bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of colonoscopy in the management of intestinal obstruction: a 20-year retrospective study
Authors: Katsanos Konstantinos H , Maliouki Mariana , Tatsioni Athina , Ignatiadou Eleftheria , Christodoulou Dimitrios K , Fatouros Michael , Tsianos Epameinondas V 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of the study was to assess the use colonoscopy over time in the assessment of large bowel obstruction in a tertiary university hospital.

Methods
Retrospective analysis of surgical and colonoscopy records for the years 1990-2009 in a university hospital. All patients diagnosed with non-conservatively managed bowel obstruction were included.

Results
We recorded 644 patients diagnosed with non-conservatively managed bowel obstruction. Four hundred forty-one (67.3%) were managed only by surgery, 157 (23.6%) were managed by colonoscopy, and 46 (6.9%) by combined colonoscopy and surgery. Patients over 77 years were more likely to receive colonoscopy as monotherapy or combined with surgery as compared to younger patients. Management by colonoscopy only and by combined colonoscopy and surgery increased over time.

Conclusions
Colonoscopy in the management of non-conservatively treated bowel obstruction increased over time. However, therapeutic colonoscopy still has a limited role in bowel obstruction either as monotherapy or combined with surgery.
Plexin-B1 silencing inhibits ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion
Authors: Ye Shuangmei , Hao Xing , Zhou Ting , Wu Mingfu , Wei Juncheng , Wang Yongjun , Zhou Li , Jiang Xuefeng , Ji Li , Chen Yin , You Lanying , Zhang Yiqun , Xu Gang , Zhou Jianfeng , Ma Ding , Wang Shixuan 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Elevated Plexin-B1 expression has been found in diverse human cancers and in non-neoplastic tissues, and it mediates diverse biological and pathological activities. However, whether or not Plexin-B1 expression is involved in human ovarian tumors remains unclear. In the present study, Plexin-B1 expression was explored in benign and malignant human ovarian tumor tissues. In addition, the impact of Plexin-B1 expression on ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion were investigated in vitro.

Methods
Plexin-B1 expression was analyzed in normal and benign ovarian tissues and serous ovarian tumors (both borderline and malignant) by immunohistochemical staining, as well as in four human ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780, C13*, SKOV3, and OV2008) by RT-PCR and western blot analyses. Furthermore, endogenous Plexin-B1 expression was suppressed by Plexin-B1 siRNA in SKOV3 cells, which overexpress Plexin-B1. Protein levels of Plexin-B1, AKT and AKTSer473 were examined by western blot analysis. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were measured with MTT, wound healing and boyden chamber assays, respectively, and the cytoskeleton was monitored via F-actin staining.

Results
Expression levels of Plexin-B1 protein were significantly higher in serous ovarian carcinomas than in normal ovaries or benign ovarian neoplasms, and in the former, Plexin-B1 expression was positively correlated with lymphatic metastasis, and the membrane and cytoplasm of cancer cells stained positively. SKOV3 cells displayed the highest Plexin-B1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels among the four tested human ovarian cancer cell lines and was selected as a cell model for further in vitro experiments. Plexin-B1 siRNA significantly suppressed phosphorylation of AKT at Ser473 in SKOV3 cells, but it did not alter total AKT expression. In addition, silencing of Plexin-B1 in SKOV3 cells inhibited cell migration and invasion and reorganized the cytoskeleton, whereas cell proliferation was not affected.

Conclusion
Plexin-B1 expression correlates with malignant phenotypes of serous ovarian tumors, probably via phosphorylation of AKT at Ser473, suggesting that Plexin-B1 might be a useful biomarker and/or a novel therapeutic target.
The impact of obesity on walking and cycling performance and response to pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD
Authors: Sava Francesco , Laviolette Louis , Bernard Sarah , Breton Marie-Josée , Bourbeau Jean , Maltais François 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
We examined the influence of overweight and obesity on pulmonary function, exercise tolerance, quality of life and response to pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD.

Methods
261 patients with COPD were divided into three groups: normal body mass index (BMI), overweight and obese. Baseline and post rehabilitation pulmonary function, 6-min walking test (6MWT), endurance time during a constant workrate exercise test (CET) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were compared between all three classes of BMI.

Results
At baseline, obese and overweight patients had less severe airflow obstruction compared to normal BMI patients. There was no baseline difference in CET performance or SGRQ scores across BMI classes and 6MWT was reduced in the presence of obesity (p < 0.01). Compared to baseline, post-rehabilitation 6MWT, CET performance and SGRQ scores improved significantly in each group (p < 0.01), but 6MWT was still significantly lower in the presence of obesity.

Conclusions
Walking, but not cycling performance was worse in obese patients. This difference was maintained post rehabilitation despite significant improvements. Weight excess may counterbalance the effect of a better preserved respiratory function in the performance of daily activities such as walking. However, obesity and overweight did not influence the magnitude of improvement after pulmonary rehabilitation.
Cloning and biochemical characterization of a novel lipolytic gene from activated sludge metagenome, and its gene product
Authors: JunGang Li , KeGui Zhang , WenJun Han 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
In this study, a putative esterase, designated EstMY, was isolated from an activated sludge metagenomic library. The lipolytic gene was subcloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 using the pET expression system. The gene estMY contained a 1,083 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 360 amino acids with a molecular mass of 38 kDa. Sequence analysis indicated that it showed 71% and 52% amino acid identity to esterase/lipase from marine metagenome (ACL67845) and Burkholderia ubonensis Bu (ZP_02382719), respectively; and several conserved regions were identified, including the putative active site, GDSAG, a catalytic triad (Ser203, Asp301, and His327) and a HGGG conserved motif (starting from His133). The EstMY was determined to hydrolyse p-nitrophenyl (NP) esters of fatty acids with short chain lengths (≤C8). This EstMY exhibited the highest activity at 35°C and pH 8.5 respectively, by hydrolysis of p-NP caprylate. It also exhibited the same level of activity over wide temperature and pH spectra and in the presence of metal ions or detergents. The high level of stability of esterase EstMY with unique substrate specificities makes it highly valuable for downstream biotechnological applications.
Effects of pegylated G-CSF on immune cell number and function in patients with gynecological malignancies
Authors: Bonanno Giuseppina , Procoli Annabella , Mariotti Andrea , Corallo Maria , Perillo Alessandro , Danese Silvio , De Cristofaro Raimondo , Scambia Giovanni , Rutella Sergio 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackgroundPegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; pegfilgrastim) is a longer-acting form of G-CSF, whose effects on dendritic cell (DC) and regulatory T cell (Treg) mobilization, and on thein vivoand ex vivo release of immune modulating cytokines remain unexplored.MethodsTwelve patients with gynecological cancers received carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy and single-dose pegfilgrastim as prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia. Peripheral blood was collected prior to pegfilgrastim administration (day 0) and on days +7, +11 and +21, to quantify immunoregulatory cytokines and to assess type 1 DC (DC1), type 2 DC (DC2) and Treg cell mobilization.In vitro-differentiated, monocyte-derived DC were used to investigate endocytic activity, expression of DC maturation antigens and ability to activate allogeneic T-cell proliferation.ResultsPegfilgrastim increased the frequency of circulating DC1 and DC2 precursors. In contrast, CD4+FoxP3+bona fideTreg cells were unchanged compared with baseline. Serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor and interleukin (IL)-12p40, but not transforming growth factor-β1 or immune suppressive kynurenines, significantly increased after pegfilgrastim administration. Interestingly, pegfilgrastim fosteredin vitromonocytic secretion of IL-12p40 and IL-12p70 when compared with unconjugated G-CSF. Finally, DC populations differentiatedin vitroafter clinical provision of pegfilgrastim were phenotypically mature, possessed low endocytic activity, and incited a robust T-cell proliferative response.ConclusionsPegfilgrastim induced significant changes in immune cell number and function. The enhancement of monocytic IL-12 secretion portends favorable implications for pegfilgrastim administration to patients with cancer, a clinical context where the induction of immune deviation would be highly undesirable.
Characterization of human platelet binding of recombinant T cell receptor ligand
Authors: Itakura Asako , Aslan Joseph E , Sinha Sushmita , White-Adams Tara C , Patel Ishan A , Meza-Romero Roberto , Vandenbark Arthur A , Burrows Gregory G , Offner Halina , McCarty Owen JT 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Recombinant T cell receptor ligands (RTLs) are bio-engineered molecules that may serve as novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS). RTLs contain membrane distal α1 plus β1 domains of class II major histocompatibility complex linked covalently to specific peptides that can be used to regulate T cell responses and inhibit experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The mechanisms by which RTLs impede local recruitment and retention of inflammatory cells in the CNS, however, are not completely understood.

Methods
We have recently shown that RTLs bind strongly to B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, but not to T cells, in an antigenic-independent manner, raising the question whether peripheral blood cells express a distinct RTL-receptor. Our study was designed to characterize the molecular mechanisms by which RTLs bind human blood platelets, and the ability of RTL to modulate platelet function.

Results
Our data demonstrate that human blood platelets support binding of RTL. Immobilized RTL initiated platelet intracellular calcium mobilization and lamellipodia formation through a pathway dependent upon Src and PI3 kinases signaling. The presence of RTL in solution reduced platelet aggregation by collagen, while treatment of whole blood with RTL prolonged occlusive thrombus formation on collagen.

Conclusions
Platelets, well-known regulators of hemostasis and thrombosis, have been implicated in playing a major role in inflammation and immunity. This study provides the first evidence that blood platelets express a functional RTL-receptor with a putative role in modulating pathways of neuroinflammation.
Accuracy and Reliability of Peer Assessment of Athletic Training Psychomotor Laboratory Skills
Authors: Marty Melissa C. , Henning Jolene M. , Willse John T. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractContext:Peer assessment is defined as students judging the level or quality of a fellow student's understanding. No researchers have yet demonstrated the accuracy or reliability of peer assessment in athletic training education.Objective:To determine the accuracy and reliability of peer assessment of athletic training students' psychomotor skills.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Entry-level master's athletic training education program.Patients or Other Participants:First-year (n  =  5) and second-year (n  =  8) students.Main Outcome Measure(s):Participants evaluated 10 videos of a peer performing 3 psychomotor skills (middle deltoid manual muscle test, Faber test, and Slocum drawer test) on 2 separate occasions using a valid assessment tool. Accuracy of each peer-assessment score was examined through percentage correct scores. We used a generalizability study to determine how reliable athletic training students were in assessing a peer performing the aforementioned skills. Decision studies using generalizability theory demonstrated how the peer-assessment scores were affected by the number of participants and number of occasions.Results:Participants had a high percentage of correct scores: 96.84% for the middle deltoid manual muscle test, 94.83% for the Faber test, and 97.13% for the Slocum drawer test. They were not able to reliably assess a peer performing any of the psychomotor skills on only 1 occasion. However, the ϕ increased (exceeding the 0.70 minimal standard) when 2 participants assessed the skill on 3 occasions (ϕ  =  0.79) for the Faber test, with 1 participant on 2 occasions (ϕ  =  0.76) for the Slocum drawer test, and with 3 participants on 2 occasions for the middle deltoid manual muscle test (ϕ  =  0.72).Conclusions:Although students did not detect all errors, they assessed their peers with an average of 96% accuracy. Having only 1 student assess a peer performing certain psychomotor skills was less reliable than having more than 1 student assess those skills on more than 1 occasion. Peer assessment of psychomotor skills could be an important part of the learning process and a tool to supplement instructor assessment.
A Polymer‐Electrolyte‐Based Atomic Switch
Authors: Wu Shouming , Tsuruoka Tohru , Terabe Kazuya , Hasegawa Tsuyoshi , Hill Jonathan P. , Ariga Katsuhiko , Aono Masakazu 
Published: November 2010

AbstractStudies on a resistive switching memory based on a silver‐ion‐conductive solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) are reported. Simple Ag/SPE/Pt structures containing polyethylene oxide–silver perchlorate complexes exhibit bipolar resistive switching under bias voltage sweeping. The switching behavior depends strongly on the silver perchlorate concentration. From the results of thermal, transport, and electrochemical measurements, it is concluded that the observed switching originates from formation and dissolution of a silver metal filament inside the SPE film caused by electrochemical reactions. This is the first report of an electrochemical “atomic switch” realized using an organic material. The devices also show ON/OFF resistance ratios greater than 105, programming speeds higher than 1 μs, and retention times longer than 1 week. These results suggest that SPE‐based electrochemical devices might be suitable for flexible switch and memory applications.
Synthesis, characterization, and properties of silicone–epoxy resins
Authors: Yang Xin , Huang Wei , Yu Yunzhao 
Published: November 2010

AbstractSilicone–epoxy (SiE) resins were synthesized through the hydrolytic condensation of 2‐(3,4‐epoxycyclohexylethyl) methyldiethoxysilane (EMDS) and the cohydrolytic condensation of EMDS with dimethyldiethoxysilane. Structural characterization was carried out by 1H‐NMR, 29Si‐NMR, and mass spectrometry analysis; the resins were linear oligomers bearing different numbers of pendant epoxy groups, and the average number of repeat SiO units ranged from 6 to 11. Methyhexahydrophthalic anhydride was used to cure the SiE resins to give glassy materials with high optical clarity. The cured SiE resins showed better thermal stability and higher thermal and UV resistances than a commercial light‐emitting diode package material (an epoxy resin named CEL‐2021P). The effect of the epoxy value on the thermal and mechanical properties and the thermal and UV aging performances of the cured SiE resins were investigated. The SiE resins became more flexible with decreasing epoxy value, and the resin with the moderate epoxy value had the highest thermal and UV resistances. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Synergistic effect of vermiculite on the intumescent flame retardance of polypropylene
Authors: Ren Qiang , Zhang Yong , Li Jian , Li Jin Chun 
Published: November 2010

AbstractSynergistic effects of the natural clays unexfoliated vermiculite (VMT), exfoliated vermiculate (EVMT), and montmorillonite (MMT) on the intumescent flame retardance of polypropylene were investigated systematically with the usual fire testing methods. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) of flame‐retardant polypropylene (FRPP) filled with 30 wt % intumescent flame retardants (IFRs) composed of ammonium polyphosphate and pentaerythritol were increased from 30 to 33 vol % for VMT and MMT and to 36 vol % for EVMT when 1 wt % IFR was substituted for clay. The synergistic effectivities calculated on the basis of increases in the LOI values were 1.4 for VMT, 1.3 for MMT, and 1.6 for EVMT. Cone calorimetry also revealed the existence of a synergistic effect. EVMT had the best performance for lowering the peak values of the heat release rate and smoke production rate. The thermogravimetric analysis results show that EVMT had the best performance for increasing the char residue of FRPP higher than 650°C compared with VMT and MMT. The high content of iron and the small particle size of EVMT may have been responsible for its high synergistic effect at a low filling level. No remarkable variations of the diffraction peaks were observed in the X‐ray diffraction patterns of the original clay and the clay in FRPP. All of the formulations, with or without clay, exhibited small variations in the mechanical properties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Transport and Relaxation in Ionic Crystals
Authors: Funke K. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe elementary steps of translational motion of ions in ionic crystals are described on atomic scales of space and time. — After a brief presentation of complementary experimental techniques, some clear‐cut examples are being discussed: jump diffusion in fluorite‐type anion conductors and a non‐hopping channel diffusion in α‐Ag2Se. — The jump‐relaxation effect is exemplified in RbAg4I5 and α‐AgI. It is shown to cause a marked deviation from random jump diffusion and to explain the anomalies known by the name of “universal dynamic response”.
Non‐Local Non‐Fickian Diffusion of Hydrogen in Metals
Authors: Baranowski B. , Lewis F. A. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractStudies of the permeation of hydrogen through the walls of a tubular membrane of a Pd81Pt19alloy have provided clear examples of evidence of the occurrence of non‐local, non‐Fickian diffusion of absorbed hydrogen from the inner regions of the wall, against overall gradients of hydrogen content — as a consequence of strain gradients produced by the lattice‐expanding effects of the permeating hydrogen.
The Question of Vacancy Clusters in Manganosite Mn1—ΔO
Authors: Schuster D. , Dieckmann R. , Schweika W. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractIn‐situ experiments with diffuse neutron scattering are performed to investigate the defect structure in nonstoichiometric manganosite Mn1—ΔO atT= 1400°C with deviations from stoichiometryΔ= 0.3%, 1.6% and 6.4%. The elastic diffuse scattering due to disorder is obtained from the difference to measurements at the near stoichiometry composition. It is characterized by broad diffuse maxima in the 〈100〉‐ and 〈110〉‐directions. The disorder scattering can be interpreted with a simple model of randomly distributed isolated vacancies and large displacements of the O‐ and Mn‐Ions in the first surrounding shells. The theoretically predicted dominance of vacancy clusters can be excluded.
Die Rolle des Kations in der Zwischenkettenwechselwirkung von Alkali‐Dithioferraten(III)
Authors: Bauer M. , Nagorny K. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe magnetic transition temperature of the Alkali‐Dithioferrates(III) KxRb(1—x)FeS2 decreases with decreasing potassium content. This can be understood as a result of the increasing inter chain distance of the quasi‐onedimensional antiferromagnet. Thus the measured transition temperatures may be considered as threedimensional ordering temperatures.
Calculated Hydride and Fluoride Affinities of a Series of Carbenium and Silylium Cations in the Gas Phase and in C6H5Cl Solution
Authors: Gusev Dmitry G. , Ozerov Oleg V. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe report the hydride and fluoride affinities for a group of silylium and carbenium cations. With comparable substituents on the central atom, the silylium cations have the higher fluoride affinity, whereas the carbenium ions have the higher hydride affinity. In the first approximation, the hydride and the fluoride affinities vary in parallel with changes in substitution, but the deviations from linear correspondence of hydride and fluoride affinities are more pronounced for carbenium ions. The hydride and fluoride affinities of silylium cations are very similar, whereas for carbenium ions, the hydride affinities are 35–60 kcal mol−1 higher than fluoride affinities. These results are placed in the context of studies of hydrodefluorination of aliphatic CF bonds enabled by silylium carborane catalysts [C. Douvris, O. V. Ozerov, Science 2008, 321, 1188]. The abstraction of fluoride from perfluoroalkanes by a trialkylsilylium cation is neither thermodynamically favorable nor kinetically accessible and, if at all possible, will require a much more fluorophilic silylium cation.
Engineering the Promiscuous Racemase Activity of an Arylmalonate Decarboxylase
Authors: Kourist Robert , Miyauchi Yusuke , Uemura Daisuke , Miyamoto Kenji 
Published: November 2010

AbstractVariant G74C of arylmalonate decarboxylase (AMDase) from Bordatella bronchoseptica has a unique racemising activity towards profens. By protein engineering, variant G74C/V43A with a 20‐fold shift towards promiscuous racemisation was obtained, based on a reduced activity in the decarboxylation reaction and a two‐fold increase in the racemisation activity. The mutant showed an extended substrate range, with a 30‐fold increase in the reaction rate towards ketoprofen. Molecular dynamics simulations and the substrate profile of the racemase indicate that the steric and polar effects of the substrate structure play a more dominant role on catalysis than mere kinetic α‐proton acidity. The observation that the conversion of β,γ‐unsaturated carboxylic acids does not lead to a rearrangement to form their α,β isomers indicates a concerted rather than a stepwise mechanism. Interestingly, a substrate bearing a nitro group instead of the carboxylic acid group on the α‐carbon atom was also converted by the racemase.
Clearance Techniques
Authors: Levinsky Norman G. , Lieberthal Wilfred 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe sections in this article are:HistoryLimitations of Clearance MethodsTechnical ConsiderationsConstant‐Infusion TechniqueOther TechniquesSingle‐Injection (Single‐Shot) TechniqueClearance Methods for Estimation of Glomerular Filtration RateSubstances Used as MarkersClearance Methods for Estimation of Renal Plasma FlowSubstances Used as Markersp‐Aminohippurate Clearance in Renal DiseaseExtraction of p‐Aminohippurate as' Index of Medullary Blood FlowClearance Methods for Analysis of Tubular FunctionLocalization of Water and Sodium ReabsorptionEstimation of Proximal Reabsorption from Urine FlowAssessment ofSodium Reabsorption in Diluting SegmentAssessment of Sodium Reabsorption in Medullary Ascending LimbDetermination of Proximal Reabsorption Using Clearance of Lithium