bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive, Functional, and Health Outcomes at 5 Years of Age for Children After Complex Cardiac Surgery at 6 Weeks of Age or Younger
Authors: Creighton Dianne E. , Robertson Charlene M.T. , Sauve Reg S. , Moddemann Diane M. , Alton Gwen Y. , Nettel-Aguirre Alberto , Ross David B. , Rebeyka Ivan M. ,   and the Western Canadian Complex Pediatric Therapies Follow-up Group
Published: August 2007

OBJECTIVE. This work provides neurocognitive, functional, and health outcomes for 5-year survivors of early infant complex cardiac surgery, including those with chromosomal abnormalities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. Of 85 children (22.4% mortality), 61 received multidisciplinary, individual evaluation and parental questionnaires at 5 years. Full-scale, verbal, and performance IQ scores were compared by using analysis of variance among children who received different surgeries (arterial switch, 20; Norwood for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, 14; simple total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, 6; miscellaneous, 21; and chromosomal abnormalities, 8). Predictions from mental scores at 2 years for IQ scores at 5 years were determined.

RESULTS. Children with chromosomal abnormalities had lower full-scale and verbal IQs at 5 years than other survivors, with no differences found among the remaining groups. For children post-Norwood, performance IQ scores remained lower than for children after the arterial-switch operation. Prediction of full-scale IQ (<70) from 2-year mental scores for all 61 children were as follows: sensitivity, 87.5%; specificity, 88.1%; positive predictive value, 53.8%; and negative predictive value, 97.9%. For full-scale IQ of <85, predictions were 90.0%, 87.8%, 78.3%, and 94.7%, respectively. For those 53 without chromosomal abnormalities, full-scale IQ <70, respective predictions were 86.7%, 90.0%, 28.6%, and 97.8%, and for full-scale IQ <85, respective predictions were 85.7%, 89.7%, 75.0%, and 94.6%. Parental report indicated good health in 80% and adequate function in 67% to 88% of the children, although health-utilization numbers suggest that these reports are optimistic.

CONCLUSIONS. Five-year full-scale and verbal IQs were similar among groups, excluding those with chromosomal abnormalities. Children with chromosomal abnormalities had the lowest scores. Excluding those with chromosomal abnormalities, the mean mental scores for the children as a group tended to increase from 2 to 5 years of age, with an overall high percentage of correct classifications at 2 years.
Routine Immunization Practices: Use of Topical Anesthetics and Oral Analgesics
Authors: Taddio Anna , Manley Jennifer , Potash Leah , Ipp Moshe , Sgro Michael , Shah Vibhuti
Published: August 2007

BACKGROUND. Immunization pain is a global public health issue. Despite an abundance of data that demonstrate the efficacy of local anesthetics for decreasing immunization pain, their adoption in practice has not been determined. Our objective was to evaluate analgesic use during childhood immunization.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. We used a cluster-sampling survey of pediatricians in the greater Toronto area (who administer immunizations) and multiparous women. By using a self-administered survey, pediatricians reported frequency of analgesic use in their practice for 2 phases of immunization: injection (needle puncture and vaccine administration) and postinjection (hours to days postvaccination). By using an interviewer-administered face-to-face survey, mothers reported analgesic practices for their children.

RESULTS. Of 195 eligible pediatricians, 140 (72%) responded. During the injection phase, 58% rarely or never used analgesics compared with 11% for the postinjection phase. During injection, the local anesthetics lidocaine-prilocaine and tetracaine were used at least sometimes in 12% and 2% of the practices, respectively, whereas acetaminophen and ibuprofen were used in 81% and 46%, respectively. Postinjection, acetaminophen and ibuprofen were used in 89% and 56% of practices. Of 257 eligible mothers, 200 (78%) participated. During injection, analgesics were used in 25% of immunizations (acetaminophen [87%], ibuprofen [7%], and lidocaine-prilocaine [6%]). Postinjection, analgesics were used in 33% of immunizations (acetaminophen [86%] and ibuprofen [14%]).

CONCLUSIONS. A minority of pediatricians and mothers use topical local anesthetics during childhood immunization despite evidence to support their use. Oral analgesics are used more commonly, but this practice is not consistent with scientific evidence. Knowledge-translation strategies are needed to increase the use of local anesthesia.
Childhood Influenza: Number Needed to Vaccinate to Prevent 1 Hospitalization or Outpatient Visit
Authors: Lewis Elizabeth N. , Griffin Marie R. , Szilagyi Peter G. , Zhu Yuwei , Edwards Kathryn M. , Poehling Katherine A.
Published: August 2007

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to assess the potential benefits of the influenza vaccine recommendations for children 6 to 59 months of age by estimating the number of children needed to be vaccinated to prevent 1 hospitalization or 1 outpatient visit attributable to influenza.

METHODS. The influenza burden was obtained from published studies in which rates for children 6 to 23 months and 24 to 59 months of age could be ascertained. We assumed a range of influenza vaccine efficacies of 25% to 75%, consistent with the literature. We estimated the number of children who needed to be vaccinated to prevent 1 influenza-attributable hospitalization or 1 outpatient visit for each age group.

RESULTS. As both vaccine efficacy and severity of the influenza season increased, the number of children who needed to be vaccinated to prevent 1 hospitalization or 1 outpatient visit decreased. The numbers of children who needed to be vaccinated to prevent 1 hospitalization in a year with 50% vaccine efficacy ranged from 1031 to 3050 for children 6 to 23 months of age and from 4255 to 6897 for children 24 to 59 months of age. For every 12 to 42 children 6 to 59 months of age vaccinated in a year with 50% vaccine efficacy, we estimated that 1 influenza-attributable outpatient visit would be prevented.

CONCLUSIONS. With 1 outpatient visit being prevented through vaccination of <50 children, influenza vaccination can reduce influenza-attributable medical visits in children significantly, even in years with modest vaccine efficacy.
Does Childhood Television Viewing Lead to Attention Problems in Adolescence? Results From a Prospective Longitudinal Study
Authors: Landhuis Carl Erik , Poulton Richie , Welch David , Hancox Robert John
Published: August 2007

CONTEXT. There is controversy over whether childhood television viewing causes attention problems. The findings from cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have been mixed. To our knowledge, no longitudinal studies have assessed the impact of children's television viewing on attention problems in adolescence. The objective of this study was to assess this association.

DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND SETTING. Study members were a general population birth cohort of 1037 participants (502 female) born in Dunedin, New Zealand, between April 1972 and March 1973. Parental estimates of children's television-viewing time were obtained at ages 5, 7, 9, and 11 years. Self-, parent-, and teacher-reported attention problems in adolescence were obtained at ages 13 and 15 years.

RESULTS. The mean of hours of television viewing during childhood was associated with symptoms of attention problems in adolescence. These associations remained significant after controlling for gender, attention problems in early childhood, cognitive ability at 5 years of age, and childhood socioeconomic status. This association was also independent of adolescent television viewing.

CONCLUSIONS. Childhood television viewing was associated with attention problems in adolescence, independent of early attention problems and other confounders. These results support the hypothesis that childhood television viewing may contribute to the development of attention problems and suggest that the effects may be long-lasting.
Does Cerebellar Injury in Premature Infants Contribute to the High Prevalence of Long-term Cognitive, Learning, and Behavioral Disability in Survivors?
Authors: Limperopoulos Catherine , Bassan Haim , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Robertson Richard L. , Sullivan Nancy R. , Benson Carol B. , Avery Lauren , Stewart Jane , MD Janet S. Soul , Ringer Steven A. , Volpe Joseph J. , duPlessis Adré J.
Published: August 2007

OBJECTIVE. Although cerebellar hemorrhagic injury is increasingly diagnosed in infants who survive premature birth, its long-term neurodevelopmental impact is poorly defined. We sought to delineate the potential role of cerebellar hemorrhagic injury in the long-term disabilities of survivors of prematurity.

DESIGN. We compared neurodevelopmental outcome in 3 groups of premature infants (N = 86; 35 isolated cerebellar hemorrhagic injury, 35 age-matched controls, 16 cerebellar hemorrhagic injury plus supratentorial parenchymal injury). Subjects underwent formal neurologic examinations and a battery of standardized developmental, functional, and behavioral evaluations (mean age: 32.1 ± 11.1 months). Autism-screening questionnaires were completed.

RESULTS. Neurologic abnormalities were present in 66% of the isolated cerebellar hemorrhagic injury cases compared with 5% of the infants in the control group. Infants with isolated cerebellar hemorrhagic injury versus controls had significantly lower mean scores on all tested measures, including severe motor disabilities (48% vs 0%), expressive language (42% vs 0%), delayed receptive language (37% vs 0%), and cognitive deficits (40% vs 0%). Isolated cerebellar hemorrhagic injury was significantly associated with severe functional limitations in day-to-day activities. Significant differences were noted between cases of cerebellar hemorrhagic injury versus controls on autism screeners (37% vs 0%) and internalizing behavioral problems (34% vs 9%). Global developmental, functional, and social-behavioral deficits were more common and profound in preterm infants with injury to the vermis. Preterm infants with cerebellar hemorrhagic injury and supratentorial parenchymal injury were not at overall greater risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities, although neuromotor impairment was more severe.

CONCLUSIONS. Cerebellar hemorrhagic injury in preterm infants is associated with a high prevalence of long-term pervasive neurodevelopment disabilities and may play an important and underrecognized role in the cognitive, learning, and behavioral dysfunction known to affect survivors.
Phase change materials: From structures to kinetics
Authors: Wełnic Wojciech , Kalb Johannes A. , Wamwangi Daniel , Steimer Christoph , Wuttig Matthias
Published: August 2007

Phase change materials possess a unique combination of properties, which includes a pronounced property contrast between the amorphous and crystalline state, i.e., high electrical and optical contrast. In particular, the latter observation is indicative of a considerable structural difference between the amorphous and crystalline state, which furthermore is characterized by a very high vacancy concentration unknown from common semiconductors. Through the use of ab initio calculations, this work shows how the electric and optical contrast is correlated with structural differences between the crystalline and the amorphous state and how the vacancy concentration controls the optical properties. Furthermore, crystal nucleation rates and crystal growth velocities of various phase change materials have been determined by atomic force microscopy and differential thermal analysis. In particular, the observation of different recrystallization mechanisms upon laser heating of amorphous marks is explained by the relative difference of just three basic parameters among these alloys, namely, the melt-crystalline interfacial energy, the entropy of fusion, and the glass transition temperature.
Quantitative evaluation of adhesion of metallic coatings with an extended microbridge test
Authors: Zhang Xiaomin , Du Jingtao , Liu Bo , Ma Shengli , Xu Kewei
Published: August 2007

An extended microbridge test (eMBT) was proposed to assess the adhesion of metallic coatings on metallic substrates. Through loading on the backside of narrow striped freestanding coatings, a two-dimensional stable interfacial delamination was introduced. A cross-sectional scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the interfacial fracture process. A large deflection solution for elastic deformation of the coating was derived, and an approximate model was established for the estimate of interfacial crack extension force G. The eMBT samples of electroplated Ni coatings on C45 carbon steel substrate were tested, and the measured interfacial fracture toughness was about 5.28 J/m2. Cross-sectional SEM examination showed that the interface crack extended along the interface plane, and therefore the interfacial fracture proceeded by the debonding of Ni/steel interface.
Thermochemistry of A2M3O12 negative thermal expansion materials
Authors: Varga Tamas , Moats Julianna L. , Ushakov Sergey V. , Navrotsky Alexandra
Published: August 2007

The enthalpies of the monoclinic to orthorhombic transition for a series of A2M3O12 (A = Al, Cr, Fe, In, and Sc; M = Mo or W) compounds were measured by differential scanning calorimetry, and entropies of transition were estimated. The enthalpies of formation from the binary oxides at 25 °C for several A2M3O12 samples were obtained from drop solution calorimetry in molten 3Na2O·4MoO3 at 702 °C. The monoclinic and orthorhombic phases of Sc2Mo3O12 and Sc2W3O12 are the only phases that are enthalpically stable under ambient conditions. The enthalpies of formation from the oxides (ΔHf,ox) for orthorhombic Sc2Mo3O12 and Sc2W3O12 are −47.2 ± 2.1 kJ/mol and −8.5 ± 2.7 kJ/mol, respectively. For Fe2Mo3O12, In2Mo3O12, and In2W3O12, ΔHf,ox values are 51.5 ± 4.5, 7.4 ± 2.9, and 44.5 ± 2.3 kJ/mol, respectively. These phases are entropically stabilized and/or metastable. Enthalpies of formation for phases that could not be measured by calorimetry have been estimated from the enthalpies of transition or trends in the enthalpies of formation. In general, the monoclinic phase is slightly enthalpically stabilized over the orthorhombic phase, while transition to the orthorhombic phase is entropically favored. This confirms that the orthorhombic phase is stable at high temperatures, the monoclinic is stable at low temperatures, and the monoclinic to orthorhombic transition is reversible.
Deformation of cube-textured aluminum studied using laser-induced photoelectron emission
Authors: Cai M. , Langford S.C. , Dickinson J.T. , Levine L.E.
Published: August 2007

The evolution of the kinetic energy distribution of photoelectrons from a cube-oriented aluminum sample during tensile deformation was probed with a retarding field energy analyzer. Because of the anisotropy of the aluminum work function, the electron-energy distribution is altered as the area fractions of the major surface planes change during deformation. In cube-textured aluminum, deformation reduces the {100} area fraction and the relatively low energy electrons from these surfaces. Conversely, the {110} and {111} area fractions and the relatively high energy electrons from these surfaces both increase. These changes are quantitatively consistent with texture analysis by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). They reflect deformation-induced production of {111} surfaces by slip and the exposure of {110} surfaces by grain rotation. Photoelectron kinetic energy measurements supplement EBSD measurements and are readily acquired in real-time.
Synthesis of magnesium hydroxide nanoneedles and short nanorods on polymer dispersant template
Authors: Yan Hong , Wu Jianming , Zhang Xuehu , Zhang Yan , Wei Liqiao , Liu Xuguang , Xu Bingshe
Published: August 2007

Magnesium hydroxide nanoneedles and nanorods were synthesized by reverse precipitation in the presence of polyethylene glycol (MW 1000) at ambient temperature. The obtained magnesium hydroxide crystals were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, crystal structure, and thermal stability by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The experimental results show that the growth of magnesium hydroxide crystals and the dispersivity of the nanostructures were greatly influenced by polymer dispersant. The mechanism of the formation of magnesium hydroxide nanorods and nanoneedles was also proposed.
Phase development and photocatalytic ability of gel-derived P-doped TiO2
Authors: Yu Hsuan-Fu
Published: August 2007

P-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized using a sol-gel method. The ethanol solution of Ti(OC2H5)4 was mixed with an aqueous solution of H3PO4 to undergo hydrolysis and polycondensation at 90 °C for 4 h. The resultant solids were centrifugally filtered, dried, and then calcined at different temperatures, followed by chemical and physical characterization. At an atomic ratio of P/Ti = 0.03, the formed P-doped TiO2 can preserve its anatase structure at 900 °C for 3 h, with no formation of other phases. Further increasing the P/Ti atomic ratio in the P-doped TiO2 may stabilize the anatase–TiO2 at even higher temperatures but may lead to the formation of TiP2O7 or (TiO)2P2O7. A test of photocatalysis showed that the P-doped TiO2 nanoparticles, with a P/Ti ratio = 0.03 and after being calcined at temperatures between 400 and 800 °C, can decompose ⩾98 mol.% of the methylene blue (MB) after 30 min of irradiation by 365-nm ultraviolet light, while P25 particles can only decompose 71 mol% of the MB.
Possible new single-buffer layers for YBa2Cu3O7−y coated conductors prepared by chemical solution deposition
Authors: Li Guo , Pu Minghua , Zhou Huaming , Du Xiaohua , Zhang Yanbing , Zhao Yong
Published: August 2007

New single-buffer layers of YBiO3 and SmBiO3 have been proposed for YBa2Cu3O7−y (YBCO) and SmBa2Cu3O7−y coated conductors. Highly c-axis oriented YBiO3 and SmBiO3 buffer layers have been deposited on single-crystal LaAlO3 and SrTiO3, respectively, by a low-cost chemical solution deposition method in a temperature range as low as 730 to 800 °C in air. Precursor solution of yttrium nitrate, samarium nitrate, and bismuth nitrate has been deposited using spin coating and heat treated in air in a single stage to yield textured YBiO3 and SmBiO3 buffers. A very dense, smooth, pinhole-free, and crack-free morphology has been observed for both buffers. Dense, homogeneous, and epitaxially grown YBCO film with thickness about 300 nm has been obtained on YBiO3 buffer with onset critical temperature 90 K and Jc (77 K, self-field) over 3 MA/cm2. These results offer an effective alternative to prepare desirable buffer layer(s) for YBCO-coated conductors.
Deformation-induced γ → DI-α2 phase transformation occurring in the twin-intersection region of TiAl alloys
Authors: Chen C.L. , Lu W. , He L.L. , Ye H.Q.
Published: August 2007

Deformation-induced γ → DI-α2 phase transformation was verified to occur in the twin-intersection region of a Ti–45Al–8Nb (at.%) alloy compressed at room temperature. High-resolution image observations of the deformation-induced DI-α2 phase suggested that the orientation relationship between the DI-α2 and γ phases remained the typical one: (0001)DI−α2//{111}γ, [11¯20]DI−α2//〈101]γ. The conversion of stacking sequence from ordered face-centered tetragonal to ordered nonequilibrium hexagonal close-packed structure was accomplished by the movement of a/6〈11¯2] Shockley partial dislocations on every other {111}γ plane. Compositional analysis based on energy dispersive spectra revealed that the DI-α2 phase had the same composition as the matrix γ phase. No compositional diffusion occurred because the plastic deformation was carried out at room temperature. The strong stress concentration in the intersection region was the major force to induce the γ → DI-α2 phase transformation in the process of room-temperature compression.
Effect of the pyrochlore (Y2Ti2O7) phase on the resistance degradation in yttrium-doped BaTiO3 ceramic capacitors
Authors: Yoon Seok-Hyun , Park Young-Sun , Hong Jeong-Oh , Sinn Dong-Sook
Published: August 2007

Degradation of insulation resistance due to the formation of the Y2Ti2O7 (pyrochlore) phases in yttrium(Y)-doped BaTiO3 ceramics was investigated. The addition of Y2O3 and sintering aid SiO2 to the BaTiO3 ceramics caused the formation of barium-related BaSiO3 and titanium-related Y2Ti2O7 second phases. The appearance of the abnormally grown large pyrochlore grains with the increase of sintering temperature critically degraded insulation resistance at high temperatures. When the volume fraction of the pyrochlore phase increased, the resistance degradation was also observed although the grain size of the pyrochlore phase became smaller. The highly oxygen ionic conductive nature of the Y2Ti2O7 pyrochlore phase is supposed to accelerate electromigration of oxygen vacancies resulting in the resistance degradation. The formation of pyrochlore phase should be prevented to guarantee the high-temperature reliability of BaTiO3 bases ceramic capacitors.
Photo-assisted crystallization of zirconia thin films prepared using chelate compounds
Authors: Nishizawa Kaori , Miki Takeshi , Suzuki Kazuyuki , Kato Kazumi
Published: August 2007

A highly crystallized and smooth-surfaced zirconia (ZrO2) thin film was prepared using a precursor solution with 2,4-pentanedione addition (molar ratio of 1:1 for zirconium alkoxide); the film was irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light using an ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamp. This thin film was compared with another thin film, which prepared using a precursor solution without additives and UV irradiation. The crystallinity of ZrO2 thin films improved with increasing 2,4-pentanedione addition and UV irradiation time and changed according to the type of organic additives. These results occurred presumably because the orientation of polymerization in zirconium alkoxide units and stability of chelate compounds for UV irradiation were controlled under these conditions. In addition, the method was effective for lower-temperature crystallization of highly crystallized, smooth-surfaced thin films.
Validity of the Nasometer Measuring the Temporal Characteristics of Nasalization
Authors: Bae Youkyung , Kuehn David P. , Ha Seunghee
Published: August 2007

Objective:

To examine the validity of the Nasometer (KayPENTAX, Lincoln Park, NJ) in measuring the temporal characteristics of nasalization by comparing the Nasometer measures to the measures from an external criterion procedure.

Design:

Speech samples consisted of three rate-controlled nonsense syllables, which varied in their vowel compositions: /izinizi/, /azanaza/, and /uzunuzu/. Acoustic data were recorded simultaneously through the Nasometer and an external criterion procedure (a specialized microphone set that collected acoustic signals separately for the nasal and oral channels). Speech segment durations measured from the two instrumental conditions were compared on the Nasometer display and the Computerized Speech Lab (KayPENTAX, Lincoln Park, NJ) display. Five durational variables were measured: total utterance duration, nasal onset interval, nasal consonant duration, nasal offset interval, and total nasalization duration.

Participants:

Fourteen normal adults who speak American English as their first language participated in the study.

Results:

No significant differences were found between the measures from the Nasometer and those from an external criterion procedure in all the durational variables pertinent to nasalization. Different vowels, however, yielded significantly different patterns in these durational variables, in which the low vowel /a/ context revealed significantly longer total nasalization duration than did the high vowel /i/ and /u/ contexts.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that the Nasometer can be used as a valid tool to measure the temporal characteristics underlying nasalization and confirm significant vowel effects on the temporal patterns of nasalization.
A Simple and Precise Classification for Cleft Lip and Palate: A Five-Digit Numerical Recording System
Authors: Liu Qiang , Yang Ming-Liang , Li Zeng-Jian , Bai Xiao-Feng , Wang Xu-Kai , Lu Li , Wang Yu-Xin
Published: August 2007

Objective:

Numerous methods have been developed for recording cleft lip and palate deformities, but none has been universally accepted due to limitations, inadequate description of the cleft deformities, and varying complexity.

Design:

The classification system introduced in this article is designed to describe detailed information of the cleft deformities with five-digit codes. The anatomic description of the cleft components is denoted with five Arabic numerals in order of right lip, right alveolus and primary palate, secondary palate, left alveolus and primary palate, and left lip. The extent of the cleft deformities is recorded using the numerals 0 to 4 (i.e., from intact to complete).

Setting:

Department of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University.

Results:

This new classification system allows a numerical description of any kind of complete cleft, incomplete cleft, asymmetry, and complex clefts with an intervening intact segment (all simulated cases).

Conclusions:

The simplicity and precision of this five-digit classification system make it easy to understand, and it can be used for computerized data analysis.
A Case of Proteus Syndrome with Lateral Embryonal Vein and Frontal Intraosseous Lipoma
Authors: Taghinia Amir H. , Mulliken John B. , Rogers Gary F.
Published: August 2007

A patient with Proteus syndrome is reported with heretofore unreported features including a frontal intraosseous lipoma and a lateral embryonal leg vein (Servelle) associated with a venous malformation. These associated anomalies further broaden the phenotypic variability of Proteus syndrome.
Superiorly Based Facial Artery Musculomucosal Flap for Large Anterior Palatal Fistulae in Clefts
Authors: Lahiri Anindya , Richard Bruce
Published: August 2007

Objective:

An anterior hard palate fistula for which more than one attempt at repair using local tissue has failed is a difficult complication in cleft surgery. Prior to alveolar bone grafting, cleft patients have an open anterior maxillary arch that allows passage of a pedicled flap from cheek to hard palate. The superiorly based facial artery musculomucosal flap passed through the clefted alveolus is one of the newer techniques to solve this difficult problem. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of using a facial artery musculomucosal flap with an anterosuperiorly based pedicle with retrograde blood flow to repair a large anterior hard palate fistula when a lack of adequate local soft tissue precludes a local flap closure and the patient otherwise would need a tongue flap.

Results:

Of 16 facial artery musculomucosal flaps in 14 children, 12 were successful, 2 suffered partial flap loss secondary to venous congestion, and 2 had complete flap failure. One had a small wound dehiscence that resulted in a small posterior fistula.

Conclusion:

An anterosuperiorly based facial artery musculomucosal flap is a viable option to close large anterior hard palate defects. Care needs to be taken to ensure adequate venous drainage. This flap obviates the need for a staged tongue flap repair for those patients with an open maxillary arch.
Comparison of Codeine Phosphate and Morphine Sulphate in Infants Undergoing Cleft Palate Repair
Authors: Fenlon S. , Somerville N.
Published: August 2007

Objective:

To ascertain the quality of analgesia provided by morphine in comparison to codeine.

Design:

The study is a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of analgesic effect employing validated pain scores.

Patients:

Infants having primary cleft palate repair with informed parental consent to enter the study.

Interventions:

Infants received one of two analgesics intraoperatively for immediate postoperative pain relief. Morphine was given by intravenous injection and codeine by the intramuscular route.

Main Outcome Measure:

Pain scores in the immediate postoperative period for 2 hours following surgery; this outcome measure was decided prior to data collection.

Results:

The pain score and other outcome measures were all blinded. Measurements are all evident from the nature of the results.

Conclusions:

There was no clinically significant difference observed in the analgesic effect of either drug on the two groups studied.
Enhanced Oxygenation Promotes β-Cell Differentiation In Vitro
Authors: Fraker Christopher A. , Álvarez Silvia , Papadopoulos Panagiotis , Giraldo Jaime , Gu Weiyong , Ricordi Camillo , Inverardi Luca , Domínguez-Bendala Juan
Published: August 2007

Despite progress in our knowledge about pancreatic islet specification, most attempts at differentiating stem/progenitor cells into functional, transplantable β cells have met only with moderate success thus far. A major challenge is the intrinsic simplicity of in vitro culture systems, which cannot approximate the physiological complexity of in vivo microenvironments. Oxygenation is a critical limitation of standard culture methods, and one of special relevance for the development of β cells, known for their high O2 requirements. Based on our understanding of islet physiology, we have tested the hypothesis that enhanced O2 delivery (as provided by novel perfluorocarbon-based culture devices) may result in higher levels of β-cell differentiation from progenitor cells in vitro. Using a mouse model of pancreatic development, we demonstrate that a physiological-like mode of O2 delivery results in a very significant upregulation of endocrine differentiation markers (up to 30-fold for insulin one and 2), comparable to relevant in vivo controls. This effect was not observed by merely increasing environmental O2 concentrations in conventional settings. Our findings indicate that O2 plays an important role in the differentiation of β cells from their progenitors and may open the door to more efficient islet differentiation protocols from embryonic and/or adult stem cells.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Isolation and Characterization of Mesoangioblasts from Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Muscle Biopsies
Authors: Morosetti Roberta , Mirabella Massimiliano , Gliubizzi Carla , Broccolini Aldobrando , Sancricca Cristina , Pescatori Mario , Gidaro Teresa , Tasca Giorgio , Frusciante Roberto , Tonali Pietro Attilio , Cossu Giulio , Ricci Enzo
Published: August 2007

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is the third most frequent inherited muscle disease. Because in FSHD patients the coexistence of affected and unaffected muscles is common, myoblasts expanded from unaffected FSHD muscles have been proposed as suitable tools for autologous cell transplantation. Mesoangioblasts are a new class of adult stem cells of mesodermal origin, potentially useful for the treatment of primitive myopathies of different etiology. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of mesoangioblasts from FSHD muscle biopsies and describe morphology, proliferation, and differentiation abilities of both mesoangioblasts and myoblasts derived from various affected and unaffected muscles of nine representative FSHD patients. We demonstrate that mesoangioblasts can be efficiently isolated from FSHD muscle biopsies and expanded to an amount of cells necessary to transplant into an adult patient. Proliferating mesoangioblasts from all muscles examined did not differ from controls in terms of morphology, phenotype, proliferation rate, or clonogenicity. However, their differentiation ability into skeletal muscle was variably impaired, and this defect correlated with the overall disease severity and the degree of histopathologic abnormalities of the muscle of origin. A remarkable differentiation defect was observed in mesoangioblasts from all mildly to severely affected FSHD muscles, whereas mesoangioblasts from morphologically normal muscles showed no myogenic differentiation block. Our study could open the way to cell therapy for FSHD patients to limit muscle damage in vivo through the use of autologous mesoangioblasts capable of reaching damaged muscles and engrafting into them, without requiring immune suppression or genetic correction in vitro.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Trends for Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Is Survival Improving?
Authors: Gonzalez-Angulo Ana M. , Hennessy Bryan T. , Broglio Kristine , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Cristofanilli Massimo , Giordano Sharon H. , Buchholz Thomas A. , Sahin Aysegul , Singletary S. Eva , Buzdar Aman U. , Hortobágyi Gabriel N.
Published: August 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the survival of women with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) treated at our institution has improved over the past 30 years. Three-hundred ninety-eight patients with IBC were treated between 1974 and 2005. Patient characteristics and outcomes were tabulated and compared among decades of diagnosis. Survival outcomes were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier product limit method and compared among groups with the log-rank statistic. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to determine the association between year of diagnosis and survival outcomes after adjustment for patient and disease characteristics and treatments received. The median follow-up was 5.8 years (range, 0.3–23.8 years). There were 238 recurrences and 236 deaths. The median recurrence-free survival (RFS) duration was 2.3 years and the median overall survival (OS) time was 4.2 years. In the models for RFS and OS, after adjustment for patient and disease characteristics, increasing year of diagnosis was not associated with a decrease in the risk for recurrence (hazard ratio, [HR], 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–1.04) or death (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94–1.01). Our data show that there has not been an important change in the prognosis of patients with IBC in the last 30 years. Clinical trials focusing on the management of this aggressive disease are warranted.
Concise Review: Clinical Relevance of Drug–Drug and Herb–Drug Interactions Mediated by the ABC Transporter ABCB1 (MDR1, P-glycoprotein)
Authors: Marchetti Serena , Mazzanti Roberto , Beijnen Jos H. , Schellens Jan H. M.
Published: August 2007

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Identify important sources of variability in drug exposure caused by drug interactions mediated by P-glycoprotein.Describe how unwanted drug–drug interactions may lead to unexpected serious toxicity or undertreatment.Prevent these interactions by individualizing pharmacotherapy; this means selecting noninteracting drugs or adapting the dose of (the) interacting drug(s).

CME Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com
New Criteria for Selecting Elderly Patients for Breast Cancer Adjuvant Treatment Studies
Authors: Dellapasqua Silvia , Colleoni Marco , Castiglione Monica , Goldhirsch Aron
Published: August 2007

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: List the factors that should be considered when choosing the appropriate adjuvant treatment for an elderly women with operable breast cancer.Discuss the possible explanations that account for the underrepresentation of elderly patients in breast cancer clinical trials.Describe the clinical trials that are being specifically conducted in elderly patients with early breast cancer to evaluate different forms of adjuvant treatments.

CME Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com
Estrogen action on the prostate gland: a critical mix of endocrine and paracrine signaling
Authors: Risbridger Gail P , Ellem Stuart J , McPherson Stephen J
Published: August 2007

Although modern biotechnology has provided us with a greater understanding of the molecular events in endocrine-related diseases, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, these conditions continue to be a significant healthcare problem world-wide. As the number of men afflicted by these diseases will only continue to grow with the aging population, finding new strategies and new therapeutic options for the treatment of both of these diseases is crucial. A better knowledge of the mechanisms of hormone action is pivotal to making progress in the development of new hormone-based therapies. This is fundamental to increasing our understanding of the endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine signaling mechanisms in the prostate and in prostate disease, distinguishing the effects and role of each, and identifying where and how this communication goes wrong.
Expression of neuromedin B in adipose tissue and its regulation by changes in energy balance
Authors: Hoggard N , Bashir S , Cruickshank M , Miller J D B , Speakman J R
Published: August 2007

Bombesin is one of the most powerful substances showing anorexic effects in the hypothalamus (Moody TW & Merali Z 2004 Bombesin-like peptides and associated receptors within the brain: distribution and behavioral implications. Peptides 25 511–520). In mammals, neuromedin B (NMB) is one member of a family of bombesin-like peptides, which have been shown to reduce food intake when administered systemically. Using Taqman real-time PCR with specific primers, we report the expression of NMB mRNA in both human and rodent adipose tissue. Expression of NMB in rodent epididymal adipose tissue was higher than in other tissues studied. Expression of NMB in adipose tissue appears to be regulated by changes in energy balance and leptin. It is decreased fourfold in the epididymal fat depot of ob/ob mice when compared with the same fat depot in lean mice. It is further decreased with the intra-peritoneally (i.p.) administration of leptin in both lean and obese ob/ob mice. This may relate to its function in food intake regulation or to changes in energy expenditure. We demonstrate that NMB expression in rodent adipose tissue is decreased in cold exposed animals. However, when we investigated the effects of NMB on resting metabolic rate by i.p. injection, there was no effect on oxygen consumption, RQ or physical activity when compared with saline-treated controls. In conclusion, NMB is expressed in both human and rodent adipose tissue and appears to be regulated by changes in energy balance. Given its anorexic effects centrally, it may form part of a new adipose tissue – hypothalamic axis regulating food intake.
The development of rat Leydig cell progenitors in vitro: how essential is luteinising hormone?
Authors: Teerds Katja J , Rijntjes Eddy , Veldhuizen-Tsoerkan Margarita B , Rommerts Focko F G , de Boer-Brouwer Mieke
Published: August 2007

Luteinising hormone (LH) appears to be important for the establishment of the adult-type Leydig cell population. The role of LH in the initial steps of stem Leydig cell/precursor cell differentiation is less clear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of LH in the differentiation of spindle-shaped mesenchymal-like cells into Leydig cell progenitors. Interstitial cells were isolated from rat testes at three different ages reflecting different phases in development, and cultured in the presence of increasing concentrations of LH (ranging from 0.01 to 10 ng/ml). Cells were isolated from 10-day-old rats when stem Leydig cells/precursor cells are abundant; 13-day-old rats when the first 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD)-positive Leydig cell progenitors have developed in the strain of rats used in this study; and 18-day-old rats just prior to the wave of progenitor proliferation. Immunohistochemistry revealed that before stem Leydig cells differentiate into progenitor cells, they acquire functional LH receptors and become precursor cells. This was confirmed by an in vivo immunohistochemical double-labelling experiment. Addition of LH to the cultures increased the percentage of LH/3β-HSD-labelled Leydig cell progenitors, while the percentage of cells solely expressing the LH receptor decreased. Cell proliferation was negligible, suggesting that the increase in 3β-HSD-positive cells is the result of precursor cell differentiation. When interstitial cells were isolated from 13-day-old rats and to a lesser extent from 10-day-old rats, a small proportion of the precursors could develop into progenitor cells independent of the presence of LH. In conclusion: before Leydig stem cells differentiate into 3β-HSD-positive progenitor cells, they acquire LH receptors and become precursor cells. LH appears to be essential, even at very low doses for the differentiation of these precursor cells into 3β-HSD-positive progenitors, although a subpopulation of precursor cells can develop into progenitors independently of LH.
Differential expression of neurogenins and NeuroD1 in human pituitary tumours
Authors: Fratticci A , Grieco F A , Spilioti C , Giangaspero F , Ventura L , Esposito V , Piccirilli M , Santoro A , Gulino A , Cantore G , Alesse E , Jaffrain-Rea M L
Published: August 2007

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are involved in neuroendocrine cell growth and differentiation. Though NeuroD1 is viewed as corticotroph specific, its overexpression in non-corticotroph pituitary adenomas (PAs) may reflect the activation of molecular pathways involving other bHLH factors, like neurogenins. To search for neurogenin–NeuroD1 molecular pathways in the human normal and tumoural pituitary. Fifty-one PAs – 22 clinically non-secreting (CNS) and 29 secreting respectively – and normal human pituitaries (NP) were studied for NeuroD1 and neurogenins (Ngn1, Ngn2 and Ngn3) gene expression by RT-PCR and quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Immunohisto-chemistry for Ngn2/3 was performed in some cases. NeuroD1, Ngn2, Ngn3 and Ngn1 were observed in up to 84.3, 76.5, 30.4 and 9.1% of PA respectively, only NeuroD1 and Ngn2 being frequently overexpressed when compared with NP. Whereas NeuroD1 expression was higher in corticotroph and CNS adenomas (P=0.0001 versus Pit-1-dependent PA), Ngn2 expression was higher in secreting PA, especially in Pit-1-dependent PA (P=0.007 and P=0.0006 versus CNS respectively). Pit-1-dependent PAwhich received pre-operative pharmacological treatment expressed higher Ngn2 levels than untreated cases (P=0.025). Nuclear Ngn2 was observed in NP and in most PA, especially ACTH- and GH-secreting adenomas. Nuclear Ngn3 was observed in a minority of secreting PA. Ngn2 is normally expressed in the anterior pituitary and frequently expressed in PA, but does not account for NeuroD1 overexpression where present. Owing to their low and inconstant expression, the biological significance of Ngn1/3 in the adult pituitary is uncertain.
GH enhances proliferation of human hepatocytes grafted into immunodeficient mice with damaged liver
Authors: Masumoto Norio , Tateno Chise , Tachibana Asato , Utoh Rie , Morikawa Yoshio , Shimada Takashi , Momisako Hiroyuki , Itamoto Toshiyuki , Asahara Toshimasa , Yoshizato Katsutoshi
Published: August 2007

We investigated effects of human (h) GH on the proliferation of h-hepatocytes that had been engrafted in the liver of albumin enhancer/promoter driven-urokinase plasminogen activator transgenic/severe combined immunodeficiency disease (uPA/SCID) mice (chimeric mice). The h-hepatocytes therein were considered to be deficient in GH, because hGH receptor (hGHR) is unresponsive to mouse GH. Actually, hIGF-1 was undetectable in chimeric mouse sera. The uPA/SCID mice were transplanted with h-hepatocytes from a 6-year (6Y)-old donor, and were injected with recombinant hGH (rhGH). rhGH stimulated the repopulation speed of h-hepatocytes; and up-regulated hIGF-1, human signal transducers and activators of transcription (hSTAT) 3, and cell cycle regulatory genes such as human forkhead box M1, human cell division cycle 25A, and human cyclin D1. To confirm the reproducibility of these effects of rhGH, similar experiments were run using h-hepatocytes from a 46-year (46Y)-old donor. rhGH similarly enhanced their repopulation speed and up-regulated the expression of the above-tested genes, especially hIGF-1 and hSTAT1. The extent of the enhancement by rhGH was much less than that in 6Y-hepatocyte-chimeric mice most probably due to the difference in GHR expression levels between the two donors. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrated that rhGH stimulates the proliferation of h-hepatocytes in vivo.
PTGER1 and PTGER2 receptors mediate regulation of progesterone synthesis and type 1 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity by prostaglandin E2 in human granulosa–lutein cells
Authors: Chandras C , Harris T E , Bernal A López , Abayasekara D R E , Michael A E
Published: August 2007

In luteinizing granulosa cells, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can exert luteotrophic actions, apparently via the cAMP signalling pathway. In addition to stimulating progesterone synthesis, PGE2 can also stimulate oxidation of the physiological glucocorticoid, cortisol, to its inactive metabolite, cortisone, by the type 1 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD1) enzyme in human granulosa–lutein cells. Having previously shown these human ovarian cells to express functional G-protein coupled, E-series prostaglandin (PTGER)1, PTGER2 and PTGER4 receptors, the aim of this study was to delineate the roles of PTGER1 and PTGER2 receptors in mediating the effects of PGE2 on steroidogenesis and cortisol metabolism in human granulosa–lutein cells. PGE2-stimulated concentration-dependent increases in both progesterone production and cAMP accumulation (by 1.9 ± 0.1- and 18.7 ± 6.8-fold respectively at 3000 nM PGE2). While a selective PTGER1 antagonist, SC19220, could partially inhibit the steroidogenic response to PGE2 (by 55.9 ± 4.1% at 1000 nM PGE2), co-treatment with AH6809, a mixed PTGER1/PTGER2 receptor antagonist, completely abolished the stimulation of progesterone synthesis at all tested concentrations of PGE2 and suppressed the stimulation of cAMP accumulation. Both PGE2 and butaprost (a preferential PTGER2 receptor agonist) stimulated concentration-dependent increases in cortisol oxidation by 11βHSD1 (by 42.5 ± 3.1 and 40.0 ± 3.0% respectively, at PGE2 and butaprost concentrations of 1000 nM). Co-treatment with SC19220 enhanced the ability of both PGE2 and butaprost to stimulate 11βHSD1 activity (by 30.2 ± 0.2 and 30.5 ± 0.6% respectively), whereas co-treatment with AH6809 completely abolished the 11βHSD1 responses to PGE2 and butaprost. These findings implicate the PTGER2 receptor–cAMP signalling pathway in the stimulation of progesterone production and 11βHSD1 activity by PGE2 in human granulosa–lutein cells.
Up-regulation of Per1 expression by estradiol and progesterone in the rat uterus
Authors: He Pei-Jian , Hirata Masami , Yamauchi Nobuhiko , Hattori Masa-aki
Published: August 2007

It has been established that estrogen can alter circadian rhythms in behavior and endocrine physiology in rodents. The uterus is a reproductive organ that is critically dependent on regulation by ovarian steroids. Here, we examined the expression of Per1 in different compartments of the uterus, and explored whether the ovarian steroids could regulate Per1 expression employing ovariectomized rat uterus. RT-PCR analysis showed that Per1 was cyclically expressed in the uterus. As revealed by in situ hybridization, the staining intensity of Per1 mRNA was stronger at ZT 8 than at ZT 0 in the uterine luminal epithelium (LE), stroma (S), and myometrium (M) compartments, but was not changed in the glandular epithelium (GE). Both in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that estradiol (E2) administration induced high expression of Per1 in the LE, GE, and M, and less expression in the S compartment. Progesterone (P4) treatment resulted in an obvious enhancement of Per1 expression in the LE, GE, and S, but unchanged in the M compartment. Furthermore, the E2- and P4-activated Per1 expression was significantly repressed by their respective antagonists, ICI182 780 and RU486. These findings were further supported by RT-PCR analysis of Per1 expression in cultured uterine stromal cells. Collectively, the present data indicate that E2 and P4 might be involved in modification of circadian rhythm via direct regulation of the expression of clock genes.