bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between Sharp's Radiographic Index and Acute Phase Reactants in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Kafeđiska Irena , Spasovski Dejan , Gruev Todor , Marina Nada , Grličkov Mane , Čalovski Jordan , Sotirova Tatjana , Karanfilski Oliver , Bogdanovska Stefka 
Published: October 2008

Association Between Sharp's Radiographic Index and Acute Phase Reactants in Rheumatoid ArthritisThe aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by hand radiography (Sharp's radiographic index), and assessment of acute phase reactants - erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF), and to determine their value as prognostic markers for disease outcome in patients with early RA treated with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)-Methotrexate (MTH); to register and quantify clinical, radiographic and laboratorial differences in certain time intervals in a group of patients treated with immunomodulation therapy with MTH; to determine which of the acute phase reactants would be the most useful marker for evaluation of disease activity in long-term follow-up in RA patients; to select high-risk groups with aggressive course of disease, in order to emphasize the necessity of early and aggressive treatment. Thirty patients with early RA (disease evolution up to 1 year) were evaluated in several time intervals. The score of the Sharp's index showed greater radiographic progression of the joint damage of hands in time intervals between 0-time and 12 months (p=0.0167) and between 0-time and 18 months (p=0.0089). Statistical analysis showed differences in values of CRP in four time intervals (p=0.00002). Considering CRP, there were statistically significant differences among mean values in four time intervals (p=0.0428) (standard deviations showed greater variations). There were no statistically significant differences among mean values of RF in four time intervals (p=0.573). At 0-time in 3 (10%) patients progression of the Sharp's index was found, after 6 months in 13 (39%) patients, while after 12 and 18 months progression of the Sharp's index was found in an identical number of patients, 15 (50%). In most patients high values of CRP and RF were found. Progression of the radiographic damage is especially expressed in patients with high values of ESR, CRP, RF and existence of previous erosions of hands, which are predictors for aggressive course of disease. CRP is the most useful marker for the evaluation of RA activity in the long-term followup of RA patients.
Apoprotein(A) Isoforms and Plasma LP(A) Concentration in Members of Four Families
Authors: Labudovik Danica , Tosheska Katerina , Alabakovska Sonja , Bogdanska Jasna , Todorova Bojana 
Published: October 2008

Apoprotein(A) Isoforms and Plasma LP(A) Concentration in Members of Four FamiliesApoprotein(a) is a multikringle protein which shows a genetically inherited size polymorphism. The APO(a) gene is located at the telomeric region of chromosome 6q2.6-q 2.7. Apo(a) size polymorphism is a major determinant of Lp(a) levels. The aim of this study is to describe the influence of apo(a) size polymorphism on the plasma Lp(a) levels in the members of four families. K3EDTA plasma was obtained from every subject after over-night fast. Apo(a) isoforms were determined by 3-15% SDS-PAGE followed by Western immunoblot technique. Plasma Lp(a) level was de - termined with immunonephelometric method. Every child inherited one isoform from its mother and the other from its father. The children from the first family had Lp(a) levels similar to those measured in their parents. The daughters from the second and fourth family inherited the dominant S3 apo(a) isoform from their mothers and also mother's high Lp(a) levels (0.365 g/L - daughter from the second, and 0.465 g/L and 0.446 g/L - daughter from the fourth family respectively). The elder daughter from the third family, carrier of double banded S4S1 apo(a) isoform, had the highest Lp(a) level among the children from all four families. We found out a generation decrease of the Lp(a) level in two families. On the basis of our findings we concluded that the inheritance of the apo(a) isoforms in the members of all four families is in accordance with the simple Mendelian's model and that the apo(a) size polymorphism influences the Lp(a) level in the blood of the examined subjects.
Continuous monitoring of cerebrovascular pressure reactivity in patients with head injury
Authors: Zweifel Christian , Lavinio Andrea , Steiner Luzius A. , Radolovich Danila , Smielewski Peter , Timofeev Ivan , Hiler Magdalena , Balestreri Marcella , Kirkpatrick Peter J. , Pickard John D. , Hutchinson Peter , Czosnyka Marek 
Published: October 2008

Object
Cerebrovascular pressure reactivity is the ability of cerebral vessels to respond to changes in transmural pressure. A cerebrovascular pressure reactivity index (PRx) can be determined as the moving correlation coefficient between mean intracranial pressure (ICP) and mean arterial blood pressure.

Methods
The authors analyzed a database consisting of 398 patients with head injuries who underwent continuous monitoring of cerebrovascular pressure reactivity. In 298 patients, the PRx was compared with a transcranial Doppler ultrasonography assessment of cerebrovascular autoregulation (the mean index [Mx]), in 17 patients with the PET–assessed static rate of autoregulation, and in 22 patients with the cerebral metabolic rate for O2. Patient outcome was assessed 6 months after injury.

Results
There was a positive and significant association between the PRx and Mx (R2 = 0.36, p < 0.001) and with the static rate of autoregulation (R2 = 0.31, p = 0.02). A PRx > 0.35 was associated with a high mortality rate (> 50%). The PRx showed significant deterioration in refractory intracranial hypertension, was correlated with outcome, and was able to differentiate patients with good outcome, moderate disability, severe disability, and death. The graph of PRx compared with cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) indicated a U–shaped curve, suggesting that too low and too high CPP was associated with a disturbance in pressure reactivity. Such an optimal CPP was confirmed in individual cases and a greater difference between current and optimal CPP was associated with worse outcome (for patients who, on average, were treated below optimal CPP [R2 = 0.53, p < 0.001] and for patients whose mean CPP was above optimal CPP [R2 = −0.40, p < 0.05]). Following decompressive craniectomy, pressure reactivity initially worsened (median −0.03 [interquartile range −0.13 to 0.06] to 0.14 [interquartile range 0.12–0.22]; p < 0.01) and improved in the later postoperative course. After therapeutic hypothermia, in 17 (70.8%) of 24 patients in whom rewarming exceeded the brain temperature threshold of 37°C, ICP remained stable, but the average PRx increased to 0.32 (p < 0.0001), indicating significant derangement in cerebrovascular reactivity.

Conclusions
The PRx is a secondary index derived from changes in ICP and arterial blood pressure and can be used as a surrogate marker of cerebrovascular impairment. In view of an autoregulation–guided CPP therapy, a continuous determination of a PRx is feasible, but its value has to be evaluated in a prospective controlled trial.
Levetiracetam versus phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis in severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Jones Kristen E. , Puccio Ava M. , Harshman Kathy J. , Falcione Bonnie , Benedict Neal , Jankowitz Brian T. , Stippler Martina , Fischer Michael , Sauber-Schatz Erin K. , Fabio Anthony , Darby Joseph M. , Okonkwo David O. 
Published: October 2008

Object
Current standard of care for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is prophylactic treatment with phenytoin for 7 days to decrease the risk of early posttraumatic seizures. Phenytoin alters drug metabolism, induces fever, and requires therapeutic-level monitoring. Alternatively, levetiracetam (Keppra) does not require serum monitoring or have significant pharmacokinetic interactions. In the current study, the authors compare the EEG findings in patients receiving phenytoin with those receiving levetiracetam monotherapy for seizure prophylaxis following severe TBI.

Methods
Data were prospectively collected in 32 cases in which patients received levetiracetam for the first 7 days after severe TBI and compared with data from a historical cohort of 41 cases in which patients received phenytoin monotherapy. Patients underwent 1-hour electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring if they displayed persistent coma, decreased mental status, or clinical signs of seizures. The EEG results were grouped into normal and abnormal findings, with abnormal EEG findings further categorized as seizure activity or seizure tendency.

Results
Fifteen of 32 patients in the levetiracetam group warranted EEG monitoring. In 7 of these 15 cases the results were normal and in 8 abnormal; 1 patient had seizure activity, whereas 7 had seizure tendency. Twelve of 41 patients in the phenytoin group received EEG monitoring, with all results being normal. Patients treated with levetiracetam and phenytoin had equivalent incidence of seizure activity (p = 0.556). Patients receiving levetiracetam had a higher incidence of abnormal EEG findings (p = 0.003).

Conclusions
Levetiracetam is as effective as phenytoin in preventing early posttraumatic seizures but is associated with an increased seizure tendency on EEG analysis.
Acute clinical grading in pediatric severe traumatic brain injury and its association with subsequent intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and brain oxygenation
Authors: Figaji Anthony A. , Zwane Eugene , Fieggen A. Graham , Peter Jonathan C. , Leroux Peter D. 
Published: October 2008

Object
The goal of this paper was to examine the relationship between methods of acute clinical assessment and measures of secondary cerebral insults in severe traumatic brain injury in children.

Methods
Patients who underwent intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and brain oxygenation (PbtO2) monitoring and who had an initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, Pediatric Trauma Score, Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 score, and CT classification were evaluated. The relationship between these acute clinical scores and secondary cerebral insult measures, including ICP, CPP, PbtO2, and systemic hypoxia were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results
The authors found significant associations between individual acute clinical scores and select physiological markers of secondary injury. However, there was a large amount of variability in these results, and none of the scores evaluated predicted each and every insult. Furthermore, a number of physiological measures were not predicted by any of the scores.

Conclusions
Although they may guide initial treatment, grading systems used to classify initial injury severity appear to have a limited value in predicting who is at risk for secondary cerebral insults.
A review of selective hypothermia in the management of traumatic brain injury
Authors: Christian Eisha , Zada Gabriel , Sung Gene , Giannotta Steven L. 
Published: October 2008

Object
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant cause of morbidity and death in the US and worldwide. Resuscitative systemic hypothermia following TBI has been established as an effective neuroprotective treatment in multiple studies in animals and humans, although this intervention carries with it a significant risk profile as well. Selective, or preferential, methods of inducing cerebral hypothermia have taken precedence over the past few years in order to minimize systemic adverse effects. In this report, the authors explore the current methods available for inducing selective cerebral hypothermia following TBI and review the literature regarding the results of animal and human trials in which these methods have been implemented.

Methods
A search of the PubMed archive (National Library of Medicine) and the reference lists of all relevant articles was conducted to identify all animal and human studies pertaining to the use of selective brain cooling, selective hypothermia, preferential hypothermia, or regional hypothermia following TBI.

Results
Multiple methods of inducing selective cerebral hypothermia are currently in the experimental phases, including surface cooling, intranasal selective hypothermia, transarterial or transvenous endovascular cooling, extraluminal vascular cooling, and epidural cerebral cooling.

Conclusions
Several methods of conferring preferential neuroprotection via selective hypothermia currently are being tested. Class I prospective clinical trials are required to assess the safety and efficacy of these methods.
Synthesis of a Novel Redox Material UDCaT‐3: An Efficient and Versatile Catalyst for Selective Oxidation, Hydroxylation and Hydrogenation Reactions
Authors: Yadav Ganapati D. , Manyar Haresh G. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA novel, highly efficient and versatile redox catalyst, named UDCaT‐3 (the acronym derived from University Department of Chemical Technology series catalyst # 3) was developed by synthesizing manganese‐vanadium ternary oxide within the framework of manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve. This new composite material was characterized by elemental, X‐ray diffraction, volumetric (N2 adsorption‐desorption) and transmission electron microscopic analyses as well as by electron spin resonance and framework infrared spectroscopy. In order to study its activity and selectivity, UDCaT‐3 was used in the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes, hydroxylation of phenol and acetophenone; and hydrogenation of p‐nitroanisole to p‐anisidine. It exhibited excellent activity and high selectivity towards the desired products. The active sites in UDCaT‐3 are the lattice oxygens which get depleted during reaction followed by regeneration with the help of the oxidizing agent. UDCaT‐3 is a stable, reusable and versatile catalyst.
Genotype–phenotype relationship for localization and age distribution of telangiectases in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
Authors: Letteboer Tom G.W. , Mager Hans‐Jurgen , Snijder Repke J. , Lindhout Dick , Ploos van Amstel Hans‐Kristian , Zanen Pieter , Westermann Kees J.J. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractHereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) ranging from telangiectases to larger AVMs. Mutations in two genes cause HHT; ENG (HHT1) and ACVRL1 (HHT2). Although the hallmark for clinical diagnosis is the presence of telangiectases, there are few publications reporting the relative distribution and frequency of these features between HHT1 and HHT2. Here, the results of such analysis of telangiectases in 268 patients with HHT1 and 130 patients with HHT2 are described. Localization of the telangiectases is reported, and patients were clustered by age to estimate the site prevalence for different age categories. We show that telangiectases of the nasal mucosa are present at a higher prevalence and start to appear earlier in life than those of the oral mucosa or dermal sites in patients with either HHT1 or HHT2. Oral and nasal mucosal telangiectases are present earlier in life in patients with HHT1 compared to patients with HHT2, whereas dermal lesions are more frequent and appear earlier in life in patients with HHT2. In patients with either HHT1 or HHT2, the number of sites affected increases with age. In patients with HHT1, more women than men had skin telangiectases, particularly on the face. These results confirm that the frequency of AVMs differ between patients with HHT1 and HHT2, and that these differences can be detected on physical examination. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficient Synthesis of Chromone and Flavonoid Derivatives with Diverse Heterocyclic Units
Authors: Arai Midori A. , Sato Mina , Sawada Keisuke , Hosoya Takahiro , Ishibashi Masami 
Published: October 2008

AbstractChromones and flavonoids are important bioactive compounds. We envisioned that new heterocyclic‐substituted chromones or flavonoids might act as new bioactive compounds. To obtain diverse molecules, we developed an efficient one‐pot synthesis by Michael aldol reaction of chromone and flavonoid derivatives bearing heterocyclic units. The 2,3‐heterocyclic‐substituted chromones were obtained in one step. Moreover, the use of substituted benzaldehydes and subsequent addition of heterocyclic aldehydes gave 3‐pyridyl‐substituted flavones. We also examined these one‐pot reactions in the solid phase. To introduce an additional point of diversity into the molecules, Suzuki–Miyaura coupling was performed. Furthermore, we identified the cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds against cancer cells (PANC1 and HeLa cells). Several compounds were cytotoxic to these cancer cells.
The pH Effect on the Naphthoquinone‐Photosensitized Oxidation of 5‐Methylcytosine
Authors: Yamada Hisatsugu , Tanabe Kazuhito , Ito Takeo , Nishimoto Sei‐ichi 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe pH effect on the one‐electron photooxidation of 5‐methyl‐2′‐deoxycytidine (dmC) by sensitization with 2‐methyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone (NQ) was investigated. Photoirradiation of an aqueous solution containing dmC and NQ under slightly acidic conditions of pH 5.0 efficiently produced 5‐formyl‐2′‐deoxycytidine, whereas similar NQ‐photosensitized oxidation of dmC proceeded to a lesser extent under more acidic or basic conditions. Fluorescence‐quenching experiments revealed that the less‐efficient photooxidation at pH values below 4.5 is attributed to the decreased rate of one‐electron oxidation of dmC owing to protonation at the N(3)‐position. The NQ‐photosensitized oxidation of an N(4)‐dimethyl‐substituted dmC derivative under various pH conditions also suggests that the pH change in the range of 5.0 to 8.0 may be responsible for a reversible deprotonation–protonation equilibrium at the N(4)‐exocyclic amino group of the dmC radical cation. In accord with the photochemical reactivity of monomeric dmC, the 5‐methylcytosine residue in oligodeoxynucleotides was oxidized efficiently by photoexcited NQ‐tethered oligodeoxynucleotides under slightly acidic conditions to form an alkali‐labile 5‐formylcytosine residue.
The Dimeric “Hand‐Shake” Motif in Complexes and Metallo–Supramolecular Assemblies of Cyclotriveratrylene‐Based Ligands
Authors: Carruthers Christopher , Ronson Tanya K. , Sumby Christopher J. , Westcott Aleema , Harding Lindsay P. , Prior Timothy J. , Rizkallah Pierre , Hardie Michaele J. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA series of clathrate and metal complexes with cyclotriveratrylene‐like molecular host ligands show a similar dimeric homomeric inclusion motif in which a ligand arm of one host is the intra‐cavity guest of another and vice versa. This “hand‐shake” motif is found in the trinuclear transition metal complex [Cu3Cl6(1)]⋅CH3CN⋅1.5 H2O in which 1 is tris(4‐[2,2′,6′,2′′‐terpyridyl]benzyl)cyclotriguaiacylene; in the self‐included M4L4 tetrahedral metallo‐supramolecular assembly [Ag4(2)4] ⋅(BF4)4 in which 2 is tris‐(2‐quinolylmethyl)cyclotriguaiacylene; in the 1D coordination chains [Ag(4)]⋅ReO4 ⋅CH3CN and [Ag(5)]⋅SbF6⋅3 DMF⋅H2O in which 4 is tris(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)cyclotriguaiacylene and 5 is tris{4‐(2‐pyridyl)benzyl}cyclotriguaiacylene; and in the acetone clathrate of tris{4‐(2‐pyridyl)benzyl‐amino}cyclotriguaiacylene. Clathrates of ligands 2 and 5 do not show the same dimeric motif, although 2 has an extended homomeric inclusion motif that gives a hexagonal network.
A generalized approach to demand buffering and production levelling for JIT make‐to‐stock applications
Authors: Swanson Ronald E. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHeijunka is a Just‐In‐Time scheduling technique that strives to level variety and/or volume over a fixed period in order to maintain low inventories and to avoid excessive batching of product types and/or volume fluctuations. Businesses that use heijunka scheduling and immediately fulfill customer orders upon receipt require a finished goods inventory to service that demand. This inventory must be appropriately sized to adequately balance the customers' variable demand against the level production rate from manufacturing. However, even producing for long periods of time at the true mean demand rate will not guarantee low inventories due to the random walk nature by which inventories are unavoidably generated. The production process must be willing and able to flex their production to eliminate this random walk. This paper develops the simple production control law that will allow manufacturing to reliably operate their JIT heijunka process. It determines the trade offs that must be made between: the time between fixed production rate changes (N), the finished goods inventory needed to provide a user specified level of backorders, and the flex needed in production capacity to guarantee that the process will continue to function effectively.
On‐line prediction of crystallinity spatial distribution across polymer films using NIR spectral imaging and chemometrics methods
Authors: Gosselin Ryan , Rodrigue Denis , Duchesne Carl 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA rapid and non‐intrusive on‐line NIR imaging sensor is developed for monitoring spatio‐temporal crystallinity variations across the surface of polymer films. A multivariate image analysis and regression (MIA/MIR) approach is proposed and compared with standard NIR calibration techniques using averaged spectra or second order derivatives combined with PLS regression. Predictions of both the local and global crystallinity variations of HDPE, LDPE, and PP polymer samples were obtained with each approach. Our results show that small variations in crystallinity introduced by changes in cooling rates can be predicted within experimental errors. Crystallinity spatial distributions were also validated and found consistent with processing conditions.
Treatment of missing values in process data analysis
Authors: Imtiaz S. A. , Shah S. L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractProcess data suffer from many different types of imperfections. For example, bad data due to sensor problems, multi‐rate sampling, outliers, compressed data etc. Since most modelling and data analysis methods are developed to analyze regularly sampled and well conditioned data sets there is a need for pre‐treatment of data. Traditionally data conditioning or pre‐treatment has been done without taking into account the end use of the data, for example, univariate methods have been used to interpolate bad data even when the intended end use of data is for multivariate analysis. In this paper we consider the pre‐treatment and data analysis as a collective problem and propose data conditioning methods in a multivariate framework. We first review classical process data analysis methods and acclaimed missing data handling techniques used in statistical surveys and biostatistics. The applications of these acclaimed missing data techniques are demonstrated in three different instances: (i) principal components analysis (PCA) is extended in data augmentation (DA) framework for dealing with missing values, (ii) iterative missing data technique is used to synchronize uneven length batch process data, and (iii) PCA based iterative missing data technique is used to restore the correlation structure of compressed data.