bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of PCR-based detection of chromogranin A mRNA with traditional histological lymph node staging of small intestinal neuroendocrine neoplasia
Authors: Lawrence Ben , Kenney Barton , Svejda Bernhard , Schimmack Simon , Alaimo Daniele , Barbieri Andrea , Jedrych Jaroslaw , Kidd Mark , Modlin Irvin 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Accurate neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) staging is vital for determining prognosis and therapeutic strategy. The great majority of NENs express chromogranin A (CgA) which can be detected at a protein or transcript level. The current standards for lymph node metastasis detection are histological examination after Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and CgA immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. We hypothesized that detection of CgA mRNA transcripts would be a more sensitive method of detecting these metastases.

Findings
We compared these traditional methods with PCR for CgA mRNA extracted from formalin fixed paraffin embedded slides of lymph nodes (n = 196) from small intestinal NENs, other gastrointestinal cancers and benign gastrointestinal disease. CgA PCR detected significantly more NEN lymph nodes (75%) than H&E (53%) or CgA IHC (57%) (p = 0.02). PCR detected CgA mRNA in 50% (14 of the 28) of SI-NEN lymph nodes previously considered negative. The false positive rate for detection of CgA mRNA was 19% in non-neuroendocrine cancers, and appeared to be due to occult neuroendocrine differentiation or contamination by normal epithelium during histological processing.

Conclusions
Molecular pathological analysis demonstrates the limitations of observer-dependent histopathology. CgA PCR analysis detected the presence of CgA transcripts in lymph nodes without histological evidence of tumor metastasis. Molecular node positivity (stage molN1) of SI-NEN lymph nodes could confer greater staging accuracy and facilitate early and accurate therapeutic intervention. This technique warrants investigation using clinically annotated tumor samples with follow-up data.
On the Efficiency-Fairness Trade-off
Authors: Bertsimas Dimitris , Farias Vivek F. , Trichakis Nikolaos 
Published: September 2012

This paper deals with a basic issue: How does one approach the problem of designing the “right” objective for a given resource allocation problem? The notion of what is right can be fairly nebulous; we consider two issues that we see as key: efficiency and fairness. We approach the problem of designing objectives that account for the natural tension between efficiency and fairness in the context of a framework that captures a number of resource allocation problems of interest to managers. More precisely, we consider a rich family of objectives that have been well studied in the literature for their fairness properties. We deal with the problem of selecting the appropriate objective from this family. We characterize the trade-off achieved between efficiency and fairness as one selects different objectives and develop several concrete managerial prescriptions for the selection problem based on this trade-off. Finally, we demonstrate the value of our framework in a case study that considers air traffic management. This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.
Skin popping scars – a telltale sign of past and present subcutaneous drug abuse
Authors: Grunebaum Amos , Skupski Daniel 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background: Identifying women with past and present drug abuse is an essential aspect of prenatal care.

Case: Despite having typical telltale physical signs of prior subcutaneous drug injections, a 33-year-old pregnant woman who had regular prenatal care visits with multiple obstetric care providers was only identified as a drug abuser after a cesarean section, when her skin scars were identified by one provider as the result of “skin popping” related to injections of illicit drugs before this pregnancy.

Conclusion: This case demonstrates that obstetricians must become aware of the telltale signs of drug abuse, such as subcutaneous injections (skin popping) with illicit drugs leading to scaring of the arms and other parts of the body.
Biological Effect Monitoring in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes from Subjects Occupationally Exposed to Antineoplastic Drugs: Assessment of Micronuclei Frequency
Authors: Villarini Milena , Dominici Luca , Fatigoni Cristina , Muzi Giacomo , Monarca Silvano , Moretti Massimo 
Published: September 2012

Biological Effect Monitoring in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes from Subjects Occupationally Exposed to Antineoplastic Drugs: Assessment of Micronuclei Frequency: Milena VILLARINI, et al. Department of Medical‐Surgical Specialties and Public Health (Section of Public Health), University of Perugia, Italy—ObjectivesAntineoplastic drugs (ANPDs) are widely used in the treatment of cancer and some nonneoplastic diseases. However, most if not all of these chemical agents are generally nonselective and, along with tumor cells, normal cells may undergo cytotoxic/genotoxic damage. Italian pharmacists and nurses occupationally exposed to ANPDs during their normal work routines were monitored to evaluate biological effects (i.e., cytogenetic damage) eventually associated with exposure. The subjects were also monitored for primary, oxidative and excision repaired DNA damage as evaluated by comet assay (published data). In the present paper, we present the results obtained with the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus (CBMN) test.MethodsThe CBMN test in peripheral blood lymphocytes was applied because of its ability to detect both clastogenic and aneugenic effects, and because it has recently been reported that micronuclei (MNs) are predictive of cancer risk in human populations. In this study, the evaluation of MN frequency was carried out using the CBMN test in the absence or in the presence of the DNA repair inhibitor Ara‐C (cytosine arabinoside).ResultsNo significant difference was observed for MN frequency comparing nurses handling ANPDs (exposed subjects) and controls; no correlations were found between job seniority, age, smoking habits and MN rates.ConclusionsConcerning the aim of this study to evaluate the genotoxic risk arising from occupational exposure to ANPDs, statistically significant differences in MN rates in the subjects under study could not be determined.
Coexisting Depression and Anxiety: Classification and Treatment
Authors: Kulhan T. , Ondrejka I. , Ordaz J. , Snircova E. , Nosalova G. 
Published: September 2012

Coexisting Depression and Anxiety: Classification and TreatmentDespite of the fact, that comorbidity of depression and anxiety is a frequent condition in clinical practice, current psychiatric classification systems (according to WHO-ICD 10 and according to APA-DSM IV-TR) are not taking this reality into account sufficiently. The concept of anxious depression is very important for clinical practice. Recommended guidelines and algorithms of treatment based on evidence based medicine (EBM), established mainly on randomized controlled trials are designed separately for depression and separately for anxious disorders. This presents very often a significant complication in clinical practice. The aim of this article was to bring the concept of anxious depression to closer attention with highlighting of possible therapeutic approaches.
Amblyopia and Refractive Errors Among School-Aged Children With Low Socioeconomic Status in Southeastern Turkey
Authors: Caca Ihsan , Cingu Abdullah Kursat , Sahin Alparslan , Ari Seyhmus , Dursun Mehmet Emin , Dag Umut , Balsak Selahattin , Alakus Fuat , Yavuz Abdullah , Palanci Yilmaz 
Published: September 2012

Purpose:To investigate the prevalence of refractive errors and other eye diseases, incidence and types of amblyopia in school-aged children, and their relation to gender, age, parental education, and socioeconomic factors.Methods:A total of 21,062 children 6 to 14 years old were screened. The examination included visual acuity measurements and ocular motility evaluation. Autorefraction under cycloplegia and examination of the external eye, anterior segment, media, and fundus were performed.Results:There were 11,118 females and 9,944 males. The average age was 10.56 ± 3.59 years. When all of the children were evaluated, 3.2% had myopia and 5.9% had hyperopia. Astigmatism 0.50 D or greater was present in 14.3% of children. Myopia was associated with older age, female gender, and higher parental education. Hyperopia was inversely proportional with older age. Spectacles were needed in 4,476 (22.7%) children with refractive errors, and 10.6% of children were unaware of their spectacle needs. Amblyopia was detected in 2.6% of all children. The most common causes of amblyopia were anisometropia (1.2%) and strabismus (0.9%).Conclusion:Visual impairment is a common disorder in school-aged children. Eye health screening programs are beneficial in early detection and proper treatment of refractive errors.
Tissue Layer Image of the Photoreceptor Layer in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Using SD-OCT
Authors: Byon Ik Soo , Park Hyun Jun , Park Sung Who , Kim Kyung Ho , Lee Ji Eun , Oum Boo Sub 
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the findings of a tissue layer image of the photoreceptor layer, or photoreceptor layer map (PLM), using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Data scanned using SD-OCT in CSC were processed to obtain PLMs, which were analyzed and compared with fluorescein angiography and OCT.

RESULTS:

Among 72 eyes of 69 patients, PLMs depicted subretinal fluid as distinct hyporeflective areas in 71 eyes (98.6% sensitivity). Attenuated signals at the junction of the inner and outer segments of the photoreceptors in OCT were depicted as relative hyporeflective areas corresponding to the areas of previous subretinal fluid and its recent reduction. After resolution of subretinal fluid, foveal reflectivity was correlated with visual acuity (
P
= .040;
r
= 0.41).

CONCLUSION:
PLM is a useful adjuvant image for managing CSC because it shows the photoreceptor layer and subretinal fluid as a fundus image.
Digital Slide Imaging in Cervicovaginal Cytology: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wright Angela M. , Smith Debora , Dhurandhar Bakula , Fairley Todd , Scheiber-Pacht Miriam , Chakraborty Subhendu , Gorman Blythe K. , Mody Dina , Coffey Donna M. 
Published: September 2012

Context.—Digital whole slide imaging is the anticipated future of anatomic pathology, where sign-out of glass slides will be replaced by scanned images. Whole slide imaging has been successfully used in surgical pathology, but its usefulness and clinical application have been limited in cytology for several reasons, including lack of availability of z-axis depth focusing and large file size. Recently, several systems have become available in the United States for whole slide imaging with z-axis technology.Objective.—To determine the accuracy and efficiency of whole slide imaging, as compared with traditional glass slides, for use in cervicovaginal diagnostic cytology.Design.—Eleven cervicovaginal cytology cases (ThinPrep and SurePath) scanned at ×20, ×40, and ×40 z-stack magnifications using the BioImagene iScan Coreo Au 3.0 scanner were evaluated by 4 cytotechnologists and 3 pathologists in a blinded study. Different magnification scans were recorded as separate cases and presented in a randomized sequence. Corresponding glass slides were also reviewed. For each case, the diagnoses and total time to reach each diagnosis were recorded.Results.—Diagnostic accuracy was higher and average time per case was lower with glass slides as compared with all digital images. Among the digital images, the ×40 or ×40 z-stack had the highest diagnostic accuracy and lowest interpretation time.Conclusions.—Whole slide imaging is a viable option for the purposes of teaching and consultations, and as a means of archiving cases. However, considering the large file size and total time to reach diagnosis on digital images, whole slide imaging is not yet ready for daily cervicovaginal diagnostic cytology screening use.
An Evaluation of Gentamicin, Tobramycin, and Amikacin Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Parameters in HIV-Infected Children
Authors: Rodriguez Juan Carlos , Schoenike Steve , Scott Gwendolyn B. , Rossique-Gonzalez Maria T. , Gomez-Marin Orlando 
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to calculate gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin pharmacokinetic parameters in HIV-infected children and compare conventional multiple daily aminoglycoside dosing to once-daily aminoglycoside (ODA) dosing in attaining peak serum aminoglycoside concentrations (SACs) to minimum inhibitory concentration for 90% of isolates (MIC90) ratios ≥8 against selected pathogens.
METHODS Patients (&lt;13yrs) receiving an aminoglycoside (15 patients/drug) in the treatment of gram-negative infection were studied. Intravenous gentamicin/ tobramycin were administered at a dose of 6–7.5 mg/kg/day and amikacin at 20–30 mg/kg/d divided every 8 hrs. Peak and trough serum concentrations were obtained and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated utilizing a one-compartment steady-state model. SACs for gentamicin/tobramycin dosed at 7.5 mg/kg and amikacin at 22.5 mg/kg once daily were simulated using the calculated pharmacokinetic parameters. Peak SAC:MIC90 ratios were calculated for each dosing method.
RESULTS Mean pharmacokinetic parameters were within 1 standard deviation of reported literature values. Mean peak:MIC90 ratio of ≥8 was attained only for Klebsiella species (MIC90 1 μg/mL) using conventional gentamicin/tobramycin dosing whereas mean amikacin peak:MIC90 ratios ≥8 were reached for Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Citrobacter species (MIC90 4 μg/mL). ODA simulations predicted gentamicin/tobramycin peak:MIC90 ratios ≥8 in 100% of patients with an organism-MIC90 of 1 μcg/mL and in 80% of patients with an organism-MIC90 of 2 μg/mL. Amikacin peak:MIC90 ratio ≥8 was predicted for 93% of patients with an organism-MIC90 of 4 μg/mL but in only 27% if the MIC90 was 8 μg / mL.
CONCLUSION Optimal peak SAC:MIC90 ratios using conventional aminoglycoside dosing were predicted only for organisms with low MIC90 values. ODA dosing represents an option for improving pharmacodynamic outcomes.
Chemical Stability of Extemporaneously Prepared Lorazepam Suspension at Two Temperatures
Authors: Lee Wan-Man Ellaria , Lugo Ralph A. , Rusho William J. , MacKay Mark , Sweeley John 
Published: September 2012

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical stability of extemporaneously prepared lorazepam suspension (1 mg/mL) stored at two temperatures (4°C and 22°C) for 3 months. Lorazepam tablets marketed by two manufacturers (Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Watson Laboratories) were used to extemporaneously formulate two independently prepared suspensions. Each suspension was prepared using sterile water, Ora-Plus® and Ora-Sweet® to achieve a final concentration of 1 mg/mL. The two brands of tablets required different volumes of vehicles to prepare a pharmaceutically optimal suspension. The suspensions were stored in amber glass bottles at 4°C and 22°C for 91 days. Samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography at baseline and on days 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 63, and 91. The suspensions were considered stable if the mean lorazepam concentration remained greater than 90% of the initial concentration.
The chemical stabilities of these two extemporaneously prepared lorazepam suspensions were comparable throughout the study. Both lorazepam suspensions were stable for 63 days when stored at 4°C or 22°C, and both were stable for 91 days when refrigerated at 4°C. When stored at room temperature, the suspension prepared from the Watson tablet retained 88.9 ± 1.4% of the initial concentration on day 91 and was therefore considered unstable, while the suspension prepared from the Mylan tablet was stable for the entire 91-day study.
La situation professionnelle : entre invariance et perspective?
Authors: Olry Paul 
Published: September 2012

Cette contribution invite à considérer la situation professionnelle au-delà d’une acception sociale d’un côté et d’une approche subjective d’autre part. Entendue comme objet intermédiaire, la situation professionnelle est étudiée comme résultant d’une tension entre invariance et perspective. Les données portent sur l’activité de conseillers dont le rôle est d’accompagner les agriculteurs confrontés aux normes agro-environnementales. On s’attache à remettre en question d’une part les attributions qualifiant la situation de « professionnelle » qui témoignent d’une forme d’invariance; d’autre part, l’activité de saisie par les conseillers de la « perspective » des agriculteurs avec qui ils sont en relation. Enfin, on propose trois lignes de travail à venir sur la notion de situation professionnelle.
Nucleic Acid Blotting: Southern and Northern
Authors: Hoopes Laura L. Mays 
Published: September 2012

AbstractE.M. Southern invented blotting of DNA in 1975; the method was extended to RNA and named northern blotting in 1977. Southern blotting includes limited depurination, denaturation, and neutralization of the DNA in gels (where they have been separated in size by electrophoresis) and capillary transfer of the DNA onto nitrocellulose or nylon blotting membranes. For northern blotting, RNA is guarded from basic pH and RNase, denatured, separated by electrophoresis, and then blotted on to nylon blotting membranes. Either type of blot is then blocked to prevent nonspecific binding, hybridized with probe, and washed. Next, the sequences of interest are located by detecting labeled probes. One alternative method involves dot/slot blotting when the size of the nucleic acid being probed is not of interest. Also, electrophoretic transfer from polyacrylamide gels can be used when the nucleic acid fragments of interest are too small to be resolved on agarose gels. Artifacts in Southern blot can result from incomplete digestion, overloading the blotting membrane, incomplete blocking, damaged blot media, and air bubbles. In northern blotting, RNA quality must be monitored, and RNA that is degraded or contaminated with excess DNA should be avoided. Curr. Protoc. Essential Lab. Tech. 6:8.2.1‐8.2.26. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
On the asymptotic property analysis for a class of adaptive control systems with σ‐modification
Authors: He Zhirong , Huang Deqing , Xu Jian‐Xin 
Published: September 2012

SUMMARYWith the effect of σ‐modification in adaptive control systems, robustness is achieved at the potential expense of destroying some of the convergence properties. This paper proposes a qualitative analysis method for the situations where the σ‐modification may lead to perfect tracking and also, given the prior knowledge of system parameters, may allow proper modification of the adaptive algorithm. The applicability of the proposed analysis method is illustrated by two examples, where the system control gains that lead to global asymptotic convergence are given explicitly. Further, simulations are performed to verify the qualitative analysis results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Statistical‐Thermodynamic Modeling of Ordering Phenomena in Binary Intermetallic B2‐ and L12‐Structures
Authors: Semenova Olga , Krachler Regina 
Published: September 2012

AbstractStatistical‐thermodynamic models for the description of ordering in non‐stoichiometric intermetallic phases can be very helpful for the design of new functional materials for various purposes. Here, we present a review of methods for describing B2 (BCC) and L12 (FCC) – type binary alloys. The free energy of binary alloys where ordered structures are formed, is evaluated by statistical approaches employing applications of the Bragg–Williams–Gorsky mean‐field approximation. In the original mean field method, the degree of order in the neighborhood of a given site in the crystal is determined by the average state of order throughout the macroscopic crystal. Actually, the force tending to produce long‐range order depends on the fluctuations in the configuration, an effect which is neglected in the mean field approximation but is taken under consideration, e.g., in the Quasi‐Chemical Approach (QCA) by Guggenheim and its advanced applications, in various sophisticated treatments using the Cluster Variation Method (CVM) originally developed by Kikuchi, as well as in the Defect Correlation Model (DCM). The latter model is a less sophisticated method based on the simultaneous description of short‐range order and long‐range order by use of properly defined non‐overlapping clusters. All these methods allow the “pure” mean‐field results to be substantially refined, particularly at high temperatures, and for alloys with large deviations from the stoichiometric composition. Defect concentration‐alloy composition diagrams and activity‐alloy composition diagrams are shown for several methods with focus on the QCA and DCM approaches. The calculated results are compared with each other and with experimental data on thermodynamic and structural properties from the literature.
Simple Holographic Patterning for High‐Aspect‐Ratio Three‐Dimensional Nanostructures with Large Coverage Area
Authors: Wathuthanthri Ishan , Liu Yuyang , Du Ke , Xu Wei , Choi Chang‐Hwan 
Published: September 2012

AbstractUsing the vertical standing wave phenomena commonly regarded as a deterrent in holographic lithography, multifaceted three‐dimensional (3D) nanostructures are fabricated on polymeric photoresist materials using a simple two‐beam interferometer. Large‐area 3D nanostructures with high aspect ratios (greater than 10) are readily produced using this methodology, including grating, pillar and pore patterns. Furthermore, manipulation of the lithography process conditions results in unique sidewall profiles of the nanostructures. Such 3D holographic control even produces highly porous polymer membranes composed of 3D interconnected pore networks, which resembles the 3D photonic crystal compound nanostructures that were previously attainable only with limited pattern coverage area using complex multibeam holographic lithography processes. Such well‐tailored high‐aspect‐ratio 3D nanostructures with large pattern coverage area further enable the fabrication of novel nanostructures for functionalized materials via various additive and subtractive pattern transfer techniques such as etching, deposition, and molding. In particular, direct molding followed by thermal decomposition process leads to the synthesis of hierarchical titanium oxide nanostructures of tunable 3D geometry, which would be of great significance in applications of photonic crystals, photovoltaic solar cells, and photocatalyst in water decontamination.