bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enforced Pax6 Expression Rescues Alcohol‐Induced Defects of Neuronal Differentiation in Cultures of Human Cortical Progenitor Cells
Authors: Mo Zhicheng , Milivojevic Verica , Zecevic Nada
Published: April 2012

Background

Alcohol is the most widely consumed substance of abuse, and its use during pregnancy can lead to serious disorders of brain development. The precise molecular action of alcohol on human brain development, however, is still unknown. We previously enriched multipotent progenitor cells, radial glia (RG) cells, from human fetal forebrain and demonstrated that they express transcription factor Pax6 that is necessary for their neurogenic fate.

Methods

Enriched human fetal RG cells were maintained in vitro as either control or Pax6‐expressing retrovirus infected cells. Cultures were treated with increasing doses of alcohol to evaluate Pax6 expression, proliferation, and differentiation of RG cells by immunocytochemistry, Western blot, and RT‐PCR methods.

Results

In vitro treatment with alcohol reduced the expression of transcription factor Pax6 and proliferation of RG cells, which decreased neurogenesis. Consistent with this finding, the overexpression of Pax6 in RG cells under alcohol treatment rescued cell proliferation and restored the generation of neurons. In contrast to this effect on neurogenesis, the overexpression of Pax6 inhibits the generation of astroglia regardless of alcohol treatment, implying lineage‐specific effects.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the effect of alcohol on human neurogenesis is partially due to the reduced expression of transcription factor Pax6 in RG cells.
Trajectory Analyses in Alcohol Treatment Research
Authors: Chen Jinsong , Johnson Bankole A. , Wang Xin‐Qun , O'Quigley John , Isaac Maria , Zhang Daowen , Liu Lei
Published: April 2012

Background

Various statistical methods have been used for data analysis in alcohol treatment studies. Trajectory analyses can better capture differences in treatment effects and may provide insight on the optimal duration of future clinical trials and grace periods. This improves on the limitation of commonly used parametric (e.g., linear) methods that cannot capture nonlinear temporal trends in the data.

Methods

We propose an exploratory approach, using more flexible smoothing mixed effects models, more accurately to characterize the temporal patterns of the drinking data. We estimated the trajectories of the treatment arms for data sets from 2 sources: a multisite topiramate study, and the Combined Pharmacotherapies (acamprosate and naltrexone) and Behavioral Interventions study.

Results

Our methods illustrate that drinking outcomes of both the topiramate and placebo arms declined over the entire course of the trial but with a greater rate of decline for the topiramate arm. By the point‐wise confidence intervals, the heavy drinking probabilities for the topiramate arm might differ from those of the placebo arm as early as week 2. Furthermore, the heavy drinking probabilities of both arms seemed to stabilize at the end of the study. Overall, naltrexone was better than placebo in reducing drinking over time yet was not different from placebo for subjects receiving the combination of a brief medical management and an intensive combined behavioral intervention.

Conclusions

The estimated trajectory plots clearly showed nonlinear temporal trends of the treatment with different medications on drinking outcomes and offered more detailed interpretation of the results. This trajectory analysis approach is proposed as a valid exploratory method for evaluating efficacy in pharmacotherapy trials in alcoholism.
How do I allocate blood products at the end of life? An ethical analysis with suggested guidelines
Authors: Smith Lauren B. , Cooling Laura , Davenport Robertson
Published: April 2012

Blood products are scarce resources requiring prudent and reasoned allocation. The utilization of red blood cells and platelets in terminally ill patients can be complicated and requires guidelines tempered by individualized considerations. Representative cases are discussed in which blood products are requested or utilized by patients at the end of life. Relevant literature is reviewed and ethical issues pertaining to each case are discussed. A practical approach to blood product utilization at the end of life is suggested.
Lower alloimmunization rates in pediatric sickle cell patients on chronic erythrocytapheresis compared to chronic simple transfusions
Authors: Wahl Shannon Kelly , Garcia Alicia , Hagar Ward , Gildengorin Ginny , Quirolo Keith , Vichinsky Elliott
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: Erythrocytapheresis (ECP), automated red blood cell exchange, is increasingly being used for chronic transfusion therapy in sickle cell disease (SCD) as it is an isovolumetric transfusion, is more effective in lowering hemoglobin (Hb)S, and can limit iron overload. Because ECP requires increased blood exposure compared to simple transfusions there is concern for increased transfusion complications, including alloimmunization. We compared alloimmunization rates between patients receiving simple or exchange chronic transfusions.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected for 45 SCD patients (n = 23 simple, n = 22 ECP) on a chronic transfusion program as of December 2010 to determine the rate of antibody formation (antibodies formed per 100 units transfused).

RESULTS: The 45 patients received 10,949 units and formed six new alloantibodies during the study period (1994‐2010); therefore, the overall alloimmunization rate was 0.055 alloantibodies per 100 U. There were three antibodies formed in three patients on ECP, one allo (anti‐rhi) and two autoantibodies. There were six antibodies in four patients on a simple transfusion program, five allo (anti‐Lea, M, D, C, and Kpa) and one autoantibody. The ECP group received significantly more blood (338.5 units/patient vs. 152.2 units/patient, p = 0.001). The rate of antibody formation (auto plus allo) was 0.040 antibodies per 100 U in the ECP group and 0.171 antibodies per 100 U in the simple transfusion group (p = 0.04). The alloantibodies formed per 100 units was 0.013 in the ECP group and 0.143 in the simple transfusion group (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: Chronic ECP should be considered in patients requiring optimal management of HbS levels and iron burden. Concerns about increased alloimmunization with ECP may be unjustified.
Effect of a TiO2 Nucleating Agent on the Nucleation and Crystallization Behavior of MgO–B2O3–SiO2 Glass
Authors: Kržmanc Marjeta Maček , Došler Urban , Suvorov Danilo
Published: April 2012

The nucleation and crystallization of MgO–B2O3–SiO2 (MBS) glasses with various TiO2 additions (0–15 wt%) were studied by means of a nonisothermal, thermal analysis technique, X‐ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. The effect of the TiO2 on the nucleation rate was determined from the dependence of the inverse temperature at the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) peak (1/Tp; Tp→crystallization peak temperature) on the nucleation temperature (Tn). A significant increase in the nucleation rate was observed for the MBS glasses with a TiO2 content greater than 3 wt%. The TiO2 was also found to influence the crystallite growth mechanism. In the pure MBS glass the crystallization of the Mg2B2O5 was 3‐dimensional (3D) bulk with a diffusion‐controlled crystal growth rate. The value of both the Avrami parameter (n) and the morphology index (m) was 1.5 and the crystallization activation energy (E) was in the range 410–440 kJ/mol. The change of the nucleation rate (a) from zero (a = 0) to a constant nucleation rate (a = 1) was observed at 3 wt% TiO2. The change from a diffusion‐ to an interface‐controlled growth rate occurred at 5 wt% TiO2, where n and m became 4 and 3, respectively. According to the analysis of the DSC data using the modified Kissinger method, a small TiO2 concentrations (1 wt%) lowered E, whereas E increased with a further increase in the TiO2 concentration, exceeding at 5 wt% TiO2 the E of pure MBS glass.
A comparison of grades awarded by peer assessment, faculty and a digital scanning device in a pre‐clinical operative skills course
Authors: Taylor C. L. , Grey N. J. A. , Satterthwaite J. D.
Published: April 2012

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the grades awarded by two experienced assessors with peer‐assessment marks and measurements from a digital scanning device (Prepassistant; KaVo, Biberach, Germany), for full gold crown preparations completed in a pre‐clinical operative skills course on typodont teeth.

Methods

Seventy‐eight preparations on typodont teeth were randomised and assessed by all three methods. Agreement was measured using weighted kappa statistics, and mean rank scores given by the Friedman test.

Results

The highest agreement was seen between the experienced assessors (0.38), closely followed by peer assessment and experienced assessor agreement (0.36, 0.29). Despite this, the results indicate poor levels of agreement. No agreement was seen between any of the assessment methods when compared to the digital scanning device.

Conclusions

The findings of this study could be related to the difficulty of calculating a single grade from the output of the device, in addition to the inability of the machine to assess all the factors necessary for an acceptable preparation. From this study, it can be concluded that this device is not suitable for calculating grades when used in isolation. Further research could explore the role of the Prepassistant in providing student feedback, its potential to enhance the learning experience and the subsequent effect on performance.
Correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor C expression and prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinomas after Ivor–Lewis esophagectomy
Authors: SUN Zhi‐Gang , WANG Zhou , ZHANG Min
Published: April 2012

Aim:  To investigate the correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‐C) expression and prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Method:  In all, 92 ESCC specimens were re‐evaluated by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction to detect VEGF‐C mRNA. Correlations between VEGF‐C expression and clinicopathological factors were analyzed using χ2 test. The log–rank test was used to calculate survival rate and disease‐free survival. A Cox regression multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent prognostic factors.

Results:  VEGF‐C mRNA expression was correlated with tumor invasion (P < 0.01), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.025), tumor stage (P < 0.01) and lymphatic invasion (P < 0.001). The 5‐year survival rate in patients was significantly associated with tumor invasion (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), tumor stage (P < 0.001) and VEGF‐C mRNA expression (P = 0.001). The 5‐year survival rate of patients without VEGF‐C mRNA expression was significantly higher than that of the patients with VEGF‐C mRNA expression (P = 0.001). Cox regression multivariate analysis confirmed that tumor invasion was the only relevant independent factor. The 5‐year disease‐free survival rate of patients without VEGF‐C mRNA expression in esophageal cancer tissues was also significantly higher than that of the patients with VEGF‐C mRNA expression (P < 0.001). Cox regression multivariate analysis confirmed that tumor invasion and VEGF‐C mRNA expression were independent factors for 5‐year disease‐free survival.

Conclusion:  VEGF‐C expression correlates with poor survival in ESCC patients. However, it is not an independent prognostic factor.
Phase III, randomized, open‐label, first‐line study in Asia of gefitinib versus carboplatin/paclitaxel in clinically selected patients with advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer: evaluation of patients recruited from mainland China
Authors: WU Yi‐Long , CHU Da‐Tong , HAN Baohui , LIU Xuyi , ZHANG Li , ZHOU Caicum , LIAO Meilin , MOK Tony , JIANG Haiyi , DUFFIELD Emma , FUKUOKA Masahiro
Published: April 2012

Aim:  In the IRESSA Pan‐Asia Study (IPASS), 1217 patients in East Asia with pulmonary adenocarcinoma who were never‐smokers or ex/light‐smokers received first‐line gefitinib (250 mg/day) or carboplatin/paclitaxel (area under the curve 5/6; 200 mg/m2). Efficacy analyses were pre‐planned in patients in China.

Methods:  In China, 372 patients (30.6% of the overall group) were randomized. The primary end‐point was progression‐free survival (PFS). Secondary end‐points were overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), symptom improvement, safety and tolerability.

Results:  For patients in China, PFS did not significantly differ from the overall IPASS population (interaction test P= 0.427). PFS was numerically longer (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79; 95% CI 0.62–1.01; P= 0.065; median PFS 6.8 months for both treatments) and ORR significantly higher (ORR 44.6 vs 29.8%; odds ratio 1.88; 95% CI 1.22–2.89; P= 0.004) for gefitinib than carboplatin/paclitaxel. OS (mature data) was similar for both treatments (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.73–1.17; P= 0.511; median OS gefitinib 18.1 months vs 18.3 months carboplatin/paclitaxel). HRQoL improvement rates favored gefitinib; symptom improvement rates were similar for both treatments. Gefitinib had a more favorable tolerability profile than carboplatin/paclitaxel. Efficacy by epidermal growth factor receptor biomarker status (exploratory analyses) was difficult to interpret due to low patient numbers with known biomarker status.

Conclusion:  For the Chinese subgroup of IPASS, gefitinib demonstrated improved PFS and ORR, similar OS, higher HRQoL, similar symptom improvement rates and a more favorable tolerability profile than carboplatin/paclitaxel, generally consistent with the overall IPASS population.
Estimating minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) boing sound density using passive acoustic sensors
Authors: Martin Stephen W. , Marques Tiago A. , Thomas Len , Morrissey Ronald P. , Jarvis Susan , DiMarzio Nancy , Moretti David , Mellinger David K.
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Density estimation for marine mammal species is performed primarily using visual distance sampling or capture‐recapture. Minke whales in Hawaiian waters are very difficult to sight; however, they produce a distinctive “boing” call, making them ideal candidates for passive acoustic density estimation. We used an array of 14 bottom‐mounted hydrophones, distributed over a 60 × 30 km area off Kauai, Hawaii, to estimate density during 12 d of recordings in early 2006. We converted the number of acoustic cues (i.e., boings) detected using signal processing software into a cue density by accounting for the false positive rate and probability of detection. The former was estimated by manual validation, the latter by applying spatially explicit capture‐recapture (SECR) methods to a subset of data where we had determined which hydrophones detected each call. Estimated boing density was 130 boings per hour per 10,000 km2(95% CI 104–163). Little is known about the population's acoustic behavior, so conversion from boing to animal density is difficult. As a demonstration of the method, we used a tentative boing rate of 6.04 boings per hour, from a single animal tracked in 2009, to give an estimate of 21.5 boing‐calling minke whales per 10,000 km2.
Is there potential for learning in amusia? A study of the effect of singing intervention in congenital amusia
Authors: Anderson Susan , Himonides Evangelos , Wise Karen , Welch Graham , Stewart Lauren
Published: April 2012

Congenital amusia is a neurodevelopmental disorder of musical perception and production. Much research has focused on characterizing the deficits within this special population; however, it is also important from both a psychological and educational perspective to determine which aspects of the disorder may be subject to change because this will also constrain theorizing about the nature of the disorder, as well as facilitating possible future remediation programs. In this small‐scale study, a professional singing teacher used a broad‐brush intervention approach with five individuals diagnosed with congenital amusia. The compensatory elements were designed to enhance vocal efficiency and health, singing technique, musical understanding, pitch perception, and production. Improvements were observed in most individuals in perception, indexed via the Montreal Battery for the Evaluation of Amusia scale subtest and in the vocal performance of familiar songs. The workshop setting gave a unique opportunity for observation and discussion to inform further investigations of this disorder.
Music listening after stroke: beneficial effects and potential neural mechanisms
Authors: Särkämö Teppo , Soto David
Published: April 2012

Music is an enjoyable leisure activity that also engages many emotional, cognitive, and motor processes in the brain. Here, we will first review previous literature on the emotional and cognitive effects of music listening in healthy persons and various clinical groups. Then we will present findings about the short‐ and long‐term effects of music listening on the recovery of cognitive function in stroke patients and the underlying neural mechanisms of these music effects. First, our results indicate that listening to pleasant music can have a short‐term facilitating effect on visual awareness in patients with visual neglect, which is associated with functional coupling between emotional and attentional brain regions. Second, daily music listening can improve auditory and verbal memory, focused attention, and mood as well as induce structural gray matter changes in the early poststroke stage. The psychological and neural mechanisms potentially underlying the rehabilitating effect of music after stroke are discussed.
Practiced musical style shapes auditory skills
Authors: Vuust Peter , Brattico Elvira , Seppänen Miia , Näätänen Risto , Tervaniemi Mari
Published: April 2012

Musicians’ processing of sounds depends highly on instrument, performance practice, and level of expertise. Here, we measured the mismatch negativity (MMN), a preattentive brain response, to six types of musical feature change in musicians playing three distinct styles of music (classical, jazz, and rock/pop) and in nonmusicians using a novel, fast, and musical sounding multifeature MMN paradigm. We found MMN to all six deviants, showing that MMN paradigms can be adapted to resemble a musical context. Furthermore, we found that jazz musicians had larger MMN amplitude than all other experimental groups across all sound features, indicating greater overall sensitivity to auditory outliers. Furthermore, we observed a tendency toward shorter latency of the MMN to all feature changes in jazz musicians compared to band musicians. These findings indicate that the characteristics of the style of music played by musicians influence their perceptual skills and the brain processing of sound features embedded in music.
Error monitoring is altered in musician's dystonia: evidence from ERP‐based studies
Authors: Strübing Felix , Ruiz María Herrojo , Jabusch Hans Christian , Altenmüller Eckart
Published: April 2012

Musician's dystonia (MD) is a task‐specific movement disorder characterized by a loss of voluntary motor control in highly trained movements like piano playing. Its underlying pathophysiology is defined by deficient functioning of neural pathways at different levels of the central nervous system. However, a few studies have examined the brain responses associated with executive functions such as error monitoring in MD. We recorded the electroencephalogram (EEG) in professional pianists during the performance of memorized music sequences at fast tempi. Event‐related potentials (ERPs) locked to pitch errors were investigated in MD and a control group. In MD patients, significantly larger error‐related brain responses before and following errors were observed as compared with healthy pianists. Our results suggest that in MD, the generalized degraded neural activity at all levels of the central nervous system is manifested in specific neural correlates of the executive functions that monitor an overlearned sensorimotor performance.
The involvement of audio–motor coupling in the music‐supported therapy applied to stroke patients
Authors: Rodriguez‐Fornells Antoni , Rojo Nuria , Amengual Julià L. , Ripollés Pablo , Altenmüller Eckart , Münte Thomas F.
Published: April 2012

Music‐supported therapy (MST) has been developed recently to improve the use of the affected upper extremity after stroke. MST uses musical instruments, an electronic piano and an electronic drum set emitting piano sounds, to retrain fine and gross movements of the paretic upper extremity. In this paper, we first describe the rationale underlying MST, and we review the previous studies conducted on acute and chronic stroke patients using this new neurorehabilitation approach. Second, we address the neural mechanisms involved in the motor movement improvements observed in acute and chronic stroke patients. Third, we provide some recent studies on the involvement of auditory–motor coupling in the MST in chronic stroke patients using functional neuroimaging. Finally, these ideas are discussed and focused on understanding the dynamics involved in the neural circuit underlying audio–motor coupling and how functional connectivity could help to explain the neuroplastic changes observed after therapy in stroke patients.
A sensitive period for musical training: contributions of age of onset and cognitive abilities
Authors: Bailey Jennifer , Penhune Virginia B.
Published: April 2012

The experiences we engage in during childhood can stay with us well into our adult years. The idea of a sensitive period—a window during maturation when our brains are most influenced by behavior—has been proposed. Work from our laboratory has shown that early‐trained musicians (ET) performed better on visual‐motor and auditory‐motor synchronization tasks than late‐trained musicians (LT), even when matched for total musical experience. Although the groups of musicians showed no cognitive differences, working memory scores correlated with task performance. In this study, we have replicated these findings in a larger sample of musicians and included a group of highly educated nonmusicians (NM). Participants performed six woodblock rhythms of varying levels of metrical complexity and completed cognitive subtests measuring verbal abilities, working memory, and pattern recognition. Working memory scores correlated with task performance across all three groups. Interestingly, verbal abilities were stronger among the NM, while nonverbal abilities were stronger among musicians. These findings are discussed in context of the sensitive period hypothesis as well as the debate surrounding cognitive differences between musicians and NM.
Beyond auditory cortex: working with musical thoughts
Authors: Zatorre Robert J.
Published: April 2012

Musical imagery is associated with neural activity in auditory cortex, but prior studies have not examined musical imagery tasks requiring mental transformations. This paper describes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies requiring manipulation of musical information. In one set of experiments, listeners were asked to mentally reverse a familiar tune when presented backwards. This manipulation consistently elicits neural activity in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS). Separate experiments requiring judgments about melodies that have been transposed from one musical key to another also elicit IPS activation. Conjunction analyses indicate that the same portions of the IPS are recruited in both tasks. The findings suggest that the dorsal pathway of auditory processing is involved in the manipulation and transformation of auditory information, as has also been shown for visuomotor and visuospatial tasks. As such, it provides a substrate for the creation of new mental representations that are based on manipulation of previously experienced sensory events.
Dynamic aspects of musical imagery
Authors: Halpern Andrea R.
Published: April 2012

Auditory imagery can represent many aspects of music, such as the starting pitches of a tune or the instrument that typically plays it. In this paper, I concentrate on more dynamic, or time‐sensitive aspects of musical imagery, as demonstrated in two recently published studies. The first was a behavioral study that examined the ability to make emotional judgments about both heard and imagined music in real time. The second was a neuroimaging study on the neural correlates of anticipating an upcoming tune, after hearing a cue tune. That study found activation of several sequence‐learning brain areas, some of which varied with the vividness of the anticipated musical memory. Both studies speak to the ways in which musical imagery allows us to judge temporally changing aspects of the represented musical experience. These judgments can be quite precise, despite the complexity of generating the rich internal representations of imagery.
Effective music therapy techniques in the treatment of nonfluent aphasia
Authors: Tomaino Concetta M.
Published: April 2012

In music therapy for nonfluent aphasia patients who have difficulty producing meaningful words, phrases, and sentences, various benefits of singing have been identified: strengthened breathing and vocal ability, improved articulation and prosody of speech, and increased verbal and nonverbal communicative behaviors. This paper will introduce these various techniques used in clinical music therapy, and summarize findings based on our recent study to illustrate the strength of different techniques emphasizing rhythm, pitch, memory, and vocal/oral motor components dealing with different symptoms. The efficacy of each component is enhanced or diminished by the choice of music and the way it is interactively delivered. This indicates that neural mechanisms underlying speech improvement vary greatly with available acoustic and social cues in aphasic brain.
Neuroscience and “real world” practice: music as a therapeutic resource for children in zones of conflict
Authors: Osborne Nigel
Published: April 2012

Recent developments in music neuroscience are considered a source for reflection on, and evaluation and development of, musical therapeutic practice in the field, in particular, in relation to traumatized children and postconflict societies. Music neuroscience research is related to practice within a broad biopsychosocial framework. Here, examples are detailed of work from North Uganda, Palestine, and South Thailand.
Which sequencing depth is sufficient to describe patterns in bacterial α‐ and β‐diversity?
Authors: Lundin Daniel , Severin Ina , Logue Jürg Brendan , Östman Örjan , Andersson Anders F. , Lindström Eva S.
Published: April 2012

The vastness of microbial diversity implies that an almost infinite number of individuals needs to be identified to accurately describe such communities. Practical and economical constraints may therefore prevent appropriate study designs. However, for many questions in ecology it is not essential to know the actual diversity but rather the trends among samples thereof. It is, hence, important to know to what depth microbial communities need to be sampled to accurately measure trends in diversity. We used three data sets of freshwater and sediment bacteria, where diversity was explored using 454 pyrosequencing. Each data set contained 6–15 communities from which 15 000–20 000 16S rRNA gene sequences each were obtained. These data sets were subsampled repeatedly to 10 different depths down to 200 sequences per community. Diversity estimates varied with sequencing depth, yet, trends in diversity among samples were less sensitive. We found that 1000 denoised sequences per sample explained to 90% the trends in β‐diversity (Bray‐Curtis index) among samples observed for 15 000–20 000 sequences. Similarly, 5000 denoised sequences were sufficient to describe trends in α‐diversity (Shannon index) with the same accuracy. Further, 5000 denoised sequences captured to more than 80% the trends in Chao1 richness and Pielou's evenness.
Two-Year Follow-Up of Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty with a Cta Head for Cuff-Tear Arthropathy
Authors: Firestone Daniel , Arnold Ryan M. , Fehringer Edward V.
Published: April 2012

Background

Cuff tear arthropathy (CTA)-specific hemiarthroplasty was designed to allow for smoother articulation. Results following standard hemiarthroplasty for CTA have been unpredictable. Recent work emphasized the importance of closely evaluating cuff-deficient shoulders with histories, exams, and radiographs in an attempt to provide better treatment algorithms for these shoulders. We hypothesized that CTA-specific hemiarthroplasty for cuff-deficient shoulders without prior surgical intervention would improve shoulder comfort and function.

Methods

From November 2006 to January 2009, we performed 22 CTA-specific hemiarthroplasties in 21 patients with previously unoperated shoulders. All were assessed with radiographs and scored according to Seebauer. Constant and Simple Shoulder Test scores were obtained pre-operatively and at a minimum two-year follow-up.

Results

15 of the original 22 shoulders were available for evaluation by an orthopaedist other than the operative surgeon. One was lost to follow-up. 3 were in patients that had died. Mean absolute Constant score improved from 37 pre-op to 62 post-op; mean Simple Shoulder Test score improved from 4 to 9. Of the 15, there were 2 IA's, 0 IB's, 13 IIA's, and 0 IIB's according to Seebauer's classification. 4 out of 22 (18%) shoulders were either converted to reverse arthroplasties (2) or were in patients that were dissatisfied with their results and refused follow-up (1) or lost to follow-up (1).

Conclusions

CTA-specific hemiarthroplasty for rotator cuff-deficient shoulders with arthritis and without escape or previous surgery improves comfort and function in most shoulders. However, the risk of conversion to reverse, dissatisfaction, or presumed dissatisfaction in this small series was 18% in short term follow-up.
nm23‐H1 gene driven by hTERT promoter induces inhibition of invasive phenotype and metastasis of lung cancer xenograft in mice
Authors: Fan Yu , Yao Yibing , Li Lu , Wu Zhihao , Xu Feng , Hou Mei , Wu Heng , Shen Yali , Wan Haisu , Zhou Qinghua
Published: April 2012

Background:  Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women worldwide. Tumor metastasis is an essential aspect of lung cancer progression and patient death. The nm23‐H1 gene has been extensively investigated as a metastasis suppressor gene. Our previous studies have revealed: that a significant relationship exists between the low‐level expression nm23‐H1 in primary non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with increased metastasis and a poor prognosis; that L9981‐nm23‐H1 cells (a nm23‐H1 transfactant cell) exhibited lower cell proliferation rates, more G0/G1 phase growth, and an increase in apoptosis with a dramatic decrease in the tumor cells' ability to invade than L9981 cells did; and that L9981‐ nm23‐H1 cells also demonstrated a significantly reduced lymph node and distant metastatic capacity in vivo than L9981 cells did in nude mice.

Methods:  In this study, we construct a plasmid containing the nm23‐H1 gene, which was driven by the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter. We evaluated the anti‐invasion and anti‐metastatic effects of pGL3‐hTP‐nm23 on L9981, a human large cell lung cancer cell line with nm23‐H1 negative expression, by transwell assay in vitro and bioluminescence in nude mice models. The toxicity of pGL3‐hTP‐nm23 and its effects on tumor growth were evaluated in nude mice models after gene therapy. The cell cycles, apoptosis, and proliferation of the nm23‐H1 transfactant were also detected by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT assay) and flow cytometry (FCM).

Results:  The results showed that the hTERT‐promoter dramatically drives nm23‐H1 gene expression, and induces inhibition of cell growth and migration in L9981‐luc cells and MRC‐5 cells in vitro. nm23‐H1 also significantly inhibited the tumorigenesis and distant metastasis of L9981‐luc cell in vivo.

Moreover, no obvious side effect was detected in normal mouse tissues after intratumoral injection of the vector.

Conclusion:  The treatment of the nm23‐H1 gene driven by hTERT promoter appears to be a promising approach for the gene therapy of nm23‐H1 low‐expressed tumors.
The perceived sensitivity to medicines (PSM) scale: An evaluation of validity and reliability
Authors: Horne Rob , Faasse Kate , Cooper Vanessa , Diefenbach Michael A. , Leventhal Howard , Leventhal Elaine , Petrie Keith J.
Published: April 2012

Objectives.  We report on the development and psychometric properties of a scale to measure perceived sensitivity to medicines (PSM).

Design.  The internal consistency, test–retest reliability, criterion‐related, and predictive validity of the PSM Scale were evaluated using data collected as part of four previously published studies and one unpublished data set.

Methods.  Participants (n= 1,166) included patients receiving treatment for HIV infection and hypertension, individuals receiving a travel vaccination, and undergraduate students. Criterion‐related validity was assessed by examining associations between the PSM and beliefs about medicines (Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Predictive validity was assessed by examining associations between the PSM and medication adherence and with symptom reports following vaccination. Test–retest reliability was assessed in an undergraduate sample who completed the PSM on two occasions, 2 weeks apart.

Results.  Test–retest reliability was high (r= .89, p < .001). Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.79–0.94. Consistent with expectations, high PSM scores were associated with negative beliefs about medicines in general, strong concerns about potential adverse effects of prescribed medicines, and doubts about the necessity for treatment. High PSM scores predicted non‐adherence to anti‐retroviral therapy and a higher incidence of symptoms following vaccination.

Conclusion.  The findings present preliminary evidence that the PSM is a valid and reliable measure of perceived sensitivity to medication. While further work is needed to develop and evaluate the scale, the findings support its use as a research tool in studies of the use and effects of medicines.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject? It is now well understood that beliefs about medicines
have an important influence on whether patients start and continue with treatment. Research
spanning a range of long‐term conditions and across different countries has shown that treatment
uptake and adherence are consistently related to specific beliefs about prescribed medicines, such
as how patients judge their personal need relative to concerns about potential adverse effects as
well as more general beliefs about medicines as a class of treatment.

What does this study add? The paper reports on the development and psychometric properties of
a new scale to measure patients' perceptions of their sensitivity to medicines. In five studies
involving different groups of individuals we found the Perceived Sensitivity to Medicines (PSM) Scale
to be a reliable and valid measure. The PSM may be useful for researchers and clinicians in explaining
treatment decisions, adherence and reported side‐effects.
Exploring the question‐behaviour effect: Randomized controlled trial of motivational and question‐behaviour interventions
Authors: Ayres Karen , Conner Mark , Prestwich Andrew , Hurling Robert , Cobain Mark , Lawton Rebecca , O’Connor Daryl B.
Published: April 2012

Purpose. Measuring intentions and other cognitions to perform a behaviour can promote performance of that behaviour (the question‐behaviour effect, QBE). It has been suggested that this effect may be amplified for individuals motivated to perform the behaviour. The present research tested the efficacy of combining a motivational intervention (providing personal risk information) with measuring intentions and other cognitions in a fully crossed 2 × 2 design with an objective measure of behaviour in an at‐risk population using a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods. Participants with elevated serum cholesterol levels were randomized to one of four conditions: a combined group receiving both a motivational intervention (personalized cardiovascular disease risk information) and a QBE manipulation (completing a questionnaire about diet), one group receiving a motivational intervention, one group receiving a QBE intervention, or one group receiving neither. All participants subsequently had the opportunity to obtain a personalized health plan linked to reducing personal risk for coronary heart disease.

Results. Neither the motivational nor the QBE manipulations alone significantly increased rates of obtaining the health plan. However, the interaction between conditions was significant. Decomposition of the interaction indicated that the combined condition (motivational plus QBE manipulation) produced significantly higher rates of obtaining the health plan (96.2%) compared to the other three groups combined (80.3%).

Conclusions. The findings provide insights into the mechanism underlying the QBE and suggest the importance of motivation to perform the behaviour in observing the effect.

Statement of Contribution

What is already known on this subject? Research has indicated that merely asking questions about a behaviour may be sufficient to produce changes in that or related behaviours (referred to as the question‐behaviour effect; QBE). Previous studies have suggested that the QBE may be moderated by the individual's motivation to change the behaviour, i.e., the QBE will only produce increases in the behaviour among those with strong motivation to perform the behaviour. However, no study has directly tested this prediction by manipulating motivation and examining impacts on the QBE.

What does this study add? The present study tested the individual and combined effects of a motivational and a QBE intervention in a fully crossed design using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and showed that:

a combined intervention significantly increased behaviour.

effect partially mediated by cognitions.
Dosimetric comparison of treatment plans based on free breathing, maximum, and average intensity projection CTs for lung cancer SBRT
Authors: Tian Yuan , Wang Zhiheng , Ge Hong , Zhang Tian , Cai Jing , Kelsey Christopher , Yoo David , Yin Fang‐Fang
Published: April 2012

Purpose:

To determine whether there is a CT dataset may be more favorable for planning and dose calculation by comparing dosimetric characteristics between treatment plans calculated using free breathing (FB), maximum and average intensity projection (MIP and AIP, respectively) CTs for lung cancer patients receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Methods:

Twenty lung cancer SBRT patients, treated on a linac with 2.5 mm width multileaf‐collimator (MLC), were analyzed retrospectively. Both FB helical and four‐dimensional CT scans were acquired for each patient. Internal target volume (ITV) was delineated based on MIP CTs and modified based on both ten‐phase datasets and FB CTs. Planning target volume (PTV) was then determined by adding additional setup margin to ITV. The PTVs and beams in the optimized treatment plan based on FB CTs were copied to MIP and AIP CTs, with the same isocenters, MLC patterns and monitor units. Mean effective depth (MED) of beams, and some dosimetric parameters for both PTVs and most important organ at risk (OAR), lung minus PTV, were compared between any two datasets using two‐tail pairedt test.

Results:

The MEDs in FB and AIP plans were similar but significantly smaller (Ps < 0.001) than that in MIP plans. Minimum dose, mean dose, dose covering at least 90% and 95% of PTVs in MIP plans were slightly higher than two other plans (Ps < 0.008). The absolute volume of lung minus PTV receiving greater than 5, 10, and 20 Gy in MIP plans were significantly smaller than those in both FB and AIP plans (Ps < 0.008). Conformity index for FB plans showed a small but statistically significantly higher.

Conclusions:

Dosimetric characteristics of AIP plans are similar to those of FB plans. Slightly better target volume coverage and significantly lower low‐dose region (≤30 Gy) in lung was observed in MIP plans. The decrease in low‐dose region in lung was mainly caused by the change of lung volume contoured on two datasets rather than the differences of dose distribution between AIP and MIP plans. Compare with AIP datasets, FB datasets were more prone to significant image artifacts and MIP datasets may overestimate or underestimate the target volume when the target is closer to the denser tissue, so AIP seems favorable for planning and dose calculation for lung SBRT.
STUDY ON THE MODEL OF CONSENSUS FORMATION IN INTERNET BASED ON THE DIRECTED GRAPH
Authors: HU CHAOLANG , WU RONGJUN , LIU JIAYONG
Published: April 2012

This paper constructs a model of the consensus formation in Internet based on the directed graph after analyzing the classical models of the social consensus formation, sets up the rules for the evolvement of opinions of agents and induces the evolving algorithm of consensus in Internet. The paper presents some key parameters such as the influence area of the mainstream media, the average influence of the mainstream media, the average self-persisting ability of agents and etc. Simulation results on a small-world networks show that the less the average self-persisting capability of the agents is, the easier the guidance of the media will be. The stronger the average influence of the main stream media is, the easier the mainstream media guides the consensus. These results reflect the formation law of the network consensus and are consistent approximately with the real circumstance.
A PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBER BASED ON SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE TEMPERATURE SENSOR WITH LIQUID CORE
Authors: BING P. B. , LI Z. Y. , YAO J. Q. , LU Y. , DI Z. G.
Published: April 2012

A Photonic Crystal Fiber based on Surface Plasmon Resonance (PCF-SPR) temperature sensor with liquid core is proposed in this paper. Glycerin liquid with a high refractive index is filled in the central air hole of the hollow core photonic bandgap (PBG) PCF, the transmission type of PCF will change to total internal reflection (TIR), which will significantly broaden its transmission bands. The refractive index of glycerin changes with temperature within a certain temperature range and can be detected by measuring the transmission spectra, thus the accurate ambient temperature can be obtained. Numerical results indicate that the plasmon on the surface of the gold-coated channels containing glycerin liquid can be intensively excited by the core-guided mode and the excitation of the plasmon mode is sensitive to the change of the temperature. Resolution of the PCF-SPR temperature sensor with liquid core is demonstrated to be as low as 4 × 10-6 RIU, where RIU means refractive index unit.
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF TRANSIENT AND PERIODIC DYNAMICS IN SINGLE AND COUPLED NAGUMO–SATO MODELS
Authors: OKU MAKITO , AIHARA KAZUYUKI
Published: April 2012

The Nagumo–Sato (NS) model is a one-dimensional piecewise linear map that describes simplified dynamics of a single neuron. The NS model and its network extension, coupled Nagumo–Sato models, exhibit complex behavior both in their transient dynamics and after converging to periodic orbits. However, the way the period and the transient length change against the parameters is not completely understood. In this study, we numerically investigate the transient and periodic dynamics in single and coupled NS models. Simulation results indicate the following observations. (1) The period of a single NS model shows layered structures associated with the Farey sequence. (2) Two coupled NS models show discontinuity in the transient length, even though the period does not change. (3) In the case of an associative memory model consisting of NS models, there exists a small parameter region where both the period and the transient length increase considerably. The dynamics within the region is much more complex than that outside the region.
AN EFFICIENT AND ACCURATE NUMERICAL SCHEME FOR TURING INSTABILITY ON A PREDATOR–PREY MODEL
Authors: YUN ANA , JEONG DARAE , KIM JUNSEOK
Published: April 2012

We present an efficient and accurate numerical method for solving a ratio-dependent predator–prey model with a Turing instability. The system is discretized by a finite difference method with a semi-implicit scheme which allows much larger time step sizes than those required by a standard explicit scheme. A proof is given for the positivity and boundedness of the numerical solutions depending only on the temporal, but not on the spatial step sizes. Finally, we perform numerical experiments demonstrating the robustness and accuracy of the numerical solution for the Turing instability. In particular, we show that the numerical nonconstant stationary solutions exist.
INFLUENCE OF SAMPLING LENGTH AND SAMPLING INTERVAL ON CALCULATING THE FRACTAL DIMENSION OF CHAOTIC ATTRACTORS
Authors: JI CUICUI , ZHU HUA , JIANG WEI
Published: April 2012

This paper intends to study the influences of the sampling length and sampling interval of time series on the chaotic attractors' fractal dimension calculation. Four kinds of univariate time-series signals from different chaotic systems were chosen, and then fractal dimensions of attractors under different sampling lengths and sampling intervals were calculated by the method of correlation dimension. The results show clearly that the chaotic attractors' fractal dimension is related to both the sampling length and the sampling interval. With the increase of the sampling length, all attractors' fractal dimensions tend to increase gradually first and then become stable. However, the fractal dimension remains stable only in a suitable range of the sampling interval, in which the attractor of the chaotic system can be reconstructed from one univariate time-series signal; if the sampling interval is unusually large or small, the fractal dimension will be unstable and the reconstructed attractor will be seriously distorted. Therefore, the dimension saturation method and the delay-coordinate's time difference method for determining the sampling length and the sampling interval were proposed separately, which are significant for improving the calculation accuracy for the chaotic attractor's dimension, reflecting the dynamics of complicated systems correctly, saving computational time as well as enhancing the computation efficiency.
MASTER-SLAVE SYNCHRONIZATION OF NONAUTONOMOUS CHAOTIC SYSTEMS AND ITS APPLICATION TO ROTATING PENDULUMS
Authors: DING KE , HAN QING-LONG
Published: April 2012

Some mathematical models in engineering and physics, such as rotating pendulums, governors and phase locked loops in circuits, can be described as nonautonomous systems in which there exist chaotic attractors. This paper investigates master-slave synchronization for two nonautonomous chaotic systems by using time-delayed feedback control. Firstly, three delay-dependent synchronization criteria, which are formulated in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), are established for complete synchronization, lag synchronization and anticipating synchronization, respectively. Secondly, sufficient conditions on the existence of a time-delayed feedback controller are derived by employing these newly-obtained synchronization criteria. The controller gain can be obtained by solving a set of LMIs. Finally, the synchronization criteria and the design method are applied to master-slave synchronization for rotating pendulum systems.