bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Losartan, a therapeutic candidate in congenital muscular dystrophy: Studies in the dy2J/dy2J Mouse
Authors: Elbaz Moran , Yanay Nurit , Aga‐Mizrachi Shlomit , Brunschwig Zivia , Kassis Ibaa , Ettinger Keren , Barak Vivian , Nevo Yoram 
Published: December 2011

AbstractObjective:Lamininα2‐deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A) is a cureless disease associated with severe disability and shortened lifespan. Previous studies have shown reduced fibrosis and restored skeletal muscle remodeling following treatment with losartan, an angiotensin II type I receptor blocker. We therefore evaluated the effect of losartan treatment in the dy2J/dy2J mouse model of MDC1A.Methods:Homozygous dy2J/dy2J and control mice were treated with losartan or placebo for 12 weeks from 6 weeks of age. Outcome measures included hindlimb and forelimb muscle strength by Grip Strength Meter and quantitative muscle fibrosis parameters. Losartan's effects on transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were evaluated with Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and cytokine measurements.Results:Losartan treatment was associated with significant impressive improvement in muscle strength and amelioration of fibrosis. Administration of losartan inhibited TGF‐β signaling pathway, resulting in decreased serum TGF‐β1 level and reduced downstream phosphorylated (P) Smad2/3 proteins. Moreover, losartan activated Smad7 protein, a key negative regulator of TGF‐β signaling. In addition, losartan treatment inhibited the MAPK cascade as shown by decreased expression of P‐p38 MAPK, P‐c‐jun‐N‐terminal kinase, and P‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 in the treated mice.Interpretation:Losartan, a commonly prescribed US Food and Drug Administration‐approved medication for hypertension, demonstrated clinical improvement and amelioration of fibrosis in the dy2J/dy2J mouse model of MDC1A via TGF‐β and MAPK signaling pathways. The results of this study support pursuing a clinical trial of losartan treatment in children with MDC1A. ANN NEUROL 2012;
The effect of monomer structures on photopolymerization kinetics and volume shrinkage behavior for plasma display panel barrier rib
Authors: Zhang Wei , Dong HuaNan , Zhang Tao , Guo JinBao , Wei Jie 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBarrier rib manufactured by the photosensitive paste is the function structure of plasma display panels (PDPs) which is used to maintain the discharge space between two glass plates. As the most promising option for barrier rib preparation, the photosensitive paste contains binder polymer, monomers, photoinitiator, and barrier rib powder etc., all of which influenced the performance of barrier rib. Among all these components, monomers play a very important role in the formation process and resolution of barrier rib during of these components. In this work, double‐bond conversion, curing speed, content, volume shrinkage, and the best mixed proportion of monomers were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, density measurements, analog computation and orthogonal test. It was found that the high aspect ratio barrier rib could be produced based on the optimizing additives of components in the photosensitive paste. The height of barrier rib of about 220 μm could further decline the energy consumption of PDP effectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Preparation and properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/polytetramethyleneadipate glycol (PTAd)‐based waterborne polyurethane adhesives: Effect of PDMS molecular weight and content
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Mizanur , Hasneen Aleya , Kim Han‐Do , Lee Won Ki 
Published: December 2011

AbstractWaterborne polyurethane (WBPU) dispersions were prepared by pre‐polymer process using siloxane polyol, namely polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and polyester polyol, namely poly(tetramethyleneadipate glycol) (PTAd), as a soft segment. Three different molecular weights (Mn = 550, 6000, 110,000) of PDMS and one fixed molecular weight of PTAd (Mn = 2000) was used during preparation of WBPU dispersions. This research aims to explore the potential use of PDMS in complementing WBPU by boosting flexibility, water resistance, and adhesive strength. The water swelling (%), tensile strength, and adhesive strength of WBPUs were investigated with respect to PDMS molecular weight and PDMS content (PDMS mol %). The water swelling (%) and tensile strength decreased with increasing PDMS molecular weight at a fixed PDMS content (mol %) in mixed polyol of WBPU films. By contrast, the peel adhesive strength peaked at 6.64 mol % and 4.43 mol % with molecular weight of PDMS at 550 and 6000, respectively, while it only decreased when the molecular weight of PDMS stood at 110,000. The adhesive strength was almost unaffected with optimum content (6.64 mol %) of lower PDMS molecular weight (Mn = 550) in mixed polyol‐based WBPU after immersing the adhesive bonded nylon fabrics in water for 48 h among all of the samples. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Nickel‐Catalyzed Cyclization of ortho‐Iodoketoximes and ortho‐Iodoketimines with Alkynes: Synthesis of Highly Substituted Isoquinolines and Isoquinolinium Salts
Authors: Shih Wei‐Chun , Teng Chu‐Chun , Parthasarathy Kanniyappan , Cheng Chien‐Hong 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA convenient method for the synthesis of highly substituted isoquinolines and isoquinolinium salts by the nickel‐catalyzed cyclization of ortho‐haloketoximes and ‐ketimines, respectively, with alkynes is described. The reaction of ortho‐haloketoximes and various alkynes in the presence of [Ni(PPh3)2Br2] and zinc powder in a mixture of acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran at 80 °C for 15 hours gave 1,3,4‐trisubstituted isoquinoline products in moderate to excellent yields and high regioselectivity. The corresponding isoquinoline N‐oxide was found to be the intermediate in the cyclization reaction pathway. In contrast, the reaction of ortho‐haloketimines and alkynes under similar catalytic conditions in tetrahydrofuran at 70 °C for two hours gave 1,2,3,4‐tetrasubstituted isoquinolinium salts in good to excellent yields.
Rationally selected single‐site mutants of the Thermoascus aurantiacus endoglucanase increase hydrolytic activity on cellulosic substrates
Authors: Srikrishnan Sneha , Randall Arlo , Baldi Pierre , Da Silva Nancy A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractVariants of the Thermoascus aurantiacus Eg1 enzyme with higher catalytic efficiency than wild‐type were obtained via site‐directed mutagenesis. Using a rational mutagenesis approach based on structural bioinformatics and evolutionary analysis, two positions (F16S and Y95F) were identified as priority sites for mutagenesis. The mutant and parent enzymes were expressed and secreted from Pichia pastoris and the single site mutants F16S and Y95F showed 1.7‐ and 4.0‐fold increases in kcat and 1.5‐ and 2.5‐fold improvements in hydrolytic activity on cellulosic substrates, respectively, while maintaining thermostability. Similar to the parent enzyme, the two variants were active between pH 4.0 and 8.0 and showed optimal activity at temperature 70°C at pH 5.0. The purified enzymes were active at 50°C for over 12 h and retained at least 80% of initial activity for 2 h at 70°C. In contrast to the improved hydrolysis seen with the single mutation enzymes, no improvement was observed with a third variant carrying a combination of both mutations, which instead showed a 60% reduction in catalytic efficiency. This work further demonstrates that non‐catalytic amino acid residues can be engineered to enhance catalytic efficiency in pretreatment enzymes of interest. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:1595–1599. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The historical evolution of the understanding of the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands
Authors: Lydiatt Daniel D. , Bucher Gregory S. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe discovery of the major salivary glands was primarily a story of the establishment of the glands major excretory ducts. Occurring during the Renaissance: religious, political, and philosophical considerations played a role in defining the structure's function. We describe the history and background of these political, religious, and philosophical factors. Next, we present a translation of the original texts, describing the establishment of the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands. We place these translations into historical context and comment on their naming propriety. Initially we translate the works of the 15th century anatomists. Next, we look at the discovery and description of the submandibular gland's duct by Thomas Wharton (1614–1673) in his landmark book, Adenographia sive glandularum totius corporis descriptio (Adenographia or the description of the glands of the entire body) (1656). Next, the somewhat unexpected discovery of the duct of the parotid gland by Nicholas Stenson (1638–1686) and his publication, De glandulis oris et novis earundum vasis (On the glands of the mouth and their new ducts) (1661), done primarily for his discussion of the submandibular and sublingual gland anatomy. Finally we outline the description and discussion by Caspar Bartholin (1655–1738), in De ductu salivali, hactenus non descripto observatio anatomica (Anatomical observation of a salivary duct not hitherto described) (1685) of the origin of the complex drainage system of the sublingual gland. The honor of naming these glands rested with the discoverer of their ducts. All original works were published in Latin, and we have translated these texts to more fully understand the author's perspectives and historical context for a more interesting and complete story. Clin. Anat. 25:2–11, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cancer care challenges in developing countries
Authors: Price Adi J. , Ndom Paul , Atenguena Etienne , Mambou Nouemssi Jean Pierre , Ryder Robert W. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Health systems in Sub‐Saharan Africa are not prepared for the rapid rise in cancer rates projected in the region over the next decades. More must be understood about the current state of cancer care in this region to target improvement efforts. Yaounde General Hospital (YGH) currently is the only site in Cameroon (population: 18.8 million) where adults can receive chemotherapy from trained medical oncologists. The experiences of patients at this facility represent a useful paradigm for describing cancer care in this region.METHODS:In July and August 2010, our multidisciplinary team conducted closed‐end interviews with 79 consecutive patients who had confirmed breast cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, or lymphoma.RESULTS:Thirty‐five percent of patients waited >6 months to speak to a health care provider after the first sign of their cancer. The delay between first consultation with a health care provider and receipt of a cancer diagnosis was >3 months for 47% of patients. The total delay from the first sign of cancer to receipt of the correct diagnosis was >6 months for 63% of patients. Twenty‐three percent of patients traveled for >7 hours to reach YGH, and 40% of patients interviewed spent >$200 on a single round of chemotherapy.CONCLUSIONS:Cancer patients experienced numerous geographic and health care system challenges, resulting in significant delays in receiving diagnosis and treatment, even for cancers highly amenable to early intervention. This unacceptable and unethical situation is likely explained by limited knowledge about cancer among patients and health care professionals, government neglect, poverty, and reliance on traditional healers. Cancer 2012;3627–3635. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Improving prognosis of glioblastoma in the 21st century: Who has benefited most?
Authors: Lawrence Yaacov Richard , Mishra Mark V. , Werner‐Wasik Maria , Andrews David W. , Showalter Timothy N. , Glass Jon , Shen Xinglei , Symon Zvi , Dicker Adam P. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent primary brain tumor in adults. Temozolomide was rapidly incorporated into first‐line treatment following the publication of the pivotal European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer–National Cancer Institute of Canada phase 3 trial in 2005. However, in the trial, enrollment was limited to younger patients with good performance status. Therefore, this study performed a population‐based survival analysis of patients with newly diagnosed GBM covering the period before and after the introduction of temozolomide.METHODS:Survival statistics and clinical and demographic variables were extracted from the Survival, Epidemiology and End Results Database for patients diagnosed with GBM from 2001 to 2007. Mean regional income for each patient was also collected. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan‐Meier method and proportional hazard models.RESULTS:A total of 13,003 adult patients diagnosed with a GBM were identified. Prognostic variables included age <70 years, use of radiation, gross total resection, and residence in a high‐income district (P < .001). Between 2001 and 2007, the median survival time increased from 7 to 9 months for the entire population. The 1‐year survival increased from 29% to 39%. Prognosis of patients aged 70 or more years did not improve over this time. Over the study period, the absolute disparity in 1‐year survival between low‐ and high‐income districts increased from 6.6% to 10.1%.CONCLUSIONS:There has been a stepwise improvement in the overall survival of patients with GBM between 2001 and 2007. This improvement has been confined to patients <70 years of age and has been most prominent among patients living in high‐income districts. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging as a prognostic factor in predicting event‐free and overall survival in pediatric patients with osteosarcoma
Authors: Guo Junyu , Reddick Wilburn E. , Glass John O. , Ji Qing , Billups Catherine A. , Wu Jianrong , Hoffer Fredric A. , Kaste Sue C. , Jenkins Jesse J. , Ortega Flores Ximena C. , Quintana Juan , Villarroel Milena , Daw Najat C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) as an early imaging indicator of tumor histologic response to preoperative chemotherapy and as a possible prognostic factor for event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed, nonmetastatic osteosarcoma who were treated on a single, multi‐institutional phase 2 trial.METHODS:Three serial DCE‐MRI examinations at week 0 (before treatment), week 9, and week 12 (tumor resection) were performed in 69 patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma to monitor the response to preoperative chemotherapy. Four DCE‐MRI kinetic parameters (the influx volume transfer constant [Ktrans], the efflux rate constant [kep], the relative extravascular extracellular space [ve], and the relative vascular plasma space [vp]) and the corresponding differences (ΔKtrans, Δkep, Δve, and Δvp) of averaged kinetic parameters between the outer and inner halves of tumors were calculated to assess their associations with tumor histologic response, EFS, and overall survival.RESULTS:The parameters Ktrans, ve, vp, and kep decreased significantly from week 0 to week 9 and week 12. The parameters Ktrans, vp, and Δkep at week 9 were significantly different between responders and nonresponders (P = .046, P = .021, and P = .008, respectively). These 3 parameters were indicative of histologic response. The parameter Δve at week 0 was a significant prognostic factor for both EFS (P = .02) and overall survival (P = .03).CONCLUSIONS:DCE‐MRI was identified as a prognostic factor for EFS and overall survival before treatment on this trial and was indicative of a histologic response to neoadjuvant therapy. Further studies are needed to verify these findings with other treatment regimens and establish the potential role of DCE‐MRI in the development of risk‐adapted therapy for osteosarcoma. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
How does health literacy affect quality of life among men with newly diagnosed clinically localized prostate cancer?
Authors: Song Lixin , Mishel Merle , Bensen Jeannette T. , Chen Ronald C. , Knafl George J. , Blackard Bonny , Farnan Laura , Fontham Elizabeth , Su L. Joseph , Brennan Christine S. , Mohler James L. , Godley Paul A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Health literacy deficits affect half of the US overall patient population, especially the elderly, and are linked to poor health outcomes among noncancer patients. Yet little is known about how health literacy affects cancer populations. The authors examined the relation between health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and health literacy among men with prostate cancer.METHODS:Data analysis included 1581 men with newly diagnosed clinically localized prostate cancer from a population‐based study, the North Carolina‐Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP). Participants completed assessment of health literacy using Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) and HRQOL using the Short Form‐12 General Health Survey (SF12). Bivariate and multivariate regression was used to determine the potential association between REALM and HRQOL, while controlling for sociodemographic and illness‐related variables.RESULTS:Higher health literacy level was significantly associated with better mental well‐being (SF12‐Mental Component Summary [MCS]; P < .001) and physical well‐being (SF12‐Physical Component Summary [PCS]; P < .001) in bivariate analyses. After controlling for sociodemographic (age, marital status, race, income, and education) and illness‐related factors (types of cancer treatment, tumor aggressiveness, and comorbidities), health literacy remained significantly associated with SF12‐MCS scores (P < .05) but not with SF12‐PCS scores.CONCLUSIONS:Among patients with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer, those with low health literacy levels were more vulnerable to mental distress than those with higher health literacy levels, but physical well‐being was no different. These findings suggest that health literacy may be important in patients managing prostate cancer and the effects of treatment, and provide the hypothesis that supportive interventions targeting patients with lower health literacy may improve their HRQOL. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Tuning the Release of Anticancer Drugs from Magnetic Iron Oxide/Mesoporous Silica Core/Shell Nanoparticles
Authors: Knežević Nikola Ž. , Slowing Igor I. , Lin Victor S.‐Y. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA series of core/shell, iron oxide nanoparticle embedded magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticle materials with radial (MMSN‐r) and hexagonal (MMSN‐h) porous structures are synthesized and their capacity to load and release the anticancer drugs, 9‐aminoacridine (9AA) and camptothecin (CPT) are investigated. Although effective release of 9AA is observed for nonfunctionalized MMSN, its release from the phenylethyl‐functionalized hexagonal MMSN material (Ph‐MMSN‐h) was hindered. Conversely, the loading and release of CPT is promoted by the presence of the phenylethyl functionality inside the mesopores of MMSN, whereas very low release of CPT was observed from nonfunctionalized MMSN material. Controlled‐release properties of the drug‐loaded magnetic materials were confirmed by viability studies on Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cells, which revealed efficient cytotoxic activity of CPT‐loaded Ph‐MMSN‐h and 9AA‐loaded MMSN‐h materials. In addition, it was demonstrated that applying an external magnetic field to induce agitation of the drug leaded materials promoted the release of anticancer drugs from the magnetic materials. It is envisioned that the MMSN materials could be effectively applied for externally controlled, selective drug delivery to tumor tissues.
One‐Flask Tethered Ring Closing Metathesis–Electrocyclic Ring Opening for the Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of Conjugated Z/E‐Dienes
Authors: Schmidt Bernd , Kunz Oliver 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA one‐flask reaction sequence comprising ring closing metathesis (RCM) of butenoates derived from allylic alcohols and a base‐mediated ring opening gives 2Z,4E‐configured dienoic acids in high yields and stereoselectivities. Application of the method to the synthesis of the natural product fusanolide A suggests that the originally published structure was erroneously assigned and should be revised.
Detection of PAX8–PPARG fusion transcripts in archival thyroid carcinoma samples by conventional RT‐PCR
Authors: Klemke Markus , Drieschner Norbert , Belge Gazanfer , Burchardt Käte , Junker Klaus , Bullerdiek Jörn 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe t(2;3)(q13;p25) occurs in a subgroup of follicular‐patterned thyroid tumors and leads to a fusion of the genes encoding for the thyroid‐specific transcription factor paired box 8 (PAX8) and the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Although initially discovered in follicular carcinomas (FTC), the fusion transcripts were also detected in a small fraction of follicular adenomas and rarely in follicular variants of papillary carcinomas (FV‐PTC). In most RT‐PCR based studies, fresh or snap‐frozen tissue samples were used. The aim of the present study was to develop a method for the detection of chimeric PAX8–PPARG transcripts in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) thyroid tumor samples by conventional RT‐PCR. For this purpose, RNA from FFPE samples of 21 FTC, seven FV‐PTC, and one bone metastasis derived from an FTC was subjected to RT‐PCR with subsequent gel electrophoretic separation of the products. Fusion transcripts were detected in 2/21 primary FTC (9.5%) and in the bone metastasis, but they were undetectable in all seven FV‐PTC under investigation. The RT‐PCR approach described herein allows to detect all known variants of PAX8–PPARG fusion transcripts and is applicable to FFPE tissues. Thus, it can be used to screen archival thyroid tumor samples for the gene fusion. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transoral robotic biopsy of the tongue base: A novel paradigm in the evaluation of unknown primary tumors of the head and neck
Authors: Abuzeid Waleed M. , Bradford Carol R. , Divi Vasu 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundSquamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck can present as a cervical metastasis from an unknown primary site. The standard diagnostic workup includes panendoscopy and directed biopsies but this will fail to identify a portion of unknown primary tumors.MethodsHerein, we present a case report of a male patient with an unknown primary tumor in which the da Vinci surgical robot was used to evaluate the tongue base.ResultsClinical evaluation, imaging, and panendoscopy with directed biopsies failed to detect the primary tumor site. Robot‐assisted biopsy of a broad area of the tongue base, incorporating submucosal tissue, identified the primary tumor with minimal postoperative morbidity.ConclusionFailure to localize an unknown primary tumor often results in widespread irradiation of the upper aerodigestive tract, inducing significant morbidity. Robot‐assisted biopsies of the tongue base may identify unknown primaries that would otherwise have been missed through standard directed biopsy techniques. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013