bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The acute and long‐term effectiveness of amisulpride in patients with schizophrenia: results of a 12‐month open‐label prospective follow‐up study
Authors: Ahn Yong Min , Lee Kyu Young , Kim Chul‐Eung , Kang Dae‐Yeob , Seok Jeong‐Ho , Shin Young Min , Chung In‐Won , Jun Tae‐Youn , Chang Jae Seung , Kim Yong Sik 
Published: December 2011

ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of amisulpride in acute (up to 8 weeks) and maintenance (week 8 to 12 months) phases of a 12‐month course of treatment in a heterogeneous group of patients with schizophrenia.MethodsWe conducted a 12‐month, open‐label clinical trial with flexible doses of amisulpride among 129 Korean patients with schizophrenia. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and several other scales measuring efficacy and tolerability were analyzed during the acute and maintenance phases.ResultsThe completion rates were 78.3% by week 8 and 55.8% by month 12. Total PANSS scores and scores on the negative‐symptom and general‐symptom subscales improved significantly during both acute and maintenance periods, but scores on the positive‐symptom subscale improved only during the acute phase. Improvement during both treatment phases was significant in all other scales except for the Drug Attitude Inventory. The negative‐symptom and mixed‐symptom groups showed significant improvement in the PANSS negative subscale, the Clinical Global Impression scale, and the Global Assessment of Functioning during the maintenance period. Hyperprolactinemia and related events were commonly reported.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the significant effectiveness and a good safety profile of amisulpride for treating acute and 12‐month phases of schizophrenia under natural conditions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of 1 year of an intentional weight loss intervention on bone mineral density in type 2 diabetes: Results from the look AHEAD randomized trial
Authors: Schwartz Ann V , Johnson Karen C , Kahn Steven E , Shepherd John A , Nevitt Michael C , Peters Anne L , Walkup Michael P , Hodges Amelia , Williams Carrie C , Bray George A ,   the Look AHEAD Research Group
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Intentional weight loss is an important component of treatment for overweight patients with type 2 diabetes, but the effects on bone density are not known. We used data from the Look AHEAD trial to determine the impact of an intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention (ILI) compared with diabetes support and education (DSE) on changes in bone mineral density (BMD) over 12 months. Overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to ILI or DSE. In a substudy of BMD conducted at 5 of 16 clinical centers, hip, spine, and whole body dual X-ray absorptiometry scans were obtained at baseline and 1-year later on 642 of 739 ILI and 632 of 740 DSE participants. At baseline, mean age was 58.4 years, and average body mass index was 35.2 kg/m2. Total hip BMD T-score was &lt;−2.5 in 1% and &lt;−1.0 in 8%. At 1 year, weight loss was greater in ILI than DSE (−8.6% versus −0.7%), and glycemic control and fitness were also improved. Bone loss over 1 year was greater in ILI at the total hip (−1.4% versus −0.4%; p &lt; 0.001) and femoral neck (−1.5% versus −0.8%; p = 0.009), but change in BMD for the lumbar spine and whole body did not differ between groups. In ILI, bone loss at the total hip was independently associated with weight loss in men and women and with poorer glycemic control in men, but was not associated with changes in fitness. One year of an intensive lifestyle intervention in adults with type 2 diabetes, resulting in weight loss, was associated with a modest increase in hip bone loss despite improved fitness and glycemic control. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Comparative analysis of pre‐replication complex proteins in transformed and normal cells
Authors: Di Paola Domenic , Zannis‐Hadjopoulos Maria 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis study examines the abundance of the major protein constituents of the pre‐replication complex (pre‐RC), both genome‐wide and in association with specific replication origins, namely the lamin B2, c‐myc, 20mer1, and 20mer2 origins. Several pre‐RC protein components, namely ORC1‐6, Cdc6, Cdt1, MCM4, MCM7, as well as additional replication proteins, such as Ku70/86, 14‐3‐3, Cdc45, and PCNA, were comparatively and quantitatively analyzed in both transformed and normal cells. The results show that these proteins are overexpressed and more abundantly bound to chromatin in the transformed compared to normal cells. Interestingly, the 20mer1, 20mer2, and c‐myc origins exhibited a two‐ to threefold greater origin activity and a two‐ to threefold greater in vivo association of the pre‐RC proteins with these origins in the transformed cells, whereas the origin associated with the housekeeping lamin B2 gene exhibited both similar levels of activity and in vivo association of these pre‐RC proteins in both cell types. Overall, the results indicate that cellular transformation is associated with an overexpression and increased chromatin association of the pre‐RC proteins. This study is significant, because it represents the most systematic comprehensive analysis done to date, using multiple replication proteins and different replication origins in both normal and transformed cell lines. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1333–1347, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chemical reduction of carboxyl groups in heparin abolishes its vasodilatory activity
Authors: Paredes‐Gamero Edgar J. , Medeiros Valquíria P. , Lima Marcelo A. , Accardo Camila M. , Farias Eduardo H.C. , Sassaki Guilherme I. , Campana Patricia T. , Miranda Antonio , Ferreira Alice T. , Tersariol Ivarne L.S. , Nader Helena B. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that heparin induces vascular relaxation via integrin‐dependent nitric oxide (NO)‐mediated activation of the muscarinic receptor. The aim of this study was to identify the structural features of heparin that are necessary for the induction of vasodilatation. To address this issue, we tested heparin from various sources for their vasodilatation activities in the rat aorta ring. Structural and chemical characteristics of heparin, such as its molecular weight and substitution pattern, did not show a direct correlation with the vasodilation activity. Principal component analysis (PCA) of circular dichroism (CD), 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and vasodilation activity measurements confirmed that there is no direct relationship between the physico‐chemical nature and vasodilation activity of the tested heparin samples. To further understand these observations, unfractionated heparin (UFH) from bovine intestinal mucosa, which showed the highest relaxation effect, was chemically modified. Interestingly, non‐specific O‐ and N‐desulfation of heparin reduced its anticoagulant, antithrombotic, and antihemostatic activities, but had no effect on its ability to induce vasodilation. On the other hand, chemical reduction of the carboxyl groups abolished heparin‐induced vasodilation and reduced the affinity of heparin toward the extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition, dextran and dextran sulfate (linear non‐sulfated and highly sulfated polysaccharides, respectively) did not induce significant relaxation, showing that the vasodilation activity of polysaccharides is neither charge‐dependent nor backbone unspecific. Our results suggest that desulfated heparin molecules may be used as vasoactive agents due to their low side effects. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1359–1367, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ca2+ store depletion and endoplasmic reticulum stress are involved in P2X7 receptor‐mediated neurotoxicity in differentiated NG108‐15 cells
Authors: Chao Chia‐Chia , Huang Chieh‐Chen , Lu Dah‐Yuu , Wong Kar‐Lok , Chen Yun‐Ru , Cheng Tzu‐Hurng , Leung Yuk‐Man 
Published: December 2011

AbstractP2X7 receptor (P2X7R) activation by extracellular ATP triggers influx of Na+ and Ca2+, cytosolic Ca2+ overload and consequently cytotoxicity. Whether disturbances in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ homeostasis and ER stress are involved in P2X7R‐mediated cell death is unknown. In this study, a P2X7R agonist (BzATP) was used to activate P2X7R in differentiated NG108‐15 neuronal cells. In a concentration‐dependent manner, application of BzATP (10–100 µM) immediately raised cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and caused cell death after a 24‐h incubation. P2X7R activation for 2 h did not cause cell death but resulted in a sustained reduction in ER Ca2+ pool size, as evidenced by a diminished cyclopiazonic acid‐induced Ca2+ discharge (fura 2 assay) and a lower fluorescent signal in cells loaded with Mag‐fura 2 (ER‐specific Ca2+‐fluorescent dye). Furthermore, P2X7R activation (2 h) led to the appearance of markers of ER stress [phosphorylated α subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (p‐eIF2α) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)] and apoptosis (cleaved caspase 3). Xestospongin C (XeC), an antagonist of inositol‐1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R), strongly inhibited BzATP‐triggered [Ca2+]i elevation, suggesting that the latter involved Ca2+ release via IP3R. XeC pretreatment not only attenuated the reduction in Ca2+ pool size in BzATP‐treated cells, but also rescued cell death and prevented BzATP‐induced appearance of ER stress and apoptotic markers. These novel observations suggest that P2X7R activation caused not only Ca2+ overload, but also Ca2+ release via IP3R, sustained Ca2+ store depletion, ER stress and eventually apoptotic cell death. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1377–1385, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Characterization of b‐Perfect Graphs
Authors: Hoàng Chính T. , Maffray Frédéric , Mechebbek Meriem 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA b‐coloring is a coloring of the vertices of a graph such that each color class contains a vertex that has a neighbor in all other color classes, and the b‐chromatic number of a graph G is the largest integer k such that G admits a b‐coloring with k colors. A graph is b‐perfect if the b‐chromatic number is equal to the chromatic number for every induced subgraph of G. We prove that a graph is b‐perfect if and only if it does not contain as an induced subgraph a member of a certain list of 22 graphs. This entails the existence of a polynomial‐time recognition algorithm and of a polynomial‐time algorithm for coloring exactly the vertices of every b‐perfect graph. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 71:95–122, 2012
Molecular modeling to rationalize ligand–support interactions in affinity chromatography
Authors: Salvalaglio Matteo , Cavallotti Carlo 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe development of rational design criteria for synthetic‐ligand‐based affinity chromatography requires a basic comprehension of all the factors influencing the binding capacity and selectivity of the stationary phase. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are systematically used to investigate the impact of structural modifications of spacer and ligand on ligand–support interactions. The investigated ligands are characterized by a triazine core bi‐functionalized with two amino acid side chains aimed at representing a range of hydrophobic/hydrophilic characters. As spacers both literature (1‐2‐diaminoethane and 1,4‐substituted [1,2,3]‐triazole) and speculative oligopeptidic molecules (Gly‐[Ala]4‐Gly, Gly‐[Lys]4‐Gly, and Gly‐[Glu]4‐Gly) have been considered to address the role of charges distribution, rigidity, and structural complexity. In this investigation, the spacer emerged as a key component: on the one hand, the choice of a proper spacer allows improving the hydrophilic character of the ligand–spacer adduct without compromising the structure of the affinity ligand, while on the other hand the use of structurally complex spacers induces spacer–support interactions that enhance the degree of solvation of the ligand regardless of its hydrophobic character. These findings suggest that the use of structured spacers could represent a viable pathway for tailoring the performances of affinity chromatography stationary phases.
Nesting characteristics of mourning doves in central New Mexico: Response to riparian forest change
Authors: Smith D. Max , Finch Deborah M. , Hawksworth David L. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractRiparian forests of the American Southwest are especially prone to changes in composition and structure due to natural and anthropogenic factors. To determine how breeding mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) respond to these changes, we examined nest site use and nest survival in control plots, fuel reduction plots before and after mechanical thinning, and post‐wildfire sites. The greatest number of nests (50%) were located in post‐wildfire sites where resprouted vegetation and woody debris provided numerous nest sites in the understory. We found fewer nests in post‐treatment fuel reduction plots (17%), where most were constructed in cottonwoods, and an intermediate number of nests in control and pre‐treatment plots (33%), where most were constructed in exotic plants. The best‐supported logistic‐exposure nest survival model indicated that survival varied among years and with date. Models containing effects of forest type, study block, and nest site selection received little support, suggesting that survival was constant among plot locations, disturbance types, and nest sites. Our nest survival estimates were low relative to those from other studies, but productivity could offset mortality if adults make numerous nest attempts each year. Our results highlight the utility of woody vegetation and debris as understory nest sites for mourning doves and other riparian birds. Managers should devise methods to preserve or reestablish these nest sites when conducting fuel reduction, exotic vegetation removal, or post‐fire restoration activities. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Lessons from nature: biomimetic subwavelength structures for high‐performance optics
Authors: Brunner R. , Sandfuchs O. , Pacholski C. , Morhard C. , Spatz J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn nature, optical structures in the subwavelength range have been evolved over millions of years. For example, in the form of ‘moth‐eye’ structures they show a strong anti‐reflective effect on the compound eyes of night‐active insects and therefore offer a successful protection over predators. In this contribution the advantages and challenges to transfer this natural concept of subwavelength structured optical interfaces to high‐end optical systems are discussed. Here, in comparison to alternative conventional multilayer systems, the bioinspired anti‐reflective structures offer a wide wavelength range and a broad angle dependency. Additionally, adhesion problems are reduced drastically. Simultaneously to the theoretical consideration of the best profile form of the subwavelength structures, appropriate realization technologies have been developed in recent years, where both top‐down and bottom‐up approaches have been investigated. Depending on the choice of the structuring technique, anti‐reflective subwavelength structures are applicable to a wide spectrum of optical elements ranging from micro‐optical components to aspheres for applications in imaging and also illumination setups of high‐end optical instruments.
A parallel imaging approach to wide‐field MR microscopy
Authors: McDougall Mary Preston , Wright Steven M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMagnetic resonance microscopy, suggested in the earliest papers on MRI, has always been limited by the low signal‐to‐noise ratio resulting from the small voxel size. Magnetic resonance microscopy has largely been enabled by the use of microcoils that provide the signal‐to‐noise ratio improvement required to overcome this limitation. Concomitant with the small coils is a small field‐of‐view, which limits the use of magnetic resonance microscopy as a histological tool or for imaging large regions in general. This article describes initial results in wide field‐of‐view magnetic resonance microscopy using a large array of narrow, parallel coils, which provides a signal‐to‐noise ratio enhancement as well as the ability to use parallel imaging techniques. Comparison images made between a volume coil and the proposed technique demonstrate reductions in imaging time of more than 100 with no loss in signal‐to‐noise ratio or resolution. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuropathic pain in post‐burn hypertrophic scars: A psychophysical and neurophysiological study
Authors: Isoardo Gianluca , Stella Maurizio , Cocito Dario , Risso Daniela , Migliaretti Giuseppe , Cauda Franco , Palmitessa Angela , Faccani Giuliano , Ciaramitaro Palma 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Pain complicates hypertrophic post‐burn pathologic scars (PPS) Methods: To investigate the possible neuropathic origin of pain, 13 patients with painful PPS involving at least 1 hand underwent clinical examination, including the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire; median, ulnar, and radial nerve conduction studies (NCS); cold‐ (CDT) and heat‐induced pain threshold evaluation by quantitative sensory testing; and cutaneous silent period (CSP) testing of the abductor pollicis brevis. Controls included 9 patients with non‐painful PPS, 52 healthy subjects, and 28 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Results: All patients with painful PPS had possible neuropathic pain (DN4 score ≥4). NCS signs of CTS were similarly present in PPS subjects with or without pain. Hands with painful PPS had lower CDT and CSP duration, more frequent cold‐ and heat‐pain hypesthesia, and more thermal allodynia than controls. Conclusions: In PPS, possible neuropathic pain is associated with psychophysical and neurophysiological abnormalities suggestive of small‐fiber damage. Muscle Nerve 45: 883–890, 2012
Hospital discharge database optimization in guillain‐barré syndrome surveillance
Authors: Lee Christopher D. , Jones Timothy F. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroduction:Precise causes and risk factors for Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) remain incompletely understood, and monitoring its incidence remains important in public health. Active surveillance is not sustainable, but hospital discharge databases (HDDs) may be suitable for passive surveillance.Methods:We optimized Tennessee's HDD of all ICD‐9 codes of 357.0, from 2000 to 2010. Discharges for persons with a GBS diagnosis in a previous hospitalization in the database were excluded. HDD results were compared with the CDC's active surveillance program during the H1N1 vaccination program of 2009–2010.Results:Of 2,659 records of Tennessee residents initially identified, 1077 (40%) had prior diagnoses of GBS. Adjusted annual rates ranged from 1.24 to 1.57 per 100,000 population. The sensitivity of the optimized HDD was 0.81 with a positive predictive value of 0.45.Conclusions:Optimization of a HDD through exclusion of nonacute cases results in an acceptable and practical database for passive surveillance of GBS. Muscle Nerve 46: 60–62, 2012
Stochastic identification of defects under sensor uncertainties
Authors: Furukawa Tomonari , Lim Shen Hin , Michopoulos John G. 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYThis paper presents a new methodology for identifying defects under the presence of both sensor and defect uncertainties. This methodology introduces a representation of the beliefs of both the locations of defects and the sensors each by a probability density function and updates them using the extended Kalman filter. Because the beliefs are recursively maintained while the sensor is moving and the associated observation data are updated, the proposed approach considers not only the current observation data but also the prior knowledge, the past observation data and beliefs, which include both sensor and defect uncertainties. The concept of differential entropy has been introduced and is utilized as a performance measure to evaluate the result of defect identification and handle the identification of multiple defects. The verification and evaluation of the proposed methodology performance were conducted via parametric numerical studies. The results have shown the successful identification of defects with reduced uncertainty when the number of measurements increases, even under the presence of large sensor uncertainties. Furthermore, the proposed methodology was applied to the more realistic problem of identifying multiple defects located on a specimen and has demonstrated its applicability to practical defect identification problems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural shape and topology optimization using a meshless Galerkin level set method
Authors: Luo Z. , Zhang N. , Gao W. , Ma H. 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYThis paper aims to propose a meshless Galerkin level set method for shape and topology optimization of continuum structures. To take advantage of the implicit free boundary representation scheme, the design boundary is represented as the zero level set of a scalar level set function, to flexibly handle complex shape fidelity and topology changes by maintaining concise and smooth interface. Compactly supported radial basis functions (CSRBFs) are used to parameterize the level set function and construct the shape functions for meshfree approximations based on a set of unstructured field nodes. The meshless Galerkin method with global weak form is used to implement the discretization of the state equations. This provides a pathway to unify the two different numerical stages in most conventional level set methods: (1) the propagation of discrete level set function on a set of Eulerian grid and (2) the approximation of discrete equations on a set of Lagrangian mesh. The original more difficult shape and topology optimization based on the level set equation is transformed into a relatively easier size optimization, to which many efficient optimization algorithms can be applied. The proposed level set method can describe the moving boundaries without remeshing for discontinuities. The motion of the free boundary is just a question of advancing the discrete level set function in time by solving the size optimization. Several benchmark examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The numerical results show that the proposed method can simplify numerical process and avoid numerical difficulties involved in most conventional level set methods. It is straightforward to apply the proposed method to more advanced shape and topology optimization problems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.