bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Characterization, and OFET and OLED Properties of π-Extended Ladder-Type Heteroacenes Based on Indolodibenzothiophene
Authors: Wang Changsheng , Nishida Jun-ichi , Bryce Martin R , Yamashita Yoshiro 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Ladder-type heteroacenes based on indolodibenzothiophene have been synthesized. The route involved a regioselective twofold intramolecular acid-induced cyclization of the central bis(butylsulfinyl)phenyl unit onto the adjacent carbazole units, followed by dealkylation to give diindolobenzobisbenzothiophene (DIBBBT) derivatives. Importantly, this sequence proceeded efficiently in the presence of the chloro substituents which provided reactive sites for further π-extension of the DIBBBT core. The chloro derivative underwent twofold palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reactions with phenylboronic acid or 4-n-octylphenylboronic acid. Compounds have been characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, optical spectroscopy, and solution electrochemical studies. Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) have been constructed based on drop-cast thin films and the performances as p-type semiconductor are presented. The chloro derivative was also copolymerized with 9,9-dioctyl-2,7-fluorenylenediboronic acid bis(1,3-propanediol) ester to give the alternating copolymer which exhibits blue photoluminescence in solution and blue-green electroluminescence in a solution processed organic light-emitting diode (OLED).
Benefits and Safety of Long-Term Fenofibrate Therapy in People With Type 2 Diabetes and Renal Impairment
Authors: Ting Ru-Dee , Keech Anthony C. , Drury Paul L. , Donoghoe Mark W. , Hedley John , Jenkins Alicia J. , Davis Timothy M.E. , Lehto Seppo , Celermajer David , Simes R. John , Rajamani Kushwin , Stanton Kim ,   on behalf of the FIELD Study Investigators
Published: December 2011

OBJECTIVE
Diabetic patients with moderate renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 30–59 mL/min/1.73 m2) are at particular cardiovascular risk. Fenofibrate’s safety in these patients is an issue because it may elevate plasma creatinine. Furthermore, guidelines regarding fenofibrate dosing in renal impairment vary internationally. We investigated fenofibrate’s effects on cardiovascular and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) events, according to eGFR, in the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) Study.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Type 2 diabetic patients (aged 50–75 years) with eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2 were randomly allocated to a fixed dose of fenofibrate (200 mg daily) (n = 4,895) or placebo (n = 4,900) for 5 years. Baseline renal function (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation) was grouped by eGFR (30–59, 60–89, and ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2). The prespecified outcome was total cardiovascular events (composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary/carotid revascularization). Serious adverse events and instances of ESRD (plasma creatinine &gt;400 μmol/L, dialysis, renal transplant, or renal death) were recorded. Analysis was by intention to treat.

RESULTS
Overall, fenofibrate reduced total cardiovascular events, compared with placebo (hazard ratio 0.89 [95% CI 0.80–0.99]; P = 0.035). This benefit was not statistically different across eGFR groupings (P = 0.2 for interaction) (eGFR 30–59 mL/min/1.73 m2: 0.68 [0.47–0.97], P = 0.035; eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2: 0.85 [0.70–1.02], P = 0.08). ESRD rates were similar between treatment arms, without adverse safety signals of fenofibrate use in renal impairment.

CONCLUSIONS
Patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate renal impairment benefit from long-term fenofibrate, without excess drug-related safety concerns compared with those with no or mild renal impairment. Fenofibrate treatment should not be contraindicated in moderate renal impairment, suggesting that current guidelines may be too restrictive.
A new BSMV-based vector with modified β molecule allows simultaneous and stable silencing of two genes
Authors: Kawalek Adam , Dmochowska-Boguta Marta , Nadolska-Orczyk Anna , Orczyk Waclaw 
Published: December 2011

AbstractVirus-induced gene silencing is an important tool for functional gene analysis and the vector based on Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) is widely used for the purpose in monocots. Of the tripartite BSMV genome, currently the BSMV:γMCS molecule is used to clone a fragment of a target gene. As an alternative, the BSMV:β molecule was engineered with a unique BamHI site between the open reading frame of βc (ORF βc) and poly(A). The mixture of RNA particles α, βBamHI and γMCS was fully infectious. Barley phytoene desaturase and wheat phospholipase Dα fragments were cloned to βBamHI and γMCS. Delivery of the target gene fragment in γMCS induced stronger silencing, while delivery in βBamHI yielded more stable transcript reduction. A quantitative analysis (qRT-PCR) of the transcripts showed that the silencing induced with a fragment carried in both particles was stronger and more stable than that from a fragment placed in one particle. The modification of β enables simultaneous silencing of two genes. Quantifying the β and γ particles in virus-inoculated plants revealed a 2.5-fold higher level of γ than β, while the stability of the insert was higher in β compared with γ. The possible influence of the relative quantity of β and γ particles in virus-inoculated plants on insert stability and gene silencing efficiency is discussed.
Inhibition of biogenic membrane flippase activity in reconstituted ER proteoliposomes in the presence of low cholesterol levels
Authors: Rajasekharan Archita , Gummadi Sathyanarayana 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBiogenic membranes or self-synthesizing membranes are the site of synthesis of new lipids such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in eukaryotes. Newly synthesized phospholipids (PLs) at the cytosolic leaflet of ER need to be translocated to the lumen side for membrane biogenesis and this is facilitated by a special class of lipid translocators called biogenic membrane flippase. Even though ER is the major site of cholesterol synthesis, it contains very low amounts of cholesterol, since newly synthesized cholesterol in ER is rapidly transported to other organelles and is highly enriched in plasma membrane. Thus, only low levels of cholesterol are present at the biosynthetic compartment (ER), which results in loose packing of ER lipids. We hypothesize that the prevalence of cholesterol in biogenic membranes might affect the rapid flip-flop. To validate our hypothesis, detergent solubilized ER membranes from both bovine liver and spinach leaves were reconstituted into proteoliposomes with varying mol% of cholesterol. Our results show that (i) with increase in the cholesterol/PL ratio, the half-life time of PL translocation increased, suggesting that cholesterol affects the kinetics of flipping, (ii) flipping activity was completely inhibited in proteoliposomes reconstituted with 1 mol% cholesterol, and (iii) FRAP and DSC experiments revealed that 1 mol% cholesterol did not alter the bilayer properties significantly and that flippase activity inhibition is probably mediated by interaction of cholesterol with the protein.
Cloning and expression of a new inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 splice variant in adult rat atrial myocytes
Authors: Subedi Krishna , Singh Thoudam , Kim Joon-Chul , Woo Sun-Hee 
Published: December 2011

AbstractInositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 (IP3R1) is already known to be highly expressed in the brain, and is found in many other tissues, including the atrium of the heart. Although the complete primary structure of IP3R1 in the rat brain has been reported, the complete sequence of an IP3R1 clone from atrial myocytes has not been reported. We isolated an IP3R1 complementary DNA (cDNA) clone from isolated adult rat atrial myocytes, and found a new splice variant of IP3R1 that was different from a previously reported IP3R1 cDNA clone obtained from a rat brain (NCBI GenBank accession number: NM_001007235). Our clone had 99% similarity with the rat brain IP3R1 sequence; the exceptions were 39 amino acid deletions at the position of 1693–1731, and the deletion of phenylalanine at position 1372 that lay in the regulatory region. Compared with the rat brain IP3R1, in our clone proline was replaced with serine at residue 2439, and alanine was substituted for valine at residue 2445. These changes lie adjacent to or within the fifth transmembrane domain (2440–2462). Although such changes in the amino acid sequences were different from the rat brain IP3R1 clone, they were conserved in human or mouse IP3R1. We produced a plasmid construct expressing the atrial IP3R1 together with green fluorescent protein (GFP), and successfully overexpressed the atrial IP3R1 in the adult atrial cell line HL-1. Further investigation is needed on the physiological significance of the new splice variant in atrial cell function.
Uniqueness of meromorphic functions concerning fixed points
Authors: Wang Li-Qin , Luo Xu-Dan 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
In this paper, we discuss the uniqueness of meromorphic functions concerning fixed points. In view of the fixed points, we extend a recent conclusion due to Zhang and Lin. Moreover, under the condition of f and g sharing ∞ IM, our theorem generalizes some previous results of Fang and Qiu, Lin and Yi and so on.
On T points of algebroid functions
Authors: Wu Nan , Xuan Zu-xing 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
In this paper, we firstly give a new definition, namely, the T point of algebroid functions. Then by using Ahlfors’ theory of covering surfaces, we prove the existence of these points for any ν-valued algebroid functions in the unit disk satisfying $\mathop {\lim \sup }\limits_{r \to 1^ - } \frac{{T(r,w)}}
{{\log \tfrac{1}
{{1 - r}}}} = + \infty
$. This extends the recent results of Xuan, Wu and Sun.
A note on reduction of the number of parameters in linear statistical models
Authors: Kubáček Lubomír 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
In certain settings the mean response is modeled by a linear model using a large number of parameters. Sometimes it is desirable to reduce the number of parameters prior to conducting the experiment and prior to the actual statistical analysis. Essentially, it means to formulate a simpler approximate model to the original “ideal” one. The goal is to find conditions (on the model matrix and covariance matrix) under which the reduction does not influence essentially the data fit. Here we try to develop such conditions in regular linear model without and with linear restraints. We emphasize that these conditions are independent of observed data.
Sonothrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Bor-Seng-Shu Edson , De Carvalho Nogueira Ricardo , Figueiredo Eberval G. , Evaristo Eli Faria , Conforto Adriana Bastos , Teixeira Manoel Jacobsen 
Published: December 2011

Object
Sonothrombolysis has recently been considered an emerging modality for the treatment of stroke. The purpose of the present paper was to review randomized clinical studies concerning the effects of sonothrombolysis associated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) on acute ischemic stroke.

Methods
Systematic searches for literature published between January 1996 and July 2011 were performed for studies regarding sonothrombolysis combined with tPA for acute ischemic stroke. Only randomized controlled trials were included. Data extraction was based on ultrasound variables, patient characteristics, and outcome variables (rate of intracranial hemorrhages and arterial recanalization).

Results
Four trials were included in this study; 2 trials evaluated the effect of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography on sonothrombolysis, and 2 addressed transcranial color-coded duplex (TCCD) ultrasonography. The frequency of ultrasound waves varied from 1.8 to 2 MHz. The duration of thrombus exposure to ultrasound energy ranged from 60 to 120 minutes. Sample sizes were small, recanalization was evaluated at different time points (60 and 120 minutes), and inclusion criteria were heterogeneous. Sonothrombolysis combined with tPA did not lead to an increase in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhagic complications. Two studies demonstrated that patients treated with ultrasound combined with tPA had statistically significant higher rates of recanalization than patients treated with tPA alone.

Conclusions
Despite the heterogeneity and the limitations of the reviewed studies, there is evidence that sonothrombolysis associated with tPA is a safe procedure and results in an increased rate of recanalization in the setting of acute ischemic stroke when wave frequencies and energy intensities of diagnostic ultrasound systems are used.
Paraspinal subfascial placement of lumbar intrathecal baclofen catheters: short-term outcomes of a novel technique
Authors: Bassani Luigi , Harter David H. 
Published: December 2011

Object
Techniques for the placement of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) systems have been described in detail, with special consideration given to complications from hardware placement. Risks including catheter kinking and migration, hardware erosion through the skin, and lumbar CSF leak are elevated given the often-low body mass index and poor nutritional status of this patient population. The bulk of a spinal catheter and fascial connector within the lumbar wound may increase the potential for the aforementioned risks, leading to potential risks for wound infection and breakdown. The authors' experience has led them to develop a novel method of paraspinal subfascial lumbar catheter placement to address these risks. The authors describe a novel lumbar intrathecal catheter placement technique as part of the ITB system.

Methods
All patients undergoing placement of an ITB system by the senior author at New York University Langone Medical Center between July 2010 and March 2011 underwent paraspinal subfascial lumbar catheter placement. Patients were followed-up by the surgeon 2 weeks after implantation and followed up and managed by their physiatrist thereafter, for an average of 5 months (range 0.5–9 months).

Results
Of the 20 patients who underwent this method of intrathecal catheter placement, none developed any hardware erosion, catheter migration, or CSF leak. One patient developed an abdominal wound infection 3 weeks after implantation, necessitating pump removal.

Conclusions
In this initial short-term experience, subfascial placement of the lumbar spine intrathecal catheter may be an improvement over the traditional method of catheter placement. There is reduced risk of catheter migration or kinking, hardware erosion, CSF leak, and decreased operative time, all yielding a decreased reoperation rate in this vulnerable population.
Association of intraventricular hemorrhage secondary to prematurity with cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery in the first year following initial shunt placement
Authors: Simon Tamara D. , Whitlock Kathryn B. , Riva-Cambrin Jay , Kestle John R. W. , Rosenfeld Margaret , Dean J. Michael , Holubkov Richard , Langley Marcie , Mayer-Hamblett Nicole 
Published: December 2011

Object
The neurosurgical literature has conflicting findings regarding the association between indications for CSF shunt placement and subsequent shunt surgery. The object of this study was to identify baseline factors at the time of initial CSF shunt placement that are independently associated with subsequent surgery.

Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study of children ages 0–18 years who underwent initial CSF shunt placement between January 1, 1997, and October 12, 2006, at a tertiary care children's hospital. The outcome of interest was CSF shunt surgery (either for revision or infection) within 12 months after initial placement. Associations between subsequent CSF shunt surgery and indication for the initial shunt, adjusting for patient age and surgeon factors at the time of initial placement, were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. Medical and surgical decisions, which varied according to surgeon, were examined separately in a univariate analysis.

Results
Of the 554 children in the study cohort, 233 (42%) underwent subsequent CSF shunt surgery, either for revision (167 patients [30%]) or infection (66 patients [12%]). In multivariate logistic regression modeling, significant risk factors for subsequent CSF shunt surgery included (compared with aqueductal stenosis) intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) secondary to prematurity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.2, 95% CI 1.1–4.5) and other unusual indications (AOR 3.7, 95% CI 1.0–13.6). The patient's age at initial CSF shunt placement was not significantly associated with increased odds of subsequent surgery after adjusting for other associated factors.

Conclusions
The occurrence of IVH is associated with increased odds of subsequent CSF shunt surgery within 12 months after shunt placement. Families of and care providers for children with IVH should be attuned to their increased risk of shunt failure.
Posture-independent piston valve: a novel valve mechanism that actuates based on intracranial pressure alone
Authors: Medow Joshua E. , Luzzio Christopher C. 
Published: December 2011

Object
Shunt valves are intended to maintain physiological intracranial pressure (ICP). A variety of mechanisms have been designed to accomplish this goal but have had limited success. Siphoning, in particular, has been a problem not effectively solved by proposed or manufactured valves. Poor control of ICP results in headache, neurological disturbances, decreased cognition, shunt malfunction, slit ventricles, subdural hematomas, decreased cranial volume, and maldevelopment. The authors of this study describe a prototype valve that was machined and tested ex vivo and that actuates based on ICP alone regardless of the presence of a siphon. Their object was to determine if a novel shunt mechanism that actuates perpendicular to the flow of fluid would eliminate the effect of siphoning in a valve for the treatment of hydrocephalus.

Methods
A posture-independent piston valve (PIPV) was anchored to a graduated reservoir. Opening pressure was measured by noting the fluid level in the reservoir when the piston moved. Measurements were made using a 90-cm and a 120-cm water-filled siphon tube (1.3-mm standard distal catheter) to simulate an upright posture. A recumbent posture was simulated by the absence of a siphon.

Results
Opening pressure of the valve did not change regardless of the presence or absence of a water-filled siphon.

Conclusions
The PIPV was triggered only by the pressure head at the inlet and did not actuate in the presence of a siphon, demonstrating proof of principle of the perpendicular actuating mechanism. The PIPV is a purely mechanical device that has practical application in the treatment of hydrocephalus.
Conservative management of ventriculoperitoneal shunts in the setting of abdominal and pelvic infections
Authors: Dalfino John C. , Adamo Matthew A. , Gandhi Ravi H. , Boulos Alan S. , Waldman John B. 
Published: December 2011

Object
The optimal management of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in the setting of acute, non–shunt related abdominal and pelvic infections is unknown. In the literature, distal shunt catheter reimplantation with or without a variable period of externalization has been recommended to prevent ascending ventriculitis. While this strategy is effective, there is little to almost no published data suggesting that it is necessary in all cases. Furthermore, it is not clear that shunt externalization to an external drainage bag during the treatment of non–shunt related peritonitis is any less likely to lead to ventriculitis than leaving the catheter in place. In the authors' experience, shunt externalization or revision during an episode of acute, non–shunt related peritonitis is unnecessary to prevent ventriculitis or chronic peritonitis.

Methods
In the present case series, the authors report on 7 patients whose shunts were left in the abdomen while they were treated for acute peritonitis. The patients were followed clinically for up to 21 months after the diagnosis to assess for evidence of recurrent abdominal infections, shunt infections, or shunt failure.

Results
In a follow-up period ranging from 13 to 22 months, no patient developed ventriculitis, required a shunt revision, or was unable to clear the peritoneal infection.

Conclusions
The results of this small series suggest that leaving the distal end of a shunt catheter in place in a patient with acute peritonitis is a reasonably safe choice in specific patients, provided the source of infection is aggressively treated with systemic antibiotics and local debridement when necessary.
Delayed onset of paresis in rats with experimental intramedullary spinal cord gliosarcoma following intratumoral administration of the paclitaxel delivery system OncoGel
Authors: Tyler Betty M. , Hdeib Alia , Caplan Justin , Legnani Federico G. , Fowers Kirk D. , Brem Henry , Jallo George , Pradilla Gustavo 
Published: December 2011

ObjectTreatment options for anaplastic or malignant intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) remain limited. Paclitaxel has potent cytotoxicity against experimental intracranial gliomas and could be beneficial in the treatment of IMSCTs, but poor CNS penetration and significant toxicity limit its use. Such limitations could be overcome with local intratumoral delivery. Paclitaxel has been previously incorporated into a biodegradable gel depot delivery system (OncoGel) and in this study the authors evaluated the safety of intramedullary injections of OncoGel in rats and its efficacy against an intramedullary rat gliosarcoma.MethodsSafety of intramedullary OncoGel was tested in 12 Fischer-344 rats using OncoGel concentrations of 1.5 and 6.0 mg/ml (5 μl); median survival and functional motor scores (Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan [BBB] scale) were compared with those obtained with placebo (ReGel) and medium-only injections. Efficacy of OncoGel was tested in 61 Fischer-344 rats implanted with an intramedullary injection of 9L gliosarcoma containing 100,000 cells in 5 μl of medium, and randomized to receive OncoGel administered on the same day (in 32 rats) or 5 days after tumor implantation (in 29 rats) using either 1.5 mg/ml or 3.0 mg/ml doses of paclitaxel. Median survival and BBB scores were compared with those of ReGel-treated and tumor-only rats. Animals were killed after the onset of deficits for histopathological analysis.ResultsOncoGel was safe for intramedullary injection in rats in doses up to 5 μl of 3.0 mg/ml of paclitaxel; a dose of 5 μl of 6.0 mg/ml caused rapid deterioration in BBB scores. OncoGel at concentrations of 1.5 mg/ml and 3.0 mg/ml paclitaxel given on both Day 0 and Day 5 prolonged median survival and preserved BBB scores compared with controls. OncoGel 1.5 mg/ml produced 62.5% long-term survivors when delivered on Day 0. A comparison between the 1.5 mg/ml and the 3.0 mg/ml doses showed higher median survival with the 1.5 mg/ml dose on Day 0, and no differences in median survival or BBB scores after treatment on Day 5.ConclusionsOncoGel is safe for intramedullary injection in rats in doses up to 5 μl of 3.0 mg/ml, prolongs median survival, and increases functional motor scores in rats challenged with an intramedullary gliosarcoma at the doses tested. This study suggests that locally delivered chemotherapeutic agents could be of temporary benefit in the treatment of malignant IMSCTs under experimental settings.