bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The contribution of information technology: towards a better clinical data management
Authors: Clivio Luca , Tinazzi Angelo , Mangano Simone , Santoro Eugenio 
Published: July 2006

AbstractClinical data management is a vital vehicle in medical research to ensure the integrity and quality of data used to take medical decisions. When applied to clinical trials or observational studies it must comply with several regulations and guidelines developed in recent years; these include general purpose national and international legislation for data privacy and data protection, good clinical practice (GCPs) for medical interventions, and specific guidelines for electronic data submission to regulatory agencies. The aim of this article is to briefly illustrate the above‐mentioned guidelines and legislation from the data‐acquisition perspective and to describe how this process can be improved through a proper and prudent application of current information technology. Furthermore, a practical application using the current state of the art and, in particular, the web‐based technology, will be presented with two real case studies. Drug Dev. Res. 67:245‐250, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outcome research in gastroenterology: the case of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Authors: Pace Fabio , Molteni Paola , Wiklund Ingela 
Published: July 2006

AbstractGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common, chronic disorder. The main symptom of GERD is heartburn, although a diverse range of symptoms can be associated with the disease including acid regurgitation and epigastric pain. GERD is also a risk factor for Barrett's oesophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. The impact of GERD symptoms on patients' lives can be profound and is unrelated to the presence or absence of esophagitis. The impact of GERD can be measured by assessing the patient perspective using Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs). A number of studies have demonstrated that health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in reflux disease patients is significantly impaired in comparison to the general population, regardless of the endoscopic findings. Furthermore, this impairment is comparable to or greater than that observed in other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, or congestive heart failure. Impaired HRQoL in GERD patients is a result of features such as disturbed sleep, reduced vitality, generalized body pain, an impaired sex life, and anxiety about the underlying cause of the symptoms. The burden of illness imposed by reflux disease on HRQoL also has an impact on productivity, both at and outside work. The impact of reflux disease on productivity is significant and comparable to that caused by headache or back pain. Effective treatment is available for reflux disease, and there is evidence that this can quickly restore HRQoL to levels observed in the general population. Drug Dev. Res. 67:251–259, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outcome research in obesity: lessons from the QUOVADIS study
Authors: Marchesini Giulio , Marzocchi Rebecca , Grave Riccardo Dalle 
Published: July 2006

AbstractOutcome research in obesity is aimed at the identification of clinically meaningful goals. Over the years, the focus has moved from surrogate health markers to cardiovascular risk and survival. The 7–10% weight loss recommended by guidelines is a target easily attained with any treatment, but does not guarantee physical and psychological benefits unless it is accompanied by weight loss maintenance, a target very difficult to achieve with either behavior treatment or pharmacological intervention. A reduced cardiovascular risk profile is associated with weight loss, irrespective of the treatment program. In contrast, no controlled studies have so far documented an increased survival, but evidence has been provided by epidemiological surveys. Also bariatric surgery, promoting a larger weight loss and good weight loss maintenance, has failed to demonstrate an improved survival. Health‐related quality of life is an additional significant outcome, approved by international agencies. Concern regarding a possible detrimental effect of dieting on mood and depression is not substantiated by the results of controlled studies. The high prevalence of obesity and its consequences pose a serious and unresolved challenge to the medical community and the definition of outcome measures is a key issue for the assessment of results. Drug Dev. Res. 67:260–270, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combined counseling and bupropion therapy for smoking cessation: identification of outcome predictors
Authors: Grassi Maria Caterina , Enea Domenico , Marchetti Rosanna , Caricati Alessio Maria , Nencini Paolo 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBecause some smoking‐induced pathologies improve upon discontinuation, strategies have been developed to help smokers quit. The aim of this study was to measure the rate of smokers still abstinent one year after one cycle of a six‐week group counseling given alone or in combination with a seven‐week period of daily administration of bupropion. We also evaluated the predictor validity of nicotine dependence intensity at enrollment, administering both the Fageström Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ) and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), to measure the intensity of “smoke craving,” was also administered. Two hundred twenty‐nine subjects trying to quit smoking were enrolled. Bupropion therapy was accepted by 110 subjects, but only 50 completed the 7‐week cycle of therapy. Abstinence rates at one year were 68.0 and 56.6%, respectively, in the group that used bupropion for the scheduled 7 weeks and in the group that discontinued bupropion, and 35.3% in the group with counseling therapy alone. SDS (but not FTQ) scores at enrollment, VAS values for craving at the end of the program, and bupropion therapy were the variables selected by Linear Discriminant Analysis to assign subjects to the Smoker or Non‐smoker group, with a global correctness of 70.9%. In conclusion, the efficacy of bupropion largely depends upon its interaction with psychological factors, such as the level of nicotine dependence, craving for nicotine, and the subject's commitment to quit smoking. Drug Dev. Res. 67:271–279, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outcome research in diabetes: from theory to practice. Results of the QuED study
Authors: Nicolucci Antonio , De Berardis Giorgia , Franciosi Monica , Pellegrini Fabio 
Published: July 2006

AbstractDespite the fact that several pharmacological and educational interventions have been proven to improve diabetes outcomes in the context of randomized clinical trials, the transferability of these results to clinical practice can encounter obstacles represented by physicians' knowledge and beliefs, structural and organizational constraints, and patients' clinical and socio‐economical characteristics. Outcomes research represents a fundamental tool to investigate the extent to which trials results can be reproduced under routine clinical conditions, to evaluate clinical behavior in areas of uncertainty, and to ascertain which features of diabetes care are more important to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life. This report will discuss some of the results of the QuED (Quality of Care and Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes) study, to exemplify the yield of an outcomes research approach to a complex, chronic disease. The QuED Study is a nation‐wide initiative aimed at assessing the relationship between the quality of care delivered to subjects with type 2 diabetes and outcomes. The study involved 101 outpatient diabetes clinics and 103 General Practitioners (GPs) in Italy. Overall, 3,437 patients have been enrolled and followed up for 5 years at 6‐month intervals. Quality of life was evaluated through questionnaires filled in by the patients at 6‐month intervals for 3 years. A physicians' survey was also conducted to investigate physician's beliefs regarding metabolic control, blood pressure, and lipid control. Given the multiplicity of the sources of information, the study allowed for matching physicians' beliefs and practices with intermediate and long‐term clinical and humanistic outcomes. Drug Dev. Res. 67:280–286, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chiral Half‐Sandwich Ruthenium(II) Complexes as Catalysts in 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Nitrones with Methacrolein
Authors: Carmona Daniel , Lamata M. Pilar , Viguri Fernando , Ferrer Joaquina , García Néstor , Lahoz Fernando J. , Martín M. Luisa , Oro Luis A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractRuthenium complexes of formula [(η6‐arene)Ru(LL*)(H2O)][SbF6]2 (arene = C6H6, p‐MeC6H4iPr, C6Me6; LL* = bidentate chelate chiral ligand with PN, PP or NN donor atoms) have been tested as catalyst precursors for the asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones to methacrolein. The reaction occurs quantitatively with perfect endo selectivity and moderate enantioselectivity (up to 74 % ee). The ruthenium aqua complexes can be prepared from the corresponding chlorides, [(η6‐arene)RuCl(LL*)][SbF6]. Dipolarophile intermediates [(η6‐arene)Ru(PNiPr)(methacrolein)][SbF6]2 {PNiPr = (4S)‐2‐(2‐diphenylphosphanylphenyl)‐4‐isopropyl‐1,3‐oxazoline} as well as nitrone‐containing complexes [(p‐MeC6H4iPr)Ru(PNiPr)(nitrone)][SbF6]2 (nitrone = N‐benzylidenephenylamine N‐oxide, N‐benzylidenemethylamine N‐oxide, 3,4‐dihydroisoquinoline N‐oxide) have been also isolated and characterised. The crystal structures of the chlorides (RRu)‐[(η6‐C6Me6)RuCl(PNiPr)][SbF6], (RRu)‐[(η6‐C6H6)RuCl(PNInd)][SbF6] {PNInd = (3aR,8aS)‐2‐[2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl]‐3a,8a‐dihydroindane[1,2‐d]oxazole} and those of the aqua solvates (RRu)‐[(η6‐arene)Ru(PNiPr)(H2O)][SbF6]2 (arene = C6H6, C6Me6) were determined by X‐ray diffraction methods. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
New Facile Synthesis of 3,5‐Dihydro‐6H‐imidazo[1,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐triazol‐6‐ones by an Iminophosphorane‐Mediated Annulation
Authors: Yuan Ju‐Zhen , Fu Bo‐Qiao , Ding Ming‐Wu , Yang Guang‐Fu 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIminophosphorane 1 reacted with an aromatic isocyanate to unexpectedly give a mixture of carbodiimides 2, 3 and 4 through both the normal and the abnormal aza‐Wittig reactions. 3‐Aminoimidazolone 10 was obtained from the reaction of hydrazine hydrate with carbodiimide 2. Reaction of 10 with triphenyphosphane, hexachloroethane and triethylamine produced iminophosphorane 11 in good yield. A tandem aza‐Wittig reaction of iminophosphorane 11 with isocyanate or CS2 generated 3,5‐dihydro‐6H‐imidazo[1,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐triazol‐6‐ones 13 or 15 in satisfactory yield. Carbodiimides 18, obtained from normal aza‐Wittig reactions of vinyl iminophosphorane 17 with aromatic isocyanates, reacted with hydrazine to give 2‐arylamino‐3‐amino‐4H‐imidazol‐4‐ones 20. One‐pot reactions of 2‐arylamino‐3‐amino‐4H‐imidazol‐4‐ones 20 with isocyanates (or acyl chlorides), triphenyphosphane, hexachloroethane and triethylamine produced 3,5‐dihydro‐6H‐imidazo[1,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐triazol‐6‐ones 22 (or 23) in good yields. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Anion‐selective exhaustive injection‐sweeping microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography
Authors: Huang Hsi‐Ya , Lien Wei‐Chih , Huang I‐Yun 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn this study, anion‐selective exhaustive injection‐sweeping (ASEI‐sweeping) technique, which is a selective on‐line sample concentration technique, was first proposed in microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) for analyses of eight acidic phenolic compounds. In contrast to a capillary that is typically filled with nonmicellar background solution in conventional ASEI‐sweeping MEKC method, in the proposed ASEI‐sweeping MEEKC method, a capillary is filled with a low pH microemulsion solution (pH 2.0), and then with a short acid plug (pH 2.0, 1.9 cm) before field‐amplified sample injection. This proposed design has two functions. First, the microemulsion solution that is present at the front of capillary column is able to avoid phase separation of microemulsion solution during MEEKC separation. Second, the presence of the short acid plug would effectively limit the partition behavior of acid analytes with the oil droplets in the microemulsion during field‐amplified sample injection; otherwise, the stacking effect of acid analytes would be markedly reduced. This optimal ASEI‐sweeping MEEKC method afforded about 96 000‐fold to 238 000‐fold increases in detection sensitivity in terms of peak areas without any separation efficiency loss when compared to normal MEEKC separation. Furthermore, trace levels (about 3 ng/g) of gallic acid and catechin in foods were also detected successfully by the proposed ASEI‐sweeping MEEKC technique.
Homopolymerization and copolymerization of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate
Authors: Lam O. A. , Hervaud Y. , Boutevin B. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis article describes the homopolymerization of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM) and its copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) in acetonitrile in the presence of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile. The constant characteristic of IEM polymerizability (kp2/kte = 128 × 10−3 L mol−1 s−1, where kp is the propagation constant and kte is the termination constant) was determined. The study of IEM reactivity toward MMA gave ratios of 0.88 and 1.20 for IEM and MMA, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the IEM homopolymer and IEM/MMA copolymers were also studied. The glass‐transition temperature of poly(isocyanatoethyl methacrylate) was found to be 47 °C. From the thermogravimetric analysis of the weight‐loss percentage corresponding to the first wave of the thermogram, it was shown that the degradation mechanism of the IEM/MMA copolymers started from the isocyanate group. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4762–4768, 2006
Isomeric effect of the Et(H4Ind)2Zr(CH3)2 catalyst on the copolymerization of ethylene and styrene: A computational study
Authors: Martínez Sonia , Ramos Javier , Cruz Víctor L. , Martínez‐Salazar Javier 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA density functional theory (B3LYP) computational study of the ethylene–styrene copolymerization process using meso‐Et(H4Ind)2Zr(CH3)2 as the catalyst is presented. The monomer insertion barriers in meso species are evaluated and compared with previously obtained barriers in rac diastereoisomers. Differences related to ethylene homopolymerization and ethylene–styrene copolymerization activities as well as styrene incorporation into the copolymer are found between the meso and rac diastereoisomers. Nevertheless, a migratory insertion mechanism seems to hold for both diastereoisomeric species. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4752–4761, 2006
High‐molar‐mass polypropene with tunable elastic properties by hafnocene/borate catalysts
Authors: Seraidaris Tanja , Puranen Arto , Karesoja Mikko , Löfgren Barbro , Repo Timo , Leskelä Markku , Seppälä Jukka 
Published: July 2006

AbstractElastic polypropene has gained growing industrial and academic interest as a thermoplastic elastomer. In this study, “rac”‐ and “meso”‐dimethylsilyl(3‐benzylindenyl)(2‐methylindenyl)hafnium dichloride complexes (Hfr and Hfm, respectively), activated with [NHMe2Ph][B(C6F5)4]/triisobutyl aluminum, were used in propene polymerization. Using these catalyst systems, we obtained polymers with high molar masses, up to 550 kg/mol, and moderate isotacticities between 34 and 52%. By varying the polymerization conditions, we could modify the polymer microstructure and molar mass. 13C NMR was used to calculate the polymer pentad sequence distributions. The crystalline parts of the polymers were analyzed with the differential scanning calorimetry successive self‐nucleation and annealing (SSA) technique. The SSA thermograms revealed that Hfr produced polypropene with a more uniform lamellar structure than Hfm. The mechanical properties were tested with dynamic mechanical analysis creep‐recovery tests. In the series, the polymers with the lowest isotacticities and therefore lowest crystallinities showed the best elastic properties. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4743–4751, 2006
Acrylic polymer/silica organic–inorganic hybrid emulsions for coating materials: Role of the silane coupling agent
Authors: Watanabe Mitsuru , Tamai Toshiyuki 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAcrylic polymer/silica organic–inorganic hybrid emulsions were synthesized by a simple method, that is, a conventional emulsion polymerization and subsequent sol–gel process, to provide water‐based coating materials. The acrylic polymer emulsions contained a silane coupling agent monomer, such as methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, to form highly solvent‐resistant hybrid films. On the other hand, the hybrid films from the surface‐modified polymer emulsions, in which the silane coupling agent was located only on the surface of the polymer particles and the particle core was not crosslinked, did not exhibit high solvent resistance. A honeycomblike array structure, which was derived from the polymer particles (diameter ≈ 50 nm) and the silica domain, on the hybrid film surfaces was observed by atomic force microscopy. The crosslinked core part and silane coupling agent containing the shell part of the polymer particles played important roles in attaining high solvent resistance. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4736–4742, 2006
Polycondensation of α‐amino acid esters in the presence of yttrium triflate as a Lewis acid
Authors: Nemoto Tadamasa , Ando Daisuke , Naka Kensuke , Chujo Yoshiki 
Published: July 2006

AbstractTo develop polycondensation methods for poly(α‐amino acid)s, we describe a first examination to use yttrium triflate as a Lewis acid for polycondensation of α‐amino acid esters. In the absence of Lewis acid, no polycondensation of 2‐methoxyphenyl glycinate (1b) at room temperature proceeded. While the polycondensation of 1b was carried out with 5 mol % yttrium triflate, a condensation product of glycine was obtained in 16% yield. Although polycondensation of 4‐nitrophenyl L‐leucinate (1c) and 4‐nitrophenyl L‐valinate (1d) were also promoted with 5 mol % yttrium triflate, the condensation products of both α‐amino acid esters were obtained in only a few percent yield. When 1d was polymerized in the presence of 100 mol % yttrium triflate, high molecular weight poly(L‐valine) was obtained in 91% yield. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4731–4735, 2006
Segmented block copolymers based on poly(propylene oxide) and monodisperse polyamide‐6,T segments
Authors: van der Schuur Martijn , Gaymans Reinoud J. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPolyether(ester amide)s with poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and monodisperse poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide) segments were synthesized, and their structure–property relations were investigated. The length of the amide segments was varied from diamide to tetraamide to hexaamide segments, and therefore the number hydrogen bonds per amide segment increased from two to four to six. PPO was end‐capped with 20 wt % ethylene oxide and had number‐average molecular weights of 1000, 2300, and 4000 g/mol (including ethylene oxide tips). The morphology of the poly‐ether(ester amide)s was studied with transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, the thermal properties were studied with differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and the tensile properties were studied with dumbbell samples. The elastic behavior of the block copolymers was investigated with tensile and compression tests. These segmented copolymers had two sharp transitions: a glass‐transition temperature (Tg) of the PEO–PPO–PEO phase [where PEO is poly(ethylene oxide)] and a melting temperature (Tm) of the amide segments. The amide segments crystallized in nanoribbons with a high aspect ratio 1000. Tm increased with the amide segment length and with decreasing PEO–PPO–PEO content (solvent effect). The modulus increased strongly with the amide content. This modulus increase could be described by the Halpin–Tsai fiber composite model. Increasing the amide segment length surprisingly also improved the elasticity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4769–4781, 2006
7‐Coumaryl permethrate and its cis‐ and trans‐isomers as new fluorescent substrates for examining pyrethroid‐ cleaving enzymes
Authors: Santo Orihuela Pablo L , Picollo María I , Audino Paola Gonzalez , Barrios Silvia , Zerba Eduardo , Masuh Héctor 
Published: July 2006

AbstractNew esterase substrates were synthesized using cis‐, trans‐ and cis‐trans‐permethrinic acid chloride and then used to measure pyrethroid‐cleaving enzymes in insects. The new substrates, namely cis‐, trans‐ and cis‐trans‐7‐coumaryl permethrates (7‐CP), show a structure very similar to permethrin insecticide and yield fluorescent products on hydrolysis. These substrates were hydrolyzed by a commercial porcine preparation that provided esterase‐specific activity, and were stable at different pH values (5.2–7.8). Studies made with house fly, Musca domestica (L.), homogenates showed that these compounds are appropriate for determining pyrethroid hydrolysis activity on individual insects. The measured activity of house fly esterase was 870 relative fluorescence units (RFU) min−1 with cis‐7‐CP as substrate, 1117 RFU min−1 with trans‐7‐CP as substrate and 1423 RFU min−1 with cis‐trans‐7‐CP as substrate. The fluorescent substrates for pyrethroid‐cleaving esterases described in this paper have advantages over methods already given in the literature. They are substrates with structures very similar to pyrethroids, the cleavage of which can be followed by an increase in fluorescence emission at 440 nm; it takes only about 5 min to measure the reaction, and moreover the high sensitivity of the fluorescence technique allows the quantification of esterase activity on individual insects. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Hybrid HF‐DFT comparative study of SrZrO3and SrTiO3(001) surface properties
Authors: Evarestov R. A. , Bandura A. V. , Alexandrov V. E. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractHybrid HF‐DFT LCAO simulations of SrZrO3and SrTiO3(001) surface properties are performed in a single‐slab model framework. The SrZrO3(001) surface was studied by an ab initio method for the first time. Three slab models with different surface terminations including up to 8 atomic planes were used for calculation of the various surface characteristics (surface energies, atomic charges, density of electronic states). The dependence of the results on the chosen model and on the kind ofd‐element is analyzed. The dissimilarity in the surface oxygen atom contributions to the total density of states of two crystals is attributed to the more ionic nature of Zr–O bonds compared to Ti–O bonds. It is found that in the case of SrZrO3the electronic density is biased towards the SrO‐terminated surface and this surface should be more basic in nature than the SrO surface of SrTiO3crystal. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)