bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolated Hydatid Cyst of the Kidney
Authors: Lacetera Vito , Galosi Andrea B. , Quaresima Luigi , Cantoro Ubaldo , Conti Alessandro , Cantoro Daniele , Catanzariti Francesco , Raquban Rami , Muzzonigro Giovanni 
Published: October 2012

Background A hydatid cyst is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Kidney involvement represents 4% of all cases, and is rare compared to that in the liver or lung, even more as an isolated site of infection. We present a case report of a woman with septic status, cutaneous fistula and a renal cystic mass revealed to be a solitary hydatid cyst of the kidney. Methods A 60-year-old woman was referred acutely by another hospital to our department because of septic fever, cutaneous lumbar fistula and a left kidney cystic mass of 10 x 8 cm. We suspected a renal abscess and the patient underwent immediate left nephrectomy. Results We performed an extraperitoneal nephrectomy with a lumbar access under the 12th rib with complete resection of the fistula. The histopathological examination revealed it to be a hydatid cyst involving 2/3 of the kidney. After surgery a medical therapy with albendazol was administrated for 6 months, and the patient did not have any other localization 24 months after surgery. Conclusions An isolated renal hydatid cyst presenting as cutaneous fistula with a septic status is a very rare condition. A pre-surgical diagnosis is not always possible as in this case. The surgical therapy (nephron-sparing or radical) is the key of the success and a medical therapy after surgery is recommended to prevent other localizations of this parasitic disease.
Regional radiographic damage and functional limitations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: Differences in early and late disease
Authors: Ward Michael M. , Learch Thomas J. , Gensler Lianne S. , Davis John C. , Reveille John D. , Weisman Michael H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveBoth radiographic damage and functional limitations increase with the duration of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We examined whether radiographic damage contributed more to functional limitations in late AS than in early AS, and if the strength of association varied with the anatomic region of damage.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study of 801 patients with AS, we examined associations of the lumbar modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS), the cervical mSASSS, lumbar posterior fusion, cervical posterior fusion, and hip arthritis with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire modified for the spondyloarthritides (HAQ‐S).ResultsHigher lumbar and cervical mSASSS scores were associated with more functional limitations, but there was an interaction between mSASSS scores and the duration of AS, such that the strength of their association with functional limitations decreased with increasing duration of AS. Cervical posterior fusion was associated with worse functioning independent of mSASSS scores. Hip arthritis was significantly associated with functional limitations independent of spinal damage measures. Among patients with AS duration ≥40 years, the number of comorbid conditions accounted for most of the variation in functioning. Results were similar for both the BASFI and the HAQ‐S.ConclusionAlthough both radiographic damage and functional limitations increase over time in AS, the relative contribution of radiographic damage to functional limitations is lower among patients with longstanding AS than with early AS, suggesting patients may accommodate to limited flexibility. Damage in different skeletal regions impacts functioning over the duration of AS. Functional limitations due to comorbidity supervene in late AS.
Publication Outcomes of Abstracts Presented at an American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals Annual Scientific Meeting
Authors: Amarilyo Gil , Woo Jennifer M. P. , Furst Daniel E. , Hoffman Olivia L. , Eyal Rotem , Piao Cijing , Parker Douglass S. , McCurdy Deborah K. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP) Annual Scientific Meeting is an important forum for early dissemination of novel ideas. However, unlike published studies in peer‐reviewed journals, reviewers select abstracts based solely on a general summary of the research. Analyses of the scientific impact and the publication record of the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting have not been previously described. This study characterizes publication trends and outcomes associated with abstracts presented at the ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting.MethodsWe identified all abstracts accepted for oral or poster presentation at the 2006 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting. Using a defined search algorithm, we conducted a manual PubMed search for each accepted abstract, which was repeated by a custom computerized search, and analyzed the resulting journal title, impact factor, and time to publication.ResultsA total of 2,149 abstracts were analyzed. The overall publication ratio was 59.1%. The mean ± SD time from abstract presentation to publication was 18.2 ± 15.2 months with a mean ± SD impact factor of 5.61 ± 4.20. Overall, studies presented in oral format were significantly more likely to be published than poster presentations (P < 0.0001). The average time to publication was significantly shorter for basic science studies than clinical research studies (P < 0.0001). The average journal impact factor of published studies presented in oral format was significantly higher than those presented as posters (P < 0.0001).ConclusionThese results reflect high research productivity with a publication ratio of approximately 60% for abstracts presented at the 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting.
Ultrasound Joint Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis in Clinical Remission: How Many and Which Joints Should Be Assessed?
Authors: Naredo Esperanza , Valor Lara , De la Torre Inmaculada , Martínez‐Barrio Julia , Hinojosa Michelle , Aramburu Francisco , Ovalles‐Bonilla Juan Gabriel , Hernández Diana , Montoro María , González Carlos Manuel , López‐Longo Javier , Monteagudo Indalecio , Carreño Luis 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the sensitivity for detecting subclinical synovitis of different reduced joint ultrasound (US) assessment models as compared with a comprehensive US assessment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in clinical remission.MethodsSixty‐seven RA patients (50 women, 17 men) in clinical remission as judged by their consultant rheumatologist and treated with methotrexate were prospectively recruited. Patients were evaluated for disease activity according to the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) by the same investigator. Each patient underwent a 44‐joint B‐mode and power Doppler (PD) assessment by a rheumatologist blinded to the clinical and laboratory data. B‐mode synovial hypertrophy (SH) and synovial PD signal were scored from 0–3 at each joint. Global indices for SH and PD signal were calculated for the 44‐joint and different joint combination models for each patient.ResultsSH was detected in 87.8% of patients with a DAS28 <2.6 and in 81.8% of patients with an SDAI <3.3. Synovial PD signal was detected in 46.3% of patients with a DAS28 <2.6 and in 36.4% of patients with an SDAI <3.3. Wrist, second through fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP), ankle, and second through fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and 12‐joint US assessments showed the highest correlations with the comprehensive US assessment. The wrist, MCP, ankle, and MTP joint US assessment showed the highest sensitivity for detecting SH and synovial PD signal in patients in remission according to the DAS28 and SDAI as compared to the comprehensive US assessment.ConclusionUS assessment of the wrist, MCP, ankle, and MTP joints can be highly sensitive for detecting residual B‐mode and Doppler joint inflammation in RA patients.
Direct Transcription of Two‐Dimensional Colloidal Crystal Arrays into Three‐Dimensional Photonic Crystals
Authors: Vlad Alexandru , Frölich Andreas , Zebrowski Thomas , Dutu Constantin Augustin , Busch Kurt , Melinte Sorin , Wegener Martin , Huynen Isabelle 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA simple protocol for the fabrication of three‐dimensional (3D) photonic crystals in silicon is presented. Surface structuring by nanosphere lithography is merged with a novel silicon etching method to fabricate ordered 3D architectures. The SPRIE method, sequential passivation reactive ion etching, is a one‐step processing protocol relying on sequential passivation and reactive ion etching reactions using C4F8 and SF6 plasma chemistries. The diffusion of fresh reactants and etch product species inside the etched channels is found to play an important role affecting the structural uniformity of the designed structures and the etch rate drift is corrected by adjusting the reaction times. High quality photonic crystals are thus obtained by adding the third dimension to the two‐dimensional (2D) colloidal crystal assemblies through SPRIE. Careful adjustments of both mask design and lateral etch extent balance allow the implementation of even more complex functionalities including photonic crystal slabs and precise defect engineering. 3D photonic crystal lattices exhibiting optical stop‐bands in the infrared spectral region are demonstrated, proving the potential of SPRIE for fast, simple, and large‐scale fabrication of photonic structures.
Resolution Limit in Plasmonic Lithography for Practical Applications beyond 2x‐nm Half Pitch
Authors: Kim Seok , Jung Howon , Kim Yongwoo , Jang Jinhee , Hahn Jae W. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA theoretical model is introduced to evaluate the ultimate resolution of plasmonic lithography using a ridge aperture. The calculated and experimental results of the line array pattern depth are compared for various half pitches. The theoretical analysis predicts that the resolution of plasmonic lithography strongly depends on the ridge gap, achieving values under 1x nm with a ridge gap smaller than 10 nm. A micrometer‐scale circular contact probe is fabricated for high speed patterning with high positioning accuracy, which can be extended to a high‐density probe array. Using the circular contact probe, high‐density line array patterns are recorded with a half pitch up to 22 nm and good agreement is obtained between the theoretical model and experiment. To record the high density line array patterns, the line edge roughness (LER) is reduced to ≈17 nm from 29 nm using a well‐controlled developing process with a smaller molecular weight KOH‐based developer at a temperature below 10°C.
Safety of intradermal skin tests for inhalants and foods: a prospective study
Authors: Gordon Bruce R. , Hurst David S. , Fornadley John A. , Hunsaker Darrell H. 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundIntradermal skin testing is a useful allergy diagnostic tool. Although considered safe when properly performed, systemic reactions have been reported. This is the first large, prospective study to record and evaluate all systemic reactions from intradermal skin testing (IDT) to inhalant or food antigens.MethodsA 24‐month prospective study by 40 physician practices, recording all IDT tests, including reactions, symptoms, severity, time after injection, and reaction treatments.ResultsEighty systemic reactions (22 major) occurred among 20,530 patients (878,583 wheals). Nine had epinephrine treatment, 4 were observed in an emergency department, and there were no hospitalizations or fatalities. The overall systemic reaction risk was 0.009%. The risk of having a major reaction was 0.003%, or 1 reaction per 933 patients.ConclusionIntradermal skin tests for inhalants or foods, when performed with appropriate precautions, have a safety profile comparable to skin prick tests.
Foaming behavior of microcellular foam polypropylene/modified nano calcium carbonate composites
Authors: Ding Jie , Shangguan Junnan , Ma Weihua , Zhong Qin 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA new process was used to prepare microcellular foams with supercritical carbon dioxide as the physical foaming agent in a batch. The foaming temperature range of the new process was about five times broader than that of the conventional one. Characterization of the cellular structure of the original polypropylene (PP) and PP/nano‐CaCO3 (nanocomposites) foams was conducted to reveal the effects of the blend composition and processing conditions. The results show that the cellular structure of the PP foams was more sensitive to the foaming temperature and saturation pressure variations than that of the nanocomposite foams. Uniform cells of PP foams are achieved only at a temperature of 154°C. Also, the low pressure of 20 MPa led to very small cells and a low cell density. The competition between the cell growth and cell nucleation played important role in the foam density and was directly related to the foaming temperature. Decreasing the infiltration temperature depressed the initial foaming temperature, and this resulted in significantly larger cells and a lower cell density. A short foaming time led to a skin–core structure; this indicated that a decrease in the cell size was found from skin to core, but the skin–core structure gradually disappeared with increasing foaming time. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Preparation and characterization of glutaraldehyde crosslinked chitosan nanofiltration membrane
Authors: Zhang Xi , Jin Xiaoyi , Xu Chenyan , Shen Xinyuan 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn this article, we prepare chitosan (CS) membrane on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) ultrafiltration membrane, and utilize the protonated amine group (NH3+) on the CS to retain γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in a solution with a pH condition below the amino acid isoelectric point, so as to separate the amino acid from a mixture with sodium acetate that simulates the amino acid fermentation broth. To improve the acid resistance of the composite membrane, we chelate the amine groups on the CS by copper sulfate first, then crosslink the hydroxyl groups in glutaraldehyde solution, and remove the copper ion in hydrochloric acid finally to release the amine groups. This crosslinked CS/PAN composite membrane achieves 95% GABA rejection in pH 4.69 solution under the operation pressure of 0.2 MPa, while over 90% of the sodium acetate permeates the membrane. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Validity of poly(1, 6‐bis‐(p‐carboxyphenoxy hexane)‐co‐(sebacic anhydride)) copolymer in biomedical application
Authors: Lai Po‐Liang , Hong Ding‐Wei , Liu Tsang‐Hao , Lai Zhi‐Teng , Cheng Ming‐Huei , Chen Lih‐Huei , Chen Wen‐Jer , Chu I‐Ming 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTo further enhance the performance of biodegradable polymer‐based medical devices, there is an increasing need to obtain independent control of key properties such as mechanical strength, degradation rate, and bioactivity. In this study, biodegradable copolymers of poly(1,6‐bis‐p‐carboxyphenoxyhexane‐co‐sebacic anhydride) (CPH:SA) are synthesized, via melt condensation techniques, at three different molar ratios (7 : 3, 5 : 5, and 3 : 7). Tablets of the copolymers are prepared by mold casting at high temperature. Using an in vitro degradation test, copolymer tablets demonstrate a suitable mechanical strength, a slight decrease in pH value, and a slow degradation rate. High cell viability is observed on the surface of the copolymer tablets. The 3‐(4,5dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl) 2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and live/dead staining demonstrate reduced toxicity and high cell survival. In vitro testing with C2C12 cells reveals good cellular attachment and spreading on the tablet surfaces, with the best properties displayed by the 7 : 3 molar ratio copolymer. Materials composed of CPH:SA have the potential to serve as medical implants. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Resistant Parents and Child Protection: Knowledge Base, Pointers for Practice and Implications for Policy
Authors: Tuck Vic 
Published: October 2012

Work with resistant, hostile, non‐compliant (including disguised non‐compliant) parents and dealing with manipulation and deception is a significant feature of everyday child protection practice. The phenomenon has long been acknowledged in key publications on child protection and its manifestations have been clearly described. Yet, it hardly features in government guidance in England, contributing to a major reality gap with practice. This is despite the fact that revisions to guidance have been undertaken in response to child abuse tragedies where resistance to professional intervention has been a major feature, a recent example being the well‐publicised case of Peter Connelly in London. In reviewing UK sources on this subject, the available knowledge is considered and strategies identified of value to practitioners working to promote the health and safety of highly vulnerable children, and maintain their own wellbeing in challenging and sometimes dangerous circumstances. Possible explanations as to why this important issue has been sidelined are advanced, based on perspectives derived from critical social theory. A firm basis for rectifying current deficits in policy and practice will be seen to exist, rooted in an engagement with the lived experience of the child and authoritative child protection practice. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.‘It hardly features in government guidance in England’‘Engagement with the lived experience of the child and authoritative child protection practice’Key Practitioner Messages

Working with resistant, hostile and non-compliant parents is a key feature of every-day child protection work.
There are a range of sources which draw attention to the issue and point the way for practitioners in identifying and assessing the phenomenon.
There are a range of strategies and tactics which can be utilised to manage the problem.
These need to be grounded in authoritative child protection practice and an appreciation of the lived experience of the child.
Ephrin‐B2 reverse signaling is required for topography but not pattern formation of lateral superior olivary inputs to the inferior colliculus
Authors: Wallace Matthew M. , Kavianpour Sarah M. , Gabriele Mark L. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractGraded and modular expressions of Eph‐ephrins are known to provide positional information for the formation of topographic maps and patterning in the developing nervous system. Previously we have shown that ephrin‐B2 is expressed in a continuous gradient across the tonotopic axis of the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (CNIC), whereas patterns are discontinuous and modular in the lateral cortex of the IC (LCIC). The present study explores the involvement of ephrin‐B2 signaling in the development of projections to the CNIC and LCIC arising from the lateral superior olivary nuclei (LSO) prior to hearing onset. Anterograde and retrograde fluorescent tracing methods in neonatal fixed tissue preparations were used to compare topographic mapping and the establishment of LSO layers/modules in wild‐type and ephrin‐B2lacZ/+ mice (severely compromised reverse signaling). At birth, pioneer LSO axons occupy the ipsilateral IC in both groups but are delayed contralaterally in ephrin‐B2lacZ/+ mutants. By the onset of hearing, both wild‐type and mutant projections form discernible layers bilaterally in the CNIC and modular arrangements within the ipsilateral LCIC. In contrast, ephrin‐B2lacZ/+ mice lack a reliable topography in LSO‐IC projections, suggesting that fully functional ephrin‐B2 reverse signaling is required for normal projection mapping. Taken together, these ephrin‐B2 findings paired with known coexpression of EphA4 suggest the importance of these signaling proteins in establishing functional auditory circuits prior to experience. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:1585–1597, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantification of mitochondrial toxicity in HIV‐infected individuals by quantitative PCR compared to flow cytometry
Authors: Wagner Thor A. , Lin Chen‐Han , Tobin Nicole H. , Côté Hélène C. F. , Sloan Derek D. , Jerome Keith R. , Frenkel Lisa M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackground:Non‐invasive diagnostic assays to evaluate mitochondrial toxicity could have significant clinical utility for HIV‐infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART).Methods:This study compared the ratio of mitochondrial to nuclear DNA determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to the ratio of mitochondrial to nuclear‐encoded proteins by flow cytometry, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 73 HIV‐infected individuals with and without risk factors for mitochondrial toxicity.Results:PCR detected similar mitochondrial/nuclear DNA in HIV‐infected individuals without a history of ART, and those receiving ART with lipodystrophy, lipoatrophy, or a history of suspected lactic acidosis. However, the ratio was significantly greater in ART‐untreated compared to those receiving either stavudine or didanosine. In contrast, flow cytometry did not detect any differences in mitochondrial/nuclear protein (Lin et al., Cytometry B 2009;76B:181–190). There was no correlation between the assays (rho = −0.05, P = 0.65).Conclusions:Assessment of the mitochondrial/nuclear DNA ratio by qPCR performed better than the mitochondrial/nuclear‐encoded protein ratio by flow cytometry to detect adverse effects of nucleoside analogs on mitochondria. © 2012 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Acquitting an APC: DCs found “not guilty” after trial by ablation
Authors: Becher Burkhard , Greter Melanie 
Published: October 2012

There is a large body of evidence demonstrating that DCs are the most efficient and specialized APCs for T‐cell priming, both in the context of host defense against pathogens and during the development of T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune responses; however, this concept is currently being challenged by a series of conflicting observations using genetically engineered mice in which DCs are either constitutively or inducibly ablated. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Isaksson et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2012, 42: 2555‐2563] report the use of mice in which CD11chi cells can be ablated by injecting diphtheria toxin in vivo. The authors then induced EAE and found that, surprisingly, the mice were fully susceptible to the disease; thus, challenging the dogma that DCs are a mandatory APC population for the priming of autoimmune TH cells or T‐cell‐mediated immune responses. Here, we will analyze the authors’ findings in the context of observations made by others and critically discuss whether DCs can really be dismissed as crucial APCs.