bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circumferential resection margin as a prognostic factor in rectal cancer
Authors: Bernstein T E , Endreseth B H , Romundstad P , Wibe A 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
This study examined the prognostic impact of the circumferential resection margin (CRM) in patients with rectal cancer treated by total mesorectal excision (TME) with or without radiotherapy.

Methods
A national population-based rectal cancer registry included 3196 patients with known CRM status between 1993 and 2004. Some 90·5 per cent of the patients had surgery alone and 9·5 per cent had preoperative radiotherapy. Patients who did not have TME, those in whom the CRM was not measured, patients with intraoperative bowel or tumour perforation and those who received postoperative radiotherapy were excluded.

Results
Five-year local recurrence, distant metastasis and overall survival rates were 23·7, 43·9 and 44·5 per cent respectively for patients with a CRM of 0–2 mm, compared with 8·9, 21·7 and 66·7 per cent respectively for those with wider margins. A CRM of 2 mm or less had an impact on the prognosis of T2 and T3 tumours located 6–15 cm above the anal verge, but not on lower tumours. CRM also had a prognostic impact on the three endpoints in patients who received preoperative radiotherapy, but with less precision.

Conclusion
A CRM of 2 mm or less confers a poorer prognosis and patients should be considered for neoadjuvant treatment.
Recovery after ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy compared with conventional surgery for varicose veins
Authors: Darvall K A L , Bate G R , Adam D J , Bradbury A W 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe advantages of minimally invasive alternatives such as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) over conventional surgery for the treatment of varicose veins include lower morbidity and faster recovery times. The aim was to compare morbidity, analgesia use, and time to return to driving and work following UGFS with those reported after conventional surgery for varicose veins.MethodsPatients who had UGFS or surgery for varicose veins were sent a questionnaire 4 weeks after treatment.ResultsA total of 332 (84·9 per cent) of 391 patients who had UGFS and 53 (56 per cent) of 94 who had surgery returned a questionnaire. The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and the proportion who had treatment of bilateral or recurrent veins. Patients who had surgery were more likely to have significant bruising (44 versus 7·2 per cent; P &lt; 0·001) and pain (17 versus 5·5 per cent; P = 0·001). After UGFS, 43·2 per cent of patients returned to work within 24 h compared with none who had surgery (P &lt; 0·001). Patients who had UGFS were more likely to return to driving within 4 days (P = 0·014).ConclusionUGFS was associated with less pain and analgesia requirement, time off work and quicker return to driving.
Medium-term results of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for small saphenous varicose veins
Authors: Darvall K A L , Bate G R , Silverman S H , Adam D J , Bradbury A W 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
The results of surgery for small saphenous varicose vein (SSV) varicosities may be suboptimal in terms of recurrence and complications. The role of minimally invasive alternatives remains incompletely defined. The aim was to review the medium-term outcomes of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) for SSV.

Methods
Eighty-six patients (92 legs) undergoing UGFS for SSV were assessed before, and 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Outcome measures were occlusion of, and abolition of reflux in, the SSV (technical success), absence of visible varicose veins (clinical success) and improvement in disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) following treatment (Aberdeen Varicose Vein Symptom Severity Score (AVSS)).

Results
The technical and clinical success rates at 12 months were 91 and 93 per cent respectively; only three patients required a second treatment. After treatment of isolated SSV varicosities there was a significant improvement in AVSS, from a median of 19·0 (interquartile range 13·4–26·8) before treatment to 10·2 (4·0–18·3) and 9·7 (3·5–19·1) at 6 and 12 months respectively. The only complication was a popliteal vein thrombosis that required anticoagulation.

Conclusion
UGFS was an effective treatment for SSV, with abolition of reflux and visible varicose veins, and improvement in HRQL for at least 12 months.
Pathogenesis of primary varicose veins
Authors: Lim C S , Davies A H 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
Valvular incompetence and reflux are common features of primary varicose veins, and have long been thought to be their cause. Recent evidence, however, suggests that changes in the vein wall may precede valvular dysfunction.

Methods
A literature search was performed using PubMed and Ovid using the keywords ‘varicose vein wall changes’, ‘pathogenesis’, ‘aetiology’ and ‘valvular dysfunction’. Articles discussing the pathophysiology of complications of varicose veins, such as ulceration, recurrence, thrombophlebitis and lipodermatosclerosis, were excluded.

Results and conclusion
Positive family history, age, sex and pregnancy are important risk factors for varicose vein formation. Areas of intimal hyperplasia and smooth muscle cell proliferation are often noted in varicose veins, although regions of atrophy are also present. The total elastin content in varicose as opposed to non-varicose veins is reduced; changes in overall collagen content are uncertain. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7 and MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1 and TIMP-3 are upregulated in varicose veins. Activation of the endothelium stimulates the recruitment of leucocytes and the release of growth factors, leading to smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. Dysregulated apoptosis has also been demonstrated in varicose veins. An understanding of the pathophysiology of varicose veins is important in the identification of potential therapeutic targets and treatment strategies.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of enteral nutrition formulations in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Petrov M S , Loveday B P T , Pylypchuk R D , McIlroy K , Phillips A R J , Windsor J A 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
Although the benefits of enteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis are well established, the optimal composition of enteral feeding is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to compare the tolerance and safety of enteral nutrition formulations in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Methods
Electronic databases (Scopus, MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register) and the proceedings of major pancreatology conferences were searched.

Results
Twenty randomized controlled trials, including 1070 patients, met the inclusion criteria. None of the following was associated with a significant difference in feeding intolerance: the use of (semi)elemental versus polymeric formulation (relative risk (RR) 0·62 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0·10 to 3·97); P = 0·611); supplementation of enteral nutrition with probiotics (RR 0·69 (95 per cent c.i. 0·43 to 1·09); P = 0·110); or immunonutrition (RR 1·60 (95 per cent c.i. 0·31 to 8·29); P = 0·583). The risk of infectious complications and death did not differ significantly in any of the comparisons.

Conclusion
The use of polymeric, compared with (semi)elemental, formulation does not lead to a significantly higher risk of feeding intolerance, infectious complications or death in patients with acute pancreatitis. Neither the supplementation of enteral nutrition with probiotics nor the use of immunonutrition significantly improves the clinical outcomes.
Supported liquid extraction in combination with LC‐MS/MS for high‐throughput quantitative analysis of hydrocortisone in mouse serum
Authors: Wu Shari , Li Wenkui , Mujamdar Tapan , Smith Tom , Bryant Matthew , Tse Francis L. S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA high‐throughput LC–MS/MS bioanalytical method was developed and validated for the determination of hydrocortisone in mouse serum via supported liquid extraction (SLE) in a 96‐well plate format. Although sample extracts from SLE result in similar matrix effects compared with conventional liquid–liquid extraction (LLE), greater analyte extraction recovery and much higher analysis throughput for the quantitative analysis of hydrocortisone in mouse serum were obtained. The current LC‐MS/MS method was validated for a concentration range of 2.00–2000 ng/mL for hydrocortisone using a 0.100 mL volume of mouse serum. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy of the quality control samples at low, medium and high concentration levels showed ≤12.9% CV and −3.4–6.2% bias for the analyte in mouse serum. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysing emission intensive firms as regulatory stakeholders: a role for adaptable business strategy
Authors: Martin Nigel , Rice John 
Published: October 2009

AbstractClimate change regulations pose significant challenges to firms that produce large volumes of carbon emissions. Accordingly, firms in the trade‐exposed emission intensive industries are critical regulatory stakeholders. Following the Australian Government's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in 2007, the proposed installation of an emission trading scheme is one of several business concerns as the government seeks to implement climate change policies and regulations. In this study, we inve stigate some of the major concerns that confront emission intensive businesses, and ask what the critical issues are for firms as a consequence of climate change policy implementation and what this means for their strategies. The study uses a concept mapping and analysis technique to reveal that future emission trading systems and business performance impacts resulting from emission reduction initiatives represent serious strategic concerns to stakeholder firms. Adaptable business strategies offer a potential solution to these perceived concerns and problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Gossypium arboreum GHSP26 enhances drought tolerance in Gossypium hirsutum
Authors: Maqbool Asma , Abbas Waseem , Rao Abdul Qayyum , Irfan Muhammad , Zahur Muzna , Bakhsh Allah , Riazuddin Shiekh , Husnain Tayyab 
Published: October 2009

AbstractHeat‐shock proteins (HSP) are molecular chaperones for protein molecules. These proteins play an important role in protein–protein interactions such as, folding and assisting in the establishment of proper protein conformation and prevention of unwanted protein aggregation. A small HSP gene GHSP26 present in Gossypium arboreum responds to dehydration. In the present study, an attempt was made to overcome the problem of drought stress in cotton. A cDNA of GHSP26 was isolated from G. arboreum, cloned in plant expression vector, pCAMBIA‐1301 driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and introduced into Gossypium hirsutum. The integration and expression studies of putative transgenic plants were performed through GUS assay; PCR from genomic DNA, and quantitative real‐time PCR analysis. Transgenic cotton plants showed an enhanced drought tolerance, suggesting that GHSP26 may play a role in plant responsiveness to drought. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Hydroxycinnamic Acids as DNA‐Cleaving Agents in the Presence of CuII Ions: Mechanism, Structure–Activity Relationship, and Biological Implications
Authors: Fan Gui‐Juan , Jin Xiao‐Ling , Qian Yi‐Ping , Wang Qi , Yang Ru‐Ting , Dai Fang , Tang Jiang‐Jiang , Shang Ya‐Jing , Cheng Li‐Xia , Yang Jie , Zhou Bo 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe effectiveness of hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), that is, caffeic acid (CaA), chlorogenic acid (ChA), sinapic acid (SA), ferulic acid (FA), 3‐hydroxycinnamic acid (3‐HCA), and 4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (4‐HCA), as pBR322 plasmid DNA‐cleaving agents in the presence of CuII ions was investigated. Compounds bearing o‐hydroxy or 3,5‐dimethoxy groups on phenolic rings (CaA, SA, and ChA) were remarkably more effective at causing DNA damage than the compounds bearing no such groups; furthermore, CaA was the most active among the HCAs examined. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and CuI ions in the DNA damage was affirmed by the inhibition of the DNA breakage by using specific scavengers of ROS and a CuI chelator. The interaction between CaA and CuII ions and the influence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), the solvent, and pH value on the interaction were also studied to help elucidate the detailed prooxidant mechanism by using UV/Vis spectroscopic analysis. On the basis of these observations, it is proposed that it is the CaA phenolate anion, instead of the parent molecule, that chelates with the CuII ion as a bidentate ligand, hence facilitating the intramolecular electron transfer to form the corresponding CaA semiquinone radical intermediate. The latter undergoes a second electron transfer with oxygen to form the corresponding o‐quinone and a superoxide, which play a pivotal role in the DNA damage. The intermediacy of the semiquinone radical was supported by isolation of its dimer from the CuII‐mediated oxidation products. Intriguingly, CaA was also the most cytotoxic compound among the HCAs toward human promyelocytic leukemia (HL‐60) cell proliferation. Addition of exogenous CuII ions resulted in an effect dichotomy on cell viability depending on the concentration of CaA; that is, low concentrations of CaA enhanced the cell viability and, conversely, high concentrations of CaA almost completely inhibited the cell proliferation. On the other hand, when superoxide dismutase was added before, the two stimulation effects of exogenous CuII ions were significantly ameliorated, thus clearly indicating that the oxidative‐stress level regulates cell proliferation and death. These findings provide direct evidence for the antioxidant/prooxidant mechanism of cancer chemoprevention.
pH‐Modulated Watson–Crick Duplex–Quadruplex Equilibria of Guanine‐Rich and Cytosine‐Rich DNA Sequences 140 Base Pairs Upstream of the c‐kit Transcription Initiation Site
Authors: Bucek Pavel , Jaumot Joaquim , Aviñó Anna , Eritja Ramon , Gargallo Raimundo 
Published: October 2009

AbstractGuanine‐rich regions of DNA are sequences capable of forming G‐quadruplex structures. The formation of a G‐quadruplex structure in a region 140 base pairs (bp) upstream of the c‐kit transcription initiation site was recently proposed (Fernando et al., Biochemistry, 2006, 45, 7854). In the present study, the acid–base equilibria and the thermally induced unfolding of the structures formed by a guanine‐rich region and by its complementary cytosine‐rich strand in c‐kit were studied by means of circular dichroism and molecular absorption spectroscopies. In addition, competition between the Watson–Crick duplex and the isolated structures was studied as a function of pH value and temperature. Multivariate data analysis methods based on both hard and soft modeling were used to allow accurate quantification of the various acid–base species present in the mixtures. Results showed that the G‐quadruplex and i‐motif coexist with the Watson–Crick duplex over the pH range from 3.0 to 6.5, approximately, under the experimental conditions tested in this study. At pH 7.0, the duplex is practically the only species present.
A Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica‐Based Donor–Acceptor System for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Ohashi Masataka , Aoki Masao , Yamanaka Ken‐ichi , Nakajima Kiyotaka , Ohsuna Tetsu , Tani Takao , Inagaki Shinji 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA new solid‐sate donor–acceptor system based on periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) has been constructed. Viologen (Vio) was covalently attached to the framework of a biphenyl (Bp)‐bridged PMO. The diffuse reflectance spectrum showed the formation of charge‐transfer (CT) complexes of Bp in the framework with Vio in the mesochannels. The transient absorption spectra upon excitation of the CT complexes displayed two absorption bands due to radical cations of Bp and Vio species, which indicated electron transfer from Bp to Vio. The absorption bands slowly decayed with a half‐decay period of approximately 10 μs but maintained the spectral shape, thereby suggesting persistent charge separation followed by recombination. To utilize the charge separation for photocatalysis, Vio–Bp–PMO was loaded with platinum and its photocatalytic performance was tested. The catalyst successfully evolved hydrogen with excitation of the CT complexes in the presence of a sacrificial agent. In contrast, reference catalysts without either Bp–PMO or Vio gave no or little hydrogen generation, respectively. In addition, a homogeneous solution system of Bp molecules, methylviologen, and colloidal platinum also evolved no hydrogen, possibly due to a weaker electron‐donating feature of molecular Bp than that of densely packed Bp in Bp–PMO. These results indicated that densely packed Bp and Vio are essential for hydrogen evolution in this system and demonstrated the potential of PMO as the basis for donor–acceptor systems suitable for photocatalysis.
From Byproducts to Efficient Fluorophores: A Route to the Synthesis of Fluorubines
Authors: Fleischhauer Jan , Beckert Rainer , Jüttke Yvonne , Hornig David , Günther Wolfgang , Birckner Eckhard , Grummt Ulrich‐W. , Görls Helmar 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe reaction of bis(imidoyl) chlorides of oxalic acid with monoalkyl hydrazines leads to substituted Δ2‐1,2‐diazetines, which are versatile building blocks for ring‐transformation reactions. One remarkable product originating from side reactions featured by a strong orange/red fluorescence was confirmed as a novel fluorubine derivative. In continuing our studies to substituted oligoazaacenes, we developed several synthetic entries to build up novel fluorubine derivatives, in which particularly aminobridged bis(quinoxaline)s are the key products for cationic hexaazapentacenes. We would like to discuss the possible formation pathways of these fluorubine derivatives, which exhibit interesting photophysical and chemical properties. The structures of all new derivatives were confirmed by common analytical methods (NMR spectroscopy, CV, UV/Vis, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and X‐ray structural analysis) and will be discussed on selected examples in more detail.
[6,7]‐Heterocycle‐Fused 14‐Hydroxymorphinan Derivatives: Design, Synthesis, and Opioid Receptor Activity
Authors: Li Fuying , Yin Chenlei , Chen Jie , Liu Jinggen , Xie Xin , Zhang Ao 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA series of new 14‐hydroxymorphinan analogues with a thiazole or imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazole fragment as the heterocyclic function fused to ring C were designed and synthesized. These compounds can be viewed as the result of a direct modification at ring C of the 14‐hydroxymorphinan scaffold. Among these compounds, three were identified as having potent binding affinity (∼1 nM) at both κ and μ receptors, and acting as agonists at κ and partial agonists or antagonists at μ receptors. In view of the promising results from studies on compounds with mixed κ and μ receptor activities, these new compounds warrant further investigation.
From Branched Networks of Actin Filaments to Bundles
Authors: Brill‐Karniely Yifat , Ideses Yaron , Bernheim‐Groswasser Anne , Ben‐Shaul Avinoam 
Published: October 2009

AbstractCross‐linking proteins can mediate the emergence of rigid bundles from a dense branched network of actin filaments. To enable their binding, the filaments must first bend towards each other. We derive an explicit criterion for the onset of bundling, in terms of the initial length of filaments L, their spacing b, and cross‐linker concentration f, reflecting the balance between bending and binding energies. Our model system contains actin, the branching complex Arp2/3 and the bundling protein fascin. In the first distinct stage, during which only actin and Arp2/3 are active, an entangled aster‐like mesh of actin filaments is formed. Tens of seconds later, when filaments at the aster periphery are long and barely branched, a sharp transition takes place into a star‐like structure, marking the onset of bundling. Now fascin and actin govern bundle growth; Arp2/3 plays no role. Using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations we calculate the temporal evolution of b and L, and predict the onset of bundling as a function of f. Our predictions are in good qualitative agreement with several new experiments that are reported herein and demonstrate how f controls the aster‐star transition and bundle length. We also present two models for aster growth corresponding to different experimental realizations. The first treats filament and bundle association as an irreversible sequence of elongation–association steps. The second, applicable for low f, treats bundling as a reversible self‐assembly process, where the optimal bundle size is dictated by the balance between surface and bending energies. Finally, we discuss the relevance of our conclusions for the lamellipodium to filopodia transition in living cells, noting that bundles are more likely nucleated by “tip complex” cross‐linkers (e.g. mDia2 or Ena/VASP), whereas fascin is mainly involved in bundle maintenance.
Coupled Modulated Bilayers: A Phenomenological Model
Authors: Hirose Yuichi , Komura Shigeyuki , Andelman David 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe propose a model addressing the coupling mechanism between two spatially modulated monolayers. We obtain the mean‐field phase diagrams of coupled bilayers when the two monolayers have the same preferred modulation wavelength. Various combinations of the monolayer modulated phases are obtained and their relative stability is calculated. Due to the coupling, a spatial modulation in one of the monolayers induces a similar periodic structure in the second one. We have also performed numerical simulations for the case when the two monolayers have different modulation wavelengths. Complex patterns may arise from the frustration between the two incommensurate but annealed structures.
A Quantum Mechanical Study of the Second‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of Aryldiazenido‐Substituted Hexamolybdates: A Surprising Charge Transfer
Authors: Janjua Muhammad Ramzan Saeed Ashraf , Guan Wei , Liu Chun Guang , Muhammad Shabbir , Yan Likai , Su Zhongmin 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe second‐order polarizabilities, transition moments, and density of states of aryldiazenido hexamolybdates derivatives were investigated by density functional theory (DFT). System 2 [Mo6O18(N2C6H5)]3– has a considerably large second‐order polarizability, 14.50 × 10–30 esu, and it is larger than that of system 1 [Mo6O18(N2C6H4NO2)]3– due to the absence of nitro group in the aryldiazenido ligand. The aryldiazenido ligand acts as an electron donor and the polyanion acts as an electron acceptor. The substitution of an amino(‐NH2) group in the ortho/para positions on the aryldiazenido segment leads to a substantially higher nonlinear optical (NLO) response. The introduction of an electron donor(‐NH2) in the ortho, meta, para, and ortho/para positions on the aryldiazenido ligand significantly enhances the second‐order polarizabilities of aryldiazenido hexamolybdates in comparison to the electron acceptor (‐NO2) as in system 1, because the electron‐donating ability was reasonably enhanced when the electron donor is attached to the aryldiazenido ligand. Furthermore, orbital analysis shows that incorporation of another phenyl (aromatic) ring in the aryldiazenido ligand leads to a maximum NLO response by reverting the direction and degree of charge transfer (CT), which might result from the C=C π‐conjugated bridge. System 8 [Mo6O18 (N2C14H11)]3– possesses a strikingly large and conspicuous static second‐order polarizability (βvec) computed to be 210.21 × 10–30 esu. The NLO response can be tuned by subtle changes in the aryldiazenido segment; the present investigation provides important insight into the NLO properties of (aryldiazenido) hexamolybdate derivatives.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)