bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiration‐induced kidney motion on cobalt‐chromium stent fatigue resistance
Authors: Hsiao Hao‐Ming , Nikanorov Alexander , Prabhu Santosh , Razavi Mahmood K.
Published: June 2009

During normal breathing, the kidneys move up and down due to the diaphragm motion and the renal artery subsequently experiences bending at or close to its point of fixation to the aorta. The impact of this kidney motion on implanted stent fatigue performance was not well understood in the past. Previous study from the authors on an 18‐mm long single cobalt‐chromium stent showed that the change in bending angle was minor during simulated respiration‐induced kidney motion on cadavers. Finite Element Analysis revealed excellent fatigue resistance of the studied cobalt‐chromium stent under simulated respiratory motion for the single stent configuration. In this article, the study was extended further to the overlapped stent configuration where a physician deploys two stents overlapping at the stent ends to fully cover a long lesion. Fluoroscopic images showed that the change in bending angle during simulated respiration‐induced kidney motion on cadavers was more significant when two cobalt‐chromium stents were overlapped. Calculated data of the Goodman analysis for the overlapped stents migrated toward the Goodman diagram failure line, indicating lower fatigue resistance during respiration when compared to a single stent. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Emission characteristics of plastic syringes sterilized with ethylene oxide—A controlled study
Authors: Chien Yeh‐Chung , Su Po‐Chi , Lee Lien‐Hsiung , Chen Chang‐Yuh
Published: June 2009

Objectives:

This study examined the emission characteristics of ethylene oxide (EO)‐sterilized syringes under various environmental conditions, aiming to develop control strategies to minimize worker exposure.

Methods:

Experiments were performed in a facility in which temperature, relative humidity (RH), and air change rate (ACR) were controlled.

Results:

Analytical results indicate that the main effects of the four test variables on kinetic parameters were statistically significant (p < 0.05), except for the effect of the product on the decay rate constant, the effect of ACR on maximum EO concentration, and effect of RH on the area under the curve‐days 1 and 2. The interactive effects among test variables were also evident, indicating complex emission behaviors. The mean EO emission factors during the days 1 and 2 and at the 48th hour for the 1‐ and 30‐ml products were 2302, 1301, and 1031 mg/m3/h, and 871, 490, and 381 mg/m3/h, respectively. The times required for air EO concentrations from tested products to return to ∼0 and 1 ppm (permissible limit) were 417 and 218 h, respectively.

Conclusions:

Plastic content, temperature, RH, and ACR affected EO emissions. ACR is an achievable means of control; however, the aeration area/system should be isolated to ensure adequate ventilation is achieved. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Modulation of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking by retention in cytoplasm or nucleus
Authors: Roth Daniela M. , Harper Ian , Pouton Colin W. , Jans David A.
Published: June 2009

Nuclear protein transport processes have largely been studied using in vitro semi‐intact cell systems where high concentrations of nuclear localizing substrates are used, and cytoplasmic components such as the microtubule (MT) network, are either absent or damaged. Here we use the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) technique to analyze the nucleocytoplasmic flux of distinct fluorescently tagged proteins over time in living cultured cells. FRAP was performed in different parts of the cell to analyze the kinetics of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and intranuclear/cytoplasmic mobility of the tumor suppressor Rb protein and a SV40 large tumor antigen (T‐ag) derivative containing the nuclear localization sequence (NLS), both fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP). The results indicate that proteins carrying the T‐ag NLS are highly mobile in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Rb, in contrast, is largely immobile in both cellular compartments, with similar nuclear import and export kinetics. Rb nuclear export was CRM‐1‐mediated, with its reduced mobility in the cytoplasm in part due to association with MTs. Overall our results show that nuclear and cytoplasm retention modulates the rates of nuclear protein import and export in intact cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 1160–1167, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Runx transcription factors: Lineage‐specific regulators of neuronal precursor cell proliferation and post‐mitotic neuron subtype development
Authors: Zagami Chrissandra J. , Zusso Morena , Stifani Stefano
Published: June 2009

runt‐related (RUNX) genes encode evolutionarily conserved transcription factors that play essential roles during development and adult tissue homeostasis. RUNX proteins regulate the transition from proliferation to differentiation in a variety of cell lineages. Moreover, they control the diversification of distinct cellular phenotypes in numerous tissues. Alterations of RUNX functions are associated with several cancers and other human pathologies, underscoring the vital roles of these transcription factors in adult organs. Insights into the functions and regulations of mammalian RUNX proteins have been provided mostly by studies of RUNX involvement in mechanisms of hematopoietic and skeletal development and disease. A growing number of recent investigations are revealing new functions for RUNX family members during the development of the mammalian nervous system. This review will discuss recent progress in the study of RUNX protein involvement in mammalian neural development, with emphasis on the differentiation of olfactory, sensory, and motor neuron lineages. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 1063–1072, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Some recent techniques for free energy calculations
Authors: Vanden‐Eijnden Eric
Published: June 2009

A few recent techniques to calculate free energies in the context of molecular dynamics simulations are discussed: temperature‐accelerated molecular dynamics, which is a method to explore fast the important regions in the free energy landscape associated with a set of continuous collective variables without having to know where these regions are beforehand; the single sweep method, which is a variational method to interpolate the free energy globally given a set of mean forces (i.e., a set of gradients of the free energy) calculated at specific points, or centers, on the free energy landscape; and a Voronoi‐based free energy method for the calculation of the free energy of the Voronoi tessellation associated with a set of centers. We also discuss how this last technique can be used in conjunction with the string method, and how kinetic information such as reaction rates can be calculated by milestoning using the edges of a Voronoi tessellation as milestones. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Absolute free energies estimated by combining precalculated molecular fragment libraries
Authors: Zhang Xin , Mamonov Artem B. , Zuckerman Daniel M.
Published: June 2009

The absolute free energy—or partition function, equivalently—of a molecule can be estimated computationally using a suitable reference system. Here, we demonstrate a practical method for staging such calculations by growing a molecule based on a series of fragments. Significant computer time is saved by precalculating fragment configurations and interactions for reuse in a variety of molecules. We use such fragment libraries and interaction tables for amino acids and capping groups to estimate free energies for small peptides. Equilibrium ensembles for the molecules are generated at no additional computational cost and are used to check our results by comparison to standard dynamics simulation. We explain how our work can be extended to estimate relative binding affinities. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
PKR activity is required for acute leukemic cell maintenance and growth: A role for PKR‐mediated phosphatase activity to regulate GSK‐3 phosphorylation
Authors: Blalock William L. , Grimaldi Cecilia , Fala Federica , Follo Matilde , Horn Stefan , Basecke Jorg , Martinelli Giovanni , Cocco Lucio , Martelli Alberto M.
Published: June 2009

Recent reports demonstrate that PKR is constitutively active in a variety of tumors and is required for tumor maintenance and growth. Here we report acute leukemia cell lines contain elevated levels of p‐T451 PKR and PKR activity as compared to normal controls. Inhibition of PKR with a specific inhibitor, as well as overexpression of a dominant‐negative PKR, inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell death. Interestingly, PKR inhibition using the specific inhibitor resulted in a time‐dependent augmentation of AKT S473 and GSK‐3α S21 phosphorylation, which was confirmed in patient samples. Increased phosphorylation of AKT and GSK‐3α was not dependent on PI3K activity. PKR inhibition augmented levels of p‐S473 AKT and p‐S21/9 GSK‐3α/β in the presence of the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, but was unable to augment GSK‐3α or β phosphorylation in the presence of the AKT inhibitor, A443654. Pre‐treatment with the PKR inhibitor blocked the ability of A443654 and LY294002 to promote phosphorylation of eIF2α, indicating the mechanism leading to AKT phosphorylation and activation did not require eIF2α phosphorylation. The effects of PKR inhibition on AKT and GSK‐3 phosphorylation were found to be, in part, PP2A‐dependent. These data indicate that, in acute leukemia cell lines, constitutive basal activity of PKR is required for leukemic cell homeostasis and growth and functions as a negative regulator of AKT, thereby increasing the pool of potentially active GSK‐3. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 232–241, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc
Treatment of disseminated ovarian cancer using nonviral interleukin‐12 gene therapy delivered intraperitoneally
Authors: Fewell Jason G. , Matar Majed M. , Rice Jennifer S. , Brunhoeber Elaine , Slobodkin Gregory , Pence Casey , Worker Miranda , Lewis Danny H. , Anwer Khursheed
Published: June 2009

Background

The poor prognosis associated with ovarian cancer is primarily the result of delayed diagnosis and the lack of an effective treatment for advanced disease. Use of novel immunotherapy strategies are being evaluated that work to enhance local and systemic immune responses against cancer cells and can possibly work together with traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens to produce more effective treatment options.

Methods

In the present study, we describe a gene‐based therapy whereby the anticancer cytokine interleukin‐12 gene (pmIL‐12) is formulated with a synthetic polymeric delivery vehicle (PPC) and administered intraperitoneally into a mouse model of disseminated ovarian cancer.

Results

The administration of pmIL‐12/PPC in tumor‐bearing mice was associated with a shift towards a Th1 immune state, including significant increases in murine IL‐12 (mIL‐12) and interferon (IFN)‐γ (mIFN‐γ) in ascites fluid, with little change in systemic levels of these proteins. The mIL‐12 protein was detectable for several days and could be reintroduced with subsequent injections. We show that treatment delayed the onset of ascites formation and improved survival in a dose‐dependent manner. A significant decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor was associated with pmIL‐12/PPC delivery and believed to play a predominant role in inhibiting ascites accumulation. Administration of pmIL‐12/PPC was associated with minimal toxicity and, when combined with standard chemotherapies, resulted in additive improvement in survival.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results suggest that pmIL‐12/PPC may be an effective strategy for inhibiting progression of disseminated ovarian cancer and may offer a new option for treatment of advanced disease that can be used to complement standard therapies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Knee kinematics in medial osteoarthritis during in vivo weight‐bearing activities
Authors: Hamai Satoshi , Moro‐oka Taka‐aki , Miura Hiromasa , Shimoto Takeshi , Higaki Hidehiko , Fregly Benjamin J. , Iwamoto Yukihide , Banks Scott A.
Published: June 2009

Dynamic knee kinematics were analyzed for medial osteoarthritic (OA) knees in three activities, including two types of maximum knee flexion. Continuous x‐ray images of kneeling, squatting, and stair climbing motions were taken using a large flat panel detector. CT‐derived bone models were used for the model registration‐based 3D kinematic measurements. Three‐dimensional joint kinematics and contact locations were determined using two methods: bone‐fixed coordinate systems and by interrogation of CT‐based bone model surfaces. The femur exhibited gradual external rotation with knee flexion for kneeling and squatting activities, and gradual internal rotation with knee extension for stair climbing. From 100° to 120° flexion, contact locations showed a medial pivot pattern similar to normal knees. However, knees with medial OA displayed a femoral internal rotation bias and less posterior translation when compared with normal knees. A classic screw‐home movement was not observed in OA knees near extension. Decreased variability with both activities and methods of calculation were demonstrated for all three activities. In conclusion, the weight‐bearing kinematics of patients with medial OA differs from normal knees. Pathological changes of the articulating surfaces and the ligaments correspond to observed abnormalities in knee kinematics. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:1555–1561, 2009
Diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy in preoperative diagnosis of patients with parotid gland masses
Authors: Carrillo José F. , Ramírez Rene , Flores Lorena , Ramirez‐Ortega Margarita C. , Arrecillas Myrna D. , Ibarra Margarita , Sotelo Rita , Ponce‐de‐León Sergio , Oñate‐Ocaña Luis F.
Published: June 2009

Background

The use of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for diagnosis of parotid gland masses (PGM) is questioned, because of low sensitivity and the generalized belief requiring surgery for most parotid masses. Information available is retrospective. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB for diagnosis of patients with PGM.

Methods

A prospective diagnostic test study was conducted in a cancer center from 2003 to 2007. FNAB was obtained from patients older than 18 years with PGM. Cytopathologist and histopathologist were blinded for all clinical information. The reference standard for diagnosis was the surgical pathology report.

Results

FNAB sensitivity and specificity values in diagnosis of malignancy were 0.923 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85–0.99) and 0.986 (95% CI, 0.96–1.00), respectively. Positive and negative likelihood ratios (LRs) were 64.6 (95% CI, 9.22–453) and 0.078 (95% CI 0.03–0.18), respectively. Negative LR of FNAB was strengthened (0.078–0.029) when negative diagnosis of FNAB was associated with tumor size <4 cm, definite borders, and homogeneous tumor mass observed by computed tomography (CT).

Conclusion

Diagnostic accuracy for FNAB was very high. No clinical or radiological factors improved the positive LR of FNAB alone. Liberal use of FNAB of PGM is recommended. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:133–138. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radiosensitization of HT‐29 cells and xenografts by the nitric oxide donor DETANONOate
Authors: Gao Xiaohuan , Saha Debabrata , Kapur Payal , Anthony Thomas , Livingston Edward H. , Huerta Sergio
Published: June 2009

Background

Mechanisms of radioresistance in rectal cancer remain unclear.

Objectives

To determine mechanisms of radioresistance in rectal cancer cells and to assess the role of the nitric oxide donor DETANONOate as a radiosensitizing agent.

Methods

Survival was determined by clonogenic assays, apoptosis by PARP‐1 cleavage, and phenotypic differences by Western blot analysis. SCID mice bearing HT‐29 xenografts were treated with ionizing radiation (IR) [2.0 Gy × 5], DETANONOate [0.4 mg/kg i.p.], or combination treatment.

Results

Colorectal cancer HT‐29‐p53‐null cells were resistant and HCT‐116‐p53 wild‐type cells sensitive to IR, which correlated with cleaved PARP‐1. Increased levels of p21 occurred in HCT‐116 cells, while Bcl‐2 and survivin were elevated in HT‐29 cells. Radiosensitization was achieved with a substantial elevation of cleaved PARP‐1 in DETANONOate‐HT‐29‐treated versus control cells, which was accompanied by elevation of p21, p27, and BAX, and a concomitant decrease in Bcl‐2. SCID mice bearing HT‐29 xenografts demonstrated a 37.6%, 51.1%, and 70.1% inhibition in tumor growth in mice receiving IR, DETANONOate, and combination treatment versus control, respectively.

Conclusions

Radioresistant HT‐29 cells are p53‐null and have substantially decreased levels of p21. DETANONOate radiosensitized HT‐29 cells in vitro and in vivo by an additive effect in apoptosis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:149–158. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new pH catheter for laryngopharyngeal reflux: Normal values
Authors: Sun George , Muddana Srikant , Slaughter James C. , Casey Sean , Hill Eric , Farrokhi Farnoosh , Garrett C. Gaelyn , Vaezi Michael F.
Published: June 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) represents a challenging field. Therapeutic studies of proton pump inhibitors in LPR have shown mixed results. The Restech pH catheter (Respiratory Technology Corp., San Diego, CA) is a minimally invasive device for detection of oropharyngeal acid reflux. The aim of this study was to provide normative data using this device in both distal esophagus and oropharynx.

Study Design:

Prospective observational study.

Methods:

Normal volunteers were recruited to undergo pH monitoring. A custom made longer catheter was used to assess distal esophageal pH. Oropharyngeal pH catheter was placed at the level of uvula. The distribution of % time was summarized using the 5th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 95th quantiles for pH < 6, pH < 5, and pH < 4 for both upright and supine positions.

Results:

A total of 20 normal, healthy volunteers underwent pH monitoring for 14 to 24 hours (median 20.5 hours). The 95th percentile for % total time pH < 4, pH < 5, pH < 6 for the distal esophageal pH catheter were 4.52%, 10.91%, and 42.99%, respectively. For the oropharynx pH probe, the 95th percentile for % total time pH < 4, pH < 5, and pH < 6 were 0.02%, 2.33%, and 21.41% respectively. The 95th percentile for number of reflux events for total pH < 4, pH < 5, and pH < 6 were 1.3, 8.1, and 128.0, respectively.

Conclusions:

Oropharyngeal acid reflux is an infrequent occurrence in healthy volunteers without LPR. The normative data for Restech pH catheter may now be compared to those with suspected LPR. Laryngoscope, 2009
Observations of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and recovery using a rat model
Authors: Tessema Belachew , Roark Rick M. , Pitman Michael J. , Weissbrod Philip , Sharma Sansar , Schaefer Steven D.
Published: June 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To evaluate standardized recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injuries using a rat model via minimally invasive transoral electromyography (ToL EMG) and histologic studies.

Methods:

Forty‐two female Sprague Dawley rats weighing 200 g to 250 g underwent crush injury to the right RLN using a calibrated pressure clip (0.61 N or 1.19 N) for 60 seconds. Following injury, serial ToL EMGs were performed on abductor and adductor laryngeal muscles during respiratory cycles and spontaneous vocal fold abduction on day 4 and then weekly for 6 weeks. Vocal fold motion associated with spontaneous respiration was graded from 0 to 4. Rats were sacrificed at different time points for histologic evaluation of injured nerves.

Results:

EMG signals showed fibrillation potentials on day 4 in all experimental conditions. Crushed RLN, regardless of force, exhibited polyphasic potentials at 2 weeks postinjury. Normal motor unit potentials and recruitment patterns were observed in EMG signals at 4 weeks for all 0.61 N clip animals. Six weeks following crush injury, motor unit potentials having normal appearance were observed in most animals. Synkinetic EMG signals were observed at 5 weeks and 6 weeks in the 1.19 N clip animals. Endoscopic evaluation of vocal fold mobility was consistently normal at 6 weeks only following 0.61 N crush injury.

Conclusions:

This model is useful to simulate intraoperative RLN injuries and to better understand the electrophysiologic events during nerve recovery. The severity of injury to the RLN dictates histologic, neurologic and functional recovery of the laryngeal motor system. This model is useful to evaluate the efficacy of systemic and local neurotropic agents in the treatment of RLN injury. Laryngoscope, 2009
Chemoselection as a strategy for organ preservation in patients with T4 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma with cartilage invasion
Authors: Worden Francis P. , Moyer Jeffrey , Lee Julia S. , Taylor Jeremy M. G. , Urba Susan G. , Eisbruch Avraham , Teknos Theodoros N. , Chepeha Douglas B. , Prince Mark E. , Hogikyan Norman , Lassig Amy Anne D. , Emerick Kevin , Mukherji Suresh , Hadjiski Lubomir , Tsien Christina I. , Miller Tamara H. , Wallace Nancy E. , Mason Heidi L. , Bradford Carol R. , Wolf Gregory T.
Published: June 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

High rates of overall survival (OS) and laryngeal preservation were achieved in two sequential phase II clinical trials in patients with stage III/IV laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Patients were treated with chemoradiation after a >50% primary tumor response to one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (IC). We analyzed outcomes for T4 patients with cartilage invasion from both studies.

Study Design:

Retrospective.

Methods:

Records from 36 patients with T4 SCC of the larynx with cartilage invasion alone (n = 16) or cartilage invasion and extralaryngeal spread (n = 20) were retrospectively reviewed. All were treated with one cycle of cisplatin (100 mg/m2) [or carboplatin (AUC 6)] and 5‐fluorouracil (1,000 mg/m2/d for 5 days) (P+5FU). Those achieving >50% response at the primary tumor received chemoradiation (70 Gy; 35 fractions with concurrent cisplatin‐100 mg/m2 [carboplatin (AUC 6)] every 21 days for 3 cycles), followed by adjuvant P+5FU for complete histologic responders (CHR). Patients with <50% response after IC underwent total laryngectomy and postoperative radiation.

Results:

Twenty‐nine of 36 patients (81%) had >50% response following IC. Of these, 27 received definitive chemoradiation, 23 (85%) obtained CHR, with 58% laryngeal preservation rate. The 3‐year OS was 78%, and the disease‐specific survival was 80% (median follow‐up 69 months). Following chemoradiation, 8/11 (73%) patients with an intact larynx had >75% understandable speech, 6/36 (17%) were g‐tube dependent and 6/36 (17%) were tracheostomy dependent.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that chemo‐selection is a feasible organ preservation alternative to total laryngectomy for patients with T4 laryngeal SCC with cartilage invasion. Laryngoscope, 2009
Comparison of two approaches to the surgical management of cochlear implantation
Authors: Postelmans Job T. F. , Grolman Wilko , Tange Rinze A. , Stokroos Robert J.
Published: June 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Our study was designed to compare two surgical approaches that are currently employed in cochlear implantation.

Methods:

There were 315 patients who were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique used for implantation. The suprameatal approach (SMA) was followed for 104 patients (107 implantations) in Amsterdam, whereas the mastoidectomy with posterior tympanotomy approach (MPTA) was adhered to for 211 (214 implantations) in Maastricht. The outcome variables of interest were duration of surgery and peri‐ or postoperative complications.

Results:

In the SMA group the incidence of major and minor complications was 3.7% (4/107) and 23.4% (25/107), respectively, whereas it was 6.5% (14/214) and 22.4% (48/214), respectively, in the MPTA group. A chi‐square statistic of 1.096 (P = .295) and 0.021 (P = .884) for minor and major complications, respectively, indicated no statistically significant differences between the two techniques. Mean duration of surgery was significantly shorter (P < .0005) in the SMA (111.7 minutes) than in the MPTA (132.2 minutes) group.

Conclusions:

The suprameatal approach is clearly a good alternative to the classical surgery technique for cochlear implantation. Laryngoscope, 2009
Radiofrequency‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring: Long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Stuck Boris A.
Published: June 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

The efficacy of combined radiofrequency (RF) surgery of the soft palate (RF‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty [RF‐UPP]) was demonstrated in a prospective study. Nevertheless, the data is based on short‐term follow‐up only, as it is the case with the majority of clinical studies regarding surgical treatment of snoring. Long‐term follow‐up is of particular importance in this context, as snoring relapses in a significant number of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the long‐term efficacy of RF‐UPP in the treatment of snoring.

Study Design:

Prospective clinical trial.

Methods:

Twenty‐one patients with primary snoring (apnea/hypopnea index <15, body mass index [BMI] <32) were going through the initial trial. Patients had received two sessions of RF‐UPP at the soft palate as previously described. For the present trial, all patients were contacted after approximately 18 months and asked to complete an additional follow‐up questionnaire assessing current BMI, snoring (visual analogue scale), and the overall satisfaction with the procedure.

Results:

From the 21 initial patients, 19 (90%) answered the questionnaire. Mean follow‐up was 19.8 ± 4.9 months. The postoperative snoring scores showed an increase from 2.0 ± 2.1 to 5.1 ± 3.3 (P < .05) at long‐term follow‐up. Seven (37%) patients demonstrated long‐term success (1.7 ± 0.5), whereas seven patients experienced a relapse in snoring (8.1 ± 1.4). BMI remained unchanged. Age, sex, BMI, or the length of follow‐up did not influence long‐term outcome.

Conclusions:

After RF‐UPP of the soft palate, a relapse in snoring has to be expected at long‐term follow‐up in a subgroup of patients. At present, there are no prospective parameters which would predict long‐term benefit. Laryngoscope, 2009
Regeneration of aged rat vocal folds using hepatocyte growth factor therapy
Authors: Ohno Tsunehisa , Yoo Mi Jin , Swanson Erik R. , Hirano Shigeru , Ossoff Robert H. , Rousseau Bernard
Published: June 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

We investigated acute changes in extracellular matrix gene expression and histologic changes in the deposition of collagen and hyaluronan (HA) from hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) treatment of the aged rat vocal fold. We hypothesized that: 1) HGF induces matrix metalloproteinase gene expression, which might contribute to the downregulation of collagen; and 2) HGF induces hyaluronan synthase (HAS) gene expression, which might play a role in the upregulation of extracellular matrix HA.

Study Design:

Prospective animal study.

Methods:

Fifteen, 18‐month‐old, Sprague‐Dawley rats were involved in this study. For gene expression analyses, 10 rats were divided into two groups and received serial injections of sham (saline) or HGF (2 ng/μL) and sacrificed 2 weeks after the initial injection to investigate acute changes in extracellular matrix gene expression. A separate group of five animals received the above treatment and were sacrificed 4 weeks after the initial injection to investigate histologic changes in the deposition of collagen and HA.

Results:

Real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed significantly upregulated matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)‐2, ‐9, and HAS‐3 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and significantly downregulated procollagen type I mRNA expression in the HGF‐treatment group, compared to the sham‐treatment group. Histologic staining revealed significantly reduced collagen deposition and increased deposition of HA in the HGF‐treated vocal fold, compared to the sham‐treated vocal fold.

Conclusions:

HGF induced the upregulation of MMP‐2, ‐9, and HAS‐3, and downregulated the expression of procollagen type I. Histologically, aged vocal folds treated with HGF revealed decreased collagen deposition, and increased deposition of HA, compared to sham‐treated vocal folds. Laryngoscope, 2009
Sialoliths or phleboliths?
Authors: Su Yu‐xiong , Liao Gui‐qing , Wang Lin , Liang Yu‐jie , Chu Mei , Zheng Guang‐sen
Published: June 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Salivary gland obstruction caused by vascular malformation with phleboliths is relatively uncommon and may be masquerading as sialolithiasis. This article presents the case of a patient who suffered from vascular malformation with phleboliths that caused submandibular gland obstruction and was once misdiagnosed as sialolithiasis.

Study Design:

Illustrative case report and review of the literature.

Methods:

Our patient was presented with recurrent episodes of right submandibular swelling and pain at mealtime for two years. The radiopacities in the X‐ray film were misdiagnosed as multiple sialoliths. The sialendoscopic surgery ruled out the sialoliths, and an impressively expanded vascular network consisting of capillaries was detected all over the ductal lumen. We diagnosed vascular malformation with phleboliths. A search of the MEDLINE database (from 1948 to February 2009) was performed.

Results:

The patient was treated with sclerotherapy. The clinical outcome was satisfactory during a follow‐up of 28 months, with no evidence of recurrence. The results of the extensive literature review showed that vascular malformation with phleboliths that leads to submandibular gland obstruction is rare with a total of three cases reported, including this patient.

Conclusions:

Vascular malformation with phleboliths must be included in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland obstruction. Laryngoscope, 2009
Brachial plexus neuropathy resulting from a massively enlarged papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Lipana Jonathan D. , Teng Marita S.
Published: June 2009

Well‐known complications of thyroid enlargement and papillary carcinoma include compression or invasion of the trachea, esophagus, and/or vascular structures. Recurrent laryngeal nerve invasion by thyroid carcinoma is not uncommon, and phrenic nerve invasion has also been described. Preoperative dysfunction of a vocal cord, which often implies invasive carcinoma, may necessitate recurrent laryngeal nerve sacrifice and is therefore rreversible. We present an unusual case of reversible brachial plexus compression in a patient with massive thyroid enlargement and papillary carcinoma. Laryngoscope, 2009
Design and field procedures in the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement (NCS‐A)
Authors: Kessler Ronald C. , Avenevoli Shelli , Costello E. Jane , Green Jennifer Greif , Gruber Michael J. , Heeringa Steven , Merikangas Kathleen R. , Pennell Beth‐Ellen , Sampson Nancy A. , Zaslavsky Alan M.
Published: June 2009

An overview is presented of the design and field procedures of the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement (NCS‐A), a US face‐to‐face household survey of the prevalence and correlates of DSM‐IV mental disorders. The survey was based on a dual‐frame design that included 904 adolescent residents of the households that participated in the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication (85.9% response rate) and 9244 adolescent students selected from a nationally representative sample of 320 schools (74.7% response rate). After expositing the logic of dual‐frame designs, comparisons are presented of sample and population distributions on Census socio‐demographic variables and, in the school sample, school characteristics. These document only minor differences between the samples and the population. The results of statistical analysis of the bias‐efficiency trade‐off in weight trimming are then presented. These show that modest trimming meaningfully reduces mean squared error. Analysis of comparative sample efficiency shows that the household sample is more efficient than the school sample, leading to the household sample getting a higher weight relative to its size in the consolidated sample relative to the school sample. Taken together, these results show that the NCS‐A is an efficient sample of the target population with good representativeness on a range of socio‐demographic and geographic variables. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vineland Screener 0–12 years research version (NL). Constructing a screening instrument to assess adaptive behaviour
Authors: van Duijn Gijs , Dijkxhoorn Yvette , Noens Ilse , Scholte Evert , van Berckelaer‐Onnes Ina
Published: June 2009

In Western countries the need to assess the adaptive behaviour of a wide range of individuals within the framework of research and policy‐making has increased in recent years. To meet this need a screener version of the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS) was developed in the Netherlands. This screener is a questionnaire to be filled out by primary care‐givers. Using a limited number of items the instrument covers the four domains of adaptive behaviour portrayed in the original Expanded Version of the VABS.

In this article the psychometric characteristics of this screener are determined in a non‐clinical population of children from 0 to 12 years using a sample of 984 children.

Available data support the reliability and validity of the screener. Internal consistency of the domains and test–retest reliability are high: 0.90 or more. High intra‐class correlations between scores of mothers and fathers show that inter‐rater agreement is also satisfactory. Furthermore the domain scores contribute evenly to the composite score. The associations with chronological age/calendar age are strong. Correlations range between 0.80 and 0.95, implying that an increase in age linearly is related to an increase in adaptive behaviour. Newly born children obtain virtually no scores, and increase of scores levels off at different ages near the end of the intended age range. The results indicate that the screener is a promising research instrument to assess the adaptive behaviour of children by means of a short questionnaire filled out by their primary care‐givers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP3 and fertilization in mammals
Authors: Litscher Eveline S. , Williams Zev , Wassarman Paul M.
Published: June 2009

An early step in mammalian fertilization is species‐restricted binding of sperm to the egg's zona pellucida (ZP), a thick extracellular coat that surrounds eggs. Sperm bind to the ZP of unfertilized eggs, but not to the ZP of fertilized eggs. Shortly after binding to the unfertilized egg ZP, sperm undergo the acrosome reaction, a form of cellular exocytosis that enables sperm to penetrate the ZP. Three glycoproteins, mZP1‐3, constitute the mouse egg's ZP and participate in the process of fertilization. For example, sperm exposed to unfertilized egg mZP3 at nanomolar concentrations are inhibited from binding to eggs and undergo the acrosome reaction. Neither mZP1 nor mZP2 has an effect on sperm binding or the acrosome reaction. Furthermore, mZP3 from fertilized eggs has no effect on sperm binding and is unable to induce the acrosome reaction. These and other properties of mZP3 suggest that it is a receptor for sperm and inducer of the acrosome reaction. Mapping of the mZP3 combining‐site for sperm suggests that it is located near the C‐terminus of the polypeptide, just downstream of the ZP domain, in a region encoded by exon‐7 of the mZP3 gene. This region of mZP3 is a site of positive Darwinian selection. When mZP3 exon‐7 is fused to the Fc fragment of human IgG and sperm exposed to the chimeric protein, sperm are inhibited from binding to eggs. However, the chimeric protein does not induce the acrosome reaction. Therefore, polypeptide encoded by mZP3 exon‐7 is necessary and sufficient for binding of mouse sperm. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 933–941, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identifizierung anhand der Zersetzungsprodukte
Authors: Knupp Gerd , Kusch Peter
Published: June 2009

Die Kombination der analytischen Pyrolyse mit der Gaschromatographie‐Massenspektrometrie erweitert die Möglichkeiten, die strukturellen Eigenschaften polymerer Materialien zu untersuchen und zu charakterisieren.
Proben verdampfen
Authors: Servos Ulrich
Published: June 2009

Für flüssige Proben mit Bestandteilen, die GC‐Injektoren verschmutzen oder die chromatographische Messung stören, bietet sich Headspace‐Probenaufgabe nach Vollverdampfung an.
Eine Perspektive für die Feinchemie?
Authors: Schorsch Gilbert
Published: June 2009

Die chemische Industrie ist auf dem Weg in eine neue Phase der Konzentration. Prominente Beispiele sind die Übernahmen von Rohm & Haas durch Dow Chemical und von Ciba durch BASF. Die beiden übernommenen Unternehmen weisen in ihrer Entwicklung einige Parallelen auf.
Numerical modeling of seismic triggering, evolution, and deposition of rapid landslides: Application to Higashi–Takezawa (2004)
Authors: Gerolymos Nikos
Published: June 2009

A mathematical model is developed for the dynamic analysis of earthquake‐triggered rapid landslides, considering two mechanically coupled systems: (a) the accelerating deformable body of the slide and (b) the rapidly deforming shear band at the base of the slide. The main body of the slide is considered as a one‐phase mixture of Newtonian incompressible fluids and Coulomb solids sliding on a plane of variable inclination. The evolution of the landslide is modeled via a depth‐integrated model of the Savage–Hutter type coupled with: (a) a cyclic hysteretic constitutive model of the Bouc–Wen type and (b) Voellmy's rheology for the deformation of the material within the shear band. The original shallow‐water equations that govern the landslide motion are appropriately reformulated to account for inertial forces due to seismic loading, and to allow for a smooth transition between the active and the passive state. The capability of the developed model is tested against the Higashi–Takezawa landslide. Triggered by the 2004 Niigata‐ken Chuetsu earthquake, the slide produced about 100m displacement of a large wedge from an originally rather mild slope. The mechanism of material softening inside the shear band responsible for the surprisingly large run‐out of the landslide is described by a set of equations for grain crushing‐induced pore‐water pressures. The back‐analysis reveals interesting patterns on the flow dynamics, and the numerical results compare well with field observations. It is shown that the mechanism of material softening is a crucial factor for the initiation and evolution of the landslide, while viscoplastic frictional resistance is a key requirement for successfully reproducing the field data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling of contaminant transport through landfill liners using EFGM
Authors: Praveen Kumar R. , Dodagoudar G. R.
Published: June 2009

Modelling of contaminant transport through landfill liners and natural soil deposits is an important area of research activity in geoenvironmental engineering. Conventional mesh‐based numerical methods depend on mesh/grid size and element connectivity and possess some difficulties when dealing with advection‐dominant transport problems. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to provide a simple but sufficiently accurate methodology for numerical simulation of the two‐dimensional contaminant transport through the saturated homogeneous porous media and landfill liners using element‐free Galerkin method (EFGM). In the EFGM, an approximate solution is constructed entirely in terms of a set of nodes and no characterization of the interrelationship of the nodes is needed. The EFGM employs moving least‐square approximants to approximate the function and uses the Lagrange multiplier method for imposing essential boundary conditions. The results of the EFGM are validated using experimental results. Analytical and finite element solutions are also used to compare the results of the EFGM. In order to test the practical applicability and performance of the EFGM, three case studies of contaminant transport through the landfill liners are presented. A good agreement is obtained between the results of the EFGM and the field investigation data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modifiable low‐rank approximation to a matrix
Authors: Barlow Jesse L. , Erbay Hasan
Published: June 2009

A truncated ULV decomposition (TULVD) of an m×n matrix X of rank k is a decomposition of the form
X = ULVT+E, where U and V are left orthogonal matrices, L is a k×k non‐singular lower triangular matrix, and E is an error matrix. Only U,V, L, and ∥E∥F are stored, but E is not stored. We propose algorithms for updating and downdating the TULVD. To construct these modification algorithms, we also use a refinement algorithm based upon that in (SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl. 2005; 27(1):198–211) that reduces ∥E∥F, detects rank degeneracy, corrects it, and sharpens the approximation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical modelling of electromechanical coupling using fictitious domain and level set methods
Authors: Andreykiv Andriy , Rixen Daniel J.
Published: June 2009

We present a finite element formulation for simulation of electromechanical coupling using a combination of fictitious domain and level set methods. The electric field is treated with a fixed (Eulerian‐like) mesh, whereas the structure (taken as a perfect conductor) is modelled with a conventional Lagrangian approach. The compatibility between the potential of the conductor and of the electric domain is obtained by introducing a Lagrange multiplier function, defined on the boundary of the conductor. The electromechanical forces are obtained using a variational formulation for the coupled electromechanical domain. We use a Heaviside function on the level set to remove the electric energy in the conductor domain. Results are presented for an radio frequency switch and an element of a comb drive. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of biaxial orientation mats from single fibers
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Yang Dongzhi , Zhang Ziping , Nie Jun
Published: June 2009

Electrospinning provides a simple and versatile method for fabricating nanofiber mats. Electrospun fiber mat of well aligned and order architectures was often required for many applications. In this communication, biaxial orientation mats were electrospun by a novel collector consisting of two rotating disks with conductive edge. In addition, an auxiliary electrode was induced to focus the electrostatic field and force the fibers to align regularly. The biaxial orientation structure was formed with the variation of rotation speed without revolving the fiber mat during the electrospinning process, and the dates presented in this paper demonstrated that the degree of biaxial orientation strongly depended on the rotation speed. This simple method has potential applications in textile and electronic areas. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and chiral micellization behavior of optically active amphiphilic diblock copolymer bearing quinine pendants
Authors: Hu Zhiguo , Huang Caihong
Published: June 2009

A novel optically active amphiphilic diblock copolymer bearing quinine pendants poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(glycidyl triazolyl‐L‐quinine) (MPEO‐b‐PGTQ) was synthesized by “click” reaction of alkyne‐modified diblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(glycidyl propargyl ether) (MPEO‐b‐PGPE) and 9‐N3‐quinine. The structure and composition of copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), elemental analysis and optical rotation measurements, which showed that the synthetic route could provide the copolymer with well‐defined composition and with similar optical activity compared to its parent quinine. The micellization behavior of this chiral copolymer was investigated in different solvent systems. The results from fluorescence spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, 1H NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy indicated that the MPEO‐b‐PGTQ could form regular chiral spherical micelles in H2O and Tetrahydrofuran‐H2O (10:90, V/V) systems, and the state of aggregated chiral micelles depended on the nature of the medium. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3640–3650, 2009
Visualization of spontaneous aggregates by diblock poly(styrene)‐b‐poly(L‐lactide)/poly(D‐lactide) pairs in solution with new fluorescent CdSe quantum dot labels
Authors: Hou Xiaodong , Li Qiaobo , He Yong , Jia Lin , Li Yang , Zhu Yingdan , Cao Amin
Published: June 2009

Spontaneous stereocomplex aggregation of diblock poly(styrene)‐b‐poly(L‐lactide) PS‐b‐PLLA/poly(D‐lactide) PDLA pairs has been investigated under ambient temperature in tetrahydrofuran solution. First, diblock PS260‐b‐PLLA165 and PS260‐b‐PDLA162 bearing similar lengths of respective PLLA and PDLA blocks were synthesized through controlled atom‐transfer radical polymerization of styrene, and a subsequent living ring‐opening polymerization of optically pure lactides, and their structures were further characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC). Subsequently, new enantiomeric poly(D‐lactide) stabilized core‐shell fluorescent CdSe quantum dots (CdSe/PDLA QD) were designed and prepared as sensitive fluorescence labels to shed new lights on the spontaneous stereocomplex aggregation in THF, which was mediated by stereocomplexation of the PLLA and PDLA chains. Upon simply mixing two individual THF solution of diblock PS260‐b‐PLLA165 and HO‐PDLA30‐SH, spontaneous stereocomplex aggregation was studied, and the aggregated uniform spherical particles were observed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) to exhibit average particle diameters of 2.0 μm. Finally, utilizing the prepared CdSe/PDLA QDs as new fluorescent labels, morphologies of the spontaneous aggregates by new diblock PS260‐b‐PLLA165/HO‐PDLA30‐SH pair were for the first time directly visualized by a confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy (CLSFM). These results might suggest alternative ways to simply prepare functional fluorescent particles with tunable diameter sizes and would be helpful to understand the mechanism of stereocomplex particle aggregation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1393–1405, 2009