bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arrhythmias in Fabry Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Acharya Deepak , Robertson Peter , Neal Kay G. , Jackson Leslie , Warnock David G. , Plumb Vance J. , Tallaj José A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground:Prior studies suggest that the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias is high in patients with Fabry cardiomyopathy. This study evaluated the incidence of significant arrhythmias in a series of patients with Fabry cardiomyopathy.Hypothesis:Arrhythmias are important causes of morbidity and mortality in Fabry Cardiomyopathy.Methods:This study was a retrospective chart review of 19 patients with known Fabry cardiomyopathy. Device interrogation reports were reviewed for those who had implantable devices. Electrocardiogram, Holter monitor, and event monitors were reviewed in those who did not have implantable devices.Results:Eighteen of nineteen patients were on enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Nine (47%) out of 19 patients had implantable devices. Implant indications included symptomatic bradycardia, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, conduction abnormalities, palpitations, and syncope. Mean follow‐up in the patients with devices was 50 ± 23 months. Two patients received implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) shocks, 1 of which was inappropriate for atrial fibrillation. Patients were paced in the atrium 71% ± 37% of the time and paced in the ventricle 49% ± 52% of the time. Four patients with devices were paced more than 95% of the time. Patients with an ICD had lower heart rates prior to ICD implant than the group that did not have devices (60 ± 10 vs 78 ± 16, P = 0.03). Of the patients without devices, only 1 had sudden cardiac death. Patients with implanted devices had higher left ventricular (LV) mass indices compared to patients without implanted devices (136 ± 40 g/m2 vs 93 ± 19 g/m2, P = 0.008).Conclusions:Significant ventricular arrhythmias are uncommon in patients with Fabry cardiomyopathy on ERT, but utilization of pacing is high. Sudden cardiac death in Fabry cardiomyopathy may be related to bradycardia.The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Photodegradation, Photocatalytic, and Aerobic Biodegradation of Sulfisomidine and Identification of Transformation Products by LC–UV‐MS/MS
Authors: Sleman Faten , Mahmoud Waleed M. M. , Schubert Rolf , Kümmerer Klaus 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMuch attention has recently been devoted to the fate and effects of pharmaceuticals in the water cycle. Removal of antibiotics in effluents by photo‐treatment or biodegradation is a topic currently under discussion. Degradation and removal efficiencies of sulfisomidine (SUI) by photodegradation and aerobic biodegradability were studied. SUI behavior was monitored during photolysis and photocatalysis (catalyst titanium dioxide) using 150‐W medium‐pressure Hg lamp. Also an aerobic bacterial degradation test from the OECD series (closed bottle test (CBT, OECD 301 D)) was performed. The primary elimination of SUI was monitored. Structures of photo‐degradation products were assessed by chromatographic separation on a C18 column with ultraviolet detection at 270 nm and ion trap MS. The results demonstrate that SUI is not readily biodegradable in CBT. Photo catalysis was more is effective than photolysis. SUI underwent photodegradation and several SUI photoproducts were identified. Accordingly, the photodegradation pathway of SUI was postulated. When reaching the aquatic environment, SUI and its photo products can constitute a risk to the environment.
Bi‐Solute Sorption of Estrogens at Low Concentration: Two‐ and Three‐Parametric Analysis
Authors: Kumar A. Kiran , Babu P. Suresh , Mohan S. Venkata 
Published: August 2012

AbstractCompetitive sorption of estriol (E3) and 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2) was studied on activated charcoal. Better sorption of E3 (88.9%) and EE2 (69.5%) was observed with single‐solute sorption system than with bi‐solute sorption system. Single‐solute sorption kinetics of E3 and EE2 were evaluated with two (Langmuir and Freundlich) and three (dual mode and Song) parameter models. Freundlich model (R2, 0.9915 (E3); 0.9875 (EE2)) showed good prediction compared to other models for single‐solute sorption. Adsorption capacity documented reduced efficacy (86.4% (E3); 65.9% (EE2)) due to induced competitive behavior between the estrogens in aqueous phase. Bi‐solute adsorption kinetics of E3 and EE2 were described by IAST with two and three parameter models. Among these models, IAST‐Freundlich model (R2, 0.9765 (E3); 0.9985 (EE2)) was best in predicting bi‐solute sorption of E3 and EE2 by activated charcoal. All these models showed favorable representation of both single‐ and bi‐solute sorption behaviors.
A New Soil Sampling Design in Coastal Saline Region Using EM38 and VQT Method
Authors: Yao Rongjiang , Yang Jingsong , Zhao Xiufang , Chen Xiaobing , Han Jianjun , Li Xiaoming , Liu Meixian , Shao Hongbo 
Published: August 2012

AbstractSpatial sampling design based on the variability and distribution of soil properties is an important issue with the progress in precision agriculture and soil ecology. Electromagnetic induction (type EM38) and variance quad‐tree (VQT) method were both applied to optimize the sampling scheme of soil salinity in a coastal reclamation field in north Jiangsu Province, China. Apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) measured with EM38 was used as an ancillary variable and the spatial distribution of ECa was used as priori information. The process and result of VQT algorithm analysis was illustrated and the obtained sampling strategy was validated using observed soil salinity. Then the spatial precision and sampling efficiency were evaluated. The result indicated that the spatial distribution of soil salinity produced with the VQT scheme was quite similar to that produced with total sampling sites, while sampling quantity of the former was reduced to approximately 1/2 of the latter. The spatial precision of VQT scheme was considerably higher than that of traditional grid method with respect to the same sampling number, and fewer samples were required for VQT scheme to obtain the same precision level. A 17.3% increase in sampling efficiency was achieved by VQT over grid method at the precision level of 90%. The VQT method was proved to be more efficient and economical because it can sample intensively or sparsely according to variation status in local areas. The associated application of EM38 and VQT method provides efficient tools and theoretical basis for saving sampling cost and improving sampling efficiency in coastal saline region and enriching soil ecology.
A Phenylbenzothiazole Conjugate with the Tricarbonyl fac‐[M(I)(CO)3]+ (M = Re, 99Tc, 99mTc) Core for Imaging of β‐Amyloid Plaques
Authors: Sagnou Marina , Tzanopoulou Stamatia , Raptopoulou Catherine P. , Psycharis Vassilis , Braband Henrik , Alberto Roger , Pirmettis Ioannis C. , Papadopoulos Minas , Pelecanou Maria 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe 2‐(4′‐aminophenyl)‐6‐methylbenzothiazole that is known to display affinity and specificity toward the amyloid plaques of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been joined to the tricarbonyl [M(CO)3NNO] chelate (M = Re, 99Tc, and 99mTc) through a five‐carbon linker chain to generate the neutral complex 1 (namely, Re‐1 for M = Re; 99Tc‐1 for M = 99Tc; and 99mTc‐1 for M = 99mTc) with the aim of developing a single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radiodiagnostic agent for AD. Re‐1 was characterized by spectroscopic methods and X‐ray crystallography, whereas the detailed NMR spectroscopic analysis of 99Tc‐1 demonstrated its structural similarity to Re‐1. Complexes Re‐1 and 99Tc‐1 display selective binding affinity for amyloid plaques as evidenced by fluorescence spectroscopy, whereas the biodistribution data of 99mTc‐1―characterized by relatively low brain uptake, fast clearance from brain and blood, and in vivo stability―are considered encouraging for further elaboration on the structural features of 1 in the direction of increased brain uptake.
Environmental mercury in China: A review
Authors: Lin Yan , Vogt Rolf , Larssen Thorjorn 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Mercury is a global pollutant that can be transported over long distances and can bioaccumulate. Currently, China is the country that contributes most to atmospheric Hg emissions and has the greatest intentional (industrial) use of Hg. Mercury in the Chinese environment is generally elevated, particularly in air and water bodies. Remote areas in China also show elevated Hg levels in air and water bodies compared to other rural regions in the world. Large river estuaries are often heavily affected by upstream industrial sources. Mercury is also elevated in sediments, a direct result of contamination in river systems. Regardless of the few heavily polluted sites, the urban environment in Chinese cities is comparable to that of other megacities in terms of Hg pollution, considering the size and rapid development of Chinese cities. Studies on Hg in fish showed generally low levels of contamination resulting from low bioaccumulation of Hg in the mostly short food chains. Mercury in rice has recently received increased research interest; elevated concentrations have been reported from rice grown in contaminated areas and may pose a threat to people dependent on such locally grown food. For the general population, Hg exposure from rice is, however, small. In addition, Hg hair concentration in the Chinese population showed generally low levels of exposure to Hg, except for people with special occupational exposure. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2431–2444. © 2012 SETAC
Use of a Balanced Scorecard in strengthening health systems in developing countries: an analysis based on nationally representative Bangladesh Health Facility Survey
Authors: Khan M. Mahmud , R. Hotchkiss David , Dmytraczenko Tania , Zunaid Ahsan Karar 
Published: August 2012

SUMMARYThis paper illustrates the importance of collecting facility‐based data through regular surveys to supplement the administrative data, especially for developing countries of the world. In Bangladesh, measures based on facility survey indicate that only 70% of very basic medical instruments and 35% of essential drugs were available in health facilities. Less than 2% of officially designated obstetric care facilities actually had required drugs, injections and personnel on‐site. Majority of (80%) referral hospitals at the district level were not ready to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric care. Even though the Management Information System reports availability of diagnostic machines in all district‐level and sub‐district‐level facilities, it fails to indicate that 50% of these machines are not functional. In terms of human resources, both physicians and nurses are in short supply at all levels of the healthcare system. The physician–nurse ratio also remains lower than the desirable level of 3.0. Overall job satisfaction index was less than 50 for physicians and 66 for nurses. Patient satisfaction score, however, was high (86) despite the fact that process indicators of service quality were poor. Facility surveys can help strengthen not only the management decision‐making process but also the quality of administrative data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sub‐chronic exposure to paraoxon neither induces nor exacerbates diabetes mellitus in Wistar rat
Authors: Nurulain Syed M. , Petroianu Georg , Shafiullah Mohamed , Kalász Huba , Oz Murat , Saeed Tariq , Adem Abdu , Adeghate Ernest 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTThere is an increasing belief that organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) impair glucose homeostasis and cause hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. The present study was undertaken to investigate the putative diabetogenic effect of sub‐lethal and sub‐chronic exposure to paraoxon (POX), an extremely hazardous OPC used in pesticides. The effect of paraoxon on streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats was also examined. Each rat was injected with 100 nmol of POX 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Blood glucose levels and red blood cell acetylcholinesterase activity were measured weekly. Biochemical analysis and morphological studies were performed at the end of the experiment. The results revealed that POX neither induces nor exacerbates diabetes mellitus in experimental rats. Liver and kidney/body weight ratios revealed statistically insignificant differences when compared with controls. Biochemical analysis of urine samples showed a small but not significant increase in protein level in all groups. Urine bilirubin was significantly higher in the diabetes + POX group when compared with the control group. The number of blood cells in urine was significantly higher in the POX‐treated group compared with the control group. Hyperglycemia was noted in the diabetes and diabetes + POX groups, but neither in the saline control nor in POX‐treated normal rats. Electron microscopy of POX‐treated pancreas did not show any morphological changes in beta cells. These results suggest that POX does not cause diabetes mellitus at sub‐lethal sub‐chronic exposure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design, synthesis, imaging, and biomechanics of a softness‐gradient hydrogel nucleus pulposus prosthesis in a canine lumbar spine model
Authors: Kranenburg Hendrik‐Jan C. , Meij Björn P. , Onis David , van der Veen Albert J. , Saralidze Ketie , Smolders Luc A. , Huizinga Julie G. , Knetsch Menno L.W. , Luijten Peter R. , Visser Fredy , Voorhout George , Dhert Wouter J.A. , Hazewinkel Herman A.W. , Koole Leo H. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA hydrogel nucleus pulposus prosthesis (NPP) was designed to swell in situ, have intrinsic radiopacity, and restore intervertebral disc height and biomechanical functionality. These features were examined using an ex vivo canine lumbar model. Nine NPPs were implanted in five spines and their visibility was assessed on radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The NPPs were visible on all imaging modalities and 8/9 NPPs stayed intact and in situ. Six other NPPs were tested biomechanically in six canine lumbar spines. Removal of the nucleus pulposus (nuclectomy) caused significant changes in biomechanical parameters. After implantation and swelling of the NPP, values were not significantly different from the native state for range of motion (ROM) of flexion‐extension (FE) and lateral bending (LB), the neutral zone (NZ) of all motion directions, and the NZ stiffness (NZS) of FE. Biomechanical restoration by the NPP compared with the nuclectomized state was significant for the ROM of FE and axial rotation, the NZ of FE and LB, and the NZS of FE and LB. Disc height was significantly restored and 6/6 NPPs stayed intact and in situ. In conclusion, the NPPs swell in situ, have intrinsic radiopacity and restored disc height and aforementioned biomechanical properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Fibroblast growth factor 23 inhibits extrarenal synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in human monocytes
Authors: Bacchetta Justine , Sea Jessica L , Chun Rene F , Lisse Thomas S , Wesseling-Perry Katherine , Gales Barbara , Adams John S , Salusky Isidro B , Hewison Martin 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Vitamin D is a potent stimulator of monocyte innate immunity, and this effect is mediated via intracrine conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). In the kidney, synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D is suppressed by fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), via transcriptional suppression of the vitamin D-activating enzyme 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1). We hypothesized that FGF23 also suppresses CYP27B1 in monocytes, with concomitant effects on intracrine responses to 1,25(OH)2D. Healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cell monocytes (PBMCm) and peritoneal dialysate monocyte (PDm) effluent from kidney disease patients were assessed at baseline to confirm the presence of mRNA for FGF23 receptors (FGFRs), with Klotho and FGFR1 being more strongly expressed than FGFR2/3/4 in both cell types. Immunohistochemistry showed coexpression of Klotho and FGFR1 in PBMCm and PDm, with this effect being enhanced following treatment with FGF23 in PBMCm but not PDm. Treatment with FGF23 activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase B (Akt) pathways in PBMCm, demonstrating functional FGFR signaling in these cells. FGF23 treatment of PBMCm and PDm decreased expression of mRNA for CYP27B1. In PBMCm this was associated with downregulation of 25OHD to 1,25(OH)2D metabolism, and concomitant suppression of intracrine induced 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) and antibacterial cathelicidin (LL37). FGF23 suppression of CYP27B1 was particularly pronounced in PBMCm treated with interleukin-15 to stimulate synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D. These data indicate that FGF23 can inhibit extra-renal expression of CYP27B1 and subsequent intracrine responses to 1,25(OH)2D in two different human monocyte models. Elevated expression of FGF23 may therefore play a crucial role in defining immune responses to vitamin D and this, in turn, may be a key determinant of infection in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Modeling loop backbone flexibility in receptor‐ligand docking simulations
Authors: Flick Johannes , Tristram Frank , Wenzel Wolfgang 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe relevance of receptor conformational change during ligand binding is well documented for many pharmaceutically relevant receptors, but is still not fully accounted for in in silico docking methods. While there has been significant progress in treatment of receptor side chain flexibility sampling of backbone flexibility remains challenging because the conformational space expands dramatically and the scoring function must balance protein–protein and protein–ligand contributions. Here, we investigate an efficient multistage backbone reconstruction algorithm for large loop regions in the receptor and demonstrate that treatment of backbone receptor flexibility significantly improves binding mode prediction starting from apo structures and in cross docking simulations. For three different kinase receptors in which large flexible loops reconstruct upon ligand binding, we demonstrate that treatment of backbone flexibility results in accurate models of the complexes in simulations starting from the apo structure. At the example of the DFG‐motif in the p38 kinase, we also show how loop reconstruction can be used to model allosteric binding. Our approach thus paves the way to treat the complex process of receptor reconstruction upon ligand binding in docking simulations and may help to design new ligands with high specificity by exploitation of allosteric mechanisms. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Absorbed‐dose estimation and quality attributes of gamma‐irradiated fresh shiitake mushrooms
Authors: Akram Kashif , Ahn Jae‐Jun , Baek Ji‐Yeong , Yoon Sung‐Ran , Kwon Joong‐Ho 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The general use of food irradiation requires reliable identification methods as well as extensive quality characterization. Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms, packed in polystyrene trays and covered with polyvinylchloride film, were investigated for dose‐dependent identification and quality characterization upon gamma irradiation (0, 1, 2, and 3 kGy).RESULTS: Thermoluminescence (TL) analysis of separated minerals provided excellent results to characterize the irradiated mushrooms. Low‐dose re‐irradiation (200‐600 Gy), medium‐dose re‐irradiation (1‐3 kGy) and high‐dose re‐irradiation (2‐6 kGy) were performed and compared using an additive dose method. An electronic‐nose analysis showed a difference in the volatile profiles of mushrooms following irradiation. One‐kGy‐irradiated mushrooms showed similar or better quality attributes to those of the control samples. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the dose‐dependent degradation in microstructure of mushrooms upon irradiation.CONCLUSION: An absorbed dosed estimation was possible using TL analysis in which 1‐3 kGy re‐irradiation technique gave most promising results. An E‐nose analysis effectively distinguished the samples based on irradiation history. The best quality attributes were observed at 1 kGy irradiation. However, the drastic effects of irradiation were prominent in 2 and 3 kGy‐irradiated mushrooms. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Management of nonesthesioneuroblastoma sinonasal malignancies with neuroendocrine differentiation
Authors: Fried David , Zanation Adam M. , Huang Benjamin , Hayes Neil , Morris David E. , Rosenman Julian , Varia Mahesh , Funkhouser William , Weissler Mark , Chera Bhishamjit S. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Report the outcomes of patients with nonesthesioneuroblastoma (non‐ENB) sinonasal malignancies with neuroendocrine differentiation.Study Design:Single Institution Retrospective Case Series.Methods:We conducted a retrospective chart review of 19 biopsy‐proven non‐ENB sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinomas diagnosed between 1997 and 2010 and treated with multimodality therapy. Kaplan‐Meier estimates of local‐regional control (LRC), distant metastases–free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) were calculated.Results:The 3‐year LRC, FFDM, and OS rates were 63%, 50%, and 64%, respectively. All nine patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) had at least a pathologic partial response: three of seven sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas and two of two sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinomas had complete pathological responses. All five patients with pathologic complete responses were alive without disease at a median follow‐up of 43 (29–67) months.Conclusions:Having a complete response pathologically to CRT was a favorable prognostic indicator. Neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery seems to be an efficacious sequence of multimodality therapy.
Online Coupling of Size‐Exclusion Chromatography and Low‐Field 1H NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Cudaj Markus , Guthausen Gisela , Hofe Thorsten , Wilhelm Manfred 
Published: August 2012

AbstractCurrent results and limitations of a novel SEC–MR–NMR (size‐exclusion chromatography–medium resolution nuclear magnetic resonance) system are presented, delivering a direct correlation of chemical structure and molecular weight. A 20 MHz 1H NMR spectrometer based on permanent magnets was combined with a SEC setup. The NMR sensitivity was improved by digital filters, shims, and a self‐built flow probe when compared with time‐domain instruments. For optimum NMR signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N) of polymer fractions and concomitantly reduced S/N of solvent signals, deuterated solvents or protonated solvents, with solvent suppression, were applied. Results are presented after optimization of both NMR and chromatographic components such as column dimension and volume flow.