bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, hypertension and type 2 diabetes in youth: from diagnosis to treatment
Authors: Halpern Alfredo , Mancini Marcio C , Magalhães Maria Eliane C , Fisberg Mauro , Radominski Rosana , Bertolami Marcelo C , Bertolami Adriana , de Melo Maria Edna , Zanella Maria Teresa , Queiroz Marcia S , Nery Marcia 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Overweight and obesity in youth is a worldwide public health problem. Overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescents have a substantial effect upon many systems, resulting in clinical conditions such as metabolic syndrome, early atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, hypertension and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Obesity and the type of body fat distribution are still the core aspects of insulin resistance and seem to be the physiopathologic links common to metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and T2D. The earlier the appearance of the clustering of risk factors and the higher the time of exposure, the greater will be the chance of developing coronary disease with a more severe endpoint. The age when the event may occur seems to be related to the presence and aggregation of risk factors throughout life.
The treatment in this age-group is non pharmacological and aims at promoting changes in lifestyle. However, pharmacological treatments are indicated in special situations.
The major goals in dietary treatments are not only limited to weight loss, but also to an improvement in the quality of life. Modification of risk factors associated to comorbidities, personal satisfaction of the child or adolescent and trying to establish healthy life habits from an early age are also important. There is a continuous debate on the best possible exercise to do, for children or adolescents, in order to lose weight. The prescription of physical activity to children and adolescents requires extensive integrated work among multidisciplinary teams, patients and their families, in order to reach therapeutic success.
The most important conclusion drawn from this symposium was that if the growing prevalence of overweight and obesity continues at this pace, the result will be a population of children and adolescents with metabolic syndrome. This would lead to high mortality rates in young adults, changing the current increasing trend of worldwide longevity. Government actions and a better understanding of the causes of this problem must be implemented worldwide, by aiming at the prevention of obesity in children and adolescents.
New concept for quantification of similarity relates entropy and energy of objects: First and Second Law entangled, group behavior of micro black holes expected
Authors: Zimak Petr , Terenzi Silvia , Strazewski Peter 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
When the free energy of similar but distinct molecule-sized objects is plotted against the temperature at which their energy and entropy contributions cancel, a highly significant linear dependence results from which the degree of similarity between the distinctly different members within the group of objects can be quantified and a relationship between energy and entropy is derived. This energy-entropy relationship entirely reflects the mathematical structure of thermodynamic equations, is in this sense fundamental and therefore does probably not dependent on material nor scale. The energy-entropy relationship is likely to be of general interest in molecular biology, population biology, synthetic biology, biophysics, chemical thermodynamics, systems chemistry and physics, most notably in particle physics and cosmology. In physics we predict a consistent and perhaps testable way of classifying micro black holes, to be generated in future Large Hadron Collider experiments, by their gravitational energy and area entropy.
Evolution of metabolic networks: a computational frame-work
Authors: Flamm Christoph , Ullrich Alexander , Ekker Heinz , Mann Martin , Högerl Daniel , Rohrschneider Markus , Sauer Sebastian , Scheuermann Gerik , Klemm Konstantin , Hofacker Ivo L , Stadler Peter F 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe metabolic architectures of extant organisms share many key pathways such as the citric acid cycle, glycolysis, or the biosynthesis of most amino acids. Several competing hypotheses for the evolutionary mechanisms that shape metabolic networks have been discussed in the literature, each of which finds support from comparative analysis of extant genomes. Alternatively, the principles of metabolic evolution can be studied by direct computer simulation. This requires, however, an explicit implementation of all pertinent components: a universe of chemical reactions upon which the metabolism is built, an explicit representation of the enzymes that implement the metabolism, a genetic system that encodes these enzymes, and a fitness function that can be selected for.ResultsWe describe here a simulation environment that implements all these components in a simplified way so that large-scale evolutionary studies are feasible. We employ an artificial chemistry that views chemical reactions as graph rewriting operations and utilizes a toy-version of quantum chemistry to derive thermodynamic parameters. Minimalist organisms with simple string-encoded genomes produce model ribozymes whose catalytic activity is determined by anad hocmapping between their secondary structure and the transition state graphs that they stabilize. Fitness is computed utilizing the ideas of metabolic flux analysis. We present an implementation of the complete system and first simulation results.ConclusionsThe simulation system presented here allows coherent investigations into the evolutionary mechanisms of the first steps of metabolic evolution using a self-consistent toy universe.
Spontaneous absolute asymmetric synthesis promoted by achiral amines in conjunction with asymmetric autocatalysis
Authors: Suzuki Kenta , Hatase Kunihiko , Nishiyama Daisuke , Kawasaki Tsuneomi , Soai Kenso 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
The origin of homochirality of organic compounds such as L-amino acids and D-sugars have intrigued many scientists, and several hypotheses regarding its homochirality have been proposed. According to the statistical theory, small fluctuations in the ratio of the two enantiomers are present in a racemic mixture obtained from the reaction of achiral molecules.
We report herein the reaction of pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde and diisopropylzinc in the presence of achiral amine such as N,N'-dimethylpiperazine, N,N'-diethylpiperazine or N-methylmorpholine but in the absence of a chiral substance. The stochastic formation of (S)- and (R)-pyrimidyl alkanols with detectable ee was observed. This study shows that the slight fluctuation of the enantiomeric ratio of pyrimidyl alkanol produced at the initial reaction step can be enhanced significantly in conjunction with asymmetric autocatalysis with amplification of enantiomeric excess. We believe that the stochastic behavior in the formation of pyrimidyl alkanol constitutes one of the conditions necessary for spontaneous absolute asymmetric synthesis.
Deconvolution of a multi-component interaction network using systems chemistry
Authors: Ghosh Soumyadip , Mukhopadhyay Pritam , Isaacs Lyle 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
We describe the stepwise construction of an 8-component self-sorted system (1 - 8) by the sequential addition of components. This process occurs via a large number of states (28 = 256) and even a larger number of pathways (8! = 40320). A pathway (5, 6, 7, 8, 4, 3, 2, then 1) that is self-sorted at every step along the way has been demonstrated experimentally. Another pathway (1, 8, 3, 5, 4, 7, 2, then 6) resembles a game of musical chairs and exhibits interesting shuttling of guest molecules among hosts. The majority of pathways - unlike the special ones described above - proceed through several non self-sorted states. We characterized the remainder of the 40320 pathways by simulation using Gepasi and describe the influence of concentration and binding constants on the fidelity of the self-sorting pathways.
Biomarker-Based Prediction of Response to Therapy for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ross Jeffrey S. , Torres-Mora Jorge , Wagle Nikhil , Jennings Timothy A. , Jones David M. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
The diagnosis and management of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been impacted by the discovery and validation of a wide variety of biomarkers designed to facilitate a personalized approach for the treatment of the disease. Recently, CRC has been reclassified based on molecular analyses of various genes and proteins capable of separating morphologic types of tumors into molecular categories. At the same time, a number of new prognostic and predictive single genes and proteins have been discovered that are designed to reflect sensitivity and/or resistance to existing therapies. Multigene predictors have also been developed to predict the risk of relapse for intermediate-stage CRC after completion of surgical extirpation. More recently, a number of biomarkers tested by a variety of methods have been proposed as specific predictors of chemotherapy and radiotherapy response. Other markers have been successfully used to predict toxic effects of standard therapies. In this review, a series of novel biomarkers are considered and compared with standard-of-care markers for their potential use as pharmacogenomic and pharmacogenetic predictors of disease outcome.
Country Leadership and Policy Are Critical Factors for Implementing Laboratory Accreditation in Developing Countries
Authors: Opio Alex , Wafula Winnie , Amone Jackson , Kajumbula Henry , Nkengasong John N. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Accreditation of laboratories is one means to promote quality laboratory services, underscoring the need to document factors that facilitate laboratory accreditation. A desk review and key informant’s interviews were conducted to determine the roles of country leadership and policies in laboratory accreditation.
Overall, the review revealed that Uganda has enabling factors for laboratory accreditation, putting the country in a state of accreditation-readiness and including strong leadership that provides stewardship and availability of a national health laboratory policy with an explicit statement on laboratory accreditation. A National Laboratory Technical and Policy Committee coordinated the development of the policy. Laboratory training schools provide leadership in training laboratory professionals, while the Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists provides professional leadership. Although there is no national accreditation system, some laboratories are participating in international laboratory accreditation. Key informants expressed strong support for and observed that laboratory accreditation is beneficial and can be implemented in Uganda.
Lessons from this study can benefit countries planning to implement laboratory accreditation. Countries that have not developed national laboratory policies and strategic plans should do so to guide the strengthening of laboratory systems and services as a part of health systems strengthening, which would be a springboard for laboratory accreditation.
CD71 (Transferrin Receptor)
Authors: Marsee Derek K. , Pinkus Geraldine S. , Yu Hongbo 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Accurate analysis of the erythroid lineage is essential in evaluating bone marrow biopsy specimens and can be particularly challenging in the setting of dyserythropoiesis. Transferrin receptor (CD71) mediates the uptake of transferrin-iron complexes and is highly expressed on the surface of cells of the erythroid lineage. Although CD71 has been used for flow cytometric analysis, its usefulness in paraffin-embedded bone marrow biopsy specimens has not been examined. This study defined the immunohistochemical profile of CD71, as compared with glycophorin A (CD235a) and hemoglobin, in 65 bone marrow biopsy specimens, including normal marrow specimens and cases of myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, plasma cell neoplasm, and metastatic carcinoma. Immunoreactivity for CD71 was restricted to erythroid precursors in normal and dyspoietic marrow samples and exhibited a membranous and cytoplasmic staining pattern. The vast majority of mature erythrocytes lack expression of CD71, greatly facilitating interpretation. CD71 is a highly effective marker for the detection of cells of erythroid lineage in bone marrow biopsy specimens.
High Serum Thymidine Kinase 1 Level Predicts Poorer Survival in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Konoplev Sergej N. , Fritsche Herbert A. , O’Brien Susan , Wierda William G. , Keating Michael J. , Gornet Terrie G. , St Romain Susan , Wang Xuemei , Inamdar Kedar , Johnson Malisha R. , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Bueso-Ramos Carlos E. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Serum thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) levels have been reported to have prognostic significance in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Until recently, serum TK1 levels were assessed using inconvenient radioenzyme assays. In this study, we used a novel chemiluminescence assay to assess serum TK1 levels in patients with CLL at the time of first examination. We show that high serum TK1 levels predict poorer overall survival and correlate with unmutated immunoglobulin variable region genes, CD38 and ZAP-70 expression, and subsequent risk of developing large B-cell lymphoma (Richter syndrome). Similar findings were observed in a subset of patients treated with current fludarabine-based chemotherapy regimens. We suggest that serum TK1 levels analyzed using this convenient chemiluminescence assay may be useful in the risk assessment of patients with CLL.
New Drug Approvals: Milnacipran for Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Authors: Kyle Jeffrey A , Dugan B DeeAnn , Testerman Kristian K 
Published: August 2010

Objective: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of milnacipran and evaluate relevant clinical trial data. Data Sources: MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Google Scholar searches (1966-June 2010) were conducted using the key words fibromyalgia, milnacipran, and serolonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Searches were limited to articles published in English. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All available English-language articles of human studies were evaluated. One pharmacokinetic study reviewed included animal data. References cited in identified articles were used for additional evaluation. Data Synthesis: Milnacipran is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor with a 3-fotd increased selectivity for norepinephrine compared to serotonin. It is well absorbed with 85-90% bioavailability. Maximum concentrations are achieved 2-4 hours after administration. Milnacipran does not undergo cytochrome P450 metabolism and has a half-life of 6-8 hours. Fifty-five percent of each dose is excreted unchanged in the urine. Dose adjustment is needed in patients with an estimated creatinine clearance of <30 mL/min. Clinical trials indicated that twice-daily dosing at 100 mg/day or 200 mg/day was superior to single-daily dosing. Studies further established the effectiveness of both doses in the treatment of fibromyalgia pain utilizing patient self-reported pain scores, as well as on a visual analog scale, Patient Global Impression of Change scale, and the Short-Form 36 Physical Component Summary, A 6-month extension trial, which evaluated patients continued on milnacipran for up to 1 year, demonstrated continued pain relief. The most common adverse drug reaction associated with milnacipran was nausea, which was reduced with slow-dose titration and administrai ion with food. Conclusions: Milnacipran is an effective treatment option for patients with fibromyalgia. More head-to-head clinical trials are necessary to assess its ultimate place in therapy.
Statistical methods for assessment of added usefulness of new biomarkers
Authors: Pencina Michael J. , D'Agostino Ralph B. , Vasan Ramachandran S. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
The discovery and development of new biomarkers continues to be an exciting and promising field. Improvement in prediction of risk of developing disease is one of the key motivations in these pursuits. Appropriate statistical measures are necessary for drawing meaningful conclusions about the clinical usefulness of these new markers. In this review, we present several novel metrics proposed to serve this purpose. We use reclassification tables constructed on the basis of clinically meaningful disease risk categories to discuss the concepts of calibration, risk separation, risk discrimination, and risk classification accuracy. We discuss the notion that the net reclassification improvement (NRI) is a simple yet informative way to summarize information contained in risk reclassification tables. In the absence of meaningful risk categories, we suggest a ‘category-less’ version of the NRI and integrated discrimination improvement as metrics to summarize the incremental value of new biomarkers. We also suggest that predictiveness curves be preferred to receiver operating characteristic curves as visual descriptors of a statistical model's ability to separate predicted probabilities of disease events. Reporting of standard metrics, including measures of relative risk and the c statistic, is still recommended. These concepts are illustrated with a risk prediction example using data from the Framingham Heart Study.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1703–11.
Inkjet Printing of Conductive Materials for Smart Textiles and Flexible Electronics
Authors: Sanchez Romaguera Veronica , Madec Marie B. , Yeates Stephen G. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn recent years, inkjet printing has become an important technology for many applications, such as organic electronics, nanotechnology, and tissue engineering, on account of its ability to precisely deposit pico litre volumes of solutions or suspensions, including polymers and metal nanoparticles, in well-defined patterns [1]. In this work we focus on the electrical performance of PEDOT:PSS conductors inkjet printed onto natural rubber latex and the effect of mechanical deformation on conductor integrity and electrical performance. 1. B.-J de Gans, P. C. Duineveld and U. S. Schubert, Adv. Mater., 16, (2004).
Photovoltaic Devices Based on Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Li Zhongrui , Saini Viney , Bourdo Shawn Edward , Zheng Liqiu , Dervishi Enkeleda , Biris Alexandru S. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSingle-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are potentially an attractive material for PV applications due to their many unique structural and electrical properties. SWNTs can be directly configured as energy conversion materials to fabricate thin-film solar cells, with nanotubes serving as both photogeneration sites and charge carriers collecting/transport layers. SWNTs can be modified into either p-type conductor through chemical doping (like thionyl chloride, or just exposure to air) or n-type conductor through polymer (like polyethylene imine) functionalization. The solar cells consist of either a semitransparent thin film of p-type nanotubes deposited on an n-type silicon wafer or a semitransparent thin film of n-type SWNT on p-type substrate to create high-density p-n heterojunctions between nanotubes and silicon substrate to favor charge separation and extract electrons and holes. The high aspect ratios and large surface area of nanotubes can be beneficial to exciton dissociation and charge carrier transport thus improving the power conversion efficiency.
Synthesis and Photochemical Properties of Au-Attached Titania Nanotubes Arrays
Authors: McAdoo Ragen , Abd Elmoula Mohamed , Menon Latika 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAu nanoparticles have been attached to the surface of titania nanotube arrays by means of a deposition-precipitation method. We demonstrate a high deposition density of the gold particles over the nanotube surface and also good control over the size of the gold nanoparticles. Photocurrent measurements using such Au attached titania nanotubes as photoanodes have been measured and compared with blank titania nanotubes.
Enhanced Electron Transport in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Short ZnO Nanotips on A Mirco-textured Metal Anode
Authors: Yang Zhenzhen , Xu Tao , Welp Ulrich , Kwok Wai Kwong 
Published: August 2010

AbstractMuch attention has been directed towards the enhancement of electron transport in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) using one-dimensional nanoarchitectured semiconductors. However, the improvement resulting from these ordered 1-D nanostructured electrodes is often offset or diminished by the deterioration in other device parameters intrinsically associated with the use of these 1-D nanostrucutres, such as the two-sided effects of the length of the nanowires impacting the series resistance and roughness factor. In this work, we mitigate this problem by allocating part of the roughness factor to the collecting anode instead of imparting all the roughness factors onto the semiconductor layer. A microscopically rough Zn microtip array is used as an anode on which ZnO nanotips are grown to serve as the semiconductor component in a DSSC. For the same surface roughness factor, our Zn microtip/ZnO nanotip DSSC exhibits an enhanced fill factor compared to a corresponding planar anode supported ZnO nanowire DSSC. In addition, the open circuit voltage of the Zn-microtip|ZnO-nanotip DSSC is also enhanced due to a favorable band shift at the Zn-ZnO interface, which raises the quasi Fermi level of the semiconductor and consequently enlarges the energy gap between the quasi Fermi level of ZnO and the redox species. The overall improvement demonstrates a new fundamental approach to enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells.
Development of New Materials and Structures for Efficient Organic Solar Cells Fabricated with Ionically and Electrically Conducting Polymers
Authors: Nishikitani Yoshinori , Kubo Takaya , Masuda Hideki 
Published: August 2010

AbstractNew materials and structures have been developed for efficient organic solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells (DCSs) and organic thin-film solar cells (OPVs). Some strategies for achieving high photon-to-electricity conversion efficiency in these solar cells are discussed, focusing on nanostructured materials. In the case of DSCs, unlike TiO2 nanoparticles, TiO2 nanotubes with suitable dimensions are expected to work as efficient light scatterers as well as to give large surface areas for charge separation. A strategy for designing triarylamine-functionalized ruthenium dyes, which display the high efficiency, is also proposed. Furthermore, OPVs based on donor/acceptor (D/A) block copolymers are discussed, focusing on the phase separation of donor and acceptor segments and their domain sizes.
Lipase Immobilized within Novel Silica-based Hybrid Foams: Synthesis, Characterizations and Catalytic Properties
Authors: Brun Nicolas , Babeau Annick , Oestreicher Victor , Deleuze Hervé , Sanchez Clément , Backov Rénal 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe covalent immobilization of crude lipases within silica-based macroporous frameworks have been performed by combining sol-gel process, concentrated direct emulsion, lyotropic mesophase and post-synthesis functionalizations. The as-synthesized open cell hybrid monoliths exhibit high macroscopic porosity, around 90 %, providing interconnected scaffold while reducing the diffusion low kinetic issue. The entrapment of enzymes in such foams deals with a high stability over esterification and transesterification batch process catalysis.