bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY ON COVERAGE, UTILIZATION, AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH
Authors: De La Mata Dolores 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARYI estimate the causal impact of Medicaid eligibility on take up, private health insurance coverage, healthcare utilization, and children's health by using a regression discontinuity design. In contrast to a standard regression discontinuity design, identification exploits multiple thresholds that arise from variation across states in income eligibility rules. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and its Child Development Study supplement, I find that Medicaid eligibility increases take up by 10–13 percentage points on average, rising to 24–29 percentage points at lower income eligibility thresholds. There are significant crowding out effects of the same magnitude as those on take up rates. Medicaid eligibility increases the use of preventive health care by 11–14 percentage points but only at low income thresholds. Finally, I find that Medicaid eligibility has no significant effects on health outcomes in the short and medium run. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma fluvoxamine levels and OCD symptoms/response in adult patients
Authors: Marazziti Donatella , Baroni Stefano , Giannaccini Gino , Piccinni Armando , Picchetti Michela , Massimetti Gabriele , Schiavi Elisa , Palego Lionella , Catena‐Dell'Osso Mario 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveIn this study, we explored the possible relationships between plasma fluvoxamine levels and clinical features and/or response in adult obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) patients treated with this drug for 6 months.MethodsTwenty OCD outpatients of both sexes who were already taking fluvoxamine (mean dose ± SD: 216.7 ±86.2) for at least 4 weeks were included in the study. The severity of OCD was assessed by means of the Yale–Brown obsessive–compulsive scale (Y‐BOCS). The fluvoxamine plasma levels were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. All evaluations were performed after 4 weeks (t1) and 6 months (t2) of fluvoxamine intake.ResultsThe plasma levels of fluvoxamine remained stable at the two assessment times, with no sex‐related differences. Sixteen (80%) patients responded to treatment as shown by the significant (>35%) decrease of the Y‐BOCS total score. Men's compulsions improved more than those of women. Significant and positive correlations were detected between fluvoxamine plasma levels at t1 and t2 and the difference (delta) of the Y‐BOCS total and compulsion subscale scores between t1 and t2. Another significant, albeit negative, correlation was measured between the difference of the compulsion subscale score and the difference of fluvoxamine levels at t1 and t2.ConclusionsThese findings underline the potential importance of evaluating fluvoxamine plasma levels in OCD and their relationships with the clinical response that may be gender‐related on specific symptoms. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human papillomavirus testing for triage of women with low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions
Authors: Cuzick Jack , Thomas Cox J. , Zhang Guili , Einstein Mark H. , Stoler Mark , Trupin Suzanne , Behrens Catherine M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractLow‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) is a common cytologic finding in cervical screening, yet only about 10–20% have significant histologic abnormalities and these are almost always positive for high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV). This analysis aims to clarify the role of hrHPV DNA testing in the triage of women with LSIL cytology. In the ATHENA screening trial, we examined 1,084 cases of LSIL, of which 925 had an evaluable biopsy, to determine the extent to which hrHPV testing can identify those patients who have precursor lesions in need of immediate clinical referral and those who have changes more likely to regress spontaneously. Overall, 71.2% of LSIL cases were hrHPV positive, but the prevalence was age dependent, with only 56.1% in women ≥40 years. Among women with LSIL, 11.6% (107/925) had a cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) histologic diagnosis and, of these, only nine were hrHPV negative. For CIN3+, 91.7% (44/48) of women with LSIL were hrHPV positive. The negative predictive value of hrHPV testing for CIN3+ in LSIL was 100% for women aged ≥40 years. Women who were HPV16 positive had a higher positive predictive value for CIN2+ (25.4%) than those who were positive for 12 other pooled hrHPV types (11.5%). Testing for hrHPV in women with LSIL is effective in identifying high‐grade cervical lesions, thereby avoiding unnecessary referrals to colposcopy and potential over‐treatment of non‐progressive lesions, especially for women aged ≥40 years.
Fluorescent protein engineering by in vivo site‐directed mutagenesis
Authors: Valledor Melvys , Hu Qinghua , Schiller Paul , Myers Richard S. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn vivo site‐directed mutagenesis by single‐stranded deoxyribonucleic acid recombineering is a facile method to change the color of fluorescent proteins (FPs) without cloning. Two different starting alleles of GFP were targeted for mutagenesis: gfpmut3* residing in the Escherichia coli genome and egfp carried by a bacterial/mammalian dual expression lentiviral plasmid vector. Fluorescent protein spectra were shifted by subtle modification of the chromophore region and residues interacting with the chromophore of the FP. Eight different FPs (Violeta, Azure, Aqua, Mar, Celeste, Amarillo, Mostaza, and Bronze) were isolated and shown to be useful in multicolor imaging and flow cytometry of bacteria and transgenic human stem cells. To make in vivo site‐directed mutagenesis more efficient, the recombineering method was optimized using the fluorescence change as a sensitive quantitative assay for recombination. A set of rules to simplify mutant isolation by recombineering is provided. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(8): 684–689, 2012
The Wnt pathway and the roles for its antagonists, DKKS, in angiogenesis
Authors: Choi Hyun‐Jung , Park Hongryeol , Lee Heon‐Woo , Kwon Young‐Guen 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe Wnt signaling pathway is involved in a wide range of developmental and physiological processes, such as cell fate specification, tissue morphogenesis, and homeostasis. Thus, its dysregulation has been found in multiple diseases, including some cardiovascular disorders. The loss or gain of function of Wnt pathway components results in abnormal vascular development and angiogenesis. Further study has revealed that Wnt signaling in endothelial cells appears to contribute to vascular morphogenesis and endothelial cell specification. Owing to the significance of Wnt signaling in angiogenesis, Wnt antagonists have been considered potential treatments for neovascular disorders. In line with this, members of the Dkk protein family (Dkks), well‐known Wnt antagonists, have been recently found to regulate angiogenesis. This review summarizes our present knowledge of the roles of Wnt signaling and Wnt antagonists, particularly Dkks, in angiogenic regulation and explores the therapeutic potential of Wnt antagonists. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(9): 724–731, 2012
Fluorescent protein engineering by in vivo site‐directed mutagenesis
Authors: Valledor Melvys , Hu Qinghua , Schiller Paul , Myers Richard S. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn vivo site‐directed mutagenesis by single‐stranded deoxyribonucleic acid recombineering is a facile method to change the color of fluorescent proteins (FPs) without cloning. Two different starting alleles of GFP were targeted for mutagenesis: gfpmut3* residing in the Escherichia coli genome and egfp carried by a bacterial/mammalian dual expression lentiviral plasmid vector. Fluorescent protein spectra were shifted by subtle modification of the chromophore region and residues interacting with the chromophore of the FP. Eight different FPs (Violeta, Azure, Aqua, Mar, Celeste, Amarillo, Mostaza, and Bronze) were isolated and shown to be useful in multicolor imaging and flow cytometry of bacteria and transgenic human stem cells. To make in vivo site‐directed mutagenesis more efficient, the recombineering method was optimized using the fluorescence change as a sensitive quantitative assay for recombination. A set of rules to simplify mutant isolation by recombineering is provided. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 2012
Microencapsulation of 2‐octylcyanoacrylate tissue adhesive for self‐healing acrylic bone cement
Authors: Brochu Alice B. W. , Chyan William J. , Reichert William M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractHere, we report the first phase of developing self‐healing acrylic bone cement: the preparation and characterization of polyurethane (PUR) microcapsules containing a medical cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive. Capsules were prepared by interfacial polymerization of a toluene‐2,4‐diisocyanate‐based polyurethane prepolymer with 1,4‐butanediol to encapsulate 2‐octylcyanoacrylate (OCA). Various capsule characteristics, including: resultant morphology, average size and size distribution, shell thickness, content and reactivity of encapsulated agent, and shelf life are investigated and their reliance on solvent type and amount, surfactant type and amount, temperature, pH, agitation rate, reaction time, and mode of addition of the oil phase to the aqueous phase are presented. Capsules had average diameters ranging from 74 to 222 μm and average shell thicknesses ranging from 1.5 to 6 μm. The capsule content was determined via thermogravimetric analysis and subsequent analysis of the capsules following up to 8 weeks storage revealed minimal loss of core contents. Mechanical testing of OCA‐containing capsules showed individual capsules withstood compressive forces up to a few tenths of Newtons, and the contents released from crushed capsules generated tensile adhesive forces of a few Newtons. Capsules were successfully mixed into the poly(methyl methacrylate) bone cement, surviving the mixing process, exposure to methyl methacrylate monomer, and the resulting exothermic matrix curing. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Evaluation of BMP‐2 tethered polyelectrolyte coatings on hydroxyapatite scaffolds in vivo
Authors: Shiels Stefanie , Oh Sunho , Bae Chunsik , Guda Teja , Singleton Brian , Dean David D. , Wenke Joseph C. , Appleford Mark R. , Ong Joo L. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe goal of this in vivo study was to evaluate the osteoinductive and angio‐inductive properties of a porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffold with immobilized recombinant bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2) on the surface. It was hypothesized in this study that the use of a rhBMP‐2 incorporated polyelectrolyte coating on the HAp scaffold would allow for controlled exposure of rhBMP‐2 into the tissue and would provide a sound platform for tissue growth. The scaffolds were characterized for porosity and interconnectivity using pycnometry, scanning electron microscopy and micro‐ct. These scaffolds were then divided into the following four groups: (a) HAp scaffold (n‐HAp group), (b) rhBMP‐2 physically adsorbed on HAp scaffold (HAp‐BMP‐2 Group), (c) polyelectrolyte coating on HAp scaffold without rhBMP‐2 (HAp‐PEI Scaffold Group), and (d) polyelectrolyte coating tethered with rhBMP‐2 on HAp scaffold (HAp‐PEI‐BMP‐2 Scaffold Group). Using 18 skeletally matured New Zealand white rabbits, these scaffolds were evaluated in a nonload bearing femoral condyle plug model. The negative controls for this study have defects that were left untreated and the positive controls have defects that were filled with autologous bone graft harvested from epsilateral iliac crest. Bone induction, vessel growth, and scaffold‐bone contact were analyzed after 8‐week implantation using micro‐CT and histomorphometry. It was concluded from this study that the use of scaffold with an attached rhBMP‐2 increased the vascularization around the implant when compared with the uncoated n‐HAp scaffold, a necessary step of bone regeneration. The open‐pore HAp scaffold was also concluded to provide a platform for tissue growth, drug loading, and tissue interaction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Poly (ε‐caprolactone) coating delays vancomycin delivery from porous chitosan/β‐tricalcium phosphate composites
Authors: Fang Taolin , Wen Jianchuan , Zhou Jian , Shao Zhengzhong , Dong Jian 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe orthopedic infection, such as osteomyelitis, especially those caused by Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), remains a major complication of open fractures. Local vancomycin delivery is considered to provide better methods when avascular zones prevent the delivery of drugs from conventional routes of administration. Chitosan (CS) delivery system has been developed with the disadvantages, such as mechanically weakness, lacking osteoconductivity, and the initial burst of antibiotics into the environment. The aim of this study was to confirm that the prepared CS/β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) composites coated with poly (ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), similar to natural bone in components, had a three‐dimensional porous structure and could be used as drug carriers to deliver vancomycin in a sustained and controlled manner effectively for 6 weeks at levels to inhibit MRSA proliferation. We prepared porous CS/β‐TCP composites by incorporating β‐TCP into the system, and coated the composites with PCL of three different concentrations. The morphological structure of composites, including pore size and porosity, was examined. The result showed that CS/β‐TCP coated with 2.5w/v% PCL solution had the best coating effect and it retarded the release of vancomycin in a near zero‐order mechanism from 0 to 14 days. The drug delivery was significantly delayed after coated with 2.5w/v% PCL. The quantitative release of vancomycin was extended to 42 days. Therefore PCL coating could be used to retard the release of vancomycin from CS/β‐TCP composites in a sustained and controlled manner. Porous CS/β‐TCP coated with PCL might be one of the candidate vancomycin carriers for treating MRSA‐related osteomyelitis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Quantum monte carlo study of the retinal minimal model C5H6NH2+
Authors: Coccia Emanuele , Guidoni Leonardo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn this work, we study the electronic and geometrical properties of the ground state of the Retinal Minimal Model C5H6NH2+ using the variational Monte Carlo (VMC) method by means of the Jastrow antisymmetrized geminal power (JAGP) wavefunction. A full optimization of all wavefunction parameters, including coefficients, and exponents of the atomic basis, has been achieved, giving converged geometries with a compact and correlated wavefunction. The relaxed geometries of the cis and trans isomers present a pronounced bond length alternation pattern characterized by a CC central double bond slightly shorter than that reported by the CASPT2 structures. The comparison between different basis sets indicates converged values of geometrical parameters, energy differences, and dipole moments even when the smallest wavefunction is used. The compactness of the wavefunction as well as the scalability of VMC optimization algorithms on massively parallel computers opens the way to perform full structural optimizations of conjugated biomolecules of hundreds of electrons by correlated methods like Quantum Monte Carlo. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship of ‐55C/T Polymorphism of Uncoupling Protein 3 (UCP3) Gene with Metabolic Syndrome by ATP III Classification
Authors: de Luis Daniel Antonio , Aller Rocio , Izaola Olatz , Sagrado Manuel Gonzalez , Conde Rosa , Primo David , de la Fuente Beatriz , Ovalle Hilda F. , Mambrilla Marta Ruiz 
Published: July 2012

Background and aimsThe relation of ‐55C/T polymorphism of uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) with metabolic syndrome (MS) has been evaluated only in one previous study with contradictory results. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of ‐55C/T polymorphism of UCP3 gene with MS.DesignA population of 817 obese Caucasian patients was analyzed in a cross‐sectional survey. Genotype of UCP3 gene ‐55C/T was studied. To estimate the prevalence of MS , the definitions of the ATPIII were considered.ResultsFive hundred and ninety‐four patients (72.7%) had the genotype ‐55CC (wild group), whereas 223 patients (27.3%) had the genotype ‐55C/T. Genotype ‐5TT was not detected. Prevalence of mutant UCP genotypes was similar in patients with MS (75.7% wild genotype and 24.3% mutant genotype) and without MS (69.7% wild genotype and 30.3% mutant genotype). Odds ratio of MS wild vs. mutant genotype was 1.17 CI 95%: 0.99–1.38). Total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were lower in mutant‐type group than wild‐type group in patients with MS. No differences in other parameters were detected between genotypes in the same group of MS.Conclusion‐55C/T UCP polymorphism is not major risk factor for the MS. However, in mutant group of ‐55CC UCP3 gene in patients with MS, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were lower than wild‐type patients. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 26:272‐278, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel organotypic in vitro slice culture model for intraventricular hemorrhage of premature infants
Authors: Vinukonda Govindaiah , Hu Furong , Upreti Chirag , Ungvari Zoltan , Zia Muhammad T. , Stanton Patric K. , Ballabh Praveen 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMechanisms of brain injury in intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) of premature infants are elusive, and no therapeutic strategy exists to prevent brain damage in these infants. Therefore, we developed an in vitro organotypic forebrain slice culture model to advance mechanistic studies and therapeutic developments for this disorder. We cultured forebrain slices from E29 rabbit pups and treated the cultured slices (CS) with moderate (50 μl) or large (100 μl) amounts of autologous blood to mimic moderate and severe IVH. Blood‐induced damage to CS was evaluated by propidium iodide staining, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, microglial density, neuronal degeneration, myelination, and gliosis over 2 weeks after the initiation of culture. CS were viable for at least 14 days in vitro (DIV). The application of blood induced significant neural cell degeneration. Degenerating cells were more abundant and LDH levels were elevated in a dose‐dependent manner in CS treated with 50 versus 100 μl of blood compared with untreated controls. Microglial density was higher in blood‐treated CS compared with controls at both 7 and 14 days posttreatment, and myelination was reduced and gliosis enhanced. Selective application of blood fractions revealed that CS treated with plasma displayed more hypomyelination and gliosis compared with erythrocyte‐treated slices. This study develops and characterizes a novel rabbit forebrain slice culture model of IVH that exhibits neuropatholgical changes similar to those in human infants with IVH. Importantly, plasma appears to induce greater white matter damage than erythrocytes in IVH,indicating plasma as a source of neurotoxic components. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
White grape pomace as a source of dietary fibre and polyphenols and its effect on physical and nutraceutical characteristics of wheat biscuits
Authors: Mildner‐Szkudlarz Sylwia , Bajerska Joanna , Zawirska‐Wojtasiak Renata , Górecka Danuta 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Grapes are one of the world's staple fruit crops, with about 80% of the yield being utilised for winemaking. Since grape by‐products still contain large amounts of secondary metabolites, uses other than as fertilisers might be appropriate. In this study, white grape pomace (WGP) was incorporated in wheat flour at levels of 10, 20 and 30% (w/w) to investigate its influence on rheological, nutraceutical, physical and sensory properties.RESULTS: Farinograph characteristics of dough with different levels of WGP showed a decrease in water absorption from 56.4% (0% WGP) to 45.9% (30% WGP). Addition of WGP reduced hardness and caused a deterioration in brightness and yellowness of all enriched samples. The smallest addition of WGP (10%) caused an approximately 88% increase in total dietary fibre content as compared with the control. The content of phenolic compounds increased from 0.11 mg g−1 with 0% WGP to 1.07 mg g−1 with 30% WGP. The most stable phenols were as follows: γ‐resorcylic acid < gallic acid < tyrosol < catechin < isovanilic acid. An assay of radical‐scavenging activity showed that WGP addition greatly enhanced the antioxidant properties of biscuits. Acceptable biscuits were obtained when incorporating 10% WGP.CONCLUSION: WGP might be utilised for the novel formulation of biscuits as an alternative source of dietary fibre and phenols. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of electroporation on viability and bioconversion of isoflavones in mannitol‐soymilk fermented by lactobacilli and bifidobacteria
Authors: Yeo Siok‐Koon , Liong Min‐Tze 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electroporation (2.5–7.5 kV cm−1 for 3.0–4.0 ms) on the growth of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, membrane properties and bioconversion of isoflavones in mannitol‐soymilk.RESULTS: The viability of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria decreased immediately after electroporation. This was attributed to lipid peroxidation, which led to alterations in the membrane phospholipid bilayer, specifically at the polar head, interface and apolar tail regions. Such alterations also resulted in decreased membrane fluidity and increased membrane permeability upon electroporation (P < 0.05). However, the effect was reversible and treated cells showed better growth than the control upon fermentation for 24 h at 37 °C (P < 0.05). Additionally, electroporation increased the bioconversion of glucosides to bioactive aglycones in mannitol‐soymilk, which was attributed to increased intracellular and extracellular β‐glucosidase activities of cells upon treatment (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Application of electroporation on lactobacilli and bifidobacteria could be beneficial for the development of fermented soymilk with enhanced bioactivity. Considering the enhanced bioactive aglycones, this soymilk could be useful for the prevention of hormone‐dependent disorders. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry