bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Zinc-α2-Glycoprotein Correlates with Adiposity, Triglycerides, and the Key Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Subjects
Authors: Yeung Dennis C. Y. , Lam Karen S. L. , Wang Yu , Tso Annette W. K. , Xu Aimin 
Published: April 2009

Context: Zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a 40-kDa circulating glycoprotein secreted from the liver and adipose tissues. Animal studies have demonstrated the role of ZAG as a lipid-mobilizing factor involved in regulating lipid metabolism and adiposity. However, the clinical relevance of these findings remains to be established.Objective: This study aimed to address the relationship of serum ZAG levels with adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors in humans.Design and Setting: A total of 258 Chinese subjects [aged 55.1 ± 12.5 yr; 120 males, 138 females; body mass index (BMI), 25.4 ± 4.1 kg/m2] were randomly selected from the population-based Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study, based on their BMI. Serum ZAG levels were determined with ELISA. The relationship between serum ZAG levels and cardiometabolic parameters was assessed.Results: Serum ZAG levels were higher in men (P &lt; 0.001 vs. women). Serum ZAG correlated positively with age, parameters of adiposity (waist circumference and BMI), fasting insulin, insulin resistance indices, serum triglycerides, adipocyte-fatty acid-binding protein, and C-reactive protein, and diastolic blood pressure (all P &lt; 0.005, age- and sex-adjusted), and inversely with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (P = 0.008, age- and sex-adjusted). It was also elevated progressively with an increasing number of components of the metabolic syndrome (P for trend &lt; 0.001). On multivariate analysis, serum ZAG was independently associated with male sex, the metabolic syndrome (or type 2 diabetes and serum triglycerides), and C-reactive protein (all P ≤ 0.002).Conclusions: ZAG might be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related metabolic disorders in humans and thus warrants further investigation.
Binarized Support Vector Machines
Authors: Carrizosa Emilio , Martin-Barragan Belen , Morales Dolores Romero 
Published: April 2009

The widely used support vector machine (SVM) method has shown to yield very good results in supervised classification problems. Other methods such as classification trees have become more popular among practitioners than SVM thanks to their interpretability, which is an important issue in data mining.In this work, we propose an SVM-based method that automatically detects the most important predictor variables and the role they play in the classifier. In particular, the proposed method is able to detect those values and intervals that are critical for the classification. The method involves the optimization of a linear programming problem in the spirit of the Lasso method with a large number of decision variables. The numerical experience reported shows that a rather direct use of the standard column generation strategy leads to a classification method that, in terms of classification ability, is competitive against the standard linear SVM and classification trees. Moreover, the proposed method is robust; i.e., it is stable in the presence of outliers and invariant to change of scale or measurement units of the predictor variables.When the complexity of the classifier is an important issue, a wrapper feature selection method is applied, yielding simpler but still competitive classifiers.
How to predict changes in solvolysis mechanisms
Authors: Mayr Herbert , Ofial Armin R. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractStopped-flow and laser flash techniques have been employed to investigate the individual steps of the solvolysis reactions of benzhydryl (diarylmethyl) halides and carboxylates. In this way, absolute rate constants for the ionization (k1), recombination of the carbocation with the leaving group (k-1), and subsequent reaction with the solvent (kSolvOH) have been determined. As the stabilization of the carbocations increases, the mechanism changes from (a) SN1 reactions with irreversible ionization through (b) SN1 reactions with common-ion return and (c) SN2C+reactions, where the intermediate carbocations accumulate, to (d) the formation of persistent carbocations which do not undergo subsequent reactions under the selected solvolysis conditions. The correlation equation logk=s(N+E), where the carbocations are characterized by the electrophilicity parameterE, and leaving groups and solvents are characterized by the nucleophile-specific parameterssandNcan be employed to predict the changes of mechanism.
Erratum
Authors: Stepto R. F. T. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Dispersity in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 2009) (R. G. Gilbert, M. Hess, A. D. Jenkins, R. G. Jones, P. Kratochvíl, and R. F. T. Stepto). Pure Appl. Chem.
81, 351-353 (2009); doi:10.1351/PAC-REC-08-05-02.
Job Stress and Coronary Heart Disease: A Case‐control Study using a Chinese Population
Authors: Xu Weixian , Zhao Yiming , Guo Lijun , Guo Yanhong , Gao Wei 
Published: April 2009

Job Stress and Coronary Heart Disease: A Case‐control Study using a Chinese Population: Weixian Xu, et al. Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, ChinaObjectivesThis study was to examine the association between job stress and coronary heart disease (CHD) in a Chinese population.MethodsThe 388 participants aged 30 to 70 yr who received coronary angiography for suspected or known ischemic heart disease were enrolled in this series, which included 292 CHD cases and 96 controls. The job stress before CHD onset was measured by the effort‐reward imbalance (ERI) model.ResultsIn the results, compared with the baseline, high ERI, high extrinsic effort or high overcommitment increased the risk of CHD with odds ratios (OR) of 2.8, 2.7 and 2.8 respectively after adjustment for the traditional CHD risk factors, such as age, gender, primary hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, smoking, body mass index, CHD family history, educational level, and marital status. The combination of high ERI and high overcommitment led to the highest risk of CHD with adjusted OR 5.5. However, high reward reduced the risk of CHD with an adjusted OR of 0.4 in comparison to low reward. Dose‐response relationships were also observed.ConclusionsJob stress evaluated by the ERI model significantly increased the risk of CHD, and it may be an important risk factor independent of the traditional risk factors of CHD in the Chinese population.
Problematic Interpersonal Relationships at Work and Depression: A Swedish Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Stoetzer Ulrich , Ahlberg Gunnel , Johansson Gun , Bergman Peter , Hallsten Lennart , Forsell Yvonne , Lundberg Ingvar 
Published: April 2009

Problematic Interpersonal Relationships at Work and Depression: A Swedish Prospective Cohort Study: Ulrich Stoetzer, et al. Department of Public Health Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SwedenObjectivesStudies have shown that interpersonal relations at work are important for several health related outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether low social support, serious conflict, exclusion by superiors or by co‐workers at work may be determinants of depression.MethodsIn a representative Swedish cohort study data were obtained in two waves three years apart. 4,040 women and men who did not change their jobs between the waves were chosen for the study. Exposure and confounders were obtained at Time 1 and outcome, depression according to Bech's MDI at Time 2. Previous depression was controlled for by adjusting for depression at Time 1. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analyses.ResultsOdds‐ratios adjusted for possible confounders and depression at base‐line showed significant effects for all four exposures on depression (adjusted OR, low social support 1.5 CI 95% 1.1–2.0, serious conflict 1.4 CI 95% 1.1–1.9, exclusion by superiors 1.6 CI 95% 1.2–2.1 and exclusion by co‐workers 1.7 CI 95% 1.2–2.3).ConclusionsThe present results support the conclusion that problematic interpersonal relationships at work can be determinants of depression. These prospective findings may be of relevance for prevention and when rehabilitating depressed patients.
Calcium phosphate powders synthesized from solutions with [Ca2+]/[PO43−]=1 for bioresorbable ceramics
Authors: Safronova Tatiana , Kuznetsov Anton , Korneychuk Svetlana , Putlyaev Valery , Shekhirev Mikhail 
Published: April 2009

AbstractCalcium phosphate powders for manufacturing bioceramics were synthesized via precipitation from stock solutions of (NH4)2HPO4 and Ca(NO3)2, or CaCl2 or Ca(CH3COO)2 with [Ca2+]/[PO 43−] = 1, without pH regulation. Properties of powdered samples, including density and microstructure of ceramics sintered at 900, 1000, 1100°C, were studied. The following pairs of precursors such as Ca(NO3)2/(NH4)2HPO4, CaCl2/(NH4)2HPO4, Ca(CH3COO)2/(NH4)2HPO4 gave both insoluble calcium phosphates and the corresponding by-products of synthesis — NH4NO3, NH4Cl, NH4CH3COO. These by-products were released from the calcium phosphate precipitates in the course of heating to the temperature of sintering. Owing to specific buffer properties of the solutions being formed during synthesis, the pH value varied in a wide range during the precipitation process leading to different final values of pH and, thus, to different target phase(s) after annealing at 900–1100°C. After sintering, the samples based on the powders synthesized from Ca(NO3)2/(NH4)2HPO4 consisted of β-Ca2P2O7, whereas the samples based on the powders derived from CaCl2/(NH4)2HPO4 were composed of β-Ca2P2O7 and β-Ca3(PO4)2, and the samples based on the powders synthesized from Ca(CH3COO)2/(NH4)2HPO4 contained only β-Ca3(PO4)2. All the powders can be considered as the precursors for fabrication of bioceramics with enhanced resorption.
Large‐Scale Synthesis of Long Crystalline Cu2‐xSe Nanowire Bundles by Water‐Evaporation‐Induced Self‐Assembly and Their Application in Gas Sensing
Authors: Xu Jun , Zhang Weixin , Yang Zeheng , Ding Shaixia , Zeng Chunyan , Chen Lingling , Wang Qiang , Yang Shihe 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBy a facile water evaporation process without adding any directing agent, Cu2‐xSe nanowire bundles with diameters of 100–300 nm and lengths up to hundreds of micrometers, which comprise crystalline nanowires with diameters of 5–8 nm, are obtained. Experiments reveal the initial formation/stacking of CuSe nanoplates and the subsequent transformation to the Cu2‐xSe nanowire bundles. A water‐evaporation‐induced self‐assembly (WEISA) mechanism is proposed, which highlights the driving force of evaporation in promoting the nanoplate stacking, CuSe‐to‐Cu2‐xSe transformation and the growth/bundling of the Cu2‐xSe nanowires. The simplicity, benignancy, scalability, and high‐yield of the synthesis of this important nanowire material herald its numerous applications. As one example, the use of the Cu2‐xSe nanowire bundles as a photoluminescence‐type sensor of humidity is demonstrated, which shows good sensitivity, ideal linearity, quick response/recovery and long lifetime in a very wide humidity range at room temperature.
Beyond Gorilla and Pongo: Alternative models for evaluating variation and sexual dimorphism in fossil hominoid samples
Authors: Scott Jeremiah E. , Schrein Caitlin M. , Kelley Jay 
Published: April 2009

AbstractSexual size dimorphism in the postcanine dentition of the late Miocene hominoid Lufengpithecus lufengensis exceeds that in Pongo pygmaeus, demonstrating that the maximum degree of molar size dimorphism in apes is not represented among the extant Hominoidea. It has not been established, however, that the molars of Pongo are more dimorphic than those of any other living primate. In this study, we used resampling‐based methods to compare molar dimorphism in Gorilla, Pongo, and Lufengpithecus to that in the papionin Mandrillus leucophaeus to test two hypotheses: (1) Pongo possesses the most size‐dimorphic molars among living primates and (2) molar size dimorphism in Lufengpithecus is greater than that in the most dimorphic living primates. Our results show that M. leucophaeus exceeds great apes in its overall level of dimorphism and that L. lufengensis is more dimorphic than the extant species. Using these samples, we also evaluated molar dimorphism and taxonomic composition in two other Miocene ape samples—Ouranopithecus macedoniensis from Greece, specimens of which can be sexed based on associated canines and P3s, and the Sivapithecus sample from Haritalyangar, India. Ouranopithecus is more dimorphic than the extant taxa but is similar to Lufengpithecus, demonstrating that the level of molar dimorphism required for the Greek fossil sample under the single‐species taxonomy is not unprecedented when the comparative framework is expanded to include extinct primates. In contrast, the Haritalyangar Sivapithecus sample, if itrepresents a single species, exhibits substantially greater molar dimorphism than does Lufengpithecus. Given these results, the taxonomic status of this sample remains equivocal. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deposition of osmium and ruthenium thin films from organometallic cluster precursors
Authors: Li Chunxiang , Leong Weng Kee , Loh Kian Ping 
Published: April 2009

AbstractSingle‐source organometallic precursors based on a number of homometallic clusters as well as heterometallic cluster RuOs3(CO)13(µ‐H)2 have been used for the chemical vapor deposition of osmium films and osmium–ruthenium alloy films, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aramid‐short‐fiber reinforced rubber as a tire tread composite
Authors: Kashani Mehdi Razzaghi 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMechanical and dynamic‐mechanical properties of a typical tire tread compound reinforced with one part aramid short fibers were investigated in order to predict the effects of fibers on tire tread performances such as rolling resistance and traction. Rubber processing, including mixing and extrusion, was performed in an industrial scale. Fiber orientation as a result of extrusion was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively using mechanical anisotropy in swelling and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Unidirectional tensile tests revealed higher modulus, but slightly lower strength and elongation at break for the composites stretched in the longitudinal (orientation) and transverse directions than those for the isotropic reference compound with no fiber. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis showed that relative values of loss factor for the longitudinal and transverse composites and the reference compound depended on the state of polymer as glassy or rubbery. Therefore, a high loss factor at lower temperatures and a low loss factor at higher temperatures predicted a balanced improvement of tire traction and rolling resistance as a result of fiber addition. Heat build‐up and abrasion experiments showed that addition of fiber did not deteriorate other performances of tire tread. Also, the fibers had negligible effects on processing and vulcanization characteristics of the composite. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Experimental rapid surface heating by induction for micro‐injection molding of light‐guided plates
Authors: Huang Ming‐Shyan , Tai Ning‐Sheng 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis work experimentally investigates the use of induction‐heating to heat mold surfaces rapidly, and thus enhance the replication effect of the microstructure of light‐guided plates (LGP) in the injection molding process. This investigation employs a 2‐inch LGP injection mold as the experimental carrier, and compares the replication effect on the microstructure of induction heating with that of conventional oil‐heating. Temperature increases on the mold plate are examined using a thermal video system. The experimental results show that (1) the flat induction coil design promotes rapid surface heating. (2) Induction‐heating the mold surface to 110°C improves the replication rate of the height of the micro‐structure by up to 95%. (3) The LGP produced by induction heating has no significant residual stress. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Sentinel node biopsy for follicular tumours of the thyroid gland
Authors: Takeyama H , Tabei I , Uchida K , Morikawa T 
Published: April 2009

Abstract

Background
It is difficult to differentiate histologically between benign and malignant follicular-type tumours of the thyroid gland. The present study evaluated whether sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy was helpful in obtaining the correct diagnosis of malignant follicular-type tumours, as metastasis to the lymph nodes is sufficient evidence for a diagnosis of cancer.

Methods
SLN biopsy was performed for 37 follicular-type tumours suspected to be malignant on the basis of preoperative examinations, but for which the diagnosis had not been confirmed.

Results
SNs were identified in 32 of 37 procedures. SLN metastases were found in four of 12 patients with a malignant tumour identified by intraoperative frozen-section analysis. There was one false-negative but no false-positive diagnoses. Frozen-section analysis of the tumour itself identified only one follicular cancer. The accuracies of preoperative imaging methods were lower than that of SLN detection.

Conclusion
Detection of SLN metastasis was helpful in diagnosing follicular thyroid cancer and thus enabling one-stage surgery.
Fasting-induced intestinal damage is mediated by oxidative and inflammatory responses
Authors: Abdeen S , Mathew T C , Khan I , Dashti H , Asfar S 
Published: April 2009

Abstract

Background
Green tea has been shown to repair fasting-induced mucosal damage in rat intestine. The aim of this study was to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

Methods
Five groups of rats were used. Group 1 had free access to chow diet and water, and those in group 2 were fasted for 3 days. Animals in group 3 were fasted for 3 days, then were allowed drinking water for a further 7 days. Groups 4 and 5 were fasted for 3 days, then given drinking water containing green tea or vitamin E respectively for 7 days. Blood was collected for estimation of total plasma antioxidants, and jejunal samples were used for immunohistochemical analysis of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and for estimation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity.

Results
Use of green tea was associated with a significant increase in total plasma antioxidants (P &lt; 0·001), and mucosal SOD (P &lt; 0·001), catalase (P = 0·006) and GPx (P = 0·017), but a significant decrease in MPO activity (P &lt; 0·001). Vitamin E produced similar changes, but the effects were smaller.

Conclusion
Green tea reverses the fasting-induced damage to the intestinal mucosa by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.
Pouch design and long-term functional outcome after ileal pouch–anal anastomosis
Authors: Block M , Börjesson L , Lindholm E , Öresland T 
Published: April 2009

Abstract

Background
Functional outcome is of utmost importance after ileal pouch–anal anastomosis. Although pouch design and construction of the anastomosis are known technical determinants of function, there are few long-term results. This retrospective study evaluated functional outcome for two different pouch designs, and for handsewn versus stapled pouch–anal anastomoses.

Methods
The analysis included 412 patients who had either a J or K pouch (double-folded J pouch), of whom 123 had a J pouch (96 handsewn and 27 stapled) and 289 had a K pouch (95 handsewn and 194 stapled). Functional outcome was evaluated by a mailed questionnaire to achieve an Öresland score (0 to 15; 15 worst).

Results
Mean functional scores were 6·1 for J pouches and 4·9 for K pouches (P &lt; 0·001). Regression analysis showed that reservoir design and age at surgery were predictors of functional outcome (P &lt; 0·001). A higher proportion of patients with a J pouch and handsewn anastomosis than with a K pouch and stapled anastomosis had a score of 8 or more, a level previously demonstrated to impact negatively on quality of life (32 versus 16 per cent; P = 0·006).

Conclusion
The K pouch was associated with a better long-term functional outcome than the J pouch in this patient population.
Effect of preoperative smoking cessation interventions on postoperative complications and smoking cessation
Authors: Thomsen T , Tønnesen H , Møller A M 
Published: April 2009

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of preoperative smoking cessation interventions on postoperative complications and smoking cessation itself.

Methods
Relevant databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of preoperative smoking cessation interventions. Trial inclusion, risk of bias assessment and data extraction were performed by two authors. Risk ratios for the above outcomes were calculated and pooled effects estimated using the fixed-effect method.

Results
Eleven RCTs were included containing 1194 patients. Smoking interventions were intensive, medium intensity and less intensive. Follow-up for postoperative complications was 30 days. For smoking cessation it was from the day of surgery to 12 months thereafter. Overall, the interventions significantly reduced the occurrence of complications (pooled risk ratio 0·56 (95 per cent confidence interval 0·41 to 0·78); P &lt; 0·001). Intensive interventions increased smoking cessation rates both before operation and up to 12 months thereafter. The effects of medium to less intensive interventions were not significant. Meta-analysis of the effect on smoking cessation was not done owing to heterogeneity of data.

Conclusion
Surgical patients may benefit from intensive preoperative smoking cessation interventions. These include individual counselling initiated at least 4 weeks before operation and nicotine replacement therapy.
HPLC quantification of 5‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in human lung cancer tissues
Authors: Paige Mikell , Saprito Mary S. , Bunyan Dorothy A. , Shim Y. Michael 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA simple and cost‐effective HPLC method was established for quantification of 5‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5‐HETE) in human lung cancer tissues. 5‐HETE from 27 patients' lung cancer tissues were extracted by solid‐phase extraction and analyzed on a Waters Symmetry C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol, 10 mm ammonium acetate, and 1 m acetic acid (70:30:0.1, v:v:v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The UV detection wavelength was set at 240 nm. The calibration curve was linear within the concentration range from 10 to 1000 ng/mL (r2 > 0.999, n = 7), the limit of detection was 1.0 ng/mL and the limit of quantitation was 10.0 ng/mL for a 100 µL injection. The relative error (%) for intra‐day accuracy was from 93.14 to 112.50% and the RSD (%) for intra‐day precision was from 0.21 to 2.60% over the concentration range 10–1000 ng/mL. By applying this method, amounts of 5‐HETE were quantitated in human lung cancer tissues from 27 human subjects. The established HPLC method was validated to be a simple, reliable and cost‐effective procedure that can be applied to conduct translational characterization of 5‐HETE in human lung cancer tissues. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.