bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benzodiazepine use in the elderly: an indicator for inappropriately treated geriatric depression?
Authors: Assem‐Hilger Eva , Jungwirth Susanne , Weissgram Silvia , Kirchmeyr Walter , Fischer Peter , Barnas Christian 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo measure the prevalence of benzodiazepine (BZD) use and to explore associated demographic and clinical variables of BZD use within a cohort of 75‐year‐ old inhabitants of an urban district of Vienna.MethodsThis is a prospective, interdisciplinary cohort study on aging. Our investigation is based on the first consecutive 500 subjects that completed the study protocol. Demographic and clinical characteristics, benzodiazepine and antidepressant use were documented using a standardized questionnaire. Affective status was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Spielberger State‐and Trait Anxiety Inventory subscales (STAI).ResultsPrevalence of BZD use was 13.8%. Compared to non‐users, BZD users had significantly higher mean scores at the HAMD (p = 0.001), the GDS (p = 0.026), and the Spielberger State‐and Trait Anxiety Inventory subscales (p = 0.003; p = 0.001). Depression was found in 12.0% (HAMD) and 17.8% when using a self‐rating instrument (GDS). Less than one‐third of depressed subjects were receiving antidepressants. Statistically equal numbers were using benzodiazepines.ConclusionsInappropriate prescription of BZD is frequent in old age, probably indicating untreated depression in many cases. The implications of maltreated geriatric depression and the risks associated with benzodiazepine use highlight the medical and socioeconomic consequences of inappropriate BZD prescription. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kir2.2 inward rectifier potassium channels are inhibited by an endogenous factor in Xenopus oocytes independently from the action of a mitochondrial uncoupler
Authors: Collins Anthony , Larson Maureen K. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe previously showed inhibition of Kir2 inward rectifier K+ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes by the mitochondrial agents carbonyl cyanide p‐trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) and sodium azide. Mutagenesis studies suggested that FCCP may act via phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2) depletion. This mechanism could be reversible in intact cells but not in excised membrane patches which preclude PIP2 regeneration. This prediction was tested by investigating the reversibility of the inhibition of Kir2.2 by FCCP in intact cells and excised patches. We also investigated the effect of FCCP on Kir2.2 expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. Kir2.2 current, expressed in Xenopus oocytes, increased in inside‐out patches from FCCP‐treated and untreated oocytes. The fraction of total current that increased was 0.79 ± 0.05 in control and 0.89 ± 0.03 in 10 µM FCCP‐treated (P > .05). Following “run‐up,” Kir2.2 current was re‐inhibited by “cramming” inside‐out patches into oocytes. Therefore, run‐up reflected not reversal of inhibition by FCCP, but washout of an endogenous inhibitor. Kir2.2 current recovered in intact oocytes within 26.5 h of FCCP removal. Injection of oocytes with 0.1 U apyrase completely depleted ATP (P < .001) but did not inhibit Kir2.2 and inhibited Kir2.1 by 35% (P < .05). FCCP only partially reduced [ATP] (P < .001), despite inhibiting Kir2.2 by 75% (P < .01) but not Kir2.1. FCCP inhibited Kir2.2 expressed in HEK cells. The recovery of Kir2.2 from inhibition by FCCP requires intracellular components, but direct depletion of ATP does not reproduce the differential inhibitory effect of FCCP. Inhibition of Kir2.2 by FCCP is not unique to Xenopus oocytes. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 8–13, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Micro‐CT analysis with multiple thresholds allows detection of bone formation and resorption during ultrasound‐treated fracture healing
Authors: Freeman Theresa A. , Patel Payal , Parvizi Javad , Antoci Valentin , Shapiro Irving M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMultiple threshold algorithms applied to microcomputed tomography analysis were used to probe the effects of low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound on fracture healing. Rat femurs were fractured in accordance with IACUC guidelines. Ultrasound treatment was administered daily to one femur; the contralateral bone was treated with a sham transducer. Each week for 3 weeks healing fractures were harvested and scanned by micro‐CT. Remodeling activity was confirmed by evaluation of TRAP activity. Using thresholds of 331–700 and 225–330, area of cortical bone, and new bone formation, respectively, were identified, and by inference, regions of bone resorption. The increased sensitivity of this multithresholding procedure revealed that ultrasound treatment significantly increased the rate of fracture healing in vivo by activating both new bone formation and by increasing the removal of cortical bone in a time‐ and site‐specific manner. At week 1, compared to the proximal side, there was a significant increase in new bone formation distal to the fracture site. Removal of the existing cortical bone followed the same pattern at week 2. Results of the study indicate that at sites of bone turnover, this multithresholding analytical technique can be used to provide quantitative information on bone formation, as well as resorption. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 673–679, 2009
Brachial plexopathy associated with Q fever: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Seneviratne Janaka K. , Blair Janis E. , Smith Benn E. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractNeurologic manifestations of Q fever are predominantly central. We report the case of a 35‐year‐old man with recurrent fever and motor and sensory deficits in the right C5, C6 territories. Electrophysiological findings were consistent with a right upper‐trunk brachial plexopathy or with suprascapular and axillary neuropathies. The patient had full resolution of neurologic symptoms with antibiotic treatment. The association of brachial plexopathy with Q fever infection, described in other rare instances, may merit consideration in individual cases, depending on clinical context. Muscle Nerve 38: 1644–1648, 2008
Nerve‐dependent changes in skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain after experimental denervation and cross‐reinnervation and in a demyelinating mouse model of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1A
Authors: Maggs Alison M. , Huxley Clare , Hughes Simon M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractInnervation regulates the contractile properties of vertebrate muscle fibers, in part through the effect of electrical activity on expression of distinct myosins. Herein we analyze the role of innervation in regulating the accumulation of the general, maturational, and adult forms of rodent slow myosin heavy chain (MyHC) that are defined by the presence of distinct antigenic epitopes. Denervation increases the number of fibers that express general slow MyHC, but it decreases the adult slow MyHC epitope. Cross‐reinnervation of slow muscle by a fast nerve leads to an increase in the number of fibers that express fast MyHC. In both cases, there is an increase in the number of fibers that express slow and fast IIA MyHCs, but without the adult slow MyHC epitope. The data suggest that innervation is required for maturation and maintenance of diversity of both slow and fast fibers. The sequence of slow MyHC epitope transitions is a useful biomarker, and it may play a significant role during nerve‐dependent changes in muscle fiber function. We applied this detailed muscle analysis to a transgenic mouse model of human motor and sensory neuropathy IA, also known as Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), in which electrical conduction in some motor nerves is poor due to demyelination. The mice display atrophy of some muscle fibers and changes in slow and fast MyHC epitope expression, suggestive of a progressive increase in innervation of muscle fibers by fast motor neurons, even at early stages. The potential role of these early changes in disease pathogenesis is assessed. Muscle Nerve 38: 1572–1584, 2008
Phrenic nerve conduction studies in spinal cord injury: Applications for diaphragmatic pacing
Authors: Alshekhlee Amer , Onders Raymond P. , Syed Tanvir U. , Elmo Maryjo , Katirji Bashar 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe diaphragm pacing system (DPS) is a minimally invasive alternative to mechanical ventilation in patients with quadriplegia due to cervical myelopathy primarily caused by high cervical spinal cord injury. We evaluated 36 patients, 29 of whom had traumatic spinal cord injury, two who had a history of remote meningitis and demyelinating disease, and five who had cervical myelopathies of unknown etiology. Phrenic nerve conduction studies were performed with simultaneous fluoroscopic observation of diaphragm excursion to assess diaphragm viability. In the preoperative evaluation, diaphragm compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) were recorded only when the diaphragm moved on fluoroscopy with ipsilateral stimulation. Twenty‐six patients who were determined to have a viable diaphragm underwent DPS. Following DPS the primary outcome was the time (hours per day) that patients were able to pace and stay off the ventilator. Of 26 implanted patients, 96% (25 patients) were able to pace and tolerate being off the ventilator for more than 4 h per day. This study demonstrates that the presence of a diaphragm CMAP is associated with diaphragm movement observed by fluoroscopy in cervical myelopathy. In addition, DPS can help patients with cervical spinal cord injury to breathe unassisted by a ventilator. Muscle Nerve 38: 1546–1552, 2008
Stretch reduces central core lesions and calcium build‐up in tenotomized soleus
Authors: Baewer David V. , van Dyke Jonathan M. , Bain James L. W. , Riley Danny A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe incidence of skeletal muscle tendon rupture is increasing. The unloaded, shortened muscle undergoes rapid degeneration. Rehabilitation takes 10–12 weeks and includes stretch therapy. Outcomes may be improved by understanding the pathophysiological changes and stretch mechanisms. We investigated the effects of passive stretch on preventing central core lesions in a rat tenotomy model of simulated Achilles tendon rupture. Adult male rats were tenotomized bilaterally. At 7 days, 39% of the soleus fibers possessed central core lesions. Whole muscle calcium concentration progressively increased and plateaued by 4 days. Dantrolene, a calcium release blocker, injected daily for 7 days, reduced central core lesion formation and calcium build‐up. Passive stretch, 20 min/day, inhibited central core lesion formation. Calcium increased at 4 days in mitochondria, and stretch prevented this increase. These findings indicate that stretch therapy reduces central core lesion occurrence by preventing calcium elevation in hypershortened muscles. Muscle Nerve 38: 1563–1571, 2008
Sensory nerve conduction slowing is a specific marker for CIDP
Authors: Bragg Julian A. , Benatar Michael G. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMost current diagnostic criteria for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) do not make use of sensory nerve conduction studies (NCSs). To investigate if surface sensory NCSs are clinically relevant in differentiating CIDP from axonal polyneuropathy, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients referred for electrodiagnostic testing to evaluate for CIDP. We found that sensory conduction velocity (CV) slowing is a highly specific, albeit insensitive, marker for differentiating CIDP from axonal polyneuropathy. Muscle Nerve 38: 1599–1603, 2008
Discrete gradient method over polygon mesh
Authors: Lu Jia , Qian Jing 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis paper presents a discrete method over domains originally discretized by polygons including triangle, quadrilateral, and general n‐sided polygon elements. In this method, the domain is re‐partitioned into node‐based cells. At each node, the gradient of a physical variable is approximated using a linearly exact discrete operator that involves a set of neighboring nodes. The discrete gradient is subsequently substituted into a weak form to yield a nodal‐integration Galerkin formulation. A unified geometric approach is provided for constructing the gradient operators over an arbitrary polygon mesh. The method does not introduce continuous approximation of the unknown variable; therefore, the numerical computation is very simple. The linear displacement patch test is satisfied by construction. Numerical tests show that the method has comparable accuracy and convergence rate as the displacement finite element method. Examples are also included to illustrate the ability to resist numerical locking in the incompressibility limit and the thin‐element limit. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐healing of high elasticity block copolymers
Authors: Chipara Magdalena Dorina , Chipara Mircea , Shansky Emma , Zaleski Jeffrey M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA new route for adding self‐healing properties to soluble polymers is presented briefly. Self‐healing block copolymers (polystyrene‐block‐polybutadiene block‐polystyrene from Sigma‐Aldrich) were obtained by dissolving the polymer in a solvent that neither dissolves the microbubbles nor deactivate the Grubbs catalyst. The self‐healing block copolymer has been obtained by mixing the polymer, the solvent, the microbubbles filled with monomer (dicyclopentadiene), and the Grubbs' catalyst followed by the evaporation of the solvent. The structure of self‐healed high elasticity block copolymer has been investigated by optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Raman spectroscopy and mechanical data suggested that the block copolymer exhibits self‐healing features. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear optical polyimides consisting of chromophore‐containing dendrons with site‐isolation effect
Authors: Chen Yung‐Chung , Chang Huey‐Ling , Lee Rong‐Ho , Dai Shenghong A. , Su Wen‐Chiung , Jeng Ru‐Jong 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTo investigate the dendritic structure effects on the electro‐optical (EO) coefficients and thermal stability of the nonlinear optical (NLO) active materials, a bifunctional compound, IDD (4‐isocyanato‐4′(3,3‐dimethyl‐ 2,4‐dioxo‐acetidino)‐diphenylmethane) was used as a building block to synthesize a series of novel NLO chromophore‐containing dendritic structures including Generation 0.5 (G0.5) to Generation 3 (G3). The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of G1–G3 dendrons were in the range of 76–116°C, whereas only the G0.5 dendron exhibited a melting temperature (Tm), 98°C. Moreover, a series of NLO‐active guest–host systems ranging from polyimide‐G0.5 (PI‐G0.5) to polyimide‐G3 (PI‐G3) were prepared by blending 20 wt% chromophore‐containing dendron with a high Tg polyimide. EO coefficients ranged from 6.1 to 12.9 pm/V. The r33/dye content ratio increased with increasing generation of dendron‐containing polyimide samples. Particularly, the improvement in r33/dye content ratio of PI‐G2.5 sample tripled as compared to that of the guest–host sample with Disperse Red 1. Excellent temporal stability of PI‐G0.5 and PI‐G1.5 at 80°C was obtained. Moreover, waveguide properties for NLO polymers containing higher generation dendrons (3.1–3.6 dB/cm at 830 nm) were also obtained. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel conducting fabric polymer composites as stretchable electrodes: one‐step fabrication of chemical actuators
Authors: Shoji Eiichi , Takagi Susumu , Araie Hidemasa 
Published: November 2008

AbstractComposite films have functioned as chemical bending actuators, where stretchable conducting fabrics were joined to both surfaces of ionomer films. This phenomenon shows that a direct metallization of either electroless or electrolytic plating having a metal dendrite formation on the ionomer film is not essential for functioning as actuators. Conducting fabric polymer composite (CFPC) actuators can be easily fabricated by a simple adhesion process using flexible conducting fabrics as electrodes. Due to their excellent contraction and expansion capabilities, gold‐ and copper‐plated knitted fabrics were employed and stably bound to Nafion‐117 film. Au‐CFPC actuators demonstrated a maximum bending displacement of ±2.5 mm at ±2 V. Cu‐CFPC gave a smaller displacement of ±0.7 mm at ±2 V, having no reverse displacement. The method described here is widely applicable, introducing conducting layers on various flexible, stretchable, and polymer substrates. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A modeling approach to the effect of resin characteristics on parison formation in extrusion blow molding
Authors: Yousefi Azizeh‐Mitra , den Doelder Jaap , Rainville Marc‐André , Koppi Kurt A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe most critical stage in the extrusion blow‐molding process is the parison formation, as the dimensions of the blow‐molded part are directly related to the parison dimensions. The swelling due to stress relaxation and sagging due to gravity are strongly influenced by the resin characteristics, die geometry, and operating conditions. These factors significantly affect the parison dimensions. This could lead to a considerable amount of time and cost through trial and error experiments to get the desired parison dimensions based upon variations in the resin characteristics, die geometry, and operating conditions. The availability of a modeling technique ensures a more accurate prediction of the entire blow‐molding process, as the proper prediction of the parison formation is the input for the remaining process phases. This study considers both the simulated and the experimental effects of various high‐density polyethylene resin grades on parison dimensions. The resins were tested using three different sets of die geometries and operating conditions. The target parison length was achieved by adjusting the extrusion time for a preset die gap opening. The finite element software BlowParison® was used to predict the parison formation, taking into account the swell and sag. Good agreements were found between the predicted parison dimensions and the experimental data. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. Published by Society of Plastics Engineers
Group‐Based QSAR (G‐QSAR): Mitigating Interpretation Challenges in QSAR
Authors: Ajmani Subhash , Jadhav Kamalakar , Kulkarni Sudhir A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractSeveral approaches are widely being used as important tools for drug discovery. These approaches include Hansch method, Free‐Wilson method and conventional 2‐D/3‐D QSAR methods. The Hansch analysis assumes that substituents are independent of each other and does not include explicit interactions of groups. In the conventional QSAR method, the interpretation of model generated is rather difficult, as one does not a get clear direction about the site for improvement. A new Group‐Based QSAR (G‐QSAR) method is proposed which uses descriptors evaluated for the fragments of the molecules generated using specific fragmentation rules defined for a given dataset. Herein, we describe the application of G‐QSAR method on two different datasets belonging to a simple congeneric series and a complex noncongeneric series. This method provides models with predictive ability similar or better to conventional methods and in addition provides hints for sites of improvement in the molecules.
Charge Transport Through a Cardan‐Joint Molecule
Authors: Ruben Mario , Landa Aitor , Lörtscher Emanuel , Riel Heike , Mayor Marcel , Görls Helmar , Weber Heiko B. , Arnold Andreas , Evers Ferdinand 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe charge transport through a single ruthenium atom clamped by two terpyridine hinges is investigated, both experimentally and theoretically. The metal‐bis(terpyridyl) core is equipped with rigid, conjugated linkers of para‐acetyl‐mercapto phenylacetylene to establish electrical contact in a two‐terminal configuration using Au electrodes. The structure of the [RuII(L)2](PF6)2 molecule is determined using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, which yields good agreement with calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). By means of the mechanically controllable break‐junction technique, current–voltage (I–V), characteristics of [RuII(L)2](PF6)2 are acquired on a single‐molecule level under ultra‐high vacuum (UHV) conditions at various temperatures. These results are compared to ab initio transport calculations based on DFT. The simulations show that the cardan‐joint structural element of the molecule controls the magnitude of the current. Moreover, the fluctuations in the cardan angle leave the positions of steps in the I–V curve largely invariant. As a consequence, the experimental I–V characteristics exhibit lowest‐unoccupied‐molecular‐orbit‐based conductance peaks at particular voltages, which are also found to be temperature independent.
Selective Electroless Deposition of Metal Clusters on Solid‐Supported Bacteriorhodopsin: Applications to Orientation Labeling and Electrical Contacts
Authors: Ron Izhar , Friedman Noga , Cahen David , Sheves Mordechai 
Published: November 2008

AbstractControlling the orientation of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) monolayers is an important step in studying and utilizing such membranes in a solid‐state configuration in, for example, photoelectric applications. Macroscopic monolayers of bR have been fabricated in a variety of ways, but characterization of the distribution of the two possible orientations in which the membrane fragments can adsorb has not yet been addressed experimentally. Here, an approach is presented that labels only one of the membrane surfaces by electroless growth of metal nanoparticles on top of the solid‐supported membranes. In this way, it is possible to observe which surface of the membranes is actually adsorbed to the substrate. How this technique serves to interface the membranes with a top metal contact for further electrical measurements is also demonstrated.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Phenylimidorhenium(V) Complexes with N‐[(N′,N′‐Dialkylamino)(thiocarbonyl)]benzamidines. Observation of a pH‐Dependent Isomerisation of Related Oxorhenium(V) Compounds
Authors: Kuhn Bernd , Abram Ulrich 
Published: November 2008

AbstractReactions of [Re(NPh)Cl3(PPh3)2] with N‐[(N′,N′‐dialkylamino)(thiocarbonyl)]benzamidines (H2R2tcb) (R2 = Et2, (CH2)2O(CH2)2) in methanol give mono‐chelates of the composition [Re(NPh)Cl2(PPh3)(HR2tcb)] as the sole products independent of the amount of the added H2R2tcb. Addition of a supporting base such as NEt3 results in hydrolysis of the Re=NPh bonds and partial hydrolysis of the thiocarbamoylbenzamidines. Orange‐brown, cationic oxorhenium(V) compounds of the formula [ReO(HR2tcb)2]Cl were isolated from such reaction mixtures in good yields, and the formation of small amount of the unusual sulfido/persulfido‐bridged ReV dimer [{ReO(HEt2tcb)}2(μ‐S)(μ‐S2)] give evidence for a considerable degree of ligand decomposition under such conditions. The products have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and X‐ray crystallography.Acidification of orange‐brown solutions of the five‐coordinate ReV oxo complex [ReO(HEt2tcb)2]Cl causes an immediate change of the color and deep blue crystals of the neutral, six‐coordinate [ReOCl(HEt2tcb)2] can be isolated from the resulting mixture. Alternatively, the product can be prepared by a ligand‐exchange protocol starting from (NBu4)[ReOCl4] and H2Et2tcb. The pH‐dependent isomerization between [ReO(HEt2tcb)2]Cl and [ReOCl(HEt2tcb)2] is reversible.