bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical relevance of urethral stents (urospiral 2™) placement in patients with prostatic obstacle and concomitant high‐risk surgical status or neurological diseases: A feasibility and safety study
Authors: Rouprêt Morgan , Misraï Vincent , de Fourmestraux Aude , Cour Florence , Richard François , Chartier‐Kastler Emmanuel 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAimsTo review the indications and to assess the functional outcomes after placement of a new temporary urethral stent (TUS) in men with lower urinary tract dysfunction.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the data of men with prostate obstruction and concomitant high‐risk surgical status or neurological diseases between 2006 and 2008. TUS placement was performed with Urospiral 2™ which is a temporary, non‐expanding, transprostatic stent. Success was defined as follows: when TUS placement allowed patients to void spontaneously and/or when surgery was made feasible after the period of relative contraindication (therapeutic group) or when TUS placement allowed physicians to define the role of prostate obstruction in the patients' voiding disorders and therefore to make an appropriate therapeutic decision (diagnosis group).ResultsWe included 94 men with a mean age of 73.3 ± 9 years (48–99) and 5 of them were lost to follow‐up. The mean follow‐up was 148 ± 100 days (2–1,046) and the mean duration of TUS placement was 155 ± 90 days (2–1,045). After a mean hospital stay of 4.8 ± 3 days (1–31), 84 patients (89%) had recovered spontaneous micturition. In the therapeutic group and the diagnosis group, 23 patients (92%) and 45 patients (70%) voided spontaneously, respectively.ConclusionsTUS placement may be proposed temporarily in selected patients with static bladder outlet obstruction due to an enlarged prostate as it allows patients to avoid the use of an indwelling catheter. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:374–379, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intravesical immune suppression by liposomal tacrolimus in cyclophosphamide‐induced inflammatory cystitis
Authors: Chuang Yao‐Chi , Tyagi Pradeep , Huang Hsuan‐Ying , Yoshimura Naoki , Wu Moya , Kaufman Jonathan , Chancellor Michael B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAimsPotent immunosuppressive effect of tacrolimus has encouraged its topical application for achieving local anti‐inflammatory effect. However, its poor aqueous solubility presents challenges in formulating biocompatible instillations to justify the investigation of liposomes as vehicle for tacrolimus.MethodsAdult female Sprague‐Dawley rats (N = 52) divided into 4 groups were injected with cyclophosphamide (CYP) (200 mg/kg, ip) except for sham (saline injection, ip). Other three groups were instilled with either saline (1 cc, retained for 1 hr), liposome (LP‐ 1 cc) or liposomal encapsulated tacrolimus (LFK‐ 0.2 mg tacrolimus/1 ml LP). Baseline cystometrogram was performed on day 1 and day 3 prior to bladder harvest for histological staining (N = 24) in all groups except sham. In addition, 4‐hr baseline urine on day 1 and day 3 was collected from all groups for urine PGE2 assay and bladder harvested for PGE2 and IL2 assay on day 3 (N = 28). ResultsRats treated with LFK demonstrated suppression of CYP induced inflammatory reaction with reduced EP4 staining and bladder overactivity (intercontraction interval 61.0% decrease in untreated animals) as well as normalized the several fold elevation of IL 2 and PGE2 levels in tissue and urine. CYP induced effects were not suppressed in rats left untreated with tacrolimus.ConclusionsThis is the first report of immunesuppression in bladder by intravesical delivery of tacrolimus using liposomes. LFK significantly inhibited CYP induced inflammatory cystitis through the modulation of IL2, PGE2, and EP4 function. These findings support investigation of local tacrolimus in cases of inflammatory cystitis refractory to conventional therapy. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:421–427, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fast exponential time integration scheme for option pricing with jumps
Authors: Lee Spike T. , Liu Xin , Sun Hai‐Wei 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYA fast exponential time integration scheme is considered for pricing European and double barrier options in jump‐diffusion models. After spatial discretization, the option pricing problem is transformed into the product of a matrix exponential and a vector, while the matrix bears a Toeplitz structure. The shift‐and‐invert Arnoldi method is then employed for fast approximation to such operation. Owing to the Toeplitz structure, the computational cost can be reduced by the fast Fourier transform. Furthermore, the discretized form of option pricing problem satisfies a given condition such that the error bound of the shift‐and‐invert Arnoldi approximation is unrelated to the norm of the matrix. Numerical tests are carried out to compare the proposed method with other option pricing methods. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The quinoxaline anti‐tumor agent (R+)XK469 inhibits neuroblastoma tumor growth
Authors: Kakodkar Nisha C. , Peddinti Radhika , Kletzel Morris , Tian Yufeng , Guerrero Lisa J. , Undevia Samir D. , Geary David , Chlenski Alexandre , Yang Qiwei , Salwen Helen R. , Cohn Susan L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe quinoxaline anti‐tumor agent (R+)XK469 mediates its effects by topoisomerase IIB inhibition. This report describes a 14‐year old with relapsed neuroblastoma who experienced disease stabilization for 14 months while receiving (R+)XK469 monotherapy. Due to this favorable response, laboratory studies were undertaken to determine efficacy in the preclinical setting. (R+)XK469 inhibited proliferation, caused G2 cell cycle arrest of neuroblastoma cells in vitro, and inhibited growth of neuroblastoma xenograft tumors. These preclinical results, coupled with the favorable clinical response, demonstrate that (R+)XK469 and similar anti‐tumor agents may be effective in the treatment of high‐risk neuroblastoma and warrant further testing. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;56:164–167. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sequential acquisition of IgH and TCR rearrangements during the preleukemic phase of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in an adolescent patient
Authors: Linden Tobias , Furlan Ingrid , Schwarz Stephan , Stoehr Robert , Niemeyer Charlotte M. , Rossig Claudia 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can be preceded by a prodromal phase of bone marrow failure. In serial trephine biopsies in a girl with acquired bone marrow hypoplasia, we have identified a monoclonal B‐cell precursor population characterized by a clone‐specific IgH‐FR3 gene rearrangement. Progression to ALL more than 4 months later was accompanied by acquisition of an additional T‐cell receptor rearrangement. Thus, hypoplastic pre‐ and overt leukemia share a common clonal origin. Prospective biobanking and extended molecular analysis can help to better understand the nature and sequence of genetic events during progression of a covert (pre)leukemic clone. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:301–303. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Body mass index and blood pressure changes over the course of treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Esbenshade Adam J. , Simmons Jill H. , Koyama Tatsuki , Koehler Elizabeth , Whitlock James A. , Friedman Debra L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundObesity and hypertension are reported among survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, little is known about the trajectory of body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure over the course of ALL therapy.ProcedureIn a retrospective cohort of 183 pediatric ALL patients diagnosed from 2000 to 2008, prevalence, severity, and risk factors for obesity and hypertension were assessed during treatment.ResultsAt diagnosis, 36% of patients were overweight and 19% were obese. Median BMI increased during induction therapy with a return to baseline soon after, but increased again over the first 22 months of maintenance therapy. At the end of therapy, 49% were overweight and 21% were obese. Increased BMI z‐score at diagnosis was associated with increased z‐score during maintenance (P < 0.001). Elevated parental BMI was associated with elevated BMI at diagnosis. Median BMI z‐score increased over the first 22 months of maintenance (P < 0.001). Patients with high risk disease had lower BMI z‐scores regardless of cranial radiotherapy exposure (P < 0.001). Pre‐hypertension was prevalent over the course of therapy (31.1% with systolic pre‐hypertension and 18.6% with diastolic pre‐hypertension). Hypertension was also highly prevalent with 41.5% meeting systolic criteria and 24.0% meeting diastolic criteria.ConclusionsDuring ALL therapy, patients are at risk for early development of elevated BMI and blood pressure, which places them at potentially increased risk for future adverse health conditions. Future studies are needed to develop strategies to mitigate these risks, such as potential reduction of corticosteroid pulses or a family‐based diet and exercise intervention during maintenance therapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:372–378. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel sulfonated poly(arylene biphenylsulfone ether) copolymers containing bisphenylsulfonyl biphenyl moiety: structural, thermal, electrochemical and morphological characteristics
Authors: Yoo Dong Jin , Hyun Seung Hak , Kim Ae Rhan , Kumar G Gnana , Nahm Kee Suk 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA series of sulfonated poly(arylene biphenylsulfone ether) polymers containing up to two pendant sulfonic acid groups per repeat unit were successfully synthesized from 4,4′‐bis[(4‐chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]‐1,1′‐biphenyl (BCPSBP), disodium 3,3′‐disulfonate‐4,4′‐dichlorodiphenylsulfone (SDCDPS) and bisphenol A via aromatic nucleophilic displacement polycondensation. The resulting polymers were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The number‐average molecular weight (Mn) of the synthesized polymers was in the range 15 300–22 900 g mol−1, and the polydispersity indices (Mw/Mn) varied from 2.5 to 4.4. Tough membranes with SDCDPS/BCPSBP mole ratio up to 50:50 were successfully cast using N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP). An increase of sulfonic acid groups in the polymer backbone resulted in increased solubility in aprotic polar solvents and glass transition temperature. The TGA curves of all the copolymers in acid form exhibited two distinct weight‐loss profiles. The influential characteristics of the polymer electrolyte membranes, such as tensile strength, water uptake, ion‐exchange capacity and proton conductivity, were characterized with respect to the pendant sulfonic acid groups. Atomic force microscopy phase images of the acid‐form membranes clearly showed the hydrophilic domains, with sizes increasing as a function of the degree of sulfonation. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel poly(3,4‐dialkoxythiophene)s carrying 1,3,4‐oxadiazolyl‐biphenyl moieties: synthesis and nonlinear optical studies
Authors: Hegde Pramod Kumar , Vasudeva Adhikari A , Manjunatha Megur G , Suchand Sandeep CS , Philip Reji 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTwo new donor–acceptor types of polymer, poly{2‐(biphenyl‐4‐yl)‐5‐[3,4‐dialkoxy‐5‐(1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole}s, were synthesized starting from 2,2′‐sulfanediyldiacetic acid and diethyl ethanedioate through multi‐step reactions. The polymerization was carried out via the polyhydrazide precursor route. The optical and charge‐transporting properties of the polymers were investigated using UV‐visible and fluorescence emission spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric studies. The polymers showed bluish‐green fluorescence in solutions. The electrochemical band gaps of the polymers were determined to be 2.16 and 2.22 eV. The nonlinear optical properties of the polymers were investigated at 532 nm using the single‐beam Z‐scan technique with nanosecond laser pulses. The polymers showed strong optical limiting behaviour due to effective three‐photon absorption. The values of the three‐photon absorption coefficients for the polymers were found to be 9 × 10−24 and 17 × 10−24 m3 W−2, which are comparable to those of good optical limiting materials. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparative investigations of radiation‐grafted proton‐exchange membranes prepared using single‐step and conventional two‐step radiation‐induced grafting methods
Authors: Nasef Mohamed Mahmoud , Saidi Hamdani , Dahlan Khairulzaman Mohd 
Published: September 2010

AbstractProton‐exchange membranes containing poly(styrene sulfonic acid) grafts hosted in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films were prepared using two radiation‐induced grafting methods: a single‐step grafting method (SSGM) involving grafting of sodium styrene sulfonate onto electron beam (EB)‐irradiated PVDF films and a conventional two‐step grafting method (CTSGM) in which styrene monomer is grafted onto EB‐irradiated PVDF films and subsequently sulfonated. Differential scanning calorimetry, universal mechanical testing and scanning transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the thermal, mechanical and structural changes developed in the membranes during the preparation procedures. Physicochemical properties such as water uptake, hydration number and ionic conductivity were studied as functions of ion‐exchange capacity and the results obtained were correlated with the structural changes accompanying each preparation method. Membranes obtained using the SSGM were found to have superior properties compared to their counterparts prepared using the CTSGM suggesting the former method is more effective than the latter for imparting desired functionality and stability properties to the membranes. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of the thermal stabilization mechanism of biodegradable poly(L‐lactide)/silica nanocomposites
Authors: Wen Xin , Zhang Kunyu , Wang Yan , Han Lijing , Han Changyu , Zhang Huiliang , Chen Shan , Dong Lisong 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBiodegradable poly(L‐lactide) (PLA)/silica (SiO2) nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding to investigate the effect of spherical nanofillers on the thermal stability of PLA. The nanocomposites displayed improved thermal stability both under nitrogen and in air. The stabilization mechanism was attributed mainly to the barrier effect of the network formed, which was demonstrated by the improved barrier properties and rheological performance. The dispersion of nanofiller and matrix‐nanoparticle interactions were investigated to evaluate the dependence of the network on SiO2 loadings. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis indicated that hydroxyl groups on SiO2 surfaces and PLA chain‐ends reacted during melt processing. The resulting grafted SiO2 and entangled PLA chains formed a dense network, which hindered the diffusion of oxygen and volatile decomposition products. Furthermore, the improvement in thermal stability resulted from the restraining effect on the mobility of active hydroxyl end‐groups, so that some related thermal decomposition reactions were inhibited, which was confirmed from gel permeation chromatography measurements. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Prediction of subcellular locations of proteins: Where to proceed?
Authors: Imai Kenichiro , Nakai Kenta 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSince the proposal of the signal hypothesis on protein subcellular sorting, a number of computational analyses have been performed in this field. A typical example is the development of prediction algorithms for the subcellular localization sites of input protein sequences. In this review, we mainly focus on the biological grounds of the prediction methods rather than the algorithmic issues because we believe the former will be more fruitful for future development. Recent advances on the study of protein sorting signals will hopefully be incorporated into future prediction methods. Unfortunately, many of the state‐of‐the‐art methods are published without sufficient objective tests. In fact, a simple test employed in this article shows that the performance of specifically developed predictors is not significantly better than that of a homology search. We suspect that this is a general problem associated with the interpretation of genome sequences, which have evolved through gene duplication and speciation.
Prostate cancer risk alleles significantly improve disease detection and are associated with aggressive features in patients with a “normal” prostate specific antigen and digital rectal examination
Authors: Helfand Brian T. , Kan Donghui , Modi Parth , Catalona William J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBACKGROUNDSeveral reports suggest that a combination of risk alleles may be associated with prostate cancer (CaP) risk and tumor features. However, their ability to detect CaP and tumor characteristics in patients with a “normal” PSA (<4 ng/ml) and non‐suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE) remains to be determined.METHODSWe examined 203 men of European ancestry with clinical stage T1c CaP diagnosed at a “normal” PSA and 611 healthy volunteer controls. The genotypes for 17 different risk alleles were compared between CaP cases and controls. Additional analyses were used to compare the pathologic features between carriers and non‐carriers (defined using best‐fit genetic model) of these variants.RESULTSAll risk alleles were present at an increased frequency in cases with “normal” PSA values and DRE compared to controls. Amongst CaP patients, carriers of an increasing number of genetic risk factors (i.e., alleles and positive family history) were at a significantly increased risk of CaP (P‐trend <0.001). Specifically, men with >10 genetic risk factors had an 11.2‐fold risk (95% CI 4.3–29.2) of having the disease compared to men with ≤5 variants. There also was a higher frequency of many the variants amongst men with adverse pathologic features.CONCLUSIONSA substantial proportion of biopsy‐detectable CaP occurs in men with “normal” PSA levels and negative DRE. In this population, CaP risk alleles and family history are significantly associated with CaP risk and may help predict aggressive disease. Future studies are warranted to determine the utility of incorporating these variants into CaP screening programs. Prostate 77:394–402, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transcriptional coactivators p300 and CBP stimulate estrogen receptor‐beta signaling and regulate cellular events in prostate cancer
Authors: Bouchal Jan , Santer Frédéric R. , Höschele Philipp P.S. , Tomastikova Eva , Neuwirt Hannes , Culig Zoran 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBACKGROUNDSteroid receptor coactivators p300 and CBP are highly expressed in advanced prostate cancer. They potentiate activation of androgen receptor by androgens and anti‐androgens. In the present study, we have addressed the question whether these coactivators enhance activity of estrogen receptor‐beta (ER‐β), which is variably expressed in prostate cancers.METHODSExpression levels of the coactivators p300 and CBP were manipulated by plasmid or siRNA transfections and activity of ER‐β was measured by luciferase assays. Viability was measured by MTT assays and cellular migration was determined by wound‐healing and Boyden chamber assays.RESULTSHigh expression of ER‐β was found in PC3 cells which were used for the experiments. p300 or CBP enhanced activation of ER‐β by genistein. Antiestrogens did not acquire agonistic properties in the presence of increased concentrations of either coactivator. Inhibition of p300 or CBP decreased genistein stimulation of ER‐β. Genistein reduced migration of PC3 prostate cancer cells and down‐regulation of p300 potentiated this effect.CONCLUSIONSp300 and CBP are implicated in regulation of ER‐β activity and cellular migration in prostate cancer. These findings are important for understanding of action of ER‐β in carcinoma of the prostate. Prostate 77:431–437, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new method to provide a fresh frozen prostate slice suitable for gene expression study and MR spectroscopy
Authors: Bertilsson Helena , Angelsen Anders , Viset Trond , Skogseth Haakon , Tessem May‐Britt , Halgunset Jostein 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBACKGROUNDFresh frozen tissue from radical prostatectomy specimens is highly valuable material for research on gene expression and cellular metabolites. The purpose of this study was to develop a standardized method to provide a representative high quality research sample from radical prostatectomy specimens without interfering with the routine histopathological procedure.METHODSA complete transversal slice is collected and snap‐frozen before formalin fixation and routine processing of the remaining gland. The freezing preserves the original geometric shape, thus allowing subsampling of specific cell populations without thawing. RNA was extracted from 53 cylindrical subsamples (diameter 3 mm, thickness 2 mm) from 16 consecutive frozen slices. The histological pattern was evaluated by microscopy of a cryosection from sample before further analysis.RESULTSUsing this novel harvesting method close to 400 slices have been collected. Whenever tumor was present in both adjacent surrounding hematoxylin–eosin sections, we found cancer in 88% of the frozen slices. The extracted RNA showed very high quality with a mean RNA integrity number of 9.16 (SD 0.53). The MR spectra showed metabolic profiles containing several resonances, which deserve further evaluation as possible biomarkers for prostate cancer. After MR analysis the RNA was still highly intact with a mean RNA integrity number of 8.40 (SD 1.53), which makes it possible to correlate transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles of the extracted samples.CONCLUSIONWe present a safe and standardized method for procurement of a high quality fresh frozen prostate slice, suitable for gene expression analysis and MR spectroscopy. Prostate 77:461–469, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐density growth of horizontally aligned carbon nanotubes for interconnects
Authors: Yan F. , Zhang C. , Cott D. , Zhong G. , Robertson J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe demonstrate growth of horizontally aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from a vertical, conductive surface for use as horizontal interconnects in integrated circuits. This is achieved by using a CMOS compatible metal, CoSi2, as the catalyst support and contact, and Fe as the catalyst. The Fe is patterned by tilt evaporation, and cold‐wall chemical vapor deposition achieves a nanotube wall density of ∼6 × 1011 cm−2. Electrical measurements show that both outer and some inner walls carry current, demonstrating a promising method for growing nanoscale horizontal interconnects.
Pressure‐induced phenomena in single‐walled carbon nanotubes: Structural phase transitions and the role of pressure transmitting medium
Authors: Kuntscher C. A. , Abouelsayed A. , Thirunavukkuarasu K. , Hennrich F. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe studied the effect of pressure on the electronic properties of bundled single‐walled carbon nanotubes by infrared transmission measurements. Different pressure transmitting media were employed to verify their influence on the observed pressure dependence. A redshift of the optical absorption bands is observed under pressure. Irrespective of the pressure transmitting medium, the pressure‐induced frequency shifts of the optical transitions show an anomaly at a critical pressure pc = 2–3 GPa, which can be attributed to the predicted circular‐to‐elliptical structural phase transition. We find a second anomaly in the frequency shifts of the optical transitions at 5–6 GPa, which we interpret in terms of the change of the nanotubes' cross‐section from elliptical to race‐track or peanut type, in agreement with earlier reports.
EPR spectra of MoS2/C60
Authors: Blinc Robert , Cevc Pavel , Mrzel Aleš , Arčon Denis , Remškar Maja , Milia Fanny , Laguta Valentin V. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe X‐band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of MoS2/C60 have been studied. A strong T‐dependent g‐shift and photoconductivity have been observed. The electronic state of molybdenum was found to be Mo3+.