bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endotoxemia is Associated with Better Clinical Outcome in Incident Chinese Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Szeto Cheuk-Chun , Kwan Bonnie Ching-Ha , Chow Kai-Ming , Lai Ka-Bik , Pang Wing-Fai , Chung Kwok-Yi , Leung Chi-Bon , Li Philip Kam-Tao 
Published: March 2010

Background Endotoxemia is common in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients; circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) level is related to the degree of systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis. We examine whether baseline plasma LPS level represents a prognostic marker in new PD patients. Methods We studied 158 new Chinese PD patients (80 males). Baseline plasma LPS level at initiation of PD was measured. Patients were stratified into quartiles according to plasma LPS level: quartile I, <0.45 EU/mL; II, 0.45 – <0.70 EU/mL; III, 0.70 – <0.95 EU/mL; and IV, ≥0.95 EU/mL. The patients were then prospectively followed for the development of cardiovascular events. All-cause mortality and duration of hospitalization were also recorded. Results Average age was 55.6 ± 14.7 years; average endotoxin concentration was 0.70 ± 0.30 EU/mL; average follow-up was 55.5 ± 36.9 months. At 60 months, event-free survival was 41.0%, 52.5%, 65.0%, and 61.5% for LPS level quartiles I, II, III, and IV, respectively (log rank test p = 0.066). By multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazard model to adjust for confounders, plasma LPS level had no independent effect. At 60 months, technique survival was 20.5%, 20.0%, 32.5%, and 51.3% for LPS level quartiles I, II, III, and IV, respectively (log rank test p = 0.0009). By Cox proportional hazard model, each higher quartile of LPS conferred 28.6% protection (95% confidence interval 15.6% – 40.3%, p = 0.0002) from developing technique failure. A higher plasma LPS level had a lower all-cause mortality (unadjusted hazard ratio 0.486, p = 0.046) and cardiovascular mortality (unadjusted hazard ratio 0.251, p = 0.025), but the result became insignificant after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion A higher baseline plasma LPS level is an independent predictor of better technique survival in new Chinese PD patients, with an insignificant trend of fewer cardiovascular events. The observation seems to conform to the phenomenon of reverse epidemiology for other traditional cardiovascular risk factors in dialysis patients but the exact reason for this paradoxical phenomenon requires further investigation.
Body Composition, Hydration, and Related Parameters in Hemodialysis versus Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Devolder Isabel , Verleysen Annick , Vijt Denise , Vanholder Raymond , Van Biesen Wim 
Published: March 2010

Aims Maintaining euvolemia is an important goalin patients on renal replacement therapy. However, adequate assessment of volume status in clinical practice is hampered by a lack of accurate measuring tools. A new multifrequency bioimpedance tool has recently been validated. This study compares volume status in peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients in a single center. Methods Body Composition Monitoring (BCM; Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany) was performed in all patients on PD or HD without contraindication. PD patients were measured with a full abdomen; HD patients were measured at the midweek session, once immediately before and once 20 minutes after dialysis. Clinical overhydration was defined as an overhydration-to-extracellular water ratio of >0.15. Results Total body water, extracellular water, and intracellular water were 33.7 ± 6.9 L versus 31.8 ± 8.1 L vs 33.9 ± 6.7 L, 16.4 ± 3.9 L vs 15.3 ± 4.9 L vs 16.8 ± 3.3 L, and 17.1 ± 6.2 L vs 16.5 ± 4.6 L vs 17.2 ± 3.9 L in the pre-HD, post-HD, and PD patients, respectively ( p = NS). In the pre-HD and the PD patients, overhydration was 1.9 ± 1.7 L and 2.1 ± 2.3 L, whereas post-HD this was only 0.6 ± 1.7 L ( p < 0.001). Clinical overhydration was more prevalent in pre-HD and PD patients compared to post-HD patients (24.1% vs 22.3% vs 10%, p < 0.001). In multivariate models, overhydration was related to age, male gender, and post-HD status. Conclusion Although much clinical attention is paid to volume status, 24% of patients still have clinically relevant volume overload. Implementation of a reliable and clinically applicable tool to assess volume status is therefore necessary. It is possible to obtain comparable volume status in PD and HD patients.
LASIK Flap Creation With the Ziemer Femtosecond Laser in 787 Consecutive Eyes
Authors: Pietilä Juhani , Huhtala Anne , Jääskeläinen Markus , Jylli Jarmo , Mäkinen Petri , Uusitalo Hannu 
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:To present the flap characteristics and short-term efficacy and safety of 787 consecutive LASIK procedures with the FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems) for the treatment of refractive errors.METHODS:Seven hundred eighty-seven consecutive eyes of 405 previously non-operated patients were treated with the FEMTO LDV. Intended flap thickness was 110 µm and intended flap diameter varied from 8.5 to 9.5 mm. Refractive treatment was performed with the WaveLight ALLEGRETTO WAVE Concerto 500 Hz excimer laser. All eyes were wavefront-optimized.RESULTS:The mean flap thickness, measured by ultra-sound pachymetry, was 90.0±5.5µm (range: 67 to 107µm) in right eyes and 90.1±4.6µm (range: 77 to 106µm) in left eyes. Mean flap diameter was 9.1±0.2 mm (range: 8.4 to 9.9 mm) in right eyes and 9.1±0.2 mm (range: 8.0 to 10.0 mm) in left eyes. Increasing flap thickness was correlated with increasing corneal thickness in right eyes and flatter keratometric value K1in left eyes. The most common complication was minor bleeding during the procedure (12.7%). All other complications were rare (8.4%), and none prevented further laser ablation.CONCLUSIONS:The Ziemer FEMTO LDV laser created thinner LASIK flaps than intended but with a low standard deviation and minimal intraoperative complications. [J Refract Surg. 2010;26:7–16.]
Enhanced Visual Acuity and Image Perception Following Correction of Highly Aberrated Eyes Using an Adaptive Optics Visual Simulator
Authors: Rocha Karolinne Maia , Vabre Laurent , Chateau Nicolas , Krueger Ronald R. 
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:
To evaluate the changes in visual acuity and visual perception generated by correcting higher order aberrations in highly aberrated eyes using a large-stroke adaptive optics visual simulator.

METHODS:
A crx1 Adaptive Optics Visual Simulator (Imagine Eyes) was used to correct and modify the wavefront aberrations in 12 keratoconic eyes and 8 symptomatic postoperative refractive surgery (LASIK) eyes. After measuring ocular aberrations, the device was programmed to compensate for the eye's wavefront error from the second order to the fifth order (6-mm pupil). Visual acuity was assessed through the adaptive optics system using computer-generated ETDRS optotypes and the Freiburg Visual Acuity and Contrast Test.

RESULTS:

Mean higher order aberration root-mean-square (RMS) errors in the keratoconus and symptomatic LASIK eyes were 1.88±0.99
µ
m and 1.62±0.79
µ
m (6-mm pupil), respectively. The visual simulator correction of the higher order aberrations present in the keratoconus eyes improved their visual acuity by a mean of 2 lines when compared to their best sphero-cylinder correction (mean decimal visual acuity with spherocylindrical correction was 0.31±0.18 and improved to 0.44±0.23 with higher order aberration correction). In the symptomatic LASIK eyes, the mean decimal visual acuity with spherocylindrical correction improved from 0.54±0.16 to 0.71±0.13 with higher order aberration correction. The visual perception of ETDRS letters was improved when correcting higher order aberrations.

CONCLUSIONS:

The adaptive optics visual simulator can effectively measure and compensate for higher order aberrations (second to fifth order), which are associated with diminished visual acuity and perception in highly aberrated eyes. The adaptive optics technology may be of clinical benefit when counseling patients with highly aberrated eyes regarding their maximum subjective potential for vision correction. [
J Refract Surg
. 2010;26:52–56.]
Control of Femtosecond Thin-flap LASIK Using OCT in Human Donor Eyes
Authors: Kermani Omid , Will Fabian , Massow Ole , Oberheide Uwe , Lubatschowski Holger 
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:
Thin-flap keratomileusis is a procedure that minimizes LASIK flap thickness to preserve both the corneal epithelium and the maximum residual stroma. This study investigated the usefulness of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a tool in guiding the femtosecond laser in the creation of a thin flap in human eyes in a non-randomized case series.

METHODS:
In a private research laboratory, an in vitro investigation was performed on human autopsy eyes. Five human cadaver eyes, unsuitable for transplantation, underwent flap creation with a femtosecond laser. The laser procedure was controlled in real-time with an OCT system (Thorlabs HL AG) to ensure that the cut was placed just underneath Bowman's layer. The repetition rate of the femtosecond laser was 10 MHz with a single-pulse duration of <400 femtoseconds (pulse energy in the nJ range). As a control, all eyes underwent histological dissection and were examined using light microscopy.

RESULTS:
Video monitoring of the flap creation supported the feasibility of real-time OCT monitoring of the femtosecond laser flap creation process. A clear distinction of the corneal epithelium was possible in all eyes. Bowman's layer was not identified in all donor eyes at the given resolution of the OCT device used in this study. Light microscopy demonstrated flaps approximately 50-µm thick, confirming that the real-time monitoring assured a positioning of the cutting plane at minimum distance underneath Bowman's layer.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study of five human cadaver eyes shows that real-time OCT monitoring of the creation of thin-flaps in LASIK using a femtosecond laser is possible, thus ensuring that the flap is created at the desired depth. [
J Refract Surg.
2010;26:57–60.]
Predicting Clinical Visual Acuity of Presbyopia Treatments
Authors: Schwiegerling Jim 
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:
To predict the potential clinical visual acuity of different presbyopia treatments.

METHODS:
The defocus transfer function (DTF) is a mathematical technique for simultaneously illustrating the optical transfer function for all levels of defocus. Through-focus clinical visual acuity measurements were superimposed onto the DTF to determine the corresponding retinal contrast and map out a modulation threshold curve. The process is performed for an apodized diffractive and a zonal refractive intraocular lens, as well as an opaque annular ring implant that extends depth of focus.

RESULTS:
Clinical visual acuity measurements appear to track contours on the DTF. The elevation of these contours changes as a function of spatial frequency, with the general trend being that for higher spatial frequencies, more retinal contrast is needed to achieve a given level of visual acuity. The presence of these contours suggests a minimum level of retinal contrast is needed to achieve a given visual acuity, and if this threshold is exceeded, the presbyopia treatment can provide the corresponding acuity clinically.

CONCLUSIONS:

The DTF provides a global view of ocular performance for all object distances. The disparate technologies investigated all gave similar modulation threshold curves. These results suggest that the modulation threshold curve can be used to predict potential visual acuity of other multifocal lens designs and methods for treating presbyopia. [
J Refract Surg
. 2010;26:66–70.]
T Cell Ig and Mucin Domain Proteins and Immunity
Authors: Kane Lawrence P. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Proteins of the transmembrane (or T cell) Ig and mucin domain (TIM) family are expressed by multiple cell types within the immune systems of rodents and humans. Studies over the last several years have suggested that these proteins may be promising targets for therapeutic manipulation of immune responses. This review discusses the progress that has been made in understanding TIM protein function in the immune system, as well as some of the unresolved issues that remain on the road to eventually targeting TIM proteins for enhancing or inhibiting immunity.
In Vitro Muscarinic Receptor Radioligand‐Binding Assays
Authors: Steinfeld Tod , Pulido‐Rios M. Teresa , Armstrong Scott , Hegde Sharath S. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractG‐protein‐coupled muscarinic receptors (mAChRs), of which there are five subtypes (M1‐M5), are attractive drug targets for a number of disorders. Described in this unit are radioligand‐binding assays for defining the selectivity and affinity of chemical agents at the five mAChR subtypes. Detailed methodologies and troubleshooting strategies are provided for saturation‐binding studies, to estimateKDandBmaxvalues, and for competition‐binding studies to estimateKivalues. Emphasis is placed on experimental details that are critical for executing a robust and reliable assay.Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 48:1.33.1‐1.33.18. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
In Vitro Isolated Tissue Functional Muscarinic Receptor Assays
Authors: Pulido‐Rios M. Teresa , Steinfeld Tod , Armstrong Scott , Watson Nikki , Choppin Agnes , Eglen Richard , Hegde Sharath S. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractMuscarinic receptor (mAChRs) subtypes are viable targets for the design of novel agents for use in a number of central and peripheral disorders. In vitro isolated tissue functional assays for muscarinic receptor subtypes have played an invaluable role in basic research and drug discovery. The availability of biological assays for generation of quantitative estimates of affinity and potency of ligands allows evaluation of the contribution of a given mAChR to the functional end organ response and also enables drug discovery by facilitating the iterative process of screening and optimization of chemical leads. This unit describes isolated tissue functional assays for the quantification of ligand affinity and efficacy at the M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5muscarinic receptor subtypes in tissues expressing the native receptor using organ bath techniques.Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 48:4.15.1‐4.15.29. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
In Vitro Selection of RNA Aptamers to a Small Molecule Target
Authors: Codrea Vlad , Hayner Michelle , Hall Bradley , Jhaveri Sulay , Ellington Andrew 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis unit describes the selection of aptamers from a single‐stranded RNA pool that bind to small molecule targets. Aptamers generated by this type of selection experiment can potentially function as receptors for small molecules in numerous applications, including medical diagnostics, therapeutics, and environmental monitoring. This unit describes two modes of selection, one by column filtration and one by batch selection. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 40:9.5.1‐9.5.23. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Continuous Evolution In Vitro Technique
Authors: Arenas Carolina Díaz , Lehman Niles 
Published: March 2010

AbstractIn vitro experimentation techniques were developed in response to the necessity of exploring new molecular structures and functions and to better understand evolutionary phenomena that shape organismal and molecular populations. The advancement of these techniques has allowed further exploration of more complicated evolutionary dynamics. One such technique is the continuous evolution in vitro (CE) method, to which this unit is devoted. The CE method is characterized by continuous cycles of amplification of RNA molecules that occur without much participation of the researcher. This feature allows us to evolve lineages in which the evolutionary phenomena occurring at the molecular level more closely mimic what happens in organismal populations in the present, or what may have happened in RNA populations during the RNA world stage of life. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 40:9.7.1‐9.7.16. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overview of Formation of G‐Quadruplex Structures
Authors: Sannohe Yuta , Sugiyama Hiroshi 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThere are many structures that can be adopted by nucleic acids other than the Watson‐Crick duplex. In particular, a noncanonical four‐stranded topology, called a G‐quadruplex, is of great interest because of its roles in key biological processes such as the maintenance of telomeres and regulation of gene transcription. This review describes the condition for forming the G‐quadruplex structure, G‐quadruplex‐forming sequences, and methods for studying the structures. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 40:17.2.1‐17.2.17. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isolation of Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Marongiu Fabio , Gramignoli Roberto , Sun Qian , Tahan Veysel , Miki Toshio , Dorko Kenneth , Ellis Ewa , Strom Stephen C. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to differentiate into osteocytes, chondrocytes, and adipocytes and possess immunomodulatory properties. Amniotic membrane from human term placenta is a potential source of multipotent MSCs that could be useful for regenerative medicine. This unit describes a detailed and simple protocol for the isolation of amniotic mesenchymal cells. We also introduce a simple density separation technique for the purification of this cell type from possible contamination with amniotic epithelial cells. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 12:1E.5.1‐1E.5.11. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Construction and Use of Glycan Microarrays
Authors: Campbell Christopher T. , Zhang Yalong , Gildersleeve Jeffrey C. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractGlycosylation is an important post‐translational modification that influences many biological processes critical for development, normal physiologic function, and diseases. Unfortunately, progress toward understanding the roles of glycans in biology has been slow due to the challenges of studying glycans and the proteins that interact with them. Glycan microarrays provide a high‐throughput approach for the rapid analysis of carbohydrate‐macromolecule interactions. Protocols detailed here are intended to help laboratories with basic familiarity of DNA or protein microarrays to begin printing and performing assays using glycan microarrays. Basic and advanced data processing are also detailed, along with strategies for improving reproducibility of data collected with glycan arrays. Curr. Protoc. Chem Biol. 2:37‐53. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Heat transfer in nanoparticle suspensions: Modeling the thermal conductivity of nanofluids
Authors: Warrier Pramod , Yuan Yanhui , Beck Michael P. , Teja Amyn S. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis work reviews experimental data and models for the thermal conductivity of nanoparticle suspensions and examines the effect of the properties of the two phases on the effective thermal conductivity of the heterogeneous system. A model is presented for the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids that takes into account the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivities of the individual phases, as well as the size dependence of the thermal conductivity of the dispersed phase. We demonstrate that this model can be used to calculate the thermal conductivity of nanofluids over a wide range of particle sizes, particle volume fractions, and temperatures. The model can also be used to validate experimental thermal conductivity data for nanofluids containing semiconductor or insulator particles and confirm the size dependence of the thermal conductivity of nanoparticles. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Directed self‐assembly by photostimulation of an amorphous semiconductor surface
Authors: Kondratenko Yevgeniy V. , Seebauer Edmund G. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractA method for nanoscale directed self‐assembly is demonstrated that employs an amorphous semiconductor containing subcritical nuclei for crystallization. This strategy combines attractive features of top‐down and bottom‐up approaches by exploiting the self‐organization capabilities latent in amorphous materials, but in a way that can be controlled by optical or electron beam exposure tools. The method was demonstrated with amorphous TiO2deposited on silicon, heated to 270°C, and exposed to low‐level ultraviolet light. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Predicting the phase equilibria of synthetic petroleum fluids with the PPR78 approach
Authors: Jaubert Jean‐Noël , Privat Romain , Mutelet Fabrice 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe PPR78 approach is a group contribution‐based thermodynamic model which combines at constant packing fraction the Peng–Robinson equation of state and a Van Laar‐type gE model. This article demonstrates that, using classical mixing rules (linear on b and quadratic on a), the PPR78 model may also be seen as a group contribution method for the estimation of the temperature‐dependent kij of the widely used PR EoS. Our model is endowed of 15 groups and it is possible to predict the kij for any mixture containing alkanes, aromatics, naphthenes, CO2, N2, H2S, and mercaptans. This study exhibits the capability of this approach to predict the phase behavior of synthetic petroleum fluids containing components of different volatilities. The many comparisons between calculated and experimental data on natural gases, crude oils, and gas condensates allow concluding that the PPR78 approach is a successful model for phase equilibria calculations of this kind of mixtures. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Dry coating of talc particles: Effect of material and process modifications on their wettability and dispersibility
Authors: Lefebvre Guillaume , Galet Laurence , Chamayou Alain 
Published: March 2010

AbstractEven though dispersion operations have been the object of several investigations, the importance of the different parameters and especially the physicochemical and surface properties are rarely treated. Dry particle coating can be used to create new generation materials. In such processes, host particles are mechanically coated with guest particles, without using solvents and subsequent drying, to create new functionalities or to improve initial characteristics. This study examines the surface properties of talc particles modified by dry coating with hydrophobic silica particles. Two parameters have been studied: the concentration of silica particles and the dry coating processing time. Both parameters allow modifications of the work of adhesion of talc particles with water, which is a characteristic of wettability. This change of wettability can consequently influence the dispersion rate of talc in water. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Hydrogen generation from noncatalytic hydrothermolysis of ammonia borane for vehicle applications
Authors: Diwan Moiz , Hwang Hyun Tae , Al‐Kukhun Ahmad , Varma Arvind 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAmmonia borane (AB) is a promising hydrogen storage material as it contains 19.6 wt % hydrogen. In this article, our recently developed hydrothermolysis approach to release hydrogen is studied over a wide range of AB concentrations (6–88 wt %), at pressure 14.7 and 200 psia, and temperature 85–135°C. It is shown that with increasing AB concentration up to 77 wt %, the H2 yield increases, and that the role of thermolysis, when compared with hydrolysis, increases. The maximum hydrogen storage capacity, obtained at 77 wt % AB and Treactor ∼ 85°C along with rapid kinetics, was 11.6 and 14.3 wt % at pressure 14.7 and 200 psia, respectively. To our knowledge, on a material basis, the AB hydrothermolysis process is the first one to provide such high hydrogen yield values at near PEM fuel cell operating temperatures without use of catalyst, and thus is promising for use in fuel cell‐based vehicle applications. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011