bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variation in vitamin D levels in psoriatic arthritis patients from different latitudes and its association with clinical outcomes
Authors: Touma Zahi , Eder Lihi , Zisman Devy , Feld Joy , Chandran Vinod , Rosen Cheryl F. , Shen Hua , Cook Richard J. , Gladman Dafna D. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractObjectiveVitamin D insufficiency appears to be a pandemic problem and is more common in inhabitants of high latitude compared to low latitude areas. We aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), its seasonal and geographic variation, and the possible association with demographics and disease activity.MethodsThis study was conducted in a northern geographic area and in a subtropical region from March 2009 to August 2009. Most subjects were assessed in both winter and summer. Demographics, clinical data, skin phototype, and serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were determined. Multivariate linear and logistic mixed models were used to assess the relationship with serum 25(OH)D levels.ResultsIn total, 302 PsA patients were enrolled. Two hundred fifty‐eight patients were evaluated during the winter, while 214 patients were evaluated during the summer. 25(OH)D levels in winter and summer were adequate (north: 41.3% winter and 41.4% summer, south: 42.1% winter and 35.1% summer), insufficient (north: 55.7% winter and 58.6% summer, south: 50.9% winter and 62.2% summer), and deficient (north: 3% winter and 0% summer, south: 7% winter and 2.7% summer) among patients. There was no association between 25(OH)D levels, geographic and seasonal interaction, race, employment status, and skin phototype or disease activity in both seasons. No association between disease activity in summer and vitamin D levels in winter could be found.ConclusionA high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among PsA patients was found. There was no seasonal variation in 25(OH)D levels among PsA patients in the southern and northern sites. No association could be established between disease activity and vitamin D level.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients and rheumatologists approach the decision to escalate care differently: Results of a maximum difference scaling experiment
Authors: van Hulst L. T. C. , Kievit W. , van Bommel R. , van Riel P. L. C. M. , Fraenkel L. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractObjectiveAntirheumatic treatment is frequently not appropriately modified, according to American College of Rheumatology guidelines, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as defined by a Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) score greater than 3.2. The objective of this study was to determine which factors most strongly influence patients' and rheumatologists' decisions to escalate care.MethodsWe administered a Maximum Difference Scaling survey to 106 rheumatologists and 213 patients with RA. The survey included 58 factors related to the decision to escalate care in RA. Participants answered 24 choice tasks. In each task, participants were asked to choose the most important factor from a set of 5. We used hierarchical Bayes modeling to generate the mean relative importance score (RIS) for each factor.ResultsFor rheumatologists, the 5 most influential factors were number of swollen joints (mean ± SD RIS 5.2 ± 0.4), DAS28 score (mean ± SD RIS 5.2 ± 0.5), physician global assessment of disease activity (mean ± SD RIS 5.2 ± 0.6), worsening erosions over the last year (mean ± SD RIS 5.2 ± 0.5), and RA disease activity now compared to 3 months ago (mean ± SD RIS 5.1 ± 0.6). For patients, the 5 most important factors were current level of physical functioning (mean ± SD RIS 4.3 ± 1.1), motivation to get better (mean ± SD RIS 3.5 ± 1.4), trust in their rheumatologist (mean ± SD RIS 3.5 ± 1.6), satisfaction with current disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (mean ± SD RIS 3.4 ± 1.4), and current number of painful joints (mean ± SD RIS 3.4 ± 1.4).ConclusionFactors influencing the decision to escalate care differ between rheumatologists and patients. Better communication between patients and their physicians may improve treatment planning in RA patients with active disease.
A Zipper‐Like On/Off‐Switchable Molecularly Imprinted Polymer
Authors: Li Songjun , Ge Yi , Piletsky Sergey A. , Turner Anthony P. F. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractA zipper‐like on/off‐switchable molecularly imprinted polymer is reported. This unique imprinted polymer was composed of template‐imprinted polymeric networks that incorporate zipper‐like interactions between poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) and poly(2‐acrylamide‐2‐methyl propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS). This polymer showed marginal recognition ability towards the imprint species under low temperature conditions, due to the interpolymer interaction between PAAm and PAMPS, which inhibited access to the imprinted networks. In contrast, at relatively high temperatures (such as 40 °C), the polymer demonstrated significant molecular recognition ability towards the imprint species resulting from the dissociation of the interpolymer complexes of PAAm and PAMPS, which enabled access to the imprint networks. Unlike previously reported PNIPAm‐based imprinted polymers, which demonstrate alterable molecular recognition simply because of the thermosensitive hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of PNIPAm, this polymer employed a zipper‐like supramolecular architecture between PAAm and PAMPS, thereby enabling switchable molecular recognition.
Structure and Properties of Functional Oxide Thin Films: Insights From Electronic‐Structure Calculations
Authors: Rondinelli James M. , Spaldin Nicola A. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe confluence of state‐of‐the‐art electronic‐structure computations and modern synthetic materials growth techniques is proving indispensable in the search for and discovery of new functionalities in oxide thin films and heterostructures. Here, we review the recent contributions of electronic‐structure calculations to predicting, understanding, and discovering new materials physics in thin‐film perovskite oxides. We show that such calculations can accurately predict both structure and properties in advance of film synthesis, thereby guiding the search for materials combinations with specific targeted functionalities. In addition, because they can isolate and decouple the effects of various parameters which unavoidably occur simultaneously in an experiment–such as epitaxial strain, interfacial chemistry and defect profiles–they are able to provide new fundamental knowledge about the underlying physics. We conclude by outlining the limitations of current computational techniques, as well as some important open questions that we hope will motivate further methodological developments in the field.
The role of teratology information services in screening for teratogenic exposures: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Chambers Christina 
Published: July 2011

AbstractTeratology Information Services (TIS) located throughout the world have long played a key role in screening for potential new human teratogens. Using a basic prospective cohort study design, TIS recruit pregnant women from among callers to the Services who have had an exposure of interest and at the same time identify an unexposed comparison group from the same pool of callers. Women in both groups are followed to pregnancy outcome and a range of adverse outcomes including major congenital anomalies, birth size, pregnancy loss, and preterm delivery are evaluated, while controlling for potential confounding. Particularly for rare exposures or newly marketed medications, TIS may be uniquely suited to gathering this information in a timely and efficient fashion. The primary limitation of these studies is the unknown representativeness of the volunteer sample, and the typical small to moderate sample sizes. Methods to increase the proportion of exposed pregnancies that are recruited should be developed. However, small sample size TIS studies, especially when considering new or rare exposures, often fulfill the important function of providing some reassurance to women who have already had the exposure of interest by ruling out major risks for teratogenicity, that is, on the order of thalidomide. Collaborations across TIS nationally and internationally help to address the sample size challenges. A formal collaboration between the TIS cohort study model with a case–control study design is also underway and will provide complementary strengths. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Altered functional magnetic resonance imaging resting‐state connectivity in periaqueductal gray networks in migraine
Authors: Mainero Caterina , Boshyan Jasmine , Hadjikhani Nouchine 
Published: July 2011

AbstractObjective:The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), a known modulator of somatic pain transmission, shows evidence of interictal functional and structural abnormalities in migraineurs, which may contribute to hyperexcitability along spinal and trigeminal nociceptive pathways, and lead to the migraine attack. The aim of this study was to examine functional connectivity of the PAG in migraine.Methods:Using resting‐state functional MRI, we compared functional connectivity between PAG and a subset of brain areas involved in nociceptive/somatosensory processing and pain modulation in 17 subjects with migraine, during a pain‐free state, versus 17 gender‐ and age‐matched controls. We also assessed the relation between intrinsic resting‐state correlations within PAG networks and the average monthly frequency of migraine attacks, as well as allodynia.Results:Our findings show stronger connectivity between the PAG and several brain areas within nociceptive and somatosensory processing pathways in migraineurs versus controls. In addition, as the monthly frequency of migraine attacks worsens, the strength of the connectivity in some areas within these pathways increases, whereas a significant decrease in functional resting‐state connectivity between the PAG and brain regions with a predominant role in pain modulation (prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, amygdala) can be evidenced. Finally, migraineurs with a history of allodynia exhibit significantly reduced connectivity between PAG, prefrontal regions, and anterior cingulate compared to migraineurs without allodynia.Interpretation:These data reveal interictal dysfunctional dynamics within pain pathways in migraine manifested as an impairment of the descending pain modulatory circuits, likely leading to loss of pain inhibition, and hyperexcitability primarily in nociceptive areas. ANN NEUROL 2011
Hyperglycemia promotes tissue plasminogen activator‐induced hemorrhage by Increasing superoxide production
Authors: Won Seok Joon , Tang Xian Nan , Suh Sang Won , Yenari Midori A. , Swanson Raymond A. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractObjective:Risk of intracerebral hemorrhage is the primary factor limiting use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for stroke. Clinical studies have established an association between admission hyperglycemia and the risk of hemorrhage with tPA use, independent of prior diabetes. Here we used an animal model of tPA‐induced reperfusion hemorrhage to determine if this clinical association reflects a true causal relationship.Methods:Rats underwent 90 minutes of focal ischemia, and tPA infusion was begun 10 minutes prior to vessel reperfusion. Glucose was administered during ischemia to generate blood levels ranging from 5.9 ± 1.8mM (normoglycemia) to 21 ± 2.3mM. In some studies, apocynin was administered to block superoxide production by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). Brains were harvested 1 hour or 3 days after reperfusion to evaluate the effects of hyperglycemia and apocynin on oxidative stress, blood–brain barrier breakdown, infarct volume, and hemorrhage volume.Results:Rats that were hyperglycemic during tPA infusion had diffusely increased blood–brain barrier permeability in the postischemic territory, and a 3‐ to 5‐fold increase in intracerebral hemorrhage volumes. The hyperglycemic rats also showed increased superoxide formation in the brain parenchyma and vasculature during reperfusion. The effects of hyperglycemia on superoxide production, blood–brain barrier disruption, infarct size, and hemorrhage were all attenuated by apocynin.Interpretation:These findings demonstrate a causal relationship between hyperglycemia and hemorrhage in an animal model of tPA stroke treatment, and suggest that this effect of hyperglycemia is mediated through an increase in superoxide production by NADPH oxidase. ANN NEUROL 2011
Splitting Water with Cobalt
Authors: Artero Vincent , Chavarot‐Kerlidou Murielle , Fontecave Marc 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe future of energy supply depends on innovative breakthroughs regarding the design of cheap, sustainable, and efficient systems for the conversion and storage of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy. The production of hydrogen, a fuel with remarkable properties, through sunlight‐driven water splitting appears to be a promising and appealing solution. While the active sites of enzymes involved in the overall water‐splitting process in natural systems, namely hydrogenases and photosystem II, use iron, nickel, and manganese ions, cobalt has emerged in the past five years as the most versatile non‐noble metal for the development of synthetic H2‐ and O2‐evolving catalysts. Such catalysts can be further coupled with photosensitizers to generate photocatalytic systems for light‐induced hydrogen evolution from water.
Application of a hydrolyzable cationic agent, poly(acryloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride), in salt‐free reactive dyeing for good dyeing properties
Authors: Teng Xiaoxu , Zhang Shufen , Ma Wei 
Published: July 2011

AbstractPoly(acryloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride) (PAOTAC), in which cationic groups were connected with the polymer skeleton through ester bonds, was applied in the salt‐free reactive dyeing of cotton with the aim of achieving good dyeing properties. Exhaust and exhaust–pad–steam dyeing procedures were used with the cotton cationized with PAOTAC in the absence of salt; for comparison, both dyeing procedures were also applied with the untreated cotton in the presence of salt. The dyeing results show that only the exhaust–pad–steam dyeing procedure was suitable for dyeing cationic cotton to achieve a high dye fixation. Color yields, colorimetric properties, fastness properties, dyeing levelness, and penetration behaviors with different dyeing methods were evaluated. Compared with the dyeings with untreated cotton in conventional exhaust dyeing, dyeings with cationic cotton in the exhaust–pad–steam procedure showed equivalent or even better fastness with generally higher color yields and good dye penetration. Possible reasons for the improved salt‐free dyeing properties were proposed, and the hydrolysis of ester bonds within PAOTAC under the dyeing conditions was proven by IR spectroscopy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Sulfonyl and Phosphoryl Azides: Going Further Beyond the Click Realm of Alkyl and Aryl Azides
Authors: Kim Seok Hwan , Park Sae Hume , Choi Ji Ho , Chang Sukbok 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWhereas alkyl and aryl azides readily react with terminal alkynes to afford 1,4‐disubstituted‐1,2,3‐triazoles in excellent yields and selectivity in the presence of a copper catalyst, sulfonyl, phosphoryl, and certain acyl azides allow additional chemistry upon ring‐opening of the corresponding copper–triazole intermediates. The amazingly versatile new chemistry stems from the high reactivity of a ring‐opened ketenimine intermediate, with which a wide range of nucleophiles react to give multicomponent products. Among those nucleophiles, amines, alcohols, water, and heterocyclic compounds are especially capable of being involved in this new chemistry.
Improving cardiac regeneration after injury: Are we a step closer?
Authors: Kühl Susanne J. , Kühl Michael 
Published: July 2011

AbstractDuring regeneration, lost functional tissue can, in general, be replaced by different mechanisms, including proliferation of terminally differentiated cells or through differentiation of resident stem cells. It is a well‐accepted dogma that the mammalian heart cannot efficiently regenerate upon injury as a consequence of insufficient oxygen supply. This is in sharp contrast to the hearts of adult zebrafish or newts that are able to replace lost ventricular tissue. Novel data indicate that the young murine heart also has the ability to regenerate within the first week after birth using mechanisms apparently quite similar to those observed in fish. This now provides us with a good starting point to identify the molecular mechanisms that led to the loss of the regenerative capacity of the adult mammalian heart. These future studies will also indicate whether it will be possible to reawaken the regenerative capability of cardiomyocytes in the human heart by treatment with selected pharmaceuticals.
Highly sensitive spectrofluorimetic determination of rutin based on its activated effect on a multi‐enzyme redox system
Authors: Chen Ya‐Hong , Tian Feng‐Shou 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTA highly sensitive and simple spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of rutin, based on its activated effect on a haemoglobin‐catalysed reaction, was developed. Under optimum conditions, the concentration of rutin was linear, with decreased fluorescence (ΔF) of the system under optimal experimental conditions. The calibration graph was linear in the range 1.0 × 10–7–3.0 × 10–5 mol/L, with a detection limit of 7.0 × 10–8 mol/L. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.26% for 11 determinations of 1.0 × 10–5 mol/L. This method was used for the determination of rutin in pharmaceuticals with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current progress of siRNA/shRNA therapeutics in clinical trials
Authors: Burnett John C. , Rossi John J. , Tiemann Katrin 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThrough a mechanism known as RNA interference (RNAi), small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules can target complementary mRNA strands for degradation, thus specifically inhibiting gene expression. The ability of siRNAs to inhibit gene expression offers a mechanism that can be exploited for novel therapeutics. Indeed, over the past decade, at least 21 siRNA therapeutics have been developed for more than a dozen diseases, including various cancers, viruses, and genetic disorders. Like other biological drugs, RNAi‐based therapeutics often require a delivery vehicle to transport them to the targeted cells. Thus, the clinical advancement of numerous siRNA drugs has relied on the development of siRNA carriers, including biodegradable nanoparticles, lipids, bacteria, and attenuated viruses. Most therapies permit systemic delivery of the siRNA drug, while others use ex vivo delivery by autologous cell therapy. Advancements in bioengineering and nanotechnology have led to improved control of delivery and release of some siRNA therapeutics. Likewise, progress in molecular biology has allowed for improved design of the siRNA molecules. Here, we provide an overview of siRNA therapeutics in clinical trials, including their clinical progress, the challenges they have encountered, and the future they hold in the treatment of human diseases.
Enzymatic synthesis of lignin–siloxane hybrid functional polymers
Authors: Prasetyo Endry Nugroho , Kudanga Tukayi , Fischer Roman , Eichinger Reinhard , Nyanhongo Gibson S. , Guebitz Georg M. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis study combines the properties of siloxanes and lignin polymers to produce hybrid functional polymers that can be used as adhesives, coating materials, and/or multifunctionalized thin‐coating films. Lignin‐silica hybrid copolymers were synthesized by using a sol‐gel process. Laccases from Trametes hirsuta were used to oxidize lignosulphonates to enhance their reactivity towards siloxanes and then were incorporated into siloxane precursors undergoing a sol‐gel process. In vitro copolymerization studies using pure lignin monomers with aminosilanes or ethoxytrimethylsilane and analysis by 29Si NMR spectroscopy revealed hybrid products. Except for kraft lignin, an increase in lignin concentration positively affected the tensile strength in all samples. Similarly, the viscosity generally increased in all samples with increasing lignin concentration and also affected the curing time.
Randomized clinical trial of ischaemic preconditioning in major liver resection with intermittent Pringle manoeuvre
Authors: Scatton O , Zalinski S , Jegou D , Compagnon P , Lesurtel M , Belghiti J , Boudjema K , Lentschener C , Soubrane O 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Vascular inflow occlusion is effective in avoiding excessive blood loss during hepatic parenchymal transection but may cause ischaemic damage to the remnant liver. Intermittent portal triad clamping (IPTC) is superior to continuous hepatic pedicle clamping as it avoids severe ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) injury in the liver remnant. Ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) before continuous Pringle manoeuvre may protect against IR during major liver resection.

Methods
This RCT assessed the impact of IPC in major liver resection with intermittent vascular inflow occlusion. Patients undergoing major liver resection with intermittent vascular inflow occlusion were randomized, during surgery, to receive IPC (10 min inflow occlusion followed by 10 min reperfusion) or no IPC (control group). Data analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis. The primary endpoint was serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level on the day after surgery.

Results
Eighty four patients were enrolled and randomized to IPC (n = 41) and no IPC (n = 43). The groups were comparable in terms of demographic data, preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists grade and extent of liver resection. Intraoperative morbidity and postoperative outcomes were also similar. ALT levels on the day after operation were not decreased by IPC (mean(s.d.) 537·6(358·5) versus 525·0(400·6) units/ml in IPC and control group respectively; P = 0·881). Liver biochemistry tests in the week after operation showed the same pattern in both groups.

Conclusion
IPC did not reduce liver damage in patients undergoing major liver resection with IPTC. Registration number: NCT00908245 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Pushing or Sharing as Value‐driven Strategies for Societal Change in Global Supply Chains: Two Case Studies in the British–South African Fresh Fruit Supply Chain
Authors: Muller Claribel , Vermeulen Walter J. V. , Glasbergen Pieter 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTBusiness strategy is linked to organisational values and culture, which is determined to some extent by national culture. This can provide a challenge in a global supply chain where culture and values at one end of the chain do not correspond with culture at the other end. This paper contends that shared values contribute to effective sustainability changes in supply chains. Two case studies from the South African–British fresh fruit export chain present two contrasting business strategies for achieving socially sustainable practices: (i) a unilateral, prescriptive approach (pushing), mirroring a paternalistic value system, in which a company prescribes norms of socially responsible behaviour at the ground level (the Tesco case) and; (ii) a bilateral, collaborative approach (sharing) in which business and non‐governmental organisations work together to improve working conditions (the Waitrose case). Outcomes of these approaches are observed over a 3‐year period. It is concluded that within this specific supply chain a shared value approach is a more successful initiative than paternalistic pushing initiatives. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.