bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polysaccharide‐Blend Multilayers Containing Hyaluronan and Heparin as a Delivery System for rhBMP‐2
Authors: Crouzier Thomas , Szarpak Anna , Boudou Thomas , Auzély‐Velty Rachel , Picart Catherine 
Published: February 2010

AbstractIt is shown that blend multilayers of hyaluronan (HA) and heparin (HEP) as polyanions and poly(L‐lysine) (PLL) as a polycation can be used to prepare films with different thicknesses and chemical compositions. The amounts of recombinant human BMP‐2 (rhBMP‐2) loaded and the fraction initially released from the films depend on the film's chemical composition. The amounts of rhBMP‐2 loaded in the films are much higher for HA mass fractions of more than 0.4. The bioactivity of the rhBMP‐2‐loaded films is investigated on C2C12 myoblasts, which differentiates into osteoblasts in contact with the films. The alkaline phosphatase expression for cells grown on nanoblend films of various compositions falls over a unique curve. This suggests that the cells “sensing” the rhBMP‐2 are not influenced by the film's chemistry. The rhBMP‐2 can sustain at least three successive culture sequences while remaining bioactive, thus confirming the important and protective effect of rhBMP‐2. Altogether, these results indicate that crosslinked PLL/HA films have superior properties for the incorporation of rhBMP‐2 and on its long‐lasting bioactivity.
Hemangioblastic Derivatives from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Exhibit Limited Expansion and Early Senescence
Authors: Feng Qiang , Lu Shi-Jiang , Klimanskaya Irina , Gomes Ignatius , Kim Dohoon , Chung Young , Honig George R. , Kim Kwang-Soo , Lanza Robert 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) have been shown to differentiate into a variety of replacement cell types. Detailed evaluation and comparison with their human embryonic stem cell (hESC) counterparts is critical for assessment of their therapeutic potential. Using established methods, we demonstrate here that hiPSCs are capable of generating hemangioblasts/blast cells (BCs), endothelial cells, and hematopoietic cells with phenotypic and morphologic characteristics similar to those derived from hESCs, but with a dramatic decreased efficiency. Furthermore, in distinct contrast with the hESC derivatives, functional differences were observed in BCs derived from hiPSCs, including significantly increased apoptosis, severely limited growth and expansion capability, and a substantially decreased hematopoietic colony-forming capability. After further differentiation into erythroid cells, &gt;1,000-fold difference in expansion capability was observed in hiPSC-BCs versus hESC-BCs. Although endothelial cells derived from hiPSCs were capable of taking up acetylated low-density lipoprotein and forming capillary-vascular-like structures on Matrigel, these cells also demonstrated early cellular senescence (most of the endothelial cells senesced after one passage). Similarly, retinal pigmented epithelium cells derived from hiPSCs began senescing in the first passage. Before clinical application, it will be necessary to determine the cause and extent of such abnormalities and whether they also occur in hiPSCs generated using different reprogramming methods.
Integrating 3D images using laboratory‐based micro X‐ray computed tomography and confocal X‐ray fluorescence techniques
Authors: Patterson Brian M. , Campbell John , Havrilla George J. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe application of non‐destructive imaging to characterizing samples has become more important as the costs of samples increase. Imaging a sample via X‐ray techniques is preferable when altering or even touching the sample affects its properties, or when the sample is fielded after characterization. Two laboratory‐based X‐ray techniques used at Los Alamos include micro X‐ray computed tomography (MXCT) and confocal micro X‐ray fluorescence (confocal MXRF). Both methods create a 3D rendering of the sample non‐destructively. MXCT produces a high‐resolution (sub‐µm voxel) rendering of the sample based upon X‐ray absorption; the resulting model is a function of density and does not contain any elemental information. Confocal MXRF produces an elementally specific 3D rendering of the sample, but at a lower (30 × 30 × 65 µm) resolution. By combining data from these two techniques, scientists provided a more comprehensive method of analysis. We will describe a MATLAB routine written to render each of these data sets individually and/or within the same coordinate system. This approach is shown in the analysis of two samples: an integrated circuit surface mounted resistor and a machined piece of polystyrene foam. The samples chosen provide an opportunity to compare and contrast the two X‐ray techniques, identify their weaknesses and show how they are used in a complementary fashion. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear decay of dispersive Alfvén wave and solar coronal heating
Authors: KUMAR SANJAY , SHARMA R. P. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis paper presents a simple description of three-wave decay interactions involving a pump dispersive Alfvén wave (DAW), decay DAW and decay slow wave (SW) in a uniform magnetized plasma. When the ponderomotive nonlinearities are incorporated in DAW dynamics, the model equations governing the nonlinear excitation of the SWs by DAW in the low-β plasmas (β ≪ me/mi as applicable to solar corona) are given. The expressions for the coupling coefficients of the three-wave interaction have been derived. The growth rate of the instability is also calculated and found that the value of the decay growth time comes out to be of the order of milliseconds at the pump DAW amplitude B0y/B0 = 10−3.
Management of inflammatory arthritis in older people
Authors: Paskins Z , Kamath SN , Hassell AB 
Published: February 2010

SummaryMusculoskeletal symptoms are extremely common, with almost one-third of people aged 75 years and over having a significant musculoskeletal problem. Joint pain due to inflammatory arthritis is important to identify, as it is potentially treatable. In elderly patients, inflammatory arthritis may not present in the ‘classical’ way, may present with non-specific symptoms and may co-exist with other musculoskeletal problems, all of which can result in diagnostic difficulty. In addition, co-morbid conditions and polypharmacy may present treatment challenges. In this paper, we discuss the general considerations in the clinical evaluation and management of a patient with inflammatory joint symptoms and discuss in more detail the diagnosis and management of the common causes of inflammatory arthritis.
The use of vegetable subproducts from greenhouses (VSG) for animal feed in the Poniente region of Almería
Authors: Márquez M.A. , Diánez F. , Camacho F. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this research is to show that the vegetable wastes produced by the greenhouses of the Poniente region of Almería, which grow eight main horticultural crops, can be defined as vegetable subproducts and used for animal feed. These vegetable subproducts from greenhouses (VSG) meet existing legal maximum limits of waste from phytosanitary products at the European level, and they are free of other solid wastes. For this purpose, a farm must show that subproducts are traceable. The use of such VSG by sheep and goats would allow considerable reduction in biomass generated by vegetable greenhouses along with sustainable profit. At the same time, the cost of food for livestock would be reduced at a time when prices of fodder and concentrates are increasing. Finally, new traceability for vegetable wastes is proposed that would be compatible with and complementary to that existing nowadays, and would reduce the environmental impact of these wastes.
Coping self‐efficacy, pre‐competitive anxiety, and subjective performance among athletes
Authors: Nicholls Adam R. , Polman Remco , Levy Andrew R. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore the relationships between (a) coping self‐efficacy and subjective performance, (b) coping self‐efficacy and pre‐competitive anxiety, and (c) pre‐competitive anxiety and subjective performance. Participants were 307 athletes (252 males, 55 females) aged 16–34 years (mean age 21.3 years, s = 2.8) who competed at national/international (n = 18), county (n = 54), club/university (n = 139), and beginner (n = 96) level. All participants completed a measure of coping self‐efficacy and anxiety before a competitive event and a subjective performance measure after competing. Our findings revealed that there was a significant and positive relationship between coping self‐efficacy and subjective performance. Negative relationships between coping self‐efficacy and both somatic and cognitive anxiety were also observed. However, somatic and cognitive anxiety did not predict subjective performance. The present findings support previous results regarding the influence of self‐efficacy and provide applied practitioners with recommendations that may enhance athletic performance, via improving the coping self‐efficacy beliefs of their clients.
Cardiorespiratory fitness, fatness, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adolescents from Porto
Authors: Martins Clarice L. , Silva Francisco , Gaya Anelise R. , Aires Luisa , Ribeiro José C. , Mota Jorge 
Published: February 2010

AbstractIn the present study, we examined different categories of cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity and their relationship with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) factors in youth. We hypothesized that youngsters with low cardiorespiratory fitness would be at greater risk of CVD risk factors, whether they are obese or not. This study was carried out as a part of a longitudinal research project conducted in the Porto and Braga districts, Portugal, with children and adolescents aged 10–16 years of age. A total of 392 children (173 boys, 219 girls) participated in the study. We used a chi‐square test to analyse the relationship between the participants' cardiorespiratory fitness and body weight (non‐overweight or overweight/obese). For the purpose of this study, a new variable with four groups was created: non‐overweight +unfit (37.4%), non‐overweight + fit (35%), overweight/obese + unfit (11%) and overweight/obese + fit (10%). A one‐way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences according to fitness and fatness groups. The main finding of this study was that regardless of fatness, participants with higher cardiorespiratory fitness presented with a lower prevalence of CVD risk factors.
MULTICOM: a multi-level combination approach to protein structure prediction and its assessments in CASP8
Authors: Wang Zheng , Eickholt Jesse , Cheng Jianlin 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Motivation: Protein structure prediction is one of the most important problems in structural bioinformatics. Here we describe MULTICOM, a multi-level combination approach to improve the various steps in protein structure prediction. In contrast to those methods which look for the best templates, alignments and models, our approach tries to combine complementary and alternative templates, alignments and models to achieve on average better accuracy.
Results: The multi-level combination approach was implemented via five automated protein structure prediction servers and one human predictor which participated in the eighth Critical Assessment of Techniques for Protein Structure Prediction (CASP8), 2008. The MULTICOM servers and human predictor were consistently ranked among the top predictors on the CASP8 benchmark. The methods can predict moderate- to high-resolution models for most template-based targets and low-resolution models for some template-free targets. The results show that the multi-level combination of complementary templates, alternative alignments and similar models aided by model quality assessment can systematically improve both template-based and template-free protein modeling.
Availability: The MULTICOM server is freely available at http://casp.rnet.missouri.edu/multicom_3d.html
Contact: chengji@missouri.edu
Physicochemical and Rheological Analysis of Flour Mill Streams
Authors: Iuliana Banu , Georgeta Stoenescu , Violeta Ionescu , Iuliana Aprodu 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTKnowing the quality of mill streams is very important for obtaining standardized flours with intended qualities for specific applications. The physicochemical and rheological quality of wheat flour mill streams obtained through industrial milling were analyzed. Rheological behavior was tested using alveograph, rheofermentograph, and mixolab equipment. The results obtained indicate that the starch damage, protein quality, and rheological properties vary with the mill streams. Three variants of breadmaking flours, obtained by blending different milling fractions without negatively affecting the extraction and final product quality, were characterized.
Targeting SYK kinase‐dependent anti‐apoptotic resistance pathway in B‐lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) cells with a potent SYK inhibitory pentapeptide mimic
Authors: Uckun Fatih M. , Ek Rauf O. , Jan Shyi‐Tai , Chen Chun‐Lin , Qazi Sanjive 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe present study found that the pentapeptide mimic C‐61, targeting the substrate binding P‐site of SYK tyrosine kinase acted as a potent inducer of apoptosis in chemotherapy‐resistant SYK‐expressing primary leukemic B‐cell precursors taken directly from relapsed B‐precursor leukaemia (BPL) patients (but not SYK‐deficient infant pro‐B leukaemia cells), exhibited favourable pharmacokinetics in mice and non‐human primates, and eradicated in vivo clonogenic leukaemia cells in severe combined immunodeficient mouse xenograft models of chemotherapy‐resistant human BPL at dose levels non‐toxic to mice and non‐human primates. These in vitro and in vivo findings provide proof of principle for effective treatment of chemotherapy‐resistant BPL by targeting SYK‐dependent anti‐apoptotic blast cell survival machinery with a SYK P‐Site inhibitor. Further development of C‐61 may provide the foundation for therapeutic innovation against chemotherapy‐resistant BPL.
An interactive education session and follow‐up support as a strategy to improve clinicians' goal‐writing skills: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Marsland Elisabeth , Bowman Julia 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground Recent research indicates that allied health clinicians have difficulty articulating client needs and priorities into specific and measurable goals. As a result, a number of strategies to facilitate improvement in allied health clinicians' goal‐setting skills have been recommended in the literature. In order to assist clinicians develop the skills required to set SMART goals, it is necessary that the strategies are rigorously tested.Aim To determine if a 50‐minute education session and 3‐month email and telephone support programme improves clinicians' SMART goal‐writing skill and accurately predicts improved goal‐writing behaviour.Methods Concealed random allocation of participants (n = 120) into two parallel groups: (1) intervention group received education on writing goals using the SMART Goal Evaluation Method as part of a workshop on outcome measurement and received 3 months of follow‐up support (n = 60); and (2) control group attended a workshop on evidence‐based practice (n = 60).Results Education and follow‐up support improved clinicians' SMART goal‐writing skills at both the 3‐ and 6‐month review (Yates χ2 = 4.324, d.f. = 1,P = 0.0375). Structural equation modelling revealed education and follow‐up support is an accurate predictor of SMART goal‐setting behaviour change at both 3 months (standardized regression weights = 0.21;P = 0.014) and 6 months (standardized regression weights = 0.19;P = 0.02) post intervention. Changes were modest and developed over a 6‐month period.Conclusion This study provides empirical evidence that a programme of educating clinicians in a standardized method of goal setting and providing follow‐up support improves allied health clinicians' SMART goal‐writing skills.
Contribution of bile duct drainage on resource use and clinical outcome of open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Japan
Authors: Kuwabara Kazuaki , Matsuda Shinya , Fushimi Kiyohide , Ishikawa Koichi B. , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Hayashida Kenshi , Fujimori Kenji 
Published: February 2010

AbstractAims  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is replacing conventional open cholecystectomy (OC) as a preferred surgical method for treating complicated biliary tract disorders. However, there have been few studies assessing the impact of staged bile duct drainage (BDD) on costs and clinical outcomes for either surgical approach. This study evaluated the impact of surgical technique and BDD on resource utilization and complication rates.Methods  This study included 2778 cholecystectomy patients treated for benign biliary tract diseases in 80 academic and 81 community hospitals. For both OC and LC patients, the following variables were analysed: demographics, clinical data, length of stay (LOS), total charges (TC; US$), procedure‐related complications and hospital type. Multivariate analyses were used to determine the impact of BDD on LOS, TC and complication rates.Results  Of the 2778 cholecystectomy patients in the study, 2255 (81.2%) underwent LC. Inflammation was diagnosed in 55.6% of OC patients and 36.0% of LC patients. Complication was 9.4% in OC cases and 4.7% in LC cases. BDD was performed in 14.5% of OC cases and in 7.6% of LC cases. Diagnosis of inflammation, presence of co‐morbidities and BDD each had a significant impact on LOS and TC. After risk adjustment, LC was associated with a reduction in LOS and TC, while BDD resulted in greater LOS and TC. LC and BDD were significantly associated with complications.Conclusions  The study suggested that BDD utilized more resources and had higher rates of complications. LC remains an appropriate procedure for cholecystectomy patients. Further study will be needed to evaluate the effect of pre‐operative or post‐operative BDD on quality of care.
Psychometric re‐evaluation of the immunosuppressant therapy adherence scale among solid‐organ transplant recipients
Authors: Wilks Scott E. , Spivey Christina A. , Chisholm‐Burns Marie A. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractRationale  The objective of this study was to conduct a psychometric re‐evaluation of the immunosuppressant therapy adherence scale (ITAS), a self‐report measure of immunosuppressant therapy (IST) adherence targeted to solid‐organ transplant recipients.Methods  Mailed questionnaires were used to collect data from 141 transplant recipients. A factor analysis of the ITAS was conducted. Validity was examined via Pearson's product‐moment correlations (r) to theoretically tied measures of social support and resilience. Cronbach's and split‐half alpha coefficients determined internal consistency.Results  The response rate was 72.3%. The aggregate mean on ITAS' summed scores was 11.0 (standard deviation = 1.7). The single IST adherence factor had an eigenvalue of 2.92 and accounted for 73% of the scale items' variance. Component loadings for ITAS items were high (≥0.80). Zero‐order correlations among scale items were moderately strong (≥0.57) and significant (P < 0.01). ITAS summed scores were significantly associated with measures of social support and resilience (r ≥ 0.20, P < 0.05). Cronbach's alpha was 0.87. The Guttman split‐half coefficient was 0.90.Conclusions  This re‐evaluation provides needed confirmation that the ITAS is a valid and reliable measure of IST adherence. The ITAS may be useful as an IST adherence measure in the outpatient transplant clinic setting as it is easy to administer, brief and less expensive than many other adherence measures.
GPs' perceptions of multiple‐medicine use in older patients
Authors: Moen Janne , Norrgård Sara , Antonov Karolina , Nilsson J. Lars G. , Ring Lena 
Published: February 2010

AbstractRationale, aim and objective  Multiple‐medicine use (polypharmacy) is a growing problem for older patients, prescribers and health policy makers. The general practitioner (GP) is most often the main professional care provider; hence, improvements of treatment can only be carried out in concordance with GPs. The aim of this study was, therefore, to explore GPs' perspectives of treating older users of multiple medicines, using a qualitative approach.Method  Six focus groups, with four private GPs and 27 county‐employed GPs, were analysed by using the framework method.Results  In contrast to definitions in most epidemiologic studies, the GPs gave a spontaneous definition of polypharmacy as ‘the administration of more medicines than are clinically indicated’. They had problems stating both a cut‐off number and which medicines should be included. Clinical practice guidelines were thought of as ‘medicine generators’, having an ambiguous effect on the GPs, who both trust them and find them difficult to apply. There was a perceived lack of communication between GPs and hospital specialists concerning their patients' medicines, which was further perceived to reduce treatment quality. The influence of patient pressure was acknowledged by the GPs as a factor contributing to the development of multiple‐medicine use.Conclusions  The GPs felt insecure although surrounded by clinical practice guidelines. There is a need for policy makers to appreciate this paradox, as the problem is likely to grow in size and proportion. GPs must be empowered to handle the increasing proportion of older users of multiple medicines with individual agendas, receiving care from multiple specialists.
Risk‐adjusted increases in medical resource utilization associated with health care‐associated infections in gastrectomy patients
Authors: Lee Jason , Imanaka Yuichi , Sekimoto Miho , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Hayashida Kenshi , Ikai Hiroshi , Tetsuya Otsubo 
Published: February 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Quantifying the impact of health care‐associated infections (HAIs) on medical resource utilization is necessary for payers and providers to appropriately allocate limited resources for interventions. However, previous studies tend to involve single institutions and do not take into account patient and practice variations between several hospitals. The objective of this study was to conduct a multi‐institutional risk‐adjusted comparison of HAI‐associated impact on medical resources in gastrectomy patients in Japan.Methods  Health care‐associated infections were identified using a combination of International Classification of Diseases‐10 codes and antibiotic utilization patterns in 1058 gastrectomy patients from 10 Japanese hospitals. Multiple linear regression models and risk adjustment were used to analyse the impact of HAIs on: (1) total hospital costs; (2) antibiotic costs; and (3) post‐surgical length of stay (LOS).Results  Overall HAI incidence for the database was 20.3%, with a range of 8.8–29.6% among the 10 hospitals. Regression models showed that HAIs were significantly associated with increases in all three indicators. Risk‐adjusted comparisons revealed that HAIs were associated with an increase of US$2767 (range: US$1035–6513) in overall hospital cost, US$202 (US$98.8–764.6) antibiotic costs and 10.6 (4.7–24 days) post‐surgical LOS days.Conclusions  Even after adjusting for patient characteristics and other variables, there was still a high degree of variation observed in the impact of HAIs on total hospital costs and antibiotic costs from a third‐party payer's perspective and post‐surgical LOS among the 10 hospitals. This information can increase the efficiency of allocation of resources for interventions to reduce HAIs.