bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mean sojourn time and effectiveness of mortality reduction for lung cancer screening with computed tomography
Authors: Chien Chun‐Ru , Chen Tony Hsiu‐Hsi
Published: February 2008

This study aimed to estimate the mean sojourn time (MST) and sensitivity of asymptomatic lung cancer (ALC) detected by computed tomography (CT) or chest X‐ray (CXR). Translation of early diagnosis into mortality reduction by 2 detection modalities and inter‐screening interval was projected using a Markov model. On the basis of systematic literature review, data from 6 prospective CT screening studies were retrieved. The MST in association with the natural history of lung cancer depicted by a 3‐state Markov model was estimated with a Bayesian approach. To project mortality reduction attributed to screening, the model was further extended to 5 health states for the inclusion of prognostic part. The analysis was run with a 10‐year time horizon of follow‐up, mimicking the Dutch‐Belgian randomized lung cancer screening trial (NELSON). Screening for lung cancer with CT had high sensitivity (median: 97%) and may advance 1 year earlier than CXR in detecting ALC. By simulating the scenario similar to NELSON study, CT screen may gain an extra of 0.019 year of life expectancy per person, yields 15% mortality reduction (relative risk (RR): 0.85, 95% confidence interval [95%CI: (0.58–1.01)]. Approximate 23% [RR: 0.77, 95%CI: (0.43–0.98)] mortality reduction would be achieved by annual CT screening program. The mortality findings in conjunction with higher sensitivity and shorter MST estimate given data on prevalent and incident (2nd) screen may provide a tentative evidence, suggesting that annual CT screening may be required in order to be effective in reducing mortality before the results of randomized controlled studies available. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rat liver clone‐9 cells in culture as a model for screening hepatotoxic potential of food‐related products: hepatotoxicity of deoxynivalenol
Authors: Sahu Saura C. , Garthoff Larry H. , Robl Martin G. , Chirtel Stuart J. , Ruggles Dennis I. , Flynn Thomas J. , Sobotka Thomas J.
Published: February 2008

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin food contaminant found in several cereal grains. The literature on the liver toxicity of DON in vivo is conflicting and does not clearly characterize its hepatotoxic effects. Cultured rat liver clone‐9 cells were used as a model to assess the hepatotoxic potential of DON. The cell cultures, seeded onto 96‐well plates, were treated at confluence with varying concentrations of DON (0–100 µg ml−1) for 48 h at 37 °C in 5% CO2. After the treatment period, the cells were assayed for a number of hepatotoxic endpoints that included cytotoxicity, double‐stranded DNA (ds‐DNA) content, oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. The concentration‐dependent toxicity of DON, as measured by cytotoxicity and ds‐DNA content, was observed over the entire concentration range studied beginning at 0.5 µg ml−1. DON also induced a significant concentration‐dependent increase in oxidative stress at DON concentrations starting at 10 µg ml−1. The mitochondrial function of the treated cells decreased with the increasing concentration of DON exposure, but it was not statistically different from that of the control value. Liver histopathology observed at 3, 24 and 72 h following a single intraperitoneal administration dose of DON (10 mg kg−1 BW) to adult male rats is consistent with early mild hepatotoxicity. The overall results of this study suggest that acute DON exposure has early mild cytotoxic effects on hepatocytes in vivo that are expressed as severe effects in rat liver clone‐9 cells in vitro. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of human mesenchymal stem cells response to biomimetic bioglass‐collagen‐hyaluronic acid‐phosphatidylserine composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Xu Caixia , Wang Yingjun , Yu Xinbing , Chen Xiaofeng , Li Xiangjun , Yang Xuhui , Li Shunong , Zhang Xiuming , Xiang Andy Peng
Published: February 2008

The aim of this study was to examine in vitro the response of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on the novel biomimetic bioglass‐collagen‐hyaluronic acid‐phosphatidylserine (BG‐COL‐HYA‐PS) composite scaffold for potential use in bone tissue engineering. The initial attachment, the proliferation, migration and differentiation behavior of the cells on the BG‐COL‐HYA‐PS composites were assessed in comparison with those on pure 58sBG, BG‐COL, and BG‐COL‐HYA composites in either growth medium (L‐DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum) or osteogenic medium (growth medium supplemented with 0.1 μM dexamethasone, 10 mM β‐glycerophosphate, and 50 μM ascorbic acid). HMSCs attached, and subsequently proliferated and migrated on the BG‐COL‐HYA‐PS composites to a significantly higher degree. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity and the expression of the bone associated gene ALP, osteocalcin (OC), and osteopontin (OPN) was also significantly higher in the hMSCs on the BG‐COL‐HYA‐PS scaffolds than those on the BG‐COL, BG‐COL‐HYA composites and the pure 58sBG. These findings suggest that the BG‐COL‐HYA‐PS composite porous scaffolds have high potential for use as scaffolds in bone tissue engineering and repair. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Staff attachment styles: a pilot study investigating the influence of adult attachment styles on staff psychological mindedness and therapeutic relationships
Authors: Berry Katherine , Shah Rakhi , Cook Amy , Geater Ellie , Barrowclough Christine , Wearden Alison
Published: February 2008

The attachment styles of psychiatric staff are likely to impact on their capacity to form positive therapeutic relationships with patients with psychosis. Twenty staff completed a measure assessing levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance. Staff and patients completed a measure of patients' interpersonal problems and staff completed the Five‐Minute Speech Sample, which was used to derive ratings of psychological mindedness and therapeutic relationships. Higher staff avoidance was associated with greater discrepancies in staff and patient ratings of patients' interpersonal problems and poorer staff psychological mindedness. Lower staff anxiety and avoidance were associated with positive therapeutic relationships. Findings warrant replication in larger samples, but suggest that staff attachment style may be important in the development of better quality staff and patient relationships. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 355–363, 2008.
The construct of alexithymia: associations with defense mechanisms
Authors: Helmes Edward , McNeill Pamela D. , Holden Ronald R. , Jackson Chris
Published: February 2008

Alexithymia is a dimensional personality construct that encompasses a cluster of cognitive and affective characteristics relating to difficulty identifying and describing feelings, limited imaginal capacity, and having an externally oriented thinking style. Attempts to explain the etiology of high levels of alexithymia have resulted in disagreements regarding the relationship between alexithymia and psychological defense mechanisms. Much of the previous research suggests strong associations between alexithymia and immature or maladaptive defense styles. To examine these relationships using correlations, multiple regression and factor analytic techniques, three nonclinical populations in Australia and Canada were studied with a view to evaluating the association of defense mechanisms and response styles with alexithymia. Our results support the association of alexithymia with emotional inhibition, but extend those associations to immature defense styles and aspects of social desirability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 318–331, 2008
The contribution of the swimbladder to buoyancy in the adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): A morphometric analysis
Authors: Robertson George N. , Lindsey Benjamin W. , Dumbarton Tristan C. , Croll Roger P. , Smith Frank M.
Published: February 2008

Many teleost fishes use a swimbladder, a gas‐filled organ in the coelomic cavity, to reduce body density toward neutral buoyancy, thus minimizing the locomotory cost of maintaining a constant depth in the water column. However, for most swimbladder‐bearing teleosts, the contribution of this organ to the attainment of neutral buoyancy has not been quantified. Here, we examined the quantitative contribution of the swimbladder to buoyancy and three‐dimensional stability in a small cyprinid, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). In aquaria during daylight hours, adult animals were observed at mean depths from 10.1 ± 6.0 to 14.2 ± 5.6 cm below the surface. Fish mass and whole‐body volume were linearly correlated (r2 = 0.96) over a wide range of body size (0.16–0.73 g); mean whole‐body density was 1.01 ± 0.09 g cm−3. Stereological estimations of swimbladder volume from linear dimensions of lateral X‐ray images and direct measurements of gas volumes recovered by puncture from the same swimbladders showed that results from these two methods were highly correlated (r2 = 0.85). The geometric regularity of the swimbladder thus permitted its volume to be accurately estimated from a single lateral image. Mean body density in the absence of the swimbladder was 1.05 ± 0.04 g cm−3. The swimbladder occupied 5.1 ± 1.4% of total body volume, thus reducing whole‐body density significantly. The location of the centers of mass and buoyancy along rostro‐caudal and dorso‐ventral axes overlapped near the ductus communicans, a constriction between the anterior and posterior swimbladder chambers. Our work demonstrates that the swimbladder of the adult zebrafish contributes significantly to buoyancy and attitude stability. Furthermore, we describe and verify a stereological method for estimating swimbladder volume that will aid future studies of the functions of this organ. J Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphological relationships and leukocyte influence on steroid production in the epigonal organ‐ovary complex of the skate, Leucoraja erinacea
Authors: Lutton B.V. , Callard I.P.
Published: February 2008

In elasmobranchs, a unique association exists between an immune tissue, the epigonal organ (EO), and the gonads. In this study, the histological and vascular relationships of the EO and ovarian follicles of the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea, were assessed. Perfusions of Evans blue dye and Batson's monomer showed a shared vascular pathway from the gonadal artery into the epigonal‐ovary complex, with blood first entering the EO and then perfusing the ovarian follicles. Histological studies demonstrated direct cellular contact between epigonal leukocytes and the follicle wall (FW), as well as the presence of leukocytes between the steroidogenic theca and granulosa cells. In vitro analyses demonstrated that epigonal cells co‐cultured with FW cells cause a dose‐dependent inhibition of estrogen (E2) and testosterone (T) production. In contrast, conditioned media from epigonal leukocytes, stimulated or unstimulated with lipopolysaccharide (10 μg/ml), increase the production of E2 and T from FW cells of the ovaries. These studies provide a basis for further investigations of leukocyte secreted factors and cell contact modulation of follicular steroid production. J Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Skating and diving: Changes in functional morphology of the setal and microtrichial cover during ontogenesis in Aquarius paludum fabricius (Heteroptera, Gerridae)
Authors: Goodwyn P.J. Perez , Voigt D. , Fujisaki K.
Published: February 2008

We examined the morphology of setae and microtrichia in Aquarius paludum during larval development using a scanning electron microscope. We then conducted immersion experiments with larvae and adults in oxygenated and deoxygenated water. The adult water strider body is covered by a pilose double layer consisting of upper long setae (30–80 μm) and lower filiform microtrichia (5–9 μm). Only setae are present on the legs. Microtrichia on the larval body are very short: 0.5–0.6 μm in first and second instars, and 0.8–1.7 μm in third to fifth instars. Larval body setae are approximately as long as those of adults (25–50 μm), but are much less dense at 1,800–5,750 setae per mm2 versus 15,000–20,000 setae per mm2 in adults. The density of setae on the legs remains relatively constant throughout development (larvae: 15,000–20,000 setae per mm2; adults: 20,000–26,000 setae per mm2). Immersion experiments demonstrated that young instars may use cuticular respiration. First‐ and second‐instar larvae survived underwater for several hours without a visible air supply, although they did not survive in deoxygenated water. We posit that the short body microtrichia have a waterproofing function in larvae, whereas they create a compressible air bubble in adults. In adults, waterproofing is accomplished by the setae. The density and length of setae on the legs of larvae was nearly the same as that on the body and legs of adults and is presumably optimized for waterproofing. Thus, a change in morphometrical parameters can result in a large functional change in the same structure. We discuss this interpretation in both ecological and physiological contexts. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reproductive role of attaching filaments on the egg envelope in Xenopoecilus sarasinorum (Adrianichthidae, teleostei)
Authors: Iwamatsu Takashi , Kobayashi Hirokuni , Sato Masahiro , Yamashita Masakane
Published: February 2008

Eggs of Xenopoecilus sarasinorum possess two distinct types of filaments on the surface of the egg envelope (chorion), long, attaching filaments restricted to the vegetal pole and weak, nonattaching filaments around the animal pole (micropyle). Both types are formed during oogenesis. After mature eggs were spawned through the urogenital pore, they were fertilized and hung in an abdominal concavity of the female. Oviposition never took place in the presence of embryos in the concavity because of the retardation of oogenesis. The loosely tangled tips of the attaching filaments that are retained within the ovarian cavity plug the urogenital pore by forming a hard complex with the epithelial cells. Into this plug structure that fuses with the inner wall of the urogenital pore, capillaries are provided. Within 5 days after the initiation of hatching, this plug degenerates and is released from the urogenital pore. Thus, in female X. sarasinorum, the reproductive cycle seems to be regulated by the physiological function ofthe plug structure formed by the attaching filaments in response to the presence of developing embryos. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bright‐dark ring sign in MR imaging of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma
Authors: Economopoulos Nikos , Kelekis Nikolaos L. , Argentos Stylianos , Tsompanlioti Christina , Patapis Pavlos , Nikolaou Ioanna , Gouliamos Athanassios
Published: February 2008

We describe the imaging findings in a rare case of multifocal nodular form of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma on ultrasound (US) and dynamic contrast‐enhanced spiral computed tomography (CT) and MRI. The nodules showed multilayered target appearance on MR images with prominent peripheral rim with high signal intensity (SI) on T1‐weighted and very low SI on T2‐weighted images, corresponding to thrombosed vascular channels. The above combination of imaging findings is to our knowledge distinct and should suggest the diagnosis of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A single‐point dixon technique for fat‐suppressed fast 3D gradient‐echo imaging with a flexible echo time
Authors: Ma Jingfei
Published: February 2008

Purpose

To develop a single‐point Dixon (SPD) technique that requires only data of a single echo with a flexible echo time, and to demonstrate its use for fat‐suppressed, T1‐weighted contrast agent enhancement studies.

Materials and Methods

Raw data were collected using a product fast 3D gradient‐echo pulse sequence. Phase‐error removal and fat‐suppression (FS) were achieved using a fully‐automated region‐growing algorithm. A water and fat phantom and the abdomen and breast of cancer patients before and after injection of gadolinium contrast agent were imaged at varying echo times. Scan time efficiency and overall FS quality were compared to those by the product fast 3D gradient‐echo technique with conventional FS.

Results

In phantom, the SPD technique achieved uniform FS for a wide range of echo times corresponding to the water and fat relative phase angles between 100° and 160°. In patients, the technique was able to achieve approximately 30% scan time reduction and more uniform FS when compared to using the conventional FS technique but otherwise identical scan parameters.

Conclusion

The SPD technique compares favorably in scan time efficiency and FS uniformity and can be useful for fast T1‐weighted and fat‐suppressed imaging with contrast agent administration. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Segmentation of cardiac cine MR images of left and right ventricles: Interactive semiautomated methods and manual contouring by two readers with different education and experience
Authors: Sardanelli Francesco , Quarenghi Matteo , Di Leo Giovanni , Boccaccini Leonardo , Schiavi Angelo
Published: February 2008

Purpose

To test interactive semiautomated methods (ISAM) vs. manual contouring (MC) in segmenting cardiac cine MR images.

Materials and Methods

Short‐axis images of 10 consecutive patients (1.5–81.5 years of age) were evaluated by a trained radiologist (R1) and a low‐trained engineer (R2). Each of them performed four independent reading sessions: two using ISAM and two using MC. Left ventricle (LV) myocardial mass (LVMM), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and right ventricle (RV) ejection fraction (RVEF) were obtained. Bland‐Altman analysis and Wilcoxon test were used.

Results

The bias ± 2 standard deviations (SD) of ISAM vs. MC for LVMM (g) was –5.7 ± 13.4 (R1) and –5.5 ± 26.3 (R2); for LVEF (%) it was –1.4 ± 13.0 and –2.9 ± and 6.8; for RVEF (%) it was 2.6 ± 17.0 and 1.0 ± 16.7. Considering both readers/methods, intraobserver bias ± 2 SD ranged from 0.3 ± 25.3 to –6.8 ± 23.0, from 0.2 ± 8.0 to –4.4 ± 15.8, and from –0.0 ± 26.4 to –4.6 ± 27.8, respectively. Interobserver bias ± 2 SD was –25.9 ± 46.0 (ISAM) and 26.1 ± 36.4 (MC), –1.4 ± 8.6 (ISAM) and 0.1 ± 17.9 (MC), and 0.7 ± 23.3 and 2.3 ± 29.8, respectively. Larger SDs were systematically found for RVEF vs. LVEF. Segmentation times: five minutes for LV with ISAM (both readers); for LV with MC, six (R1) vs. nine minutes (R2) (P < 0.001); five to six minutes for RV (both methods /readers). R2 significantly reduced LV segmentation times from nine (MC) to five minutes (ISAM) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

A highly reproducible LV segmentation was performed in a short time by R1. The advantage of ISAM vs. MC for LV segmentation was a time saving only for R2. For RVEF, a lower reproducibility was observed for both methods and readers. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
White matter microstructural abnormalities in children with spina bifida myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus: A diffusion tensor tractography study of the association pathways
Authors: Hasan Khader M. , Eluvathingal Thomas J. , Kramer Larry A. , Ewing‐Cobbs Linda , Dennis Maureen , Fletcher Jack M.
Published: February 2008

Purpose

To quantify microstructural abnormalities in the major association pathways of children affected by spina bifida myelomeningocele (SBM) and shunted hydrocephalus using whole‐brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Materials and Methods

The institutional review board approved this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)‐compliant study and written informed consent/assent were obtained prior to the study. The 69 participants included 38 children with SBM and shunted hydrocephalus (age mean ± SD = 12.30 ± 2.10 years; 22 boys; 10 left‐handed) and 31 age‐ and sex‐matched normally‐developing children (11.56 ± 2.72 years; 15 boys, four left‐handed). Diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) was performed to delineate and quantify bilaterally four major association pathways (arcuate, inferior longitudinal, inferior frontooccipital, and uncinate fasciculi).

Results

The group with SBM did not exhibit the pattern of age‐related decreases in the diffusivities observed in the controls. The transverse and axial diffusivities were significantly elevated in most of the white matter pathways of the participants with SBM. The fractional anisotropy (FA) was significantly lower in most of the association pathways. Many of the association pathways were not traceable in some participants with SBM compared to the controls at the selected FA thresholds.

Conclusion

DTT revealed diffusion tensor characteristics of abnormal development (nonvisualization/poor visualization of tracts, ↓ FA, ↑ diffusivities), impairment in myelination (↑ transverse diffusivity) as well as abnormalities in intrinsic axonal characteristics and extraaxonal/extracellular space (↑ axial diffusivity) in the association pathways of the SBM children. The differences in the diffusion metrics observed in the children with SBM are suggestive of abnormal white matter development and persistent degeneration with increased age. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An algorithm for thorough background subtraction from high‐resolution LC/MS data: application for detection of glutathione‐trapped reactive metabolites
Authors: Zhang Haiying , Yang Yanou
Published: February 2008

A control sample background‐subtraction algorithm was developed for thorough subtraction of background and matrix‐related signals in high‐resolution, accurate mass liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) data to reveal ions of interest in an analyte sample. This algorithm checked all ions in the control scans within a specified time window around the analyte scan for potential subtraction of ions found in that analyte scan. Applying this method, chromatographic fluctuations between runs were dealt with and background and matrix‐related signals in the sample could be thoroughly subtracted. The effectiveness of this algorithm was demonstrated using four test compounds, clozapine, diclofenac, imipramine, and tacrine, to reveal glutathione (GSH)‐trapped reactive metabolites after incubation with human liver microsomes supplemented with GSH (30 µMcompound, 45‐min incubation). Using this algorithm with a ± 1.0 min control scan time window, a ± 5 ppm mass error tolerance, and appropriate control samples, the GSH‐trapped metabolites were revealed as the major peaks in the processed LC/MS profiles. Such profiles allowed for comprehensive and reliable identification of these metabolites without the need for any presumptions regarding their behavior or properties with respect to mass spectrometric detection. The algorithm was shown to provide superior results when compared to several commercially available background‐subtraction algorithms. Many of the metabolites detected were doubly charged species which would be difficult to detect with traditional GSH adduct screening techniques, and thus, some of the adducts have not previously been reported in the literature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymethylmethacrylate particles inhibit osteoblastic differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 osteoprogenitor cells
Authors: Chiu Richard , Ma Ting , Smith R. Lane , Goodman Stuart B.
Published: February 2008

Orthopedic wear debris has been implicated as a significant inhibitory factor of osteoblast differentiation. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles have been previously shown to inhibit the differentiation of osteoprogenitors in heterogeneous murine marrow stromal cell cultures, but the effect of PMMA particles on pure osteoprogenitor populations remains unknown. In this study, we challenged murine MC3T3‐E1 osteoprogenitor cells with PMMA particles during their initial differentiation in osteogenic medium. MC3T3‐E1 cultures challenged with PMMA particles showed a gradual dose‐dependent decrease in mineralization, cell number, and alkaline phosphatase activity at low particle doses (0.038–0.150% v/v) and complete reduction of these outcome parameters at high particle doses (≥0.300% v/v). MC3T3‐E1 cultures challenged with a high particle dose (0.300% v/v) showed no rise in these outcome parameters over time, whereas cultures challenged with a low particle dose (0.075% v/v) showed a normal or reduced rate of increase compared to controls. Osteocalcin production was not significantly affected by particles at all doses tested. MC3T3‐E1 cells grown in conditioned medium from particle‐treated MC3T3‐E1 cultures showed a significant reduction in mineralization only. These results indicate that direct exposure of MC3T3‐E1 osteoprogenitors to PMMA particles results in suppression of osteogenic proliferation and differentiation. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:932–936, 2008
An evaluation of the psychometric properties of the traumatic events questionnaire in primary care patients
Authors: Crawford Eric F. , Lang Ariel J. , Laffaye Charlene
Published: February 2008

This study examined the reliability of reports of traumatic experiences across the Traumatic Events Questionnaire (TEQ; S. Vrana & D. Lauterbach, 1994) and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI; World Health Organization, 1998), and evaluated other psychometric properties of the TEQ in 154 primary care patients. Agreement rates for various traumatic experiences were moderate to substantial, with sexual abuse showing 87% agreement, and other forms of trauma exhibiting rates from 81–74%. The TEQ yields a trauma intensity score, which produced stronger correlations with self‐reported PTSD symptoms and problematic anger than the sum of traumas experienced. Trauma intensity also proved to be a powerful predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnostic status. Results support the TEQ as a measure of traumatic exposure in primary care populations.
PTSD symptom clusters associated with physical health and health care utilization in rural primary care patients exposed to natural disaster
Authors: Polusny Melissa A. , Ries Barry J. , Schultz Jessica R. , Calhoun Patrick , Clemensen Lisa , Johnsen Ingrid R.
Published: February 2008

This study investigated the influence of exposure to a tornado disaster and disaster‐related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology on physical health complaints and primary health care utilization among rural medical patients. One‐hundred five patients completed self‐report measures assessing disaster exposure, PTSD symptoms, and self‐reported physical health complaints. Objective rates of health care utilization were gathered by a review of medical records. Tornado disaster exposure and generalized psychological distress were associated with physical health complaints one year following the disaster. After controlling for age, gender, and levels of predisaster health care utilization, PTSD Cluster C (avoidance) symptoms were associated with increased rates of postdisaster health care utilization. Implications of these findings for interventions within the medical system are discussed.
Assessing risk of violent behavior among veterans with severe mental illness
Authors: Elbogen Eric B. , Beckham Jean C. , Butterfield Marian I. , Swartz Marvin , Swanson Jeffrey
Published: February 2008

Although empirical research has examined factors associated with increased violence risk among individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) and among veterans without SMI, less attention has been devoted to identifying violence risk factors among veterans with SMI. Using multivariable analysis of a large pooled sample of individuals with SMI, this study examines violence risk factors of N = 278 veterans with SMI. In multivariate modeling, violence by veterans with SMI was associated with head injury, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and homelessness. Results support the view clinicians assessing violence risk among veterans with SMI should consider a combination of characteristics empirically related to violence by non‐veterans with SMI (e.g., homelessness) and veterans without SMI (e.g., PTSD).
Indirect exposure to the September 11 terrorist attacks: Does symptom structure resemble PTSD?
Authors: Suvak Michael , Maguen Shira , Litz Brett T. , Silver Roxane Cohen , Holman E. Alison
Published: February 2008

The authors conducted confirmatory factor analyses of reports of posttraumatic stress reactions using a national probability sample of individuals indirectly exposed to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (n = 675). Reactions at three time points in the year after the attacks were best accounted for by a lower‐order, 4‐factor solution (Reexperiencing, Strategic Avoidance, Emotional Numbing, and Hyperarousal Symptoms). Indirect exposure to a traumatic event appears to induce a response with a similar symptom structure as responses to direct exposure.
Traumatized youth and substance abuse treatment outcomes: A longitudinal study
Authors: Williams Julie K. , Smith Douglas C. , Gotman Nathan , Sabri Bushra , An Hyonggin , Hall James A.
Published: February 2008

This longitudinal study examined whether youth with high traumatic stress (HTS) respond differently to outpatient substance abuse treatment compared to youth without HTS at intake, and at 3 and 6 months following intake. Data were analyzed using a mixed‐effects two‐part model to fit repeated data with zero saturation. Clients in both groups significantly increased their odds of abstinence and full symptom remission of substance problems from baseline to 6 months. Of youth still using substances, the group with HTS reduced substance use significantly more than substance users without HTS. Recommendations for future research are provided.
Persisting posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and their relationship to functioning in Vietnam veterans: A 14‐year follow‐up
Authors: Koenen Karestan C. , Stellman Steven D. , Sommer John F. , Stellman Jeanne Mager
Published: February 2008

The authors examined the longitudinal association between persisting posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and multiple domains of life functioning in a community sample of 1,377 American Legionnaire Vietnam veterans first assessed in 1984 and followed‐up 14 years later. Almost 30 years after their return from Vietnam, 10% of veterans continued to experience severe PTSD symptoms. At all levels of combat exposure, persisting severe PTSD symptoms were associated with worse family relationships, more smoking, less life satisfaction and happiness, more mental health service use, and more nonspecific health complaints at the 14‐year follow‐up. Further investigation is needed to determine whether the PTSD‐functioning relationship is causal and if successful treatment of PTSD is associated with improvement in functioning.
Deployment stressors and posttraumatic stress symptomatology: Comparing active duty and National Guard/Reserve personnel from Gulf War I
Authors: Vogt Dawne S. , Samper Rita E. , King Daniel W. , King Lynda A. , Martin James A.
Published: February 2008

The increased use of National Guard and Reserve (NG/R) military personnel in current conflicts raises the question of whether deployment experiences and their associations with posttraumatic stress symptomatology differ for active duty and NG/R military personnel. To date, very few studies are available on this topic. Moreover, it is unclear whether the impact of military status differs for women and men. We addressed these research issues in a sample of 311 female and male Gulf War I veterans. Several differences were observed in deployment stressor exposures and results based on differential associations generally suggested more negative impacts of deployment experiences for active duty women and NG/R men. The potential role of unit cohesion in explaining these findings is discussed.
Changes in psychiatric status and service use associated with continued compensation seeking after claim determinations for posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Sayer Nina A. , Spoont Michele , Nelson David B. , Clothier Barb , Murdoch Maureen
Published: February 2008

This study examined changes in psychiatric status and use of VA mental health services after the adjudication of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of 101 veteran claimants. Hypotheses were based on the premise that the claims process may create incentives for veterans to demonstrate illness. After the PTSD claim determination, half the sample had filed or planned to file a claim for a rating increase or an appeal and thus remained compensation seeking. Contradicting the authors' hypotheses, psychiatric status did not improve and treatment drop‐out rates did not increase among veterans who were no longer compensation seeking after the claim determination. Results have implications for the design and direction of future research.
Acute stress symptoms during the second Lebanon war in a random sample of Israeli citizens
Authors: Cohen Miri , Yahav Rivka
Published: February 2008

The aims of this study were to assess prevalence of acute stress disorder (ASD) and acute stress symptoms (ASS) in Israel during the second Lebanon war. A telephone survey was conducted in July 2006 of a random sample of 235 residents of northern Israel, who were subjected to missile attacks, and of central Israel, who were not subjected to missile attacks. Results indicate that ASS scores were higher in the northern respondents; 6.8% of the northern sample and 3.9% of the central sample met ASD criteria. Appearance of each symptom ranged from 15.4% for dissociative to 88.4% for reexperiencing, with significant differences between northern and central respondents only for reexperiencing and arousal. A low ASD rate and a moderate difference between areas subjected and not subjected to attack were found.
Flow of a non‐linear (density‐gradient‐dependent) viscous fluid with heat generation, viscous dissipation and radiation
Authors: Massoudi Mehrdad , Phuoc Tran X.
Published: February 2008

In this paper, we study the flow of a compressible (density‐gradient‐dependent) non‐linear fluid down an inclined plane, subject to radiation boundary condition. The convective heat transfer is also considered where a source term, similar to the Arrhenius type reaction, is included. The non‐dimensional forms of the equations are solved numerically and the competing effects of conduction, dissipation, heat generation and radiation are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Removing undersampling artifacts in DCE‐MRI studies using independent components analysis
Authors: Martel A.L. , Chan R.W. , Ramsay E. , Plewes D.B.
Published: February 2008

In breast MRI mammography both high temporal resolution and high spatial resolution have been shown to be important in improving specificity. Adaptive methods such as projection reconstruction time‐resolved imaging of contrast kinetics (PR‐TRICKS) allow images to be reconstructed at various temporal and spatial resolutions from the same data set. The main disadvantage is that the undersampling, which is necessary to produce high temporal resolution images, leads to the presence of streak artifacts in the images. We present a novel method of removing these artifacts using independent components analysis (ICA) and demonstrate that this results in a significant improvement in image quality for both simulation studies and for patient dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI images. We also investigate the effect of artifacts on two quantitative measures of contrast enhancement. Using simulation studies we demonstrate that streak artifacts lead to pronounced periodic oscillations in pixel concentration curves which, in turn, lead to increased errors and introduce bias into heuristic measurements. ICA filtering significantly reduces this bias and improves accuracy. Pharmacokinetic modeling was more robust and there was no evidence of bias due to the presence of streak artifacts. ICA filtering did not significantly reduce the errors in the estimated pharmacokinetic parameters; however, the chi‐squared error was greatly reduced after ICA filtering. Magn Reson Med, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Implementation of a physical activity intervention for people with rheumatoid arthritis: A case study
Authors: van den Berg M.H. , van der Giesen F.J. , van Zeben D. , van Groenendael J.H.L.M. , Seys P.E.H. , Vliet Vlieland T.P.M.
Published: February 2008

Objectives: To investigate the potential facilitators and barriers regarding the implementation on a larger scale of an internet‐based physical activity intervention which had previously proved to be effective in a randomized, controlled trial concerning sedentary patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Assuming a central delivery of the intervention by two trained physical therapists in four regions in the Netherlands, the following activities were employed: the recruitment of potential participants (RA patients), the acquisition of cooperation from referring rheumatologists and the acquisition of reimbursement from regional health insurance companies. Evaluation was done by means of the Reach, Evaluation, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework, of which the following three dimensions were considered relevant: Reach (the number of potential participants), Adoption (readiness for adopting the programme in real life among rheumatologists) and Implementation (the extent to which the intervention could be delivered as intended). Evaluation measures comprised a postal survey among 927 patients with RA in two regions, a telephone survey among rheumatology centres in four regions and consultations with five regional health insurance companies.

Results: Seventy‐six out of 461 responding RA patients (20%) met the original study inclusion criteria (being sedentary and having access to the internet) and were interested in participation. However, the potential costs of the purchase of a bicycle ergometer and the interference with patients' current physical therapy were obstacles for eligible patients actually to participate. Rheumatologists in four out of five rheumatology centres were willing to participate. All five health insurance companies were willing to reimburse the guidance and feedback by the physical therapist, and the costs of the internet site (estimated costs €271 [£203] per patient per year), but not the bicycle ergometer (estimated costs €350 [£262]), provided that current physical therapy would be discontinued.

Conclusions: Facilitators for the implementation of an internet‐based physical activity intervention were: (i) a considerable proportion of RA patients were eligible and interested in the programme; (ii) the majority of rheumatologists were willing to refer patients; and (iii) health insurance companies were willing partially to reimburse the intervention. Barriers were the additional costs for patients and their unwillingness to discontinue current physical therapy. These findings underscore the need for additional research into barriers to participation in physical activity interventions among patients with RA, and in reimbursement strategies in particular. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radiofrequency coils for magnetic resonance microscopy
Authors: Neuberger Thomas , Webb Andrew
Published: February 2008

Given the several orders of magnitude fewer spins per voxel for MR microscopy than for conventional MRI, efficient coil design is important to obtain sufficient signal‐to‐noise within reasonable data acquisition times. As MR microscopy is typically performed using very high magnetic fields, coil design must also incorporate the effects of increased component losses and skin‐depth‐dependent resistance, as well as radiation losses and phase effects for coils when conductor dimensions constitute a substantial fraction of the electromagnetic wavelength. For samples much less than 1 mm in size, wire solenoids or microfabricated planar coils are used. For samples with diameters of several millimeters, saddle, birdcage, Alderman–Grant or millipede coils become the preferred choice. Recent advances in multiple‐coil probes and phased arrays have been used to reduce data acquisition time and/or increase sample throughput, and small superconducting coils have shown significant improvements in signal‐to‐noise over equivalently sized room‐temperature coils. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbenes in polycyclic systems: generation and fate of potential adamantane‐1,3‐dicarbenes
Authors: Klaić Lada , Alešković Marija , Veljković Jelena , Mlinarić‐Majerski Kata
Published: February 2008

Potential formation and reactions of adamantane‐1,3‐dicarbenes 1–3 generated under different conditions and from different precursors, such as sodium salt of adamantane‐1,3‐dicarbaldehyde ditosylhydrazone (4a), sodium salt of 1,3‐diacetyladamantane ditosylhydrazone (5a), sodium salt of 1,3‐dibenzoyladamantane ditosylhydrazone (6a), and 1,3‐bis(diazobenzyl)adamantane (7) are reported. Carbene species generated thermally from 4a yielded bishomoadamantane (15), as a final product, via intramolecular insertion into adjacent CC bond and formation of putative anti‐Bredt olefin species, followed by hydrogen abstraction. Pyrolysis of the same sodium salt 4a in the presence of hydrogen donor n‐Bu3SnH afforded 1,3‐dimethyladamantane (17). Thermal decomposition of sodium salt 5a afforded 1,3‐divinyladamantane (14). However, thermal decomposition of sodium salt 6a and diazo‐precursor 7 gave benzonitrile as a sole identified product. On the contrary, photolysis of 7 afforded dimeric azine 21. Finally, the synthetic pathways of novel tosylhydrazone derivatives 4, 5, 6 and their corresponding sodium salts, as well as bis‐diazocompound 7 are described. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Initiator selectivity during free radical copolymerizations of styrene and methyl methacrylate initiated by anaerobic copper(II) oxidation of carbon‐13 labeled acetophenone
Authors: Harwood H. James , McNamara Kristin , Johnson James J. , Wyzgoski Faith J.
Published: February 2008

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of the 13C‐labeled chain ends of polystyrene, polyMMA, and styrene‐MMA copolymers prepared by polymerizations initiated using 13C‐labeled‐phenacyl radicals were investigated. The phenacyl radicals were generated by anaerobic oxidation of acetophenone‐methyl‐13C using a Cu(II) octanoate‐pyridine complex in the presence of triethylamine and triphenylphosphine. NMR analysis of the 13C‐labeled chain ends of these polymers afforded insight into the initiation mechanism. In copolymerization experiments using 13C‐labeled acetophenone initiator, the NMR spectra provided evidence that the phenacyl radical reacts 2.7 times faster with styrene than with MMA. The resonances of the labeled phenacyl carbons also showed that the sequence and stereosequence distributions of monomer units at the chain ends are nearly the same as those that prevail along the polymer chains. Styrene–styrene, styrene–MMA, and MMA–styrene enchainments at the chain ends are equally likely to have meso (erythro) or racemic(threo) configurations but the ratio of meso to racemic MMA‐MMA enchainments is ∼ 3/7. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2347–2356, 2008
Bipolar poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)s bearing electron‐donating triphenylamine or carbazole and electron‐accepting quinoxaline moieties
Authors: Karastatiris Panayiotis , Mikroyannidis John A. , Spiliopoulos Ioakim K.
Published: February 2008

Two new poly(phenylene vinylene)s (PPVs) carrying electron‐donating triphenylamine or carbazole and electron‐deficient quinoxaline units were synthesized and characterized. Their properties were compared with those of PPV containing only quinoxaline unit. The two polymers showed PL maximum at 501–510 in solution and 533–540 in thin film. Because of the presence of electron donor and acceptor units they displayed strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effects; hence, low‐photoluminescence quantum yields. The polymers showed reversible electrochemical reduction with electron affinity of 2.75 eV and irreversible oxidation with ionization potential of 5.10–5.24 eV. Single‐layer LED of configuration ITO/PEDOT/polymer/Al showed low turn‐on voltage at 5 V, but limited brightness of 50–60 cdm−2. The electroluminescence maximum was voltage‐tunable varying from 500 to 542 nm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2367–2378, 2008
Pressure‐induced molecular assembly of hydrogen‐bonded polymers
Authors: Mutsuo Shingo , Yamamoto Kazuya , Furuzono Tsutomu , Kimura Tsuyoshi , Ono Tsutomu , Kishida Akio
Published: February 2008

Controlling the noncovalent bondings such as electrostatic interaction, van der Waals force and hydrogen bond, is the key factor to generate molecular assembly. We show that pressure is one of the most intensive variables for controlling these intermolecular forces and producing assembled structure. Macrogel and nanoparticles of hydrogen‐bonded polymers were simply obtained through an ultrahigh‐pressure process. The morphology of the obtained assembly depends on concentration and various conditions of the pressurization. These results indicate that the ultrahigh‐pressure induces inter/intra‐hydrogen bond, which is strong enough to maintain microassemblies such as gels and particles. This methodology leads to the molecular design of pressure‐induced molecular assembly, and nonharmful processes for molecular separation and drug development. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 743–750, 2008
PVDF/PMMA brushes membrane for lithium‐ion rechargeable batteries prepared via preirradiation grafting technique
Authors: Li Zhiming , Wei Jiangong , Shan Feng , Yang Jun , Wang Xinling
Published: February 2008

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was anchored to multiporous poly(vinylidine fluoride) (PVDF) surface via electron beam preirradiation grafting technique to prepare PVDF/PMMA brushes. The conformation of the PVDF/PMMA brushes was verified through Attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal stability of PVDF/PMMA brushes was characterized by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The degradation of PVDF/PMMA brushes showed a two‐step pattern. PVDF/PMMA brushes membrane could be used as polymer electrolyte in lithium‐ion rechargeable batteries after it was activated by uptaking 1 M LiPF6/EC‐DMC (ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate; EC:DMC = 1:1 by volume) electrolyte solution. The activated membrane showed high ionic conductivity, 6.1 × 10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature, and a good electrochemical stability up to 5.0 V. The excellent performances of multiporous PVDF‐g‐PMMA membranes suggest that they are suitable for application in high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 751–758, 2008
Thermal regime of openwork block fields on the mountains Elgåhogna and Sølen, central‐eastern Norway
Authors: Juliussen Håvard , Humlum Ole
Published: February 2008

Ground temperatures in openwork blocky debris are frequently lower than in bedrock or regolith with a matrix of fine sediment, creating a negative temperature anomaly. Two years of temperature measurements in seven 1‐m‐deep profiles located in central‐eastern Norway showed that mean annual ground temperatures were 1.3–2.0°C lower in block fields (felsenmeer) compared with till and bedrock. These data suggest that mountain permafrost can be present in block fields several hundred metres lower than in bedrock and till, providing other conditions remain the same. Better thermal coupling of the ground and the air in winter was responsible for the observed anomaly, probably caused by enhanced conduction through blocks protruding into and through the snow and thereby acting as efficient heat bridges. Convection in the blocky debris, which has been used previously as an explanation of the negative thermal anomaly, was less important than initially presumed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.