bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fetuin and osteocalcin interact with calcospherite formation during the calcification process of poly(2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate) in vitro: a Raman microspectroscopic monitoring
Authors: Libouban H. , Filmon R. , Mauréac A. , Baslé M. F. , Chappard D. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractCalcification is a complex process implying numerous proteins acting as nucleators, ion transporters and crystal growth regulators. Several proteins impair mineralization, such as fetuin and osteocalcin [(bone Gla protein), BGP]. We have evaluated their effets on the biomimetic calcification of carboxymethylated poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate).Polymer pellets were incubated in synthetic body fluid for 4 days at 37 °C to induce nucleation. They were transferred for 11 days in a fresh medium containing fetuin (5 mg/ml) or BGP (1 mg/ml) or a combination of boths. Pellets were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Detection of proteins was done by immunogold and Raman microspectroscopy. Calcospherites were dissolved, Ca and P were dosed. BGP did not modify the amount of CaP or the Ca/P ratio, but the mean size of calcospherites was two times larger than controls. Fetuin reduced the number of calcospherites and the amount of CaP but increased the Ca/P ratio. CaP deposition was reduced on pellets incubated with both proteins, and calcospherites appeared considerably smaller. Immunogold and Raman spectroscopy identified both proteins adsorbed on hydroxyapatite (HA) tablets. Noncollagenous proteins control HA crystal growth in a different manner. The interaction between fetuin and BGP reduced the amount of calcified material deposited but also affected the morphology of the calcospherites. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An in vivo model of external superior laryngeal nerve paralysis
Authors: Roy Nelson , Barton Michael E. , Smith Marshall E. , Dromey Christopher , Merrill Ray M. , Sauder Cara 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:For over 100 years, a controversy has existed regarding the laryngeal signs that should be considered pathognomonic of unilateral external superior laryngeal nerve (ESLN) paralysis. By selectively blocking the ESLN using lidocaine, we attempted to identify the salient laryngeal features associated with acute, unilateral cricothyroid (CT) muscle dysfunction.Study Design:Prospective, repeated measures, experimental design.Methods:Ten vocally normal adult males underwent lidocaine block of the right ESLN with laryngeal electromyography verification. Flexible videolaryngostroboscopic (FVLS) recordings were acquired before and during the block. Eleven blinded, expert judges, rated randomized pre‐ versus during block recordings of 10 vocal tasks using standardized FVLS rating protocols.Results:Contrary to recent clinical reports, no evidence of hypomobility/sluggishness of the ipsilateral vocal fold, or a consistent pattern of axial rotation of the larynx was observed. Instead, the analysis revealed: 1) deviation of the petiole of the epiglottis to the side of weakness in 60% of participants during a glissando up maneuver produced at normal volume, and 2) axial rotation of the posterior commissure to the left and the anterior commissure to the right in 50% of participants during a maneuver which rapidly alternated between a maximum vocal fold abduction task (sniff) and a high‐pitched “ee” production.Conclusions:Neither of these laryngeal findings has been reported previously. They potentially represent valuable diagnostic markers of acute, unilateral CT paralysis. Clinical populations need to be explored to better appreciate the diagnostic value and precision of these laryngeal signs. Laryngoscope, 2009
Safety on an inpatient pediatric otolaryngology service: Many small errors, few adverse events
Authors: Shah Rahul K. , Lander Lina , Forbes Peter , Jenkins Kathy , Healy Gerald B. , Roberson David W. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectives:Studies of medical error demonstrate that errors and adverse events (AEs) are common in hospitals. There are little data of errors on pediatric surgical services.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed 50 randomly selected inpatient admissions to the otolaryngology service at a tertiary care children's hospital. We used a “zero‐defect” paradigm, recording any error or adverse event—from minor errors such as illegible notes to more significant errors such as mismanagement resulting in a bleeding emergency.Results:A total of 553 errors/AEs were identified in 50 admissions. Most (449) were charting or record‐keeping deficiencies. Minor AEs (n = 26) and moderate AEs (n = 8) were present in 38% of admissions; there were no major AEs or permanent morbidity. Medication‐related errors occurred in 22% of admissions, but only two resulted in minor AEs. There was a positive correlation between minor errors and AEs; however, this was not statistically significant.Conclusions:Multiple errors occurred in every inpatient pediatric otolaryngology admission; however, only 26 minor and eight moderate AEs were identified. The rate of errors per 1,000 hospital days (6,356 per 1,000 days) is higher than previously reported in voluntary reporting studies, possibly due to our methodology of physician review with a “zero‐defect” standard. Trends in the data suggest that the presence of small errors may be associated with the risk of adverse events. Although labor‐intensive, physician chart review is a valuable tool for identifying areas for improvement. Although small errors were common, there were few harms and no major morbidity. Laryngoscope, 2009
Erratum: Investigation of drug release and 1H‐NMR analysis of the in situ forming systems based on poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide)
Authors: Mohamadnia Z. , Ahmadi E. , Rafienia M. , Mirzadeh H. , Mobedi H. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis paper was published online on 10 October 2008 (DOI: 10.1002/pat.1279) and appears in the January 2009 issue (Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 48‐57). The following changes should be recognized:The second corresponding author should be changed to M. Rafiena.** Correspondence to: M. Rafienia, Medical Physics and Medical Engineering Department, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), P.O. Box 81744‐176, Isfahan, Iran. E‐mail: m_rafienia@med.mui.ac.ir
Formation of Extended 1D and 2D Coordination Polymers in Tetrathioether Complexes of Mercury(II) and Copper(I): Crystal Structures of [{{Ge(CH2SPh)4}HgBr2}n] and [{{Ge(CH2SPh)4}(Cu2l2}}n]
Authors: Peindy Harmel N. , Guyon Fabrice , Khatyr Abderrahim , Knorr Michael , Gessner Viktoria H. , Strohmann Carsten 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA one‐dimensional (1D) coordination polymer of stoichiometry [{{Ge(CH2SPh)4}HgBr2}n] (2b) has been prepared by treatment of HgBr2 with the functionalized germane Ge(CH2SPh)4 (1b), which is acting as a tetradentate thioether ligands. The extended structure results from weak intermolecular Hg–S interactions linking the monomeric {Ge(CH2SPh)4}HgBr2 units, as established using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The effective coordination around the mercury atoms is best described as distorted octahedral. Upon reaction of CuI with 1b in a 2:1 metal‐to‐ligand ratio, the novel metal‐organic polymer [{{Ge(CH2SPh)4}(Cu2I2)}n] (3), which incorporates rhombic dinuclear Cu(μ‐I)2Cu units within its 2D sheet‐like network, was obtained. The luminescence properties of 1b and 3 have been investigated both in solution and in the solid state. Upon treatment of 1b with [{Re(μ‐Br)(CO)3(THF)}2] the mononuclear compound fac‐[ReBr(CO)3{Ge(CH2SPh)4}] (4) is formed. In this chelate complex, two CH2SPh arms are ligated on ReI, the remaining two CH2SPh arms are dangling.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Iron (III) Complexes with 2‐Hydroxyphenones
Authors: Lalia‐Kantouri Maria , Dimitriadis Theodor , Papadopoulos Christos D. , Gdaniec Maria , Czapik Agnieszka , Hatzidimitriou Antonios G. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractFour iron(III) complexes [Fe(2‐OH‐phenone)3] (1–4), in which 2‐OH‐phenone is the anion of the ligands 2‐OH‐acetophenone(Hapo) (1′), 2‐OH‐propiophenone(Hppo) (2′), 2‐OH‐benzophenone(Hbpo) (3′) and 2‐OH, 4‐OCH3‐benzophenone(Hopo) (4′), were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectral (IR, UV/Vis, Mössbauer) data. The X‐ray diffraction study of compound 2, tris(2‐hydroxypropiophenone)iron(III) [Fe(ppo)3] revealed a facial octahedral arrangement of the ligands around the iron(III) atom. The thermal decomposition for the compounds 2 and 4 was studied in nitrogen atmosphere, from ambient temperature to 1000 °C, by using the TG/DTG‐DTA technique. The compounds are very stable at ambient temperature but unstable upon heating giving as residue carbonaceous iron oxide.
Positive newborn screen in the biochemically normal infant of a mother with treated holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency
Authors: Nyhan W. L. , Willis M. , Barshop B. A. , Gangoiti J. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryExpanded programmes of newborn screening permit early diagnosis in time to prevent serious complications. These programmes have begun to detect patients who might otherwise remain asymptomatic. An additional confounding variable is the positive screen that results from maternal rather than neonatal disease. This was the case in an infant in whom elevated hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine (C5OH) in his newborn screen was the result of placental transfer from his mother, whose holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency was being successfully treated with biotin. The mother had been diagnosed and treated with biotin prenatally. She had no phenotypic feature of holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency, most importantly no episodes ever of acute metabolic acidosis. In the infant a repeat screen was also positive. On day 28 the infant's plasma C5OH carnitine was 0.05 μmol/L (normal) and urinary organic acids on day 39 were normal. The mother's excretion of 3‐hydroxyisovaleric acid was 109 mmol/mol creatinine. These observations indicate that holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency is one more maternal metabolic disease which may lead to a positive screen in her unaffected newborn infant. They also make the point that holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency in an infant should be detectable in programmes of neonatal screening, which was not clear previously.
Stability of the two wings of the coiled-coil domain of ClpB chaperone is critical for its disaggregation activity
Authors: Watanabe Yo-hei , Nakazaki Yosuke , Suno Ryoji , Yoshida Masasuke 
Published: April 2009

The ClpB chaperone forms a hexamer ring and rescues aggregated proteins in co-operation with the DnaK system. Each subunit of ClpB has two nucleotide-binding modules, AAA (ATPase associated with various cellular activities)-1 and AAA-2, and an 85-Å (1 Å=0.1 nm)-long coiled-coil. The coiled-coil consists of two halves: wing-1, leaning toward AAA-1, and wing-2, leaning away from all the domains. The coiled-coil is stabilized by leucine zipper-like interactions between leucine and isoleucine residues of two amphipathic α-helices that twist around each other to form each wing. To destabilize the two wings, we developed a series of mutants by replacing these residues with alanine. As the number of replaced residues increased, the chaperone activity was lost and the hexamer became unstable. The mutants, which had a stable hexameric structure but lost the chaperone activities, were able to exert the threading of soluble denatured proteins through their central pore. The destabilization of wing-1, but not wing-2, resulted in a several-fold stimulation of ATPase activity. These results indicate that stability of both wings of the coiled-coil is critical for full functioning of ClpB, but not for the central-pore threading of substrate proteins, and that wing-1 is involved in the communication between AAA-1 and AAA-2.
Cleaved secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor as a biomarker of chymase activity in allergic airway disease
Authors: Belkowski S. M. , Boot J. D. , Mascelli M. A. , Diamant Z. , De Garavilla L. , Hertzog B. , Polkovitch D. , Towers M. , Batheja A. , D'Andrea M. R. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryBackground
Secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), which is present in many physiological fluids including saliva, sputum and nasal discharge, is the most effective inhibitor of chymase. Previously, we demonstrated that chymase is able to cleave SLPI and that the cleaved portion, cSLPI, is a biomarker of chymase activity.Objective
We investigated the potential of cSLPI as a biomarker of chymase activity in subjects with allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthmatic airway disease.Methods
Baseline sputum samples were collected from atopic asthmatics and healthy controls (HC). Nasal lavages (NAL) were performed in subjects with AR both at baseline and following a nasal challenge with allergen or placebo. Levels of cSLPI and chymase were determined by Western analysis, and tryptase and α‐2 macroglobulin were measured by immunoassay.Results
As compared with HC, asthmatics showed a significant increase in baseline cSLPI/total SLPI ratios and an increase in chymase levels. There was a high correlation of cSLPI/SLPI ratios to chymase levels in normal individuals and untreated asthmatics. In the NAL of patients with AR, as compared with placebo, allergen challenge increased inflammatory biomarkers, including cSLPI/SLPI ratios, chymase levels, tryptase levels and α2‐macroglobulin levels. Correlations were observed between cSLPI/SLPI ratios and chymase levels and cSLPI/SLPI ratios and α2‐macroglobulin levels; no correlation was seen between cSLPI/SLPI ratios and tryptase levels.Conclusion
Our data indicate that cSLPI reflects chymase activity in AR and asthma. Hence, cSLPI may serve as a biomarker for disease activity and for monitoring the efficacy of novel anti‐inflammatory treatments in chymase‐mediated diseases.
Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity improves coronary outcome in an animal model of Kawasaki disease
Authors: Lau A C , Duong T T , Ito S , Wilson G J , Yeung R S M 
Published: April 2009

Summary
Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease of children in North America. It is characterized by a massive immune activation and multi-system vasculitis, which evolves into a site-specific inflammatory response focused at the coronary arteries. Coronary artery (CA) inflammation leads to elastin breakdown, destruction of the vessel wall and aneurysm formation. We have demonstrated recently the pivotal role of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-mediated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity in the pathogenesis of elastin breakdown in a murine model of KD, Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract-induced coronary arteritis. Using this model, we evaluated the in vitro effects of doxycycline, an antibiotic with MMP inhibitory function, in modulating key pathogenic stages of disease leading to CA damage. Doxycycline inhibits T cell activation and TNF-α production in peripheral immune cells, as assessed by thymidine incorporation and a TNF bioassay respectively. Additionally, doxycycline inhibits directly MMP-9 enzymatic activity derived from TNF-α-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells as assayed by zymography. More importantly, in vivo treatment of Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE)-injected mice with doxycycline reduces significantly the incidence of CA elastin breakdown and reduces loss of elastin. Therefore, doxycycline can mitigate TNF-α-induced MMP-9-mediated coronary elastin breakdown and improve coronary outcome. Agents with the ability to inhibit both inflammation and the downstream effects of inflammation, such as MMP-9 activity, offer a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of children with KD.
Does a telephone follow‐up intervention for patients discharged with acute myocardial infarction have long‐term effects on health‐related quality of life? A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hanssen Tove Aminda , Nordrehaug Jan Erik , Eide Geir Egil , Hanestad Berit Rokne 
Published: April 2009

Aims.  An earlier combined proactive and reactive telephone follow‐up intervention for acute myocardial infarction patients after discharge from hospital showed positive effects after six months. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the intervention has long‐term effects up to 18 months after discharge.Design.  A prospective randomised controlled trial with 18 months follow‐up.Method.  The trial was conducted with 288 patients allocated to a telephone follow‐up intervention group (n = 156) or control group (n = 132). The primary endpoint was health‐related quality of life using the SF‐36. Secondary endpoints included smoking and exercise habits, return to work and rehospitalisation due to chest pain.Results.  There were significant improvements over time on most dimensions of health‐related quality of life in both the intervention and control group to US norm population levels on most SF‐36 dimensions and summary scores. The intervention group showed no overall significant improvement beyond six months in the physical or mental summary scores, but there was a significant effect for those aged 70 or above. Although there was a promising effect for rehospitalisation due to chest pain, no significant differences were found between the groups on the secondary endpoints after six months.Conclusion.  This study demonstrated that despite positive short‐term effects at six months, the telephone follow‐up intervention had no long‐term effects on health‐related quality of life or secondary endpoints. However, the potential for improvement beyond six months was less than anticipated reflecting a reduced morbidity among acute myocardial infarction patients.Relevance to clinical practice.  Telephone follow‐up after discharge from hospital is an easy implementable follow‐up intervention enabling individualised provision of information and support in a time often experienced as stressful by patients. Our study indicates that six months is an adequate support period. Despite positive results six months after discharge no significant added long‐term effects of telephone follow‐up, compared to usual care were found in this study.
The decision making of heart failure specialist nurses in clinical practice
Authors: Dowding Dawn , Spilsbury Karen , Thompson Carl , Brownlow Ros , Pattenden Jill 
Published: April 2009

Aims and objectives.  To explore decision processes and types of decisions made by heart failure specialist nurses.Background.  Heart failure specialist nurses are key to the management of patients with heart failure in the community. In previous studies heart failure specialist nurses have reported difficulty in developing decision making skills. Cognitive continuum theory can be used to examine the relationship between decision tasks and the processes used by heart failure specialist nurses to make decisions.Design.  A qualitative study using non‐participant observation and semi‐structured interviews.Methods. Six heart failure specialist nurses were observed while they carried out consultations with three patients each (n = 18). Twelve heart failure specialist nurses were interviewed about their decision making in practice. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.Results.  Two areas of decision making were identified by heart failure specialist nurses as key; pharmacological management and managing patients in the palliative phase of their condition. Pharmacological management decisions involved the trading off of risks and benefits of titrating medication, with nurses using internalised guidelines to inform their practice. In contrast, nurses relied on support from other health care professionals when making decisions about a patient’s need for palliative care.Conclusions.  Medication titration decisions have a mixture of intuition and analysis inducing features making them amenable to the use of decision tools. The timing of the need for palliative care is less predictable, suggesting an intuitive approach to decision making may be more appropriate.Relevance to clinical practice.  There are several strategies that could be used to improve the match between the decisions that heart failure specialist nurses take and the decision processes they use. These include the development of more tailored decision support tools for medication titration decisions and the provision of structured decision aids for assessing patients’ need for palliative care.
Fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Mollaoğlu Mukadder , Üstün Emine 
Published: April 2009

Aim.  This study aimed to describe fatigue and the factors that affect fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis.Background.  Fatigue is the most common symptom and has the greatest effect on multiple sclerosis patients’ activities of daily living. There is limited understanding of the level of fatigue experienced by people with multiple sclerosis, with research currently limited to other symptoms and problems related to multiple sclerosis.Design.  This research was conducted as a descriptive survey.Methods.  The study involved 120 people with multiple sclerosis. The data were collected with a Patient Questionnaire and a Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue (VAS‐F). Variance analysis, Mann–Whitney U‐test and Kruskal–Wallis test were used in the data analysis.Results.  All of the individuals in the sample experienced fatigue. Their fatigue was also affected by factors such as age, gender, education, marital status, number of children, occupation and duration of illness. In addition, the situations with the greatest effect on their fatigue were taking a hot bath/shower, hot/humid weather, stress, infection and other illnesses causing fever, disturbance in sleep pattern, increase in daily activities and exercise.Conclusions.  Fatigue is a symptom that has a significant effect on the daily lives of people with multiple sclerosis. Accordingly, it is recommended that factors affecting fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis be evaluated and that education programmes directed at how to control these factors.Relevance to clinical practice.  The determination of factors affecting fatigue is important for multiple sclerosis individuals’ ability to cope with fatigue and keep it under control. To be able to accomplish this it is necessary for health care personnel, the family and friends to work together.
Molecules and beyond: assessing the distinctness of the Great Lakes wolf
Authors: SCHWARTZ MICHAEL K. , VUCETICH JOHN A. 
Published: April 2009

The dog family, Canidae, is a widely distributed group of species that have evolved and radiated relatively recently into 16 genera and 36 recognized species (Nowak 1999). Specific taxonomic designations for some canid taxa can be unclear due to frequent interspecific hybridization among species in both historical and contemporary times, and our imperfect molecular genetic approaches for determining among a series of hypotheses regarding hybridization and evolution. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Koblmüller et al. tackle the difficult topic of Great Lakes wolf taxonomy and present data that suggest this taxon is currently genetically distinct despite a long history of human persecution and hybridization with related taxa.