bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sildenafil Therapy for Interferon-β-1a-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Case Report
Authors: Caravita Sergio , Secchi Maria Beatrice , Wu Sheng Chin , Pierini Simona , Paggi Anita
Published: January 2012

Interferon (IFN) therapy is nowadays widely used in clinical practice. In the literature, there are very few reports of the association between IFN therapy and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and current guidelines do not mention IFNs as a risk factor for PAH. We describe a patient with multiple sclerosis who developed severe PAH after treatment with IFN-β-1a and the clinical response to sildenafil. Furthermore, we stress the need to further investigate the link between IFNs and PAH.
Survival of Patients with Small Cell Lung Carcinoma in Taiwan
Authors: Kuo Yu-Hsuan , Lin Zhong-Zhe , Yang Yen-Yun , Shao Yu-Yun , Shau Wen-Yi , Kuo Raymond N.C. , Yang James Chih-Hsin , Lai Mei-Shu
Published: January 2012

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. The prognosis for SCLC patients remains unsatisfactory despite advances in chemotherapy. In this study, we sought to clarify the prognosis and treatment patterns of patients with SCLC. Methods: A cohort comprising all patients diagnosed with SCLC between January 2004 and December 2006 was assembled from the Taiwan Cancer Database. Patients were followed up until December 31, 2009, to determine overall survival. Patient survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox’s proportional hazard model was used to determine the relationship between prognostic factors and median survival time. Results: Among the 1,684 patients diagnosed with SCLC, 1,215 (72%) were diagnosed with extensive-stage disease and 469 (28%) with limited-stage disease. Most of the patients were male (90%). The median survival duration of patients with limited-stage and extensive-stage SCLC was 10.3 months and 5.6 months, respectively. For limited-stage patients, surgery, chemotherapy, and combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy resulted in better survival than best supportive care (HR 0.20, p < 0.001; HR 0.61, p < 0.001, and HR 0.37, p < 0.001, respectively). For extensive-stage patients, male gender was significantly associated with a poor prognosis (HR 1.45, p < 0.001) and chemotherapy was shown to improve overall survival more effectively than best supportive care (HR 0.37, p < 0.001). Conclusion: For limited-stage SCLC patients, surgery, chemotherapy, and combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy improved survival compared to best supportive care. Extensive-stage SCLC patients benefited more from chemotherapy treatment than from best supportive care.
Impact of Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and Surgery in Multimodal Treatment of Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Berger Bernhard , Stahlberg Katharina , Lemminger Annina , Bleif Martin , Belka Claus , Bamberg Michael
Published: January 2012

Objectives: It was the aim of this study to assess our institutional experience with definitive chemoradiation (CRT) versus induction chemotherapy followed by CRT with or without surgery (C-CRT/S) in esophageal cancer. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 129 institutional patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who had been treated by either CRT in analogy to the RTOG 8501 trial (n = 78) or C-CRT/S (n = 51). Results: The median, 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) of the entire collective was 17.6 months, 42 and 24%, respectively, without a significant difference between the CRT and C-CRT/S groups. In C-CRT/S patients, surgery statistically improved the locoregional control (LRC) rates (2-year LRC 73.6 vs. 21.2%; p = 0.003); however, this was translated only into a trend towards improved OS (p = 0.084). The impact of escalated radiation doses (≧60.0 vs. <60.0 Gy) on LRC was detectable only in T1–3 N0–1 M0 patients of the CRT group (2-year LRC 77.8 vs. 42.3%; p = 0.036). Conclusion: Definitive CRT and a trimodality approach including surgery (C-CRT/S) had a comparable outcome in this unselected patient collective. Surgery and higher radiation doses improve LRC rates in subgroups of patients, respectively, but without effect on OS.
Repeat Lumpectomy for Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrence after Breast-Conserving Treatment
Authors: Ishitobi Makoto , Komoike Yoshifumi , Nakahara Saki , Motomura Kazuyoshi , Koyama Hiroki , Inaji Hideo
Published: January 2012

Objectives: There are limited data on the outcomes of patients treated with repeat lumpectomy at the time of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 78 patients who underwent repeat lumpectomy after IBTR. The risk factors for second IBTR were assessed. Results: The median follow-up period was 40 months. The 5-year second IBTR-free survival rate was 78.8%. Patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive or unknown tumors at IBTR had a significantly better second IBTR-free survival rate than those with ER-negative tumors at IBTR (88.3 vs. 55.4%, respectively; p = 0.0022). Multivariate analysis revealed that the ER status of IBTR was a significantly independent predictive factor for second IBTR-free survival (p = 0.0177). The low-risk group for second IBTR was detected using the ER status, disease-free interval, margin status of IBTR, and age at diagnosis (5-year cumulative incidence, 7.0%). Conclusion: The ER status of IBTR was a significantly independent predictive factor for second IBTR-free survival. Some patients could safely undergo repeat lumpectomy for IBTR.
Mechanisms of Pleurodesis
Authors: Rodriguez-Panadero Francisco , Montes-Worboys Ana
Published: January 2012

Pleurodesis aims to obliterate the pleural space by producing extensive adhesion of the visceral and parietal pleura, in order to control relapse of either pleural effusions (mostly malignant) or pneumothorax. A tight and complete apposition between the two pleural layers is a necessary condition to obtain a successful pleurodesis, but – besides this mechanical aspect – there are many biological mechanisms that appear to be common to most of the sclerosing agents currently used. Following intrapleural application of the sclerosing agent, diffuse inflammation, pleural coagulation-fibrinolysis imbalance (favoring the formation of fibrin adhesions), recruitment and subsequent proliferation of fibroblasts, and collagen production are findings in the pleural space. The pleural mesothelial lining is the primary target for the sclerosant and plays a pivotal role in the whole pleurodesis process, including the release of several mediators like interleukin-8, transforming growth factor-β and basic fibroblast growth factor. When the tumor burden is high, normal mesothelial cells are scarce, and consequently the response to the sclerosing agent is decreased, leading to failure of pleurodesis. Also, the type of tumor in the pleural cavity may also affect the outcome of pleurodesis (diffuse malignant mesothelioma and metastatic lung carcinomas have a poorer response). There is general agreement that talc obtains the best results, and there are also preliminary experimental studies suggesting that it can induce apoptosis in tumor cells and inhibit angiogenesis, thus contributing to a better control of the malignant pleural effusion. There is concern about complications (possibly associated with talc but other agents as well) related to systemic inflammation and possible activation of the coagulation cascade. In order to prevent extrapleural talc dissemination, large-particle talc is recommended. Although it could – to some degree – interfere with the mechanisms leading to pleurodesis and a carefully balanced clinical decision has therefore to be made, prophylactic treatment with subcutaneous heparin is recommended during hospitalization (immediately before and after the pleurodesis procedure).
Nutritional Status Affects Treatment Tolerability and Survival in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients: Results of an AGEO Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Barret Maximilien , Malka David , Aparicio Thomas , Dalban Cécile , Locher Christophe , Sabate Jean-Marc , Louafi Samy , Mansourbakht Touraj , Bonnetain Franck , Attar Alain , Taieb Julien
Published: January 2012

Background: The possible impact of malnutrition on the tolerability and efficacy of modern chemotherapy regimens for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is unclear. Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study, we collected demographic, oncological and nutritional data for all consecutive mCRC patients during a 14-day period in eight hospitals. Nutritional status was assessed with the nutritional risk index (NRI), and patients were classified as severely malnourished when NRI was <83.5; drug-induced toxicities were evaluated using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (version 3.0). Survival times were calculated from the date of the nutritional assessment. Results: We enrolled 114 mCRC patients (median age: 65 years, range: 22–92; WHO performance status 0/1/2/3: 21/54/21/4%) of whom 88% had at least 2 metastatic sites and 49% were receiving chemotherapy as first-line treatment. Malnutrition was diagnosed in 65% of the patients and was severe in 19%. Severe malnutrition was associated with more adverse effects following chemotherapy (p = 0.01) and with shorter median overall survival (14.0 vs. 36.2 months in non-/moderately malnourished patients, p = 0.02). Conclusions: In mCRC patients, severe malnutrition is associated with greater chemotherapy toxicity and reduced overall survival.
Association of β-Blocker Exposure With Outcomes in Heart Failure Differs Between African American and White Patients
Authors: Lanfear David E. , Hrobowski Tara N. , Peterson Edward L. , Wells Karen E. , Swadia Tanmay V. , Spertus John A. , Williams L. Keoki
Published: January 2012

Background—

β-Blockers (BB) are a mainstay of heart failure (HF) treatment, yet there are inconclusive data regarding their efficacy in African American individuals.

Methods and Results—

We performed a retrospective study of insured patients who received care from a large health system who were hospitalized for HF between January 2000 and June 2008 and had a documented ejection fraction <50%. BB exposure was estimated over 6-month rolling windows, using pharmacy claims data. Proportional hazards regression was used to test the association between BB exposure and all-cause hospitalization or death with adjustment for baseline covariates and other HF medication exposure. We performed analyses stratified by race and overall with a BB exposure×race interaction term. A total of 1094 patients met inclusion criteria (476 white and 618 African American individuals). Median follow-up was 2.1 years. In adjusted models, BB exposure was associated with lower risk of death or hospitalization in both groups, but more so in white individuals (hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.27, 0.60;
P
<0.001) compared with African American individuals (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.48, 0.94;
P
=0.024). A formal test for interaction indicated that the protection association for BB exposure differed by race (
P
=0.098, β=0.40). Reanalysis restricted to BBs approved for HF or HF-specific hospitalizations did not substantively alter the findings.

Conclusions—

BB appears to be 40–50% less effective in preventing death or hospitalization among African American patients with HF as compared with white individuals. Further study is needed to better understand BB effectiveness in African Americans with HF.
GABAA Agonist Reduces Visual Awareness: A Masking–EEG Experiment
Authors: van Loon Anouk M. , Scholte H. Steven , van Gaal Simon , van der Hoort Björn J. J. , Lamme Victor A. F.
Published: January 2012

Consciousness can be manipulated in many ways. Here, we seek to understand whether two such ways, visual masking and pharmacological intervention, share a common pathway in manipulating visual consciousness. We recorded EEG from human participants who performed a backward-masking task in which they had to detect a masked figure form its background (masking strength was varied across trials). In a within-subject design, participants received dextromethorphan (a N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist), lorazepam (LZP; a GABAA receptor agonist), scopolamine (a muscarine receptor antagonist), or placebo. The behavioral results show that detection rate decreased with increasing masking strength and that of all the drugs, only LZP induced a further decrease in detection rate. Figure-related ERP signals showed three neural events of interest: (1) an early posterior occipital and temporal generator (94–121 msec) that was not influenced by any pharmacological manipulation nor by masking, (2) a later bilateral perioccipital generator (156–211 msec) that was reduced by masking as well as LZP (but not by any other drugs), and (3) a late bilateral occipital temporal generator (293–387 msec) that was mainly affected by masking. Crucially, only the intermediate neural event correlated with detection performance. In combination with previous findings, these results suggest that LZP and masking both reduce visual awareness by means of modulating late activity in the visual cortex but leave early activation intact. These findings provide the first evidence for a common mechanism for these two distinct ways of manipulating consciousness.
Development and Evaluation of Mei-Yu Season Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts in Taiwan River Basins Based on a Conceptual Climatology Model
Authors: Wang Chung-Chieh , Kung Chu-Ying , Lee Cheng-Shang , Tai-Jen Chen George
Published: January 2012

Using rain gauge data during 134 mei-yu frontal cases in May–June 1991–2006, a rainfall climatology in relation to the positions of fronts every 0.5° in Taiwan is obtained, showing widespread precipitation with maxima over windward mountain slopes associated with frontal passages. For six major river basins, rainfall characteristics and synoptic factors are further analyzed to build a conceptual climatology model for short-term quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs). The four basins in central–southern Taiwan exhibit increased heavy-rainfall frequencies (>25%) roughly from 2° south to 1° north of the front, while the two basins in northern Taiwan have lower frequencies with different characteristics mainly due to the differences in their topography. The synoptic factors in the checklist employed by the Central Weather Bureau and important to heavy rainfall are identified for each of the six basins through statistical tests and their threat score (TS). These factors include those related to mei-yu fronts, low-level jets and moisture, upper-level divergence–diffluence, and short-wave troughs. A conceptual climatology model that uses both synoptic and probability forecasting guidance is developed, and in practice the average rainfall climatology is replaced by one obtained for heavy-rainfall periods if either of the two guidance schemes indicates heavy-rainfall possibility. This model for 0–6- and 0–12-h QPFs is also evaluated for its usefulness using cases during the 2007–08 seasons. With typical TSs of 0.2–0.3 (for heavy rainfall), this approach outperforms simple climatology in all six basins especially toward higher thresholds (about 20–50 mm) and for 12-h events, where it also shows advantages over model QPFs in southern Taiwan. Thus, the model can provide useful information for operational use.
Reciprocity by Proxy
Authors: Goldstein Noah J. , Griskevicius Vladas , Cialdini Robert B.
Published: January 2012

We explored a novel reciprocity-based influence strategy to stimulate cooperation called the reciprocity-by-proxy strategy. Unlike in traditional reciprocity, in which benefactors provide direct benefits to target individuals to elicit reciprocity, the reciprocity-by-proxy strategy elicits in the target a sense of indebtedness to benefactors by providing benefits to a valued third party on behalf of the target (e.g., first making a donation to a charity on behalf of one’s employees and then later asking employees to comply with a request). We hypothesize that this strategy should be more effective than the widely used incentive-by-proxy strategy, in which one makes a request of a target, promising to provide aid to a valued third party if the target first complies with the request (e.g., offering to make a donation to charity for every employee who complies with a request). We found that hotel guests were more likely to reuse their towels when the hotel’s environmental conservation program used a reciprocity-by-proxy strategy than when it used an incentive-by-proxy or standard environmental strategy. Four additional experiments replicate this finding, rule out alternative explanations, and reveal that the reciprocity-by-proxy approach can backfire when the target audience does not support the beneficiary of the aid.
Social workers’ perceptions and experiences on the psychiatric disease mandatory assessment review committee: A qualitative study in Taiwan
Authors: Tang I-Chen , Wu Hui-Ching
Published: January 2012

In Taiwan, the decision regarding compulsory detention of patients with severe psychiatric disorders is subject to review by the Psychiatric Disease Mandatory Assessment Review Committee. Approved psychiatric social workers are assigned to this court-like body to ensure the involuntary placement criteria are met. We conducted qualitative research to investigate the dilemmas of social workers on this committee.
The potential of wood fibers as reinforcement in cellular biopolymers
Authors: Neagu R Cristian , Cuénoud Matthieu , Berthold Fredrik , Bourban Pierre-Etienne , Gamstedt E Kristofer , Lindström Mikael , Månson Jan-Anders E
Published: January 2012

Wood fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composite foams have been successfully produced using supercritical carbon dioxide. The addition of fibers had a strong effect on microstructure of the foams. An increase in wood fiber content implied smaller average cell size and higher average cell wall thickness as estimated from image analysis of scanning electron microscopy micrographs. Addition of 10 wt% wood fibers seemed to be a limit to obtain foams, with the used processing conditions.

The stiffness properties of the foams in compression improved upon addition of wood fibers. A significant increase of specific stiffness was achieved by adding 5–10 wt% wood fibers. It was shown that the stiffness was about 50% higher in the transverse direction for reinforced foams. The strength in the transverse direction increased for foams with unmodified wood fibers but decreased for foams with two types of treated wood fibers as compared with the strength of the pure polylactic acid foam of similar density. A butyl tetracarboxylic acid treatment followed by an additional surfactant treatment results in reduced wood fiber network-forming ability and reduced fiber–matrix adhesion. This contributes to the inferior observed strength properties in this study.

The experimental stiffness was comparable with a superposed micromechanical model for a three-phase fiber-reinforced foam. The model shows that increasing the relative density, that is, the ratio of the density of the foam to the density of the composite material, by adding wood fibers results in a noteworthy increase in the transverse compression stiffness of the foams but only at relative density values above 0.2 for the used processing conditions in this study. The key factor for reinforcement is the relation between foam relative density and fiber volume fraction in the preform. The foaming conditions have to be adapted for each wood fiber content to obtain foams with the desired relative density.
What Makes a Good EMDR Therapist? Exploratory Findings From Client-Centered Inquiry
Authors: Marich Jamie
Published: January 2012

There are several qualities of good EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapists that must be examined to understand what clients most value in this specialized treatment. These qualities, as defined by former clients, include therapist personality, an ability to empower clients, flexibility, intuition, a sense of ease and comfort in working with trauma, and a commitment to the small measures of caring that clients identify as helping them feel safer. This article highlights the importance of honoring client safety in EMDR treatment by further exploring a theme from a phenomenological parent study on the use of EMDR with women in addiction continuing care. The parent study offered qualitative evidence showing that there is a place for EMDR as part of a comprehensive women’s addiction recovery program when applied properly. In this article, participants’ descriptions of their EMDR therapists and how these therapists were able to establish safety are described in greater detail than the parent study article allowed. Implications for emphasis on client-centered factors in the training and formation of EMDR therapists are discussed using the data extrapolated from the clients’ experiences, and further directions for researching the client-centered perspective in EMDR are presented.
Development and analysis of novel electroluminescent yarns and fabrics for localized automotive interior illumination
Authors: Dias Tilak , Monaragala Ravi
Published: January 2012

Textiles used in automotive interiors can be used to provide localized illumination if made to illuminate. In this study a novel electroluminescent (EL) yarn has been developed that can be integrated with knitted and woven fabrics. An EL yarn construction and an appropriate EL coating have been studied; moreover, a novel automated single yarn coating system has also been developed. An analytical model of the luminance of this yarn was also created based on alternating current thin-film EL technology. An automated EL yarn driver system, which electrically drives the yarn to provide illumination, and an illuminance measurement system to detect its illumination have been explained. The luminescence of the EL yarn has been analyzed based on the luminance derived by the analytical model and the illuminance detected by the measurement system. Finally, knitted fabrics integrated with this yarn are described with possible applications in automotive or aerospace interiors.
An Algorithm to Detect Adverse Drug Reactions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Du Wei , Lehr Victoria Tutag , Lieh‐Lai Mary , Koo Winston , Ward Robert M. , Rieder Michael J. , Van Den Anker John N. , Reeves Jaxk H. , Mathew Merene , Lulic‐Botica Mirjana , Aranda Jacob V.
Published: January 2012

Critically ill newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are at greater risk of developing adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Differentiation of ADRs from reactions associated with organ dysfunction/immaturity is difficult. Current ADR algorithm scoring was established arbitrarily without validation in infants. The study objective was to develop a valid and reliable algorithm to identify ADRs in the NICU. Algorithm development began with a 24‐item questionnaire for data collection on 100 previously suspected ADRs. Five pediatric pharmacologists independently rated cases as definite, probable, possible, and unlikely ADRs. Consensus “gold standard” was reached via teleconference. Logistic regression and iterative C programs were used to derive the scoring system. For validation, 50 prospectively collected ADR cases were assessed by 3 clinicians using the new algorithm and the Naranjo algorithm. Weighted kappa and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to compare validity and reliability of algorithms. The new algorithm consists of 13 items. Kappa and ICC of the new algorithm were 0.76 and 0.62 versus 0.31 and 0.43 for the Naranjo algorithm. The new algorithm developed using actual patient data is more valid and reliable than the Naranjo algorithm for identifying ADRs in the NICU population. Because of the relatively small and nonrandom samples, further refinement and additional testing are needed.
The Role of Prenatal Stress and Maternal Emotional Support on the Postpartum Depressive Symptoms of African American Adolescent Fathers
Authors: Williams Terrinieka T. , Mance GiShawn , Howard Caldwell Cleopatra , Antonucci Toni C.
Published: January 2012

This study sought to better understand the ways in which prenatal stress and support from their mother influences postpartum depressive symptoms among African American adolescent fathers. The study’s objectives were to (a) examine the relationship between prenatal stress and maternal support with postpartum depressive symptoms among African American adolescent fathers and (b) determine whether maternal support buffers the relationship between prenatal stress and postpartum depressive symptoms among adolescent fathers. A total of 59 first-time adolescent fathers participated in the study. Results revealed that more prenatal maternal support and lower prenatal stress were predictive of lower levels of postpartum depressive symptoms among fathers. Results did not support the buffering hypothesis for maternal support. This finding suggests that maternal support plays a positive role in the lives of adolescent fathers regardless of their prenatal stress levels. Study findings highlight the need to more broadly explore resources available to adolescent fathers. Future researchers must expand the discourse on adolescent parents to include the psychological risks and potential protective factors present in the lives of young African American fathers.
Differential Diagnosis of Primary Nasopharyngeal Lymphoma and Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Focusing on CT, MRI, and PET/CT
Authors: Cho Kyu‐Sup , Kang Dae‐Woon , Kim Hak‐Jin , Lee Jong‐Kil , Roh Hwan‐Jung
Published: January 2012

Objective

No study has done a comparative analysis of radiologic imaging findings between primary nasopharyngeal lymphoma (PNL) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The purpose of this study was to analyze computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images and to evaluate the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) of positron emission tomography (PET)/CT between PNL and NPC, knowing the imaging features that distinguish PNL from NPC.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

University tertiary care facility.

Subjects and Methods

The authors analyzed the features on CT, MR imaging, and PET/CT of 16 patients diagnosed with PNL and 32 patients diagnosed with NPC histopathologically.

Results

Patients with PNL had a larger tumor volume and showed symmetry of tumor shape than did patients with NPC. Patients with PNL also had higher tumor homogeneity than NPC patients on CT, T2‐weighted, and postcontrast MR images. All PNL patients showed a high degree of enhancement without invasion to the adjacent deep structure. The involvement of the Waldeyer ring was significantly higher in PNL patients. Cervical and retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy and PET/CT SUV max showed no significant difference between PNL and NPC.

Conclusions

If the images present a bulky, symmetric nasopharyngeal mass with marked homogeneity, a high degree of enhancement, and a higher Waldeyer ring involvement combined with no invasion into the deep structure, PNL should be considered over NPC.
Office‐Based Laser Surgery of the Larynx
Authors: Kuo Connie Y. , Halum Stacey L.
Published: January 2012

Objective

While office‐based laser surgery (OBLS) for benign laryngeal disease is cost‐effective for the patient, the financial impact on the office offering the service has not been characterized. We hypothesize that OBLS offers savings to the patient that are not widely realized because of the financial liability the technology poses.

Study Design

A 2‐part financial analysis.

Setting

(1) Hospital operating room and (2) non–facility‐based office.

Subjects and Methods

First, the average cost and reimbursements for 50 patients undergoing OBLS were compared with those of 50 patients undergoing operative direct laryngoscopy with laser (DLL). Second, a detailed financial comparison was performed on a self‐paired series of patients who had each undergone both OBLS and DLL for benign laryngeal disease.

Results

When compared with DLL, OBLS provides more than a $5000 per‐case cost savings for the third‐party payer. Average DLL reimbursement was $6453.44 per case, including hospital, anesthesiologist, and surgeon reimbursements of $5150, $745.66, and $357.78, respectively. Based on the calculated hospital cost of $2069.15 per case, the hospital profited more than $3000 per DLL. For OBLS in a non–facility office setting, the average reimbursement was $643.08 per case, with procedure and laser fiber reimbursements of $596.52 and $46.56, respectively. Based on office expenditures of $1388.06 per case, the office lost more than $500 per OBLS case.

Conclusion

OBLS in a non–facility‐based office setting leads to a net financial loss for the office, making OBLS‐associated health care cost savings unlikely to be widely realized unless reimbursement patterns are changed.
A Prostate Fibromyxoid Sarcoma With Smooth Muscle Differentiation in a F344xBNF1 Rat
Authors: Berman-Booty L. D. , Garzel L. M. , Bergdall V. , Perle K. M. D. La
Published: January 2012

This report describes a spontaneous prostate fibromyxoid sarcoma with smooth muscle differentiation in an approximately 136-week-old intact male F344xBNF1 rat on a diet study for 2 weeks. At necropsy, the prostate was markedly distorted and enlarged by a firm white multinodular mass (6.0 × 4.5 × 3.5 cm). Histopathologically, the mass consisted of solid sheets of interlacing mesenchymal spindle cells with indistinct cell borders. Nuclei were separated by variable amounts of hyaline to fibrillar eosinophilic and/or myxomatous material. The extracellular myxomatous material tended to form whorls and stained positively with alcian blue. The mass stained strongly with Masson trichrome and vimentin throughout. Approximately 5% of the neoplastic cells were positive for smooth muscle actin, and none stained for desmin and pancytokeratin. To the authors’ knowledge, this fibromyxoid sarcoma with smooth muscle differentiation is the first such described prostatic sarcoma in a rat.
Modification of the Ferret Model for Pneumonia From Seasonal Human Influenza A Virus Infection
Authors: Brand J. M. A. van den , Stittelaar K. J. , Leijten L. M. E. , Amerongen G. van , Simon J. H. , Osterhaus A. D. M. E. , Kuiken T.
Published: January 2012

The primary complication of seasonal influenza in humans is viral pneumonia. A conventional animal model—intranasal inoculation of ferrets with 106 median tissue culture infectious dose of virus—results in disease that is neither consistent nor comparable with severe viral pneumonia in humans. Therefore, the authors modified the experimental procedures by increasing the median tissue culture infectious dose to 109 and by inoculating via the intratracheal route, testing these procedures with H1N1 strains (A/Bilthoven/3075/1978 and A/Netherlands/26/2007) and H3N2 strains (A/Bilthoven/16190/1968 and A/Netherlands/177/2008) of seasonal influenza virus. The ferrets of all groups ( n = 3 per virus strain) had clinical signs, increased body temperature, virus excretion from day 1, loss of body weight, and increased relative lung weight at 4 days postinoculation. All ferrets had severe pulmonary consolidation, and histologic examination revealed moderate to severe necrotizing bronchointerstitial pneumonia with severe edema, necrosis of alveolar epithelium, inflammatory infiltrates in alveolar septa and lumina, epithelial regeneration, and perivascular and peribronchiolar inflammatory infiltrates. The lesions were associated with the presence of influenza virus antigen in respiratory epithelium by immunohistochemistry. Although all 4 virus strains caused pulmonary lesions of comparable severity, virus isolation in the lungs, trachea, nasal concha, and tonsils showed higher mean virus titers in the H1/07 and H3/68 groups than in the H1/78 and H3/08 groups. In conclusion, the above H1N1 and H3N2 strains cause severe pneumonia in ferrets by use of the modified experimental procedures and provide a good model for pneumonia caused by seasonal influenza A virus infection in humans.
The Concentration of Criminal Victimization and Patterns of Routine Activities
Authors: Kuo Shih-Ya , Cuvelier Steven J. , Sheu Chuen-Jim , Zhao Jihong (Solomon)
Published: January 2012

Although many repeat victimization studies have focused on describing the prevalence of the phenomenon, this study attempted to explain variations in the concentration of victimization by applying routine activities as a theoretical model. A multivariate analysis of repeat victimization based on the 2005 Taiwan criminal victimization data supported the general applicability of the routine activity model developed in Western culture for predicting repeat victimization. Findings that diverged from Western patterns included family income to assault, gender to robbery, and marital status, family income, and major activity to larceny incidents. These disparities illustrated the importance of considering the broader sociocultural context in the association between risk predictors and the concentration of criminal victimization. The contradictory results and nonsignificant variance also reflected untapped information on respondents’ biological features and psychological tendencies. Future victimization research would do well to integrate measurements that are sensitive to salient sociocultural elements of the society being studied and individuals’ biological and psychological traits.
Influence of moisture on autoignition of woods in cone calorimeter
Authors: Shi Long , Chew Michael Yit Lin
Published: January 2012

Six species of wood samples, namely, pine, beech, cherry, oak, maple, and ash, were investigated by autoignition in a cone calorimeter to identify the influence of moisture on autoignition. It was observed that (1) for autoignition, as different from piloted ignition, there is no obvious trend in ignition temperature when moisture content increases from 0% to 11%; (2) ignition temperature decreases with a higher external heat flux, and the influence of specimen thickness to the ignition temperature can be ignored; (3) ignition time correlates linearly with [Formula: see text], and the coefficient rises with the increase of moisture content; and (4) the influence of moisture to the average mass loss rate and time at 50% mass loss can be ignored if the moisture content of wood sample is lower than 11%.
Thermal analysis of a pool fire test in a steel container
Authors: Cheng Xudong , Byström Alexandra , Wickström Ulf , Veljkovic Milan
Published: January 2012

A pool fire test was conducted in an uninsulated steel container under low ambient temperature condition, at −20°C. The heat balance of the enclosure fire was analyzed. The size of the container was 12 m× 2.4 m and 2.4 m high, and it was made of 3-mm-thick steel. During the fire test, the fuel mass loss rate was recorded and the temperatures at different positions were measured with high-temperature thermocouples and plate thermometers. The fire scenario was simulated by using fire dynamics simulator software, and the simulated and measured results were compared. The coarse high-temperature thermocouple responded slower, and therefore, temperature measured by the high-temperature thermocouple was corrected to eliminate the effect of the thermal inertia. Furthermore, a simple two-zone model was proposed for estimating gas temperature in the enclosure of the highly conductive steel walls assuming a constant combustion rate. The convective and radiative heat transfer resistances at the inside and outside surfaces of the enclosure were analyzed.
Preclinical evaluation of a novel drug-eluting balloon in an animal model of in-stent stenosis
Authors: Joner Michael , Radke Peter W , Byrne Robert A , Hartwig Sonja , Steigerwald Kristin , Leclerc Guy , Wittchow Eric
Published: January 2012

Despite advances in contemporary stent technology, in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains the major limitation following revascularization procedures. We developed a porcine model of ISR to specifically investigate the preclinical outcomes of a novel drug-eluting balloon (DEB) in this particular setting. Fifteen pigs received bare metal stents in each of the major coronary arteries for 28 days to induce neointimal growth. Following repeat angiography, animals were allocated to fourdifferent treatment groups. The control group consisted of a bare angioplasty catheter, while the Pantera Lux™ (3.0 µg/mm2 paclitaxel) (30 s inflation) was compared to two consecutive deployments of the Pantera Lux™ (60 s inflation each) and the commercial SeQuent® Please balloon (60 s inflation). Twenty-eight days following balloon deployment, the animals underwent repeat angiography and were subsequently sacrificed for histopathologic assessment. There was a trend in reduction of percent diameter stenosis in the DEB group versus control (13.9% vs. 20.4%), while longer inflation duration or consecutive DEB deployment had no additional growth-limiting effect. Neointimal thickness was reduced from 0.38 ± 0.13 to 0.30 ± 0.09 mm in the control versus DEB group. All DEB groups showed delayed vascular healing characterized by dose-dependent increases in fibrin deposition and neointimal cell vacuity. Investigation of DEB in a porcine model of ISR is feasible and more accurately represents human disease conditions. The magnitude of neointima suppression is lower than that observed in non-diseased animal models and is accompanied by delayed vascular healing.
PDMS embedded microneedles as a controlled release system for the eye
Authors: Mahadevan Geetha , Sheardown Heather , Selvaganapathy Ponnambalam
Published: January 2012

Purpose:

To demonstrate intraocular drug delivery using a novel device fabricated by embedding hollow glass microneedles within a soft and flexible poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrate for ease of device insertion into the eye.

Methods:

Hollow glass microneedles (5 µm ID tips), fabricated using standard glass drawing techniques, were assembled into a photolithographically micropatterned PDMS substrate. The microneedles were fluidically coupled to a drug reservoir through a 300 µm microchannel to test for in vitro release of 6-aminoquinolone (144 Da) and Rose Bengal (1044 Da). Intravitreal delivery in ex vivo bovine eyes was also studied.

Results:

The microneedles penetrated UV-crosslinked collagen and excised bovine sclera without breaking or delaminating from the PDMS matrix. A total of 45 ng of 6-aminoquinolone and 16 µg of Rose Bengal was released into buffered saline over a 20-min infusion at a delivery rate of 50 µL/min. Microinjection of Rose Bengal for 8 h into ex vivo bovine vitreous resulted in a total mass accumulation of 0.0202 mg into both phases of the vitreous humor and to the uveal face of the sclera without clogging of the internal needle microchannel.

Conclusions:

PDMS-embedded microneedles offer an integrated method of drug targeting to the intraocular tissues using a less invasive and less painful approach when compared with macroscale hypodermic needles. The release rates from the microneedles were controllable on demand using a syringe pump and were independent of the properties of the drugs tested. The device demonstrated a new hybrid approach of coupling rigid microneedles strong enough to penetrate the tough, fibrous sclera with a soft and pliable PDMS substrate that could conform to the contours of the eye.
Gelatin nanoparticles as gene carriers for transgenic chicken applications
Authors: Tseng Ching-Li , Peng Chu-Li , Huang Jian-Yuan , Chen Jung-Chih , Lin Feng-Huei
Published: January 2012

To develop a safe and effective nonviral gene delivery system for transgenic chicken manipulation, we developed gelatin nanocarriers using a reporter plasmid (pEGFP-C1; enhanced green fluorescence protein, EGFP) that expressed EGFP. pEGFP-C1-containing gelatin nanoparticles (GP/pEGFP) were prepared using a water–ethanol solvent displacement method and characterized by size, surface charge, DNA loading, and DNA protection ability. For gene delivery, pEGFP-C1 was stably and efficiently encapsulated in GPs that were approximately 300 nm in diameter with a slight negative surface charge, which was prepared from gelatin solution at pH 8.0. Approximately, 85% of the plasmid DNA was encapsulated in the GPs. Electrophoresis results showed that the GPs provided protection against DNase I digestion. We used the GP/pEGFP as a vector to transfect cells and chicken embryos. The vector was nontoxic to cells, and GFP expression was effectively expressed 24 h after HeLa cell transfection. Direct injection was adapted for vector transport to the chicken embryo; injection in the area opaca (Ao) of the egg resulted in the highest hatching rate without affecting embryo development. GFP gene expression in embryo sections was observed 4 days after injection. The results of this study demonstrate that GPs are a suitable nonviral vector for delivering exogenous genes for transgenic chicken manipulation.
Expanding Transition to Address the Needs of Students With Invisible Chronic Illness
Authors: Repetto Jeanne B. , Horky Susan Chauncey , Miney Angela , Reiss John , Saidi Arwa , Wolcott Lisa , Saldana Pablo , Jaress Jennifer M.
Published: January 2012

Many children with invisible chronic illnesses (ICIs) are living to adulthood, necessitating that they prepare for their future. Health care and education systems have different meanings and processes for transition, although both systems are designed to help young adults prepare for independence. As health care and educational services support and educate each child and the adult he or she will become, it makes sense for these systems to coordinate their services to improve student postschool outcomes. This article addresses the importance of coordination and collaboration between health care transition and education transition for youth with ICI. The authors present a model that may be used to guide the efforts to coordinate these two forms of transition along with recommending preliminary steps that can be taken to facilitate this merger.
Sharing of Bacterial Strains Between Breast Milk and Infant Feces
Authors: Martín Virginia , Maldonado-Barragán Antonio , Moles Laura , Rodriguez-Baños Mercedes , Campo Rosa del , Fernández Leonides , Rodríguez Juan M. , Jiménez Esther
Published: January 2012

In previous years, it has been shown that human milk is a potential source of bacteria for the infant gut. The results of this work confirm the presence of the same specific bacterial strains of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Staphylococcus in breast milk and infant fecal samples. The identity of bacteria isolated from breast milk and infant feces from 20 mother-infant pairs was investigated at the strain level. DNA from Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium was detected by qRTi-PCR in nearly all samples analyzed. These samples were cultured on different agar media. One colony representative of each morphology was selected and identified at the species level combining classical tests and molecular techniques (PCR, RAPD, PFGE, and/or MLST genotyping). Breast milk and infant feces from 19 mother-infant pairs shared different Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, and/or Bifidobacterium species and strains. Significantly, 2 mother-infant pairs shared 4 bacterial strains although most pairs shared 2. These results confirm that breast milk and infant feces from mother-infant pairs share the same strain(s), indicating that breastfeeding could contribute to the bacterial transfer from the mother to the infant and, therefore, to the infant gut colonization.
Prepregnancy Weight, Weight Gain during Pregnancy, and Exclusive Breastfeeding in the First Month of Life in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Fernandes Thais Andrade , Werneck Guilherme Loureiro , Hasselmann Maria Helena
Published: January 2012

To examine the relationship between maternal prepregnancy weight, gestational weight gain and early introduction of non-breast milk foods and fluids (EINB) in the first month of life, we investigated 592 adult women and their newborns, admitted at health care units in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EINB was defined as the introduction of water, tea, juice, other types of milk or food during the first month postpartum. Logistic regression models were used for the analyses. Prepregnant obese women had increased odds of EINB as compared to those with normal weight (odds ratio [OR] = 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23-3.71). Overweight and obese women who exceeded the recommended gestational weight gain had significantly greater odds of EINB (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.16-4.51, and OR = 3.33, 95% CI = 1.49-7.47, respectively), compared with those with normal weight and adequate gestational weight gain. These findings highlight the importance of providing overweight/obese women with proper lactation guidance in the early postpartum to support for exclusive breastfeeding practices.
Surface layer properties of AISI 316L steel when turning under dry and with minimum quantity lubrication conditions
Authors: Leppert T
Published: January 2012

The mode of application of cutting liquids in cutting processes determines the properties of the produced surface, workpiece dimensional accuracy, and tool wear, as well as the physical phenomena which occur during cutting. However, their application causes many ecological and social problems connected with environmental pollution and operator health. Their elimination or significant reduction demands a comparable machined surface quality in dry cutting conditions or with a minimized quantity of lubricant. The current paper presents results of research into the cutting process, describing the topographical surface properties obtained in dry and with minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) turning of AISI 316L steel, which have been compared with those obtained after a conventional supply of emulsion. Previous investigations performed on the impact of cutting environment on machined surface quality were usually made in dry or wet conditions. The surface texture was analysed on the basis of the surface roughness parameter Ra, neglecting other important surface features. For this reason surface hybrid roughness profile parameters and the Abbott–Firestone curve as well as the surface topography have been used in the present paper. The experimental results showed a considerable influence of the cutting zone environment and parameters on the cutting force, surface roughness, profile bearing ratio, and the occurrence of surface defects. The presented regression functions allow a calculation and prediction of surface roughness values as a function of cutting zone cooling and lubrication conditions and selected values of cutting parameters in the turning of AISI 316L steel.
A numerical study of the ink transfer process for roll-to-roll printing applications
Authors: Kim Kyunghun , Nam Taewon , Na Yang
Published: January 2012

An ink transfer process from the printing roll to the moving web was investigated using a computational fluid dynamics technique for the roll-to-roll application in the area of printed electronics. Emphasis was made on the shape of the transferred ink pattern in a realistic configuration. The shear-thinning effect of the conductive ink was treated using a generalized non-Newtonian fluid model. That is, the coefficients of the Carreau model were determined using the fluid dynamic property information of the commercially available conductive ink used in the roll-to-roll process. Also, the web handling speed was matched with that of the typical roll-to-roll process applied in printed electronics. Computational results show that the spatial variation of the shear rate is quite significant in the present configuration; therefore, the Carreau model better predicts the shape of the measurement data than Newtonian fluid in the range of the line thickness of 100–500 µm. It is also noted that the non-uniformity of the transferred ink that is experimentally observed is better predicted by the non-Newtonian model. It is conjectured that the distortion of the shape and the non-uniform distribution of the transferred ink are the prime sources for deterioration in printing quality. However, the fact that web handling speeds of up to 30 mpm (=0.5 m/s) do not significantly aggravate the degree of distortion still supports the main advantage of a cost-effective, continuously running roll-to-roll process in this speed range.