bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased Prevalence of Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Artery-specific
Authors: KOBAYASHI HITOMI , GILES JON T. , POLAK JOSEPH F. , BLUMENTHAL ROGER S. , LEFFELL MARY S. , SZKLO MOYSES , PETRI MICHELLE , GELBER ALLAN C. , POST WENDY , BATHON JOAN M. 
Published: January 2010

Objective.Cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality are increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Prior investigations of the association of RA with measures of carotid atherosclerosis have yielded conflicting results. We compared carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) of both the common carotid (CCA) and proximal internal carotid (bulb-ICA) arteries, and plaque prevalence, between RA and non-RA participants.Methods.Subjects with RA were participants in a cohort study of subclinical CV disease in RA. Non-RA controls were selected from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Both groups underwent B-mode ultrasonography of the right and left CCA and bulb-ICA. Linear regression was used to model the association of RA status with CCA and bulb-ICA-IMT, and logistic regression for the association of RA status with plaque.Results.We compared 195 RA patients to 198 non-RA controls. CV risk factors were similarly distributed, except for a higher prevalence of hypertension in the RA group. Mean adjusted bulb-ICA-IMT was higher in RA patients than controls (1.16 vs 1.02 mm, respectively; p < 0.001), while mean adjusted CCA-IMT did not differ significantly. After adjusting for CV risk factors, the odds of plaque were significantly increased in RA participants compared to controls (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.26–4.61). The association of gender, age, smoking, and hypertension with bulb-ICA-IMT and plaque did not significantly differ by RA status. Interleukin 6 was strongly associated with bulb-ICA-IMT and plaque in controls but not in RA patients. In the RA group, shared epitope was associated with an increased prevalence of plaque.Conclusion.Compared to controls, RA was associated with a higher prevalence and higher severity of atherosclerosis in the bulb-ICA but not the CCA. Our data suggest that future studies in RA that utilize carotid artery measurements should include assessment of the bulb-ICA.
Mortality and Predictors of Mortality in Rheumatoid Arthritis — A Role for Mannose-binding Lectin?
Authors: TROELSEN LONE N. , GARRED PETER , JACOBSEN SØREN 
Published: January 2010

Objective.Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased overall and cardiovascular mortality. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) may play differentiated roles in the pathogenesis of RA. We had observed that high serum levels of MBL increased the risk of ischemic heart disease in patients with RA. In this followup study we describe the mortality in a cohort of 229 Danish patients with RA. We examine if previously reported factors and MBL influence the risk of overall death and death due to cardiovascular disease.Methods.Known predictors of RA mortality were assessed. MBL extended genotypes (YA/YA, YA/XA, XA/XA, YA/YO, XA/YO, YO/YO) were determined; MBL serum concentrations were measured. The vital status and causes of death were assessed in a prospective study.Results.The median followup was 10.3 years. The overall risk of death was 4% per year. Comparing mortality in the RA cohort with mortality in an age- and sex-matched cohort based on the general Danish population, we found significantly increased overall mortality [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.9, and cardiovascular mortality (SMR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.6)]. In multivariate analysis, significant predictors of overall death were extraarticular manifestations, positive rheumatoid factor, increased C-reactive protein (CRP), poor nutritional state, and serum MBL. Predictors of cardiovascular death were Health Assessment Questionnaire score, increased CRP, poor nutritional state, and the high-producing MBL genotype YA/YA.Conclusion.Both overall and cardiovascular mortality were increased in Danish patients with RA. In our cohort, states of high MBL production and several previously reported factors contributed significantly to this increased risk of overall death and cardiovascular death.
Equivalent Responses to Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Initiated at Any Time During the First 15 Months After Symptom Onset in Patients with Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: WENG HAOLING H. , RANGANATH VEENA K. , KHANNA DINESH , OH MYUNGSHIN , FURST DANIEL E. , PARK GRACE S. , ELASHOFF DAVID A. , SHARP JOHN T. , GOLD RICHARD H. , PETER JAMES B. , PAULUS HAROLD E. 
Published: January 2010

Objective.To evaluate responses by time to initiation of nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) in a DMARD-naive cohort of patients with early seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Subjects were categorized by the time from symptom onset to the first DMARD use (median 5.7 months, range 0.6–15.9). Subjects who started their first DMARD within 5 months of symptom onset were compared to subjects who started after 5 months. Disease Activity Scores (DAS-44) and total Sharp Score (TSS) progression rates were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum and chi-square tests; multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for potential covariates. The slope of the least-squares regression line was calculated to estimate the annualized TSS progression rates.Results.Of 233 RA patients, 76% were female and mean age was 50 (SD 13) years. At DMARD start, DAS-44 was similar in all subsets within the 0.6 to 15 months’ duration between symptom onset and DMARD initiation. Erosion scores tended to be higher in those who started DMARD later, but Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) scores were higher in those who started DMARD earlier. During the 2 years after DMARD initiation, improvements in HAQ-DI and DAS-44 were similar in the various duration subsets, with about 25% ever achieving DAS remission (DAS < 1.6). Radiographic progression tended to be numerically but not statistically more rapid in the earlier subsets.Conclusion.Following initiation of nonbiologic DMARD therapy at various times within 15 months of symptom onset, improvements of DAS-44, HAQ-DI, remission rate, and radiographic progression rate were similar, although higher baseline erosion scores were present in those with later initiation of DMARD.
Abatacept for severe anti–tumor necrosis factor α refractory juvenile idiopathic arthritis–related uveitis
Authors: Zulian Francesco , Balzarin Marta , Falcini Fernanda , Martini Giorgia , Alessio Maria , Cimaz Rolando , Cimino Luca , Zannin Maria Elisabetta 
Published: January 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of abatacept in patients with severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)–related uveitis refractory or intolerant to immunosuppressive and anti–tumor necrosis factor α (anti‐TNFα) agents.MethodsPatients with JIA‐related uveitis refractory to immunosuppressive and anti‐TNFα agents were treated with intravenous abatacept (10 mg/kg monthly). Side effects, frequency of uveitis flares, and ocular complications before and after treatment were reported.ResultsSeven patients (6 females and 1 male) with a mean uveitis duration of 11.6 years entered the study. All patients had failed previous immunosuppressive therapy and ≥2 anti‐TNFα treatments. All patients responded to abatacept and 6 maintained a clinical remission after a mean of 9.2 months of treatment. One patient withdrew from the study with oral mycosis and arthritis flare; no other patients had side effects. The mean frequency of uveitis flares during the 6 months before and after treatment decreased from 3.7 to 0.7 episodes. No new ocular complications or worsening of preexisting ones were reported.ConclusionAbatacept treatment led to sustained improvement in severe anti‐TNFα–resistant JIA‐related uveitis and was well tolerated in all but 1 patient. These results provide new insights into a possible indication of abatacept for the treatment of uveitis.
Cyclopia (synophthalmia) in Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome: First reported case and consideration of mechanism
Authors: Weaver David D. , Solomon Benjamin D. , Akin‐Samson Kelly , Kelley Richard I. , Muenke Maximilian 
Published: January 2010

AbstractHere we present a 24‐week fetus with Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome (SLOS), alobar holoprosencephaly (HPE) and cyclopia (synophthalmia). Following birth, we suspected SLOS in this fetus due to the additional findings of ambiguous genitalia and bilateral 2–3 toe syndactyly. The diagnosis of SLOS was confirmed by finding an elevated amniotic fluid 7‐dehydrocholesterol level (9,890 ng/ml; normal range = 3–9 ng/ml), and molecularly by detecting two different mutations in the DHCR7 gene, the gene causing SLOS. The first mutation was an IVS8‐1G>T change and the second was a deletion of exons 3 and 4; this latter mutation has not been reported previously. The mother carries the deletion, while the father carries the splice‐site mutation. Also of note, the father has an abnormally low total plasma cholesterol level (104–109 mg/dl). This is the most severe case of HPE described in any patient with SLOS. We postulate that the HPE in this case resulted from severe impairment of Sonic Hedgehog signaling secondary to abnormal cholesterol metabolism; however, the unique combination of mutations in the fetus functionally appears to be no different from other homozygous null mutations reported in DHCR7. Therefore, there must be other yet to be identified factors that contributed to the severity of HPE in SLOS. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early pathogenesis of holoprosencephaly
Authors: Shiota Kohei , Yamada Shigehito 
Published: January 2010

AbstractHoloprosencephaly (HPE) is one of the most common malformations encountered in early human embryos. It is assumed that more than 90% of HPE embryos die in utero and are eliminated by spontaneous abortion. Embryonic HPE displays some characteristic craniofacial phenotypes, which are not necessarily comparable to those in postnatal HPE cases. In this article, we summarize our studies on HPE in human embryos and discuss the pathogenesis of HPE malformations. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuropathology of holoprosencephaly
Authors: Marcorelles Pascale , Laquerriere Annie 
Published: January 2010

AbstractHoloprosencephaly (HPE) is a brain malformation which results from a primary defect in induction and patterning of the rostral neural tube during early embryogenesis and usually considered as an impaired cleavage of the prosencephalon. The review of neuropathologic findings highlights a complex malformation involving not only the prosencephalon but also the whole brain, the eyes, and the cerebral vascularization. The classical form of HPE is divided in three sub‐types according to DeMyer classification, although the spectrum is far wider, ranging from the most severe, aprosencephaly/atelencephaly, to milder forms such as syntelencephaly and to the less severe ends of the spectrum. Macroscopy and microscopy abnormality patterns are described extensively, allowing a comparison of the anatomic features between each form. Disturbances observed in the main cerebral structures including the basal ganglia, the commissures, the hippocampus, the brainstem, the cerebellum, and spinal cord are reviewed. Macroscopic and microscopic features of the ophthalmic anomalies are described, as well as brain vascular and associated central nervous system malformations. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of weak static magnetic fields on endothelial cells
Authors: Martino Carlos F. , Perea Héctor , Hopfner Ursula , Ferguson Virginia L. , Wintermantel Erich 
Published: January 2010

AbstractPulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been used extensively in bone fracture repairs and wound healing. It is accepted that the induced electric field is the dose metric. The mechanisms of interaction between weak magnetic fields and biological systems present more ambiguity than that of PEMFs since weak electric currents induced by PEMFs are believed to mediate the healing process, which are absent in magnetic fields. The present study examines the response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to weak static magnetic fields. We investigated proliferation, viability, and the expression of functional parameters such as eNOS, NO, and also gene expression of VEGF under the influence of different doses of weak magnetic fields. Applications of weak magnetic fields in tissue engineering are also discussed. Static magnetic fields may open new venues of research in the field of vascular therapies by promoting endothelial cell growth and by enhancing the healing response of the endothelium. Bioelectromagnetics 31:296–301, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring cellular adhesion and differentiation in a micro‐/nano‐hybrid polymer scaffold
Authors: Cheng Ke , Kisaalita William S. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractPolymer scaffolds play an important role in three dimensional (3‐D) cell culture and tissue engineering. To best mimic the archiecture of natural extracellular matrix (ECM), a nano‐fibrous and micro‐porous combined (NFMP) scaffold was fabricated by combining phase separation and particulate leaching techniques. The NFMP scaffold possesses architectural features at two levels, including the micro‐scale pores and nano‐scale fibers. To evaluate the advantages of micro/nano combination, control scaffolds with only micro‐pores or nano‐fibers were fabricated. Cell grown in NFMP and control scaffolds were characterized with respect to morphology, proliferation rate, diffentiation and adhesion. The NFMP scaffold combined the advantages of micro‐ and nano‐scale structures. The NFMP scaffold nano‐fibers promoted neural differentiation and induced “3‐D matrix adhesion”, while the NFMP scaffold micro‐pores facilitated cell infiltration. This study represents a systematic comparison of cellular activities on micro‐only, nano‐only and micro/nano combined scaffolds, and demonstrates the unique advantages of the later. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Advances in clone selection using high‐throughput bioreactors
Authors: Kondragunta Bhargavi , Drew Jessica L. , Brorson Kurt A. , Moreira Antonio R. , Rao Govind 
Published: January 2010

AbstractEffective clone selection is a crucial step toward developing a robust mammalian cell culture production platform. Currently, clone selection is done by culturing cells in well plates and picking the highest producers. Ideally, clone selection should be done in a stirred tank bioreactor as this would best replicate the eventual production environment. The actual number of clones selected for future evaluation in bioreactors at bench‐scale is limited by the scale‐up and operational costs involved. This study describes the application of miniaturized stirred high‐throughput bioreactors (35 mL working volume; HTBRs) with noninvasive optical sensors for clone screening and selection. We investigated a method for testing several subclones simultaneously in a stirred environment using our high throughput bioreactors (up to 12 clones per HTBR run) and compared it with a traditional well plate selection approach. Importantly, it was found that selecting clones solely based on results from stationary well plate cultures could result in the chance of missing higher producing clones. Our approach suggests that choosing a clone after analyzing its performance in a stirred bioreactor environment is an improved method for clone selection. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Positionally Isomeric Organic Gelators: Structure–Gelation Study, Racemic versus Enantiomeric Gelators, and Solvation Effects
Authors: Čaplar Vesna , Frkanec Leo , Vujičić Nataša Šijaković , Žinić Mladen 
Published: January 2010

AbstractLow molecular weight gelator molecules consisting of aliphatic acid, amino acid (phenylglycine), and ω‐aminoaliphatic acid units have been designed. By varying the number of methylene units in the aliphatic and ω‐aminoaliphatic acid chains, as defined by descriptors m and n, respectively, a series of positionally isomeric gelators having different positions of the peptidic hydrogen‐bonding unit within the gelator molecule has been obtained. The gelation properties of the positional isomers have been determined in relation to a defined set of twenty solvents of different structure and polarity and analyzed in terms of gelator versatility (Gver) and effectiveness (Geff). The results of gelation tests have shown that simple synthetic optimizations of a “lead gelator molecule” by variation of m and n, end‐group polarity (carboxylic acid versus sodium carboxylate), and stereochemistry (racemate versus optically pure form) allowed the identification of gelators with tremendously improved versatility (Gver) and effectiveness (Geff). Dramatic differences in Geff values of up to 70 times could be observed between pure racemate/enantiomer pairs of some gelators, which were manifested even in the gelation of very similar solvents such as isomeric xylenes. The combined results of spectroscopic (1H NMR, FTIR), electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction studies suggest similar organization of the positionally isomeric gelators at the molecular level, comprising parallel β‐sheet hydrogen‐bonded primary assemblies that form inversed bilayers at a higher organizational level. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies of selected enantiomer/racemate gelator pairs and their o‐ and p‐xylene gels revealed the simultaneous presence of different polymorphs in the racemate gels. The increased gelation effectiveness of the racemate compared to that of the single enantiomer is most likely a consequence of its spontaneous resolution into enantiomeric bilayers and their subsequent organization into polymorphic aggregates of different energy. The latter determine the gel fiber thickness and solvent immobilization capacity of the formed gel network.
Photochemistry of Tricyclo[5.2.2.02,6]undeca‐4,10‐dien‐8‐ones: An Efficient General Route to Substituted Linear Triquinanes from 2‐Methoxyphenols. Total Synthesis of (±)‐Δ9(12)‐Capnellene
Authors: Hsu Day‐Shin , Chou Yu‐Yu , Tung Yen‐Shih , Liao Chun‐Chen 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAn efficient and short entry to polyfunctionalized linear triquinanes from 2‐methoxyphenols is described by utilizing the following chemistry. The Diels–Alder reactions of masked o‐benzoquinones, derived from 2‐methoxyphenols, with cyclopentadiene afford tricyclo[5.2.2.02,6]undeca‐4,10‐dien‐8‐ones. Photochemical oxa‐di‐π‐methane (ODPM) rearrangements and 1,3‐acyl shifts of the Diels–Alder adducts are investigated. The ODPM‐rearranged products are further converted to linear triquinanes by using an O‐stannyl ketyl fragmentation. Application of this efficient strategy to the total synthesis of (±)‐Δ9(12)‐capnellene was accomplished from 2‐methoxy‐4‐methylphenol in nine steps with 20 % overall yield.
Serine‐derivatized gadonanotubes as magnetic nanoprobes for intracellular labeling
Authors: Hassan Amy A. , Chan Bonita Tak‐Yee , Tran Lesa A. , Hartman Keith B. , Ananta Jeyarama S. , Mackeyev Yuri , Hu Lingyun , Pautler Robia G. , Wilson Lon J. , Lee Adrian V. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractGadonanotubes (GNTs), which are powerful new T1‐weighted MRI contrast agents, were derivatized with serine amino acid substituents to produce water‐soluble (2 mg ml−1) ser‐gadonanotubes (ser‐GNs) as magnetic nanoprobes for intracellular labeling. The ser‐GNTs were used to efficiently label MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells (1.5 × 109 Gd3+ ions/cell) with no observable cytotoxicity. Cell pellets derived from the ser‐GNT labeled cells give bright T1‐weighted MR images, confirming that the ser‐GNTs are a promising new nanoprobe technology for magnetic cell labeling and possibly for in vivo cellular trafficking. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Childhood maltreatment, depressive symptoms, and body dissatisfaction in patients with binge eating disorder: The mediating role of self‐criticism
Authors: Dunkley David M. , Masheb Robin M. , Grilo Carlos M. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractObjective:We examined the mediating role of self‐criticism in the relation between childhood maltreatment and both depressive symptoms and body dissatisfaction in patients with binge eating disorder (BED).Method:Participants were 170 BED patients who completed measures of childhood maltreatment, self‐criticism, self‐esteem, depressive symptoms, and body dissatisfaction.Results:Specific forms of childhood maltreatment (emotional abuse, sexual abuse) were significantly associated with body dissatisfaction. Path analyses demonstrated that self‐criticism fully mediated the relation between emotional abuse and both depressive symptoms and body dissatisfaction. Specificity for the mediating role of self‐criticism was demonstrated in comparison to other potential mediators (low self‐esteem) and alternative competing mediation models.Discussion:These results highlight self‐criticism as a potential mechanism through which certain forms of childhood maltreatment may be associated with depressive symptoms and body dissatisfaction in BED patients. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010
Response surface modeling and optimization of biodiesel production from Cynara cardunculus oil
Authors: Sengo Inês , Gominho Jorge , d'Orey Lourenço , Martins Miguel , d'Almeida‐Duarte Elizabeth , Pereira Helena , Ferreira‐Dias Suzana 
Published: January 2010

AbstractCardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a perennial spontaneous thistle grown in Mediterranean countries and well adapted to marginal lands, recently considered as a non‐food energy crop. Their seeds contain 24% of oil (dry basis). In this study, modeling and optimization of the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from cardoon oil for biodiesel uses was performed at laboratory scale, via response surface methodology, following a central composite rotatable design. FAME were obtained by transesterification of crude cardoon oil with methanol in the presence of a catalyst (sodium methoxide) for 120 min. The temperature ranged from 26 to 94 °C, the amount of sodium methoxide varied between 0.12 and 2.5 wt‐% and the molar ratio methanol/oil from 0.95 : 1 to 11 : 1. The estimated yield of FAME (97%) was obtained after 30 min, at 52 °C, for a molar ratio of 6.4 : 1 and 1.4 wt‐% of catalyst. In laboratory‐scale model validation experiments, 94% of FAME yield was obtained after 30 min of reaction. Transesterification was performed in a 30‐L reactor, under previously optimized conditions: A yield of 88% FAME was obtained after 90 min of reaction time, due to mass transfer limitations. After purification, the biodiesel showed high quality according to DIN EN 14214 standard specifications.