bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in pubertal girls with anorexia nervosa
Authors: AARSKOG D. , AKSNES L. , MARKESTAD T. , TRYGSTAD O. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT
Plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2D), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25-(OH)2D) and vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) were measured in 12 pubertal girls (aged 10-18 yr) with anorexia nervosa in relapse. The results were compared with similar data obtained in 81 healthy girls representing all stages of puberty. The patients with anorexia nervosa had significantly lower 1,25-(OH)2D levels (71 vs. 124 pmol/l; p<0.0005), and significantly higher 24,25-(OH)2D levels (6.0 vs. 3.2 nmol/l; p<0.0005), whereas the 25-OHD concentrations were similar in the two groups (85.7 vs. 86.7 nmol/l). The molar ratios of 24,25-(OH)2D to 25-OHD, which reflects the relative activity of the 24-hydroxylation, were significantly higher in the anorectics (6.6 % vs. 3.6 %; p<0.0005). The mean level of DBP did not differ between the two groups, and accordingly the calculated "free-fraction of 1,25-(OH)2 D" was significantly lower in the anorectic patients (p<0.0005). It appears that the regulatory mechanisms of the vitamin D endocrine system are altered in the patients with anorexia nervosa at puberty resulting in a relative decrease of the plasma concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D and increase of the 24,25-(OH)2D concentration.
Key words: Anorexia nervosa, vitamin D metabolism, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D binding protein
THE EFFECT OF PROLONGED ADMINISTRATION OF RELAXIN ON SOME FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF THE NON-PREGNANT MOUSE AND RAT UTERUS
Authors: Wiqvist Nils 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT
Motility and tone of the non-pregnant rat and mouse uterus were studied in vitro and in vivo as influenced by relaxin. In the in vitro experiments the following functional qualities were recorded: frequency, mean amplitude, uterine work (total amplitude × load applied to the frontal writing levers), tone. The in vivo experiments included: recording of the spontaneous uterine motility in rats at a low constant intrauterine pressure. volume-pressure curves from the rat uterus by using a constant infusion devise and a strain gauge pressure transducer. Uterine work of the mouse uterus in vitro after a single subcutaneous injection of relaxin in saline was markedly reduced for a period of one hour but reached normal values 3–6 hours after the injection. The motility inhibiting effect could also be elicited by subcutaneous injection of relaxin in repository suspension. Frequency, mean amplitude, uterine work and tone of the oestradiol-progesterone pretreated rat uterus in vitro was not significantly altered after prolonged administration of relaxin in a repository suspension. Uterine sensitivity to oxytocin in vitro and in vivo was not definitely influenced by prolonged action of relaxin. Uterine distensibility, as evaluated from volume-pressure curves, was markedly enhanced after prolonged pretreatment with relaxin. It is suggested that the increased distensibility may be due to the hypertrophy of the uterus induced by relaxin but also an actual modification of its functional properties in this respect. The necessity of distinguishing the immediate motility inhibiting effect of relaxin from prolonged action of this substance on the uterus is emphasized.
Impact of Chronic Anticholesterol Therapy on Development of Microvascular Rarefaction in the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Goodwill Adam G. , Frisbee Stephanie J. , Stapleton Phoebe A. , James Milinda E. , Frisbee Jefferson C. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTObjective: The obese Zucker rat (OZR) model of the metabolic syndrome is partly characterized by moderate hypercholesterolemia, in addition to other contributing comorbidities. Previous results suggest that vascular dysfunction in OZR is associated with chronic reduction in vascular nitric‐oxide (NO) bioavailability and chronic inflammation, both frequently associated with hypercholesterolemia. As such, we evaluated the impact of chronic cholesterol‐reducing therapy on the development of impaired skeletal muscle arteriolar reactivity and microvessel density in OZR and its impact on chronic inflammation and NO bioavailability.Materials and Methods: Beginning at seven weeks of age, male OZR were treated with gemfibrozil, probucol, atorvastatin, or simvastatin (in chow) for 10 weeks. Subsequently, plasma and vascular samples were collected for biochemical/molecular analyses, while arteriolar reactivity and microvessel network structure were assessed by using established methodologies after 3, 6, and 10 weeks of drug therapy.Results: All interventions were equally effective at reducing total cholesterol, although only the statins also blunted the progressive reductions to vascular NO bioavailability, evidenced by greater maintenance of acetylcholine‐induced dilator responses, an attenuation of adrenergic constrictor reactivity, and an improvement in agonist‐induced NO production. Comparably, while minimal improvements to arteriolar wall mechanics were identified with any of the interventions, chronic statin treatment reduced the rate of microvessel rarefaction in OZR. Associated with these improvements was a striking statin‐induced reduction in inflammation in OZR, such that numerous markers of inflammation were correlated with improved microvascular reactivity and density. However, using multivariate discriminant analyses, plasma RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T‐cell expressed and secreted), interleukin‐10, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were determined to be the strongest contributors to differences between groups, although their relative importance varied with time.Conclusions: While the positive impact of chronic statin treatment on vascular outcomes in the metabolic syndrome are independent of changes to total cholesterol, and are more strongly associated with improvements to vascular NO bioavailability and attenuated inflammation, these results provide both a spatial and temporal framework for targeted investigation into mechanistic determinants of vasculopathy in the metabolic syndrome.
Etiology and Outcome of Acute Hepatic Failure - A Study of 40 Cases
Authors: Islam N , Abdullah ABM , Zaman A 
Published: October 2009

Acute hepatic failure (ALF) is a medical emergency and infrequently presented in the hospitals and may be associated with high mortality rate. Its etiology shows considerable geographical variations. The viral causes are the most common worldwide, [whilst acetaminophen (Paracetamol) induced hepatotoxicity forms the most common precipitant in many developed countries.] A total forty (40) patients of ALF were studied during the period of January 2003 to July 2004 to evaluate the etiology and outcome. The patients were admitted in different tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh. The patients were selected randomly by the diagnostic criteria. The selected patients presented with jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy of varying grades. Almost all the cases the causative agents were viruses. Among these, the hepatitis E virus (HEV) was the top most causative agent followed by hepatitis B virus (HBV) in this study. Despite good effort of conservative treatment, the mortality rate was 77.5%. The mortality rate was higher in grade-III and grade-IV encephalopathy patients whereas the prognosis is better in grade-I and grade-II encephalopathy patients. DOI: 10.3329/bmj.v38i2.3575 Bangladesh Medical Journal 38(2) 2009 56-59
A Representation Theorem for Archimedean Quadratic Modules on ∗-Rings
Authors: Cimprič Jakob 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe present a new approach to noncommutative real algebraic geometry based on the representation theory of C*-algebras. An important result in commutative real algebraic geometry is Jacobi's representation theorem for archimedean quadratic modules on commutative rings. We show that this theorem is a consequence of the Gelfand–Naimark representation theorem for commutative C*-algebras. A noncommutative version of Gelfand–Naimark theory was studied by I. Fujimoto. We use his results to generalize Jacobi's theorem to associative rings with involution.
Generalized Eigenfunctions and a Borel Theorem on the Sierpinski Gasket
Authors: Okoudjou Kasso A. , Rogers Luke G. , Strichartz Robert S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe prove there exist exponentially decaying generalized eigenfunctions on a blow-up of the Sierpinski gasket with boundary. These are used to show a Borel-type theorem, specifically that for a prescribed jet at the boundary point there is a smooth function having that jet.
Connections on a Parabolic Principal Bundle, II
Authors: Biswas Indranil 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn Connections on a parabolic principal bundle over a curve, I we defined connections on a parabolic principal bundle. While connections on usual principal bundles are defined as splittings of the Atiyah exact sequence, it was noted in the above article that the Atiyah exact sequence does not generalize to the parabolic principal bundles. Here we show that a twisted version of the Atiyah exact sequence generalizes to the context of parabolic principal bundles. For usual principal bundles, giving a splitting of this twisted Atiyah exact sequence is equivalent to giving a splitting of the Atiyah exact sequence. Connections on a parabolic principal bundle can be defined using the generalization of the twisted Atiyah exact sequence.
On the X-ray Number of Almost Smooth Convex Bodies and of Convex Bodies of Constant Width
Authors: Bezdek K. , Kiss Gy. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe X-ray numbers of some classes of convex bodies are investigated. In particular, we give a proof of the X-ray Conjecture as well as of the Illumination Conjecture for almost smooth convex bodies of any dimension and for convex bodies of constant width of dimensions 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Hamiltonian Properties of Generalized Halin Graphs
Authors: Malik Shabnam , Qureshi Ahmad Mahmood , Zamfirescu Tudor 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA Halin graph is a graph H = T ∪ C, where T is a tree with no vertex of degree two, and C is a cycle connecting the end-vertices of T in the cyclic order determined by a plane embedding of T. In this paper, we define classes of generalized Halin graphs, called k-Halin graphs, and investigate their Hamiltonian properties.
Indecomposable Coverings
Authors: Pach János , Tardos Gábor , Tóth Géza 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe prove that for every k > 1, there exist k-fold coverings of the plane (i) with strips, (ii) with axis-parallel rectangles, and (iii) with homothets of any fixed concave quadrilateral, that cannot be decomposed into two coverings. We also construct for every k > 1 a set of points P and a family of disks in the plane, each containing at least k elements of P, such that, no matter how we color the points of P with two colors, there exists a disk D ∈ all of whose points are of the same color.
Lipschitz Type Characterizations for Bergman Spaces
Authors: Wulan Hasi , Zhu Kehe 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe obtain new characterizations for Bergman spaces with standard weights in terms of Lipschitz type conditions in the Euclidean, hyperbolic, and pseudo-hyperbolic metrics. As a consequence, we prove optimal embedding theorems when an analytic function on the unit disk is symmetrically lifted to the bidisk.
Enantioselective Organocatalytic Conjugate Addition of Aldehydes to α,β‐Unsaturated Thiol Esters
Authors: Zhu Shaolin , Wang You , Ma Dawei 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe first example of an organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes to α,β‐unsaturated thiol esters promoted by chiral diphenylprolinol silyl ether is presented. The reaction occurs with good yields, diastereoselectivity and excellent enantioselectivity.
New Indenylidene‐Schiff Base‐Ruthenium Complexes for Cross‐Metathesis and Ring‐Closing Metathesis
Authors: Vila Ana M. Lozano , Monsaert Stijn , Drozdzak Renata , Wolowiec Stanislaw , Verpoort Francis 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe here report on the stability and catalytic activity of new indenylidene‐Schiff base‐ruthenium complexes 3a–f through representative cross‐metathesis (CM) and ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactions. Excellent activity of the new complexes was found for the two selected RCM reactions; prominent conversion was obtained compared to the commercial Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst 2. Moreover, excellent results were obtained for a standard CM reaction. Higher conversions were achieved with one of the indenylidene catalysts compared with Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst. Unexpectedly, an isomerization reaction was observed during the CM reaction of allylbenzene. To the best of our knowledge, isomerization reactions in this model CM reaction in closed systems have never been described using first generation catalysts, including the Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst. The first model CM reactions as well as the RCM reactions have been monitored using 1H NMR. The course of the CM reaction of 3‐phenylprop‐1‐ene (8) and cis‐1,4‐diacetoxybut‐2‐ene (9) was monitored by GC. The isomerization reaction was studied by means of GC‐mass spectrometry and in situ IR spectroscopy. All catalysts were structurally characterized by means of 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopy.
Synthesis of 2,3‐Diarylbenzo[b]thiophenes via Nickel‐Catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling and Palladium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Arylation
Authors: Miyasaka Mitsuru , Hirano Koji , Satoh Tetsuya , Miura Masahiro 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe report a new approach to 2,3‐diarylbenzo[b]thiophenes based on the nickel‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling/palladium‐catalyzed decarboxylative arylation sequence of 3‐chloro‐2‐methoxycarbonylbenzo[b]thiophenes, which are readily accessible from the corresponding cinnamic acids. In addition, this methodology can be applied to the concise synthesis of π‐extended 2,3,6,7‐tetraarylbenzo[1,2‐b;4,5‐b′]dithiophenes. Their optical properties are also described.
Direct Amide Synthesis from Alcohols and Amines by Phosphine‐Free Ruthenium Catalyst Systems
Authors: Ghosh Subhash Chandra , Muthaiah Senthilkumar , Zhang Yao , Xu Xiangya , Hong Soon Hyeok 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAmides are synthesized directly from alcohols and amines in high yields using an in situ generated catalyst from easily available ruthenium complexes such as the (p‐cymene)ruthenium dichloride dimer, [Ru(p‐cymeme)Cl2]2, or the (benzene)ruthenium dichloride dimer, [Ru(benzene)Cl2]2, an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand, and a nitrogen containing L‐type ligand such as acetonitrile. The phosphine‐free catalyst systems showed improved or comparable activity compared to previous phosphine‐based catalytic systems. The in situ generated catalyst from [Ru(benzene)Cl2]2, an NHC ligand, and acetonitrile showed excellent activity toward reactions with cyclic secondary amines such as piperidine and morpholine.
Novel soft sensor modeling and process optimization technique for commercial petrochemical plant
Authors: Lahiri S. K. , Khalfe Nadeem M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSoft sensors have been widely used in industrial process control to improve the quality of product and assure safety in production in real‐time basis. The core of a soft sensor is to construct a soft sensing model. This paper proposes a new soft sensing modeling method based on a recent advanced computational technique called support vector regression (SVR). The major advantage of the strategies is that soft sensor modeling can be conducted exclusively from the historic process data wherein the detailed knowledge of process phenomenology (reaction mechanism, kinetics, etc.) is not required.Ultraviolet (UV) transmittance is one of the most important quality variables of monoethylene glycol (MEG) product that has impact on the polyester product quality. UV transmittance measures the presence of undesirable compounds in MEG that absorb light in the UV region of the spectrum and indirectly measures the impurity of MEG product. Off‐line laboratory method for MEG UV measurement is common practice among the manufacturer, where a sample is withdrawn several times a day from the product stream and analyzed by time‐consuming laboratory analysis. In the event of a process malfunction or operating under suboptimal condition, the plant continues to produce off‐specification (off‐spec) product until laboratory results become available. It results in enormous financial losses for a large‐scale commercial plant. In this paper, a soft sensor was developed to predict the UV transmittance on real‐time basis and an online hybrid SVR‐differential evolution (DE) technique was used to optimize the process parameters so that UV is maximized. This paper describes a systematic approach for the development of inferential measurements of UV transmittance using SVR analysis. After predicting the UV accurately, model inputs are optimized using DEs to maximize the UV. The optimized solutions when verified in actual commercial plant resulted in a significant improvement in the MEG quality. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Artificial neural network model with parameter tuning assisted by genetic algorithm technique: study of critical velocity of slurry flow in pipeline
Authors: Lahiri S. K. , Ghanta K. C. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis paper describes a robust hybrid artificial neural network (ANN) methodology, which can offer superior performance for important process engineering problems. The method incorporates hybrid artificial neural network and genetic algorithm technique (ANN–GA) for efficient tuning of ANN meta‐parameters. The algorithm has been applied for prediction of critical velocity of solid liquid slurry flow. A comparison with selected correlations in the literature showed that the developed ANN correlation noticeably improved prediction of critical velocity over a wide range of operating conditions, physical properties, and pipe diameters. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stage-for-stage comparison of definitive chemoradiotherapy, surgery alone and neoadjuvant chemotherapy for oesophageal carcinoma
Authors: Morgan M A , Lewis W G , Casbard A , Roberts S A , Adams R , Clark G W B , Havard T J , Crosby T D L 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) has been proposed as an alternative therapy for selected patients with oesophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of dCRT, surgery alone, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (CS) in patients with oesophageal cancer.

Methods
Consecutive patients diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and managed by a multidisciplinary team were staged by computed tomography and endoluminal ultrasonography. Those deemed unsuitable for surgery on the grounds of performance status, bulky local disease or personal choice received dCRT. The primary outcome measure was overall survival measured from date of diagnosis.

Results
Of 417 patients, 173 received dCRT, 126 underwent surgery alone and 118 received CS. The incidence of grade III/IV toxicity after dCRT and CS was 39·3 and 60·2 per cent respectively. Operative morbidity rates were 42·9 and 44·4 per cent after surgery alone and CS respectively. Thirty-day mortality rates were zero, 7·9 and 0·8 per cent after dCRT, surgery alone and CS respectively. Overall 2-year survival rates were 44·3, 56·2 and 42·4 per cent (P = 0·422).

Conclusion
These findings support the need for a randomized trial of dCRT versus CS for resectable oesophageal cancer.
Cost-effectiveness and quality-of-life analysis of physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical services
Authors: Ringburg A N , Polinder S , Meulman T J , Steyerberg E W , van Lieshout E M M , Patka P , van Beeck E F , Schipper I B 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe long-term health outcomes and costs of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) assistance remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of HEMS assistance compared with emergency medical services (EMS).MethodsA prospective cohort study was performed at a level I trauma centre. Quality-of-life measurements were obtained at 2 years after trauma, using the EuroQol—Five Dimensions (EQ-5D) as generic measure to determine health status. Health outcomes and costs were combined into costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY).ResultsThe study population receiving HEMS assistance was more severely injured than that receiving EMS assistance only. Over the 4-year study interval, HEMS assistance saved a total of 29 additional lives. No statistically significant differences in quality of life were found between assistance with HEMS or with EMS. Two years after trauma the mean EQ-5D utility score was 0·70 versus 0·71 respectively. The incremental cost–effectiveness ratio for HEMS versus EMS was €28 327 per QALY. The sensitivity analysis showed a cost-effectiveness ratio between €16 000 and €62 000.ConclusionIn the Netherlands, the costs of HEMS assistance per QALY remain below the acceptance threshold. HEMS should therefore be considered as cost effective.
Long-term surveillance with computed tomography after endovascular aneurysm repair may not be justified
Authors: Black S A , Carrell T W G , Bell R E , Waltham M , Reidy J , Taylor P R 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
There is a common perception that a large number of secondary interventions are needed following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Methods
Prospective data were collected for a cohort of 417 consecutive elective patients undergoing infrarenal aortic endograft repair between April 2000 and May 2008. The rate of secondary interventions, associated morbidity and need for reintervention following surveillance imaging were analysed.

Results
The male : female ratio was 11 : 1, median age 76 (range 40–93) years and median aneurysm diameter 6·1 (5·3–11) cm. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 1·7 per cent (seven of 417). Secondary interventions were performed in 31 patients (7·4 per cent), of which six (1·4 per cent) were detected by surveillance. Endoleaks requiring reintervention occurred in 12 patients (2·9 per cent; ten type I and two type III endoleaks). Limb ischaemia secondary to graft occlusion occurred in 17 patients (4·1 per cent); extra-anatomical bypass was needed in 15 patients (3·6 per cent) and the remaining two had an amputation. Graft explantation following late infection was required in two patients (0·5 per cent).

Conclusion
Endoluminal repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms can be performed with a low reintervention rate. The value of prolonged surveillance seems limited and current surveillance protocols may require revision.