bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thienopyridines in Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Goodwin Matthew M , Desilets Alicia R , Willett Kristine C 
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the thienopyridines in order to identify their current place in therapy for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). DATA SOURCES: Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1966-October 2010 week 1), EMBASE (1980–2010 week 40), and a bibliographic review of published articles using the search terms acute coronary syndrome, clopidogrel, and prasugrel. Articles were limited to clinical trials conducted in humans and published in the English language. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Head-to-head clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of the thienopyridines in patients with ACS were critically reviewed. Trials evaluating ticlopidine were excluded due to its limited clinical use. DATA SYNTHESIS: Thienopyridines are an integral part of the treatment of ACS. Prior to the approval of prasugrel, clopidogrel was considered the agent of choice due to safety concerns associated with ticlopidine. A randomized controlled trial comparing prasugrel and clopidogrel has demonstrated superior efficacy with prasugrel, and post hoc analyses suggest additional benefit with prasugrel is derived in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and patients with diabetes. However, safety concerns exist linking prasugrel with an increased risk of bleeding, which diminishes its advantage in elderly patients, underweight patients, and those with a history of stroke. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies discussing differences in response variability, platelet inhibition, interactions with proton pump inhibitors, and genetic factors between the thienopyridines are numerous, although more clinical data are needed to determine clinical implications. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical trial data have suggested prasugrel is superior to clopidogrel at preventing ischemic events in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However, this coincides with an increased risk of bleeding. Clinicians must carefully interpret the current evidence, including limitations in study design and pharmacologic differences between agents, in order to balance the risks and benefits as new data become available.
Epidemiologic Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk in Patients Receiving Milnacipran, Venlafaxine, or Amitriptyline: Evidence from French Health Data
Authors: Mease Philip J , Zimetbaum Peter J , Duh Mei Sheng , Vekeman Francis , Guérin Annie , Boerstoel-Streefland Mariette , Jiang Wenjun , Lefebvre Patrick 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: Milnacipran, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the management of fibromyalgia. It has been available for many years in several countries outside the US for the treatment of depression. OBJECTIVE: To conduct population-based analyses comparing the risk of serious cardiovascular (CV) events (eg, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure) associated with treatment with milnacipran compared with venlafaxine and amitriptyline, 2 other commonly prescribed drugs that also inhibit reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. METHODS: Information from the French Thales electronic health record database from 2001 to 2007 was used. Patients with 1 or more prescriptions for milnacipran, venlafaxine, or amitriptyline; 180 or more days of continuous eligibility prior to the first prescription; and no prior CV event diagnoses during the 180-day baseline period were included. A retrospective, matched-cohort design was employed. The incidence rates of CV events between cohorts receiving milnacipran, venlafaxine, and amitriptyline were compared using unadjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) and adjusted conditional IRR based on Poisson regression. RESULTS: We identified 4452 milnacipran-venlafaxine and 3761 milnacipran-amitriptyline matched pairs. The matched cohorts had similar baseline characteristics. The unadjusted IRRs of any CV events, comparing milnacipran with venlafaxine or amitriptyline, were 1.02 (95% CI 0.73 to 1.44) and 1.30 (95% CI 0.90 to 1.89), respectively. Adjusted IRRs confirmed the statistical similarity in the CV event risk between milnacipran and venlafaxine (adjusted IRR = 1.29, 95% CI 0.76 to 2.17) or amitriptyline (adjusted IRR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.89). CONCLUSIONS: This French population-based study found that the risk of CV events was not significantly different for patients receiving milnacipran versus those receiving venlafaxine or amitriptyline.
Role of unique basic residues in cytotoxic, antibacterial and antiparasitic activities of human eosinophil cationic protein
Authors: Singh Anubha , Batra Janendra K. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractEosinophil granule proteins, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin are members of the RNase A superfamily, which play a crucial role in host defense against various pathogens as they are endowed with several biological activities. Some of the biological activities possessed by ECP have been attributed to its strong basic character. In the current study, we have investigated the role of five unique basic residues, Arg22, Arg34, Arg61, Arg77 and His64 of ECP in its catalytic, cytotoxic, antibacterial and antiparasitic activities. These residues were changed to alanine to generate single and double mutants. None of the selected residues was found to be involved in the RNase activity of ECP. The substitution of all five residues individually was detrimental for the cytotoxic, antibacterial and antiparasitic activities of ECP; however, mutation of Arg22 and Arg34 resulted in the most significant effects. The double mutants also had reduced biological activities. All ECP mutants that had significantly reduced toxicity also had reduced membrane destabilization activity. Our study demonstrates that Arg22, Arg34, Arg61, Arg77 and His64 of ECP are crucial for its membrane destabilization activity, which appears to be the underlying mechanism of its cytotoxic, antibacterial and antiparasitic activities.
CSF biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Mattsson Niklas 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are major world wide causes of morbidity and mortality. They form a heterogeneous group of diseases, ranging from rare monogenic inherited errors of metabolism to common multi-factorial dementias. Major research efforts focus on the development of disease modifying drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. As a result, there follows a need for reliable tools for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of therapy. Processes in the brain can be monitored by analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Several CSF biomarkers of pathological processes in the brain are now available. Such biomarkers may be used for both research and in the clinical setting. However, several difficult problems remain to be solved. More intensive collaboration between academia, industry and government is likely needed to develop treatments and biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. This article reviews the definitions, usage and current limitations of CSF biomarkers in this field.
Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21 by reverse transcriptase multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification
Authors: Deng Yan-Hua , Yin Ai-Hua , He Qiong , Chen Jia-Chang , He Yun-Shao , Wang Hua-Qiao , Li Ming , Chen Hua-Yun 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background: Obtaining fetal DNA or RNA by either chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis is currently, the gold standard prenatal diagnosis. However, these invasive procedures carry risk of miscarriage. A reliable method for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) has long been sought to reduce the risk of miscarriage.

Methods: Cell-free fetal RNA was extracted from the plasma of peripheral blood from 121 women 9–20 weeks of pregnancy. Five single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci in PLAC4 gene were analyzed by reverse transcriptase multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (RT-MLPA), followed by capillary electrophoresis. Karyotype analysis was used for confirmation of prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21.

Results: Of 121 samples, 23 were diagnosed with trisomy 21, 87 with normal ploidy, nine had all five SNP loci homozygous and two had one heterozygous SNP locus. Comparing with karyotype analysis, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of RT-MLPA were 92% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions: RT-MLPA is a convenient and reliable method for the diagnosis of trisomy 21. We have shown that this method has good specificity, high sensitivity, and high throughput, making this technique applicable for NIPD in clinical practice.
Thyroxin overdose due to rheumatoid factor interferences in thyroid-stimulating hormone assays
Authors: Georges Agnès , Charrié Anne , Raynaud Sophie , Lombard Christine , Corcuff Jean-Benoît 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background: Immunoassays are susceptible to interferences by anti-hormone antibodies, heterophilic antibodies or rheumatoid factor (RF).

Methods: We report a case of levothyroxin overdose because of gross overestimation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) by chemiluminescent and IRMA assays. Alternate assays were performed and heterophilic antibodies blocking tubes were used.

Results: Analytical investigations revealed: i) non-linear concentrations of TSH after serum dilutions, ii) decreased TSH concentrations after removal of heterophilic antibodies, iii) appropriately decreased TSH concentrations in alternate TSH assays and iv) identification of increased concentrations of RF.

Conclusions: The presence of RF may be responsible for false determination of TSH concentrations preventing monitoring of TSH.
Hydrogen peroxide and supercritical carbon dioxide: a new bleaching stage for Eucalyptus kraft-O2 pulps
Authors: Francisco Roberta Pacheco , Colodette Jorge Luiz , da Silva Curvelo Antonio Aprigio 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Kraft pulp is currently bleached largely by the elemental chlorine free (ECF) technology with oxygen, chlorine dioxide, and hydrogen as active agents. This technology brought about significant environmental improvements in relation to standard processes based on chlorine gas and hypochlorite, but there is still need for further improvements. This study presents a novel environmentally friendly bleaching stage – the so-called ‘hydrogen peroxide in supercritical carbon dioxide’, P(SC-CO2) – that can be adapted to current ECF bleaching processes, with preference in cases where hydrogen peroxide is already used. In this study, the P(SC-CO2) stage was evaluated as a replacement to the last peroxide stage of the D(EP)DP bleaching sequence and to the first peroxide stage of the D(EP)DP sequence, for an oxygen delignified eucalypt kraft-O2 pulp. The P(SC-CO2) stage was run with 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, at 15% consistency, 70°C, and 73 bar. The reaction time was 30 min. The performances of regular P stages and the new P(SC-CO2) stage were compared. Promising results were observed with the DEP(SC-CO2)DP sequence; the P(SC-CO2) decreased kappa number from 2.7 to 2.1, and the hexenuronic acid groups from 17.0 to 12.4 mmol kg-1. The P(SC-CO2) stage showed poor performance when applied in the D(EP)DP(SC-CO2) sequence. It is concluded that the process presents potential but requires further optimization to improve selectivity and efficiency.
Preparation and physical characterization of strongly swellable oligo(oxyethylene) lignin hydrogels
Authors: Passauer Lars , Fischer Klaus , Liebner Falk 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Highly swellable, mechanically stable hydrogels were obtained by cross-linking different technical lignins with poly(ethylene) glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE). The gelation time and the properties of the products can be controlled by the extent of pre-oxidation and the cross-linking conditions, namely the dynamic viscosity η*, storage and loss modulus (G′; G″), and loss factor tan δ. The highest free swelling capacities (FSC) of up to 50 g water per g xerogel were obtained from pre-oxidized pine kraft lignin Indulin® AT and spruce organosolv lignin. Dynamic rheological measurements confirmed the typical rheological behaviour of gel structures, i.e. a linear decrease of dynamic viscosity about three orders of magnitude within a frequency range of 0.08 and 20 s-1. The results furthermore revealed a good mechanical sturdiness of the cross-linked lignin hydrogels. Sandy soils supplemented with small quantities of the hydrogels were found to feature a significantly increased plant-available water content. Based on the observed effects, oligo(oxyethylene) lignins are promising materials with respect to a prolonged water retention in soils.
Brightness reversion of eucalyptus kraft pulp: Effect of carbonyl groups generated by hypochlorous acid oxidation
Authors: Zhou Zhen , Jääskeläinen Anna-Stiina , Adorjan Immanuel , Potthast Antje , Kosma Paul , Vuorinen Tapani 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The impact of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) treatment on a fully bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp was studied with respect to the final brightness as well as the brightness reversion under humid ageing conditions. The carbonyl contents in the pulps were determined by the CCOA method where carbazole-9-carboxylic acid [2-(2-aminooxethoxy)-ethoxy] amide (CCOA) was applied as the carbonyl-selective fluorescence label. The molecular weight distribution of cellulose and hemicelluloses was analyzed as well. The amount of carbonyl groups in pulp was observed to increase significantly after the HOCl treatment, and the carbonyl distribution in pulp to shift towards the low molecular weight fraction. Plotting the carbonyl content against the post color number (PCN) of the pulps revealed a linear correlation. Additionally, the effect of the hemicellulose content was investigated, and alkaline extraction was applied to partially remove the hemicelluloses in pulp. These hemicellulose-poor samples showed a lower reactivity with hypochlorous acid and less brightness reversion at equal carbonyl content.
FT-IR imaging microscopy to localise and characterise simultaneous and selective white-rot decay within spruce wood cells
Authors: Fackler Karin , Stevanic Jasna S. , Ters Thomas , Hinterstoisser Barbara , Schwanninger Manfred , Salmén Lennart 
Published: February 2011

AbstractSpruce wood that had been degraded by white-rot fungi (Trametes versicolororCeriporiopsis subvermispora)and suffered mass losses up to 17% was investigated by transmission Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) imaging microscopy. A significant marker during incipient simultaneous white-rot (T. versicolor) was the cleavage of glycosidic bonds of polysaccharides that preceded their metabolisation. Simultaneous white-rot processes were also characterised by a relative decrease of the overall lignin content and a relative accumulation of wood polysaccharides. No early marker was found for selective white-rot (C. subvermispora) that removes mainly lignin by an oxidative process. This feature was detected only in wood samples exhibiting mass losses higher than 12%. Furthermore, it was shown, that simultaneous and selective white-rot processes were unevenly distributed within the wood samples but quite evenly distributed within single tracheids.
A Test Protocol to Quantify the Peel Resistance of Adhesive Applied Low Slope Roofing Specimens Subjected to Shear Loading
Authors: Baskaran A. , Wu J. , Tanaka H. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Adhesive Applied Roofing System (AARS)s are regaining popularity in the Canadian low slope application. AARSs use no fasteners. All components (e.g., steel deck, vapour barrier (if any), insulation board, cover board, base sheet, and cap sheet) are integrated using cold adhesives and presented as a new generation of Built-Up Roofs. As there are no metal fasteners, AARSs can offer an advantage of a reduction in the moisture migration and thermal bridges of the roof assemblies. Moisture in the roof envelope can lead generally to material deterioration, structural integrity problems, and the growth of mould. Even though AARSs have been in use, existing uplift standards do not certify them for wind uplift performances. A new project, the “Development of Wind Uplift Standard for Adhesive Applied Low Slope Roofing System,” has been initiated in collaboration with industries, universities, and government departments. The project has three major tasks: Experimental investigation, formulation of a numerical model, and development of wind design guide and standards. This paper documents a segment of the findings from this project. Under Task 1, investigations were completed by constructing over 600 specimens constructed using cold adhesives and examining the peel resistance of bonded roofing components through mechanical separation of bonded layers by applying shear forces. These specimens use the insulation and the cover board components exclusively because they are more vulnerable to peeling under shear forces. Based on this scrutiny, three key parameters; namely, peel position, peel angle, and specimen size were optimized. This paper presents the findings and development of a standardized test method to determine the peel resistance of AARS specimens.
Genetics Behind Barbed Wire: Masuo Kodani, Émigré Geneticists, and Wartime Genetics Research at Manzanar Relocation Center
Authors: Smocovitis Vassiliki Betty 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThis article explores the sociopolitical backdrop of genetics research during the politically turbulent decades of the mid-20th century that saw the persecution, displacement, and relocation of unpopular minorities in both the United States and Europe. It explores how geneticists in the United States accommodated these disruptions through formal and informal émigré networks and how the subsequent war affected their research programs and their lives. It does so by focusing on the career and life of geneticist Masuo Kodani, who, as a Japanese American, found himself conducting unexpected cytogenetics research in Manzanar, a “relocation center,” or internment camp, located in the California desert, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the war, Kodani's subsequent career continued to be shaped by his experiences as a Japanese American and by the specific skills as a cytogeneticist that he demonstrated at a critical period in the history of 20th-century genetics. His many relocations in search of employment culminated in his work with the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission on human chromosomes, for which he is best known.
Job Stress and Mental Health of Permanent and Fixed‐term Workers Measured by Effort‐reward Imbalance Model, Depressive Complaints, and Clinic Utilization
Authors: Inoue Mariko , Tsurugano Shinobu , Yano Eiji 
Published: February 2011

Job Stress and Mental Health of Permanent and Fixed‐term Workers Measured by Effort‐reward Imbalance Model, Depressive Complaints, and Clinic Utilization: Mariko Inoue, et al. Department of Hygiene and Public Health, School of Medicine, Teikyo University—ObjectivesThe number of workers with precarious employment has increased globally; however, few studies have used validated measures to investigate the relationship of job status to stress and mental health. Thus, we conducted a study to compare differential job stress experienced by permanent and ixed‐term workers using an effort– reward imbalance (ERI) model questionnaire, and by evaluating depressive complaints and clinic utilization.MethodsSubjects were permanent or ixed‐term male workers at a Japanese research institute (n=756). Baseline data on job stress and depressive complaints were collected in 2007. We followed up with the same population over a 1‐year period to assess their utilization of the company clinic for mental health concerns.ResultsThe ERI ratio was higher among permanent workers than among fixed‐term workers. More permanent workers presented with more than two depressive complaints, which is the standard used for the diagnosis of depression. ERI scores indicated that the effort component of permanent work was associated with distress, whereas distress in ixed‐term work was related to job promotion and job insecurity. Moreover, over the one‐year follow‐up period, ixed‐term workers visited the on‐site clinic for mental concerns 4.04 times more often than permanent workers even after adjusting for age, lifestyle, ERI, and depressive complaints.ConclusionsThese contrasting indings reflect the differential workloads and working conditions encountered by permanent and ixed‐term workers. The occupational setting where employment status was intermingled, may have contributed to the high numbers of mental health‐related issues experienced by workers with different employment status.
Population Composition, Migration Timing, and Harvest of Columbia River Chinook Salmon in Late Summer and Fall
Authors: Jepson M. A. , Keefer M. L. , Naughton G. P. , Peery C. A. , Burke B. J. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
We used radiotelemetry to evaluate population composition, run timing, and reservoir harvest patterns for adult Columbia River fall-run Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Chinook salmon (n = 5,886) were collected at Bonneville Dam during August–October over 7 years. We selected for upriver bright (URB) populations en route to interior basin spawning sites because these groups are priority populations for both fisheries and conservation efforts. Run composition varied within and among years, but in all years a relatively large percentage of the earliest migrants returned to upper Columbia River sites and the majority of late-run fish returned to the Columbia River Hanford Reach. Deschutes, Yakima, and Snake River populations typically constituted small (≤17%) but relatively constant proportions of the run throughout each migration season. Population-specific migration timing distributions indicated modest but persistent timing differences among populations, particularly for Hanford Reach and upper Columbia River populations. Annual reported reservoir harvest estimates ranged from 12% to 26%. Harvest rates varied seasonally within years, from relatively low mean rates (≤11%) for fish tagged early and late in migrations to peak rates of over 25% for those tagged in late August and early September. These patterns suggest that it may be possible to increase harvest of abundant populations and reduce harvest of some vulnerable populations by adjusting the timing of fisheries. In addition, there was evidence that larger fish were harvested at higher rates and that mean fish size differed among populations. The combined results improve our understanding of the Columbia River URB fall Chinook salmon run and should help in refining harvest and escapement management plans.