bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utilization of excimer laser debulking for critical lesions unsuitable for standard renal angioplasty
Authors: Topaz On , Polkampally Pritam R. , Topaz Allyne , Polkampally Chudamani R. , Jara Jessica , Rizk Majid , McDowell Kara , Feldman George 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe energy emitted by ultraviolet laser is avidly absorbed in atherosclerotic plaques. Conceptually, it could be applied for debulking of selected atherosclerotic renal artery stenoses. We describe early experience with revascularization of critical renal artery lesions deemed unsuitable for standard renal angioplasty. Institutional Review Board permission to conduct the data analysis was obtained.MethodsAmong 130 percutaneous renal artery interventions with balloon angioplasty and adjunct stenting, there were 12 (9%) patients who underwent laser debulking prior to stenting. These patients presented with critical (95±3.5% stenoses) lesions (11 de novo, 1 stent restenosis) deemed unsuitable for standard renal angioplasty because of marked eccentricity and presence of thrombus. Indications for intervention included preservation of kidney function, treatment of uncontrolled hypertension, management of congestive heart failure, and treatment of unstable angina. Blood pressure and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were measured pre‐ and 3 weeks post‐intervention.ResultsA baseline angiographic stenosis of 95±3.5% was reduced to 50±13% with laser debulking. There were no laser‐induced complications. Post‐stenting the angiographic residual stenosis was 0%. The mean gradient across the lesions was reduced from baseline 85±40 to 0 mmHg. A normal post‐intervention antegrade renal flow was observed in all patients. Baseline mean systolic BP of 178±20 mmHg decreased to 132±12 mmHg (P<0.0001) and mean diastolic pressure of 85±16 mmHg reduced to 71±9 mmHg (P = 0.01). A pre‐intervention mean eGFR of 47.7±19 ml/min/1.73 m2 increased to 56±20.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 (P = 0.05) post‐procedure. The interventions were not associated with major renal or cardiac adverse events. During follow‐up one patient developed transient contrast‐induced nephropathy.ConclusionsDebulking of select renal artery stenoses with laser angioplasty followed by adjunct stenting is feasible. Further prospective, randomized studies will be required to explore the role of debulking and laser angioplasty in renal artery revascularization. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:622–627, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural and Optical Properties of Polyhydrosilanes
Authors: Sacarescu Liviu , Bockholt Andreas , Siokou Angeliki , Simionescu Mihaela , Sacarescu Gabriela 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis work presents a study of the optical properties of polyhydrosilanes in relation with their specific chemical structure. For this purpose, poly[methyl(H)silane‐co‐diphenylsilane] copolymers with a different content of methylhydrosilyl‐segments have been investigated. Steady‐state fluorescence analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry showed that polyhydrosilanes possess a specific emission profile due to the presence of both methylhydrosilyl segments and silicon nanoparticles within the polymeric matrix. Polyhydrosilanes are capable of generating singlet oxygen reactive species at room temperature. This unusual property was investigated by analyzing the morphological changes in biological systems during Hek293 cell cultures growth in the presence of polyhydrosilanes.magnified image
Physiotherapy as an adjunct to prolapse surgery: An assessor‐blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Frawley Helena C. , Phillips Bev A. , Bø Kari , Galea Mary P. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIntroductionThis assessor‐blinded randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of a pre‐ and post‐operative physiotherapy‐supervised pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training program in women undergoing surgery for prolapse or hysterectomy.MethodsParticipants were assessed pre‐operatively, and at 3, 6, and 12 months post‐operatively by a blinded physiotherapy assessor. Following randomization, participants were allocated to a control group (CG) which included “usual care” (as provided by the surgeon and the hospital staff), or a treatment group (TG) which included one pre‐operative and seven post‐operative treatment sessions over 12 months. Primary outcomes were bladder and prolapse symptoms, measured by the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ).ResultsFifty‐one participants were randomized. The 12‐month post‐operative findings showed there was no difference in the prevalence of the primary outcomes (ORs 1.2, 1.3). There were no significant differences between groups on the change scores of the UDI (mean: 44.1 [5.1]; 54.0 [5.4], P = 0.20) nor the IIQ (median: 0.0 [9,14]; 10.0 [5,19], P = 0.09). The repeated measures analyses also demonstrated no significant changes.ConclusionThe program tested did not improve bladder or prolapse symptoms in this trial. Reasons may include the effectiveness of surgery alone, wide variance in data, small sample size, insufficient training by the TG, and PFM training by the usual care group. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:719–725, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methods for prenatal assessment of fetal cardiac function
Authors: Van Mieghem Tim , DeKoninck Philip , Steenhaut Patricia , Deprest Jan 
Published: October 2009

AbstractFetal cardiac function is increasingly recognized as a marker of disease severity and prognosis in selected fetal conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used in experimental (animal) fetal cardiology but the lack of a noninvasive fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) to trigger image acquisition remains a major limiting factor precluding its application in humans. Fetal medicine specialists are therefore limited to ultrasound to evaluate human fetal cardiac function. In this review, we aim to provide a complete overview of the different ultrasound techniques that can be used for fetal cardiac function assessment and we discuss their (theoretical) strengths and shortcomings. Conventional methods include M‐mode assessment of ventricular contractility and Doppler assessment of the precordial veins and cardiac output (CO). More recent techniques such as the measurement of the myocardial performance index (MPI), myocardial motion analysis with tissue Doppler, speckle tracking and three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound techniques are also discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevention strategies for severe hemoglobinopathies in endemic and nonendemic immigration countries: the Latium example
Authors: Amato A. , Grisanti P. , Lerone M. , Ponzini D. , Di Biagio P. , Cappabianca M. P. , Giordano P. C. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo review prevention data for hemoglobinopathies from Latium, a large Italian region with a considerable immigrant population and with a well‐established regional prevention program.MethodAll data pertaining to population screening for hemoglobinopathies in the Latium region were reviewed for the period 1994–2007. Screening was performed universally in secondary schools and to pregnant couples at the time of prenatal care. We have examined the trends in positive screening results as well as the type of hemoglobinopathies detected during the study period, and we have correlated them to the type of population (immigrant vs indigenous).ResultsFrom 1994 to 2007, 167 235 individuals were examined for carrier status for hemoglobinopathies, and 10 353 of them (6.2%) were immigrants. We have registered a threefold increase in rates of screen‐positive subjects who belonged to ethnic minorities during the study period (from 2.7% in 1994 to 9.8% in 2007). Over half of the screen‐positive subjects (5397/10 353) presented no hematological anomalies, 24% (n = 2472) had iron deficiency, and 24% (n = 2484) was classified as putative carriers. Among the last group, 22.6% were carriers of β‐thalassemia, 48% were suspected α‐thalassemia carriers, and the remainder had less common hemoglobinopathies. While the prevention program resulted in nearly zero births of autochthonous newborns affected by severe hemoglobinopathies, a rise in number of affected individuals was noted among immigrants. Screening of secondary school students was accepted by 67% of immigrant parents, resulting in 9737 pupils screened between 2002 and 2006.ConclusionExisting preventive programs for severe hemoglobinopathies should adapt to changes in population ethnicities. Screening for hemoglobinopathies at school age is an efficient strategy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of an ionic conjugated polymer: Poly[2‐ethynyl‐N‐(2‐thiophenecarbonyl) pyridinium chloride]
Authors: Gal Yeong‐Soon , Jin Sung‐Ho , Park Jong‐Wook , Lim Kwon Taek 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe activated polymerization of 2‐ethynylpyridine by using 2‐thiophenecarbonyl chloride yielded the corresponding conjugated ionic polymer, poly[2‐ethynyl‐N‐(2‐thiophenecarbonyl)pyridinium chloride] (PETCPC). The polymerization proceeded well to give high yield of polymer without any additional initiator or catalyst. The instrumental analysis data on polymer structure indicated that the present ionic polymer have a conjugated polymer backbone system having N‐(2‐thiophenecarbonyl)pyridinium chloride as substituents. The photoluminescence maximum peak of PETCPC was located at 573 nm, which corresponds to the photon energy of 2.16 eV. The aromatic functional substituents in the conjugated backbone system shift PL maximum values because it makes different molecule arrangement. The cyclovoltamograms of PETCPC exhibited the electrochemically stable window at −1.24 to 1.80 V region. It was found that the kinetics of the redox process of polymer might be controlled by the reactant diffusion process from the experiment of the oxidation current density of polymer versus the scan rate. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6153–6162, 2009
Synthesis and thermoresponsive behaviors of biodegradable Pluronic analogs
Authors: Wang Yu‐Cai , Xia Hai , Yang Xian‐Zhu , Wang Jun 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPluronic analogs based on block copolymers of poly(propylene oxide) and poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) (PEEP‐PPO‐PEEP) were synthesized, and the thermoresponsive behavior, including aggregation at low concentration and gelation at high concentration were studied. At lower concentrations up to 10 wt %, thermo‐induced aggregation of PEEP‐PPO‐PEEP was demonstrated by UV‐vis absorbance measurements using 1,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐hexatriene as a probe. Microthermal analyzes showed symmetrically endothermic and exothermic thermograms during the thermo‐induced aggregation and de‐association processes, which was also associated with the dehydration and rehydration of PPO blocks, as revealed by the variable temperature NMR measurements. Thermo‐induced aggregation with the increased temperatures was also observed by dynamic light scattering. At higher concentration from 20 to 40 wt %, the aqueous solution of PEEP‐PPO‐PEEP underwent thermo‐induced phase transitions from a clear solution to a turbid solution, then to opaque gel and syneresis phases, depending on the molecular weights of PEEP blocks. Such a thermoresponsive hydrogel was used for doxorubicin incorporation. Sustained release of drug was achieved from the gel, demonstrating the polyphosphoester‐based Pluronic analogs' potential for biomedical applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6168–6179, 2009
PIB‐based polyurethanes. IV. The morphology of polyurethanes containing soft co‐segments*
Authors: Kang Jungmee , Erdodi Gabor , Kennedy Joseph P. , Yilgor Emel , Yilgor Iskender 
Published: October 2009

AbstractNovel polyurethanes consisting of polyisobutylene (PIB)/poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO) or PIB/poly(hexamethylene carbonate) (PC) soft co‐segments in combination with 4,4′‐methylene‐bis(cyclohexyl isocyanate)/1,6‐hexanediol, 1,4‐butanediol, or 1,6‐hexamethylene diamine hard segments exhibit excellent mechanical properties (upto 31 MPa tensile strength with 700% elongation) together with unprecedented oxidative/hydrolytic stability. A structural model of the morphology of these polyurethanes was developed that reflects this combination of properties. The key new elements of our model are H bridges between the PTMO and PC type soft and urethane hard segments, which compatibilize the soft and hard domains, and the presence of large quantities of chemically resistant PIB soft segments that protect the other oxidatively/hydrolytically vulnerable constituents. A variety of FTIR, DSC, SAXS, AFM, and DMTA experiments strongly support the proposed morphological model. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6180–6190, 2009
Tri‐block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and hyperbranched poly‐3‐ethyl‐3‐(hydroxymethyl)oxetane through cationic ring opening polymerization
Authors: Rahm Martin , Westlund Robert , Eldsäter Carina , Malmström Eva 
Published: October 2009

AbstractTri‐block copolymers of linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hyperbranched poly‐3‐ethyl‐3‐(hydroxymethyl)oxetane (poly‐TMPO) are reported. The novel dumb‐bell shaped polyethers were synthesized in bulk with cationic ringopening polymerization utilizing BF3OEt2 as initiator, via drop‐wise addition of the oxetane monomer. The thermal properties of the materials were successfully tuned by varying the amount of poly‐TMPO attached to the PEG‐chains, ranging from a melting point of 54 °C and a degree of crystallinity of 76% for pure PEG, to a melting point of 35 °C and a degree of crystallinity of 12% for the polyether copolymer having an average of 14 TMPO units per PEG chain. The materials are of relatively low polydispersity, with Mn/Mw ranging from 1.2 to 1.4. The materials have been evaluated for usage with the energetic oxidizer ammonium dinitramide. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6191–6200, 2009
Ring opening insertion polymerization of ε‐caprolactone with hydrogen phosphonate initiators
Authors: Liu Li J. , Cai Shao J. , Tan Ye , Du Jiao J. , Dong Hai Q. , Wu Xiao J. , Wu Ming Y. , Liao Li Q. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn this work, ring opening insertion polymerization (ROIP) of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) using a series of hydrogen phosphonates (H‐phosphonates) as initiators was investigated. The ROIP occurred by a coordination‐insertion mechanism containing two steps. First, the carbonyl carbon was attacked by the phosphorus atom of the H‐phosphonate tautomerization (a phosphine‐like structure) and the acyl‐oxygen bond was broken. An intermediate was formed by the coordination of the former carbonyl carbon and acyl‐oxygen of ε‐CL to phosphorus atom. Then the phosphorus‐alkoxide of H‐phosphonate was cleavaged to form acyl‐alkoxide bond. Poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)‐inserted H‐phosphonates (PCL‐HPs), which was not only the product of the occurred ROIP but also the initiator for the next ROIP, were produced. After 60 min of microwave irradiation (510 W), PCL with a number‐average molar mass of 7800 g/mol and monomer conversion over 92% was obtained. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6214–6222, 2009
Assembly of a fluorescent cyclodextrin polyrotaxane and its detection by fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Wenz Gerhard , Kräuter Iris , Sackmann Erich 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA straightforward method for the assembly of fluorescent polyrotaxanes is described here. The consecutive threading of N‐(6I‐desoxy‐β‐cyclodextrin‐6I‐yl)‐N′‐(5‐fluoresceinyl)‐thiourea, β‐CD‐F, and α‐CD onto poly(N,N‐dimethyliminium‐hexamethylen‐N′,N′‐dimethyliminium‐decamethylene chloride), I‐6,10, leads to a fluorescent polyrotaxane. Free β‐CD‐F could be distinguished from threaded β‐CD‐F by gel electrophoresis. Since the dissociation of threaded α‐CD rings is sterically hindered, the obtained polyrotaxanes are kinetically stable at 25 °C, and they did not require further stabilization by the attachment of stopper groups at the chain ends. Single polyrotaxane entities could be visualized with both fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6223–6230, 2009
Synthesis and electroluminescent properties of polyfluorene‐based conjugated polymers containing bipolar groups
Authors: Huang Sheng‐Tung , Liaw Der‐Jang , Hsieh Li‐Ga , Chang Chin‐Chuan , Leung Man‐Kit , Wang Kun‐Li , Chen Wen‐Tung , Lee Kueir‐Rarn , Lai Juin‐Yih , Chan Li‐Hsin , Chen Chin‐Ti 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA bipolar dibromo monomer, bis‐(4‐bromophenyl)[4‐(3,5‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐ triazole‐4‐yl)‐phenyl]amine (9), containing electro‐rich triphenylamine and electro‐deficient 1,2,4‐triazole moieties was newly synthesized and characterized. Two fluorescent fluorene‐based conjugated copolymers (TPAF, TPABTF) were prepared via facile Suzuki coupling from the dibromo bipolar monomer, 4,7‐dibromo‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole (BTDZ), and 9,9‐dioctylfluorene. They were characterized by molecular weight determination, IR, NMR, DSC, TGA, solubility, absorption and photoluminescence spectra, and cyclic voltammetry. The polymers showed good solubility in common organic solvents such as dichloromethane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and dichlorobenzene at room temperature. They had glass transition temperatures (Tg) higher than 135 °C and 5% degradation temperatures in nitrogen atmosphere were higher than 428 °C. Single layer polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLED) of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/metal showed a blue emission at 444 nm and Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage (CIE) 1931 color coordinates of (0.16, 0.13) for TPAF. The device using TPABTF as emissive material showed electroluminescence at 542 nm with CIE1931 of (0.345, 0.625), low turn‐on voltage of 5 V, a maximum electroluminance of 696 cd/m2, and a peak efficiency of 2.02 cd/A. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6231–6245, 2009
Phase behavior of poly(4‐tert‐butylstyrene‐stat‐4‐tert‐ butoxystyrene)/polyisoprene blends with competitive interactions
Authors: Rahman Siti Sarah Abdul , Kawaguchi Daisuke , Ito Daisaku , Takano Atsushi , Matsushita Yushu 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe phase behavior of statistical copolymers composed of (4‐tert‐butylstyrene) (B) and (4‐tert‐butoxystyrene) (O), abbreviated as s‐BO, with polyisoprene (I) was investigated by optical microscopic (OM) observation and small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements. It has been known that B/I blend shows lower critical solution temperature (LCST) type phase diagram, while O/I blend has upper critical solution temperature (UCST) type one. Several blends of s‐BOs having mol fraction of B, mB, comparable to 0.50, with I showed both UCST and LCST type phase diagram. Furthermore, UCST type phase behavior was observed for blends having small mB, while LCST type one was for that of large mB at all used temperatures. Hence, the phase behavior of s‐BO/I blend can be understood as a result of the competition of two interactions having opposite temperature dependence. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2272–2280, 2009
Design and fabrication of electrospun polyethersulfone nanofibrous scaffold for high‐flux nanofiltration membranes
Authors: Tang Zhaohui , Qiu Changquan , McCutcheon Jeffrey R. , Yoon Kyunghwan , Ma Hongyang , Fang Dufei , Lee Eric , Kopp Clint , Hsiao Benjamin S. , Chu Benjamin 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA novel class of high‐flux and low‐fouling thin‐film nanofibrous composite (TFNC) membranes, containing a thin hydrophilic top‐layer coating, a nanofibrous mid‐layer scaffold and a non‐woven microfibrous support, has been demonstrated for nanofiltration (NF) applications. In this study, the issues related to the design and fabrication of a polyethersulfone (PES) electrospun nanofibrous scaffold for TFNC NF membranes were investigated. These issues included the influence of solvent mixture ratio, solute concentration, additives, relative humidity (RH), and solution flow rate on the morphology of an electrospun PES nanofibrous scaffold, the distribution of fiber diameter, the adhesion between the PES scaffold and a typical poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) non‐woven support, as well as the tensile properties of the nanofibrous PES/non‐woven PET composite substrates. Uniform and thin nanofibrous PES scaffolds with strong adhesion to the nanofiber‐PET non‐woven are several of the key parameters to optimize the NF performance of TFNC membranes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2288–2300, 2009
Thermodynamics of protein‐cation interaction: Ca+2 and Mg+2 binding to the fifth binding module of the LDL receptor
Authors: Arias‐Moreno Xabier , Cuesta‐Lopez Santiago , Millet Oscar , Sancho Javier , Velazquez‐Campoy Adrian 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe ligand binding domain of the LDL receptor (LDLR) contains seven structurally homologous repeats. The fifth repeat (LR5) is considered to be the main module responsible for the binding of lipoproteins LDL and β‐VLDL. LR5, like the other homologous repeats, is around 40‐residue long and contains three disulfide bonds and a conserved cluster of negatively charged residues surrounding a hexacoordinated calcium ion. The calcium coordinating cage is formed by the backbone oxygens of W193 and D198, and side‐chain atoms of D196, D200, D206, and E207. The functionality of LDLR is closely associated with the presence of calcium. Magnesium ions are to some extent similar to calcium ions. However, they appear to be involved in different physiological events and their concentrations in extracellular and intracellular compartments are regulated by different mechanisms. Whether magnesium ions can play a role in the complex cycle of LDLR internalization and recycling is not known. We report here a detailed study of the interaction between LR5 and these two cations combining ITC, emission fluorescence, high resolution NMR, and MD simulations, at extracellular and endosomal pHs. Our results indicate that the conformational stability and internal dynamics of LR5 are strongly modulated by the specific bound cation. It appears that the difference in binding affinity for these cations is somewhat compensated by their different concentrations in late LDL‐associated endosomes. While the mildly acidic and calcium‐depleted environment in late endosomes has been proposed to contribute significantly to LDL release, the presence of magnesium might assist in efficient LDLR recycling. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The research‐policy nexus: the case of unauthorised Mexico–US migration and US policy responses
Authors: Martin Philip 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDemographers have been more successful reaching agreement on the number of unauthorised foreigners in the United States, (estimated to number around 12 million) than economists have been in reaching consensus on the economic impacts of the mostly low‐skilled unauthorised workers in the US labour market, (who number perhaps 6 million). Some economists have found significant adverse effects of low‐skilled unauthorised workers on comparable US‐born workers, while others have found positive effects of low‐skilled immigrants on US workers.Economic research has played only a limited role in the US policy debate over what to do about unauthorised migration. The research most commonly cited in the media and by policy makers is released by think tanks and advocacy groups that tend to have specific points of view, favouring either more or less migration. There is, however, agreement amongst economists that low‐skilled unauthorised migrants, mostly from Mexico and Latin America, have relatively modest effects in the huge US economy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.