bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reversible SO2 Uptake by Tetraalkylammonium Halides: Energetics and Structural Aspects of Adduct Formation Between SO2 and Halide Ions
Authors: Kumar Arun , McGrady G. Sean , Passmore Jack , Grein Friedrich , Decken Andreas 
Published: April 2012

AbstractContact with SO2 causes almost immediate dissolution of tetraalkylammonium halides, R4NX, (R = CH3 (Me), X = I; R = C2H5 (Et), X = Cl, Br, I; R = C4H9 (nBu), X = Cl, Br), with the formation of an adduct, [R4N]+[(SO2)nX]– (n = 1–4). Vapor pressure measurements indicate the proclivity for SO2 uptake follows the order N(CH3)4+ < N(C2H5)4+ < N(C4H9)4+. This trend is in accord with the Jenkins–Passmore volume‐based thermodynamic model. Born–Haber cycles, incorporating the lattice energy and gas phase energy terms, are used to evaluate the energetic feasibility of reactions. Density functional theory calculations (B3PW91; 6‐311+G(3df)) have been used to calculate the energetics of (SO2)nX– (X = Cl and Br) anions in the gas phase. The experimental studies show that tetraalkylammonium halides are feasible sorbents for SO2. In order to correlate the theoretical model, experimental enthalpy, ΔrH° and entropy, ΔrS° changes have been determined by the van't Hoff method for the binding of one SO2 molecule to (C2H5)4NCl, resulting in the liquid adduct (C2H5)4NCl·SO2. The structure of the analogous 1:1 bromide adduct, (C2H5)4NBr·SO2, has been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (monoclinic, P21/c, a = 9.1409(14) Å, b = 12.3790(19) Å, c = 11.3851(17) Å, β = 107.952(2)°, V = 1225.6(3) Å3). The structure consists of discrete alkylammonium cations, bromide anions and SO2 molecules with short contacts between the anion and SO2 molecules. The (C2H5)4N+ cationadopts a transoid conformation with D2d symmetry, and represents a rare example of a well‐ordered (C2H5)4N+ cation in a crystal structure. The Br– anions and SO2 molecules forms a chain, (SO2Br–)n, with bifurcated contacts. Non‐bonding electron pairs on the halide anions engage in electrostatic interactions with the sulfur atoms and charge‐transfer interactions with the antibonding S–O orbitals of the bound SO2 moiety. Raman and 17O NMR spectra provide compelling evidence for a charge‐transfer interaction between SO2 molecules and the halide ions.
Properties of the Quaternary Ammonium Salts with Novel Counterions
Authors: Yan Hui‐cheng , Li Qiu‐xiao , Geng Tao , Jiang Ya‐jie 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe Krafft temperatures, surface tensions and bacteriostatic efficacies of a series of dodecyl/tetradecyltrimethylammonium salts with new type counterions based on the general formula RN+(CH3)3 A− were measured. The results revealed that the Krafft temperatures of the studied products were below 0 °C and the surface tensions of water were decreased to 22–42 mN m−1 when applying these surfactants at a concentration range from 10−2 to 10−4 mol L−1. Moreover, the physicochemical parameters such as the saturation adsorption value, the minimum area per surfactant molecule and the standard thermodynamic parameters of adsorption and micellization varied with different counterions for these prepared quaternary ammonium salts. In addition, the bacteriostatic tests showed that the counterions with shorter carbon chain lengths were associated with greater efficacy for the novel quaternary ammonium salts studied here.
Curcumin inhibits tumor proliferation induced by neutrophil elastase through the upregulation of α1‐antitrypsin in lung cancer
Authors: Xu Yan , Zhang Jingjie , Han Jing , Pan Xueyang , Cao Yajun , Guo Hao , Pan Yan , An Yu , Li Xuejun 
Published: April 2012

Lung carcinogenesis is a complex process in an unregulated inflammatory environment. Curcumin has been extensively investigated as a multi‐target anti‐tumor and anti‐inflammation compound. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel inflammation‐related mechanism for curcumin‐induced inhibition of lung tumor growth. We found that neutrophil elastase, an important regulator of inflammatory processes, directly triggered tumor cell proliferation in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, and curcumin could completely suppress the excess tumor proliferation induced by neutrophil elastase. α1‐antitrypsin is synthesized by tumor cells and is the natural inhibitor of neutrophil elastase. We found that curcumin counteracted the decrease of α1‐antitrypsin induced by neutrophil elastase by inducing the promoter activity of α1‐antitrypsin and promoting its expression in A549 cells. The inhibition of neutrophil elastase‐induced proliferation by curcumin was dependent on the PI3K/Akt pathway. Knockdown of α1‐antitrypsin by siRNA further enhanced the tumor cell proliferation induced by neutrophil elastase and significantly blocked the anti‐proliferation effect of curcumin against neutrophil elastase. Curcumin remarkably inhibited the primary tumor growth of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) in C57BL/6 mice. We further showed that curcumin upregulated the level of α1‐antitrypsin in primary tumor tissue by promoting its local expression, and the protein level of neutrophil elastase in tumor tissue was obviously decreased in mice treated with curcumin. Overall, our results suggest that neutrophil elastase and α1‐antitrypsin play important roles in modulating lung tumor proliferation in inflammatory microenvironment and curcumin inhibits neutrophil elastase‐induced tumor proliferation via upregulating α1‐antitrypsin expression in vitro and in vivo.
Translational animal models using veterinary patients – An example of canine osteoarthritis (OA)
Authors: Vainio Outi 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background and purpose
The use of laboratory animals in pain research has powerfully contributed to our detailed understanding of the physiological mechanisms of pain. Animal models also represent an essential tool to screen and select novel drug molecules with potentially analgesic properties. Despite of the inevitable input of laboratory animal trials, recent studies have shown that animal pain models have repeatedly failed to predict clinical analgesic efficacy and adverse side effects of potential drug molecules in human pain patients. This paper provides a review of the laboratory animal models of OA, which have been developed to test efficacy of novel analgesics. The paper also presents spontaneous OA in canine veterinary patients, and methods to observe chronic pain in nonverbal dogs.

Methods
PubMed data base was searched as a reference list to locate most relevant articles. A number of 118 articles including 4 reviews were located. Web pages of 4 establishments and 2 private organizations were also accessed.

Results
The clinical expression and pathogenesis of naturally occurring OA in dogs is considered an analogous disease that occurs in humans, including pain and lameness. OA may occur in any joint in dogs as well as in humans. Primary idiopathic OA in dogs is rare, but certain breeds may be predisposed to it. For the most part, canine OA is considered secondary to acquired or congenital musculoskeletal disorders. Concomitant factors, such as aging and obesity, likely accelerate progression. However, mechanical factors appear to predominate in the etiopathogenesis of canine spontaneous OA. Both subjective (validated questionnaire) and objective (gait analysis) tools are available to measure OA related pain in dogs. Information on the prevalence of canine OA is limited, but rough surveys suggest that 11 million dogs in the United States and 5 million in Europe could suffer from OA. Ethical considerations concerning the use of privately owned dogs can be resolved by a careful experimental design.

Conclusion
Canine spontaneous OA could serve as a translational animal model that would more closely mimick clinical OA related pain conditions in humans. Privately owned dogs would make a solution to fix the gap between animal pain models and clinical trials when testing potential analgesic drug molecules. Close interdisciplinary cooperation would guarantee that both scientific and ethical intentions would be achieved.

Implications
The predictability of translational pain research would improve by using privately owned dogs as chronic pain models when testing novel analgesics.
Epidural pain management after open lateral thoracotomy: Female patients have better pain relief and need smaller amounts of analgesics than males
Authors: Vigfússon Gísli , Sigurðsson Gísli H. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background and aims
There is an ongoing dispute whether or not there is a gender difference in epidural drug requirements. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a triple drug epidural mixture used for postoperative pain relief on male and female patients undergoing major surgery.

Materials and methods
To avoid possible influence of different age and type of surgery only 50–70 year old patients undergoing open lateral thoracotomy were included. 253 patients were enrolled: 116 males and 137 females. All patients received a mixture of bupivacaine 0.1 mg/ml, fentanyl 2 μg/ml, and adrenaline 2 μg/ml (BFA) by continuous infusion into the thoracic epidural space for postoperative pain relief. Infusion rate of the BFA solution was recorded and pain score was evaluated by numeric rating scale (NRS, 1–10) for 48 h post operatively.

Results
Adequate postoperative pain relief (NRS ≤ 3) at rest was accomplished in 91% of male patients on day one and 92% on day two and by 94% and 100% of female patients, respectively. Females had significantly lower median pain scores than males on day two both at rest (P < 0.011) and by movement (P < 0.012). In addition females required significantly smaller amounts of BFA mixture (P < 0.01) and less frequently rescue opioids (P < 0.025) than males.

Conclusion
Female patients had significantly better pain relief both at rest and by movement, needed smaller amounts of the epidural bupivacaine, fentanyl, adrenaline mixture for postoperative pain relief and received less frequently rescue opioids than males.

Implications
The dose of thoracic epidural infusion of low-concentration bupivacaine-, fentanyl-, and adrenaline-solution should routinely be set lower for postmenopausal women than for elderly male patients during and after thoracotomy.
Embodying Animal, Racial, Theatrical, and Commercial Power in The Lion King
Authors: Cerniglia Ken , Lynch Aubrey 
Published: April 2012

Disney stories and characters have delighted international audiences for nearly nine decades, but as The Walt Disney Company has sought to reach new markets in the twenty-first century, Disney's live theatrical productions have served a unique and powerful ambassadorial function in which body and representation play vital roles. In 1997, Julie Taymor's production of The Lion King, which is inspired by several cultural traditions, opened on Broadway to critical and popular acclaim. The musical has since been translated into six languages and has played in over a dozen productions around the world.While the characters are animals, The Lion King is a human fable, and Taymor was determined that audiences see the fictional animals and real, live humans at the same time–what she termed the “double event.” With her unique vision as a guide, she enlisted an international creative team: film co-director Roger Allers and co-writer Irene Mecchi as book writers, Rhodesia-born Brit Richard Hudson as set designer, Michael Curry as puppet co-designer, Garth Fagan as choreographer, and a handful of diverse composers and lyricists to create the score–Elton John and Tim Rice, Lebo M, Hans Zimmer, Mark Mancina, and Taymor herself.Despite consciously postmodern, internationalist, and postcolonial aims–which have earned both economic and political rewards–the creative process, product, and reception have not arrived without challenges, complications, and criticism. This paper examines how The Lion King attempts to harness animal, racial, theatrical, and commercial power for diverse audiences in a global age.
Intrapericardial pacemaker in a 2-kilogram newborn
Authors: Gil-Jaurena Juan-Miguel , Castillo Rafael , Rubio Lorena 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA 2-kilogram child had a pacemaker implanted by a subxyphoid approach with the generator located under the rectus sheath. Days later, the battery eroded the abdominal wall and the peritoneum. The whole system was removed and a new one was implanted inside the pericardium on an emergent basis.
Entity-wide risk management for pension funds
Authors: Kemp M. H. D. , Patel C. C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis paper explores the application of ERM-style techniques to pension funds. It uses the term ‘entity-wide risk management’ rather than ‘enterprise risk management’, even though both have the same acronym (‘ERM’), because many pension funds do not view themselves as business ‘enterprises’ as such. Some of the techniques that business enterprises have for managing risk (e.g. raising new capital from shareholders or branching into new business areas if existing ones have unattractive risk-reward characteristics) may not be open to many pension funds. The paper argues that the holistic approach to risk management (and governance) that is a hallmark of ERM is as appropriate to pension funds as it is to any other type of entity. This is the case whether the fund is defined benefit or defined contribution in nature, or a hybrid. It is also the case whether the ‘entity’ is deemed to be the fund itself, the sponsor or the two combined. Indeed, there are aspects of pension arrangements, such as the relationship between the fund and its sponsor, that lend added impetus to the use of ERM-style techniques in practical pension fund management.
Genome Replikin Count Predicts Increased Lethality of Cancer
Authors: Bogoch Samuel , Bogoch Elenore 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThose cancers, like thyroid and pancreatic cancer, with the lowest 5-year mortality rates, have Replikin Counts of about 20; lung and brain cancers, with the highest 5-year mortality rates, have Replikin Counts of 275 and 325 respectively; the others fall in between with approximate linearity. This is the first quantitative relationship of a genomic structure, Replikins, to 5-year mortality rates.
A prelude report on molecular docking of HER2 protein towards comprehending anti-cancer properties of saponins from Solanum tuberosum
Authors: Singh Puneet , Shukla Pratyoosh 
Published: April 2012

AbstractSaponins are extensively known for many biological activities e.g. antimicrobial, anti-palatability, anti-cancer and hemolytic. As cancer cells have a more cholesterol-like compound in their membrane structure the saponins bind cholesterol due to their natural affinity to bind cancer cell membrane. This prevents them from entering the body through the intestinal tract, where they have the ability to attach themselves to vital organs and grow. This study reports the effective use of lower dose saponins like immunotoxin so that they can inhibit the proliferation of cancerous pancreatic cells. The investigation of pancreatic cancer metabolic pathway it was found that proteins 3H3B produced by genes HER-2 are involved in the enhancement of this type of cancer. Further docking studies showed that there is an effective interaction between saponins and cancer cells. The glide score of the saponin analogue compound with CID 21573770 (Pubchem) was -6.30 followed by score of -6.05 and -5.29 for 5-Florouracil and gemcitabine respectively. The interaction was observed in the GLU and GLN rich region, saponins made H-bonds with GLU-188, GLN-119, VAL-72 and GLN-71. This study indicates an effective way towards leading newer prospects for developing saponin analogue based cancer-fighting drugs with improved cancer cell inhibition property without killing normal cells.
Finding Bicliques in Digraphs: Application into Viral-host Protein Interactome
Authors: Bhattacharyya Malay , Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra , Maulik Ujjwal 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe provide the first formalization true to the best of our knowledge to the problem of finding bicliques in a directed graph. The problem is addressed employing a two-stage approach based on an existing biclustering algorithm. This novel problem is useful in several biological applications of which we focus only on analyzing the viral-host protein interaction graphs. Strong and significant bicliques of HIV-1 and human proteins are derived using the proposed methodology, which provides insights into some novel regulatory functionalities in case of the acute immunodeficiency syndrome in human.
Using Norm-Referenced Tests to Determine Severity of Language Impairment in Children: Disconnect Between U.S. Policy Makers and Test Developers
Authors: Spaulding Tammie J. , Swartwout Szulga Margaret , Figueroa Cecilia 
Published: April 2012

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify various U.S. state education departments' criteria for determining the severity of language impairment in children, with particular focus on the use of norm-referenced tests. A secondary objective was to determine if norm-referenced tests of child language were developed for the purpose of identifying the severity of children’s language impairment.

Method
Published procedures for severity determinations were obtained from U.S. state education departments. In addition, manuals for 45 norm-referenced tests of child language were reviewed to determine if each test was designed to identify the degree of a child’s language impairment. Consistency was evaluated among state criteria, test developers' intentions, and test characteristics.

Results
At the time of this study, 8 states published guidelines for determining the severity of language impairment, and each specified the use of norm-referenced tests for this purpose. The degree of use and cutoff-point criteria for severity determination varied across states. No cutoff-point criteria aligned with the severity cutoff points described within the test manuals. Furthermore, tests that included severity information lacked empirical data on how the severity categories were derived.

Conclusion
Researchers and clinicians should be cautious in determining the severity of children’s language impairment using norm-referenced test performance given the inconsistency in guidelines and lack of empirical data within test manuals to support this use.
A Coronal Jet Ejection from a Sunspot Light Bridge
Authors: Liu S. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractChromospheric brightening and Hα surges are evident and common phenomena along sunspot light bridges. In this paper, a coronal jet ejection from a sunspot light bridge is presented. Using data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and Hinode satellites, it is confirmed that the jet has its root near the light bridge. This suggests that the jet may be a result of reconnection between the main sunspot and the light bridge. Due to the processing of jet ejecta, the intensity and width of the light bridge show changes to some extent. This also suggests that the jet is related to the interaction between light bridge and umbra, possibly owing to magnetic reconnection or heated plasma trapped in the light bridge escaping and moving along field lines.
Statewide Validation of Hospital-Reported Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections: Oregon, 2009
Authors: Oh John Y. , Cunningham Margaret C. , Beldavs Zintars G. , Tujo Jennifer , Moore Stephen W. , Thomas Ann R. , Cieslak Paul R. 
Published: April 2012

Background.Mandatory reporting of healthcare-associated infections is common, but underreporting by hospitals limits meaningful interpretation.Objective.To validate mandatory intensive care unit (ICU) central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) reporting by Oregon hospitals.Design.Blinded comparison of ICU CLABSI determination by hospitals and health department–based external reviewers with group adjudication.Setting.Forty-four Oregon hospitals required by state law to report ICU CLABSIs.Participants.Seventy-six patients with ICU CLABSIs and a systematic sample of 741 other patients with ICU-related bacteremia episodes.Methods.External reviewers examined medical records and determined CLABSI status. All cases with CLABSI determinations discordant from hospital reporting were adjudicated through formal discussion with hospital staff, a process novel to validation of CLABSI reporting.Results.Hospital representatives and external reviewers agreed on CLABSI status in 782 (96%) of 817 bacteremia episodes (k = 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.70-0.84]). Among the 27 episodes identified as CLABSIs by external reviewers but not reported by hospitals, the final status was CLABSI in 16 (59%). The measured sensitivities of hospital ICU CLABSI reporting were 72% (95% CI, 62%-81%) with adjudicated CLABSI determination as the reference standard and 60% (95% CI, 51%-69%) with external review alone as the reference standard (P = .07). Validation increased the statewide ICU CLABSI rate from 1.21 (95% CI, 0.95-1.51) to 1.54 (95% CI, 1.25-1.88) CLABSIs/1,000 central line–days; ICU CLABSI rates increased by more than 1.00 CLABSI/1,000 central line–days in 6 (14%) hospitals.Conclusions.Validating hospital CLABSI reporting improves accuracy of hospital-based CLABSI surveillance. Discussing discordant findings improves the quality of validation.
Healthcare-Associated Bloodstream Infections Secondary to a Urinary Focus The Québec Provincial Surveillance Results
Authors: Fortin Elise , Rocher Isabelle , Frenette Charles , Tremblay Claude , Quach Caroline 
Published: April 2012

Objective.Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are an important source of secondary healthcare-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs), where a potential for prevention exists. This study describes the epidemiology of BSIs secondary to a urinary source (U-BSIs) in the province of Québec and predictors of mortality.Design.Dynamic cohort of 9,377,830 patient-days followed through a provincial voluntary surveillance program targeting all episodes of healthcare-associated BSIs occurring in acute care hospitals.Setting.Sixty-one hospitals in Québec, followed between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2010.Participants.Patients admitted to participating hospitals for 48 hours or longer.Methods.Descriptive statistics were used to summarize characteristics of U-BSIs and microorganisms involved. Wilcoxon and X2 tests were used to compare U-BSI episodes with other BSIs. Negative binomial regression was used to identify hospital characteristics associated with higher rates. We explored determinants of mortality using logistic regression.Results.Of the 7,217 reported BSIs, 1,510 were U-BSIs (21%), with an annual rate of 1.4 U-BSIs per 10,000 patient-days. A urinary device was used in 71% of U-BSI episodes. Identified institutional risk factors were average length of stay, teaching status, and hospital size. Increasing hospital size was influential only in nonteaching hospitals. Age, nonhematogenous neoplasia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Foley catheters were associated with mortality at 30 days.Conclusion.U-BSI characteristics suggest that urinary catheters may remain in patients for ease of care or because practitioners forget to remove them. Ongoing surveillance will enable hospitals to monitor trends in U-BSIs and impacts of process surveillance that will be implemented shortly.