bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Snoring intensity after a first session of soft palate radiofrequency
Authors: Blumen Marc Bernard , Vezina Jean Philippe , Bequignon Emilie , Chabolle Frederic 
Published: April 2013

Objectives/HypothesisTo determine whether snoring sound intensity measured after a first soft palate radiofrequency (RF) session for simple snoring helps predict the final result of the treatment.Study DesignObservational retrospective study.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of 105 subjects presenting with simple snoring or mild sleep apnea. All patients underwent two to three sessions of RF‐assisted stiffening of the soft palate. In addition, uvulectomy was performed in case of a long uvula, and two paramedian trenches were created in the presence of palatal webbing. Snoring sound intensity was evaluated by the bed partner after each session.ResultsEighty‐six men and 19 women were included in the study. Mean age was 51.7 ± 9.8 years, and mean body mass index was 24.7 ± 4.4 kg/m2. The mean apnea/hypopnea index was 6.6 ± 4.2/h. The mean snoring sound intensity, as evaluated on a 10‐cm visual analog scale (VAS), decreased from 8.2 ± 1.5 to 3.5 ± 2.2 after all sessions (P < .0001). A score of 3 was determined as being a score that satisfied the bed partner. Two groups were formed according to the final snoring sound intensity, using 3 as a threshold. Both groups had similar preoperative characteristics, but the snoring sound intensity was significantly lower after the first session in the group with final score <3 (P = .01). Similarly, a VAS score >7 after the first session was associated with a final score <3 in 30% of the cases.ConclusionsSnoring sound intensity after the first RF session helps predict the final outcome of RF‐assisted stiffening of the soft palate for simple snoring.Level of Evidence4.
Gentamicin‐induced bilateral vestibulopathy in rabbits
Authors: Kim Hyo Jung , Lee Jin Ok , Koo Ja Won , Kim Ji‐Soo , Ban Jaejun 
Published: April 2013

Objectives/HypothesisBilateral vestibulopathy (BV) is a mostly persistent and disabling disorder causing dizziness, oscillopsia, and imbalance during locomotion. The animal model is a prerequisite for experimental investigation on prevention and treatment of this disorder. The aim of this study was to determine the vestibular dysfunction and histopathology in rabbits with gentamicin‐induced BV.Study DesignProspective animal study in rabbits.MethodsWe performed intratympanic gentamicin (ITGM) injections in 12 Lionhead rabbits. The injection was applied to each ear with a 3‐day interval. The control group received injections of 0.9% normal saline. The animals were subjected to sinusoidal harmonic accelerations and open field tests for evaluation of the vestibular function before and after the procedures. We also determined histologic changes in the vestibular labyrinth 30 days after the first injection.ResultsOne day after unilateral ITGM injection, the rabbits mostly showed ipsiversive head tilt, contralesional spontaneous nystagmus, ipsiversive circling behavior, and decreased gain of the vestibulo‐ocular reflex (VOR) during ipsiversive rotation. The second injection to the contralateral ear improved the head tilt but induced marked reduction in the activities and the VOR gains in both directions. These changes persisted until the histologic study confirmed the loss of the hair and supporting cells, diminished nerve fibers, and thinning of the sensory epithelium of the cristae ampullaris and otolith organs in the ITGM group 1 month later.ConclusionsITGM injection securely induced BV in rabbits without side effects such as nephrotoxicity. This rabbit model may be utilized for experiments on the prevention and treatment of BV. Laryngoscope, 123:E51–E58, 2013
Up‐regulated cten by FGF2 contributes to FGF2‐mediated cell migration
Authors: Hung Shih‐Ya , Shih Yi‐Ping , Chen Michelle , Lo Su Hao 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCten is a focal adhesion molecule that is expressed at very low levels in most normal tissues. Nonetheless, its expression has been found to increase dramatically in many types of cancer including colorectal, breast, gastric, and pancreatic cancer, suggesting that cten may play a critical role during tumorigenesis. To study the mechanisms that induce cten expression and the function of up‐regulated cten, we examined the effects of several cancer‐associated growth factors and cytokines on cten expression. We found that EGF, FGF2, NGF, PDGF, TGF‐β, IGF‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐13 were able to induce cten expression in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The Mek‐Erk and PI3K‐Akt pathways were two main signaling cascades responsible for cten up‐regulation, whereas the Jak‐Stat pathway could contribute to the increase in some conditions. Since many of these factors are known to promote cell migration, we hypothesized that up‐regulated cten might contribute to this process. This hypothesis was investigated in FGF2‐mediated cell migration. Silencing of cten not only reduced regular cell motility but also FGF2‐mediated cell migration. Overexpression of cten promoted cell migration and FGF2 treatment failed to further enhance cell migration. Our findings that (1) cten is a common downstream molecule of these cancer‐associated growth factors and cytokines; and that (2) up‐regulated cten modulates cell migration induced by FGF2 and likely other growth factors as well, strongly suggest that cten could be a potential downstream therapeutic target for treating cancers associated with aberrant signaling of these growth factors and cytokines. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A fully integrated 5.6 GHz low‐phase noise colpitts VCO/QVCO using programmable switched codes
Authors: Huang Jhin‐Fang , Chen Kuo‐Lung , Lai Wen‐Cheng , Lin Wei‐Jian 
Published: April 2013

AbstractA fully integrated, 5.6 GHz low‐phase noise Colpitts quadrature voltage‐controlled oscillator (VCO/QVCO) is presented. This QVCO is a complementary cross‐coupled voltage‐controlled Colpitts oscillator with a three‐bit switched capacitor array parallel to the inductor to form LC‐resonant tank and was implemented in TSMC 0.18 μm CMOS technology with 1.8 V supply voltage. Without buffer circuits, measured results achieve a tunable frequency range from 4.81 to 5.75 GHz, corresponding to 17.8%, a phase noise of −121 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency from 5.64 GHz, while the QVCO draws 3.8 mA current and 6.84 mW consumption, respectively. Including pads, the chip area is 1.046 mm2 (1.35 × 0.775 mm2). The output power is −10.04 dBm with 50‐Ω termination at the frequency of 5.64 GHz, and the calculated figure of merit is −187.7 dBc/Hz. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1490–1493, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27629
Magnetic resonance imaging in duchenne muscular dystrophy: Longitudinal assessment of natural history over 18 months
Authors: Hollingsworth Kieren G. , Garrood Penny , Eagle Michelle , Bushby Kate , Straub Volker 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), fat replacement of muscle may be a useful endpoint in trials of therapy, although progression in different muscle groups is uneven. In this study we assessed the progression of fat replacement with T1‐weighted imaging over 2 9‐month periods. Methods: Eight ambulant, corticosteroid‐treated boys with DMD were imaged at 3 Tesla at 3 time‐points (baseline and 9 and 18 months) with T1‐weighted imaging to measure fat replacement. Results: The greatest increase in fat content was measured in the biceps femoris long head, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris, whereas the biceps femoris short head and gluteus maximus progressed more slowly. None of the lower leg muscles studied changed significantly. Conclusions: MRI can measure specific changes in fat replacement of muscle over time, demonstrating the variability in rates of natural progression between muscle groups and identifying those muscles suitable for use as biomarkers in clinical trials. Muscle Nerve 48: 586–588, 2013
Nongenomic actions of progesterone and 17β‐estradiol on the chloride conductance of skeletal muscle
Authors: Burge James a. , Hanna Michael G. , Schorge Stephanie 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Myotonia congenita, caused by mutations in ClC‐1, tends to be more severe in men and is often exacerbated by pregnancy. Methods: We performed whole‐cell patch clamp of mouse muscle chloride currents in the absence/presence of 100 μM progesterone or 17β‐estradiol. Results: 100 μM progesterone rapidly and reversibly shifted the ClC‐1 activation curve of mouse skeletal muscle (V50 changed from −52.6 ± 9.3 to +35.5 ± 6.7; P < 0.01) and markedly reduced chloride currents at depolarized potentials. 17β‐estradiol at the same concentration had a similar but smaller effect (V50 change from −57.2 ± 7.6 to −40.5 ± 9.8; P < 0.05). 1 μM progesterone produced no significant effect. Conclusions: Although the data support the existence of a nongenomic mechanism in mammalian skeletal muscle through which sex hormones at high concentration can rapidly modulate ClC‐1, the influence of hormones on muscle excitability in vivo remains an open question. Muscle Nerve 48: 589–591, 2013
Automatic solver for non‐linear partial differential equations with implicit local laws: Application to unilateral contact
Authors: Lejeune Arnaud , Boudaoud Hakim , Potier‐Ferry Michel , Charpentier Isabelle , Zahrouni Hamid 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYIn general, non‐linear continuum mechanics combine global balance equations and local constitutive laws. In this work, frictionless contact between a rigid tool and a thin elastic shell is considered. This class of boundary value problems involves two non‐linear algebraic laws: the first one gives explicitly the stress field as a function of the strain throughout the continuum part, whereas the second one is a non‐linear equation relating the contact forces and the displacement at the boundary.Given the fact that classical computational approaches sometimes require significant effort in implementation of complex non‐linear problems, a computation technique based on automatic differentiation of constitutive laws is presented in this paper. The procedure enables to compute automatically the higher‐order derivatives of these constitutive laws and thereafter to define the Taylor series that are the basis of the continuation technique called asymptotic numerical method. The algorithm is about the same with an explicit or implicit constitutive relation. In the modelling of forming processes, many tool shapes can be encountered. The presented computational technique permits an easy implementation of these complex surfaces, for instance in a finite element code: the user is only required to define the tool geometry and the computer is able to obtain the higher‐order derivatives. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Karhunen–Loève decomposition of random fields based on a hierarchical matrix approach
Authors: Allaix Diego Lorenzo , Carbone Vincenzo Ilario 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYThe simulation of the behavior of structures with uncertain properties is a challenging issue, because it requires suitable probabilistic models and adequate numerical tools. Nowadays, it is possible to perform probabilistic investigations of the structural performance, which take into account a space‐variant uncertainty characterization of the structures. Given a structural solver and the probabilistic models, the reliability analysis of the structural response depends on the continuous random fields approximation, which is carried out by means of a finite set of random variables. The paper analyzes the main aspects of discretization in the case of 2D problems. The combination of the well‐known Karhunen–Loève series expansion, the finite element method and the hierarchical matrices approach is proposed in the paper. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genome sequencing of mucosal melanomas reveals that they are driven by distinct mechanisms from cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Furney Simon J , Turajlic Samra , Stamp Gordon , Nohadani Mahrokh , Carlisle Anna , Thomas J Meirion , Hayes Andrew , Strauss Dirk , Gore Martin , van den Oord Joost , Larkin James , Marais Richard 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMucosal melanoma displays distinct clinical and epidemiological features compared to cutaneous melanoma. Here we used whole genome and whole exome sequencing to characterize the somatic alterations and mutation spectra in the genomes of ten mucosal melanomas. We observed somatic mutation rates that are considerably lower than occur in sun‐exposed cutaneous melanoma, but comparable to the rates seen in cancers not associated with exposure to known mutagens. In particular, the mutation signatures are not indicative of ultraviolet light‐ or tobacco smoke‐induced DNA damage. Genes previously reported as mutated in other cancers were also mutated in mucosal melanoma. Notably, there were substantially more copy number and structural variations in mucosal melanoma than have been reported in cutaneous melanoma. Thus, mucosal and cutaneous melanomas are distinct diseases with discrete genetic features. Our data suggest that different mechanisms underlie the genesis of these diseases and that structural variations play a more important role in mucosal than in cutaneous melanomagenesis. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk Factors for Excessive Anticoagulation Among Hospitalized Adults Receiving Warfarin Therapy Using a Pharmacist‐Managed Dosing Protocol
Authors: Berg Tamara M. , O'Meara John G. , Ou Narith N. , Daniels Paul R. , Moriarty James P. , Bergstrahl Eric J. , Dierkhising Ross A. , Manning Dennis M. 
Published: April 2013

Study ObjectiveTo identify specific risk factors for excessive anticoagulation, defined as an international normalized ratio (INR) higher than 5, in hospitalized adults receiving warfarin therapy using a pharmacist‐managed dosing protocol.DesignRetrospective nested case‐control study.SettingLarge academic tertiary care medical center.PatientsHospitalized nonsurgical patients 18 years or older who received at least one dose of warfarin according to the pharmacist‐managed protocol from January 1, 2009, to January 31, 2012, were included. Patients who experienced an INR higher than 5 were designated as case patients; those who received warfarin for at least as many days as the case patients but who did not experience an INR more than 5 were deemed control patients. Controls were matched to cases in a 2:1 ratio by age, sex, INR goal, and type of warfarin therapy (new start or continuation).Measurements and Main ResultsA total of 87 case patients were matched to 174 controls. Ten different hypothesized risk factors were examined. Two variables, severity of illness score (odds ratio [OR] 4.89, p<0.001) and poor nutritional status (OR 4.27, p<0.001), demonstrated strong independent associations with risk of excessive anticoagulation. Administration of interacting drugs that highly potentiate warfarin's effect (OR 2.26, p=0.011) and concurrent diarrheal illness (OR 4.75, p<0.001) also displayed a statistically significant risk for excessive anticoagulation.ConclusionEven in a highly standardized system for warfarin dosing by a pharmacist‐managed protocol, higher disease severity and poor nutritional status placed hospitalized patients at greater risk of experiencing excessive anticoagulation. In addition, administration of interacting drugs that highly potentiate warfarin's effect or the occurrence of diarrheal illness may predict increased risk.
High‐speed atmospheric atomic layer deposition of ultra thin amorphous TiO2 blocking layers at 100 °C for inverted bulk heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Muñoz‐Rojas David , Sun Haiyan , Iza Diana C. , Weickert Jonas , Chen Li , Wang Haiyan , Schmidt‐Mende Lukas , MacManus‐Driscoll Judith L. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTUltrafast, spatial atmospheric atomic layer deposition, which does not involve vacuum steps and is compatible with roll‐to‐roll processing, is used to grow high quality TiO2 blocking layers for organic solar cells. Dense, uniform thin TiO2 films are grown at temperatures as low as 100 °C in only 37 s (~20 nm/min growth rate). Incorporation of these films in P3HT‐PCBM‐based solar cells shows performances comparable with cells made using TiO2 films deposited with much longer processing times and/or higher temperatures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Relationship between Recent Stressful Life Events, Personality Traits, Perceived Family Functioning and Internet Addiction among College Students
Authors: Yan Wansen , Li Yonghui , Sui Nan 
Published: April 2013

AbstractInternet addiction (IA) is an emerging social and mental health issue among youths. Analysis of risk factors, as well as their interactions, is crucial for understanding the development of IA. This study investigated the relationship between recent stressful life events, personality traits, perceived family functioning and IA in 892 college students. Subjects were classified into categories (non‐addicted, mild IA or severe IA) using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale. Stressful life events, personality traits and family functioning were assessed using the Adolescent Self‐Rating Life Events Checklist, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, respectively. The results indicated that compared with non‐addicted subjects, subjects with severe IA (9.98%) had lower family functioning, lower extraversion, higher neuroticism and psychoticism, and more stressful life events, and subjects with mild IA (11.21%) had higher neuroticism and more health and adaptation problems. Neuroticism and health and adaptation problems were potential predictors of IA. An interaction effect between psychoticism and total life stress on IA was also found. These findings highlight the role of personality traits and life stress and their interactions in college students' IA. Further research should explore the mechanisms underlying the interaction effect of psychoticism with life stress on IA. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laux‐type Oxidation of In0 Nanoparticles to In2O3 Retaining Particle Size and Colloidal Stability
Authors: Hammarberg Elin , Feldmann Claus 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAs a conceptual study, In0 nanoparticles are obtained by NaBH4‐driven reduction of InCl3 · 4H2O and transferred from a polar/hydrophilic diethylene glycol phase to a non‐polar hydrophobic dodecane phase for purification and stabilization. Finally, the In0 nanoparticles are oxidized via a Laux‐like reaction with nitrobenzene to In2O3 nanoparticles. The challenge of the reaction is to perform the final oxidation to In2O3 under mild conditions with the colloidal stability, particle size and particle size distribution of the initial In0 nanoparticles retained. To this concern, the mean diameter of the initial In0 nanoparticles changed from 11(1) to 14(2) nm of the oxidized In2O3 nanoparticles. Such multi‐step reaction, including reduction, nucleation, phase transfer, exchange of surface capping and oxidation are of increasing importance for nanoparticles. Especially, Laux‐type conditions with nitrobenzene as a molecular oxidizing agent of nanoparticles have not been used till now. Particle size, size distribution and chemical composition of the In0 and In2O3 nanoparticles are analyzed by DLS, SEM, XRD, FT‐IR and HRTEM.
Effectiveness of 2‥ CHG Cloth Bathing for Reducing Surgical Site Infections
Authors: Graling Paula R. , Vasaly Frances W. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe conducted a prospective cohort study on the effectiveness of preoperative bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) cloths for reducing surgical site infections. We hypothesized that use of CHG cloths as an adjunct to surgical prep would significantly reduce the endogenous flora of surgical patients and therefore reduce surgical site infections. Data from a control group of patients who had undergone general, vascular, and orthopedic surgery were used for comparison. Results indicated an overall reduction of infection in the group that received a 2% CHG bath before surgery. There also was a possible reduction in postoperative organ space infection, although the sample numbers were extremely small. To reduce surgical site infections, we suggest a nursing protocol of preoperative bathing with a 2% CHG cloth for patients undergoing general and vascular surgery, and an additional trial to investigate the use of preoperative CHG cloth baths in all surgical patient populations.
Quality Improvement: Single‐Field Sterile Scrub, Prep, and Dwell for Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
Authors: O'Hanlan Katherine A. , McCutcheon Stacey Paris , McCutcheon John G. , Charvonia Beth E. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe vulva and vaginal interior are considered a contaminated surgical area, and current OR guidelines require surgeons who are gloved and gowned at the abdominal field to avoid contact with the urethral catheter, the uterine manipulator, and the introitus or to change their gloves and even regown if contact occurs. It is our belief that the perception of the vaginal field as contaminated reflects a lack of specific standards for the preoperative cleansing of the deeper vagina and a lack of preoperative prep instructions for the combined fields. We developed a comprehensive single‐field prep technique designed to improve surgical efficiency and prevent contamination of the sterile field. Combining a methodical scrub, prep, and dwell, this technique allows the entire abdomino‐perineovaginal field to be treated as a single sterile field for laparoscopic procedures. Our surgical site infection rate of 1.8% when using this single‐field prep technique and the subsequent surgical treatment of the abdominal, vaginal, and perineal fields as a single sterile field is well within reported norms.
Differences in Intraoperative Prep Solutions: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Zinn Jennifer , Jenkins Jeanne B. , Harrelson Beverly , Wrenn Cynthia , Haynes Elisa , Small Nicole 
Published: April 2013

AbstractSurgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common type of health care‐associated infection in surgical patients. We wanted to identify which intraoperative prep solution used in our health network for adult open abdominal surgical procedures resulted in the lowest incidence of SSI 30 days after surgery. In addition, we wanted to know specifically how parachoroxylenol compared with chlorhexidine gluconate, povidone‐iodine, and 0.7% iodine and 74% isopropyl alcohol as an intraoperative prep solution. We conducted a retrospective medical record review of 162 consecutive patients ages 18 years and older who had undergone elective open abdominal procedures from December 2008 to December 2010 at four acute care community hospitals within an integrated, tertiary health network in the southeastern United States. No SSIs occurred after procedures in which parachoroxylenol intraoperative prep solution was used (n = 71), whereas five SSIs occurred after procedures in which other prep solutions (ie, chlorhexidine gluconate [no SSIs], povidone‐iodine [two SSIs], and 0.7% iodine and 74% isopropyl alcohol [three SSIs]) were used (n = 91). A chi‐square test indicated a significant difference in the incidence of SSIs among patients prepped with parachoroxylenol intraoperative prep solution compared to patients prepped with the other solutions.