrenkranz N. Joel , Richter Emily I. , Phillips Pamela M. , Shultz James M. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective:To investigate an apparent excess of operative site infections (OSI) reported according to doctor's diagnosis (presumptive OSI) by applying objective criteria for classification (documented OSI). To examine potential consequences of habitual overdiagnosis of OSI.Design:A case-control design was used to examine the clinical course of 18 case patients (12 presumptive OSI, six documented OSI) and 18 matched controls. Comparisons also were made between presumptive and documented OSI patients.Setting:A nonteaching community hospital.Patients:Thirty-six patients having laminectomies done by the same surgeon.Intervention:Implementation of objective criteria for diagnosis of confirmed OSI and reclassification of presumptive OSI patients.Results:Postoperatively, the frequency of specific adverse events within the operative site (including post-operative hematoma or bleeding; wound necrosis, dehiscence, or sinus tract; and dural tear) was 83% for documented OSI patients, contrasted with 16.7% for presumptive OSI patients (P<.01) and controls (P=.007). Median days of inpatient stay were 27 for documented OSI, contrasted with 9.5 for presumptive OSI (P=.01) and 7 for controls (P<.001).Conclusion:Documented OSI patients were found to have significantly more adverse findings and longer lengths of stay than presumptive OSI patients or controls. The similarity of findings for presumptive OSI patients and controls suggests that the apparent excess frequency of OSI was caused by incorrect diagnosis. Whereas doctor's diagnosis may be useful as an initial screen for OSI, use of objective criteria for confirming OSI may avert the consequences of overdiagnosis, including excessive length of stay and unnecessary therapy, which lead to elevated healthcare costs and threaten a physician's practice.
Evaluation of Infection Control Measures in Preventing the Nosocomial Transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a New York City Hospital
Authors: Stroud Leonardo A. , Tokars Jerome I. , Grieco Michael H. , Crawford Jack T. , Culver David H. , Edlin Brian R. , Sordillo Emilia M. , Woodley Charles L. , Gilligan Mary Ellen , Schneider Nancy , Williams Julie , Jarvis William R. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the efficacy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended infection control measures implemented in response to an outbreak of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB).Design:Retrospective cohort studies of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and healthcare workers. The study period (January 1989 through September 1992) was divided into period I, before changes in infection control; period II, after aggressive use of administrative controls (eg, rapid placement of TB patients or suspected TB patients in single-patient rooms); and period III, while engineering changes were made (eg, improving ventilation in TB isolation rooms).Setting:A New York City hospital that was the site of one of the first reported outbreaks of MDR-TB among AIDS patients in the United States.Participants:All AIDS patients admitted during periods I and II. Healthcare workers on nine inpatient units with TB patients and six without TB patients.Results:The epidemic (38 patients) waned during period II and only one MDR-TB patient presented during period III. The MDR-TB attack rate among AIDS patients hospitalized on the same ward on the same days as an infectious MDR-TB patient was 8.8% (19 of 216) during period I, decreasing to 2.6% (5 of 193; P= 0.01) during period II. In a small group of healthcare workers with tuberculin skin test data, conversions during periods II through III were higher on wards with than without TB patients (5 of 29 versus 0 of 15; P= 0.15), although the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions:Transmission of MDR-TB among AIDS patients decreased markedly after enforcement of readily implementable administrative measures, ending the outbreak. However, tuberculin skin-test conversions among healthcare workers may not have been prevented by these measures. CDC guidelines for prevention of nosocomial transmission of TB should be implemented fully at all US hospitals.