bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of patient satisfaction of an outpatient gastroscopy service in an Asian tertiary care hospital
Authors: Azmi Najib , Chan Wah-Kheong , Goh Khean-Lee 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
There are limited published studies on patient satisfaction towards endoscopy from Asian countries. Different methods of evaluation of patient satisfaction may yield different results and there is currently no study to compare results of on-site versus phone-back interviews.

Method
On-site followed by phone-back interviews were carried out on consecutive patients attending the outpatient gastroscopy service of University of Malaya Medical Centre between July 2010 and January 2011 using the modified Group Health Association of America-9 (mGHAA-9) questionnaire. The question on technical skill of endoscopist was replaced with a question on patient comfort during endoscopy.

Results
Seven hundred patients were interviewed. Waiting times for appointment and on gastroscopy day, and discomfort during procedure accounted for over 90% of unfavorable responses. Favorable response diminished to undesirable level when waiting times for appointment and on gastroscopy day exceeded 1 month and 1 hour, respectively. Satisfaction scores were higher for waiting time for appointment but lower for personal manner of nurses/staff and explanation given during phone-back interview. There was no significant difference in satisfaction scores for other questions, including overall rating between the two methods.

Conclusion
Waiting times and discomfort during procedure were main causes for patient dissatisfaction. Phone-back interview may result in different scores for some items compared with on-site interview and should be taken into account when comparing results using the different methods.
Serum proteomic, peptidomic and metabolomic profiles in myasthenia gravis patients during treatment with Qiangji Jianli Fang
Authors: Wang Chunmei , Lu Yonghai , Chen Zhixi , Liu Xiaobin , Lin Huangquan , Zhao Hui , Chen Jinyan , Kwan Yiuwa , Ngai Saiming 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background

Qiangji Jianli Fang (QJF) has been used for treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) in China. However, our understanding of the effects of QJF against MG at the molecular level is limited. This study aims to investigate the effects of QJF treatment of MG patients on the protein, peptide and metabolite levels in serum.

Methods
High-throughput proteomic, peptidomic and metabolomic techniques were applied to investigate serum samples from 21 healthy individuals and 47 MG patients before and after QJF treatment via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography Fourier transform mass spectrometry, respectively.

Results
After QJF treatment, the expression levels of peptides m/z 1865.019, 2021.128 and 1211.668 of complement C3f increased (P = 0.004, P = 0.001 and P = 0.043, respectively), while that of peptide m/z 1739.931 of component C4b decreased (P = 0.043), in the serum of MG patients. The levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (P = 0.000) and coenzyme Q4 (P = 0.000) resumed their normal states.

Conclusion
QJF could inhibit the activity of the complement system and restore the normal levels of metabolites.
PGASO: A synthetic biology tool for engineering a cellulolytic yeast
Authors: Chang Jui-Jen , Ho Cheng-Yu , Ho Feng-Ju , Tsai Tsung-Yu , Ke Huei-Mien , Wang Christine H-T , Chen Hsin-Liang , Shih Ming-Che , Huang Chieh-Chen , Li Wen-Hsiung 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundTo achieve an economical cellulosic ethanol production, a host that can do both cellulosic saccharification and ethanol fermentation is desirable. However, to engineer a non-cellulolytic yeast to be such a host requires synthetic biology techniques to transform multiple enzyme genes into its genome.ResultsA technique, named Promoter-based Gene Assembly and Simultaneous Overexpression (PGASO), that employs overlapping oligonucleotides for recombinatorial assembly of gene cassettes with individual promoters, was developed. PGASO was applied to engineerKluyveromycesmarxianusKY3, which is a thermo- and toxin-tolerant yeast. We obtained a recombinant strain, called KR5, that is capable of simultaneously expressing exoglucanase and endoglucanase (both ofTrichodermareesei), a beta-glucosidase (from a cow rumen fungus), a neomycin phosphotransferase, and a green fluorescent protein. High transformation efficiency and accuracy were achieved as ~63% of the transformants was confirmed to be correct. KR5 can utilize beta-glycan, cellobiose or CMC as the sole carbon source for growth and can directly convert cellobiose and beta-glycan to ethanol.ConclusionsThis study provides the first example of multi-gene assembly in a single step in a yeast species other thanSaccharomyces cerevisiae. We successfully engineered a yeast host with a five-gene cassette assembly and the new host is capable of co-expressing three types of cellulase genes. Our study shows that PGASO is an efficient tool for simultaneous expression of multiple enzymes in the kefir yeast KY3 and that KY3 can serve as a host for developing synthetic biology tools.
Design Concept for High-LUMO-level Fullerene Electron-acceptors for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Matsuo Yutaka 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
This review article describes design concept, synthesis, and features of fullerene derivatives having high lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels to achieve high open-circuit voltage in organic thin-film photovoltaic devices. Installation of organic electron-donating groups onto fullerene and decrease of the size of the fullerene π-electron-conjugated system raise the LUMO levels, affording high-performance organic solar cells. Addition of the methano group as the smallest carbon addend to fullerene to obtain 56π-electron fullerene derivatives is likely a promising strategy for this purpose.
Calculation of the Chirality in Solutions
Authors: Partovi Tayyebe 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
The chirality parameter of a chiral chemical solution is derived as a new function of the specific rotation analytically. The Maxwell’s equations are solved together for an incident linearly polarized wave to find this function. The specific rotation formula found by the measurement is used to find the chirality parameter of chiral solutions. The calculated chirality parameter can be used to simulate the chiral molecule structure in different wavelengths and also to determine the specific rotation and the concentration of a chiral chemical solution.
Silane(silyl) and Bis(silyl)hydrido Manganese Complexes with Different Mn···H···Si Interaction: Observation of Gradual Si–H Bond Activation on the Metal Center
Authors: Komuro Takashi , Okawara Satoshi , Furuyama Keisuke , Tobita Hiromi 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Three manganese–carbonyl complexes having a xanthene-based silane(silyl) or bis(silyl) chelate ligand were synthesized and characterized. The single-crystal X-ray analysis of these complexes demonstrated that an Si–H bond is sequentially activated on the metal according to ligand substitution of CO with xanthene-oxygen or η6-toluene.
Enantioseparation on Helical Poly(phenylacetylene)s Bearing Cinchona Alkaloid Pendants as Chiral Stationary Phases for HPLC
Authors: Naito Yuki , Tang Zhenglin , Iida Hiroki , Miyabe Toshitaka , Yashima Eiji 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
A series of optically active helical poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing cinchona alkaloid pendant groups was coated on macroporous silica gel to obtain novel chiral packing materials for high-performance liquid chromatography, which could resolve diverse racemic compounds into enantiomers whose chiral recognition abilities were significantly influenced by the macromolecular helicity induced by the alkaloid pendants.
The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of raised plasma metal ion levels in the diagnosis of adverse reaction to metal debris in symptomatic patients with a metal-on-metal arthroplasty of the hip
Authors: Malek I. A. , King A. , Sharma H. , Malek S. , Lyons K. , Jones S. , John A. 
Published: July 2012

Plasma levels of cobalt and chromium ions and Metal Artefact Reduction Sequence (MARS)-MRI scans were performed on patients with 209 consecutive, unilateral, symptomatic metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasties. There was wide variation in plasma cobalt and chromium levels, and MARS-MRI scans were positive for adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD) in 84 hips (40%). There was a significant difference in the median plasma cobalt and chromium levels between those with positive and negative MARS-MRI scans (p < 0.001). Compared with MARS-MRI as the potential reference standard for the diagnosis of ARMD, the sensitivity of metal ion analysis for cobalt or chromium with a cut-off of > 7 µg/l was 57%. The specificity was 65%, positive predictive value was 52% and the negative predictive value was 69% in symptomatic patients. A lowered threshold of > 3.5 µg/l for cobalt and chromium ion levels improved the sensitivity and negative predictive value to 86% and 74% but at the expense of specificity (27%) and positive predictive value (44%). Metal ion analysis is not recommended as a sole indirect screening test in the surveillance of symptomatic patients with a MoM arthroplasty. The investigating clinicians should have a low threshold for obtaining cross-sectional imaging in these patients, even in the presence of low plasma metal ion levels.
Patient-reported complications after elective joint replacement surgery
Authors: Alazzawi S. , Bardakos N. V. , Hadfield S. G. , Butt U. , Beer Z. H. , Field R. E. 
Published: July 2012

Using general practitioner records and hospital notes and through direct telephone conversation with patients, we investigated the accuracy of nine patient-reported complications gathered from a self-completed questionnaire after elective joint replacement surgery of the hip and knee. A total of 402 post-discharge complications were reported after 8546 elective operations that were undertaken within a three-year period. These were reported by 136 men and 240 women with a mean age of 71.8 years (34 to 93). A total of 319 reported complications (79.4%; 95% confidence interval 75.4 to 83.3) were confirmed to be correct. High rates of correct reporting were demonstrated for infection (94.5%) and the need for further surgery (100%), whereas the rates of reporting deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and stroke were lower (75% to 84.2%). Dislocation, peri-prosthetic fractures and nerve palsy had modest rates of correct reporting (36% to 57.1%). More patients who had knee surgery delivered incorrect reports of dislocation (p = 0.001) and DVT (p = 0.013). Despite these variations, it appears that post-operative complications may form part of a larger patient-reported outcome programme after elective joint replacement surgery.
Diffusion tensor imaging of the spinal cord and its clinical applications
Authors: Rajasekaran S. , Kanna R. M. , Shetty A. P. 
Published: July 2012

The identification of the extent of neural damage in patients with acute or chronic spinal cord injury is imperative for the accurate prediction of neurological recovery. The changes in signal intensity shown on routine MRI sequences are of limited value for predicting functional outcome. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a novel radiological imaging technique which has the potential to identify intact nerve fibre tracts, and has been used to image the brain for a variety of conditions. DTI imaging of the spinal cord is currently only a research tool, but preliminary studies have shown that it holds considerable promise in predicting the severity of spinal cord injury. This paper briefly reviews our current knowledge of this technique.
Targeting Angiogenesis in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Reddy Sangeetha , Raffin Michael , Kaklamani Virginia 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Angiogenesis has become an important target in the treatment of several solid tumors, including breast cancer. As monotherapy, antiangiogenic agents have demonstrated limited activity in metastatic breast cancer (MBC); therefore, they have generally been developed for use in combination with chemotherapies. Thus far, the experience with antiangiogenic agents for MBC has been mixed. The results from one study assessing addition of the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab to paclitaxel led to approval of bevacizumab for MBC. However, the modest improvement of progression-free survival rates in subsequent MBC studies has led to reappraisal of bevacizumab. Phase III studies have not produced evidence supporting use of the multikinase inhibitor sunitinib alone or in combination with MBC chemotherapy. Experience with sorafenib in a phase IIb program indicates potential when used in select combinations, particularly with capecitabine; however, phase III confirmatory data are needed. Although antiangiogenic therapies combined with chemotherapy have increased progression-free survival rates for patients with MBC, increases in overall survival times have not been observed. Some studies have tried to combine antiangiogenic agents such as bevacizumab and sunitinib or sorafenib, but that approach has been limited because of toxicity concerns. Sequential use of antiangiogenic agents with differing mechanisms of action may be an effective approach. Despite setbacks, angiogenesis will likely remain an important target of treatment for selected patients with MBC.
Neurosurgical management of frontal lobe epilepsy in children
Authors: Vachhrajani Shobhan , de Ribaupierre Sandrine , Otsubo Hiroshi , Ochi Ayako , Weiss Shelly K. , Donner Elizabeth J. , Widjaja Elysa , Kerr Elizabeth , Smith Mary Lou , Drake James , Snead O. Carter , Rutka James T. 
Published: July 2012

Object
Pediatric frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) remains a challenging condition for neurosurgeons and epileptologists to manage. Postoperative seizure outcomes remain far inferior to those observed in temporal lobe epilepsies, possibly due to inherent difficulties in delineating and subsequently completely resecting responsible epileptogenic regions. In this study, the authors review their institutional experience with the surgical management of FLE and attempt to find predictors that may help to improve seizure outcome in this population.

Methods
All surgically treated cases of intractable FLE from 1990 to 2008 were reviewed. Demographic information, preoperative and intraoperative imaging and electrophysiological investigations, and follow-up seizure outcome were assessed. Inferential statistics were performed to look for potential predictors of seizure outcome.

Results
Forty patients (20 male, 20 female) underwent surgical management of FLE during the study period. Patients were an average of 5.6 years old at the time of FLE onset and 11.7 years at the time of surgery; patients were followed for a mean of 40.25 months. Most patients displayed typical FLE semiology. Twenty-eight patients had discrete lesions identified on MRI. Eight patients underwent 2 operations. Cortical dysplasia was the most common pathological diagnosis. Engel Class I outcome was obtained in 25 patients (62.5%), while Engel Class II outcome was observed in 5 patients (12.5%). No statistically significant predictors of outcome were found.

Conclusions
Control of FLE remains a challenging problem. Favorable seizure outcome, obtained in 62% of patients in this series, is still not as easily obtained in FLE as it is in temporal lobe epilepsy. While no statistically significant predictors of seizure outcome were revealed in this study, patients with FLE continue to require extensive workup and investigation to arrive at a logical and comprehensive neurosurgical treatment plan. Future studies with improved neuroimaging and advanced invasive monitoring strategies may well help define factors for success in this form of epilepsy that is difficult to control.
Dramatic Structural Enhancement of Chirality in Photopatternable Nanocomposites of Chiral Poly(fluorene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) (PFBT) in Achiral SU‐8 Photoresist
Authors: Oh Heong Sub , Jee Hongsub , Baev Alexander , Swihart Mark T. , Prasad Paras N. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMaterials with large optical activity at visible wavelengths are of great interest in photonics, particularly as one of the routes towards optical metamaterials. Here, dramatic structural enhancement of the optical activity of chiral poly(fluorene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) (PFBT) when dispersed in SU‐8 to form a nanocomposite is reported. The supramolecular helical organization of PFBT chains in these optically clear nanocomposite films produces specific rotation at visible wavelengths that is 68 times that of a pure chiral PFBT film of the same optical absorbance. Photopatterning and development under standard conditions for SU‐8 leave behind a residual film of dispersed PFBT/SU‐8 aggregates in the nominally unexposed regions where the SU‐8 matrix is removed. After annealing, the patterned film exhibits specific rotation 58 times that of a pure chiral PFBT film of the same optical absorbance. Photopatterned and annealed films have a dissymmetry ratio as high as |gabs| = 0.32. This dramatic enhancement is attributed to supramolecular helical organization of the aggregates within the nanocomposites and of the aggregates liberated from the SU‐8 matrix in the exposed regions.
Genotype–phenotype analysis of 4q deletion syndrome: Proposal of a critical region
Authors: Strehle Eugen‐Matthias , Yu Linbo , Rosenfeld Jill A. , Donkervoort Sandra , Zhou Yulin , Chen Tian‐Jian , Martinez Jose E. , Fan Yao‐Shan , Barbouth Deborah , Zhu Hongbo , Vaglio Alicia , Smith Rosemarie , Stevens Cathy A. , Curry Cynthia J. , Ladda Roger L. , Fan Zheng (Jane) , Fox Joyce E. , Martin Judith A. , Abdel‐Hamid Hoda Z. , McCracken Elizabeth A. , McGillivray Barbara C. , Masser‐Frye Diane , Huang Taosheng 
Published: July 2012

AbstractChromosome 4q deletion syndrome (4q‐ syndrome) is a rare condition, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 100,000. Although variable, the clinical spectrum commonly includes craniofacial, developmental, digital, skeletal, and cardiac involvement. Data on the genotype–phenotype correlation within the 4q arm are limited. We present detailed clinical and genetic information by array CGH on 20 patients with 4q deletions. We identified a patient who has a ∼465 kb deletion (186,770,069–187,234,800, hg18 coordinates) in 4q35.1 with all clinical features for 4q deletion syndrome except for developmental delay, suggesting that this is a critical region for this condition and a specific gene responsible for orofacial clefts and congenital heart defects resides in this region. Since the patients with terminal deletions all had cleft palate, our results provide further evidence that a gene associated with clefts is located on the terminal segment of 4q. By comparing and contrasting our patients' genetic information and clinical features, we found significant genotype–phenotype correlations at a single gene level linking specific phenotypes to individual genes. Based on these data, we constructed a hypothetical partial phenotype‐genotype map for chromosome 4q which includes BMP3, SEC31A, MAPK10, SPARCL1, DMP1, IBSP, PKD2, GRID2, PITX2, NEUROG2, ANK2, FGF2, HAND2, and DUX4 genes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
IVR: Its Coherent and Incoherent Dynamics
Authors: Zewail Ahmed H. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn this paper, we discuss the dynamics of intramolecular vibrational‐energy redistribution (IVR) in two limits: the coherent and incoherent limits. These descriptions are introduced to account for experiments done in time and frequency domains. We present a more general model for IVR, namely the model of overlapping resonances, which describes coherence (quantum beats), congestion and nonexponentional decays.
First and Second Overtone Absorption of Pure Carbon Monoxide to High Pressures and Temperatures
Authors: Buback M. , Schweer J. , Tups H. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe first and second overtone absorption of pure carbon monoxide was measured at supercritical temperatures between 293 K and 500 K in an extended pressure range up to 2.8 kbar. The near infrared bandshape, almost up to the critical density, is adequately represented by summing up over individual rotation‐vibration lines with half‐widths proportional to density. Band maximum positions and vibrational intensities between gaseous and liquid‐like states are reported and discussed. The molar integrated absorptivity is independent of temperature and, in the first overtone, varies by less than 2% with density which enables direct and precise measurements of CO concentrations in fluid phase equilibria and reactions via high‐pressure near infrared Spectroscopy.
The Influence of Helical Orientation on the Tricritical Behaviour of the Liquid Crystal Phase Transition Cholesteric/Smectic‐A. — Thermodynamic and Optical Measurements on Cholesteryl Myristate and Its Binary Mixtures with p‐Pentylphenyl‐2‐chloro‐4‐(p‐pentylbenzoyloxy)benzoate or Cholesteryl Benzoate up to 2 kbar and 120°C
Authors: Pollmann P. , Schulte K. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAt 1 bar the phase transition cholesteric (Ch)/smectic‐A (SA) of the Cholesteryl myristate (CM) is associated with a change in volume. Volume measurements at 1 bar reveal a discontinuous part ΔVdand a pretransition effect in the cholesteric phase. — By admixing an appropriate component to CM first ΔVd, then the remaining volume effect in the pretransition region vanishes. — The helical orientation of the cholesteric phase can be observed by the experimental determination of the wavelength of maximum light reflection, which is proportional to the pitch of the helix. It is shown for the first time that the vanishing of ΔVdis accompanied by an entire untwisting of the cholesteric helix at the transition point Ch/SA. This transition behaviour of CM in mixtures at 1 bar can be applied to that of the pure CM at elevated pressures and temperatures respectively: From the untwisting of the helix at the transition pressurept= 0.82 kbar and the transition temperatureTt= 98.6°C, determined also by means of the above optical measuring method, a vanishing of ΔVdat these coordinates can be concluded. Thep‐V‐Tmeasurements performed in this pressure and temperature range exhibit only the total change in volume in the transition region. — The remaining volume effect in the pretransition region above 0.82 kbar should approach zero not beforept= 3 kbar.
Photochemistry of Colloidal Semiconductors 10. Exclusion Chromatography and Stop Flow Experiments on the Formation of Extremely Small CdS Particles
Authors: Fischer CH.‐H. , Weller H. , Fojtik A. , Lume‐Pereira C. , Janata E. , Henglein A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA solution of Q‐CdS (particles of extremely small size, prepared by precipitation in the presence of hexametaphosphate, separated as solid, and redissolved) was fractionated by exclusion chromatography. The various fractions had absorption spectra, in which the maximum of the exciton transition is shifted to shorter wavelengths with increasing elution time. This result proves that the various absorption maxima in the spectrum of Q‐CdS are caused by particles of different size. ‐ The development of the absorption spectrum of CdS at different times after the mixing of NaSH and Cd(ClO4)2 solutions in the presence of hexametaphosphate was observed with a stop flow apparatus. As the particles grow, the beginning of absorption is shifted to longer wavelengths. Spectra with several absorption maxima are observed in a certain range of hexametaphosphate concentration. The rate and structure of size distribution are dependent on whether precipitation occurs in bulk solution or on the Cd2+ loaded metaphosphate matrix.