bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inverse Relation of Total Serum Bilirubin to Coronary Artery Calcification Score Detected by Multidetector Computed Tomography in Males
Authors: Zhang Zheng‐Yun , Bian Lu‐Qin , Kim Sung‐Joo , Zhou Cai‐Cun , Choi Yoon‐Ho 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground:Serum total bilirubin has been suggested to have potential anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the vasculature, acting against plaque formation and subsequent atherosclerosis. This study was designed to assess the association of serum total bilirubin with coronary artery calcification (CAC).Hypothesis:Individuals with higher bilirubin level would be less likely to develop CAC.Methods:Male subjects (N = 3408) underwent evaluation of CAC by cardiac computed tomography. Correlation and logistic regression analysis were performed to assess the relationships between CAC score and other variables.Results:Subjects with a higher CAC score had significantly lower total bilirubin level (P = 0.001). Total bilirubin level was negatively correlated with CAC score (r = −0.052, P = 0.002). A 0.1‐mg/dL increase in bilirubin was associated with a reduced odds ratio (OR) of the risk by 29.2% for a CAC score above 100 (OR: 0.708, 95% confidence interval: 0.542‐0.927, P = 0.012) after adjustment for several variables. Bilirubin was inversely correlated with high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) (r = −0.117, P < 0.001).Conclusions:This study demonstrated an independent inverse association between serum total bilirubin and CAC score in males. Low serum bilirubin concentration would be useful as a potential risk factor for CAC in males. Additionally, reduced hsCRP may be 1 of the mechanisms for how bilirubin reduces CAC. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article.Zheng‐Yun Zhang, MD, and Lu‐Qin Bian, MD, contributed equally to this work.The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Structure–Activity Relationships for Negative Allosteric mGluR5 Modulators
Authors: Kaae Birgitte H. , Harpsøe Kasper , Kvist Trine , Mathiesen Jesper M. , Mølck Christina , Gloriam David , Jimenez Hermogenes N. , Uberti Michelle A. , Nielsen Søren M. , Nielsen Birgitte , Bräuner‐Osborne Hans , Sauerberg Per , Clausen Rasmus P. , Madsen Ulf 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA series of compounds based on the mGluR5‐selective ligand 2‐methyl‐6‐(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP) were designed and synthesized. The compounds were found to be either structural analogues of MPEP, substituted monomers, or dimeric analogues. All compounds retained mGluR5 selectivity with only weak or no activity at other mGluRs or iGluRs. The substituted analogue, 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylethynyl)benzene (19), is a potent negative modulator at mGluR5, whereas all other compounds lost potency relative to MPEP and showed that activity is highly dependent on the position of the nitrogen atom in the pyridine moieties. A homology modeling and ligand docking study was used to understand the binding mode and the observed selectivity of compound 19.
Synthesis and Stability of Highly Crystalline and Stable Iron/Iron Oxide Core/Shell Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Cheong Soshan , Ferguson Peter , Hermans Ian F. , Jameson Guy N. L. , Prabakar Sujay , Herman David A. J. , Tilley Richard D. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBiocompatible iron nanoparticles exhibiting a high magnetic moment are potentially useful for a variety of biomedical applications. However, once exposed to air, iron nanoparticles partially oxidize, effectively reducing their magnetic performance. Here, near‐monodisperse iron nanocrystals were synthesized and oxidized on the surface to form iron/iron oxide core/shell nanoparticles. The presence of excess stabilizers was shown to stabilize the core/shell nanoparticles, thus preventing further oxidation. The advantage of these core/shell nanoparticles in biomedicine, is shown by greater cellular MRI contrast enhancement compared to pure iron oxides without increase in cytotoxicity.
Optimization of solvent extracted melon seed oil using RSM
Authors: Akinoso Rahman , Oni Peter Oluwaseyi 
Published: January 2012

AbstractEffect of roasting temperature and roasting duration on oil yield (OY) and quality of melon seed (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) was studied using RSM. Five levels of roasting temperature (87.6, 100, 130, 160, and 172.4°C) and duration (12.9, 15, 20, 25, and 27.1 min) considered. Quality parameters determined were specific gravity (SG), color (CO), free fatty acid (FFA), and anisidine value (AV). Recorded range of OY, SG, CO, FFA, and AV were 44.0–67.5%, 0.9–1.0, and 13.1–94.0 abs, 1.7–5.3%, and 3.9–28.2 mg/L, respectively. The variables have significant effect (p<0.05) on all the responses with exception of SG. Coefficients of determination ($R^{2} $) of predictive equations for OY, CO, FFA, and AV were 0.79, 0.97, 0.95, and 0.95, respectively. Optimum roasting temperature and duration were 133.06°C and 20.19 min, respectively. These gave 63.5% OY, 0.9 SG, 13.1 abs CO, 1.7% FFA, and 3.4 mg/L AV.Practical applications: Melon seeds contain about 60% edible oil. Optimization of the process parameters (heating duration temperature) will enhance high OY with good quality. Models developed in this study can be useful for producers of oil extraction equipment and potential investors into commercial production of the oil.
Saltwater intrusion modelling in Jorf coastal aquifer, South‐eastern Tunisia: geochemical, geoelectrical and geostatistical application
Authors: Agoubi Belgacem , Kharroubi Adel , Abida Habib 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMarine intrusion is the most serious problem facing the coastal Jorf shallow aquifer, located in south‐eastern Tunisia on the Mediterranean Sea. Jorf Aquifer is intensively exploited to supply the growing needs of agriculture and domestic sectors. This work proposes a multidisciplinary investigation, involving hydro‐geochemical, geoelectrical survey and geostatistical techniques for modelling the saltwater intrusion. For this purpose, 36 water samples were conducted and analysed. Electric conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids and major ions were measured and analysed. Pie and Durov Diagrams, Q‐mode hierarchical cluster and geostatistical analysis were considered to identify the main groundwater mineralization processes. Results revealed that the Na‐Cl‐Ca‐SO4 is the dominant water type suggesting that dissolution of halite and gypsum was the main mineralization source of groundwater in the central and southern part of study area. However, saltwater intrusion was shown to control groundwater quality essentially in coastal areas. Variographic analyses were used to select the variographic model that best fits the spatial development of apparent resistivity. Kriged apparent resistivity profiles showed an abnormal decrease of resistivity values in the coastal zone, implying highly saline water because of seawater intrusion. Apparent resistivity values also decrease considerably in the faulted areas, suggesting a contribution of faults to seawater intrusion. Finally, saltwater mixing ratio was computed for each sample, and a refined seawater intrusion map was developed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of climate change on 24‐h design rainfall depth estimation in Qiantang River Basin, East China
Authors: Xu Yue‐Ping , Zhang Xujie , Tian Ye 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe frequency and magnitude of extreme meteorological or hydrological events such as floods and droughts in China have been influenced by global climate change. The water problem due to increasing frequency and magnitude of extreme events in the humid areas has gained great attention in recent years. However, the main challenge in the evaluation of climate change impact on extreme events is that large uncertainty could exist. Therefore, this paper first aims to model possible impacts of climate change on regional extreme precipitation (indicated by 24‐h design rainfall depth) at seven rainfall gauge stations in the Qiantang River Basin, East China. The Long Ashton Research Station‐Weather Generator is adopted to downscale the global projections obtained from general circulation models (GCMs) to regional climate data at site scale. The weather generator is also checked for its performance through three approaches, namely Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, comparison of L‐moment statistics and 24‐h design rainfall depths. Future 24‐h design rainfall depths at seven stations are estimated using Pearson Type III distribution and L‐moment approach. Second, uncertainty caused by three GCMs under various greenhouse gas emission scenarios for the future periods 2020s (2011–2030), 2055s (2046–2065) and 2090s (2080–2099) is investigated. The final results show that 24‐h design rainfall depth increases in most stations under the three GCMs and emission scenarios. However, there are large uncertainties involved in the estimations of 24‐h design rainfall depths at seven stations because of GCM, emission scenario and other uncertainty sources. At Hangzhou Station, a relative change of −16% to 113% can be observed in 100y design rainfall depths. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
INEQUALITY AND GROWTH: ANOTHER LOOK WITH A NEW MEASURE AND METHOD
Authors: Malinen Tuomas 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTRecent empirical research on the relationship between income inequality and economic growth has provided controversial results. Some studies predict a negative effect of inequality on growth and some a positive effect. Answers to the controversy have usually been sought in the problems of the estimation technique, the measure of inequality or in some form of non‐linearity in the relationship between inequality and growth. This study accounts for these problems by using an improved measure of income distribution and a parametric group‐related panel estimation. In conclusion, we find that the effect of inequality is likely to be non‐linear. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of Co–Cr and UHMWPE particles on infection persistence: An in vivo study in mice
Authors: Hosman Anton H. , Bulstra Sjoerd K. , Sjollema Jelmer , van der Mei Henny C. , Busscher Henk J. , Neut Daniëlle 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWear of metal‐on‐metal (cobalt–chromium, Co–Cr particles) and metal‐on‐polyethylene (ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene, UHMWPE particles) bearing surfaces in hip prostheses is a major problem in orthopedics. This study aimed to compare the influence of Co–Cr and UHMWPE particles on the persistence of infection. Bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus Xen36 were injected in air pouches prepared in subcutaneous tissue of immuno‐competent BALB/c mice (control), as a model for the joint space, in the absence or presence of Co–Cr or UHMWPE particles. Bioluminescence was monitored longitudinally up to 21 days, corrected for absorption and reflection by the particles and expressed relative to the bioluminescence found in the presence of staphylococci only. After termination, air pouch fluid and air pouch membrane were cultured and histologically analyzed. Bioluminescence was initially lower in mice exposed to UHMWPE particles with staphylococci than in mice injected with staphylococci only, possibly because UHMWPE particles initially stimulated a higher macrophage presence in murine air pouch membranes. For mice exposed to Co–Cr particles with staphylococci, bioluminescence was observed to be higher in two out of six animals compared to the presence of staphylococci alone. In the majority of mice, infection risk in the absence or presence of Co–Cr and UHMWPE particles appeared similar, assuming that the longevity of an elevated bioluminescence is indicative of a higher infection risk. However, the presence of Co–Cr particles yielded a higher bioluminescence in two out of six mice, possibly because the macrophage degradative function was hampered by the presence of Co–Cr particles. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:341–347, 2012
Predicting MWD and Branching Distribution of Terminally Branched Polymers Undergoing Random Scission
Authors: Iedema Piet D. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA new semi‐analytical approach to model simultaneous chain scission and branching is described that assumes the separation of the scission and the branching problem. The required properties of the linear segments or primary polymers forming the branched architectures are found by a kinetic model. The general rules for the construction of branched architectures from populations of linear segments then lead to an analytical expression for the branching distribution and a semi‐analytical expression for the bivariate length/branching distribution. The method is applied to the scission of an initially branched polymer and subsequent terminal branching on scission points and activated terminal double bonds. Exact agreement is found with Monte Carlo sampling results.magnified image
The free anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flap for head and neck reconstruction: One surgeon's experience in 92 cases
Authors: Bianchi Bernardo , Ferri Andrea , Ferrari Silvano , Copelli Chiara , Boni Pietro , Ferri Teore , Sesenna Enrico 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground:Applications of the free anterolateral thigh (ALT) musculocutaneous flap have been largely underestimated compared with indications for fasciocutaneous or perforator flaps. In this article, the authors critically review the experience of a single surgeon with the free ALT musculocutaneous flap for head and neck reconstruction, focusing on its applications in different cephalic areas and on advantages and disadvantages of this technique.Patients and methods:Ninety‐two patients were treated using a free ALT musculocutaneous flap. Reconstructed areas included tongue, oropharynx, mandible, maxilla, hypopharynx, cheek, and skull base.Results:Flap survival rate was 97.8%. Donor site morbidity consisted in two cases of partial necrosis of the skin graft used its closure with a final donor site complication rate of 2.2%. Overall results showed an 89% of patients returned to a normal or a soft diet. Speech was good or intelligible in 88% and cosmesis resulted good or acceptable in 89% of cases.Conclusion:The free ALT musculocutaneous flap offers unique advantages in head and neck reconstructions including adequate bulk when needed, obliteration of dead space, support for the soft tissues of the face, low donor‐site morbidity, and harvesting without needing for perforators dissection, allowing for optimal patient outcome. Excessive bulky and thickness of subcutaneous tissue, especially in occidental population, have to be considered as the main disadvantages of this technique, finally the high incidence of hairy skin in thigh area in male patients and donor site scars associated with the use of skin grafts have to be considered as supplementary minor drawbacks. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Urinary incontinence during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery in primiparous women compared with a control group of nulliparous women
Authors: Hansen Bent Brandt , Svare Jens , Viktrup Lars , Jørgensen Torben , Lose Gunnar 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAimsTo investigate the impact of the first pregnancy and delivery on the prevalence and types of urinary incontinence during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery.MethodsThe study was a prospective cohort study with a control group. Primiparous women, who delivered in our department from June 2003 to July 2005, participated. The women filled out a questionnaire 2–3 days after the delivery and a new questionnaire after 1 year. The questionnaires comprised basic characteristics and symptoms of urinary incontinence. An attempted age‐matched control group of nulliparous women was included, and filled out similar questionnaires. Prevalences and types of urinary incontinence, and a combined severity‐ and bother‐score (ICIQ‐SF score) among the incontinent women, were calculated and compared.ResultsThe two groups differed significantly in age and most basic characteristics. During pregnancy, the prevalence of any type of urinary incontinence in the primiparous group was 32.1%, compared to 13.8% in the control group. Adjusted OR = 3.3 (95%CI = 2.4–4.4). One year after delivery, the prevalence in the primiparous group was 29.3%, compared to 16.6% in the control group. Adjusted OR = 2.5 (95%CI = 1.8–3.5). ICIQ‐SF mean scores among the incontinent women varied insignificantly between 5.8 and 6.2.ConclusionsThe prevalence of urinary incontinence during pregnancy was 3.3 times higher compared with a control group of nulliparous women. After 1 year, the difference was reduced, but still 2.5 times higher in the primiparous group. The symptoms and impact on quality of life seemed to be mild to moderate in both groups. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:475–480, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Purinergic signaling
Authors: Burnstock Geoffrey , Verkhratsky Alexei 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe concept of purinergic neurotransmission was proposed in 1972, after it was shown that adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) was a transmitter in non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic inhibitory nerves in the guinea pig taenia coli. Subsequently, ATP was identified as a cotransmitter in sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, and it is now recognized that ATP acts as a cotransmitter in most nerves in both the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system (CNS). ATP acts as a fast excitatory neurotransmitter or neuromodulator and has potent long‐term (trophic) roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and death in development and regeneration, as well as in disease. Three subclasses of receptors to purines and pyrimidines have been identified, P1 adenosine receptors (with four subtypes), P2X ionotropic nucleotide receptors (seven subtypes), and P2Y metabotropic nucleotide receptors (eight subtypes). ATP is released physiologically by many different cell types by mechanical deformation, and after release ATP undergoes rapid enzymatic degradation by ectonucleotidases. Purinergic receptors appeared early in evolution and have a widespread distribution on many different non‐neuronal cell types as well as neurons. There is evidence for the involvement of purinergic signaling in embryonic development and in the activities of stem cells. There is a rapidly growing literature about the pathophysiology of purinergic signaling, and there are therapeutic developments for a variety of diseases, including stroke and thrombosis, osteoporosis, kidney failure, bladder incontinence, cystic fibrosis, dry eye, cancer, and disorders of the CNS, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, migraine, and neuropsychiatric disorders. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2012, 1:116–125. doi: 10.1002/wmts.14For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Validation of the “Perrier” Parathyroid Adenoma Location Nomenclature
Authors: Mazeh Haggi , Stoll Samantha J. , Robbins Jessica B. , Sippel Rebecca S. , Chen Herbert 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundIn 2009, the “Perrier” nomenclature was introduced to enhance communications among surgeons and specialists regarding the location of parathyroid adenomas. The purpose of this study was to validate the utility of the nomenclature in a prospective manner at a different institution.MethodsA prospective database was created from June 2010 through January 2011 evaluating 108 consecutive patients. In each case, the location of the parathyroid adenoma according to the nomenclature was predicted individually by an attending physician and a resident based on preoperative imaging studies. A radiologist interpreted the images retrospectively. These predictions were compared to the operative findings.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 61 ± 1 years, and 82% were women. The distribution using the nomenclature was as follows: A (adherent to posterior thyroid capsule) 20%; B (tracheoesophageal groove) 27%; C (tracheoesophageal groove but close to the clavicle) 12%; D (directly over the recurrent laryngeal nerve) 2%; E (easy to identify, inferior thyroid pole) 35%; F (fallen into the thymus) 4%. The overall predicting accuracy was significantly higher for the attending physicians than for the residents or the radiologist (78% vs. 64% vs. 25%, P < 0.001). It was 73–92%, 55–77%, and 12–46%, respectively, for locations with more than four patients. The accuracy was not affected by parathyroid hormone or and calcium levels, or the gland weight.ConclusionsThe “Perrier” nomenclature is reproducible. The most common adenoma locations were B and E in our study, similar to the initial studies. Nevertheless, there is a wide range of preoperative predicting accuracy based on the imaging studies obtained and the interpreter’s experience.
A Five Year Review of the Management of Acutely Presenting Epididymo-Orchitis in a Single Uk Institution
Authors: Dutton T.J. , Aning J.J. , Mcgrath J.S. 
Published: January 2012

Introduction This audit compared the management of epididymo-orchitis within our institution against the 2010 guidelines issued by the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV. Methods A Retrospective casenote analysis was performed on all patients diagnosed with epididymo-orchitis between August 2004 and August 2009. Patients were identified using Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data. Data analysed included patient's age, investigations performed, treatment given, and patient follow-up. Results In total, 232 patients were identified (mean age 41 years, range 1–-96). A mid-stream urine was performed in 105 (45%) patients, 12 (5%) had a urethral swab and 82 (35%) had an ultrasound scan. Twenty patients were surgically explored to exclude torsion. The mean length of stay was 1 night (range 0–-9). Antibiotics were prescribed in 94% of patients. Sexual history and advice to attend a genito-urinary clinic was documented in 16% and 4% of cases respectively. Referral for follow-up in the urology outpatient clinic occurred for 24% of patients. Conclusions The management of epididymo-orchitis in patients referred for secondary care review is an area for significant improvement in clinical practice. Implementation and dissemination of clear local guidelines are essential to ensure appropriate patient management and minimise unnecessary in-patient admissions and outpatient follow-up.
Interseismic coupling, segmentation and mechanical behavior of the central Chile subduction zone
Authors: Métois M. , Socquet A. , Vigny C. 
Published: January 2012

Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements carried out in Chile over the last two decades showed that an entire portion of the Nazca‐South America subduction zone (38°S − 24°S) was locked over this period of time. The induced accumulation of elastic deformation in the upper‐plate was not released until the recent Maule earthquake of 27 February 2010 (Mw 8.8) that ruptured the southern part of this section. Locking or coupling between the two plates varies both with depth and along strike. Here we use our own GPS data (an updated solution of our extended network in central Chile), combined with other published data sets, to quantify the spatial variations of the coupling that prevailed before the Maule earthquake. Using a simple elastic model based on the back‐slip assumption, we show that coupling variations on the subduction plane are sufficient to explain the observed surface deformation, with no need of a sliver in central Chile. We identify four segments characterized by higher coupling and separated by narrow areas of lower coupling. This segmentation is in good agreement with historical and recent seismicity in Chile. In particular the narrow zones of lower coupling seem to have stopped most large seismic ruptures, including Maule's. These zones are often associated with irregular bathymetric or coastal features (fracture zones or peninsulas). Finally, coseismic and early post‐seismic slip distribution of the Maule earthquake, occurring either in previously highly or weakly coupled zones, map a complex distribution of velocity‐weakening and velocity‐strengthening patches on the subduction interface.