bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatorenal syndrome, hepatopulmonary syndrome, and now, hepatospinal syndrome?
Authors: Bain Vincent G. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Background & Aims:
Hepatic myelopathy is a rare complication of chronic liver disease, causing progressive spastic paraparesis. Today, no therapy of this disorder has been established. Commonly used therapeutic strategies for hepatic encephalopathy aiming at the reduction of plasma ammonia levels such as protein restriction, oral neomycin, lactulose, or ornithine aspartate fail to improve the symptoms of hepatic myelopathy. The aim of this study was to find out whether orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may improve hepatic myelopathy.

Methods:
Follow-up examinations of 3 patients with severe hepatic myelopathy before and after OLT.

Results:
In all 3 patients, the neurologic status improved significantly after liver transplantation. The grade of improvement was related to the time interval between onset of the first symptoms of hepatic myelopathy and liver transplantation.

Conclusions:
Early recognition of hepatic myelopathy is important because timely liver transplantation as an established therapy for end-stage liver disease offers the chance of complete recovery from hepatic paraparesis. (Gastroenterology 2003;124:346-351.)
Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections: Cause for concern?
Authors: Snydman David R. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Objectives:
To determine the economic and clinical outcomes associated with infection with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and to compare these outcomes to those associated with infection with vancomycin-sensitive Enterococcus (VSE).

Methods:
During a 3-month, prospective, cohort study of 117 high-risk, critically ill patients we collected complete clinical and demographic and ICU cost data from all patients during their ICU stays.

Results:
After adjusting for variables in a stepwise multiple regression model VRE infections were associated with a median attributable increased ICU cost per patient of $33,251 (38,088 euros) and an increased length of hospital stay (LOS) of 22 days, while VSE infections were associated with an increased cost of $21,914 (25,102 euros) and an increased LOS of 27 days. The effect of VRE and VSE infections were not significantly different. Over the entire cohort the attributable cost per ICU patient day associated with VRE infection was $304 (348 euros).

Conclusions:
The attributable cost of ICU care associated with VRE infection is $33,251 (38,088 euros) and per ICU patient day was $304 (348 euros). VRE and VSE infections do not differ in associated cost of ICU care, LOS, or mortality. Any VRE control strategy is cost-effective if the overall cost per ICU patient-day is less than $304 (348 euros).
Protein Adsorption on a Glycosylated Polyacrylonitrile Surface: Monitoring with QCM and SPR
Authors: Che Ai‐Fu , Huang Xiao‐Jun , Xu Zhi‐Kang 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA simple and efficient method to fabricate a glycosylated surface on a polyacrylonitrile‐based film is described. Construction and protein adsorption processes were monitored in situ using a QCM. A PANCHEMA film was deposited on the gold surface of the quartz crystal, and the glycosylated surface was then constructed through surface modification. Con A and BSA were used as probes to study the specificity of this surface to proteins. It can recognize Con A, while showing no specific interaction with BSA. The binding affinity indicates the presence of strong multivalent interactions between Con A and the glucose residues (cluster glycoside effect). Reproducibility and repeatability of the glycosylated polymer surface are sufficient to allow specific adsorption of Con A.magnified image
Polycation Structure Mediates Expression of Lyophilized Polycation/pDNA Complexes
Authors: Hahn Lewis D. , Kong Hyunjoon , Mooney David J. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractLyophilization of polycation/pDNA complexes provides stable, long‐term storage of complexes prior to clinical use but also reduces gene delivery efficiency. We examined whether polycation structure mediates effects of lyophilization on gene expression. Linear and branched PEI of the same molecular weight were used as a model system. Interestingly, pDNA/linear PEI complexes led to much smaller effects on gene expression following lyophilization compared with branched PEI complexes. The effect of polycation structure correlated with changes in dissociation ability of pDNA/PEI complexes. These results will be useful for developing new gene delivery vehicles.magnified image
Poly(β‐cyclodextrin)/Curcumin Self‐Assembly: A Novel Approach to Improve Curcumin Delivery and its Therapeutic Efficacy in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Yallapu Murali Mohan , Jaggi Meena , Chauhan Subhash C. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA novel PCD/CUR self‐assembly approach for improved curcumin delivery to prostate cancer cells is described. The formation of PCD/CUR was confirmed using FTIR, DSC, TGA, and SEM/TEM, and their stability and solubility under physiological conditions was demonstrated. A mechanism for self‐assembly is proposed. Intracellular uptake of the self‐assemblies was studied by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. The therapeutic efficacy was determined by cell proliferation and colony formation assays using C4‐2, DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells. The results suggest that the PCD/CUR formulation could be a useful system for improving curcumin delivery and its therapeutic efficacy in prostate cancer.magnified image
Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Luminescent Copolymers of Methyl Methacrylate and Eu‐Complexed 5‐Acryloxyethoxymethyl‐8‐hydroxyquinoline
Authors: Xu Cun‐Jin , Li Bo‐Geng 
Published: June 2010

AbstractHighly luminescent Eu‐containing copolymers were synthesized through the copolymerization of Eu‐complex monomer featuring TTA and 5‐acryloxyethoxymethyl‐8‐hydroxyquinoline with MMA, and characterized by FT‐IR, UV–Vis, GPC, TGA, and DSC. The results indicated that the copolymers have not only a good solubility, thermal stability, and high glass transition temperatures, but also an intense red emission at 612 nm, corresponding to the 5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu(III) ions under UV excitation. Compared with the Eu‐complex monomer, the Eu‐copolymers exhibited much higher luminescence lifetimes and efficiencies. Moreover, the luminescence intensities of the copolymers were much higher than those of the Eu‐complex/poly(methyl methacrylate) blend system at the same Eu content, and increased nearly linearly with an increase in the Eu content within 5.33 wt.‐%, and no significant concentration quenching phenomenon was observed at the Eu content up to 10.72 wt.‐%. In the blend system, however, the linear relationship between the luminescence intensity and Eu content was observed within 3.30 wt.‐%, and then the blend system showed typical emission concentration quenching on further increase in the Eu content. The improvement of the luminescence properties for the copolymers may be attributed to the special microenvironment, in which the Eu‐complex units are uniformly bonded to and surrounded by the polymer chain. These excellent photoluminescence properties may enable the novel copolymers to be used as pure red‐emitting materials.magnified image
Synthesis and Evaluation of Water‐Soluble Fluorinated Dendritic Block‐Copolymer Nanoparticles as a 19F‐MRI Contrast Agent
Authors: Ogawa Michihiro , Nitahara Satoshi , Aoki Hiroyuki , Ito Shinzaburo , Narazaki Michiko , Matsuda Tetsuya 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWell‐defined water‐soluble fluorinated polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) with a high fluorine content and biocompatibility were successfully prepared by living radical polymerization (LRP) of 2,2,3,3‐tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate (TFPMA) from the polyamidoamine dendrimer macroinitiator (PAMAM‐Br), and successive block polymerization of carboxybetaine monomer (CMB). The obtained core–shell type PNPs (PAMAM‐g‐PTFPMA‐b‐PCMB) showed high solubility in water and a sphere‐like structure with a diameter in the range of 15–80 nm in water. The short 19F‐NMR spin–lattice relaxation time (T1) (<250 ms) of PAMAM‐g‐PTFPMA‐b‐PCMB allowed the use of fast repetition time. The spin–spin relaxation time (T2) was evaluated to be as low as 10 ms. 19F‐MRI in vitro signals can be detectable even at concentrations lower than 1 µM (particle concentration). These results demonstrate that a new type of 19F‐MRI contrast agent can be developed by the molecular design using the dendrimer‐initiated LRP method.magnified image
Lifetime Assessment of Load‐Bearing Polymer Glasses: An Analytical Framework for Ductile Failure
Authors: Visser Hendrikus A. , Bor Ton C. , Wolters Mannes , Engels Tom A. P. , Govaert Leon E. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe most widespread application of polymers in structural applications is their use as pipe material for e.g., gas distribution systems. Pipes have a design lifetime of typically 50 years, which rules out real‐time lifetime assessment methods. Here, an engineering approach is presented, which makes it possible to predict long‐term ductile failure of loaded glassy polymers based on short‐term tests. The approach is based upon the hypothesis that failure is governed by accumulation of plastic deformation up to a critical strain. A pressure‐modified Eyring relation is employed to calculate the accumulation of plastic strain for any simple loading geometry. It is demonstrated that the approach can produce accurate quantitative time‐to‐failure predictions for loaded PC specimens and uPVC pipe segments.magnified image
Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Electrospun Poly(lactic acid)/Polyaniline Blend Fibers
Authors: Picciani Paulo H. S. , Medeiros Eliton S. , Pan Zhongli , Wood Delilah F. , Orts William J. , Mattoso Luiz H. C. , Soares Bluma G. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractConducting electrospun fiber mats based on PLA and PAni blends were obtained with average diameter values between 87 and 1 006 nm with PAni quantities from 0 to 5.6 wt.‐%. Structural characteristics of fiber mats were compared to cast films with the same amount of PAni and studied by SEM, SAXS, and AFM. Thermal properties of fiber mats and cast films were compared by DSC analyses. Mechanical properties of fiber mats were also evaluated. It was found that electrospinning process governs the crystal structure of the fibers and strongly affects fiber properties. New properties of PLA/PAni blends are reported due to the size fiber reduction.magnified image
Design and Evaluation of Peptide Amphiphiles with Different Hydrophobic Blocks for Simultaneous Delivery of Drugs and Genes
Authors: Wiradharma Nikken , Tong Yen Wah , Yang Yi‐Yan 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn this study, peptides with six different compositions were designed and synthesized to study the effect of the structure of the hydrophobic block in triblock oligopeptide amphiphiles ((AmX)nH5K15) on self‐assembly properties, drug loading capacity and gene expression efficiency. The peptides were synthesized using a standard Fmoc‐solid phase peptide synthesis protocol, which are A12H5K15, A11FH5K15, (A5F)2H5K15, (A3F)3H5K15, (AF)6H5K15 and (AL)6H5K15. A12H5K15, A11FH5K15, (A5F)2H5K15 and (A3F)3H5K15, formed micelles at concentrations above 200 mg · L−1 with large size or aggregation. However, (AF)6H5K15 and (AL)6H5K15 had CMC values of 42 and 49 mg · L−1 respectively, and the resulting micelles were much smaller in size as compared to the other peptide designs (108 and 233 nm for (AF)6H5K15 and (AL)6H5K15, respectively). In addition, both peptides were able to load paclitaxel (PTX) into nanoparticles although PTX‐loaded (AF)6H5K15 nanoparticles had a smaller size (278 versus 295 nm, respectively). Encapsulation efficiency of PTX with (AF)6H5K15 nanoparticles was 74%. Gene transfection studies showed that luciferase expression level induced by (AF)6H5K15 micelles in HepG2 cell line was much higher than that mediated by (AL)6H5K15 micelles at their respective optimal N/P ratios (3.2 × 108 versus 3.9 × 107 RLU · mg proteins−1). Therefore, simultaneous delivery of PTX and luciferase‐encoding plasmid was conducted using (AF)6H5K15 micelles against HepG2 cells, and the results demonstrated that the co‐delivery of PTX at 0.01 mg · L−1 further increased luciferase expression level from 3.2 × 108 to 8.0 × 108 RLU · mg proteins−1 at the optimal N/P ratio (i.e., 18). In summary, it is important to optimize the hydrophobic block of the oligopeptide amphiphiles in order to achieve desired properties for co‐delivery of drugs and genes.magnified image
Microscopic Fourier Transform Infrared Characterization on Two Types of Spherulite with Polymorphic Crystals in Poly(heptamethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Yen Kai Cheng , Woo Eamor M. , Tashiro Kohji 
Published: June 2010

AbstractFTIR microspectrometry with in situ temperature variation and IR‐peak‐mapping capability, and POM characterization were used to study the crystal distribution in dual spherulites in poly(heptamethylene terephthalate). By tracing the crystalline IR bands of the α‐crystal and β‐crystal to get the crystal distribution, the techniques resolve that the ringed and ringless spherulites comprise α‐ and β‐crystals, respectively. In addition, temperature‐dependent IR analyses on the spots related to the two crystals also reveal the α‐ and β‐crystals melt at 98 and 104 °C, respectively. The ringed and ringless spherulites were proven to be correlated with the α‐ and β‐crystal forms, respectively.magnified image
Photodissociation Rate Constants of New Light Sensitive Alkoxyamines
Authors: Versace Davy‐Louis , Lalevée Jacques , Fouassier Jean‐Pierre , Guillaneuf Yohann , Bertin Denis , Gigmes Didier 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe photochemical properties of two new photocleavable alkoxyamines bearing a benzophenone‐derived chromophore were studied by electron spin resonance (ESR). The CO bond cleavage has been demonstrated and the photolysis rate constants (kd) determined over a large range of light intensity through the monitoring of the nitroxide concentration in aerated conditions. The obtained kinetic data highlight for the first time the linear dependence of kd on the light intensity for alkoxyamines: this should be a driving factor for nitroxide mediated radical photopolymerization (NMP2).magnified image
Hydrazine as a Nucleophile and Antioxidant for Fast Aminolysis of RAFT Polymers in Air
Authors: Shen Wenqing , Qiu Qian , Wang Yang , Miao Miao , Li Bingshu , Zhang Tianshu , Cao Aoneng , An Zesheng 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe bifunctional role of hydrazine as a potent nucleophile and antioxidant was investigated for the rapid aminolysis of RAFT polymers within minutes in air with effective suppression of the formation of disulfides. Using both dithioesters and trithiocarbonates as model compounds, we showed that hydrazine exhibited a significantly improved aminolysis rate when compared with a commonly used primary alkyl amine. On the basis of the exellent results with CTAs, we further studied the aminolysis of RAFT polymers prepared with either dithioesters or trithiocarbonates. In accord with the aminolysis results on CTAs, hydrazine aminolyzed RAFT polymers in an impressively short time and, more importantly, it significantly suppressed the formation of disulfides as comfirmed with GPC.magnified image
Synthesis of Amphiphilic Mushroom Cap‐shaped Colloidal Particles towards Fabrication of Anisotropic Colloidal Crystals
Authors: Xu Liang , Li Heng , Jiang Xi , Wang Jingxia , Li Lin , Song Yanlin , Jiang Lei 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn this work, we design and synthesize a kind of amphiphilic mushroom cap‐shaped particles with wettability difference on the opposite sides of the particles. Colloidal crystals consisting of uniformly oriented anisotropic particles were fabricated on the water–air interface based on the wettability difference of particles. This simple approach offers a new way for self‐assembly of anisotropic colloidal crystal by amphiphilic design of particles.magnified image
Nanotube Friendly Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)
Authors: Etika Krishna C. , Jochum Florian D. , Cox Michael A. , Schattling Philipp , Theato Patrick , Grunlan Jaime C. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPoly(N‐ispropylacrylamide) [PNIPAM] is a widely studied polymer for use in biological applications due to its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) being so close to the human body temperature. Unfortunately, attempts to combine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with PNIPAM have been unsuccessful due to poor interactions between these two materials. In this work, a PNIPAM copolymer with 1 mol‐% pyrene side group [p‐PNIPAM] was used to produce a thermoresponsive polymer capable of stabilizing both single and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in water. The presence of pyrene in the polymer chain lowers the LCST less than 4 °C and the interaction with nanotubes does not show any influence on LCST. Moreover, p‐PNIPAM stabilized nanotubes show a temperature‐dependent dispersion in water that allows the level of nanotube exfoliation/bundling to be controlled. Cryo‐TEM images, turbidity, and viscosity of these suspensions were used to characterize these thermoresponsive changes. This ability to manipulate the dispersion state of CNTs in water with p‐PNIPAM will likely benefit many biological applications, such as drug delivery, optical sensors, and hydrogels.magnified image
Synthesis and Chain‐Length Dependence of the Electronic Properties of π‐Conjugated Dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole (DTP) Oligomers
Authors: Yassin Ali , Leriche Philippe , Roncali Jean 
Published: June 2010

AbstractN‐(2‐ethylhexyl)dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole has been prepared and its dimer and trimer have been synthesized by Stille coupling. The electrochemical and optical properties of these compounds have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, UV–Vis, and fluorescence emission spectroscopies. The obtained results show that these strongly luminescent compounds can be oxidized into stable cation radical and dication state. The analysis of the chain length dependence of the electronic properties indicates that the predicted bandgap of an ideal polymer chain should be considerably smaller than the experimental results reported until now. This difference is discussed in terms of reactivity of the dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole (DTP) unit.magnified image
Prognostic implications of ezrin expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kang Yun Kyung , Hong Seong Woo , Lee Hyucksang , Kim Woo Ho 
Published: June 2010

AbstractEzrin is known to regulate cellular survival, adhesion, migration, and invasion and has been identified as one of the key components of tumor progression and metastasis. The authors investigated ezrin expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and sought to determine its relation with clinicopathologic parameters, patients' outcome, and interacting molecular markers. Ezrin expression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining in 100 surgically resected HCCs using the tissue microarray method. A total of 28 HCCs showed high ezrin immunoreactivity, mainly in cytoplasm. Ezrin expression exhibited a positive correlation with c‐Met expression (P = 0.001), but showed no correlation with the expression of CD44s or E‐cadherin. HCCs expressing high level of ezrin were significantly associated with advanced TNM stage, poor Edmondson's histological grade, macroscopic portal vein invasion, tumor recurrence, and extrahepatic recurrence (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that HCCs with high ezrin immunoreactivity were strongly associated with unfavorable overall and disease‐free survivals than HCCs with low or negative for ezrin immunoreactivity (P = 0.0001 and 0.0011, respectively). Furthermore, multivariate analysis demonstrated that a high level of ezrin expression was independently associated with poor overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.905; P = 0.011). The results suggest that ezrin expression could be a potential predictive marker of progression, metastasis, and prognosis in HCC. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis, Characterization and Curing of Bioinspired Polymers Based on Vinyl Benzyl Thymine and Triethyl Ammonium Chloride
Authors: Barbarini Alejandro L. , Estenoz Diana A. , Martino Débora M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA novel class of environmentally benign, non‐toxic and recyclable materials based on vinylbenzyl thymine (VBT) and an ionically‐charged vinylbenzyl triethylammonium chloride (VBA) monomers was studied. Several syntheses of VBT–VBA copolymers at various comonomer ratio and initiator concentrations were carried out at 65 °C using isopropanol as solvent. Samples were taken during the reactions to determine the monomer conversion, chemical composition and molecular weight distribution. The comonomers exhibited similar reactivities and random copolymers with similar chemical compositions were obtained. The curing process involved the irradiation of the copolymer films with a short‐wavelength UV light (254 nm) for different times, leading to film immobilization on the substrate. The light‐induced crosslinking reaction was followed by UV‐vis spectroscopy and the immobilization point relative to the gel point was determined. The kinetics of the crosslinking process pointed to a second‐order process with respect to the thymine concentration. The experimental results provide complementary information on photo‐induced immobilization of VBT–VBA films that are crucial for developing new classes of environmentally benign materials and new energy‐saving methods.magnified image
Kinetics and Modeling of Batch and Semibatch Aqueous‐Phase NVP Free‐Radical Polymerization
Authors: Santanakrishnan Sandhya , Tang Lina , Hutchinson Robin A. , Stach Marek , Lacík Igor , Schrooten Jens , Hesse Pascal , Buback Michael 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAqueous‐phase free‐radical batch and semibatch polymerizations of NVP have been carried out with varying initial monomer and initiator concentrations. The rate of conversion was observed to increase as the initial monomer concentration was lowered, a result explained by the dependence of the propagation rate coefficient, kp, on monomer concentration. A kinetic model with termination and conversion‐dependent kp rate coefficients taken from independent studies provides a good description of the conversion profiles. A reasonable representation of polymer molecular‐weight averages and the complete MWD was obtained by assuming that the rate coefficient for transfer to monomer also varies as a function of monomer concentration and that a small amount of chain transfer to polymer occurs.magnified image
Simulation of phase contrast MRI of turbulent flow
Authors: Petersson Sven , Dyverfeldt Petter , Gårdhagen Roland , Karlsson Matts , Ebbers Tino 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPhase contrast MRI is a powerful tool for the assessment of blood flow. However, especially in the highly complex and turbulent flow that accompanies many cardiovascular diseases, phase contrast MRI may suffer from artifacts. Simulation of phase contrast MRI of turbulent flow could increase our understanding of phase contrast MRI artifacts in turbulent flows and facilitate the development of phase contrast MRI methods for the assessment of turbulent blood flow. We present a method for the simulation of phase contrast MRI measurements of turbulent flow. The method uses an Eulerian‐Lagrangian approach, in which spin particle trajectories are computed from time‐resolved large eddy simulations. The Bloch equations are solved for each spin for a frame of reference moving along the spins trajectory. The method was validated by comparison with phase contrast MRI measurements of velocity and intravoxel velocity standard deviation (IVSD) on a flow phantom consisting of a straight rigid pipe with a stenosis. Turbulence related artifacts, such as signal drop and ghosting, could be recognized in the measurements as well as in the simulations. The velocity and the IVSD obtained from the magnitude of the phase contrast MRI simulations agreed well with the measurements. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.