bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do neck levels negative on initial CT need to be dissected after definitive radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy?
Authors: Rao Nikhil G. , Sanguineti Giuseppe , Chaljub Gregory , Newlands Shawn D. , Qiu Suimin
Published: June 2008

Background

The extent of the adjuvant neck dissection after radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy remains undefined. We investigated whether we could limit neck dissection to levels with positive lymph nodes on CT scan before treatment.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients' initial diagnostic CT scans were reviewed retrospectively and neck levels were scored positive for malignancy if the respective lymph nodes met any of the following: maximum axial diameter >1 cm; oval/round shape; hypodensity; presence of extracapsular penetration; and irregular enhancement. Patients were treated with radiation alone (71%) or with radiation plus chemotherapy (29%). Neck dissection consisted of radical (8 heminecks), modified radical (4 heminecks), or selective (13 heminecks).

Results

One hundred two neck levels were dissected. Of these, 56 levels (54.9%) were negative on initial CT scan. None of them was found to contain cancer.

Conclusions

After radiation with or without chemotherapy, neck dissection of an initially negative neck level may not be necessary. Neck dissection may target only initially positive levels. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
Temporal monitoring of water level changes in Seyfe Lake using remote sensing
Authors: Reis Selcuk , Yilmaz Haci Murat
Published: June 2008

The Earth's water resources are endangered by inconsiderate use, pollution and lack of conservation measures. Temporal monitoring is necessary for the conservation and usage planning of water resources and to make informed decisions. Seyfe Lake and its environs in Turkey is one of the most important water basins in the world, because it is a node on bird migration paths between Europe, Asia and Africa. For this reason, the International Council of Bird Preservation (ICBP) has registered 27 of the bird species living at Seyfe Lake on the conservation list. In this work, the temporal changes in the water surface area of Seyfe Lake and its environs, which are important for ecological, historical and tourism reasons, are investigated. The change of water surface in the lake is examined over a 26 year period using satellite images taken between 1975 and 2001. Landsat images from years 1975, 1987 and 2001 are used. The change is tracked from the images using an unsupervised classification method. A decrease of slightly more than 33% was observed in the water surface area this 26 year period. The temporal change indicated by the images was compared with the related meteorological data between 1975 and 2001. Over this time period, climate conditions (rainfall, temperature and evaporation) in the study area have been changed by approximately 21%. These changes could have affected the Lake surface area, but so also could external human interference around the Lake. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dietary lariciresinol attenuates mammary tumor growth and reduces blood vessel density in human MCF‐7 breast cancer xenografts and carcinogen‐induced mammary tumors in rats
Authors: Saarinen Niina M. , Wärri Anni , Dings Ruud P.M. , Airio Maarit , Smeds Annika I. , Mäkelä Sari
Published: June 2008

Lariciresinol is a dietary lignan that accounts for a significant portion of the total phytoestrogen intake from Western foods. Recent epidemiological studies suggest that high dietary intake of lignans and lariciresinol is associated with reduced breast cancer risk. However, no causal relationship between lariciresinol intake and breast cancer development has been established. In this study, we investigated for the first time the effects and possible mechanisms of action of lariciresinol on hormone responsive mammary cancer in vivo in dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induced mammary cancer in rats, and in human MCF‐7 breast cancer xenografts in athymic mice. For tumor bearing rats, lariciresinol (3 or 15 mg/kg of body weight) or vehicle was administered p.o. daily for 9 weeks. For E2‐maintained ovariectomized athymic mice bearing orthotopic MCF‐7 tumors, control diet (AIN‐93G) or lariciresinol containing diet (AIN‐93G supplemented with 20 or 100 mg of lariciresinol/kg of diet) was administered for 5 weeks. In both models, lariciresinol administration inhibited the tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis. In MCF‐7 cells, enterolactone significantly inhibited the E2‐stimulated VEGF secretion. Moreover, in MCF‐7 xenografts, lariciresinol administration enhanced tumor cell apoptosis and increased estrogen receptor beta expression. Lariciresinol and its further metabolites secoisolariciresinol, enterodiol and enterolactone were found in serum of both rats and athymic mice confirming a similar lignan metabolism pattern as in humans. These findings indicate conceivable importance of dietary lignan lariciresinol in inhibition of breast cancer development. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
(−)Epigallocatechingallate protects the mitochondria against the deleterious effects of lipids, calcium and adenosine triphosphate in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted male Wistar rats
Authors: Devika P. T. , Prince P. Stanely Mainzen
Published: June 2008

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of (−)epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on mitochondrial lipids, lipid peroxides, Na+/K+ ATPase, calcium and adenosine triphosphate in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction in male Wistar rats. Rats were pretreated with EGCG (30 mg kg–1 body weight) orally using an intragastric tube daily for a period of 21 days. After that, ISO (100 mg kg−1 body weight) was subcutaneously injected to rats at intervals of 24 h for two days. ISO induced rats showed significant increase in the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids with subsequent decrease in the levels of phospholipids in mitochondrial fraction of the heart. ISO induction also caused significant increase in lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides) and significant decrease in the activity of Na+/K+ ATPase in mitochondrial fraction of the heart. A significant increase in the levels of calcium and significant decrease in the levels of adenosine triphosphate were observed in ISO‐induced mitochondrial heart. Prior treatment with EGCG (30 mg kg–1) significantly protected these alterations and maintained normal mitochondrial function. Thus, this study confirmed the protective effect of EGCG on mitochondria in experimentally induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of low‐level thermal inversions on estimated melt‐season characteristics in the central Canadian Arctic
Authors: Chutko Krystopher J. , Lamoureux Scott F.
Published: June 2008

Daily vertical temperature gradients were examined in order to infer melt‐event characteristics at an elevation relevant to basin‐scale snow and plateau ice‐melt studies in the Canadian Arctic. Surface and upper‐air temperature data from Resolute, Cornwallis Island, was used to estimate vertical lapse rates up to 300 m asl, and to identify the presence of inversions at that altitude. Lapse rates vary throughout the melt season and are substantially less than typically published generalized values. Thermal inversions are more frequent during the melt season than in the periods immediately before and after, suggesting a strong control on intraseasonal temperature patterns. In July, the period of maximum temperature in the Arctic, inversion frequency is highest and closely related to calculated melting degree‐days. Results show that increased summer mean temperature resulted in a substantial lengthening of estimated melt events, as opposed to increased event intensity. Increased inversion frequency leading to shallower vertical lapse rates since the late 1980s is speculated to be the result of synoptic‐scale climate patterns, and is potentially an important meteorological mechanism for enhanced glacial melt since the late 1980s. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Effectiveness of platinum and iridium in improving the resistance of Ni‐Al to thermal cycling in air–steam mixtures
Authors: Kartono R. , Young D. J.
Published: June 2008

The aim of this work was to assess the value of platinum and iridium additions, with and without hafnium, to binary Ni‐Al alloys, intended to act as models for aluminide coatings. Attention was focused on a (γ + γ′) Ni‐22Al alloy, but comparisons were made withβ‐Ni‐50Al. All compositions are given in at%. Alloys were exposed to flowing gases at a total pressure of 1 bar for one thousand 1 h cycles at 1200 °C. Compared to binary Ni‐Al alloys, the Pt‐modified alloys performed much better (with or without Hf) in dry air. Thermal cycling in air + 12% H2O led to more rapid weight losses, due to enhanced spalling. Again, the addition of Pt was beneficial, but weight losses were still significant in the absence of Hf additions. A Ni‐22Al‐15Pt + Hf alloy slowly lost weight by scale spallation over 1000 cycles, but a Ni‐22Al‐30Pt + Hf alloy resisted weight loss. Partial substitution of Ir for Pt was beneficial in both wet and dry air. However, in the case of wet air, Hf additions were necessary to prevent slow spallation losses.
Effect of creep deformation on oxidation behavior of nickel‐based alloy with Re‐based diffusion barrier coating
Authors: Narita T. , Sakata M. , Nishimoto T. , Yoshioka T. , Hayashi S.
Published: June 2008

Oxidation and creep behaviors of a Ni‐Mo‐based alloy (Hastelloy‐X) with a diffusion barrier coating consisting of duplex, inner Re‐based alloy, and outer β‐NiAl layers were investigated at 1243 K in air with an external tensile stress of 22.5 MPa. For comparison the alloys, as‐received, heat treated, and with the Ni‐aluminide coating, were oxidized under creep deformation. Creep rapture time for the diffusion barrier‐coated alloy was longer than those for the bare alloy and with the β‐NiAl‐coated alloy. After creep deformation to a strain of 3.5% for 190 h, it was found that the Re‐based alloy layer has few cracks and flaws and the β‐NiAl layer has the similar structure and composition before and after the creep test. The external scale mainly consisted of θ‐Al2O3 at the early stage of creep, and with further oxidation the external scale became a duplex layer, inner, equi‐axed α‐Al2O3, and outer, plate‐like θ‐Al2O3, which exfoliated significantly. It was concluded that the Re‐based alloy layer acts effectively as a barrier against inward Al diffusion and outward diffusion of alloy elements under creep deformation.
Hot corrosion of coated and uncoated single crystal gas turbine materials
Authors: Simms N. J. , Encinas‐Oropesa A. , Nicholls J. R.
Published: June 2008

Single crystal superalloys were originally developed for use in the hot gas paths of aero‐engines with fuels and air that could both contain low levels of elements that had the potential to produce significant corrosive damage to these materials. However, in the development of power systems with increased efficiencies, single‐crystal materials are now being used in industrial gas turbines, which operate with higher levels of potentially corrosive elements. Therefore, the hot corrosion of single crystal materials, both bare and with coatings, is of interest in assessing the viability of their use in combusted gas environments that contain progressively higher levels of potentially damaging elements. The paper summarises work that has been carried out to investigate the hot corrosion of two single crystal alloys (CMSX‐4 and SC2‐B), both bare and with Pt‐Al coatings. A series of laboratory tests has been carried out using the ‘deposit replenishment’ technique to investigate the sensitivity of the corrosion damage to single crystal materials and coatings to a range of exposure conditions anticipated for gas turbines using combustion gases that contain high levels of potentially damaging elements. The exposure variables studied during the series of 500 h tests included:

Gas composition: the effects of different levels of SOx, HCl and steam in air;

deposition flux: the effects of 4/1 (Na/K)2SO4 deposits applied with deposition fluxes of 1.5, 5 and 15 µg/cm2/h.

temperature: 700 and 900 °C.

During the course of the tests, the performance of the materials was monitored using conventional mass‐change methods. But the main aim of the work was to develop predictive models for the hot corrosion damage to the materials in terms of metal loss. Such quantitative data on the damage to the materials in terms of metal losses have to be obtained using dimensional metrology: for this study this was carried out using pre‐exposure contact measurements and post‐exposure measurements of features on polished cross‐sections. These measurement methods have allowed distributions of damage data to be determined and permitted different approaches to corrosion modelling to be investigated and their viability to be assessed.
Effect of surface preparation on the durability of NiCoCrAlY coatings for oxidation protection and bond coats for thermal barrier coatings
Authors: Meier Jackson E. M. , Yanar N. M. , Maris‐Jakubowski M. C. , Onal‐Hance K. , Meier G. H. , Pettit F. S.
Published: June 2008

A principal concern with alumina‐forming coatings for high‐temperature oxidation protection and bond coats (BCs) for ceramic thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) used in gas turbines is the spalling of the alumina scales during service. This paper describes the effects of BC surface preparation on the durability of NiCoCrAlY coatings exposed under thermal cycling conditions. State‐of‐the‐art TBC systems deposited by electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD) with NiCoCrAlY overlay BCs were found to fail as the result of defects which included transient oxides, defects in the BC surface, defects in the as‐deposited microstructure of the TBC, and excessive oxidation of reactive element additions. In some instances, the TBC life was greatly extended by surface treatments, such as fine polishing. The oxidation behavior of NiCoCrAlY coatings, absent a TBC, was found to be sensitive to Y content and to surface preparation. This paper describes how a variety of surface treatments affected coating lives and failure mechanisms.
Therapy‐refractory tourette syndrome: Beneficial outcome with globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation
Authors: Dehning Sandra , Mehrkens Jan‐Hinnerk , Norbert Müller  , Bötzel Kai
Published: June 2008

We report on a female patient with Tourette syndrome and a 12‐month follow‐up after chronic deep brain stimulation in the globus pallidus internus which resulted in excellent remission of motor and vocal tics. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Head and trunk rotation during walking turns in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Huxham Frances , Baker Richard , Morris Meg E. , Iansek Robert
Published: June 2008

Head and trunk axial rotation during walking to align with a new path are integral components of direction change (turning). Turning is problematic in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), who appear to move en‐bloc when turning and when walking straight. Axial rotation has been little investigated in this group. Accordingly, head, thorax, and pelvis rotation relative to the laboratory axes (global rotation) was investigated in 10 patients with PD and 10 matched comparison subjects when walking straight and when turning 60 and 120°. Data were selected at three footfalls before and three after a pole denoting the corner. Although rotation was reduced overall in patients with PD, final differences were minimized by rotation commencing at an earlier step in the patient group. When rotation was measured at various distances relative to the corner, the patient group demonstrated greater rotation than their peers. In support of clinical observations, patients constrained thorax and pelvis closely together around the corner, while control subjects maintained a pattern of reciprocal oscillation when turning. Stride length reduction appears to contribute more to inefficient turning in PD than under‐scaled amplitude of rotation. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
A study of the 15N NMR chemical shifts in substituted anilines and phenylhydrazines, and their derivatives
Authors: Li Linsheng , Zhang Lina , Lan Yunjun , Zhang Changhui
Published: June 2008

The analysis of 15N chemical shift data from over a hundred anilines, N‐methyl anilines, N,N‐dimethyl anilines and phenylhydrazines with substituents in the phenyl ring leads to an empirical equation, δcal = δon + Δo + Δm + Δp, for calculating 15N NMR chemical shifts of the amino group. This equation is based on a linear regression analysis using eighteen substituent parameters and leads to good conformity with the expected data. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PNIPAAM Grafted Polymeric Monoliths Synthesized by the Reactive Gelation Process and their Swelling/Deswelling Characteristics
Authors: Mittal Vikas , Matsko Nadejda B. , Butté Alessandro , Morbidelli Massimo
Published: June 2008

The production of macroporous monoliths functionalized with a thermo‐responsive polymer (PNIPAAM) is described. The surface functionalization was achieved by copolymerization of acrylic end capped atom transfer radical polymerization initiator (BPOEA) with divinylbenzene with or without styrene. Monoliths were generated by swelling them with styrene, BPOEA and divinylbenzene followed by gelation with salt and post polymerization. Subsequent grafting of these monoliths with PNIPAAM was achieved by atom transfer radical polymerization and their swelling deswelling characteristics quantified. The grafted monoliths provide a unique chromatographic stationary phase where adsorption/desorption can be driven by the use of temperature only.

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A depth‐integrated, coupled SPH model for flow‐like landslides and related phenomena
Authors: Pastor M. , Haddad B. , Sorbino G. , Cuomo S. , Drempetic V.
Published: June 2008

In the past decades, flow‐like catastrophic landslides caused many victims and important economic damage around the world. It is therefore important to predict their path, velocity and depth in order to provide adequate mitigation and protection measures. This paper presents a model that incorporates coupling between pore pressures and the solid skeleton inside the avalanching mass. A depth‐integrated, coupled, mathematical model is derived from the velocity–pressure version of the Biot–Zienkiewicz model, which is used in soil dynamics. The equations are complemented with simple rheological equations describing soil behaviour and are discretized using the SPH method. The accuracy of the model is assessed using a series of benchmarks, and then it is applied to back‐analyse the propagation stage of some catastrophic flow‐like slope movements for which field data are available. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The intergenerational transmission of social dominance: A three‐generation study
Authors: Chatard Armand , Selimbegovic Leila
Published: June 2008

This study examined the transmission of social dominance orientation (SDO) from parents and grandparents to children. It was predicted that parents as well as grandparents would pass their social dominance attitudes to children. Children's levels of SDO would thus be the highest when parental and grandparental attitudes are high; the lowest when parental and grandparental attitudes are low; and intermediate when parental and grandparental attitudes are incongruent. These hypotheses were examined in a sample of 93 families including children (in early adulthood), one of their parents, and one of their grandparents. Results yielded support for the predictions. These findings' implications are discussed in terms of their potential to explain previous inconsistent results on the transmission of social attitudes to children. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of pancreatic cancer using antibody microarray‐based serum protein profiling
Authors: Ingvarsson Johan , Wingren Christer , Carlsson Anders , Ellmark Peter , Wahren Britta , Engström Gunnel , Harmenberg Ulrika , Krogh Morten , Peterson Carsten , Borrebaeck Carl A. K.
Published: June 2008

The driving force behind oncoproteomics is to identify protein signatures that are associated with a particular malignancy. Here, we have used a recombinant scFv antibody microarray in an attempt to classify sera derived from pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients versus healthy subjects. Based on analysis of nonfractionated, directly labeled, whole human serum proteomes we have identified a protein signature based on 19 nonredundant analytes, that discriminates between cancer patients and healthy subjects. Furthermore, a potential protein signature, consisting of 21 protein analytes, could be defined that was shown to be associated with cancer patients having a life expectancy of <12 months. Taken together, the data suggest that antibody microarray analysis of complex proteomes will be a useful tool to define disease associated protein signatures.
Output feedback optimal guaranteed cost control of uncertain piecewise linear systems
Authors: Zhang Jianxiong , Tang Wansheng
Published: June 2008

This paper proposes the output feedback optimal guaranteed cost controller design method for uncertain piecewise linear systems based on the piecewise quadratic Lyapunov functions technique. By constructing piecewise quadratic Lyapunov functions for the closed‐loop augmented systems, the existence of the guaranteed cost controller for closed‐loop uncertain piecewise linear systems is cast as the feasibility of a set of bilinear matrix inequalities (BMIs). Some of the variables in BMIs are set to be searched by genetic algorithm (GA), then for a given chromosome corresponding to the variables in BMIs, the BMIs turn to be linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), and the corresponding non‐convex optimization problem, which minimizes the upper bound on cost function, reduces to a semidefinite programming (SDP) which is convex and can be solved numerically efficiently with the available software. Thus, the output feedback optimal guaranteed cost controller can be obtained by solving the non‐convex optimization problem using the mixed algorithm that combines GA and SDP. Numerical examples show the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the Qwiklite™ algal bioluminescence test with marine algal growth rate inhibition bioassays
Authors: Stauber Jenny L. , Binet Monique T. , Bao Vivien W. W. , Boge Jenny , Zhang Amy Q. , Leung Kenneth M. Y. , Adams Merrin S.
Published: June 2008

Although marine algal bioassays based on growth rate inhibition over 72–96 h have been widely used to assess the toxicity of contaminants in waters and sediments, changes in pH over the test duration can lead to changes in contaminant speciation and consequently an under‐ or over‐estimation of toxicity. In addition, high cell densities are used in order to obtain a detectable response, further reducing the tests' environmental relevance in marine waters. There is a need for rapid acute tests with ecologically relevant test endpoints that may be used as surrogates for longer‐term chronic tests. This study compares the sensitivity and reproducibility of a rapid marine dinoflagellate (Pyrocystis lunula) bioluminescence test (QwikLite™) with standard algal growth rate bioassays (Nitzschia closterium and Entomoneis c.f. punctulata) using ammonia and several antifouling agents (tributyltin [TBT], copper, and diuron) as reference toxicants. QwikLite was of similar sensitivity to ammonia as standard algal growth rate tests, but was less sensitive to copper, diuron and TBT, with 24‐h EC50 values of 10 ± 1.1 mg N/L, 0.128 ± 0.021 mg Cu/L, 19 ± 13 mg diuron/L, and 0.226 ± 0.028 mg TBT/L. Inter‐test precision using different batches of P. lunula was generally acceptable. On the basis of NOEC values, QwikLite™ was more sensitive to copper and ammonia at 25°C than at 21°C. QwikLite™ shows promise as a rapid, inexpensive screening test for acute toxicity of contaminants in marine environments. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008.
Surgical Treatment of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis: A Single Institution Experience from 1995–2005
Authors: Park Min J. , Lichtman Greg , Christian Jennifer B. , Weintraub Jennifer , Chang James , Hentz Vincent R. , Ladd Amy L. , Yao Jeffrey
Published: June 2008

There are numerous techniques for the surgical management of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthritis. The four senior authors of this study employ three such techniques: trapeziectomy with hematoma distraction arthroplasty, hemitrapeziectomy with osteochondral allograft, and ligament reconstruction tendon interposition (LRTI). This study examines the three commonly utilized procedures at a single institution. This study examines the 10-year experience from 1995–2005 with a minimum 3-month follow-up. Disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) scores, pre-and postoperative pinch strength, and operative time were examined. After approval from the institutional review board of our institution was obtained, all patients treated surgically by three of the senior authors were contacted via mail and phone. Each patient was asked to complete and return a DASH questionnaire. Of the 115 patients treated during that period, 60 participated in this study. Each patient's final postoperative pinch measurement was obtained from occupational therapy and clinic records. This pinch strength was compared to the preoperative pinch and contralateral pinch strength. Lastly, the total operative time for each procedure was obtained from the operative record. The only significant finding in this study was a shorter mean operative time with the trapeziectomy group (76.90 min) and osteochondral allograft group (90.45 min) when compared to the LRTI group (139.00 min; p=0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). We found no significant difference between groups in terms of DASH score and pinch strength. There was no difference between the techniques in terms of postoperative pinch strength and patient satisfaction measured by DASH scores. The operative times for trapeziectomy and hematoma interposition as well as the osteochondral allograft were significantly shorter than that of the LRTI. This presents further evidence that potentially, “less is more” in the treatment of thumb CMC arthritis. We used a retrospective study design to evaluate potential differences between the three surgical techniques described above, therapeutic, levels III–IV.
The Formation of Active Civil Societies in Post-communist States: The Challenges and Opportunities of a Political Foundation
Authors: Vogel Bernhard
Published: June 2008

The Velvet Revolution of 1989 revitalised the concept of civil society in the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe. This article investigates the new meaning of societas civilis, tracing its evolution from the Aristotelian koinonia politike to the modern redefinition by Tocqueville as civil participation in depoliticised societies. An active civil society has been a key component of the European identity, reflecting the idea that freedom implies responsibility and participation. In the transition towards democracy, post-socialist civil societies have emerged, but dissatisfaction with politics has hampered the growth of a full civil society engagement. Nonetheless, the role of civil society is to be preserved and strengthened, for it is a valuable tool for promoting civic virtues in many domains, as the experience of political foundations in Germany has demonstrated.
Post-communist Tendencies in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Umek Andrej
Published: June 2008

The communist elites in Central and Eastern Europe anticipated the collapse of the communist system well before others in their countries, and started to prepare themselves with the goal of preserving their privileged position in the society. They developed skills for leading positions in a free economy through training not available to others and became the predominant owners in their national economies through privatisation processes that they controlled. This power basis allowed them to develop a strong political infrastructure, which attracted enough voters that the elites could exert significant influence on national politics and take care of their own interests. In this paper, those political decisions that are exclusively in the interest of these former elites are termed ‘post-communist tendencies’.
The Survival of Post-communist Networks: A Challenge to European Unity?
Authors: Szájer József
Published: June 2008

Although the fall of the Iron Curtain seemed to pave the way towards a new era of security, freedom and wealth in Central and Eastern Europe, the transition to democracy has been hindered by the weight of its communist heritage. In fact, elites of the old regimes have continued to play a determinant role, to the detriment of the growth of fully democratic societies. This article explores the consequences of post-communism, emphasising the disastrous effects of networks made up of former apparatchiks. The latter have often succeeded in retaining political and economic control in the new democracies. As a result, a genuine process of Europeanisation is hampered by the survival of the Soviet model of authoritarianism and manipulation of information, as demonstrated by an analysis of recent Hungarian political history.
The New Europe: Lessons from Countries in Transition
Authors: Zsiga Erik
Published: June 2008

The transition process of Eastern European countries has proved to be an unprecedented success. This is demonstrated by their economic and social achievements and, above all, by the establishment of stable democratic regimes and the rule of law in the ‘New Europe’. The article emphasizes that the rest of Europe should also benefit from these successful experiences, drawing on three major lessons. Firstly, the transition of post-communist countries teaches that democracy and human rights should be conceived as living ideals to be pursued with dedication. Further, old EU members should be inspired by the commitment to work in new democracies where the memory of poverty is still fresh. Finally, the courage to undertake innovative and even audacious policies should be an example for all EU Members, in a renewed endeavour to enhance democracy, freedom and prosperity in throughout the continent.
Latin America and European ‘soft Power’ Geopolitics
Authors: Arias-King Fredo
Published: June 2008

This article argues for the refocusing of EU engagement in Latin America away from appeasement of the emerging illiberal regimes and towards active support for liberal forces, consistent with the EU's founding philosophy, economic goals and geopolitical future.
The Bulgarian Transition towards Democracy and the Challenges of the New Perspective
Authors: Borissov Boyko
Published: June 2008

At the end of the Cold War era, Bulgaria succeeded in swiftly creating a democratic political and institutional system. In spite of these rapid achievements, the process of transition has proved slow and incoherent. The disappearance of external security and internal stability ensured by participation in the communist bloc has caused confusion if not discontent in the population. As a consequence, economic and political reforms have been delayed, compromising the trust of Bulgarians in the new democratic institutions. This article sheds lights on these developments in Bulgaria's multifaceted transition towards democracy, underscoring its historical peculiarities. It explores the main challenges of Bulgarian politics—trust building, weak grass-roots participation and the extreme fragmentation of the political landscape—and identifies possible solutions.
Implementing Reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Challenge of the Constitutional Process
Authors: Arvanitopoulos Constantine , Tzifakis Nikolaos
Published: June 2008

The transition to democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has proven extremely troublesome, as it overlapped with the complex post-conflict reconstruction process. Furthermore, the Dayton Peace Accords have provided Bosnia and Herzegovina with a rather incoherent institutional framework. In fact, the peace agreements created an asymmetrical confederation of highly autonomous, ethnically based entities coupled with weak central institutions. This situation has generated fragmentation and exclusion of minorities rather than reconciliation, triggering the worrying rise of a divisive national rhetoric. Consequently, reform attempts have been hampered by the defence of (perceived) national interests by different ethnic groups. Moreover, the international community has failed both in driving the reform process and in fostering talks to help local leaders achieve an agreement. In such a context, the much-needed constitutional reforms to establish a more efficient and cohesive governmental structure are still far from being achieved.
α1‐Adrenoceptors augment thermal hyperalgesia in mildly burnt skin
Authors: Drummond Peter D.
Published: June 2008

The effect of the α1‐adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine on sensitivity to heat was investigated at three sites of mild burn injury in the cutaneous forearm of 19 healthy participants. Two of the sites were pre‐treated with the α1‐antagonist terazosin, to determine whether the effect of phenylephrine was mediated by α1‐adrenoceptors. Terazosin was administered before the burn injury at one site, and after the burn injury at the other site. In another 15 participants, the nociceptive effect of the α2‐adrenoceptor agonist clonidine was investigated with and without prior treatment with the α2‐antagonist rauwolscine. Drugs were introduced into the skin by iontophoresis, and burns were induced by heating the skin to 48°C for 2min. Heat pain thresholds to a temperature ramp (0.5°C/s), and heat pain ratings to a thermal stimulus (45°C, 7s), were determined before and after the administration of each drug. Thermal hyperalgesia provoked by phenylephrine was inhibited by terazosin administered after the burn injury, but not by terazosin administered before the burn injury. However, neither α2‐adrenoceptor stimulation nor blockade affected sensitivity to heat in the mildly burnt skin. These findings suggest that stimulation of cutaneous α1‐adrenoceptors increased the excitability of heat‐sensitized nociceptive afferents. As terazosin was more effective when administered in burnt skin, an inflammatory response induced by the burn injury may have facilitated access of adrenergic agents to α1‐adrenoceptors.
Effect of a large‐sized silicone sheet upon recovery of mastoid aeration after mastoidectomy
Authors: Kazama Kyosuke , Takahashi Haruo , Kaieda Satoru , Iwanaga Tetsu , Yamamoto‐Fukuda Tomomi , Yoshida Haruo , Kumagami Hidetaka , Takasaki Kenji
Published: June 2008

Objective

To evaluate the effect of our large‐sized silicone sheet upon postoperative recovery of mastoid aeration in ears after surgery including mastoidectomy and soft‐wall reconstruction (SWR).

Study Design and Setting

Retrospective chart review in a tertiary care center.

Subjects and Methods

Recovery of mastoid aeration was assessed by CT 4 to 12 months after surgery on 72 ears (69 patients), in which the silicone sheet covering from the eustachian tube (ET) to the mastoid was placed after SWR procedure with mastoidectomy were done for their chronic otitis media. Results were compared with those with a small silicone sheet.

Results

Recovery of mastoid aeration was significantly better in the large‐silicone‐sheet group than in the small‐silicone‐sheet group (X2 value = 11.7146, P = 0.0006).

Conclusion

This preliminary study suggested that our large‐sized silicone sheet may be effective for postoperative recovery of mastoid aeration even in ears operated with SWR procedure.

© 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.
Mitomycin C and airway surgery: How well does it work?
Authors: Warner Danielle , Brietzke Scott E.
Published: June 2008

Objective

Systematically review and critically evaluate all available published data on the use of topical mitomycin C (MMC) as an adjunctive in airway surgery.

Data Sources

Published studies indexed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, or Cochrane databases. Inclusion criteria were English language, sample size greater than five, and publication of data applicable to the analysis of topical MMC and airway surgery outcomes.

Review Methods

Evidence tables were compiled to include sample size, study design, and evidence level. Summary statistics, random‐effects modeling, and subgroup analysis were performed.

Results

Twenty manuscripts (eight human, 12 animal) met the inclusion criteria. Seven of eight (87.5%) of the human studies and eight of 12 (66%) animal studies concluded topical MMC was beneficial to airway surgical outcomes. Eleven of twelve animal studies included randomization and a control group, compared with only two of eight human studies. Random‐effects modeling of human studies (k=7) indicated that 81.4 percent (95% CI, 72.0%‐90.9%; P < 0.001) of patients had improved outcomes attributable to MMC. Random‐effects modeling of animal data included modeling of change in airway diameter (Hedge's G = −0.03; 95% CI, −0.66‐0.60; P = 0.924) and the change in histologic measures (Hedge's G = 1.26; 95% CI, 0.596‐1.92; P < 0.001) in MMC‐treated animals vs controls.

Conclusion

The majority of the published literature individually suggests the use of topical MMC improves airway surgery outcomes. However, heterogeneity within the clinical studies, the lack of controlled data, and the lack of significance in the pooled animal data (other than histologic outcomes) suggest that the utility of MMC is still undetermined.
A warning to physicians: Changing landscape of the corporate‐provider relationship
Authors: Shah Udayan K. , Smith Gina Maisto , Ziv Barbara E. , Reilly James S.
Published: June 2008

In 2007, the United States federal government recovered $1.54 billion for fraud in the health care industry. The government's unwavering and continuing commitment to enforcement and criminal actions compel the need for a stronger provider understanding of the regulatory framework within which corporate‐provider relations must be structured.

This commentary aims to review briefly the need for such education in order to protect providers from legal action and offers a straightforward, proactive compliance approach to optimize patient care and technological innovation while maintaining appropriate remuneration.
Prospective, randomized, controlled trial of tranexamic acid in patients who undergo head and neck procedures
Authors: Chen Chih‐Cheng , Wang Chen‐Chi , Wang Ching‐Ping , Lin Tseng‐Hsi , Lin Whe‐Dar , Liu Shih‐An
Published: June 2008

Objectives

To determine if tranexamic acid could reduce the drainage duration after head and neck procedures.

Study Design

Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Methods

Patients who underwent head and neck operations were included. The study group was treated with tranexamic acid during the perioperative period whereas the control group received normal saline solution. Blood samples were also collected.

Results

The study and control groups consisted of 26 and 29 patients, respectively. Although there was a significant difference in the drainage amount between the two groups, (49.7 vs 88.8 mL, P = 0.041), no significant difference could be found in the drainage duration between the two groups (2.69 vs 3.07 days, P = 0.146). There was also no significant difference in the coagulation profiles between the two groups.

Conclusion

We did not find a meaningful effect in reducing the drainage duration after head and neck procedures with the use of prophylactic tranexamic acid.
Prognostic influence of gender in patients with oral tongue cancer
Authors: Garavello Werner , Spreafico Roberto , Somigliana Edgardo , Gaini Lorenzo , Pignataro Lorenzo , Gaini Renato Maria
Published: June 2008

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the independent role of gender in affecting prognosis in patients with anterior tongue cancer.

Design

Patients recorded in the head and neck cancer registry of Milano‐Bicocca School of Medicine between January 1981 and December 1998 were reviewed. Female patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were identified and matched to men for year of diagnosis, age, TNM classification, histologic grading, and treatment modalities. For each woman, two men were matched.

Results

Seventy‐one women and 142 men satisfied our selection criteria. The frequency of recurrences was similar in the two study groups. This event occurred in 33 (46%) women and in 78 (55%) men (Fisher exact test, P = 0.25). The survival analysis confirmed that the rate of recurrences did not differ (log‐rank test, P = 0.31). The number of cancer‐related deaths in women and men was 23 (32%) and 55 (39%), respectively (Fisher exact test, P = 0.45). The survival analysis confirmed that gender did not affect survival (log‐rank test, P = 0.34).

Conclusion

In this study, gender does not influence prognosis in patients with oral tongue cancer.
Prospective study to assess vocal cord palsy investigations1
Authors: Badawey Mohamed Reda El , Punekar Samad , Zammit‐Maempel Ivan
Published: June 2008

Objectives

To assess the investigation and clinical outcome of patients presenting with unexplained vocal cord palsy (VCP).

Study Design and Methods

A prospective cohort study designed to evaluate 86 patients with unexplained VCP presenting to our tertiary referral center.

Results

Twenty‐four (36%) patients had positive findings on CT scanning. Twenty‐one (24%) cases showed mediastinal adenopathy ± pulmonary mass. The other three cases were a thoracic aneurysm, prostatic metastasis below the skull base, and a post‐cricoid tumor. Follow‐up period was 18 to 66 months. Fifteen (24%) of the 62 patients with negative radiology recovered full vocal cord movement.

Conclusion

CT neck ± chest plays an important role in the evaluation of VCP patients. The majority of pertinent radiologic findings involve malignant neoplasm.
Relationship between rhinitis duration and worsening of nasal function
Authors: Giorgio Ciprandi , Ignazio Cirillo , Angela Pistorio , Stefania La Grutta
Published: June 2008

Background

While it is well known that asthma is characterized by airway remodeling, few studies instead have investigated this issue in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate nasal function, ie, nasal airflow, in a cohort of patients with persistent AR (PER).

Methods

One hundred patients, 50 with short‐term and 50 with long‐term PER, were prospectively and consecutively evaluated, clinically evaluated by visit, skin prick test, and rhinomanometry.

Results

Nasal airflow values were significantly lower (median flow: 348 mL/sec) in patients with long‐term rhinitis (median duration nine years) as compared to patients with short‐term (median duration one year) rhinitis (median flow: 466 mL/sec) (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

This study provides the first evidence that patients with PER may show a progressive worsening of nasal airflow depending on the duration of the disorder.
Replacing Cabinet Ministers: Patterns of Ministerial Stability in Parliamentary Democracies
Authors: HUBER JOHN D. , MARTINEZ-GALLARDO CECILIA
Published: June 2008

We examine the stability of individual ministers across parliamentary democracies. Our data show that this stability is only loosely related to the stability of cabinets, making it impossible to rely primarily on arguments about cabinet duration to explain patterns of individual stability. We argue that to explain patterns of individual stability, it is useful to focus on the problems that party leaders have in identifying which individuals have the qualities necessary to do their jobs well. The institutional powers of ministers, coalition attributes, and party-specific variables should affect the uncertainty that party leaders have about which individuals will be successful ministers, on one hand, and the ability of party leaders to replace unsuccessful ministers, on the other. Our empirical tests support these arguments. The analysis therefore has implications for expectations regarding the circumstances under which minister stability should positively or negatively influence the policymaking performance of government.
Whistleblowing
Authors: TING MICHAEL M.
Published: June 2008

By skipping managers and appealing directly to politicians, whistleblowers can play a critical role in revealing organizational information. However, the protection of whistleblowers can affect managers' abilities to provide employees with incentives to exert effort. This paper explores this tradeoff with a model of agency decision-making under incomplete information. In the game, an employee's effort determines a project's quality, and a manager chooses whether to approve the project and discipline the employee. The employee and politician wish for only “good” projects to be approved. By whistleblowing, an employee reveals the quality to a politician outside of the organization, who may override the manager's decision. A key finding is that from the politician's perspective, the benefits of whistleblower protections depend on the preferences of the manager. If the manager is inclined toward approving projects, then the costs of lower employee effort may outweigh the informational benefits of whistleblowing. The optimal policy may then be to ban whistleblowing. By contrast, when the manager is inclined toward rejecting projects, whistleblower protections prevent him or her from suppressing effort and are unambiguously beneficial.
The Strength of Issues: Using Multiple Measures to Gauge Preference Stability, Ideological Constraint, and Issue Voting
Authors: ANSOLABEHERE STEPHEN , RODDEN JONATHAN , SNYDER JAMES M.
Published: June 2008

A venerable supposition of American survey research is that the vast majority of voters have incoherent and unstable preferences about political issues, which in turn have little impact on vote choice. We demonstrate that these findings are manifestations of measurement error associated with individual survey items. First, we show that averaging a large number of survey items on the same broadly defined issue area—for example, government involvement in the economy, or moral issues—eliminates a large amount of measurement error and reveals issue preferences that are well structured and stable. This stability increases steadily as the number of survey items increases and can approach that of party identification. Second, we show that once measurement error has been reduced through the use of multiple measures, issue preferences have much greater explanatory power in models of presidential vote choice, again approaching that of party identification.
Cavernous haemangioma of external ear canal
Authors: Covelli E , De Seta E , Zardo F , De Seta D , Filipo R
Published: June 2008

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to document the occurrence of a cavernous haemangioma of the external auditory canal, and to review the literature on this pathology.

Methods:

We report the clinical presentation, imaging studies, surgical procedure and histological findings for a cavernous haemangioma of the external auditory canal.

Results:

This patient represents the fourth reported case of cavernous haemangioma affecting only the external auditory canal. A cavernous haemangioma of the external auditory canal, not affecting the tympanic membrane, was surgically removed, without post-operative complications.

Conclusions:

Cavernous haemangioma of the external auditory canal is a rare otological pathology. Computed tomography imaging is important in order to precisely define and localise the site and size of the lesion. Histological examination is necessary for the correct diagnosis of the pathology.