bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Safety of Darusentan: A Novel Endothelin Receptor Antagonist
Authors: Epstein Benjamin J 
Published: June 2008

Objective: To summarize the role of the endothelin system (ETS) in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and evaluate the potential usefulness of darusentan, a selective endothelin type A (ETA) receptor antagonist, in the treatment of hypertension and chronic heart failure (CHF). Data Sources: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (1966–February 2008), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970–February 2008), and EMBASE (1990–February 2008) using the search terms endothelin, darusentan, LU 135252, hypertension, and heart failure. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Studies evaluating the role of the ETS in CVD and the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of darusentan for the treatment of hypertension and CHF were included. Data Synthesis: Darusentan represents a novel treatment strategy for patients with resistant hypertension. Its safety and efficacy have been evaluated in the treatment of hypertension and CHF. Darusentan selectively blocks the ETAreceptor, promoting vasodilatation and preventing several proliferative and inflammatory processes, while promoting the actions of the ETB receptor. Studies in patients with stage 2 or resistant hypertension concluded that darusentan safety and effectively lowers blood pressure. Darusentan's unique mechanism of action, dose-dependent blood pressure–lowering profile, once-daily dosing regimen, and sustained 24-hour blood pressure–towering effect are valuable features. Darusentan is well tolerated, with only peripheral edema, headache, and nasal symptoms being reported more frequently than with placebo. Endothelin receptor antagonists, Including darusentan, have been associated with a decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit and are teratogens. Darusentan does not appear to cause hepatotoxicity. Additional studies in CHF are warranted to assess the safety and efficacy of darusentan, especially given its association with peripheral edema and decreased red blood cell count. Conclusions: Given the important role of the ETS in hypertension and available data with darusentan, selective antagonism of the ETA receptor represents a promising approach to managing resistant hypertension. Darusentan's role will be more clearly elucidated by ongoing Phase 3 studies.
An Efficient Validation Method of Probabilistic Record Linkage Including Readmissions and Twins
Authors: Ravelli A. C. J. , Méray N. , Reitsma J. B. , Bonsel G. J. , Tromp M. 
Published: June 2008

Summary

Objective:
To describe an efficient, generalizable approach to validate probabilistic record linkage results, in particular by a model-guided detection of linking errors, and to apply this approach to validate linkage of admissions of newborns.
Methods:
Our double-blind validation procedure consisted of three steps: sample selection, data collection and data analysis. The linked Dutch national newborn admission registry contained 30,082 records for 2001 including readmissions (7.4%) and twins (9.7%). A highly informative sample was selected from the linked file by oversampling uncertain links based on modelderived linking weight. Four hundred and eight fax forms with minimal registry information (admissions of 191 children) were sent out to different pediatric units. The pediatricians were asked to create a short detailed patient history from independent sources. The linkage status and additional record data was validated against this external information.

Results:
Response rate was 97% (395/408 faxes). Accuracy of the linkage of singleton admissions was high: except for some expected errors in the uncertain area (0.02% of record pairs), linkage was error-free. Validation of multiple birth readmissions showed 37% linkage errors due to low data quality of the multiple birth variables. The quality of the linked registry file was still high; only 1.7% of the children were from a multiple birth with multiple admissions, resulting in less than 1% linking error.

Conclusions:
Our external validation procedure of record linkage was feasible, efficient, and informative about identifying the source of the errors.
Polysaccharide‐based artificial extracellular matrix: Preparation and characterization of three‐dimensional, macroporous chitosan, and heparin composite scaffold
Authors: Yu Shu‐Huei , Wu Yu‐Bey , Mi Fwu‐Long , Shyu Shin‐Shing 
Published: June 2008

AbstractScaffold‐guided tissue engineering based on synthetic and natural occurring polymers has gained many interests in recent year. In this study, the development of a chitosan‐heparin artificial extracellular matrix (AECM) is reported. Three‐dimensional, macroporous composite AECMs composed of heparin (Hep) and chitosan (Chito) were prepared by an interpolyelectrolyte complex/lyophilization method. The Chito‐Hep composite AECMs were, respectively, crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, as well as cocrosslinked with N,N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐N′‐ethyl carbodiimide (EDC/NHS) and N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). The crosslinking reactions were examined by FT‐IR analysis. In physiological buffer solution (PBS), the EDC/NHS‐crosslinked Chito‐Hep composite AECM showed a relative lower water retention ratio than its glutaraldehyde‐crosslinked counterparts. The EDC/NHS‐crosslinked Chito‐Hep composite AECMs showed excellent biocompatibility, according to the results of the in vitro cytotoxic test. This result suggested that the EDC/NHS‐crosslinked Chito‐Hep composite AECMs might be a potential biomaterial for scaffold‐guided tissue engineering applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effect of the addition of inert or TEMPO‐capped prepolymer on polymerization rate and molecular weight development in the nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization of styrene
Authors: Roa‐Luna Martha , Nabifar Afsaneh , McManus Neil T. , Vivaldo‐Lima Eduardo , Lona Liliane M. F. , Penlidis Alexander 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe importance of diffusion‐controlled (DC) effects on controlled radical polymerization (CRP) processes has been rather controversial and usually considered only if there is some mismatch between experimental data and model predictions of polymerization rate and molecular weight averages. Results from an experimental study designed to create conditions in which DC effects may be present from the outset for the bimolecular nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) of styrene in the presence of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) and dibenzoyl peroxide (BPO), are presented herein. The experiments consisted of adding size exclusion chromatography (SEC) polystyrene (PS) standards or nitroxyl‐capped PS (of different molecular weights, in several proportions), to a conventional recipe of bimolecular NMRP of styrene, and studying the effect of their presence on polymerization rate and molecular weight development. A previously developed kinetic model for NMRP of styrene was modified to take into account the presence of prepolymer as an inert “solvent,” or as a monomolecular “controller” of high molecular weight. The effects of DC reactions (propagation, termination, activation, and deactivation of polymer radicals) were modeled using conventional free‐volume theory. Reasonably, good agreement between experimental data and model predictions with either modeling approach was obtained. It was concluded that DC effects are weak in the NMRP of styrene, even in the presence of prepolymer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Toughening of recycled polystyrene used for TV backset
Authors: Fu Xiaoting , Ding Mingming , Tang Changyu , Li Bo , Zhao Zeyong , Chen Dai‐Qiang , Zhang Qin , Fu Qiang , Long Han , Tan Touwen 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe recycled polystyrene (rPS) was toughened with ethylene‐octylene copolymer thermoplastic elastomer (POE) and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) with various melt flow index (MFI), compatibilized by styrene‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer (SBS) to enhance the toughness of rPS for use as TV backset. The rPS/POE binary blends exhibited an increased impact strength with 5–10 wt % POE content followed by a decrease with the POE content up to 20 wt %, which could be due to poor compatibility between POE and rPS. For rPS/POE/SBS ternary blends with 20 wt % of POE content, the impact strength increased dramatically and a sharp brittle‐ductile transition was observed as the SBS content was around 3–5 wt %. Rheological study indicated a possible formation of network structure by adding of SBS, which could be a new mechanism for rPS toughening. In rPS/POE/HDPE/SBS (70/20/5/5) quaternary blends, a fibril‐like structure was observed as the molecular weight of HDPE was higher (with lower MFI). The presence of HDPE fibers in the blends could not enhance the network structure, but could stop the crack propagation during fracture process, resulting in a further increase of the toughness. The prepared quaternary blend showed an impact strength of 9.3 kJ/m2 and a tensile strength of 25 MPa, which can be well used for TV backset to substitute HIPS because this system is economical and environmental friendly. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effect of addition of organic microspheres on proton conductivity property of sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) membrane
Authors: Liang Cui , Nagami Chika , Maruyama Tatsuo , Sotani Tomohiro , Matsuyama Hideto 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES)/polystyrene(PS) and SPAES/polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) composite membranes were studied for a proton‐exchange membrane used in a fuel cell. PS microspheres were synthesized by emulsion polymerization. PSSA microspheres with 5.3 mmol/g ion‐exchange capacity (IEC) were prepared by sulfonation of PS microspheres. The composite membranes were prepared by solution casting. SPAES/PSSA composite membranes showed higher proton conductivity than a SPAES membrane because of the IEC improved by adding PSSA. Although the addition of PSSA also brought about the increase of a methanol permeability, the proton/methanol selectivity defined as the ratio of the proton conductivity to the methanol permeability was improved at low humidity by adding 5 wt % of PSSA microspheres. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that the amount of free water varied in the cases of the addition of the two kinds of organic microspheres. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Fluorimetric determination of proteins using 4‐chloro‐(2′‐hydroxylophenylazo)rhodanine–Ti(IV) complex as a spectral probe
Authors: Sun Shuting , Ma Hongmin , Chen Xin , Zhang Nuo , Wu Dan , Du Bin , Wei Qin 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA novel method for the determination of proteins was developed, based on the enhancement of fluorescence with 4‐chloro‐(2′‐hydroxylophenylazo)rhodanine–Ti(IV) [ClHARP–Ti(IV)] complex as a fluorescence probe. The excitation and emission wavelengths of the system were 335 nm and 376 nm, respectively. The presence of bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulphosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) microemulsion greatly increased the sensitivity of the system. Under optimal conditions, four kinds of proteins, including bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), egg albumin (Ova), and γ‐globin (γ‐G) were studied. The detection limits were 0.182 µg/mL for BSA, 0.0788 µg/mL for HSA, 0.216 µg/mL for Ova and 0.484 µg/mL for γ‐G. The linear ranges of the calibration were 0–12.0, 0–10.0, 0–18.0 and 0–18.0 µg/mL, respectively. The method possessed high sensitivity, good selectivity and was applied to the analysis of protein in milk powder and cornmeal with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypnotizability and chronic pain: an ambiguous connection
Authors: Carli Giancarlo , Huber Alexa , Santarcangelo Enrica L. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe discuss the role of hypnotizability in the development and treatment of chronic pain, and in the prognosis of its possible cardiovascular consequences. Data indicate that high hypnotic susceptibility is not necessary for the relief of chronic pain obtained through hypnotic treatment. Moreover, and at variance with an earlier hypothesis, being highly susceptible to hypnosis does not represent a higher risk for developing chronic pain; in addition, high hypnotizability may be a favourable protective factor against the possible cardiovascular consequences of chronic pain. However, we cannot exclude that psychological factors such as mindfulness, well‐being and pain‐catastrophizing differ in ‘Highs’ versus ‘Lows’, and these may represent the real agents of the differences between the two groups in pain experience, the development of chronic pain, and possible vascular consequences of chronic pain. Copyright © 2008 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effective Photoinactivation of Alpha‐Amylase, Catalase and Urease at 222 nm Emitted by an KrCl‐Excimer Lamp
Authors: Clauß Marcus , Grotjohann Norbert 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe inactivation of enzymes is of great interest for many industrial applications. The effectiveness of photoinactivation of alpha‐amylase, catalase, and urease with 222 nm radiation was investigated in comparison to that at 254 nm. The enzymes were irradiated with different fluence rates of 222 nm radiation emitted by a KrCl‐excimer lamp and with 254 nm radiation produced by a low‐pressure mercury lamp. The relative activities were calculated before and after irradiation. Degradation caused by UV‐radiation was assessed by SDS‐PAGE analysis. The results clearly demonstrated that inactivation of the proteins is much more effective with the 222 nm excimer lamp compared to the 254 nm mercury lamp. Irradiation with the excimer lamp and a UV‐fluence rate of 1000 J/m2 was sufficient to reduce the relative activities of amylase and urease to 15% and that of catalase to 60%. After irradiation with 4000 J/m2, the enzyme activity was almost completely inhibited. In contrast, after irradiation with the mercury lamp with an UV‐fluence rate of 4000 J/m2, the relative activity was still above 85%. The gel patterns showed no visible degradation after irradiation at 254 nm, but a strong and unspecific degradation was obvious after treatment at 222 nm, presumably caused by cleavage of the peptide bonds.
Getting more from your multicore: exploiting OpenMP from an open‐source numerical scripting language
Authors: Noble Michael S. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe introduce SLIRP, a module generator for the S‐Lang numerical scripting language, with a focus on its vectorization capabilities. We demonstrate how both SLIRP and S‐Lang were easily adapted to exploit the inherent parallelism of high‐level mathematical languages with OpenMP, allowing general users to employ tightly coupled multiprocessors in scriptable research calculations while requiring no special knowledge of parallel programming. Motivated by examples in the ISIS astrophysical modeling and analysis tool, performance figures are presented for several machine and compiler configurations, demonstrating beneficial speedups for real‐world operations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Weka4WS framework for distributed data mining in service‐oriented Grids
Authors: Talia Domenico , Trunfio Paolo , Verta Oreste 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe service‐oriented architecture paradigm can be exploited for the implementation of data and knowledge‐based applications in distributed environments. The Web services resource framework (WSRF) has recently emerged as the standard for the implementation of Grid services and applications. WSRF can be exploited for developing high‐level services for distributed data mining applications. This paper describes Weka4WS, a framework that extends the widely used open source Weka toolkit to support distributed data mining on WSRF‐enabled Grids. Weka4WS adopts the WSRF technology for running remote data mining algorithms and managing distributed computations. The Weka4WS user interface supports the execution of both local and remote data mining tasks. On every computing node, a WSRF‐compliant Web service is used to expose all the data mining algorithms provided by the Weka library. The paper describes the design and implementation of Weka4WS using the WSRF libraries and services provided by Globus Toolkit 4. A performance analysis of Weka4WS for executing distributed data mining tasks in different network scenarios is presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A context‐ and role‐driven scientific workflow development pattern
Authors: Dou Wanchun , Chen Jinjun , Fan Shaokun , Chueng S. C. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractScientific workflow execution often demands data‐centric and computation‐intensive collaboration efforts, which is typically different from the process‐centric workflow execution with fixed execution specifications. Scientific workflow execution often challenges the traditional workflow development strategy in dynamic context management and role definition. In view of this observation, application context spectrums are firstly distinguished from different profiles of scientific workflow development. Then, a role enactment strategy is proposed for enabling workflow execution in certain application context. They jointly enhance the validity of a scientific workflow development through clearly articulating the correlation between computational subjects and computational objects engaged in scientific workflow system. Furthermore, a novel context‐ and role‐driven scientific workflow development pattern is proposed for enacting a scientific workflow system on the Grid. Finally, a case study is presented to demonstrate the generic natures of the methods in this paper. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of O‐GlcNAc protein modification in neutrophils by flow cytometry
Authors: Madsen‐Bouterse Sally A. , Xu Yi , Petty Howard R. , Romero Roberto 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObservations of intracellular O‐linked β‐N‐acetylglucosamine (O‐GlcNAc) protein modification are primarily performed by Western blot or immunofluorescence microscopy. The goal of this study was to develop a flow cytometric‐based assay for O‐GlcNAc signaling and thus provide a more quantitative and rapid method to facilitate clinical analyses. Isolated peripheral blood neutrophils were stimulated with fMLF after adherence to glass cover slips. Cells in suspension were treated with either fMLF or PMA. Unstimulated cells served as controls. Neutrophils were fixed with formaldehyde and permeabilized with cold methanol before intracellular O‐GlcNAc staining. Cells on cover slips were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, and suspension cell data were acquired by flow cytometry. O‐GlcNAc protein modification was increased following neutrophil stimulation with either 100 nM fMLF or 10 nM PMA. Increases were detected following either treatment using both flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The time necessary for the completion of staining, data acquisition, and analysis was considerably less using flow cytometry. In addition, flow cytometry allows for the analysis of a substantially greater number of cells. Neutrophil protein modifications by O‐GlcNAc are rapidly detected using flow cytometry and provide information similar to that observed using fluorescence microscopy. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnostic usefulness and challenges in the diagnosis of mesothelioma by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration
Authors: Bakdounes Khldoun , Jhala Nirag , Jhala Darshana 
Published: June 2008

AbstractMalignant mesothelioma is a rare neoplasm. It has been noted in the literature that fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a useful tool for the diagnosis of mesothelioma. However, the differential diagnosis may require use of a battery of immunohistochemical stains. Clinico‐radiologic correlation is also crucial. Real time endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) combined with FNA has been shown to be a very sensitive technique to obtain samples from different organ sites, including mediastinal lesions. The use of EUS‐FNA for the diagnosis of mesothelioma, reinforces the role of a cytopathologist as a cohesive team player along with a radiologist and a clinician during on‐site assessment for the proper triage of additional specimens for ancillary studies leading to a better patient management. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:503–507. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytology of metastatic prostate cancer following orchiectomy and antiandrogen therapy: A diagnostic challenge
Authors: Rapkiewicz Amy , Gorokhovsky Rimma , Farcon Eduardo , Das Kasturi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAndrogen deprivation therapy induces apoptosis and decreases both cell proliferation and angiogenesis in prostate adenocarcinoma. The molecular alterations following androgen ablation translate into unique cytologic features in both primary and metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma. We describe the cytologic appearance of metastatic prostate carcinoma following both surgical castration and androgen deprivation therapy. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:499–502. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Salivary duct carcinoma cytologically diagnosed distinctly from salivary gland carcinomas with squamous differentiation
Authors: Kawahara Akihiko , Harada Hiroshi , Akiba Jun , Kage Masayoshi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIt has been difficult cytologically to distinguish salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) from high‐grade carcinoma. We investigated the microscopic cytological findings, morphometric image analyses, and immunohistochemical features of SDC, focusing on how we achieved an accurate differential diagnosis distinguishing SDC from salivary gland carcinomas with squamous differentiation. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for androgen receptor (AR), gross cystic disease fluid protein‐15 (GCDFP15), mammaglobin, human gastric mucin, MUC1, MUC2, p63, and cytokeratin high molecular weight. Of the 13 cases of SDC, 9 cases showed typical cytological findings of sheet clusters with polygonal granular cytoplasm with fine chromatin. The other 4 cases showed unusual cytological findings of a pseudo‐papillary cluster or scattered cells only, and the tumor cells showed coarse chromatin. Morphometric image analysis showed that the nucleus area was statistically different between SDC and salivary gland carcinomas with squamous differentiation. AR‐positive expression (P = 0.008), GCDFP15‐positive expression (P = 0.005) and p63‐negative expression (P = 0.001) were effective as SDC‐specific markers in immunohistochemistry. An accurate cytological diagnosis of SDC can be determined by immunostaining with AR, GCDFP15, and p63, based on the nuclear findings. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:485–493. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.