bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Pediatric Traditional Chinese Medicine Users in Taiwan: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Hsing-Yu , Lin Yi-Hsuan , Wu Jau-Ching , Chen Yu-Chun , Thien Peck-Foong , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Yang Sien-Hung , Chen Jiun-Liang , Lo Su-Shun 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Traditional chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the most commonly used complementary and alternative medicines. However, there is a paucity of epidemiologic reports on features of pediatric TCM users. As TCM services are fully reimbursed by National Health Insurance in Taiwan, this study used a nationwide cohort database to investigate demographics, diseases patterns, and parents' characteristics of pediatric TCM users.

METHODS:
Children aged &lt;12 years were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database for analysis. These pediatric TCM users’ demographics, medical conditions, and reasons for medical services were compared with users of Western medicine by Poisson regression. Children who did not use any medical services were excluded.

RESULTS:
Of 107 337 children who were enrolled and followed up in 2005, 19 669 children (18.3%) used TCM. Compared with Western medicine-only users, school-age children (aged 6–12 years), preschool age children (3–5 years), and toddlers (1–2 years) were more likely to use TCM than infants (&lt;1 year; rate ratio = 4.47, 3.66 and 2.59, respectively; P &lt; .001 for all). Parental factors were associated with more TCM use, including female gender, age &gt;35 years, past experience with TCM, and higher income levels. Allergic reactions and respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and musculoskeletal problems were also associated with higher TCM use.

CONCLUSIONS:
The use of TCM was correlated with both patient and parental factors, among which children’s age and parental TCM use were the most prominent. Additional studies on the efficacy of TCM are warranted.
One-step Articular Cartilage Repair: Combination of In Situ Bone Marrow Stem Cells With Cell-free Poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic Acid) Scaffold in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Shi Junjun , Zhang Xin , Zeng Xiangzhu , Zhu Jingxian , Pi Yanbin , Zhou Chunyan , Ao Yingfang 
Published: May 2012

Focal full-thickness articular cartilage defects are challenging to repair. The purpose of this study was to find a simple, effective 1-step articular cartilage repair method. Because stem cell niches produce a microenvironment for stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation, we integrated in situ bone marrow stem cells with an implanted poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLLGA) scaffold. Marrow stem cells grew and proliferated on cell-free PLLGA scaffolds, which were evaluated by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and Cell Counting Kit-8 (Dojindo, Kumamoto, Japan). Twenty-seven rabbits (54 knees) with large cylinder femoral trochlear cartilage defects were created and repaired with microfracture and cell-free PLLGA scaffold implantation (group 1), microfracture (group 2), or cell-free PLLGA scaffold implantation (group 3).
Outcomes were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging, International Cartilage Repair Society scores, histology, and immunohistochemistry. The repair effects were better in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. In group 1, hyaline-like cartilage formed at week 24. Magnetic resonance imaging showed homogeneous signals as the adjacent normal cartilage. Collagen type II and toluidine blue were stained positively as normal cartilage tissue, and the color and thickness of regenerated tissue were similar to surrounding normal tissue. The combination of microfracture and cell-free PLLGA scaffold implantation used endogenous marrow stem cells in situ and promoted hyaline-like cartilage regeneration rapidly and effectively.
Reconstruction of the Extensor Mechanism After Major Knee Resection
Authors: Mavrogenis Andreas F. , Angelini Andrea , Pala Elisa , Sakellariou Vasileios I. , Ruggieri Pietro , Papagelopoulos Panayiotis J. 
Published: May 2012

In periarticular knee resections, the relative lack of soft tissue coverage and need to reattach the extensor mechanism after en bloc resection of the tibial tuberosity with the tumor specimen complicate reconstructions and decrease postoperative function and stability of the knee joint. Distal femoral reconstructions are less problematic; muscular attachments are relatively few, neurovascular structures are not immediately adjacent to bone, and the knee extensor mechanism is usually not compromised from bone tumors. In the proximal tibia, the close proximity of the neurovascular structures in the popliteal fossa and peroneal nerve at the lateral aspect of the leg make reconstruction more difficult. Poor function is mostly related to unreliable options for knee extensor mechanism reattachment and poor soft tissue coverage. Successful and reliable attachment of the soft tissues has been a significant advance that improved functional outcomes.
This article describes techniques for the reconstruction of the extensor mechanism of the knee after proximal tibia resections. Combined reconstruction techniques using direct reattachment of the patellar tendon with synthetic materials to megaprosthetic or allograft reconstructions for immediate stability, augmentation with autologous bone graft or substitutes at the attachment site, and coverage with the medial gastrocnemius muscle flap and supplementary flaps for long-term stability of the reattachment are currently considered the gold standard.
New Classification System for Long-bone Fractures Supplementing the AO/OTA Classification
Authors: Garnavos Christos , Kanakaris Nikolaos K. , Lasanianos Nikolaos G. , Tzortzi Paraskevi , West Robert M. 
Published: May 2012

This article describes a novel, clinically oriented classification system for long-bone fractures that is simple, reliable, and useful to predict treatment method, complications, and outcome. The reliability and memorability of the new classification were statistically tested and compared with the AO-Müller/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) long-bone fracture classification. The proposed classification system was also clinically validated with a targeted pilot study designed for content and clinical outcome retrospectively reviewing 122 closed tibial shaft fractures, which were used as a representative paradigm of long-bone fractures. Statistical evaluation showed that the proposed classification system had improved inter- and intraobserver variation agreement and easier memorability compared with the AO/OTA classification system. The clinical validation study showed its predictive value regarding selection of treatment method, complication rate, and injury outcome.
The proposed classification system proved simple, reliable, and memorable. Its clinical value appeared strong enough to justify the organization of larger studies for a complete assessment of its clinical usefulness for all long-bone fractures.
ADMEof Cardiovascular Drugs
Authors: Liu Hong , Voorman Richard 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis chapter explores the metabolism and disposition of drugs for cardiovascular therapy. The general characteristics of drug metabolizing enzymes, drug transporters, and drug–drug interactions are described in the context of cardiovascular drug disposition, as is the impact of drug metabolites, pharmacogenetics and biomarkers. The body of the chapter is a survey of cardiovascular drug classes with emphasis on primary factors involved in drug metabolism and disposition. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion on the future of cardiovascular drug metabolism.
Drug Bioactivation and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Webb Hayley M. , Regan Sophie , Antoine Daniel J. , Lane Nicola , Walsh Rachel J. , Srivastava Abhishek , Starkey‐Lewis Philip , Benson Craig , Williams Dominic P. , Laverty Hugh , Goldring Christopher , Park B. Kevin 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAdverse drug reactions (ADRs) remain a major complication of drug therapy, account for a significant number of hospital admissions each year and contribute to patient morbidity and mortality. These reactions are a major issue for the pharmaceutical industry, accounting for attrition of approximately one third of compounds in development. Drug toxicity can mimic natural disease and almost any body system can be adversely affected by drugs. However, off‐target or idiosyncratic drug reactions represent a major problem for the pharmaceutical industry because they add significant uncertainty to the process of drug development and can ultimately lead to drug withdrawal or warnings in drug labelling. They are particularly difficult to deal with because they are likely to be discovered late in development or after the drug has been approved; this has important implications as the latter a drug fails, the more expensive is the failure. Excessive dose, drug accumulation and/or the formation of chemically reactive metabolites (CRMs) have been implicated in many ADRs. Such reactions are usually rare and are not evident in animal species, but they can be serious and even fatal in humans and may lead to the withdrawal of otherwise effective therapeutic agents. The fear of such reactions occurring at the post‐approval stage, when such problems typically first become evident is a major impediment to drug development. At present, during preclinical drug evaluation there are no accepted methods for the identification of drugs that may cause hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic drug reactions in humans. The focus of this chapter will be to examine the formation and identification of CRMs through the normal process of phase I and II drug metabolism, elucidate whether these chemically reactive species are toxic, or harmlessly detoxified and excreted and finally to determine if there are any chemical or biological hallmarks of hazard or the development of toxicity, that can be used to more effectively screen out potentially dangerous compounds earlier in the drug development process. This chapter will use case‐study examples of compounds or drugs which have been implicated in a number of off‐target ADRs in humans.
Bioanalytics for Human Microdosing
Authors: Buchholz Bruce A. , Sarachine Falso Miranda J. , Stewart Benjamin J. , Haack Kurt W. , Ognibene Ted J. , Bench Graham , Salazar Quintero Gary A. , Malfatti Michael A. , Kulp Kristen S. , Turteltaub Kenneth W. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Low drug doses used in microdose or phase 0 studies present quantitation challenges to routine bioanalytical methods. Liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS), accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), and positron emission tomography (PET) are bioanalytical techniques used for analysis of phase 0 samples. LC‐MS is most common and generally preferred if drug and metabolite concentrations are not low. AMS has the best sensitivity and precision, while PET provides images of distribution
in vivo
.
Population‐Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Bois Frédéric Y. , Jamei Masoud 
Published: May 2012

AbstractEstimating, simulating, and predicting interindividual variability in drug pharmacokinetics (PK) and drug–drug interactions is an integral part of drug development and clinical therapeutics. This chapter reviews the application of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to that area, througha prioripredictive simulations ora posterioripopulation PK analyses. We examine the main sources of variability in ADME processes, focusing on the quantitative integration of the relevant information in PBPK models via Monte Carlo methods. We follow with a description and discussion of the Bayesian integration of population PK data with multilevel PBPK models.
Stabilization of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate with Nanofibrillar Biopolymers
Authors: Bassett David C. , Marelli Benedetto , Nazhat Showan N. , Barralet Jake E. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractCalcium carbonate is the most abundant biomineral that is biogenically formed with a vast array of nano and microscale features. Among the less stable polymorphs present in mineralized organisms, the most soluble, amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), formed in chitin exoskeletons of some crustacea, is of particular interest since aqueous stability of isolated ACC is limited to a few hours in the absence of polyanions or magnesium. Here the influence of a selection of biopolymer gels on the mineralization of calcium carbonate is investigated. Mineralization is achieved in all biopolymers tested, but is particularly abundant in collagen hydrogels, in which a significant proportion of the calcium carbonate (≈18%) is found to be amorphous. In dense collagen gels, this amorphous fraction does not crystallize for up to six weeks in deionized water at room temperature. The reason why collagen in particular should stabilize this phase remains obscure, although the results suggest that the fiber diameter, fiber spacing, and the amphoteric nature of collagen fibers are important. Upon immersion in phosphate containing solutions, the calcium carbonate present within the collagen hydrogels is readily converted to carbonated hydroxyapatite, enabling the formation of a stiff bone‐like composite containing 78 wt% mineral, essentially equivalent to cortical bone.
Electronegativity Governs Enantioselectivity: Alkyl‐Aryl Cross‐Coupling with Fenchol‐Based Palladium‐Phosphorus Halide Catalysts
Authors: Trillo Roberto Blanco , Leven Matthias , Neudörfl Jörg M. , Goldfuss Bernd 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA series of bulky, modular, monodentate, fenchol‐based phosphites has been employed in an intramolecular palladium‐catalyzed alkyl‐aryl cross‐coupling reaction. This enantioselective α‐arylation of N‐(2‐bromophenyl)‐N‐methyl‐2‐phenylpropanamide is accomplished with [Pd(C3H5)(BIFOP‐X)(Cl)] as precatalysts, which are based on biphenyl‐2,2′‐bisfenchol phosphites (BIFOP‐X, X=F, Cl, Br, etc.). The phosphorus fluoride BIFOP‐F gives the highest enantioselectivity and good yields (64% ee, 88%). Lower selectivities and yields are found for BIFOP halides with heavier halogens (Cl: 74%, 47% ee, Br: 63%, 20% ee). NMR studies on catalyst complexes reveal two equilibrating diastereomeric complexes in equal proportions. In all cases, the phosphorus‐halogen moiety remains intact, pointing to its remarkable stability, even in the presence of nucleophiles. The increasing enantioselectivity of the catalysts with the phosphorus halide ligands correlates with the rising electronegativity of the halide (bromine<chlorine<fluorine), as can be rationalized from structural parameters and DFT computations.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Arylation of Methylene‐Bridged Polyarenes: Synthesis and Structures of 9‐Arylfluorene Derivatives
Authors: Chen Jheng‐Jhih , Onogi Satoru , Hsieh Ya‐Chu , Hsiao Chien‐Chi , Higashibayashi Shuhei , Sakurai Hidehiro , Wu Yao‐Ting 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIn the presence of a catalytic system comprised of palladium(II) acetate and tricyclohexylphosphine, the reaction of fluorene with haloarenes generated 9‐arylfluorenes in good to excellent yields. The scope and limitations of the coupling reaction were investigated. This synthetic protocol is more efficient than conventional methods. A wide range of functional groups, including alkyl, alkoxy, ester, and nitrile, can tolerate the reaction conditions herein. Sterically congested haloarenes also gave satisfactory results. Furthermore, this synthetic method is utilized to prepare 9,9‐diarylfluorenes and tetraarylindenofluorene. Depending on the reaction conditions, the arylation of bowl‐shaped sumanene gave monoarylated sumanene either as the sole product or with another diaryl‐substituted product.
Effects of swelling on the viscoelastic properties of polyester films made from glycerol and glutaric acid
Authors: Wyatt Victor T. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractViscoelastic properties have been determined for poly(glycerol‐co‐glutaric acid) films synthesized from Lewis acid‐catalyzed polyesterifications. The polymers were prepared by synthesizing polymer gels that were subsequently cured at 125°C to form polymer films. The polymers were evaluated for the extent of reaction before and after curing by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. They were subsequently immersed in dimethylsulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, water, methanol, and hexane for 24 h. The amounts of solvent absorbed were monitored and recorded. Dependent up the solvent used, the polymers were able to absorb 9.5–261% of its weight. The effects of the solvent absorption on the viscoelastic properties of the polyester films were evaluated by determining their elastic modulus (G′), viscous modulus (G″), tan δG″/G′, and complex viscosity (η*) by performing oscillatory frequency sweep experiments. The elastic modulus (G′) and viscous modulus (G″) were both higher for the dry polymers than the solvent‐absorbed polymers. However, the polymer films were all higher in elastic (G′) character than viscous (G″) character. Therefore, tan δG″/G′ < 1 before and after immersion in solvents. Values for η* decreased with angular frequency for all of the polyesters tested in this study. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effect of silk fiber to the mechanical and thermal properties of its biodegradable composites
Authors: Ho Mei‐Po , Wang Hao , Lau Kin‐Tak , Leng Jinsong 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIn recent years, natural fiber‐reinforced biodegradable thermoplastics are being recognized as an emerging new environmentally friendly material for industrial, commercial, and biomedical applications. Among different types of natural fibers, silk fiber is a common type of animal‐based fiber, has been used for biomedical engineering and surgical operation applications for many years because of its biocompatible and bioresorbable properties. On the basis of our previous study, a novel biodegradable biocomposite for biomedical applications was developed by mixing chopped silk fiber and polylactic acid (PLA) through the injection molding process. This article is aimed at studying the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of the composite in relation to its biodegradation effect. At the beginning, it was found that the initial storage modulus of a silk fiber/PLA composite increased while its glass transition temperature decreased as compared with a pristine PLA sample. Besides, the coefficient of linear thermal expansions (CLTE) of the composite was reduced by 28%. This phenomenon was attributed to the fiber–matrix interaction that restricted the mobility of polymer chains adhered to the fiber surface, and consequently reduced the Tg and CLTE. It was found that the degraded composite exhibited lower initial storage modulus, loss modulus and tan delta (tan δ) but the Tg was higher than the silk fiber/PLA composite. This result was mainly due to the increase of crystallinity of the composite during its degradation process. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Complete devulcanization of sulfur‐cured butyl rubber by using supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Jiang Kuan , Shi Jinwei , Ge Youyong , Zou Rui , Yao Pengjun , Li Xiaolin , Zhang Liqun 
Published: May 2012

AbstractSulfur‐cured butyl rubber was devulcanized completely in supercritical CO2 by using diphenyl disulfide (DD) as a devulcanizing reagent. The optimum devulcanizing conditions were studied and the sol fraction of the reclaimed rubber obtained was up to 98.5%. The possible devulcanizing mechanism was investigated. Then, the sol component of reclaimed rubber was characterized by gel permeation chromatography, 1H‐NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry, and the reclaimed rubber was characterized by TGA. Because of the substitution of a large portion of allylic hydrogen by sulfurated functional groups during vulcanization, the signal of the olefinic proton shift. As a result of the numerous decreases in the active crosslinking sites and the remaining DD, reclaimed rubber could not be cured by sulfur. At last, the blends of virgin butyl rubber and different contents of reclaimed rubber were revulcanized and their mechanical properties investigated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Natural weather ageing of the low‐density polyethylene: Effect of polystarch N
Authors: Amin Ruhul M. , Sreekumar P. A. , Al‐Harthi Mamdouh A. , De S. K. , Abu‐Sharkh Basel F. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBlends of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) with Polystarch N were prepared by extrusion. Tensile properties, thermal behavior, and natural weathering of these blends were investigated as a function of blend composition. The addition of Polystarch N to the matrix decreased the tensile properties and the degree of crystallinity of LDPE when the proportion of Polystarch N increased in the blend, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetric studies. Scanning electron microscope analysis of the blends retrieved after being exposed to natural weathering showed that natural degradation increased with increase in the amount of Polystarch N in the LDPE and is ascribed to higher extent of chain scission as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Effect of maleated EVA on compatibility and toughness of PETG/EVA blend
Authors: Park Hae Youn , Hwang Sung Wook , Ryu Hee Chang , Kim Sang Woo , Seo Kwan Ho 
Published: May 2012

AbstractMaleic anhydride (MAH) grafted onto ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), mEVA (modified EVA) was blended with poly(ethylene glycol‐co‐cyclohexane‐1,4‐dimethanol terephthalate) (PETG) with various mEVA and EVA (unmodified) content in the internal mixer. The effect of reactive compatibilizer to decrease the dispersed particle diameter was observed. The brittle–ductile transition was found at about dn: 0.37 µm and dv: 0.55 µm of particle diameter, a critical particle diameter, regardless of EVA content, and the blend was also toughened at above the critical particle diameter regardless of dispersed EVA content and compatibility. The toughening mechanism and the effect of the particle diameter on the impact strength of the blend were investigated by morphological observation, and it was found that the toughening of the PETG/EVA blend system resulted from the shear deformation, induced by cavitation of dispersed EVA particles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Virtual calligraphic carving through smoothness scalar field and brush‐pressure distribution
Authors: Chen Xiaowu , Zhang Hengyuan , Zhao Qinping 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTVirtual calligraphic carving aims to generate 3D virtual carving works from 2D calligraphic images. This paper proposes a method of virtual calligraphic carving taking calligraphic carving work as a depth map composed of smoothness scalar field and brush‐pressure distribution, which ensures the smoothness of carving surface and interprets the strength of calligraphy, respectively. On one hand, the smoothness scalar field is modeled as a bounded planar scalar field with sources and constructed by applying a series of algorithms. On the other hand, the brush‐pressure distribution is represented by a map created by estimating the touching pressures employed by brush on paper. Then the depth map is composed of the smoothness scalar field and brush‐pressure distribution map and rendered into a virtual calligraphic carving work. The experiments show that this method can generate virtual calligraphic carving works that are vivid and very similar to that of artists. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.