bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embolic Materials of BaFe12O19/Polyurethane Microspheres
Authors: Dai Hong Lian , Zhang Ping , Wang Xin Yu , Li Shi Pu
Published: October 2011

Spherical nano-BaFe12O19 was prepared by Colloid template, layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly and heat treatment method. BaFe12O19/polyurethane (BF/PU) composite microspheres were prepared by Suspension in-situ polymerization. The Physical and chemical properties of the microspheres were analyzed by SEM, FTIR and TG-DSC, etc. The biocompatibility of microspheres was evaluated. Embolization experiments were performed in rete mirabile (RMB) of pigs. The results showed that BF/PU microspheres had a core-shell structure and good heat stability. The content of BaFe12O19 was 11.11wt% in microspheres. The density ofmicrospheres was 1.055g·cm-3, which was near to that of blood. The composite microspheres had agood biocompatibility and successfully embolized arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with different flow. BF/PU microspheres could be a new type of embolization material for cerebral AVM and has great potential as a therapeutic embolic agent.
Calcium Alkaline Phosphate Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration 3D-Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Gildenhaar Renate , Knabe C. , Gomes C. , Linow Ulf , Houshmand A. , Berger Georg
Published: October 2011

Calcium alkaline phosphate granulates can be used for substitution of several bone defects but for the reconstruction of large skeletal parts in the maxillofacial and orthopaedic fields fitted scaffolds are preferable. Within the additive manufacturing methods, the 3D printing process offers exciting opportunities to generate defined porous scaffolds. We used a R1 printer from ProMetal Company, USA, for producing scaffolds directly from a ceramic powder. For this direct free form fabrication technology the powder has to possess a lot of specific properties both for the generation of a stable green body and also for the subsequent sintering preparation. For this printing process we prepared different granules in a fluidized bed process containing Ca2KNa(PO4)2 as main crystalline phase. Granules were characterized by different methods and several sieve fractions were used for preparing disc like and cylindrical parts. The suitability of granules for this printing process was determined by porosity and strength of produced bodies. Next to granules’ performance both of these properties can be directly influenced by 3D printing process parameters. With knowledge of suitable process parameters scaffolds with different porosity in a respective desired design can be created. In this study, cylindrical scaffolds with graded porosity were produced for bone regeneration of segmental defects in maxillofacial surgery and dental implantology by tissue engineering.
Anti-Bacterial Microporous Ceramic Coating for Ti6Al4V Alloys
Authors: Aral Ahmet , Gunyuz M. , Baydogan Murat , Karaguler Nevin Gul , Olcay Ercan , Çimenoğlu H.
Published: October 2011

In this study, micro porous oxide layer was formed on a Ti6Al4V alloy by the micro arc oxidation process in an electrolyte containing (CH3COO)2CaH2O + Na3PO4 with appropriate amount of silver containing agent. A wide spectrum antibiotic was also applied to the surface. Samples were subjected to antimicrobial activity tests in accordance with JIS Z 2801 standard against E.coli and the results were compared with those of original Ti6Al4V sample. First experimental results presented here showed that the micro arc oxidation process improve the antibacterial activity of Ti6Al4V alloy surface and further improvement could be obtained upon antibiotic application in addition to the micro arc oxidation process.
Experimental Investigations for Silicon Moulding Solution of Plastic Components
Authors: Singh Rupinder , Singh Balpreet
Published: October 2011

The purpose of the present study is to experimentally investigate rapid moulding solutions for plastic components using silicon moulding technique. Starting from the identification of component, prototypes with two different type of plastic material were prepared under different vacuum moulding conditions. Measurements on the coordinate measuring machine helped in calculating the dimensional tolerances of the plastic components produced. Some important mechanical properties were also compared to verify the suitability of the components. The study highlighted the best settings of orientation and type of plastic material for the selected component from dimensional accuracy and economic point of view as rapid moulding solution for plastic components. Final components produced are acceptable as per IS standard UNIEN20286-I (1995). This process ensures rapid production of pre-series technological prototypes and proof of concept at less production cost and time.
Coordinated Regulation of Lymph Node Vascular–Stromal Growth First by CD11c+ Cells and Then by T and B Cells
Authors: Chyou Susan , Benahmed Fairouz , Chen Jingfeng , Kumar Varsha , Tian Sha , Lipp Martin , Lu Theresa T.
Published: October 2011

Lymph node blood vessels play important roles in the support and trafficking of immune cells. The blood vasculature is a component of the vascular–stromal compartment that also includes the lymphatic vasculature and fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs). During immune responses as lymph nodes swell, the blood vasculature undergoes a rapid proliferative growth that is initially dependent on CD11c+ cells and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) but is independent of lymphocytes. The lymphatic vasculature grows with similar kinetics and VEGF dependence, suggesting coregulation of blood and lymphatic vascular growth, but lymphatic growth has been shown to be B cell dependent. In this article, we show that blood vascular, lymphatic, and FRC growth are coordinately regulated and identify two distinct phases of vascular–stromal growth—an initiation phase, characterized by upregulated vascular–stromal proliferation, and a subsequent expansion phase. The initiation phase is CD11c+ cell dependent and T/B cell independent, whereas the expansion phase is dependent on B and T cells together. Using CCR7−/− mice and selective depletion of migratory skin dendritic cells, we show that endogenous skin-derived dendritic cells are not important during the initiation phase and uncover a modest regulatory role for CCR7. Finally, we show that FRC VEGF expression is upregulated during initiation and that dendritic cells can stimulate increased fibroblastic VEGF, suggesting the scenario that lymph node-resident CD11c+ cells orchestrate the initiation of blood and lymphatic vascular growth in part by stimulating FRCs to upregulate VEGF. These results illustrate how the lymph node microenvironment is shaped by the cells it supports.
La famille dans tous ces États : France, Géorgie, Lituanie, Russie
Authors: Blum Alain , Lefèvre Cécile , Sebille Pascal , Badurashvili Irina , Régnier-Loilier Arnaud , Stankundétriene Vlada , Sinyavskaya Oxana
Published: October 2011

Résumé : Ce numéro spécial est consacré à l’étude des transformations familiales récentes survenues en France, Géorgie, Lituanie et Russie. Celles-ci s’articulent autour de trois ensembles de facteurs majeurs des comportements démographiques : le premier est d’ordre anthropologique et ressort aux relations intra-familiales ; le deuxième est politique, l’histoire de chacun de ces pays étant particulière ; le troisième est économique et social : il contraint ou libère les trajectoires démographiques, étant lui-même la combinaison de profondes tendances transnationales et nationales. Cet ordonnancement a surtout une valeur heuristique et non démonstrative. Il sert à replacer les études qui suivent dans le cadre général des transformations démographiques et offre un regard sur les principales dynamiques observées à partir d’indicateurs synthétiques et de mesures issues des enquêtes « Générations et genre » (GGS : Generations and Gender Surveys ) menées entre 2004 et 2006 sur la base d’un questionnaire de référence commun (voir et ) dans les quatre pays retenus ici.
Object reconstruction from multiple uncontrolled viewpoints
Authors: Joubert Daniek
Published: October 2011

We present a feature-based approach to reconstruct unknown objects in 3D, using only a sequence of images from multiple views. The camera motion between consecutive images is estimated and a reconstruction is obtained by triangulation. This approach is susceptible to errors, and we investigate bundle adjustment as a viable remedy.
Statistical evaluation of aerosol retrievals from AERONET using in-situ aircraft measurements
Authors: Esteve A. R. , Ogren J. A. , Sheridan P. J. , Andrews E. , Holben B. N. , Utrillas M. P.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Aerosol optical properties were measured by NOAA's Airborne Aerosol Observatory over Bondville, Illinois, during more than two years using a light aircraft. Measured properties included total light scattering, backscattering, and absorption, while calculated parameters included aerosol optical depth (AOD), Ångström exponent, single-scattering albedo, hemispheric backscatter fraction, asymmetry parameter, and submicrometer mode fraction of scattering. The in-situ aircraft measurements are compared here with AERONET measurements and retrievals of the aerosol optical properties at the same location. The comparison reveals discrepancies between the aerosol properties retrieved from AERONET and from in-situ aircraft measurements. These discrepancies are smaller for the AOD, while the biggest discrepancies are for the single-scattering albedo, hemispheric backscatter fraction, and asymmetry parameter. Possible sources of discrepancy between the AOD measured by AERONET and the one calculated from the in-situ aircraft measurements are investigated. The largest portion of the AOD discrepancy is likely due to an incorrect adjustment to ambient RH of the scattering coefficient. Another significant part (along with uncertain nephelometer truncation corrections) may come from the possibility that there might be less aerosol below the lowest flight altitude or that the aircraft inlet excludes aerosol particles larger than 5–7 μm diameter.
Thermal structure of intense convective clouds derived from GPS radio occultations
Authors: Biondi R. , Randel W. J. , Ho S.-P. , Neubert T. , Syndergaard S.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Thermal structure associated with deep convective clouds is investigated using Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation measurements. GPS data are insensitive to the presence of clouds, and provide high vertical resolution and high accuracy measurements to identify associated temperature behavior. Deep convective systems are identified using International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) satellite data, and cloud tops are accurately measured using Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIPSO) lidar observations; we focus on 53 cases of near-coincident GPS occultations with CALIPSO profiles over deep convection. Results show a sharp spike in GPS bending angle highly correlated to the top of the clouds, corresponding to anomalously cold temperatures within the clouds. Above the clouds the temperatures return to background conditions, and there is a strong inversion at cloud top. For cloud tops below 14 km, the temperature lapse rate within the cloud often approaches a moist adiabat, consistent with rapid undiluted ascent within the convective systems.
A hierarchical approach on groundwater-surface water interaction in wetlands along the upper Biebrza River, Poland
Authors: Anibas C. , Verbeiren B. , Buis K. , Chormański J. , De Doncker L. , Okruszko T. , Meire P. , Batelaan O.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Groundwater-surface water exchange studies on natural rivers and wetlands dominated by organic soils are scarce. We present a hierarchical approach to quantitatively investigate and interpret groundwater-surface water interaction in space and time by applying a combination of different field methods including piezometer nests, temperature and seepage measurements. The numerical 1-D heat transport model of STRIVE is used in transient mode to calculate vertical fluxes from thermal profiles measured along the upper Biebrza River, Poland over a period of nine months. The calculated fluxes show no clear spatial pattern of exchange fluxes unless an interpolation of the point estimates on a reach scale is performed. Significance of differences in net exchange rates versus morphological features are investigated with statistical tests. Time series of temperature and hydraulic head of the hyporheic zone are used to estimate the temporal variability of the groundwater-surface water exchange. Seepage meter measurements and slug tests were used for cross validation of modelled fluxes. Results show a strong heterogeneity of the thermal and physical soil properties along the reach, leading to a classification of these parameters for modelling purposes. The groundwater-surface water exchange shows predominantly upward water fluxes, however alternating sections of recharge exist. The exchange fluxes are significantly different dependent on the position of the river in the valley floor and the river morphology where fluxes are more dependent on hydraulic gradients than on river bed conductivity. Sections of higher fluxes are linked to the vicinity of the morainic plateau surrounding the rivers alluvium and to meanders, indicating that a perspective on the fluvio-plain scale is required for interpreting the estimated exchange fluxes. Since the vertical component of the exchange fluxes cannot explain the magnitude of the change in river discharge, a lateral flow component across the alluvial plain has to be responsible. The hierarchical methodology increases the confidence in the estimated exchange fluxes and improves the process understanding, however the accuracy of the measurements and related uncertainties remain challenges for wetland environments.
Relation between surface topography and sea-salt snow chemistry from Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica
Authors: Mahalinganathan K. , Thamban M. , Laluraj C. M. , Redkar B. L.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Previous studies on variability of sea-salt records in Antarctic snow have established an unambiguous relationship with the proximity to the sea and have been directly correlated with the site specific features like elevation and distance from the coast. On the other hand, variations in Cl−/Na+ ratio in have been attributed with the reaction mechanisms involving atmospheric acids. In the present study, annual records of Na+, Cl− and SO42− records were investigated using snow cores along a 180 km coast to inland transect in Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica. Exceptionally high Na+ concentrations varying between 1000 and 2000 μg l−1 were observed within 50 km of the transect. Large variations in Cl−/Na+ ratio were observed within 50 km from the coast. A rapid increase in the elevation (0–1115 m) was noticed up to 50 km from the coast, whereas a steady elevation change (1115–2200 m) occurred between 50 and 180 km. The largest slope of the entire transect was observed (33.7 m km−1) between 20 and 30 km and records from this area correspondingly revealed extensive modifications in snow sea-salt chemistry, with Cl−/Na+ ratios as low as 0.2. Statistical analysis showed a strong association between the slope of the ice sheet and variation of the sea-salt ions along the transect. While distance from coast accounted for some variability, the altitude by itself seem to have no significant control on the distribution of sea-salt ions. We suggest that the degree of slope of the ice sheet on the coastal regions of Antarctica could have a major influence the sea-salt chemistry.
Melt ponds on Arctic sea ice determined from MODIS satellite data using an artificial neural network
Authors: Rösel A. , Kaleschke L. , Birnbaum G.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Melt ponds on sea ice strongly reduce the surface albedo and accelerate the decay of Arctic sea ice. Due to different spectral properties of snow, ice, and water, the fractional coverage of these distinct surface types can be derived from multispectral sensors like MODIS using a spectral unmixing algorithm. The unmixing was implemented using a multilayer perceptron (MLP) to reduce computational costs. Arctic-wide melt pond fractions and sea ice concentrations are derived from the level 3 MODIS surface reflectance product. The validation of the MODIS melt pond data set was conducted with aerial photos from the MELTEX campaign 2008 in the Beaufort Sea, data sets from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) for 2000 and 2001 from four sites spread over the entire Arctic, and with ship observations from the trans-Arctic HOTRAX cruise in 2005. The root-mean-square errors (RMSE) range from 3.8 % for the comparison with HOTRAX data, over 10.7 % for the comparison with NSIDC data, to 10.3 % and 11.4 % for the comparison with MELTEX data, with correlations coefficients ranging from R2 = 0.28 to R2 = 0.45. The mean annual cycle of the melt pond fraction for the entire Arctic shows a strong increase in June, reaching a maximum of 15 % by the end of June. The zonal mean of melt pond fractions indicates a dependence of the temporal development of melt ponds from the geographical latitude, and has its maximum in mid-July in latitudes between 80° and 88° N. Furthermore, the MODIS results are used to estimate the influence of melt ponds on retrievals of sea ice concentrations from passive microwave data. Results from a case study comparing sea ice concentrations from ASI-, NASA Team 2-, and Bootstrap-algorithms with MODIS sea ice concentrations indicate an underestimation of around 40 % for sea ice concentrations retrieved with microwave algorithms.
Quality Improvement in Cytology: Where Do We Go From Here?
Authors: Renshaw Andrew A.
Published: October 2011

Context.—Cytology is a success because of the many quality controls used to ensure the accuracy of its results. Nevertheless, additional information is becoming available to the cytologist, often from untraditional sources, and the best way to use that information to improve the quality of cytology is not yet known.

Objective.—To review ways to use new information to improve the quality of cytology.

Data Sources.—Review of relevant literature.

Results.—Information contained in many sources can be used in new ways to improve the quality of cytology. These include the timing of cytologic and histologic correlation, electronic medical records, workload information, prior aspirations, and molecular tests.

Conclusions.—To maintain their high standard of excellence, cytologists should seek to define the most appropriate way to incorporate this new information into their interpretation of individual cases.
Quality and the College of American Pathologists
Authors: Allen Timothy Craig , Hammond M Elizabeth H. , Robboy Stanley J.
Published: October 2011

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is dedicated to pathology and laboratory medicine quality. The CAP's Laboratory Accreditation Program, Proficiency Testing Program, Q-Probes and Q-Tracks, site-specific cancer checklists, webinars, annual meetings, and Advanced Practical Pathology series are all focused on providing superior patent quality. The CAP is synonymous with quality in pathology and laboratory medicine. As pathology practice becomes more sophisticated, the CAP's many programs will increasingly help pathologists provide appropriate, personalized patient care.
Quality: Walk the Walk
Authors: Allen Timothy Craig
Published: October 2011

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is dedicated to pathology and laboratory medicine quality. The CAP's Laboratory Accreditation Program, Proficiency Testing Program, Q-Probes and Q-Tracks, site-specific cancer checklists, webinars, annual meetings, and Advanced Practical Pathology series are all focused on providing superior patient quality. The CAP is synonymous with quality in pathology and laboratory medicine. As pathology practice becomes more sophisticated, the CAP's many programs will increasingly help pathologists provide appropriate, personalized care.
Polymorphic variants at 10q25.3 and 17q22 loci and the risk of non‐syndromic cleft lip and palate in the polish population
Authors: Mostowska Adrianna , Hozyasz Kamil K. , Wojcicka Karolina , Biedziak Barbara , Jagodzinski Pawel P.
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND

Non‐syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) is one of the most common birth defects. Recent genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several novel risk loci associated with this craniofacial anomaly. Therefore, the objective of this report was to investigate the contribution of the top seven polymorphisms reaching genome‐wide statistical significance in GWAS analyses in the Polish population.

METHODS and RESULTS

Nucleotide variants located at chromosomal regions 1p22.1, 10q25.3, 17q22, and 20q12 were tested in a group of 206 patients with nonsyndromic CLP and a properly matched control group. Significant results, which persisted even after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.0071), were observed for polymorphisms located at 10q25.3 (rs7078160 and rs4752028) and 17q22 (rs227731). Under a recessive model, both rs7078160 and rs4752028 were associated with a greater than fourfold increase in the risk of CLP (odds ratio [OR] = 4.536; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.678–12.265; p = 0.0012 and OR = 4.573; 95% CI, 1.817–11.512; p = 0.0004, respectively). Polymorphism rs227731 increased the risk of CLP when analyzed under a dominant model (OR = 1.732; 95% CI, 0.184–2.253; p = 0.0044). Borderline association was alsoidentified for the 1p22.1 locus (rs481931). Moreover, 10q25.3 haplotypes were significantly associated with a susceptibility to CLP.

CONCLUSION

Our evaluation study confirmed a substantial association of polymorphisms located at chromosomal regions 10q25.3 and 17q22 with nonsyndromic CLP in the Polish population. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Health care expenditures among children with and those without spina bifida enrolled in Medicaid in North Carolina
Authors: Cassell Cynthia H. , Grosse Scott D. , Thorpe Phoebe G. , Howell Eleanor E. , Meyer Robert E.
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND

National data on health care use among children with special needs are limited and do not address children with spina bifida (SB). One recent study examined health care costs during 2003 among privately insured individuals with SB. Our objective was to compare health care use and expenditures among publicly insured children with SB to children without a major birth defect and among children with SB with and without hydrocephalus.

METHODS

Data from the North Carolina Birth Defects Monitoring Program and Medicaid were linked to identify continuously enrolled children with SB (case children) and children without a major birth defect (control children) born from 1995 to 2002. Medicaid expenditures per child for medical, inpatient, outpatient, dental, well‐child care, developmental/behavioral services, and home health for those aged 0 to 4 years old were calculated for case and control children and for case children with and without hydrocephalus.

RESULTS

Of 373 case children who survived infancy, 205 (55%) were enrolled in Medicaid. Expenditures were assessed for 144 case and 5674 control children aged 0 to 4 years old continuously enrolled in Medicaid. During infancy, mean expenditure was $33,135 per child with SB and $3900 per unaffected child. The biggest relative expenditures were for developmental/behavioral services (82 times higher for case than control child [$1401 vs. $17]) and home health services (20 times higher [$821 vs. $41]). Average expenditure for an infant with SB and hydrocephalus was 2.6 times higher than an infant with SB without hydrocephalus ($40,502 vs. $15,699).

CONCLUSIONS

Expenditure comparisons by SB subtype are important for targeting health care resources. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acquired self‐control of insula cortex modulates emotion recognition and brain network connectivity in schizophrenia
Authors: Ruiz Sergio , Lee Sangkyun , Soekadar Surjo R. , Caria Andrea , Veit Ralf , Kircher Tilo , Birbaumer Niels , Sitaram Ranganatha
Published: October 2011

Real‐time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) is a novel technique that has allowed subjects to achieve self‐regulation of circumscribed brain regions. Despite its anticipated therapeutic benefits, there is no report on successful application of this technique in psychiatric populations. The objectives of the present study were to train schizophrenia patients to achieve volitional control of bilateral anterior insula cortex on multiple days, and to explore the effect of learned self‐regulation on face emotion recognition (an extensively studied deficit in schizophrenia) and on brain network connectivity. Nine patients with schizophrenia were trained to regulate the hemodynamic response in bilateral anterior insula with contingent rtfMRI neurofeedback, through a 2‐weeks training. At the end of the training stage, patients performed a face emotion recognition task to explore behavioral effects of learned self‐regulation. A learning effect in self‐regulation was found for bilateral anterior insula, which persisted through the training. Following successful self‐regulation, patients recognized disgust faces more accurately and happy faces less accurately. Improvements in disgust recognition were correlated with levels of self‐activation of right insula. RtfMRI training led to an increase in the number of the incoming and outgoing effective connections of the anterior insula. This study shows for the first time that patients with schizophrenia can learn volitional brain regulation by rtfMRI feedback training leading to changes in the perception of emotions and modulations of the brain network connectivity. These findings open the door for further studies of rtfMRI in severely ill psychiatric populations, and possible therapeutic applications. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fiber tract‐specific white matter lesion severity Findings in late‐life depression and by AGTR1 A1166C genotype
Authors: Taylor Warren D. , Zhao Zheen , Ashley‐Koch Allison , Payne Martha E. , Steffens David C. , Krishnan Ranga R. , Hauser Elizabeth , MacFall James R.
Published: October 2011

Past work demonstrated that late‐life depression is associated with greater severity of ischemic cerebral hyperintense white matter lesions, particularly frontal lesions. However, these lesions are also associated with other neuropsychiatric deficits, so these clinical relationships may depend on which fiber tracts are damaged. We examined the ratio of lesion to nonlesioned white matter tissue within multiple fiber tracts between depressed and nondepressed elders. We also sought to determine if the AGTR1 A1166C and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms contributed to vulnerability to lesion development in discrete tracts. The 3T structural MR images and blood samples for genetic analyses were acquired on 54 depressed and 37 nondepressed elders. Lesion maps were created through an automated tissue segmentation process and applied to a probabilistic white matter fiber tract atlas allowing for identification of the fraction of the tract occupied by lesion. The depressed cohort exhibited a significantly greater lesion ratio only in the left upper cingulum near the cingulate gyrus (F(1,86) = 4.62, P = 0.0344), supporting past work implicating cingulate dysfunction in the pathogenesis of depression. In the 62 Caucasian subjects with genetic data, AGTR1 C1166 carriers exhibited greater lesion ratios across multiple tracts including the anterior thalamic radiation and inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus. In contrast, BDNF Met allele carriers exhibited greater lesion ratios only in the frontal corpus callosum. Although these findings did not survive correction for multiple comparisons, this study supports our hypothesis and provides preliminary evidence that genetic differences related to vascular disease may increase lesion vulnerability differentially across fiber tracts. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tracheoesophageal puncture site closure with single perforator‐based deltopectoral flap
Authors: Balasubramanian Deepak , Iyer Subramania , Thankappan Krishnakumar
Published: October 2011

Background

Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) combined with a voice prosthesis is commonly used for voice production in postlaryngectomy patients. In certain cases, however, leakage occurs around the prosthesis. Many techniques have been described to correct this problem. Surgical closure of the puncture site has to be done if the conservative techniques fail. We present the use of the pedicled deltopectoral flap on the basis of a single perforator in the closure of these fistulae.

Methods

The reported technique was used in 6 patients over a period 8 years from 2004 to 2011.

Results

The technique was successful in 5 patients. In 1 case there was dehiscence at the leading edge of the flap because of severe local wound infection.

Conclusion

The novel technique described by us avoids the need for layered closure or dissection of the trachea and esophagus. It is simple and reliable and provides durable results. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
Multi‐agent concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer in the elderly
Authors: Michal Stephanie A. , Adelstein David J. , Rybicki Lisa A. , Rodriguez Cristina P. , Saxton Jerrold P. , Wood Benjamin G. , Scharpf Joseph , Ives Denise I.
Published: October 2011

Background

The reported decreasing benefit with increasing age from concurrent chemoradiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients prompted this retrospective review.

Methods

Two courses of cisplatin‐based concurrent chemoradiotherapy were given to fit patients ≥70 years with locoregionally advanced cancers. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were compared with those for an identically treated cohort <70 years.

Results

There were 44 patients ≥70 and 137 patients <70 years. Clinical characteristics, treatment and toxicities were similar except that the elderly were less likely to receive both chemotherapy courses, experienced more myelosuppression, required more unplanned hospitalization, and were feeding‐tube dependent longer. Projected 5‐year disease‐specific survival (71% vs 74%) and freedom from recurrence (69% v. 71%) were nearly identical.

Conclusions

Although these selected elderly patients experienced greater myelosuppression and supportive care requirements, outcomes were the same as in younger patients. Age alone should not be considered a contraindication to aggressive chemoradiotherapy for this disease. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Infrahyoid flap reconstruction of oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects in elderly patients with severe general comorbidities
Authors: Deganello Alberto , Gitti Gianni , Parrinello Giampiero , Larotonda Guglielmo , Meccariello Giuseppe , Leemans C. René , Gallo Oreste
Published: October 2011

Background

In current practice, surgeons frequently deal with elderly patients who have severe medical comorbidities.

Methods

We present our series of 18 consecutive patients with severe general comorbidities that received infrahyoid flap reconstruction. The results were compared with those of 16 consecutive patients in good general medical state receiving free radial forearm flap reconstruction during the same study period. We also describe an original method for tongue base reconstruction using the infrahyoid flap.

Results

No total flap necrosis was experienced; successful separation between oral cavity/oropharyngeal contents and neck spaces was obtained in all patients with a low rate of general complications. No significant differences were found with regard to verbal intelligibility and diet scores between groups.

Conclusions

Infrahyoid flap in high‐risk cases represents a valid alternative to free radial forearm flap. We introduced a novel technical innovation for tongue base reconstruction using the infrahyoid flap with very encouraging results. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Compressive stress–strain response of covalently crosslinked oxidized‐alginate/N‐succinyl‐chitosan hydrogels
Authors: Rogalsky Allan D. , Kwon H. J. , Lee‐Sullivan Pearl
Published: October 2011

Novel injectable hydrogels have been formed at 37°C under physiological pH using a polymer–polymer crosslinking reaction. Three different formulations were tested. After 1‐day cure time at body temperature, the elastic modulus of unswollen samples ranged between 3 and 5 kPa but after 11 additional days at 4°C exceeded the target modulus of 10 kPa. Modulus data showed good agreement with theoretical crosslink density, enabling the prediction of stiffer/faster curing gel formulations. Rubber elasticity theory provided a good fit to the experimental data up to 73% compressive true strain. Based on an analysis of modulus results, it was inferred that despite the presence of two aldehyde functional groups, only one mechanically significant crosslink can form per oxidized repeat unit on the alginate chain. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Ultrastructure of spermatozoa in two solitary bee species with an emphasis on synapomorphic traits shared in the family apidae
Authors: Araújo Vinícius Albano , Serrão José Eduardo , Moreira Jane , Báo Sônia Nair , Lino‐neto José
Published: October 2011

Morphology of spermatozoa in bees has provided promising results for phylogenetic analyses. In this work, the structure and ultrastructure of spermatozoa from Thygater (Thygater) analis and Melitoma segmentaria were characterized and the synapomorphies shared in the family Apidae are discussed. In these species, spermatozoa bundles which are undone in the seminal vesicle possess, on average, 50 cells. Spermatozoa consist of a head and a flagellar region. The head includes an acrosome containing the perforatorium, covered by the acrosomal vesicle and a nucleus. The flagellum is formed by two mitochondrial derivatives, which are asymmetric in diameter and length, with one centriolar adjunct, one axoneme (9 + 9 + 2), and two accessory bodies. In cross section the centriolar adjunct is asymmetric and the accessory bodies are triangular in shape. In the distal region of the flagellum, the derivative terminates before the axoneme and the small derivative terminates first. The axoneme is gradually disorganized and the accessories microtubules are the last to terminate. In these two species, spermatozoa share diverse synapomorphies with those of other bee species previously described in the literature, which allows for the establishment of a morphological pattern for spermatozoa of the family Apidae. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immunolocalization of S100‐like protein in the brain of an emerging model organism: Nothobranchius furzeri
Authors: D'Angelo Livia , De Girolamo Paolo , Cellerino Alessandro , Tozzini Eva Terzibasi , Varricchio Ettore , Castaldo Luciana , Lucini Carla
Published: October 2011

The S100 protein in nervous tissue appears to play important roles in regulating neuronal differentiation, glial proliferation, plasticity, development, axonal growth, and in neurogenetic processes. In fish, the adult neurogenic activity is much higher than in mammals. In this study, the localization of S100 protein was investigated in the brain of annual teleost fish, Nothobranchius furzeri, which is an emerging model organism for aging research. By immunohistochemical techniques, S100 immunoreactivity (IR) was detected in glial cells, small neurons, and fibers throughout all regions of central nervous system (CNS) with different pattern of distribution. In the telencephalon, S100 IR was seen in the olphactory bulbs and in different areas of the telencephalic hemispheres. In the diencephalon, S100 positivity was observed in the habenular nuclei of the epithalamus, in the cortical thalamic nucleus, in the dorsal, ventral and caudal portions, the latter with the posterior recessus nucleus, and in the diffuse inferior lobe of the hypothalamus, along the diencephalic ventricle and in the dorsal optic tract. In the mesencephalon, S100 IR was observed in the longitudinal tori, in the optic tectum, and along the mesencephalic ventricle. In the rhombencephalon, S100 IR was shown in valvula and body of the cerebellum, and in some nuclei of the medulla oblongata. The results suggest that S100 may play a key role in the maintenance of the CNS and in neurogenesis processes in the adulthood. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intracellular localization of samarium in the lactating mammary gland cells: Ultrastructural and microanalytical study
Authors: Ahlem Ayadi , Samira Maghraoui , Jean‐Nicolas Audinot , Mohamed‐Habib Jaafoura , Henri‐Noël Migeon , Ali El Hili , Leila Tekaya
Published: October 2011

The frequent use of some rare earths in the medical and industrial domains make us worry about their intracellular behavior into the body. Reason for which we have investigated the subcellular localization of one of these elements, the samarium, in the mammary gland of lactating female wistar rats using two very sensitive methods of observation and microanalysis, the transmission electron microscopy and the secondary ion mass spectrometry. The ultrastructural study showed the presence of electron dense deposits in the lactating mammary glandular epithelial cell lysosomes of the samarium‐treated rats, but no loaded lysosomes were observed in those of control rats. The microanalytical study allowed both the identification of the chemical species present in those deposits as samarium isotopes (152Sm+) and the cartography of its distribution. Our results confirm the previous ones showing that lysosomes of the glandular epithelial cells are the site of the intracellular concentration of foreign elements such as gallium. The intralysosomal deposits observed in the mammary glandular cells of the samarium‐treated rats are similar in their form and density to those observed with the same element in other varieties of cells, such as liver, bone marrow, and spleen cells. Our ultrastructural and microanalytical results and those obtained in previous studies allow deducing that the intralysosomal deposits are very probably composed of an insoluble samarium phosphate salt. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of heat shock proteins 70 in the gill, liver, and cardiac muscle of Carassius auratus with confocal microscopy
Authors: Liu Dongwu , Chen Zhiwei , Zhou Xuqian
Published: October 2011

Heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp70) are the most extensively studied heat shock proteins for the cellular abundance and cytoprotective effects. Hsp70 induction and subsequent quantification has been used as a sensitive system for aquatic toxicity risk assessment. In this study, the confocal microscopy was used to localize Hsp70 in Carassius auratus (C. auratus) with immunohistochemical technology. There are different zooms to select to analyze the object at the same field of vision with one objective lens with confocal microscopy. It need not change objective lens to observe the details of tissues. In this study, the tissue slices of C. auratus were observed with the 20‐fold objective lens. Furthermore, the zooms of 1, 2, and 3 were used to acquire the distribution of Hsp70 in the tissue slices of C. auratus, and the clearer images of Hsp70 in the tissues were acquired. The results indicated that Hsp70 were present in the gill, liver, and cardiac muscle of C. auratus, and a method was established to detect Hsp70 in the tissues of C. auratus with confocal microscopy. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison among gold standard techniques used for the validation of methods for occlusal caries detection
Authors: Rodrigues Jonas A. , Neuhaus Klaus W. , Diniz Michele. B. , Hug Isabel , Stich Herman , Karlsson Lena , Lussi Adrian
Published: October 2011

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the agreement among four techniques used as gold standard for the validation of methods for occlusal caries detection. Sixty‐five human permanent molars were selected and one site in each occlusal surface was chosen as the test site. The teeth were cut and prepared according to each technique: stereomicroscopy without coloring (1), dye enhancement with rhodamine B (2) and fuchsine/acetic light green (3), and semi‐quantitative microradiography (4). Digital photographs from each prepared tooth were assessed by three examiners for caries extension. Weighted kappa, as well as Friedman's test with multiple comparisons, was performed to compare all techniques and verify statistical significant differences. Results: kappa values varied from 0.62 to 0.78, the latter being found by both dye enhancement methods. Friedman's test showed statistical significant difference (P < 0.001) and multiple comparison identified these differences among all techniques, except between both dye enhancement methods (rhodamine B and fuchsine/acetic light green). Cross‐tabulation showed that the stereomicroscopy overscored the lesions. Both dye enhancement methods showed a good agreement, while stereomicroscopy overscored the lesions. Furthermore, the outcome of caries diagnostic tests may be influenced by the validation method applied. Dye enhancement methods seem to be reliable as gold standard methods. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphological aspects of testes and sperm ultrastructure in the “symphyta” Digelasinus diversipes kirby 1882 (hymenoptera: Argidae: Dielocerinae)
Authors: Moreira Jane , Araújo Vinícius Albano , Lino‐neto José
Published: October 2011

In Digelasinus diversipes, spermatozoa are maintained in bundles, with 74 spermatozoa on average, in the seminal vesicle. These spermatozoa are very short (20 μm) and consist of a head and flagellum. The head includes an acrosome (perforatorium covered by the acrosomal vesicle) and a nucleus. A regular electron‐lucent region separates the acrosomal vesicle from the perforatorium, which is inserted parallel to the anterior ending of the nucleus. The small flagellum is composed of two symmetrical mitochondrial derivatives, a centriolar adjunct, an axoneme (9 + 9 + 2), and two accessory bodies. The centriolar adjunct begins above the posterior end of the nucleus and ends covering the anterior tip of two mitochondrial derivatives. In the terminal region of the axoneme, the central microtubules terminate first. The presence of a subacrosomal space, a short mitochondrial derivative diameter, and a short spermatodesm is the ultrastructure characteristics of spermatozoa shared by all “symphyta” species. Differences in the insertion of the perforatorium into the nucleus and the position of the centriolar adjunct distinguish Dielocerinae and the Arginae studied previously. The number of spermatozoa per cyst is variable. Furthermore, additional characteristics that had not been described for “symphyta” were also found, such as the number of follicles per testis. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of novel benzo[b]pyrazolo[1,5]diazepines
Authors: Raker Joseph , Wang Yi , Pechulis Anthony D. , Haber James C. , Lynch Michael A. , Spring Stacey L.
Published: October 2011

The synthesis andin vitrobiological evaluation of two novel benzodiazepine derivatives are described. The compounds were synthesized divergently from the key amino alcohol5, which was realized using the unusual Weinreb‐enamino ketone10. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2012).
Usefulness of assessing repeater F‐waves in routine studies
Authors: Chroni Elisabeth , Tendero Isabel Serrano , Punga Anna Rostedt , Stålberg Erik
Published: October 2011

Introduction: Repeater F‐waves are sometimes seen in routine studies. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical significance of repeater F‐waves in median, ulnar, and fibular nerve recordings in 50 healthy subjects and groups of 50 patients each with diabetic polyneuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar mononeuropathy, and L5 root lesion. The number of identical F‐waves and their repetitions in samples of 20 stimuli were estimated. Results: Repeater F‐waves occurred significantly more frequently in all nerves and patient groups than in healthy individuals. Their persistence was negatively correlated with that of non‐repeater F‐waves. Conclusions: Based on the presented material and recording condition it appears that repeater F‐waves differentiate between health and disease but not between different types of pathology of motor neurons or their axons. Even in routinely recorded samples of 20 traces, the index of repeater all F‐waves could be used as a sign of nerve pathology. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Discretized peridynamics for brittle and ductile solids
Authors: Liu Wenyang , Hong Jung‐Wuk
Published: October 2011

Peridynamics is a theory of continuum mechanics expressed in forms of integral equations rather than partial differential equations. In this paper, a peridynamics code is implemented using a graphics processing unit for highly parallel computation, and numerical studies are conducted to investigate the responses of brittle and ductile material models. Stress–strain behavior with different grid sizes and horizons is studied for a brittle material model. A comparison of stresses and strains between finite element analysis (FEA) and peridynamic solutions is performed for a ductile material. By applying the proposed procedure to bridge the material model defined for peridynamic bonds and the corresponding macroscale material model for FEA, peridynamics and FEA show good agreements as regards the stresses and strains. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A nonlinear plate finite element formulation for shape memory alloy applications
Authors: Artioli E. , Marfia S. , Sacco E. , Taylor R.L.
Published: October 2011

The aim of the present work is to develop a new finite element model for the finite strain analysis of plate structures constituted of shape memory alloy (SMA) material. A three‐dimensional constitutive model for shape memory alloys able to reproduce the special thermomechanical behavior of SMA characterized by pseudoelasticity and shape memory effects is adopted. The finite strain constitutive model is thermodynamically consistent and is completely formulated in the reference configuration. A two‐dimensional plate theory is proposed based on a tensor element shape function formulation. The displacement field is expressed in terms of increasing powers of the transverse coordinate. The equilibrium statement is formulated on the basis of the virtual displacement principle in a total Lagrangian format. The proposed displacement formulation is particularly suitable for the simple derivation of high‐order finite elements. Numerical applications are performed to assess the efficiency and locking performance of the proposed plate finite element. Some additional numerical examples are carried out to study the accuracy and robustness of the proposed computational technique and its capability of describing the structural response of SMA devices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.