bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical utility of determining tumor markers in patients with signs and symptoms of cancer
Authors: Trapé Jaume , Sala Maria , Franquesa Fina , Ordeig Josep M. , Soler-Bel Josep M. , Bustamante Eva , Pérez Rafael , Aligué Jordi , Montesinos Jesús , Arnau Anna , Ordeig-Villanueva Roser
Published: October 2014

Diagnosing patients with signs or symptoms suggestive of cancer is difficult. Serum tumor markers (TM) may be useful, but it is known that a range of pathologies other than cancer can increase their concentrations and so TM data must be interpreted with caution. The aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of TMs in patients with signs or symptoms of cancer.

We prospectively studied 234 patients seen at rapid diagnostic units who presented signs or symptoms suggestive of cancer. Ninety patients had wasting syndrome, 74 had pulmonary symptoms and 70 other presentations. CYFRA21-1, CEA, CA19-9, total bilirubin and creatinine were determined. The final diagnosis was obtained after 6 months’ follow-up. Patients were classified according to the absence (group A) or presence (group B) of abnormal bilirubin or creatinine.

Of the 234 patients studied, 103 (44.0%) had tumors diagnosed. Cut-off points for each TM were calculated for a specificity of 100%. For the total group, the values were CYFRA21-1, 15 μg/L, CEA, 43.8 μg/L and CA19-9, 7428 KU/L, with an overall sensitivity of 46.6%. For group A (n=142), the following cut-off points were established: CYFRA21-1, 7.8 μg/L, CEA, 13.8 μg/L and CA19-9, 101 KU/L, obtaining a sensitivity of 68.6%. For group B (n=92), the values were the same as for the whole group, and a sensitivity of 42.4% was achieved.

We conclude that TMs can aid diagnosis in these patients with signs or symptoms suggestive of cancer. Their sensitivity can be improved by using different cut-off points in the presence and absence of renal and hepatic dysfunction.
Multicentre evaluation of the Premier Hb9210 HbA1c analyser
Authors: John W. Garry , Little Randie , Sacks David B. , Weykamp Cas , Lenters-Westra Erna , Hornsby Theresa , Zhao Zhen , Siebelder Carla , Tennill Alethea , English Emma
Published: October 2014

The accurate and precise quantification of HbA

We evaluated the analytical performance of the Hb9210 as part of a multicentre evaluation. The effect of haemoglobin variants, other potential interferences and the performance in comparison to both the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) reference systems, was assessed. Most of the centres participating also act as reference laboratories for both the IFCC standardisation network for HbA

The combined data from all centres showed total coefficients of variation (CV) of 2.71%, 2.32% and 2.14% at low, medium and high values, respectively, for mmol/mol (SI units) and 1.62%, 1.59% and 1.68% for % (NGSP units), which are well below the recommended upper limits of 3% CV for mmol/mol (SI units) and 2% CV for % (NGSP). The analyser showed a good correlation to HbA

The Hb9210 performs well and is suitable for clinical application in the analysis of HbA
Diagnosis and evaluation of severity of sepsis via the use of biomarkers and profiles of 13 cytokines: a multiplex analysis
Authors: Jekarl Dong Wook , Kim Ji Yeon , Lee Seungok , Kim Myungshin , Kim Yonggoo , Han Kyungja , Woo Seon Hee , Lee Woon Jeong
Published: October 2014

The object of this study was to evaluate biomarkers for diagnosis of sepsis, hematologic parameters, and cytokine profiles for use in the diagnosis and evaluation of severity of sepsis.

We enrolled 127 consecutive patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), 97 of whom were diagnosed with sepsis. The following biomarkers were evaluated: procalcitonin (PCT); C-reactive protein (CRP); erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); white blood cell count, immature granulocyte (IG) count; and multiplex cytokines, including interleukin (IL)1-β (IL1β), IL2, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL9, IL10, IL12p70, IL13, IL17, IL22, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and interferon-γ (IFNγ). A cytokine bead immunoassay was used to perform simultaneous measurements.

The disease involving urinary and respiratory tract constituted 57.5% of all patients. The severity of infection was classified as follows: SIRS patients, n=30; sepsis patients, n=81; and septic shock/severe sepsis patients, n=16. PCT, IL6, and CRP had high area under receiver operation characteristic curve (AUCs) and accuracy, which is as follows: PCT: 0.841, 80.5%; IL6: 0.811, 77.1%; CRP: 0.784, 73.8%, respectively. Severity of sepsis could be discriminated by PCT, IL6, and IL5. Unlike other cytokines, IFNγ had an inverse relation with severity of sepsis. The relationship between cytokine profiles and clinical diagnosis of sepsis was unclear.

PCT, IL6, and CRP values could assist diagnosis, and PCT, IL6, and IL5 had discriminative properties for determination of severity of sepsis. IFNγ revealed a distinct inverse relationship with severity of sepsis. As there was no relationship between cytokine profiles and sepsis, further studies are required to develop clinical applications.
The baseline serum value of α-amylase is a significant predictor of distance running performance
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Salvagno Gian Luca , Danese Elisa , Tarperi Cantor , La Torre Antonio , Guidi Gian Cesare , Schena Federico
Published: October 2014

This study was planned to investigate whether serum α-amylase concentration may be associated with running performance, physiological characteristics and other clinical chemistry analytes in a large sample of recreational athletes undergoing distance running.

Forty-three amateur runners successfully concluded a 21.1 km half-marathon at 75%–85% of their maximal oxygen uptake (VO

After correction for body weight change, significant post-run increases were observed for serum values of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, creatine kinase (CK), iron, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglycerides, urea and uric acid, whereas the values of body weight, glomerular filtration rate, total and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly decreased. The concentration of serum α-amylase was unchanged. In univariate analysis, significant associations with running performance were found for gender, VO

We showed that the baseline serum α-amylase concentration significantly and independently predicts distance running performance in recreational runners.
The space of Poincaré type Kähler metrics on the complement of a divisor
Authors: Auvray Hugues
Published: October 2014

Consider a divisorDwith simple normal crossings in a compact Kähler manifoldX. It has been known since the work by G. Tian and S. T. Yau that ifKX⁢[D]$K_{X}[D]$is ample there exists onX\D$X\backslash D$a unique Kähler–Einstein metric with cusp singularities along the divisor (implying completeness and finite volume). We show in this article that a Kähler metric in an arbitrary class with constant scalar curvature and singularities analogous to that constructed by Tian and Yau, is unique in this class whenKX⁢[D]$K_{X}[D]$is ample. This we do by generalizing Chen’s construction of approximate geodesics in the space of Kähler metrics and proving an approximate version of the Calabi–Yau theorem, both independently of the ampleness ofKX⁢[D]$K_{X}[D]$.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of (E)-7-[(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy]-8-(3-arylacryloyl)-4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-ones and their antimicrobial activity
Authors: Dongamanti Ashok , Bommidi Vijaya Lakshmi , Arram Ganesh , Sidda Ravi
Published: October 2014

Hybrid compounds are relevant products in the structure-activity relationships analysis. A new series of hybrid compounds containing coumarin, 1,2,3-triazole, and chalcone substructures were synthesized and screened for their antimicrobial activity. The structures of the synthesized compounds have been established on the basis of analytical and spectral data.
Data Hiding Based on Improved Exploiting Modification Direction Method and Huffman Coding
Authors: Ahmad Ali M. , Sulong Ghazali , Rehman Amjad , Alkawaz Mohammed Hazim , Saba Tanzila
Published: October 2014

The rapid growth of covert activities via communications network brought about an increasing need to provide an efficient method for data hiding to protect secret information from malicious attacks. One of the options is to combine two approaches, namely steganography and compression. However, its performance heavily relies on three major factors, payload, imperceptibility, and robustness, which are always in trade-offs. Thus, this study aims to hide a large amount of secret message inside a grayscale host image without sacrificing its quality and robustness. To realize the goal, a new two-tier data hiding technique is proposed that integrates an improved exploiting modification direction (EMD) method and Huffman coding. First, a secret message of an arbitrary plain text of characters is compressed and transformed into streams of bits; each character is compressed into a maximum of 5 bits per stream. The stream is then divided into two parts of different sizes of 3 and 2 bits. Subsequently, each part is transformed into its decimal value, which serves as a secret code. Second, a cover image is partitioned into groups of 5 pixels based on the original EMD method. Then, an enhancement is introduced by dividing the group into two parts, namely k1 and k2, which consist of 3 and 2 pixels, respectively. Furthermore, several groups are randomly selected for embedding purposes to increase the security. Then, for each selected group, each part is embedded with its corresponding secret code by modifying one grayscale value at most to hide the code in a (2ki + 1)-ary notational system. The process is repeated until a stego-image is eventually produced. Finally, the χ2 test, which is considered one of the most severe attacks, is applied against the stego-image to evaluate the performance of the proposed method in terms of its robustness. The test revealed that the proposed method is more robust than both least significant bit embedding and the original EMD. Additionally, in terms of imperceptibility and capacity, the experimental results have also shown that the proposed method outperformed both the well-known methods, namely original EMD and optimized EMD, with a peak signal-to-noise ratio of 55.92 dB and payload of 52,428 bytes.
The effect of glycemic control on CEA, CA 19-9, amylase and lipase levels
Authors: Ata Naim , Dal Kürşat , Kucukazman Metin , Yeniova Abdullah Ö. , Karakaya Serdar , Unsal Oktay , Dagdeviren Murat , Akın Kadir O. , Baser Salih , Beyan Esin , Ertugrul Derun T.
Published: October 2014

Background: Diabetes mellitus is closely related to
pancreas cancer. In this study we aimed to investigate
the effect of hyperglycemia on tumor and inflammation
markers, as well as pancreatic exocrine functions.

Methods: A total of 98 consecutive diabetic patients
with poor glycemic control, and 50 healthy controls were
included in the study. We measured hsCRP, erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR), CA19-9, CEA, amylase and lipase
in addition to routine biochemistry tests, before and after
euglycemia was achieved.

Results: Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, CA19-9,CEA,
hsCRP, ESR, triglycerides, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, total
cholesterol and LDL-C levels decreased significantly with
the regulation of glycemic control. Amylase and lipase
levels increased with the regulation of glycemic control.
After glycemic control, CA19-9 and CEA levels were still
higher, whereas amylase and lipase levels were still lower
in the diabetic group compared with the control group.
Basal HbA1c showed significant correlation with CA19-9,
CEA, amylaseand lipase.

Conclusions: We propose to repeat observations of tumor
markers after hyperglycemia is resolved, in order to avoid
unnecessary invasive tests. Our data also suggest that
pancreatic exocrine function was improved with lowering
blood glucose in a short period of time.
Insulin resistance and adipokine levels correlate with early atherosclerosis – a study in prediabetic patients
Authors: Mihai Bogdan Mircea , Petriș Antoniu Octavian , Ungureanu Didona Anca , Lăcătușu Cristina Mihaela
Published: October 2014

Cardiovascular risk of prediabetes is still
subject to controversies. We analyzed the associations
between insulin resistance, adipokines and incipient
atherosclerosis estimated by intima-media thickness
(IMT) in a cross-sectional study on 122 prediabetic
subjects without clinical signs of atherosclerotic disease.
Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance
(HOMA-IR, calculated as fasting insulin × fasting plasma
glucose / 22.5), adiponectin, leptin, leptin-to-adiponectin
ratio, carotid and femoral IMT were evaluated. We also
assessed other parameters related to insulin resistance and
adipokines (HbA1c, anthropometric and lipid parameters),
as they may also influence atherosclerosis. Carotid IMT was
correlated to adiponectin and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio
(all p < 0.05), but not with HOMA-IR or leptin, while
femoral IMT showed no relationship with these factors.
After adjusting for leptin, leptin-to-adiponectin ratio,
triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, cholesterol-to-HDL ratio,
triglycerides-to-HDL ratio and HbA1c, IMT values became
correlated with HOMA-IR. Adjustment for HOMA-IR induced
the appearance of new correlations between adipokines
and both IMT values. In conclusion, insulin resistance and
adipokines seem related to IMT in prediabetic subjects
without clinical signs of arterial obstruction.
Immunodiagnostics and immunosensor design (IUPAC Technical Report)
Authors: Gubala Vladimir , Klein Reinhild , Templeton Douglas M. , Schwenk Michael
Published: October 2014

This work compiles information on the principles of diagnostic immunochemical methods and the recent advances in this field. It presents an overview of modern techniques for the production of diagnostic antibodies, their modification with the aim of improving their diagnostic potency, the different types of immunochemical detection systems, and the increasing diagnostic applications for human health that include specific disease markers, individualized diagnosis of cancer subtypes, therapeutic and addictive drugs, food residues, and environmental contaminants. A special focus lies in novel developments of immunosensor techniques, promising approaches to miniaturized detection units and the associated microfluidic systems. The trends towards high-throughput systems, multiplexed analysis, and miniaturization of the diagnostic tools are discussed. It is also made evident that progress in the last few years has largely relied on novel chemical approaches.
Digital Library Promotion Project Boosts the Chinese Library Community
Authors: Shuping Lv , Quan Wen
Published: October 2014

This paper describes the development of the Digital Library Promotion Project (DLPP) at the National Library of China and the ways in which it has enhanced the access to cultural heritage. In May 2011, China launched the DLPP as one of a series of digital library initiatives which have been developed in recent years. By building an interconnected and distributed digital library platform and resource clusters, and providing digital cultural services in a variety of media, the DLPP enhances public library services in China. The authors found that digital projects such as the DLPP enrich social discourse and increase access to China’s cultural heritage.
Neutrinos from the Early Universe and physics beyond standard models
Authors: Kirilova Daniela
Published: October 2014

Neutrino oscillations present the only robust example of experimentally detected physics beyond the standard model. This review discusses the established and several hypothetical beyond standard models neutrino characteristics and their cosmological effects and constraints. Particularly, the contemporary cosmological constraints on the number of neutrino families, neutrino mass differences and mixing, lepton asymmetry in the neutrino sector, neutrino masses, light sterile neutrino are briefly reviewed.
Raman modes in transferred bilayer CVD graphene
Authors: Niilisk Ahti , Kahro Tauno , Kiisk Valter , Rähn Mihkel , Alles Harry , Aarik Jaan , Sammelselg Väino
Published: October 2014

A systematic experimental Raman spectroscopic study of twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) domains localized inside wide-area single layer graphene (SLG) produced by low-pressure CVD on Cu foil and transferred onto SiO2/Si substrate has been performed. According to the Raman characterization the tBLG domains had a great variety of twisting angles θ between the bottom and top graphene layers (6° < θ < 25°). The twisting angle θ was estimated from the spectral position of the rotating R and R' modes in the Raman spectrum.Under G band resonance conditions the breathing mode ZO' with a frequency of 95- 97 cm−1 was detected, and a breathing mode ZO was found in the spectra between 804 cm−1 and 836 cm−1, its position depending on the twisting angle θ. An almost linear relationship was found between the frequencies ωZO and ωR. Also a few other spectral peculiarities were found, e.g. a high-energy excitation of the G band resonance, the 2G overtone appearing at 3170-3180 cm−1 by the G band resonance, revealing a linear dispersion of 80 cm−1/eV of the 2D band in tBLG
Synthesis of alumina 99Mo-molybdate(VI) gel matrices and evaluation of 99mTc elution performance
Authors: El-Absy M. A. , El-Garhy M. A. , Fasih T. W. , El-Amir M. A. , Ramadan H. E. , El-Shahat M. F.
Published: October 2014

Synthesis of a novel alumina 99Mo-molybdate(VI) gel matrix of high Mo(VI) content and reproducible separation indices of
the generated 99mTc radionuclde are described and briefly discussed. Similar mixture solutes of aluminate and low
specific activity 99Mo-molybdate(VI) anions in concentrated NaOH are prepared. Then, the solutes are acidified with
concentrated HCl, HNO3 and/or H2SO4 at pH 9.5–4.5. Physico-chemical investigations indicate that
molybdate(VI) anions are strongly adsorbed onto in situ-precipitated pseudoboehmite from acidic solutions than from basic
solutions. The maximum adsorption % of 99Mo (167 mg Mo/g matrix dried at 50 ℃) is achieved from the
nitrate solution at pH 5.5. Separation of 99mTc from the corresponding gel matrix with physiological saline solution
exhibits high elution yield with a narrow elution profile and radionuclidic, radiochemical and chemical purity indices comparable with
99mTc eluates from 99Mo/99mTc generators prepared by loading alumina with fission
99Mo.
On the Suitability and Validity of “Reference Electrolyte” Method for the Determination of Single Ion Thermodynamic Properties in Solutions
Authors: Lahiri Sujit Chandra , Dey Bishnu Pada , Sharma Kakali
Published: October 2014

Much advocated and supposed to be best method for the determination of
the Gibbs energies of single ions in any solvent or Gibbs energies of
transfer of single ions between two solvents (true for other
thermodynamic properties as well) is based on thermodynamics of
“reference electrolyte” TATB
(tetraphenylarsoniumtetraphenylborate). TATB, composed of
isoelectrical counter ions (TA+-tetraphenylarsonium ion
Ph4As+ and TB
–
-tetraphenylborate BPh4

–
) with
large hydrophobic groups of equal radii, has been assumed to have
identical Gibbs energies of solvation in any solvent and hence can be
split equally to get i) Gibbs energies of single ions in any solvent
and ii) Gibbs energies of transfer of single ions between two
solvents.

However, all the extrathermodynamic methods including “reference
electrolyte” method for the determination of single ion thermodynamic
values, based on Born or modified Born equations and ionic additivity
principles are defective and invalid from theoretical and practical
points of view. All the single ion values in the literature are thus
unreliable. Moreover, different theoretical and experimental facts
make “Ph4AsBPh4” unsuitable for equal division of
the Gibbs energies (in a solvent) or Gibbs energies of transfer
(between two solvents) of the reference electrolyte into single ion
values as reference standard to give single ion values of other
ions. Single ion thermodynamic values in any solvent or between two
solvents are illusive and only the electrical components of the single
ions can be determined but not without limitations.
The Internal Network Dynamics of Poly(NIPAM) Based Copolymer Micro- and Macrogels: A Comparative Neutron Spin-Echo Study
Authors: Hertle Yvonne , Zeiser Michael , Fouquet Peter , Maccarini Marco , Hellweg Thomas
Published: October 2014

Microgels are generally synthesised above the lower critical solution
temperature (LCST) of the used polymer
(poly(N-isopropyl-acrylamide)(PNIPAM) in the present case)
and there is evidence that, due to the “bad” solvent conditions and
due to the differences in reactivity between the monomers and the
crosslinker, an inhomogeneous crosslinker distribution in the network
is created. In contrast, macrogels are statistically crosslinked,
because they are polymerised below the LCST (good solvent
conditions). With the neutron spin-echo (NSE) technique, the diffusion
of the polymer network on a local length scale can be studied. Due to
essentially different crosslinker distributions in the micro- and
macrogels, a difference in the collective diffusion of the network
could be expected. However, the measured intermediate scattering
functions of the studied micro- and macrogel are similar and can both
be described by a single exponential decay without a q-dependent
baseline. Hence, both systems behave pseudo-ergodically on the length
scale available in the NSE experiment. A determination of the
diffusion coefficient of the breathing mode D

G
of the gel network
and the dynamic correlation length ξ leads to comparable values
for the homologous micro- and macrogels. The studied microgels
contain butenoic acid as comonomer and also the pH dependence of the
network dynamics is investigated.
Glucagon secretion after metabolic surgery in diabetic rodents
Authors: Eickhoff Hans , Louro Teresa , Matafome Paulo , Seiça Raquel , Castro e Sousa Francisco
Published: October 2014

Excessive or inadequate glucagon secretion promoting hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis is believed to contribute to hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Currently, metabolic surgery is an accepted treatment for obese patients with type 2 diabetes and has been shown to improve glycemic control in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a lean animal model for type 2 diabetes. However, the effects of surgery on glucagon secretion are not yet well established. In this study, we randomly assigned forty 12- to 14-week-old GK rats to four groups: control group (GKC), sham surgery (GKSS), sleeve gastrectomy (GKSG), and gastric bypass (GKGB). Ten age-matched Wistar rats served as a non-diabetic control group (WIC). Glycemic control was assessed before and 4 weeks after surgery. Fasting- and mixed-meal-induced plasma levels of insulin and glucagon were measured. Overall glycemic control improved in GKSG and GKGB rats. Fasting insulin levels in WIC rats were similar to those for GKC or GKSS rats. Fasting glucagon levels were highest in GKGB rats. Whereas WIC, GKC, and GKSS rats showed similar glucagon levels, without any significant meal-induced variation, a significant rise occurred in GKSG and GKGB rats, 30 min after a mixed meal, which was maintained at 60 min. Both GKSG and GKGB rats showed an elevated glucagon:insulin ratio at 60 min in comparison with all other groups. Surprisingly, the augmented post-procedural glucagon secretion was accompanied by an improved overall glucose metabolism in GKSG and GKGB rats. Understanding the role of glucagon in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes requires further research.
45 Years of Simultaneous Le Fort III and Le Fort I Osteotomies: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Brown Matthew S. , Okada Haruko , Valiathan Manish , Lakin Gregory E.
Published: October 2014

Objective

To review and collectively summarize our knowledge of simultaneous Le Fort III and Le Fort I osteotomies.

Design

A PubMed search using “Le Fort III,” “simultaneous Le Fort III and Le Fort I,” “combined Le Fort III and Le Fort I,” “dual midface,” and “segmental midface” was performed. Articles with relevant abstracts were obtained for formal review. A new case of simultaneous Le Fort III and Le Fort I is presented to describe and discuss specific operative indications and surgical decisions.

Results

There were 14 articles that met inclusion criteria with reports of simultaneous Le Fort III and Le Fort I osteotomies. A total of 20 cases were present in the literature. No major complications were reported. We performed combined Le Fort III with Le Fort I osteotomies in a 25-year-old patient with Crouzon syndrome who had undergone a previous Le Fort III at the age of 4 years. The patient tolerated the procedure well, and postoperatively, her exophthalmos and class III malocclusion were corrected.

Conclusions

Simultaneous Le Fort III and Le Fort I can correct differential upper and lower midface hypoplasia and is a well-tolerated procedure in the mature facial skeleton. This systematic review improves our understanding of the surgical technique and indications for a procedure that can correct complex midfacial deformities.
Abnormal Variations in the Facial Soft Tissues of Individuals with down Syndrome: Sudan versus Italy
Authors: Sforza Chiarella , Dolci Claudia , Dellavia Claudia , Gibelli Daniele M. , Tartaglia Gianluca M. , Elamin Fadil
Published: October 2014

Objective

To provide quantitative information about the facial soft tissue of Italian and Northern Sudanese subjects with Down syndrome by using summary anthropometric measurements.

Design, Setting, and Patients

The three-dimensional coordinates of soft tissue facial landmarks were obtained using a computerized digitizer in 54 Italian subjects with Down syndrome (20 females and 34 males, 13 to 52 years), in 64 Northern Sudanese subjects with Down syndrome (18 females and 46 males, 5 to 34 years), and in 578 Italian and 653 Northern Sudanese reference subjects, matched for sex and age. From the landmarks, 16 facial dimensions were calculated. Data from subjects with Down syndrome were compared with those collected from control individuals by computing z scores. Two summary anthropometric measurements for quantifying craniofacial variations were obtained: the mean z score (an index of overall facial size) and its standard deviation, the craniofacial variability index (an index of facial harmony).

Results

In subjects with Down syndrome, facial size was significantly smaller and craniofacial variability was significantly greater than in typically developed individuals; 93% of Italian and 81% of Northern Sudanese subjects with Down syndrome had one or both values outside the normal interval. Overall, Italian subjects with Down syndrome differed more from the norm than did those from Northern Sudan. In the Northern Sudanese subjects, the mean z scores and the craniofacial variability index were significantly influenced by age: Older Northern Sudanese subjects with Down syndrome had smaller mean z scores and craniofacial variability index values than younger subjects.

Conclusions

The two ethnic groups had different alterations in their soft tissue facial dimensions that were partially influenced by age.
The 100 Most-Cited Human Cleft Lip and Palate–Related Articles Published in Dentistry, Oral Surgery, and Medicine Journals
Authors: Christou Panagiotis , Antonarakis Gregory S.
Published: October 2014

Objective

To identify the 100 most-cited articles pertaining to human cleft lip and palate research published in dentistry, oral surgery, and medicine journals and to identify their principal bibliometric characteristics.

Design

Web-based bibliometric analysis.

Main Outcome Measure

The Web of Science was searched to identify the 100 most-cited clinical articles related to cleft lip and/or palate. Information was extracted with regard to total number of citations, number of authors, affiliations, year, and journal of publication, Medical Subject Headings, type of study, specific area of study. Trends in citations were assessed.

Results

The 100 most-cited articles identified received between 437 and 58 citations. The oldest was published in 1954 and the most recent in 2008. The number of authors ranged from 1 to 12, with an average of three authors per article. Most of the first authors were affiliated with institutions in the United States, with the most prolific institution being the University of Iowa. More than 70% of the studies appeared in The Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal. There was a significant negative correlation between average citations per year and time since publication ( P < .001); whereas, a significant positive correlation was observed between average citations per year and number of total citations ( P < .001).

Conclusions

The 100 most-cited articles in human cleft lip and palate research published in dentistry, oral surgery, and medicine journals are listed and characterized. This can be used as a potential knowledge base for specialists in training or to produce relevant knowledge defining the direction of future research.
Premaxillary Distraction Osteogenesis Using an Intraoral Appliance for Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Case Report
Authors: Terbish Munkhdulam , Choi Hye-Young , Park Young-Chel , Yi Choong Kook , Cha Jung-Yul
Published: October 2014

Objective

Premaxillary distraction osteogenesis was introduced using intraoral devices to correct maxillary hypoplasia and lengthen the alveolar bone horizontally in a patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Methods

For premaxillary distraction osteogenesis, Le Fort I osteotomy was performed. Vertical osteotomy lines were located distally of the upper right canine and left first premolar to separate the anterior segment of the maxilla. After a 7-day latency period, distraction was allowed to continue for 20 days at a rate of 0.5 mm/d, followed by a 3-month consolidation period. After consolidation, orthodontic treatment and bilateral intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy were performed for the mandibular setback. The implant and prosthodontic treatments were applied to the alveolar ridge area created by the distraction osteogenesis.

Results

The A-point moved 8.0 mm forward during the distraction osteogenesis period, and the recurrence rate was 25% after the retention period. The transverse dimension of the upper arch was expanded during orthodontic treatment. The quality of the alveolar bone created by distraction osteogenesis was acceptable for the prosthodontic implant.

Conclusions

Premaxillary distraction osteogenesis and arch expansion is an effective treatment strategy, improving function, aesthetics, and stability for cleft patients with multiple missing teeth.
Soil mechanics and the observational method: challenges at the Zelazny Most copper tailings disposal facility
Authors: JAMIOLKOWSKI M.
Published: October 2014

This paper illustrates the geotechnical aspects of the development of one of the world's largest copper tailings disposal facilities, located at Zelazny Most in south-west Poland. Its operation commenced in 1977 and, by the end of 2013, 527 × 106m3of tailings had already been stored within a confining embankment dam (‘ring dam') of about 14·3 km in total length. The foundations of the ring dam lie on Pleistocene deposits, underlain by a thick sequence of Pliocene sediments. The period of operation of the facility will continue until exhaustion of the ore body, which is estimated to occur in 2042, when the total volume of tailings stored will reach 1000 × 106m3. The development and the use of the Zelazny Most facility is affected by a number of significant geotechnical hazards, including the phenomenon of flow liquefaction, as is often the case for such structures. However, the most important geotechnical hazard at Zelazny Most is a consequence of its location in an area that, during the Pleistocene, experienced at least three major glaciations. The ice sheets, over 1000 m thick, which overrode the area, induced substantial glacio-tectonic phenomena, the most geotechnically important of which is the formation of extensive sub-planar shear planes in the Pliocene clays that extend to depths of around 100 m. The shear strength in these shear zones, which occur mostly in high-plasticity clays, is close to residual, thus controlling the stability of the confining dams. Moreover, the area of the disposal is also subject to a moderate degree of mining-induced seismicity. Discussion of this is omitted from this paper because of its relatively minor influence on the design of the depository. Given the large scale of the disposal facility, the complexity of the geological and geotechnical settings, and its anticipated life span, the owners KGHM (the Polish acronym for Copper Mine and Mill Company), on the advice of the World Bank, appointed an international board of experts (IBE). The IBE, supported by a Polish geotechnical expert as local liaison, have the responsibility to oversee the safe development of the tailings dams by applying Peck's observational method. This paper describes the monitored behaviour of the dams, with particular reference to the presence of the glacio-tectonic phenomena and the remedial measures adopted for their mitigation. The geotechnical characterisation of the foundation soils and of the tailings is described, and the stability analyses of the tailings dams are discussed in the context of the safe development of the whole facility.
Improved barrier films of cross-linked cellulose nanofibrils: a microscopy study
Authors: Larsson Per A. , Pettersson Torbjörn , Wågberg Lars
Published: October 2014

It is highly desirable to replace gas barriers of aluminium and non-renewable plastics in order to lower our ecological footprint. One interesting candidate is films made from cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), which after cross-linking have been shown to have competitive barrier properties even at a high relative humidity (80% RH). This work presents studies at even higher relative humidity (90% RH) and microscopic studies of what happens when unmodified and cross-linked CNF films are exposed to water. The microscopy techniques used were scanning electron microscopy of dry and wet cross-sections of films after freeze-drying and atomic force microscopy in the dry state and in the wet state shortly after wetting. Both techniques clearly revealed that the cross-links prevent the CNFs from separating from each other and hence prevent the films from swelling, so that the free-volume-sensitive gas permeability is maintained at a low level.
Proactive construction safety systems and the human factor
Authors: Forsythe Perry
Published: October 2014

The paper undertakes an extensive and critical review of published works concerning the state of the art in safety systems based on building information modelling (BIM). It finds that despite considerable developmental work, much of the focus has been on the design and planning stages of projects. A gap still exists during the construction stage due to the unexpected dynamics that occur on site and the way that responsive human behaviour is not always predictable or rational. Modern proactive safety systems offer advanced real-time tracking of workers on site, which can be concurrently mapped onto a BIM model of the progressive construction. Such technology aims to provide real-time audio warnings to individual workers if they wander too close to hazards. However, the review raises new and under-explored challenges concerning the human factor – especially the way workers interact with such technology. Evidence from other industries suggests that possible areas of concern include mistrust in warnings, ignoring warnings, over-reliance on technology and ‘the boy who cried wolf’ syndrome. Poor ergonomic design may lead to the technology being under-utilised. An ongoing agenda for behavioural testing is recommended to assist further development.
Innovative construction procurement at Wits University
Authors: Laryea Samuel , Watermeyer Ron
Published: October 2014

Many construction projects end up with a wide gap between achieved and expected outcomes, which puts value for money for a project at risk. A root cause of this problem may lie in the development of an appropriate procurement strategy for projects. Wits University in South Africa has used a mixture of innovative procurement and contract strategies to deliver a portfolio of capital projects within 6% of the control budget over a period of 6 years (2008–2013). The research aim was to examine the procurement strategies and project organisation techniques adopted to deliver projects successfully. The strategic procurement approach has been based on the philosophy of collaboration, shared risk and integrated project teams, which is different from the conventional approaches in South Africa. A discussion of strategies including framework agreements, New Engineering Contract (NEC3) options, target cost contracts and early contractor involvement is presented to demonstrate how the use of collaborative procurement methods and integrated supply chains provides a key to deliver successful outcomes and value for money. Organisations intending to adopt similar approaches will require a team of experts to lead a change from traditional procurement cultures to more collaborative and integrated procurement methodologies.
Forecasting infrastructure resilience to climate change
Authors: Dijkstra Tom , Dixon Neil , Crosby Chris , Frost Matthew , Gunn David , Fleming Paul , Wilks Joanna
Published: October 2014

Resilience of the UK transport infrastructure network can be expressed as the imbalance between the physical condition of the network and the transport demands the network experiences. Forecasting changes of resilience in the long term (e.g. the 2050s) requires a structured, multi-disciplinary approach. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council funded Futurenet project developed a model architecture to formalise such an approach and this paper addresses one component: the assessment of the influence of physical processes on asset condition. This requires the development of new, integrated physical-based models that respond to detailed inputs of forecast weather events (e.g. UK Climate Projections 2009). The results are plotted onto the infrastructure network for visualisation. Subsequent combination with user demand will then enable determination of network resilience at a range of spatial scales. The project has highlighted the need for better datasets, more sophisticated physical-based models and further analyses of complex feedbacks and interactions between physical processes and also with user behaviour.
Developing a new road deterioration model incorporating flooding
Authors: Khan Misbah U. , Mesbah Mahmoud , Ferreira Luis , Williams David J.
Published: October 2014

Currently, there is no road deterioration (RD) model that can address pavement performance with flooding. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop an RD model that considers flooding and pre- and post-flood strategies. The case study is road group(s) in Queensland, Australia, based on the 34 000 km road database of its main roads authority, as Queensland was severely affected by floods in 2011. This paper provides a brief literature review and proposes an approach to develop an RD model based on a non-homogeneous Markov transition probability matrix. The new RD models are developed for a number of road groups based on roughness and rutting data collected since 2000. Detailed results on the derived roughness-based and rutting-based RD models with flooding for two selected road groups are highlighted. The new RD models show significant pavement deterioration at different probabilities of flooding events, especially at higher probabilities. It is believed that these results will help road authorities in managing flood-damaged roads with appropriate treatments and optimum budget.
Drivers of observed biotic homogenization in pine barrens of central Wisconsin
Authors: Li Daijiang , Waller Donald
Published: October 2014

Fire suppression throughout the 20th century greatly altered plant communities in fire‐dominated systems across North America. Our ability to assess these effects over the long term, however, is handicapped by the paucity of baseline data. Here, we used detailed baseline data from the 1950s to track changes in the over‐ and understory composition of pine‐barrens vegetation growing on sandy, glacial lake‐bed sediments in central Wisconsin. We expected fire suppression to favor succession to closed‐canopy conditions, leading to decreases in shade‐intolerant and fire‐adapted species and consequent reductions in alpha and gamma diversity. We also expected beta diversity to decline due to increases in shade‐tolerant, fire‐sensitive, and exotic species. In fact, fire suppression has greatly altered the structure and composition of these pine‐barrens communities over the past 54 years. Woody, wind‐pollinated, and shade‐tolerant species all increased in richness and abundance, as expected, with succession following fire suppression. Contrary to expectations, local and regional species richness increased by 12% and 26%, respectively, while Shannon beta diversity declined 24.1%. Increases in canopy coverage and number of native species appear to have driven this biotic homogenization. In contrast, increases in exotic species in our study did not promote biotic homogenization, reflecting their relative rarity across sites. Our findings highlight the key role fire plays in shaping the assembly of these pine‐barrens communities.
The Use of Neuroplastic Change Principles in Domestic Violence Treatment: An Experimental Program
Authors: Potter-Efron Ronald T.
Published: October 2014

This article reviews a unique 50 session domestic abuse prevention program for male aggressors that centers on the known principles of neuroplastic change. Neuroplastic change (also referred to as LTP: long-term potentiation) represents how brain structures at the level of individual neurons, the synapses between neurons, and the networks of neurons that create actual behavior can be permanently altered, both unintentionally and through directed conscious effort. The author has designed and implemented a program which allows clients to create individualized brain change plans intended to lessen the probability for future acts of domestic violence. This emphasis also sidesteps client oppositionality by allowing clients to take control over their recovery.
Bone Demineralization With Citric Acid Enhances Adhesion and Spreading of Preosteoblasts
Authors: de Rezende Maria Lúcia R , Coesta Pedro T.G. , de Oliveira Rodrigo C. , Salmeron Samira , Sant'Ana Adriana C.P. , Damante Carla A. , Greghi Sebastião L.A. , Consolaro Alberto
Published: October 2014

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that bone demineralization can improve consolidation in bone grafts. The biologic mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear.

Methods: Twelve adult male guinea pigs were used in this experiment. Forty‐five bone samples removed from the calvaria of nine animals were divided in groups (n = 9) according to the time of demineralization with citric acid (50%, pH 1): 15, 30, 90, and 180 seconds and non‐demineralized samples (control). Preosteoblasts (MC3T3‐E1) were cultured on the bone samples for 24, 48, and 72 hours (n = 3). Fifteen samples removed from the remaining three animals were analyzed by scanning electron microcopy/energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM/EDS) after demineralization (n = 3).

Results: The number of preosteoblasts increased significantly with time in all groups. The bone surface area covered by these cells increased with time, except in the control group. Intragroup differences occurred between 24 and 72 hours (P <0.05). Samples demineralized for 30 seconds showed greater area covered by preosteoblast cells than for the other times of demineralization in all periods of cell culture (P <0.05) without a statistically significant difference compared with 15 seconds. SEM/EDS showed diminished content of calcium (Ca) after 15 seconds of demineralization, but the Ca content increased after 180 seconds of demineralization (P <0.05). The phosphorus (P) amount increased significantly only after 30 seconds of demineralization (P <0.5). The sulfur (S) content was increased in demineralized samples in relation to non‐demineralized ones, reaching the highest level after 90 seconds, when the difference became significant in relation to all the other times of demineralization (P <0.05). Magnesium (Mg) content did not differ significantly between demineralized and non‐demineralized samples.

Conclusions: Bone surfaces demineralized for 30 seconds increased the spreading of preosteoblasts as well as the surface area covered by these cells. Bone demineralization deserves to be studied in periodontal and maxillofacial regenerative procedures.
Occurrence of Spontaneous Periodontal Disease in the SAMP1/YitFc Murine Model of Crohn Disease
Authors: Pietropaoli Davide , Del Pinto Rita , Corridoni Daniele , Rodriguez‐Palacios Alexander , Di Stefano Gabriella , Monaco Annalisa , Weinberg Aaron , Cominelli Fabio
Published: October 2014

Background: Oral involvement is often associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recent evidence suggests a high incidence of periodontal disease in patients with Crohn disease (CD). To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no animal model of IBD that displays associated periodontal disease was reported previously. The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence and progression of periodontal disease in SAMP1/YitFc (SAMP) mice that spontaneously develop a CD‐like ileitis. In addition, the temporal correlation between the onset and progression of periodontal disease and the onset of ileitis in SAMP mice was studied.

Methods: At different time points, SAMP and parental AKR/J (AKR) control mice were sacrificed, and mandibles were prepared for stereomicroscopy and histology. Terminal ilea were collected for histologic assessment of inflammation score. Periodontal status, i.e., alveolar bone loss (ABL) and alveolar bone crest, was examined by stereomicroscopy and histomorphometry, respectively.

Results: ABL increased in both strains with age. SAMP mice showed greater ABL compared with AKR mice by 12 weeks of age, with maximal differences observed at 27 weeks of age. AKR control mice did not show the same severity of periodontal disease. Interestingly, a strong positive correlation was found between ileitis severity and ABL in SAMP mice, independent of age.

Conclusions: The present results demonstrate the occurrence of periodontal disease in a mouse model of progressive CD‐like ileitis. In addition, the severity of periodontitis strongly correlated with the severity of ileitis, independent of age, suggesting that common pathogenic mechanisms, such as abnormal immune response and dysbiosis, may be shared between these two phenotypes.