bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compulsive hoarding in children
Authors: Storch Eric A. , Rahman Omar , Park Jennifer M. , Reid Jeannette , Murphy Tanya K. , Lewin Adam B.
Published: March 2011

This article discusses the nature and treatment of compulsive hoarding among children. We summarize the phenomenology of compulsive hoarding, including its clinical presentation, comorbidity with varied mental disorders, and associated impairment. The limited data on treatment outcome are presented along with a behavioral framework that we utilized to treat youth who hoard. Our approach is highlighted in the context of a case illustration of an 11‐year‐old girl suffering from compulsive hoarding and several comorbid mental health disorders. We conclude with recommendations for clinical work with this challenging and neglected population. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 67:1–10, 2011.
Diameter of random spanning trees in a given graph
Authors: Chung Fan , Horn Paul , Lu L.
Published: March 2011

Motivated by the observation that the sparse tree‐like subgraphs in a small world graph have large diameter, we analyze random spanning trees in a given host graph. We show that the diameter of a random spanning tree of a given host graph G is between and with high probability., where c and c′ depend on the spectral gap of G and the ratio of the moments of the degree sequence. For the special case of regular graphs, this result improves the previous lower bound by Aldous by a factor of logn. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 69:
223–240, 2012
Synthesis of some pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazoles
Authors: Pavlik James W. , Ervithayasuporn Vuthichai , Tantayanon Supawan
Published: March 2011

Synthetic methods have been developed to prepare pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazoles with various substituents at ring positions 1, 3, and 6. The 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR properties of these products and their precursors are presented and discussed. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).
Soil respiration across three contrasting ecosystem types: comparison of two portable IRGA systems
Authors: Mills Robert , Glanville Helen , McGovern Stephanie , Emmett Bridget , Jones Davey L.
Published: March 2011

An accurate assessment of soil respiration is critical for understanding and predicting ecosystem responses to anthropogenic perturbation such as climate change, pollution, and agriculture. Infra‐red gas analyzer (IRGA)–based field measurement is the most widely used technique for assessing soil‐respiration flux rates. In this study, respiration rates obtained with two common IRGA systems (LI‐COR 8100 and PP Systems EGM‐4) were compared across three ecosystem types. Our results showed that both methods were highly comparable in their flux estimates, but the associated methodology used (notably the use or absence of a soil collar) resulted in greater uncertainty in flux rates and a greater degree of intrasite variation. Specifically, the use of collars significantly decreased the flux estimate for both IRGAs compared to the no‐collar estimate. The disturbance caused by collar insertion was assumed to be a major factor in causing the differing flux estimates, with root and mycorrhizal severance likely being the main contributor. We conclude that the two IRGAs used in this study can be reliably compared for overall flux estimates but emphasis is needed to validate a common measurement methodology.
Synthesis of survival and disease progression outcomes for health technology assessment of cancer therapies
Authors: Welton N. J. , Willis S. R. , Ades A. E.
Published: March 2011

Studies of clinical efficacy commonly report more than one clinical endpoint. For example, randomized controlled trials of treatments for cancer will normally report time to disease progression as well as overall survival. It is likely that disease progression will be associated with higher mortality rates. Disease progression rates will also have consequences for the societal economic burden of the disease. Economic evaluation of the cost‐effectiveness of different treatment regimes therefore requires the joint estimation of both disease progression and mortality. We describe a model to combine evidence from studies reporting time to event summaries for disease progression and/or mortality, motivated by a systematic review of 1st‐line treatment for advanced breast cancer to provide inputs for an economic evaluation as part of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on treatment of advanced breast cancer in England and Wales. The review identified a network of treatment comparisons, which provides the basis for indirect comparison. A variety of outcomes were reported: overall survival, time to progression (overall and responders only), and the proportion of responder, stable, progressive disease, and non‐assessable patients. There were only five trials, and not all trials reported all outcomes. The scarcity of the available evidence required us to make strong assumptions in order to identify model parameters. However, this evidence structure often occurs in health technology assessment (HTA) of treatments for cancer. We discuss the validity of the assumptions made, and the potential to assess their validity in other applications of HTA of cancer therapies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does metastasectomy improve survival in patients with stage IV melanoma? a cancer registry analysis of outcomes
Authors: Wasif Nabil , Bagaria Sanjay P. , Ray Partha , Morton Donald L.
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Patients with Stage IV melanoma have limited therapeutic options with few long‐term survivors. Our goal was to study the impact of metastasectomy on survival in these patients.

Methods

Patients with Stage IV melanoma were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1988–2006). Those who had metastasectomy performed were compared with patients that did not.

Results

The median age of the study population (n = 4,229) was 63 years and median survival was 7 months. Patients who underwent metastasectomy (33.6%) had an improved median and 5‐year overall survival as compared to patients who did not; 12 months versus 5 months and 16% versus 7% (P < 0.001). In patients with M1a disease (n = 1,994), this improvement of survival following metastasectomy was enhanced; median survival of 14 months versus 6 months and 5‐year overall survival of 20% versus 9% (P < 0.001). Younger age and diagnosis from 2001 to 2006 were predictors of metastasectomy. Metastasectomy was an independent and significant predictor of survival for the entire cohort (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.55–0.63).

Conclusions

Metastasectomy in patients with Stage IV melanoma may improve long‐term survival. The true therapeutic benefit, if any, of metastatectomy needs to be determined by a randomized trial. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;104:111–115. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of protein hydrolysates of cosmetic use by CE‐MS
Authors: Simionato Ana Valéria Colnaghi , Carrilho Emanuel , Tavares Marina Franco Maggi
Published: March 2011

Protein hydrolysates have been used as active principles in cosmetic products conferring different properties to the final formulations, which are mostly controlled by the peptide size and its amino acid sequence. In this work, capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry analyses were carried out in order to investigate such characteristics of protein hydrolysates. Samples of different origins (milk, soy and rice) were obtained from a local company, and were analyzed without a previous preparation step. The background electrolyte (BGE) and sheath liquid compositions were optimized for each sample. The best BGE composition (860 mmol/L formic acid – pH 1.8 – in 70:30 v/v water/methanol hydro‐organic solvent) was chosen based on the overall peak resolution whereas the best sheath liquid was selected based on increased sensitivity and presented different compositions to each sample (10.9–217 mmol/L formic acid in 75:25–25:75 v/v water/methanol hydro‐organic solvent). Most of the putative peptides in the hydrolysate samples under investigation presented molecular masses of 1000 Da or less. De novo sequencing was carried out for some of the analytes, revealing the hydrophobicity/polarity of the peptides. Hence, the technique has proved to be an advantageous tool for the quality control of industrial protein hydrolysates.
Separation of inorganic anions on a triazole‐functionalized ion exchanger in ion chromatography
Authors: Zhang Feifang , Liu Yajing , Wei Jie , Guo Zhimou , Yang Bingcheng , Liang Xinmiao
Published: March 2011

The retention behavior of inorganic anions on a triazole‐based stationary phase was first examined in ion chromatography. It was initially designed for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and was simply prepared by introducing the triazole groups onto the surface of silica gel via click chemistry. Effective separation of common inorganic anions, including iodate, chloride, bromide, nitrate and iodide, was achieved with Na2SO4 eluent. The logarithm of the retention factor of analytes was observed to be linear with the logarithm of the eluent concentration, and the slopes of the plots were almost the same as those of the ideal theoretical value. The eluent pH value in the range of 3.4–7.0 had little effect on the separation. The utility of the column was demonstrated for the determination of UV‐absorbing anions in saliva and tap water.
Using international emotional picture sets in countries suffering from violence
Authors: Okon‐Singer Hadas , Kofman Ora , Tzelgov Joseph , Henik Avishai
Published: March 2011

It is hypothesized that ratings of emotional stimuli are affected by a constant threat of traumatic events. Ratings of valence and arousal on the International Affective Picture System from young adults in the United States were compared to those of young Israeli adults. Israelis rated the pictures as less negative and less positive than did participants from the United States. Israeli women gave higher arousal ratings compared to the American women. These differences may be due to compulsory military service in Israel, during which exposure to traumatic events is more likely to occur, and to the timing of the study which followed a year of frequent suicide bomb attacks. The authors suggest that these findings may reflect mild symptoms of stress disorders.
EFFECT OF PROTECTION ON PLANT COMMUNITY DYNAMICS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN ARID ZONE OF SOUTHERN TUNISIA: A CASE STUDY FROM BOU HEDMA NATIONAL PARK
Authors: Belgacem A. Ouled , Tarhouni M. , Louhaichi M.
Published: March 2011

Ecosystems protected from heavy grazing impacts, such as national parks and refuges, are generally considered to sustain higher plant species diversity and better ecosystem composition and structure compared to heavily grazed areas. To evaluate the impact of livestock grazing, we sampled vegetation characteristics from two areas having different grazing intensity levels. The first site has high protection from grazing and is located inside the Bou Hedma National Park in Southern Tunisia. The second site has a low protection from grazing and is situated within an open area located immediately outside the park boundary where human populations and their livestock have unrestricted access to ecosystem resources. Total plant cover, density, perennial species cover and their contribution were compared between the two grazing level sites. Results show that considerable positive effects occur in the areas protected from grazing. As compared to the overgrazed (open) sites. Several species known for their high palatability, such as Cenchrus ciliaris L., Salvia aegyptiaca L., Echiochilon fruticosum Desf. and Helianthemum sessiliflorum Desf., are more abundant inside the park than outside. These results are very important for managers to apply this technique as a tool for increasing the resilience of arid ecosystems, qualified very vulnerable to climate change. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myelin and multiple sclerosis
Authors: Stanley John
Published: March 2011

Myelin is a lipid rich membrane system elaborated by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system to provide axons with a high resistance but discontinuous sheath. The node internode structure that results allows very fast saltatory nerve impulse conduction. Myelin is rich in cholesterol, phospholipids and glycolipids. However, the ability of the brain to synthesise cholesterol determines its capacity to elaborate myelin and as a result cholesterol is an essential nutrient for brain function. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the brain and nervous system resulting in inflammation leading to demyelination and eventually to axonal degeneration. The discovery of remyelination a regenerative process offers some hope that by boosting its capacity more effective treatments for multiple sclerosis will be developed in the future.
Endstocks since 2000 and food supplies in the future
Authors: Gunstone Frank D.
Published: March 2011

No abstracts.
Nutrition Review: Lipid Technology 3/2011
Authors: Miller Jones Julie
Published: March 2011

No abstracts.
Research Highlights: Lipid Technology 3/2011
Authors: Gunstone Frank D. , Destaillats Frédéric
Published: March 2011

No abstracts.
Determination of mineral filler orientation in reinforced thermoplastics by x‐ray diffraction
Authors: Monge Gabriel , Vincent Michel , Haudin Jean‐Marc
Published: March 2011

Orientation of mica and talc platelets in injection‐molded polyamide 6.6 was investigated by X‐ray diffraction (diffractometry, pole figures). The platelets are nearly perpendicular to the plane of the molded plaque in the core, and parallel to it in the skin. These orientations are related to the shear and elongation rate distribution in the thickness of the molding.
Composites a matrices polyimides thermoplastiques mecanismes de polymerisation et proprietes
Authors: Grenier‐Loustalot Marie‐Florence , Barnaud Marie , Biensan Michel , Gensous Francis , Ludi Martine , Tremillon Jean Michel
Published: March 2011

Model compounds have been used to determine the mechanisms of reaction of aromatic diamines with aromatic cyclic dianhydrides to form polyamic acids and polyimides by thermal or chemical dehydration. Substituted phthalic anhydride were used to model the anhydride functionality and either 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl (ether, sulfone, methane) or toluidines for the amine functionality.

Chemical data obtained ‘in situ’ with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (liquid and solid states CP MAS) and X‐rays diffractometry show that the degree of imidisation is temperature and solvent dependent. This analysis resulted in an analytical method of determining the anhydride ‐ amic acid, and/or amic ‐ imide ratios in the partly cured polyamic acid.

Selected properties of films and composites were determined and compared with similar commercial compounds.
Mise au point et caracterisation de mousses syntactiques
Authors: Lelu André , Fonblanc Gilles , Besson Jean‐Marc , Filliatre Claude , Daviaud Raymond
Published: March 2011

Syntactic foams are manufactured to provide buoyancy to submarine devices. Last investigations were realized to study new syntactic foams which can be employed until six thousand meters deep. The syntactic materials made by S.N.P.E. are used mainly to buoy submarine devices and so, have to withstand very high pressures. So their components have to be made of high performance elements, thus, we employ epoxy matrices who possess low viscosity for wetting and casting easier. Fillers are glass microspheres, the average diameter of which are in the range of 50 to 100 μm. In order to use syntactic materials for this application the thermal and mechanical behaviour of some syntactic foams was characterized. We show some results of the syntactic foams. An other group of tests has been done in order to study the damage of the materials during an increase of the hydrostatic pressure. These tests have been conducted in a qualitative way in order to show the different eventual damage mechanisms. Also in the future syntactic materials have common interests with structural composite materials, hence we can assess their importance in the future, particularly in submarine projects.
Vieillissement hygrothermique de composites a matrice psp etude cinetique, spectroscopique et mecanique
Authors: Guetta B. , Bunsell A. R.
Published: March 2011

The objective of this study was the evaluation of the chemical structure and mechanical characteristics of composites in a poly(styrylpyridine) matrix, hygrothermically aged (from rel. humidity of 0% at the immersion at 40, 70 and 90°C), and some of them treated during the absorption at temp, cycles of 150 and 250°C. The following results were obtained: 1) The mechanism of absorption follows several irreversible steps during which hydrolysis of the resin takes place, as shown by IR and NMR spectroscopy. 2) A long term degradation of the material takes place at temp, cycles of 250°C. 3) A decrease in the mechanical characteristics of saturated materials was observed at 250°C.
Etude rar D.S.C. de la cristallisation non isotherme de matrices PA66 en presence de fibres de verre
Authors: Chabert Bernard , Chauchard Jacques , Cinquin Jacques
Published: March 2011

Non isothermal crystallization of Polyamide 66 is studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). OZAWA's theory has been successfully applied to the crystallization of the polymer with or without nucleating agents.

Whith glass fibers, a non‐appreciable alteration of the crystalline structure has been noticed, but the over‐all speed of crystallization is essentially due to the role of glass fibers as nucléation agents (phase of germination). At the end of the transformation process, fibers constrict the expansion of the sphérolites and clearly decrease the over‐all speed of crystallization.
Endommagement par EAU D'UN composite epoxy‐microbulles de verre
Authors: Lataillade J. L. , Aragao E. , Hosten B. , Karaouzéne F. , Fonblanc G. , Derouault J. , Gruége F. , Daviaud R. , Filliatre C.
Published: March 2011

Hydrothermal effects on a composite material made of an epoxy resin and glass microspheres are investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy, ultrasonic techniques, and toughness measurements.

It is shown that there exists a critical value of the relative weight amount beyond which the toughness increases‐due to the plastification of the matrix ‐ and above which it decreases because of a degradation of the interface. This value is reached for a duration at which a second site for the water in the matrix itself appears.
Modelisation de la reaction chimique de durcissement d'un systeme epoxy
Authors: Ancelle J. , Attias A. J. , Bloch B. , Lauprêctre F. , Monnerie L.
Published: March 2011

Chemical, as well as spectroscopical methods, were used to try to describe, as quantitatively as possible, the different kinds of chemical bonds constituting the network of a cured epoxy matrix, the tgmda/ DDS system. The chemical approach consisted, on the one hand, in synthesizing model compounds; on the other hand, model reactions from diepoxy and amino compounds were followed by chemical, chromatographical and spectroscopical analysis, in order to correlate structure of the products with reactivity of the starting molecules. Spectroscopical method, which was found most useful for this resin system, is solid state 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. As the spectra were not directly interpretable, because consisting largely of broad, bad‐resolved peaks, the aliphatic carbon region was decomposed into elementary lines. Structural assignments of the latter were made by using the solution state 13C NMR data of model compounds. On account of the anticipated mechanisms, 85 % of the aliphatic carbons could be identified and quantified.
Mise en evidence des phenomenes de gelification dans les systemes dgeba et TGMDA‐DDS par chromatography gazeuse inverse et methodes rheologique et de viscosimetrie
Authors: Grenier‐Loustalot Marie‐Florence , Mouline Ghita , Grenier Philippe , Serrano Daniel , Harran Daniel , Horny Patrick
Published: March 2011

We have used three physicochemical methods, reverse phase gas chromatography, Calvet microcalorimetry and rheology to examine the kinetics of isothermal cross‐linking in the polycondensation of epoxy‐prepolymers with aromatic amines.

Gas chromatography results further define those obtained with gel time meter and rheological methods, and furnish not only a “gel point” but also a “gelling zone” for the two systems investigated.
Etude d'une resine epoxy chargee avec un noir de carbone
Authors: Fourche G. , Lafeychine L. , Carmona F.
Published: March 2011

We studied the electrical conductivity σ and the glass transition temperature Tg of an epoxy resin filled with a carbon black. It could be shown that σ and Tg depend on the volume concentration of carbon black and that the concentration dependence of Tg is sensitive to the thermal conditions of polymerization.
Influence des substituants du cycle benzenique sur la reactivite et les chemins reactionnels des monomeres C6H5‐N(EPOXY)2 avec des amines aromatiques
Authors: Grenier‐Loustalot Marie‐Florence , Orozco Laurence , Grenier Philippe
Published: March 2011

The course of model reactions of resins containing N‐(epoxy)2 groups with an aromatic amine was followed by measurements and high resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy in the liquid state. A reaction mechanism and a kinetic model are proposed according to the structure of the resins.
The patients' perception of prodromal symptoms before the initial diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Gaenslen Alexandra , Swid Irene , Liepelt‐Scarfone Inga , Godau Jana , Berg Daniela
Published: March 2011

Background:

Before the occurrence of motor symptoms permits the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD), about or even more than 50% of the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra have degenerated. This time be called the prodromal phase of PD.

Objective:

To evaluate the time span from onset of first prodromal symptoms to the initial diagnosis of PD as well as the order of symptom occurrence.

Methods:

Retrospective study of 93 consecutively interviewed PD patients without dementia and 93 sex and age matched controls free of neurodegenerative disorders. A standardized in‐house telephone worksheet assessing 19 nonmotor and six early motor signs was used.

Results:

A total of 98.8% of all patients interviewed reported to have experienced prodromal symptoms prior to receiving the initial diagnosis of PD. Patients noticed an average of 7.6 different symptoms during this time interval. The mean time span between the recalled onset of any one symptom and PD diagnosis was 10.2 years. In both groups, the course of prodromal sign onset was associated with early neuropathological disease stages proposed by Braak.

Outlook:

These retrospectively gathered data confirm the existence of a long prodromal phase for PD that is consistent with neuropathological staging. A standardized questionnaire assessing such early symptoms may be helpful in identifying subjects at high risk for PD while they are still in the prodromal phase of the disorder. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Meta‐analysis of the comparative efficacy and safety of adjuvant treatment to levodopa in later Parkinson's disease
Authors: Stowe Rebecca , Ives Natalie , Clarke Carl E. , Handley Kelly , Furmston Alexandra , Deane Katherine , van Hilten J.J. , Wheatley Keith , Gray Richard
Published: March 2011

Background:

Levodopa initially provides good symptomatic control of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but motor complications often develop after long‐term use. Other classes of antiparkinsonian drugs including dopamine agonists, catechol‐O‐methyl transferase inhibitors, or monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors are then added as adjuvant therapy. It is unclear whether one class of drug is more effective than another. This meta‐analysis evaluates the comparative benefits and risks of these agents as adjuvant treatment in Parkinson's disease patients with motor complications.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature from 1966 to the end of June 2010 was conducted to identify randomized trials involving a dopamine agonist, catechol‐O‐methyl transferase inhibitor, or monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor versus placebo, as adjuvant to levodopa therapy.

Results:

Forty‐five trials involving nearly 9,000 participants were included. The meta‐analysis confirms reports from individual trials that compared with placebo, adjuvant therapy significantly reduces patient off‐time and levodopa dose, with improved symptom severity scores (e.g., Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale). However, dyskinesia and numerous other side effects are increased with adjuvant therapy. Few randomized comparisons between drugs have been undertaken, but indirect comparisons suggest that dopamine agonist therapy may be more effective than catechol‐O‐methyl transferase inhibitor and monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor therapy, which have comparable efficacy. No differences between drugs within each class were observed other than the catechol‐O‐methyl transferase inhibitor tolcapone appearing more efficacious than entacapone.

Discussion:

This meta‐analysis highlights the need for direct head‐to‐head randomized trials to assess the impact of adjuvant therapy on patient‐rated quality of life and health economic outcomes. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Comparative neuropsychological profile of pathological gambling, hypersexuality, and compulsive eating in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Vitale Carmine , Santangelo Gabriella , Trojano Luigi , Verde Francesca , Rocco Mariangela , Grossi Dario , Barone Paolo
Published: March 2011

Background: Impulse control disorders (ICDs), in particular pathological gambling, hypersexuality, and compulsive eating, are being increasingly identified in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Pathological gambling has been associated with frontal/executive dysfunctions, whereas hypersexuality and compulsive eating, and their relation with cognitive dysfunctions, have not been investigated in PD.

Methods: We investigated cognitive correlates underpinning pathological gambling, hypersexuality, and compulsive eating in PD. PD outpatients were screened for pathological gambling, hypersexuality, and compulsive eating. Based on clinical criteria, we identified 13 patients with hypersexuality, 12 with compulsive eating, 14 with pathological gambling, and 10 with multiple ICDs. Fourteen PD patients matched for age and education without ICDs served as controls. Clinical features and neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological functioning were assessed in the 5 groups.

Results: Demographic, clinical, neuropsychiatric, and neurological aspects did not differ among groups. All 4 groups of ICD patients were impaired on tasks exploring spatial‐planning and set‐shifting tasks compared with the controls. The main difference among patients with pathological gambling, hypersexuality, and compulsive eating was that patients with hypersexuality were more impaired on the Stroop test than patients with pathological gambling. Individuals with hypersexuality, compulsive eating, and multiple ICDs performed worse on verbal learning and memory tests than did patients with pathological gambling.

Discussion: ICDs are associated with impaired cognitive functions; the severity of impairment decreased in the order multiple ICDs and hypersexuality > compulsive eating > pathological gambling. Our findings support the idea that hypersexuality is associated with prefrontal and memory dysfunctions, whereas pathological gambling seems to be related only to frontal dysfunction. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
An item response analysis of the motor and behavioral subscales of the unified Huntington's disease rating scale in huntington disease gene expansion carriers
Authors: Vaccarino Anthony L. , Anderson Karen , Borowsky Beth , Duff Kevin , Giuliano Joseph , Guttman Mark , Ho Aileen K. , Orth Michael , Paulsen Jane S. , Sills Terrence , van Kammen Daniel P. , Evans Kenneth R. ,   PREDICT‐HD and REGISTRY Investigators Coordinators
Published: March 2011

Although the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) is widely used in the assessment of Huntington disease (HD), the ability of individual items to discriminate individual differences in motor or behavioral manifestations has not been extensively studied in HD gene expansion carriers without a motor‐defined clinical diagnosis (ie, prodromal‐HD or prHD). To elucidate the relationship between scores on individual motor and behavioral UHDRS items and total score for each subscale, a nonparametric item response analysis was performed on retrospective data from 2 multicenter longitudinal studies. Motor and behavioral assessments were supplied for 737 prHD individuals with data from 2114 visits (PREDICT‐HD) and 686 HD individuals with data from 1482 visits (REGISTRY). Option characteristic curves were generated for UHDRS subscale items in relation to their subscale score. In prHD, overall severity of motor signs was low, and participants had scores of 2 or above on very few items. In HD, motor items that assessed ocular pursuit, saccade initiation, finger tapping, tandem walking, and to a lesser extent, saccade velocity, dysarthria, tongue protrusion, pronation/supination, Luria, bradykinesia, choreas, gait, and balance on the retropulsion test were found to discriminate individual differences across a broad range of motor severity. In prHD, depressed mood, anxiety, and irritable behavior demonstrated good discriminative properties. In HD, depressed mood demonstrated a good relationship with the overall behavioral score. These data suggest that at least some UHDRS items appear to have utility across a broad range of severity, although many items demonstrate problematic features. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Illusory misidentifications and cortical hypometabolism in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ishioka Toshiyuki , Hirayama Kazumi , Hosokai Yoshiyuki , Takeda Atsushi , Suzuki Kyoko , Nishio Yoshiyuki , Sawada Yoichi , Takahashi Shoki , Fukuda Hiroshi , Itoyama Yasuto , Mori Etsuro
Published: March 2011

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with documented impairments in various visual functions. However, there have been only a limited number of studies that have reported on the brain regions responsible for impairment of visual recognition in PD. In our study, we evaluated the performance of PD patients and 24 healthy controls on the Poppelreuter‐type overlapping figure identification test to investigate the impairment of visual recognition. We also measured the PD patients' resting cerebral glucose metabolism using 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and investigated the relationship between the impairment of visual recognition and cortical hypometabolism. The PD patients had substantial and frequent illusory responses in the overlapping figure identification test, and their illusory misidentifications were correlated with hypometabolism in the visual cortices, including the right inferior temporal gyrus and the bilateral temporo‐parieto‐occipital junction. These findings suggest that PD patients have impaired visual recognition characterized by illusory misidentifications of visual stimuli, which could be attributed to dysfunction of the visual cortices. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
MRI with zero echo time: Hard versus sweep pulse excitation
Authors: Weiger Markus , Pruessmann Klaas P. , Hennel Franciszek
Published: March 2011

Zero echo time can be obtained in MRI by performing radiofrequency (RF) excitation as well as acquisition in the presence of a constant gradient applied for purely frequency‐encoded, radial centre‐out k‐space encoding. In this approach, the spatially nonselective excitation must uniformly cover the full frequency bandwidth spanned by the readout gradient. This can be accomplished either by short, hard RF pulses or by pulses with a frequency sweep as used in the SWIFT (Sweep imaging with Fourier transform) method for improved performance at limited RF amplitudes. In this work, the two options are compared with respect to T2 sensitivity, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and SNR efficiency. In particular, the SNR implications of sweep excitation and of initial or periodical acquisition gaps required for transmit‐receive switching are investigated. It was found by simulations and experiments that, whereas equivalent in terms of T2 sensitivity, the two techniques differ in SNR performance. With ideal, ungapped simultaneous excitation and acquisition, the sweep approach would yield higher SNR throughout due to larger feasible flip angles. However, acquisition gapping is found to take a significant SNR toll related to a reduced acquisition duty cycle, rendering hard pulse excitation superior for sufficient RF amplitude and also in the short‐T2 limit. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Real‐time motion and B0 corrected single voxel spectroscopy using volumetric navigators
Authors: Hess Aaron T. , Dylan Tisdall M. , Andronesi Ovidiu C. , Meintjes Ernesta M. , van der Kouwe André J. W.
Published: March 2011

In population groups where head pose cannot be assumed to be constant during a magnetic resonance spectroscopy examination or in difficult‐to‐shim regions of the brain, real‐time volume of interest, frequency, and shim optimization may be necessary. We investigate the effect of pose change on the B0 homogeneity of a (2 cm)3 volume and observe typical first‐order shim changes of 1 μT/m per 1° rotation (chin down to up) in four different volumes of interest in a single volunteer. An echo planar imaging volume navigator was constructed to measure and apply in real‐time within each pulse repetition time: volume of interest positioning, frequency adjustment, and first‐order shim adjustment. This volume navigator is demonstrated in six healthy volunteers and achieved a mean linewidth of 4.4 Hz, similar to that obtained by manual shim adjustment of 4.9 Hz. Furthermore, this linewidth is maintained by the volume navigator at 4.9 Hz in the presence of pose change. By comparison, a mean linewidth of 7.5 Hz was observed, when no correction was applied. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Design and evaluation of an RF front‐end for 9.4 T human MRI
Authors: Shajan G. , Hoffmann Jens , Budde Juliane , Adriany Gregor , Ugurbil Kamil , Pohmann Rolf
Published: March 2011

At the field strength of 9.4 T, the highest field currently available for human MRI, the wavelength of the MR signals is significantly shorter than the size of the examined structures. Even more than at 7 T, constructive and destructive interferences cause strong inhomogeneities of the B1 field produced by a volume coil, causing shading over large parts of the image. Specialized radio frequency hardware and B1 management methods are required to obtain high‐quality images that take full advantage of the high field strength. Here, the design and characteristics of a radio frequency front‐end especially developed for proton imaging at 9.4 T are presented. In addition to a 16‐channel transceiver array coil, capable of volume transmit mode and independent signal reception, it consists of custom built low noise preamplifiers and TR switches. Destructive interference patterns were eliminated, in virtually the entire brain, using a simple in situ radio frequency phase shimming technique. After mapping the B profile of each transmit channel, a numerical algorithm was used to calculate the appropriate transmit phase offsets needed to obtain a homogeneous excitation field over a user defined region. Between two and three phase settings are necessary to obtain homogeneous images over the entire brain. Magn Reson Med, 2011. &© 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrasound‐guided steroid injection to treat mild ulnar neuropathy at the elbow
Authors: Rampen Anneke J.J. , Wirtz Paul W. , Tavy Denes L.J.
Published: March 2011

There exists no “gold standard” in the treatment of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). We treated 7 patients with mild UNE using a local steroid injection with ultrasonographic monitoring. At clinical follow‐up after 6 weeks, 4 patients had improved, 2 were stable, and 1 reported an increase in symptoms. Ultrasound‐guided steroid injection in mild UNE is safe and could be effective. Further investigation is needed to prove its efficacy. Muscle Nerve 44: 128–130, 2011.
Long‐term hepatic outcomes in survivors of stage 4S and 4 neuroblastoma in infancy
Authors: French Amy E. , Irwin Meredith S. , Navarro Oscar M. , Greenberg Mark , Nathan Paul C.
Published: March 2011

Background

Infants with stage 4 and 4S neuroblastoma (NB) have a superior prognosis to older children. However, they often require intensive therapy including abdominal radiation. We aimed to investigate the long‐term hepatic outcomes in infants with stage 4S and 4 NB.

Methods

We reviewed the charts of 38 infants diagnosed with stage 4S and 4 NB between 1984 and 2002. We included only those with available follow‐up 5 years following diagnosis. We assessed hepatic imaging and function (transaminases, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase) at all available time points from diagnosis. Abnormalities present at more than 5 years from diagnosis were considered persistent late changes.

Results

We identified 15 stage 4S and 12 stage 4 patients. Twelve of 15 stage 4S patients had hepatic involvement at diagnosis, 8 of whom required abdominal radiation. Five of eight demonstrated late imaging changes. Two of four with hepatic metastases but no radiation demonstrated late imaging changes. The late imaging changes resolved over time and without intervention in 3/7 survivors. The persistent lesions included liver fibrosis (1) and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) (3). Five of 12 stage 4 NB patients had hepatic involvement at diagnosis; none required radiation or had late hepatic imaging changes.

Conclusions

In stage 4S NB, adverse hepatic effects are infrequent, may resolve over time, and occur with or without radiation. FNH should be considered in those with persistent late imaging changes. Adverse hepatic outcomes after liver involvement or radiation in infants with stage 4 NB rarely occur. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 283–288. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A study on the anchoring orientations of foam and sandwich composites with metal
Authors: Ahmed Ahsan , Fahim Atef , Naguib Hani E.
Published: March 2011

Metallic anchors are used as the load transfer components for foam and sandwich composites when they are used as structural elements in design applications. The traditional method of fixation of these components is by gluing and fastening. The anchors are in the form of inserts and are imbedded in the foam during the foaming process. In this study, flexural testing was conducted on different metal anchor/foam configurations to establish typical interaction trends. The load‐deflection response, mode of failure, and fracture stresses of the structures were elucidated. Tests were conducted on foam and sandwich composites having rectangular, cylindrical, and taper geometries with different lengths. Leaf inserts were designed, manufactured, and tested inside foam and sandwich composites. Comparisons between the taper and leaf inserts are presented. Leaf inserts had better results compared with taper inserts in terms of adhesion and failure stresses. Finite element analysis (FEA) of the interactions between the inserts and the foam and sandwich composites under different loads was carried out. The FEA modeling results were very similar to the experimental results, thus validating the model. Simulations were also run with foam and sandwich composites with closeout configuration. Foam–sandwich with inserts had better adhesion and load‐bearing properties compared with same structures with closeouts. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fetal akinesia and associated abnormalities on prenatal MRI
Authors: Nemec Stefan F. , Höftberger Romana , Nemec Ursula , Bettelheim Dieter , Brugger Peter C. , Kasprian Gregor , Amann Gabriele , Rotmensch Siegfried , Graham Jr. John M. , Rimoin David L. , Prayer Daniela
Published: March 2011

Objective

In view of the increasing role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an adjunct to prenatal ultrasonography (US), this study sought to demonstrate the visualization of fetal akinesia and associated abnormalities on MRI.

Methods

This retrospective study included six fetuses with akinesia and associated abnormalities, depicted on fetal MRI after suspicious prenatal US. The whole fetus was assessed for musculoskeletal abnormalities and associated pathological conditions elsewhere. Fetal outcome data were compared with prenatal imaging. US and MRI findings were also compared.

Results

Akinesia resulting in arthrogryposis was seen in 6/6 fetuses, with abnormal musculature in 5/6 fetuses. Associated brain abnormalities were found in 2/6 fetuses; facial abnormalities in 3/6; lung hypoplasia in 3/6; and polyhydramnios in 2/6.

There were 5/6 pregnancies that were terminated and one individual died neonatally. MRI and brain autopsy were concordant in 4/6 cases. MRI and body autopsy were concordant in 1/6 cases and in 5/6 cases, autopsy revealed additional abnormalities. In addition to US, MRI correctly identified central nervous system findings in four cases and lung hypoplasia in three cases.

Conclusion

Our MRI results demonstrate fetal akinesia and associated abnormalities, which may have an impact on perinatal management, as an adjunct to prenatal US. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis and natural history of fetuses presenting with pleural effusion
Authors: Ruano Rodrigo , Ramalho Alan Saito , Cardoso Ana Karina Silva , Moise Kenneth , Zugaib Marcelo
Published: March 2011

Objective

To describe the natural history of fetuses presenting with pleural effusion.

Methods

Between January 2005 and December 2009 all fetuses diagnosed with pleural effusion were followed up. Fetuses were divided into three groups: I, isolated pleural effusion; II, associated structural anomalies but normal karyotype; and III, chromosomal anomalies. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the association between prenatal ultrasound findings and perinatal death.

Results

Fifty‐six fetuses were included in the study. Associated structural or chromosomal anomalies occurred in 75.0% (42/56) of cases. Bilateral pleural effusion and fetal hydrops were associated with each other (p < 0.01) and with perinatal death (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that only the presence of associated abnormalities was a statistical determinant of perinatal death (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.48–5.64; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Fetal pleural effusion is often associated with other abnormalities, and this association has poor perinatal outcome. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monitoring topographic changes in a periglacial high‐mountain face using high‐resolution DTMs, Monte Rosa East Face, Italian Alps
Authors: Fischer Luzia , Eisenbeiss Henri , Kääb Andreas , Huggel Christian , Haeberli Wilfried
Published: March 2011

This paper describes a remote sensing‐based approach for detailed topographic investigations in steep periglacial high‐mountain faces. The study was conducted at one of the highest periglacial rock faces in the European Alps, the permafrost‐affected and partially glacierised east face of Monte Rosa. Strongly increased rock and ice avalanche activity on this rock wall has caused major topographic change in recent decades. A time series of high‐resolution digital terrain models (DTMs) with a 2‐m resolution was produced from digital aerial photogrammetry for 1956, 1988 and 2001 and from airborne LiDAR for 2005 and 2007. The DTM comparisons reveal a total volume loss of permafrost‐affected bedrock and glacier ice of more than 20 × 106 m3 over the past 50 years, with the majority of the loss since 1988. Analysis of all unstable areas and detachment zones showed that the sequence of the main slope failures is spatially connected and that there is coupling between permafrost bedrock instability and the condition of adjacent hanging glaciers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urinary proteomics analysis for renal injury in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with iTRAQ labeling and LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Chen Guixiang , Zhang Yang , Jin Xiaohong , Zhang Lihong , Zhou Yunjiao , Niu Jianying , Chen Jing , Gu Yong
Published: March 2011

Purpose: As a noninvasive examination, urinary proteomics is a very useful tool to identify renal disease. The purpose of the present study was to find differential proteins among women with preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and normal pregnancy, and to screen potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of preeclampsia.

Experimental design: Urinary proteins were identified by iTRAQ labeling coupled with 2‐D LC‐MS/MS. The bioinformatics analysis was performed with the Metacore software and the International Protein Index (IPI) and the Gene Ontology (GO) Database. The differentially expressed proteins were verified by ELISA.

Results: 362 nonredundant proteins were identified, 113 of which were expressed differentially between preeclampsia and normal pregnant group and 31 differential proteins among three groups. These differential proteins were associated with biological processes of blood coagulation, cell adhesion and differentiation, immune response and cytoskeleton development, etc. They interacted with each other in the network. The urinary angiotensinogen (AGT) was downregulated, which was consistent with the ELISA validation results.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: The present study found a multitude of differential proteins that might provide a clue for investigating the mechanism of proteinuria development in preeclampsia. Low urinary angiotensinogen levels were useful for identifying preeclampsia.
Proteomics in chronic kidney disease: The issues clinical nephrologists need an answer for
Authors: Spasovski Goce , Ortiz Alberto , Vanholder Raymond , El Nahas Meguid
Published: March 2011

A growing number of patients are recognised to have chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, only a minority will progress to end‐stage renal disease requiring dialysis or transplantation. Currently available diagnostic and staging tools frequently fail to identify those at higher risk of progression or death. Furthermore within specific disease entities there are shortcomings in the prediction of the need for therapeutic interventions or the response to different forms of therapy. Kidney and urine proteomic biomarkers are considered as promising diagnostic tools to predict CKD progression early in diabetic nephropathy, facilitating timely and selective intervention that may reduce the related health‐care expenditures. However, independent groups have not validated these findings and the technique is not currently available for routine clinical care. Furthermore, there are gaps in our understanding of predictors of progression or need for therapy in non‐diabetic CKD. Presumably, a combination of tissue and urine biomarkers will be more informative than individual markers. This review identifies clinical questions in need of an answer, summarises current information on proteomic biomarkers and CKD, and describes the European Kidney and Urine Proteomics initiative that has been launched to carry out a clinical study aimed at identifying urinary proteomic biomarkers distinguishing between fast and slow progressors among patients with biopsy‐proven primary glomerulopathies.
Chemistry of High‐Energy Materials, Thomas M. Klapötke
Authors: Koch Ernst‐Christian
Published: March 2011

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