bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Source Remotely Sensed Data Combination: Projection Transformation Gap-Fill Procedure
Authors: Boloorani Ali Darvishi , Erasmi Stefan , Kappas Martin
Published: August 2008

In this work a new gap-fill technique entitled projection transformation has been developed and used for filling missed parts of remotely sensed imagery. In general techniques for filling missed area of an image are broken down into three main categories: multi-source techniques that take the advantages of other data sources (e.g. using cloud free images to reconstruct the cloudy areas of other images); the second ones fabricate the gap areas using non-gapped parts of an image itself, this group of techniques are referred to as single-source gap-fill procedures; and third group contains methods that make up a combination of both mentioned techniques, therefore they are called hybrid gap-fill procedures. Here a new developed multi-source methodology called projection transformation for filling a simulated gapped area in the Landsat7/ETM+ imagery is introduced. The auxiliary imagery to filling the gaps is an earlier obtained L7/ETM+ imagery. Ability of the technique was evaluated from three points of view: statistical accuracy measuring, visual comparison, and post classification accuracy assessment. These evaluation indicators are compared to the results obtained from a commonly used technique by the USGS as Local Linear Histogram Matching (LLHM) [1]. Results show the superiority of our technique over LLHM in almost all aspects of accuracy.
Semantic Structuring of and Information Extraction from Medical Documents Using the UMLS
Authors: Denecke K.
Published: August 2008

Objectives:
This paper introduces SeReMeD (Semantic Representation of Medical Documents), a method for automatically generating knowledge representations from natural language documents. The suitability of the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) as domain knowledge for this method is analyzed.

Methods: SeReMeD
combines existing language engineering methods and semantic transformation rules for mapping syntactic information to semantic roles. In this way, the relevant content of medical documents is mapped to semantic structures. In order to extract specific data, these semantic structures are searched for concepts and semantic roles. A study is carried out that uses
SeReMeD
to detect specific data in medical narratives such as documented diagnoses or procedures.

Results:
The system is tested on chest X-ray reports. In first evaluations of the system’s performance, the generation of semantic structures achieves a correctness of 80%, whereas the extraction of documented findings obtains values of 93% precision and 83% recall.

Conclusions:
The results suggest that the methods described here can be used to accurately extract data from medical narratives, although there is also some potential for improving the results. The proposed methods provide two main benefits. By using existing language engineering methods, the effort required to construct a medical information extraction system is reduced. It is also possible to change the domain knowledge and therefore to create a more (or less) specialized system, capable of handling various medical sub-domains.
Reliability Assessment of a Plaque Scoring Index Using Photographs
Authors: Kelly A. , Maia L. C. , Luiz R. R. , Vianna R. B. C. , Quintanilha L. E. L. P. , Antonio A. G.
Published: August 2008

Objectives:
The need to evaluate the reliability of a clinical index before using it as a research tool is clearly recognized. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate whether a new calibration method by means of photographs would be useful for assessing the examiners’ reliability in the interpretation of a plaque index.

Methods:
Nine children were randomly recruited from a public school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Two trained examiners evaluated these children for dental plaque, in a classroom environment, in order to record plaque scores. The children’s teeth were dyed and colored photographs were taken of all tooth surfaces using a camera, mouth mirrors and lip retractors. The photographs were evaluated to select and identify the best visible tooth surfaces, and the final sample consisted of 343 tooth surfaces. One week after the clinical examination, both examiners scored the tooth surfaces from the photographs according to the index used. The intra and inter-examiner agreements were measured by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for individual mean scores and for tooth surfaces scores.

Results:
The data showed an excellent agreement (ICC > 0.80) between clinical and photographic examinations, for both examiners, both for tooth surface and patient analysis. The statistics also demonstrated excellent (ICC > 0.80) inter-examiner agreement on clinical and photographic examinations.

Conclusion:
The method seems to be an effective technique to evaluate the reliability of the plaque index, improving the reproducibility of epidemiological studies.
Combining Hashing and Enciphering Algorithms for Epidemiological Analysis of Gathered Data
Authors: Fassa M. , Coatrieux G. , Trouessin G. , Allaert F. A. , Quantin C.
Published: August 2008

Objectives:
Compiling individual records coming from different sources is necessary for multi-center studies. Legal aspects can be satisfied by implementing anonymization procedures. When using these procedures with a different key for each study it becomes almost impossible to link records from separate data collections.

Methods:
The originality of the method relies on the way the combination of hashing and enciphering techniques is performed: like in asymmetric encryption, two keys are used but the private key depends on the patient’s identity.

Results:
The combination of hashing and enciphering techniques provides a great improvement in the overall security of the proposed scheme.

Conclusion:
This methodology makes stored data available for use in the field of public health, while respecting legal security requirements.
Changes in Hearing Thresholds over 10 Years in Older Adults
Authors: Wiley Terry L. , Chappell Rick , Carmichael Lakeesha , Nondahl David M. , Cruickshanks Karen J.
Published: August 2008

Changes in hearing thresholds over a 10-year period in a large population of older adults (2130) ranging in age from 48 to 92 years were documented. Pure-tone thresholds at frequencies from 0.5 to 8 kHz were evaluated at a baseline examination and 2.5, 5, and 10 years later. For younger
age groups (50–69 years of age), threshold changes were generally greatest for higher frequencies; in older age groups (70–89 years of age), threshold changes were generally greatest for lower frequencies due to a ceiling effect at higher frequencies. At frequencies of 0.5, 1,
2, and 8 kHz, the pattern of 10-year changes in thresholds across audiometric frequencies was generally similar for men and women. Threshold changes at 4 and 6 kHz were relatively constant for all ages in men across the 10-year examination period; threshold changes at the same frequencies
in women increased for the 48–59 and 60–69 years age groups and then tended to level off. Other than age and gender, the best baseline examination predictors of 10-year thresholds at a specific audiometric frequency were the baseline threshold at that frequency followed by the
baseline threshold for the next higher test frequency. Se documentó el cambio en los umbrales auditivos durante un período de 10 años en una gran población de adultos mayores (2130), con edades entre 48 y 92 años. Se evaluaron los umbrales para tonos puros
desde 0.5 a 8 kHz en una medición basal y después de 2.5, 5 y 10 años. Para grupos de edad más jóvenes (50-69 años de edad), los cambios de umbrales fueron generalmente mayores para las frecuencias más agudas; in grupos de edad mayor (70-89
años de edad), los cambios de umbral fueron generalmente mayores para las frecuencias graves, debido a una efecto tope en las frecuencias más agudas. En las frecuencias de 0.5, 1, 2 y 8 kHz, el patrón de cambio en los umbrales después de 10 años en todas
las frecuencias audiométricas fue similar para hombres y mujeres. Los cambios de umbrales en 4 y 6 kHz fueron relativamente constantes para todas las edades en los hombres, a lo largo del período de evaluación de 10 años; los cambios de umbrales en las mismas frecuencias
en mujeres aumentaron en los grupos de edad de 48–59 y 60–69 años, y luego tendieron a nivelarse. Además de la edad y el género, los mejores elementos basales de predicción de los umbrales a 10 años en una frecuencia audiométrica específica
fueron el umbral basal en esa frecuencia, seguido del umbral basal en la siguiente frecuencia de prueba más aguda.
Recording and Classification of the Acoustic Environment of Hearing Aid Users
Authors: Carola Wagener Kirsten , Hansen Martin , Ludvigsen Carl
Published: August 2008

This article investigates the different acoustic signals that hearing aid users are exposed to in their everyday environment. Binaural microphone signals from recording positions close to the microphone locations of behind-the-ear hearing aids were recorded by 20 hearing aid users during
daily life. The recorded signals were acoustically analyzed with regard to narrow-band short-term level distributions. The subjects also performed subjective assessments of their own recordings in the laboratory using several questions from the Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile (GHABP) questionnaire.
Both the questionnaire and the acoustic analysis data show that the importance, problems, and hearing aid benefit as well as the acoustic characteristics of the individual situations vary a lot across subjects. Therefore, in addition to a nonlinear hearing aid fitting, further signal classification
and signal/situation-adaptive features are highly desirable inside modern hearing aids. These should be compatible with the variability of the individual sound environments of hearing-impaired listeners. Este artículo investiga las diferentes señales acústicas a las que
están expuestos los usuarios de auxiliares auditivos en sus ambientes cotidianos. Se registraron señales biauriculares de micrófono desde posiciones de registro cercanas a la localización de los micrófonos de auxiliares auditivos retroauriculares, en 20 usuarios
de auxiliares auditivos durante su vida diaria. Las señales registradas fueron analizadas acústicamente con relación a las distribuciones de niveles de banda estrecha a corto plazo. Los sujetos también realizaron evaluaciones subjetivas de sus propios registros
en el laboratorio usando varias preguntas del cuestionario Perfil de Glasgow de Beneficio del Auxiliar Auditivo (GHABP). Tanto el cuestionario como los datos del análisis acústico mostraron que la importancia, los problemas, y el beneficio del auxiliar auditivo, así como
las características acústicas de las situaciones individuales variaban mucho entre los sujetos. Por lo tanto, además de la adaptación no lineal de los auxiliares auditivos, es deseable la existencia de clasificaciones adicionales de la señal, y de rasgos
adaptativos de señal y de situación, dentro de los auxiliares auditivos modernos. Estos deberían ser compatibles con la gran variabilidad de los ambientes sonoros individuales de los sujetos con trastornos auditivos.
Optimierung eines Raumes mithilfe von DIN 18599‐4 (Tageslicht), DIN 4108‐2 (sommerlicher Wärmeschutz) und weiterführenden Simulationen
Authors: Dietrich Udo
Published: August 2008

Die Norm DIN 18599‐4 wird als geeignetes Werkzeug zur Optimierung der Qualität der Tageslichtversorgung eines Büroraumes hinsichtlich seiner Abmessungen und Größe und der Anordnung der Fenster erfolgreich eingesetzt. Für die weitere Optimierung des Raumes hinsichtlich des sommerlichen Wärmeschutzes führt der Einsatz von DIN 4108‐2 zu unkomfortablen Verhältnissen, wie in vergleichenden Simulationen gezeigt wird. Setzt man stattdessen Simulationsprogramme zur Optimierung ein und verwendet DIN EN 15251 zur Bewertung der thermischen Behaglichkeit, können mit weiterer Optimierung komfortable Verhältnisse erzielt werden. Empfehlungen für die entsprechende Ausstattung des Raumes hinsichtlich Verschattung, natürlicher Lüftung und Kunstlichtschaltung werden abgeleitet.
Neues Berechnungsverfahren zur Standsicherheit und Gebrauchstauglichkeit von Montagewänden mit Gipsplattenbeplankung für eine erhöhte Anwendungssicherheit bei hohen Wänden
Authors: Herfurth Dominik , Krämer Georg , Bohnsack Sven , Fink Rainer , Ostermann Ralph , Rohlfs Heinrich , Gutsch Alex‐W. , Bodendiek Peter , Hirschfeld Sandra
Published: August 2008

Die Arbeitsgruppe Technik der Industriegruppe Gipsplatten (IGG) hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, das bereits hohe Niveau der Trockenbauweise in Montage, Anwendungssicherheit und Qualität durch Vervollkommnung des technischen Regelwerkes noch weiter zu verbessern. Nachfolgend berichten die Autoren über das neueste Ergebnis eines weiterentwickelten, durch umfangreiche Untersuchungen untersetzten Rechenverfahrens, das eine zuverlässige Bemessung von Ständerwänden auch für große Wandhöhen ermöglicht und als Standard‐Berechnungsverfahren ab sofort in der Leichtbauweise mit Gipsplatten Einsatz findet.
Mechanism of Binding of Fluoroquinolones to the Quinolone Resistance‐Determining Region of DNA Gyrase: Towards an Understanding of the Molecular Basis of Quinolone Resistance
Authors: Madurga Sergio , Sánchez‐Céspedes Javier , Belda Ignasi , Vila Jordi , Giralt Ernest
Published: August 2008

We have studied the bacterial resistance to fluoroquinolones that arises as a result of mutations in the DNA gyrase target protein. Although it is known that DNA gyrase is a target of quinolone antibacterial agents, the molecular details of the quinolone–gyrase interaction remain unclear. The mode of binding of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin to DNA gyrase was analyzed by means of docking calculations over the surface of the QRDR of GyrA. The analysis of these binding models allows study of the resistance mechanism associated with gyrA mutations more commonly found in E. coli fluoroquinolone‐resistant strains at the atomic level. Asp87 was found to be critical in the binding of these fluoroquinolones because it interacts with the positively charged nitrogens in these bactericidal drugs. The role of the other most common mutations at amino acid codon Ser83 can be explained through the contacts that the side chain of this residue establishes with fluoroquinolone molecules. Finally, our results strongly suggest that, although Arg121 has never been found to be associated with fluoroquinolone resistance, this residue makes a pivotal contribution to the binding of the antibiotic to GyrA and to defining its position in the QRDR of the enzyme.
Peptide‐Grafted Nanodiamonds: Preparation, Cytotoxicity and Uptake in Cells
Authors: Vial Stéphanie , Mansuy Christelle , Sagan Sandrine , Irinopoulou Theano , Burlina Fabienne , Boudou Jean‐Paul , Chassaing Gérard , Lavielle Solange
Published: August 2008

Nanodiamonds that were prepared by high pressure/high temperature were functionalised with biomolecules for biological applications. Nanodiamonds (NDs, ≤35 nm) that were coated by silanisation or with polyelectrolyte layers were grafted with a fluorescent thiolated peptide via a maleimido function; this led to an aqueous colloidal suspension that was stable for months. These substituted NDs were not cytotoxic for CHO cells. Their capacity to enter mammalian cells, and their localisation inside were ascertained after labelling the nucleus and actin, by examining the cells by confocal, reflected light and fluorescence microscopy.
ChemInform Abstract: Atomic Fluorine Anion Storage Emission Material C12A7‐F‐ and Etching of Si and SiO2 by Atomic Fluorine Anions.
Authors: Song Chongfu , Sun Jianqiu , Qiu Songbai , Yuan Lixia , Tu Jing , Torimoto Youshifumi , Sadakata Masayoshi , Li Quanxin
Published: August 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Ectopic expression of LIM‐nebulette (LASP2) reveals roles in cell migration and spreading
Authors: Deng Xiaodi A. , Norris Andrea , Panaviene Zivile , Moncman Carole L.
Published: August 2008

LIM‐nebulette (LASP2) is a small focal adhesion protein and a member of the nebulin family of actin binding proteins. This recently identified splice variant of the nebulette locus is widely expressed and highly enriched in neuronal tissue. Other than that LIM‐nebulette is a focal adhesion protein and interacts with zyxin, nothing is known about its function. Given that LIM‐nebulette has an identical modular organization and overlapping tissue distributions to that of LASP1, we have analyzed the role of LIM‐nebulette in comparison with that of LASP1. We find that LIM‐nebulette is a dynamic focal adhesion protein that increases the rate of attachment and spreading of fibroblasts on fibronectin coated surfaces. Additionally, LIM‐nebulette is recruited from the cortical cytoskeleton in non‐motile cells to focal adhesions at the leading edge of stimulated cells. In confluent cultures of HeLa and NIH3T3 cells, LIM‐nebulette co‐localizes with α‐catenin in putative adherens junctions, whereas LASP1 is devoid of these areas. Interestingly, overexpression of LIM‐nebulette in PC6 cells inhibits neurite outgrowth in response to growth factors. Collectively, our data indicate that LIM‐nebulette and LASP1 have distinct roles in the actin cytoskeleton. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gibbs measures on Brownian currents
Authors: Gubinelli Massimiliano , Lörinczi József
Published: August 2008

Motivated by applications to quantum field theory, we consider Gibbs measures for which the reference measure is Wiener measure and the interaction is given by a double stochastic integral and a pinning external potential. In order to properly characterize these measures through Dobrushin‐Lanford‐Ruelle (DLR) equations, we are led to lifting Wiener measure and other objects to a space of configurations where the basic observables are not only the position of the particle at all times but also the work done by test vector fields. We prove existence and basic properties of such Gibbs measures in the weak coupling regime by means of cluster expansion. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serum levels of pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) are positively associated with visceral adiposity in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nakamura Kazuo , Yamagishi Sho‐ichi , Adachi Hisashi , Kurita‐Nakamura Yayoi , Matsui Takanori , Inoue Hiroyoshi
Published: August 2008

Background

Pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) inhibits endothelial cell injury. Further, serum levels of PEDF are elevated in the metabolic syndrome. These observations suggest that PEDF may be elevated as a counter‐system against vascular cell damage in the metabolic syndrome. However, little is known about the regulation of PEDF in patients with diabetes. In order to clarify the determinants of serum PEDF, here, we examined the relationship between the 1‐year changes in PEDF levels and those in anthropometric and metabolic variables in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods

Eighty‐six consecutive outpatients with type 2 diabetes underwent a complete history and physical examination, determination of blood chemistries, and serum levels of PEDF at baseline and 1 year after. PEDF gene expression in cultured subcutaneous or omental adipocytes were analysed by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reactions.

Results

Multiple regression analyses revealed that waist circumference, triglycerides, creatinine, and TNF‐α were independently associated with PEDF. Further, the percent changes in serum levels of PEDF during 1‐year observational periods were positively correlated with those of BMI. In addition, PEDF mRNA levels in cultured adipocytes were increased in parallel to the BMI values of subjects from whom adipocytes were derived, especially in omental adipocytes.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated that serum levels of PEDF were positively associated with metabolic components and TNF‐α in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Our present study suggests that PEDF may be generated from adipose tissues and play some role in visceral obesity in type 2 diabetic patients. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asymmetric Henry Reactions Catalyzed by Metal Complexes of Chiral Boron‐Bridged Bisoxazoline (borabox) Ligands
Authors: Toussaint Aurélie , Pfaltz Andreas
Published: August 2008

Metal complexes of boron‐bridged bisoxazolines (borabox ligands) were evaluated as catalysts for the Henry reaction. Copper(II) complexes induced high enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity in reactions with nitroethane and nitropropane. The amount of base added had a strong influence on the formation of the chiral complex and the enantioselectivity. Comparison with the corresponding dimethylmethylene‐bridged bisoxazoline and other privileged ligands showed that borabox was the most suitable ligand system for the enantio‐ and diastereoselective formation of nitroalcohols derived from nitropropane and aliphatic aldehydes.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Identification of ARHGEF17, DENND2D, FGFR3, and RB1 mutations in melanoma by inhibition of nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay
Authors: Bloethner Sandra , Mould Arne , Stark Mitchell , Hayward Nicholas K.
Published: August 2008

Gene identification by nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay inhibition (GINI) has proven to be a strategy for genome‐wide discovery of genes containing inactivating mutations in colon and prostate cancers. Here, we present the first study of inhibition of the nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway in melanoma. We used a combination of emetine and actinomycin D treatment to stabilize mRNAs containing premature termination codons (PTCs), followed by microarray analysis and sequencing to identify novel tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) in a panel of 12 melanoma cell lines. Stringent analysis of the array data was used to select 35 candidate genes for sequencing. Of these, 4 (11%) were found to carry PTCs, including ARHGEF17, DENND2D, FGFR3, and RB1. While RB1 mutations have previously been described in melanoma, the other three genes represent potentially novel melanoma; TSGs. ARHGEF17 showed a G1865A mutation leading to W622X in a cell line derived from a mucosal melanoma; in RB1 a C1411T base change resulting in Q471X was discovered in a cell line derived from an acral melanoma; and the FGFR3 and DENND2D genes had intronic insertions leading to PTCs in cell lines derived from superficially spreading melanomas. We conclude that although the false positive rate is high, most likely due to the lack of DNA mismatch repair gene defects, the GINI protocol is one approach to discover novel TSGs in melanoma. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of structural complexity in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Young Karl , Du An‐Tao , Kramer Joel , Rosen Howard , Miller Bruce , Weiner Michael , Schuff Norbert
Published: August 2008

The goal of this project was to utilize an information theoretic formalism for medical image analysis initially proposed in [Young et al. (2005): Phys Rev Lett 94:098701‐1] to detect and quantify subtle global and regional differences in spatial patterns in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) by estimating the structural complexity of anatomical brain MRI. The sensitivity and specificity of the results are compared with those of a recent analysis, currently considered state of the art for MR studies of neurodegeneration. The previous study used regional estimates of cortical thinning and/or volume loss to differentiate between normal aging, AD, and FTD. The analysis illustrates that the structural complexity estimation method, a general multivariate approach to the study of variation in brain structure which does not depend on highly specialized volumetric and thickness estimates, is capable of providing sensitive and interpretable diagnostic information. Human Brain Mapp 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Amomum tsao‐ko
Authors: Yang Yang , Yan Run‐Wei , Cai Xiao‐Qiang , Zheng Zhong‐Liang , Zou Guo‐Lin
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the dried fruits of Amomum tsao‐ko was analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was evaluated against 16 micro‐organisms using agar disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods.

RESULTS: Seventy‐three compounds, constituting about 97.56% of the total oil, were identified. The main components were 1,8‐cineole (45.24%), ρ‐propylbenzaldehyde (6.04%), geraniol (5.11%), geranial (4.52%), α‐terpineol (3.59%) and α‐phellandrene (3.07%). The essential oil showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against all the tested micro‐organisms, including Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, and fungi. The oil exerted the strongest bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus CCTCC AB91118, with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of 0.20 g L−1.

CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the Amomum tsao‐ko essential oil could be one of new medicinal resources for antibacterial and antifungal agents. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Renal late effects in patients treated for cancer in childhood: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Jones Deborah P. , Spunt Sheri L. , Green Daniel , Springate James E.
Published: August 2008

Improvements in childhood cancer therapy have led to increasing numbers of long‐term survivors. These survivors are at risk for a variety of late effects due to the disease itself, treatment exposures (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy), underlying medical problems, and health behaviors. The COG LTFU Guidelines are risk‐based, exposure‐related recommendations for the identification and management of late effects due to therapies utilized in the treatment of childhood cancer, and are designed for asymptomatic survivors presenting for routine medical follow‐up 2 or more years after completion of cancer therapy. The COG Guidelines Task Force on Urinary Tract Complications conducted an extensive review of the medical literature via MEDLINE. Specific treatment exposures which were reviewed include nephrectomy, chemotherapy regimens known to be nephrotoxic (cisplatin, carboplatin, ifosfamide, and methotrexate), and renal irradiation. Literature sources were ranked according to the strength of evidence and are cited in the review. This review summarizes the literature that supported the recommendations for cancer survivors at risk for nephrotoxicity previously outlined in the Children's Oncology Group Long‐Term Follow‐Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers (COG LTFU Guidelines). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:724–731. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pre‐treatment symptom cluster in breast cancer patients is associated with worse sleep, fatigue and depression during chemotherapy
Authors: Liu Lianqi , Fiorentino Lavinia , Natarajan Loki , Parker Barbara A. , Mills Paul J. , Sadler Georgia Robins , Dimsdale Joel E. , Rissling Michelle , He Feng , Ancoli‐Israel Sonia
Published: August 2008

Objective: The concept of symptom clusters is relatively new in cancer patients' symptom management. This study, which spanned four cycles of chemotherapy, combined three commonly seen pre‐treatment symptoms in cancer patients (i.e. sleep disturbances, fatigue and depression) into one symptom cluster, to explore the associations between pre‐treatment cluster categories and longitudinal profiles of these same symptoms during chemotherapy.

Methods: This was a prospective study. Seventy‐six women with newly diagnosed stage I–III breast cancer, scheduled to receive at least four cycles of adjuvant or neoadjuvant anthracycline‐based chemotherapy participated. Data were collected at seven time points before and during treatment. Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Fatigue was measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory—Short Form. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center of Epidemiological Studies—Depression. Patients were divided into three groups based on the number of symptoms they experienced before the start of chemotherapy (i.e. no symptoms, 1–2 symptoms or all three symptoms) and a symptom cluster index (SCI) was computed.

Results: All women reported worse sleep, more fatigue and more depressive symptoms during treatment compared with baseline (all p's<0.01); however, those women with a higher SCI (i.e. more symptoms pre‐treatment) continued to experience worse symptoms during treatment compared with those who began with fewer symptoms (all p's<0.01).

Conclusions: A higher clinically relevant‐based pre‐treatment symptom cluster was associated with more sleep disturbances, greater fatigue and more depressive symptoms during chemotherapy. Specific interventions for these pre‐treatment symptoms may improve the frequency and severity of these same symptoms during chemotherapy, when they are most severe and most disruptive to quality of life. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of an item bank for detecting and assessing psychological distress in cancer patients
Authors: Smith Adam B. , Rush Robert , Wright Penny , Stark Dan , Velikova Galina , Sharpe Michael
Published: August 2008

Objective: To validate an item bank for assessing and detecting psychological distress in cancer patients by (1) identifying whether additional items are required in the full item bank; (2) identifying any item bias in the existing item bank; (3) linking levels of distress against thresholds derived from gold‐standard psychiatric interviews (PSE/SCAN/SCID).

Method: A Rasch analysis was conducted on a heterogeneous sample of cancer patients (n=4919) who had completed a combination of eight psychological distress screening instruments. A subset of patients had completed a psychiatric interview along with the HADS (n=381) or PHQ‐9 (n=440). Item thresholds were plotted along the latent trait. Furthermore, items were assessed for differential item functioning (DIF) by age and gender. Finally, optimum thresholds were derived for the HADS and PHQ‐9 and plotted along the latent trait distribution for the entire item bank.

Result: Item thresholds exceeded the range of person measures, although a gap was still present along the latent trait. No DIF was observed for either age or gender. Putative cut‐offs were derived for the item bank detecting moderate to severe levels of psychological distress.

Conclusion: The item bank covers the majority of levels of emotional distress reported by cancer patients. Additionally, initial thresholds have been derived on the item bank, which correspond to a formal psychiatric assessment. Further work is required to ascertain the stability of the item bank over time and by diagnosis and stage of disease, as well as to determine additional thresholds for levels of distress. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiresponse optimization of products with functional quality characteristics
Authors: Fogliatto Flavio S.
Published: August 2008

In multiresponse experiments (MREs) the same experimental unit is evaluated with respect to more than one response simultaneously. Optimization of MREs typically involves determining the point in the design region where responses perform best with respect to given criteria. Utility functions are used to transform response outcomes at each experimental treatment into performance measures. Here we investigate the optimization of MREs where some response outcomes are profiles rather than individual values. A functional response gives one or more profiles as observed outcomes at each treatment, and the objective is to identify the outcome that is closest to a target profile. We propose the use of the Hausdorff distance, a similarity metric from the field of image recognition, in combination with a desirability function to obtain a utility function that gives the distance of a functional response outcome to its desired target. A case example from the food industry illustrates our propositions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imaging mass spectrometry using peptide isoelectric focusing
Authors: Vaezzadeh Ali R. , Simicevic Jovan , Chauvet Alexis , François Patrice , Zimmermann‐Ivol Catherine G. , Lescuyer Pierre , Deshusses Jacques P. M. , Hochstrasser Denis F.
Published: August 2008

Imaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS) has emerged as a powerful technique in the field of proteomics. The use of Immobilized pH Gradient–IsoElectric Focusing (IPG‐IEF) is also a new trend, as the first dimension of separation, in shotgun proteomics. We report a combination of these two outstanding technologies. This approach is based on the separation of shotgun‐produced peptides by IPG‐IEF. The peptides are then transferred by capillarity to a capture membrane, which is then scanned by the mass spectrometer to generate MS images. This high‐throughput methodology allows a preview of the sample to be obtained in a single day. We report the application of this new pipeline for differential comparison of the membrane proteome of two different strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in a proof‐of‐principle experiment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiac output following fetoscopic coagulation of major placental vessels in fetal sheep
Authors: Tchirikov M. , Strohner M. , Popovic S. , Hecher K. , Schröder H. J.
Published: August 2008

Objectives

To measure changes in cardiac output (CO) after partial cord occlusion in fetal sheep in order to investigate pathophysiological fetal adaptation mechanisms in a simulated acute placental insufficiency model under standardized conditions, with the aim of finding relevant methods for monitoring human fetuses during stress situations.

Methods

We used minimally invasive, percutaneous endoscopic techniques to close umbilical vessels in mid‐gestational fetal sheep. Placental blood flow was reduced by preferentially closing first arterial and then the concomitant venous umbilical vessels within a short time interval. The investigations were carried out on 11 pregnant ewes at a median gestational age of 86 (range, 73–95) days. Major placental arteries and veins were occluded permanently by coagulation with bipolar forceps under percutaneous fetoscopic control. The fetal CO and Doppler parameters in the ductus venosus (DV), umbilical artery (UA) and umbilical vein (UV) were measured.

Results

In spite of heart rate reduction, the CO was not significantly affected by vessel occlusion (mean ± SD, 500 ± 194 mL/min before and 457 ± 219 mL/min after coagulation) because stroke volume slightly increased from 2.65 ± 1.16 mL/beat to 3.1 ± 1.5 mL/beat. The right to left CO ratio remained at 1.4. The UV flow/combined CO ratio decreased from 34 ± 14% to 25 ± 10% after vessel coagulation. The pulsatility index in the DV increased from 0.4 ± 0.1 to 0.7 ± 0.4. The DV blood flow volume remained relatively constant after the intervention. The DV shunting rate, given as DV/UV flow ratio, increased significantly from 30.8 ± 4.7% to 59.3 ± 25.0%.

Conclusions

The nearly simultaneous closure of arterial and venous umbilical vessels changed the flow pattern in the UA and significantly reduced placental blood perfusion. It did not distinctly change the blood flow volume rate through the DV, and consequently the DV shunting rate was increased. The combined CO was not significantly affected by the vascular obstruction, whereas the fraction of combined CO directed to the placenta was reduced. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The incision angle of mediolateral episiotomy before delivery and after repair
Authors: Kalis Vladimir , Karbanova Jaroslava , Horak Miroslav , Lobovsky Libor , Kralickova Milena , Rokyta Zdenek
Published: August 2008

Objective

To assess the relevance of the suture angle when evaluating mediolateral episiotomy, and the safety of the accepted lower limit of 40° for the incision angle.

Method

The angles formed by the incision and suture lines with the midline were measured, and any perineal tear noted, in 50 consecutive women undergoing their first vaginal delivery.

Results

The angles were significantly different (40° and 22.5°, respectively; P < 0.001). The only variable significantly linked to the difference was the timing of the episiotomy.

Conclusion

The suture angle cannot currently be used to assess the adequacy of the incision angle; moreover, an incision angle of 40° is probably too acute to prevent potential sphincter damage.
Changing Trends of Peritonsillar Abscess
Authors: Marom Tal , Roth Yehudah , Itskoviz David , Cinamon Udi
Published: August 2008

Objective

To assess changes in the characteristics of peritonsillar abscess (PTA).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study. Data obtained from medical records of patients diagnosed as having a peritonsillar abscess that were treated in a secondary urban medical center over a ten‐year period (1998–2007).

Results

427 patients, within ages of 3 to 91 years (average 31.6, SD 15.2, median 30) were enrolled. 47 patients (11%) were admitted more than once for PTA. There was no gender, seasonal, or localization predominance. 13 patients (3%) developed PTA complications. 104 patients (24.4%) were 40 years old or older, having a longer hospitalization period, and were more prone to complications. 102 patients (23.9%) did not have acute tonsillitis before PTA evolvement. Smoking was more common among patients than in the general population rate (33% vs 25%), associated with a higher complication. Culture results and antibiotic therapy influence were analyzed for all PTA cases (n=486). In 283 patients (58.2%) developed PTA in spite of a prior antibiotic therapy. Smoking was associated with a higher infection rate by Streptococcus viridans.

Conclusions

Comparison of current data to earlier reports suggests that PTA has gradually changed its characteristics: affecting older patients, having a more vigorous presentation and a longer course, abscess evolvement without an anteceding tonsillitis, and patients developing PTA in spite of a prior adequate antibiotic therapy. In addition, smoking may be a predisposing factor.
Minimally Invasive Radioguided Parathyroidectomy
Authors: Goldenberg David , Adil Eelam , Fedok Fred G , Adil Tabrez
Published: August 2008

Objective

Parathyroid surgery is often challenging due to considerable variability in anatomy. Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy (MIRP) is a surgical option that has been made possible by the advent of new imaging techniques, specifically Sestamibi scanning. In this study, we review our experience, methods, and outcomes with MIRP in one of the largest case series reported in the literature.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on 365 patients who underwent MIRP between 1997 and 2007. Data including symptoms, pre‐ and postoperative calcium levels, and PTH levels were collected. Analyses were performed using Excel AnaylsisPak.

Results

Intraoperatively, an average of 20mCi Tc‐99m was injected for Sestamibi scanning. The mean pre‐op calcium was 10.9, whereas the mean post‐op level was 9.8. There was a significant difference between pre‐op and post‐op calcium levels (both ionized and total) (p<.01). Mean pre‐ and post‐op PTH levels were 277 and 46 respectively. Rapid PTH levels were therefore significantly lower post‐operatively (p<.01).

Conclusions

MIRP is an effective method for removal of parathyroid adenomas. The benefits of MIRP include more accurate localization, shorter operative and recovery time, a shorter hospital stay, and better cosmetic results.
Narrow Band Imaging for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Detection
Authors: Leong Jern‐Lin , Mark Ignatius Hon‐Wah
Published: August 2008

Objective

To determine if Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) improves sensitivity for detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) compared to conventional nasoendoscopy.

Methods

Consecutive patients suspected of having NPC were recruited prospectively from the otolaryngology clinic, Singapore General Hospital, over 6 months (8/2007 to 2/2008). All these patients had no prior history of having NPC. Examination of the nasopharynx was performed concurrently with both conventional and NBI nasoendoscopy. Photo documentation was carried out in all cases. Lesions identified as abnormal on NBI and/or conventional endoscopy were biopsied for histological confirmation. Concordance with histology was the outcome measure.

Results

A total of 59 patients were presented for screening of NPC. 7 were positive with NPC on histology and 52 were normal/negative cases. For each patient, both conventional and NBI endoscopy were used for examination of the nasopharynx. The accuracy rate of detection was improved from 98% to 100% by using NBI compared with conventional technique. All 7 positive samples (sensitivity of 100%) were found to be positive by using NBI. With conventional light nasoendoscopy, only 6 positive samples were detected (sensitivity of 86%), and 1 positive sample with focal tumor was falsely detected to be negative. For the 52 normal cases, the diagnostic accuracy was the same for both techniques with the rate of 100% (specificity of 100%).

Conclusions

NBI endoscopic examination of the nasopharynx for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is found to be more sensitive compared to conventional light endoscopy. NBI nasoendoscopy would be a better screening tool for early NPC as compared to conventional light nasoendoscopy.
The Effects of Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Steward David L , Bhatki Amol M , Falciglia Mercedes
Published: August 2008

Objective

Investigate the effects of parathyroidectomy vs. medical observation for patents with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (pHP).

Methods

A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed. Outcome parameters include biochemistries and bone density of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and distal radius. Also, health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) as measured by validated instruments was analyzed.

Results

A total of 5 trials involving 345 patients (163 observed, 182 surgery) were analyzed for serum calcium, 24‐hour urine calcium, and serum PTH levels. Surgical treatment produced a significant decrease in all of these parameters. Mean serum and 24‐hour urine calcium levels decreased from 10.6 mg/dl to 9.4 mg/dl (p<0.001), and 253 mg/d to 148 mg/d (p<0.001) respectively. Similarly, a significant decrease in serum PTH by 58 pg/ml (p<0.001) was observed. After analyzing 7 RCT involving 531 patients, bone density in both the lumbar spine [odds ratio 2.29 (1.37 – 3.85) p<0.01] and femoral neck [odds ratio 1.84 (1.106 – 3.066) p<0.02] demonstrated statistically significant improvement 2 years after parathyroidectomy when compared to observed patients. The difference in bone density of the radius did not reach statistical significance. Narrative interpreted data was available on three RCT regarding HRQOL. Primary data from authors has been requested to allow for complete analysis of this parameter.

Conclusions

For patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy results in a significant improvement in lumbar spine and femoral neck bone density, as well as a normalization of chemistries. HRQOL is similarly expected to be improved, however, qualitative data to support this is pending.
Taste Disorders after Stapedotomy
Authors: Aedo Cristian , Stott‐Caro Carlos , Albertz Nicolas , Tabilo Patricio
Published: August 2008

Objective

To asses temporal evolution of taste disorders after stapedotomy and its correlation with chorda tympani nerve (CTN) preservation.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery of the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile between 2002 and 2007. Medical records of 141 patients with otosclerosis subject to stapedotomy were analyzed in search for CTN preservation or section during stapedotomy. A survey was applied to evaluate postoperative taste function and its evolution on time. Fisher's test was applied.

Results

CTN was preserved in 131 patients (93%) and sectioned in 10 patients (7%). The incidence of taste disorder was 7% (10 patients) in the CTN preservation group and 20% (2 patients) in the sectioned group (p> 0.05). All patients had full recovery of taste function before 12 months after surgery, being faster in the CTN preservation group than the sectioned group (6 months vs. 12 months respectively). Patients with section of CTN have an odds ratio of 3 compared with CTN preservation patients.

Conclusions

Taste disorders are present in patients subjected to stapedotomy even when CTN is preserved, with full recovery 12 months after surgery.
Drug‐Eluting Spacer for Chronic Ethmoid Sinusitis Treatment
Authors: Kuhn Frederick A , Melroy Christopher T , Levine Howard L , Diamond Andrew J
Published: August 2008

Objective

The objective of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of managing chronic ethmoid sinusitis with an implantable drug‐eluting spacer filled with triamcinolone acetate.

Methods

13 patients with chronic ethmoid sinusitis had drug‐eluting spacers inserted on 22 sides under fluoroscopic guidance. The spacers were filled with triamcinolone acetate and their position was checked fluoroscopically. The spacers remained in place for 2–4 weeks. The measured post‐treatment outcomes were SNOT‐20 and Lund‐MacKay CT scores. Serum triamcinolone levels were measured and complications were monitored.

Results

All patients demonstrated a reduction in post‐treatment LMK score; the average ethmoid sinus score decreased from 3.9 to 1.6 (59% reduction) (p<0.001). Average SNOT‐20 scores changed from 1.91 to 1.12, a clinical and statistically significant reduction from baseline (p<0.001). Drug plasma testing did not demonstrate presence of drug in all samples tested; however, drug was detected in a majority, suggesting drug elution. One patient experienced epistaxis 1 week after surgery at the retention suture site. There were no orbital or intracranial injuries.

Conclusions

This study introduces a catheter‐based, self‐retaining temporary drug‐eluting spacer as an alternative to ethmoidectomy for chronic ethmoid sinusitis treatment. The spacer has a perforated balloon membrane, specifically designed to allow the slow local delivery of a low corticosteroid dose over an extended time period. The spacers were delivered safely and there was significant resolution of ethmoid sinus disease without surgically removing the sinuses.
S106 – Botulinum Toxin A Can Positively Impact First Impression
Authors: Anstead Amy S , Dayan Steven
Published: August 2008

Objectives

First impression is influenced by facial appearance and improved by cosmetic surgery. We wished to determine if treatment with Botox(r) (botulinum toxin A/BTxnA) would improve first impression.

Methods

Women received BTxnA in the forehead. Photos were taken prior to, and 1 week after, BTxnA injection in both smiling and relaxed poses. Photos were randomly divided into books with each subject represented only once per book. Evaluators completed a survey rating their first impression on various measures of success for each photo in the book.

Results

No differences were seen for social skills, financial, or relationship success scales. Significant decrease in first impression scores between treatment photos was seen for academic performance and occupational success. However, analysis of between‐subject effects found that ‘smile/relax’ accounted for the decreased score in both scales. Significant increases in first impression scores were seen for the scales of dating success, attractiveness, and athletic success, where ‘smile/relax’ and BTxnA contributed significantly to the improved scores.

Conclusions

BTxnA improved first impression scores for scales of dating success, attractiveness and athletic success. Academic performance and occupational success scores were not affected by BTxnA when the ‘smile/relax’ variable was included. The ‘smile/relax’ variable was a more important predictor for academic performance and occupational success scores.