bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics of children with cochlear nerve dysplasias
Authors: Levi Jessica , Ames Julie , Bacik Katie , Drake Colin , Morlet Thierry , O'Reilly Robert C. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To describe the clinical and audiometric characteristics of children with cochlear nerve dysplasia (CND).Study Design:Retrospective chart review of clinical database of children with inner ear anomalies treated at a tertiary care children's hospital.Methods:Institutional review board–approved retrospective review from June 30, 2006, to July 1, 2011; 18 children were identified with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of CND defined as a cochlear nerve 50% smaller than the adjacent facial nerve.Results:Of the 18 patients, nine were girls and nine were boys. Average age at time of MRI diagnosis of CND was 4.6 years. Twelve children had cochlear nerve aplasia, and six had hypoplasia. Three were affected bilaterally: two with aplasia and one with hypoplasia. Unilateral dysplasia was found in 15 children; of these, 60% occurred on the left side. Other inner ear anomalies were found in 50%, including all patients with bilateral CND. Severe‐to‐profound hearing loss was found in the involved ear(s) in 14 of 18 patients, including all bilateral patients. Of the 18 patients tested, 13 (72%) had an audiometric profile of auditory neuropathy/dys‐synchrony syndrome (auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder [ANSD]). Comorbid conditions were present in 56% of patients. Two patients were syndromic. Family history of hearing loss was present in 11% of patients.Conclusions:Many patients with CND have ANSD, and more than half have comorbidities. Approximately half of affected patients have other inner ear anomalies in the involved ears. Unilateral CND may be more common on the left side. Laryngoscope, 2013
Nuclear epidermal growth factor receptor and p16 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Husain Hatim , Psyrri Amanda , Markovic Ana , Rampias Theodore , Pectasides Eirini , Wang Hao , Slebos Robbert , Yarbrough Wendell G. , Burtness Barbara , Chung Christine H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and p16 (a surrogate marker of human papillomavirus [HPV] infection) expression are strong prognostic factors in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Study Design:We examined expression levels of total and nuclear EGFR as well as p16 status based on evidence that nuclear EGFR may have a role in DNA damage repair.Methods:An HPV‐negative (SQ20B) and an HPV‐positive (UMSCC47) HNSCC cell line were examined for EGFR and γH2AX expression. A tissue microarray containing 123 cores obtained from 101 HNSCC tumors was analyzed for EGFR expression by automated quantitative analysis and p16 expression by immunohistochemical staining, and these results were correlated with available clinical data.Results:SQ20B had higher EGFR expression than UMSCC47. Nuclear localization of EGFR on activation with transforming growth factor‐α was observed in SQ20B, but not in UMSCC47. SQ20B also had increased γH2AX foci compared to UMSCC47, suggesting that SQ20B has more DNA damage compared to UMSCC47. Total and nuclear EGFR was reliably obtained from 80 of 101 patients. p16 levels were determined in 87 of 101 patients. p16 levels were strongly associated with the oropharyngeal subsite and poorly differentiated histology. Expression of total and nuclear EGFR was higher in p16‐negative tumors compared to p16‐positive tumors (Wilcoxon rank test, P = .038 and P = .014, respectively).Conclusions:Further studies are required to determine a mechanistic link between these two prognostic factors and the significance of EGFR localization to nucleus in DNA damage repair pathway activation. Laryngoscope, 2012
Bacterial diversity in different regions of gastrointestinal tract of Giant African Snail (Achatina fulica)
Authors: Pawar Kiran D. , Banskar Sunil , Rane Shailendra D. , Charan Shakti S. , Kulkarni Girish J. , Sawant Shailesh S. , Ghate Hemant V. , Patole Milind S. , Shouche Yogesh S. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe gastrointestinal (GI) tract of invasive land snail Achatina fulica is known to harbor metabolically active bacterial communities. In this study, we assessed the bacterial diversity in the different regions of GI tract of Giant African snail, A. fulica by culture‐independent and culture‐dependent methods. Five 16S rRNA gene libraries from different regions of GI tract of active snails indicated that sequences affiliated to phylum γ‐Proteobacteria dominated the esophagus, crop, intestine, and rectum libraries, whereas sequences affiliated to Tenericutes dominated the stomach library. On phylogenetic analysis, 30, 27, 9, 27, and 25 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from esophagus, crop, stomach, intestine, and rectum libraries were identified, respectively. Estimations of the total bacterial diversity covered along with environmental cluster analysis showed highest bacterial diversity in the esophagus and lowest in the stomach. Thirty‐three distinct bacterial isolates were obtained, which belonged to 12 genera of two major bacterial phyla namely γ‐Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Among these, Lactococcus lactis and Kurthia gibsonii were the dominant bacteria present in all GI tract regions. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis indicated significant differences in bacterial load in different GI tract regions of active and estivating snails. The difference in the bacterial load between the intestines of active and estivating snail was maximum. Principal component analysis (PCA) of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism suggested that bacterial community structure changes only in intestine when snail enters estivation state.
Design innovations and baseline findings in a long‐term Parkinson's trial: The national institute of neurological disorders and stroke exploratory trials in Parkinson's Disease Long‐Term Study–1
Authors: Elm Jordan J. ,   The NINDS NET‐PD Investigators
Published: October 2012

AbstractBased on the preclinical data and the results of a phase II futility study, creatine was selected for an efficacy trial in Parkinson's disease (PD). We present the design rationale and a description of the study cohort at baseline. A randomized, multicenter, double‐blind, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled phase III study of creatine (10 g daily) in participants with early, treated PD, the Long‐term Study–1 (LS‐1), is being conducted by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Exploratory Trials in Parkinson's Disease network. The study utilizes a global statistical test (GST) encompassing five clinical rating scales to provide a multidimensional assessment of disease progression. A total of 1,741 PD participants from 45 sites in the United States and Canada were randomized 1:1 to either 10 g of creatine/day or matching placebo. Participants are being evaluated for a minimum of 5 years. The LS‐1 baseline cohort includes participants treated with dopaminergic therapy and generally mild PD. LS‐1 represents the largest cohort of patients with early treated PD ever enrolled in a clinical trial. The GST approach should provide high power to test the hypothesis that daily administration of creatine (10 g/day) is more effective than placebo in slowing clinical decline in PD between baseline and the 5‐year follow‐up visit against the background of dopaminergic therapy and best PD care. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Pine nut allergy: Clinical features and major allergens characterization
Authors: Cabanillas Beatriz , Cheng Hsiaopo , Grimm Casey C. , Hurlburt Barry K. , Rodríguez Julia , Crespo Jesús F. , Maleki Soheila J. 
Published: October 2012

ScopeThe aims of this study were to evaluate IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity to pine nut with details of clinical reactions and to characterize major pine nut allergens.Methods and resultsThe study included ten consecutive teenagers and adults diagnosed with IgE‐mediated clinical allergy to pine nut. Two major pine nut allergens were purified and identified and the secondary structures and susceptibility to digestion were characterized. Severe reactions represent 80% of allergic reactions to pine nut in this study. Moreover, 70% of the patients were monosensitized to this nut. Two major allergens with molecular weights of 6 and 50 kDa were purified and identified as albumin and vicilin, respectively. The 6 kDa protein (albumin), rich in α‐helix content, was far more stable to peptic and tryptic digestion as compared with 50 kDa protein (vicilin), which was quickly broken down. The secondary structure of the purified 50 kDa protein showed 41% β‐sheet, 5% α‐helix, and 54% random coil and/or loops.ConclusionEighty percent of allergic reactions to pine nut in the ten patients included in this study were severe. Most patients (70%) were monosensitized to this nut. Two major allergens with molecular weights of 6 and 50 kDa were purified and identified as albumin and vicilin, respectively.
Effects of isoflurane anesthesia on hyperpolarized 13C metabolic measurements in rat brain
Authors: Josan Sonal , Hurd Ralph , Billingsley Kelvin , Senadheera Lasitha , Park Jae Mo , Yen Yi‐Fen , Pfefferbaum Adolf , Spielman Daniel , Mayer Dirk 
Published: October 2012

PurposeCommonly used anesthetic agents such as isoflurane are known to be potent cerebral vasodilators, with reported dose‐dependent increase in cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume. Despite the widespread use of isoflurane in hyperpolarized 13C preclinical research studies, a quantitative assessment of its effect on metabolic measurements is limited. This work investigates the effect of isoflurane anesthesia dose on hyperpolarized 13C MR metabolic measurements in rat brain for [1‐13C]pyruvate and 2‐keto[1‐13C]isocaproate.MethodsDynamic 2D and 3D spiral chemical shift imaging was used to acquire metabolic images of rat brain as well as kidney and liver following bolus injections of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate or 2‐keto[1‐13C]isocaproate. The impact of a “low dose” vs. a “high dose” of isoflurane on cerebral metabolite levels and apparent conversion rates was examined.ResultsThe cerebral substrate signal levels, and hence the metabolite‐to‐substrate ratios and apparent conversion rates, were found to depend markedly on isoflurane dose, while signal levels of metabolic products and their ratios, e.g. bicarbonate/lactate, were largely insensitive to isoflurane levels. No obvious dependence on isoflurane was observed in kidney or liver for pyruvate.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of careful attention to the effects of anesthesia on the metabolic measures for hyperpolarized 13C metabolic imaging in brain. Magn Reson Med, 70:1117–1124, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effectiveness and safety of antiplatelet therapy in stroke recurrence prevention in patients with liver cirrhosis: a 2‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Chen Chung‐Yu , Lee Kun‐Tai , Lee Charles Tzu‐Chi , Lai Wen‐Ter , Huang Yaw‐Bin 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTBackgroundData are limited on antiplatelet therapy for ischemic stroke prevention in liver cirrhosis patients.MethodsThis retrospective study identified cases of liver cirrhosis from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Antiplatelet therapy was administered for 2 years to patients who had experienced a first ischemic stroke between 1997 and 2006. Primary outcomes, including death and readmission to hospital for stroke, and secondary outcomes, including death, stroke, or gastrointestinal bleeding, were examined.ResultsOne thousand one hundred eighty patients experienced a first stroke. According to time‐dependent analysis, the hazard ratio for primary outcomes in patients treated with aspirin was 0.915 (95%CI: 0.872–0.960). In secondary outcomes, hazard ratio for readmission for stroke was 0.904 (95%CI: 0.836–0.978) and that for gastrointestinal bleeding was 0.998 (95%CI: 0.946–1.052) in patients treated with aspirin. Subgroup analysis showed that aspirin was more effective in patients with non‐alcoholic cirrhosis than in those with other types of liver cirrhosis. Moreover, hyperlipidemia and statins may have decreased the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in cirrhosis patients.ConclusionsThis study includes the largest sample for evaluating outcomes of antiplatelet therapy in liver cirrhosis patients for preventing recurrent stroke. The study results show that antiplatelet therapy still offers safe and effective treatment for ischemic stroke prevention in patients with cirrhosis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differentiating normal and disordered personality using the General Assessment of Personality Disorder (GAPD)
Authors: Hentschel Annett G. , John Livesley W. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTCriteria to differentiate personality disorder from extremes of normal personality variations are important given growing interest in dimensional classification because an extreme level of a personality dimension does not necessarily indicate disorder. The DSM‐5 proposed classification of personality disorder offers a definition of general personality disorder based on chronic interpersonal and self/identity pathology. The ability of this approach to differentiate personality disorder from other mental disorders was evaluated using a self‐report questionnaire, the General Assessment of Personality Disorder (GAPD). This measure was administered to a sample of psychiatric patients (N = 149) from different clinical sub‐sites. Patients were divided into personality disordered and non‐personality disordered groups on the basis of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis II Disorders (SCID‐II). The results showed a hit rate of 82% correct identified patients and a good accuracy of the predicted model. There was a substantial agreement between SCID‐II interview and GAPD personality disorder diagnoses. The GAPD appears to predict personality disorder in general, which provides support of the DSM‐5 general diagnostic criteria of personality disorder. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethynylene‐containing donor–acceptor alternating conjugated polymers: Synthesis and photovoltaic properties
Authors: Du Chun , Li Weiwei , Li Cuihong , Bo Zhishan 
Published: October 2012

AbstractFour ethynylene‐containing donor‐acceptor alternating conjugated polymers P1–P4 with 2,5‐bis(dodecyloxy) substituted phenylene or carbazole as the donor unit and benzothiadiazole (BTZ) as the acceptor unit were synthesized and used as donor polymers in bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells. The optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of these four polymers with the ethylene unit located at different positions of the polymer chains were systematically investigated. Our results demonstrated that absorption spectra and the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of polymers could be tuned by varying the position of the ethynylene unit in the polymer chains. Photovoltaic devices based on polymer/PC71BM blend films spin coated from chloroform and dichlorobenzene solutions were investigated. For all four polymers, open circuit voltages (Voc) higher than 0.8 V were obtained. P4, with ethynylene unit between BTZ and thiophene, shows the best performance among these four polymers, with a Voc of 0.94 V, a Jsc of 4.2 mA/cm2, an FF of 0.40, and a PCE of 1.6%. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Synthesis and characterization of thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐isoindigo‐based copolymers as electron donor and hole transport materials for bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cells
Authors: Xu Xiaofeng , Cai Ping , Lu Yong , Choon Ng Siu , Chen Junwu , Hu Xiao , Ong Beng S. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA novel class of thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (TT) and isoindigo based copolymers were synthesized and evaluated as electron donor and hole transport materials in bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ PSCs). These π‐conjugated donor‐acceptor polymers were derived from fused TT and isoindigo structures bridged by thiophene units. The band‐gaps and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) levels of the polymers were tuned using different conjugating lengths of thiophene units on the main chains, providing band‐gaps from 1.55 to 1.91 eV and HOMO levels from −5.34 to −5.71 eV, respectively. The corresponding lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels were appropriately adjusted with the isoindigo units. Conventional BHJ PSCs (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/interlayer/Al) with an active layer composed of the polymer and PC71BM were fabricated for evaluation. Power conversion efficiency from a low of 1.25% to a high of 4.69% were achieved with the best performing device provided by the D−π−A polymer with a relatively board absorption spectrum, high absorption coefficient, and more uniform blend morphology. These results demonstrate the potential of this class of thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐isoindigo‐based polymers as efficient electron donor and hole transport polymers for BHJ PSCs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
A novel mechanism of ligand binding and release in the odorant binding protein 20 from the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Ziemba Brian P. , Murphy Emma J. , Edlin Hannah T. , Jones David N. M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAnopheles gambiae mosquitoes that transmit malaria are attracted to humans by the odor molecules that emanate from skin and sweat. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are the first component of the olfactory apparatus to interact with odorant molecules, and so present potential targets for preventing transmission of malaria by disrupting the normal olfactory responses of the insect. AgamOBP20 is one of a limited subset of OBPs that it is preferentially expressed in female mosquitoes and its expression is regulated by blood feeding and by the day/night light cycles that correlate with blood‐feeding behavior. Analysis of AgamOBP20 in solution reveals that the apo‐protein exhibits significant conformational heterogeneity but the binding of odorant molecules results in a significant conformational change, which is accompanied by a reduction in the conformational flexibility present in the protein. Crystal structures of the free and bound states reveal a novel pathway for entrance and exit of odorant molecules into the central‐binding pocket, and that the conformational changes associated with ligand binding are a result of rigid body domain motions in α‐helices 1, 4, and 5, which act as lids to the binding pocket. These structures provide new insights into the specific residues involved in the conformational adaptation to different odorants and have important implications in the selection and development of reagents targeted at disrupting normal OBP function.
The repelling effect of plant secondary metabolites on water voles, Arvicola amphibius
Authors: Fischer Daniela , Imholt Christian , Pelz Hans‐Joachim , Wink Michael , Prokop Andreas , Jacob Jens 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Water voles (Arvicola amphibius Linnaeus 1758) are abundant in most parts of Germany and other European countries. They are known to cause serious damage in fruit and horticulture as well as in agriculture. Currently available repellents, scaring devices and household remedies are mostly inefficient. Tests were conducted to establish whether water voles can be repelled using plant secondary metabolites. These compounds are produced by many plant species as part of their defence against herbivores and pathogens.RESULTS: In this study, 12 volatile substances were tested in T‐maze trials. The voles could choose between a test box including a test substance and a control box without odour. The extracts were considered to be repellent if the test box was avoided. Five potential repellents were identified: the essential oils of black pepper oil, Chinese geranium oil and onion, as well as the pure substances methyl nonyl ketone and n‐valeric acid. Application of a combination of black pepper oil, Chinese geranium oil and methyl nonyl ketone did not increase efficacy.CONCLUSION: The identification of an effective water vole repellent could help to reduce damage to crops. It may also minimise the use of kill traps and of rodenticides, which will be of benefit for non‐target organisms. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Cross‐resistance relationships of the sulfoximine insecticide sulfoxaflor with neonicotinoids and other insecticides in the whiteflies Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Authors: Longhurst Christopher , Babcock Jonathan M , Denholm Ian , Gorman Kevin , Thomas James D , Sparks Thomas C 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDInsecticides are important tools for managing damaging insect pests. Compounds that are effective against pests such as the whiteflies Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum, which show resistance to a range of insecticidal modes of action (MOA), have particular value as components of resistance management programmes. The sulfoximine insecticides are chemically unique as the first to incorporate a sulfoximine functional group. Sulfoxaflor is the first sulfoximine compound under commercial development for the control of sap‐feeding insects. Its cross‐resistance relationships were investigated by comparing the responses of field‐collected strains with those of insecticide‐susceptible laboratory strains of B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum.RESULTSSulfoxaflor exhibited very low (less than threefold) resistance ratios (RR) when tested against strains of B. tabaci that produced RR of up to 1000‐fold to imidacloprid and cross‐resistance to other neonicotinoid insecticides. Similarly, sulfoxaflor was not cross‐resistant in a strain of B. tabaci exhibiting resistance to a pyrethroid (deltamethrin) and an organophosphate (profenophos). No cross‐resistance was observed between sulfoxaflor and imidacloprid in T. vaporariorum. One population of the three field strains tested showed slightly reduced susceptibility to sufloxaflor with an RR of 4.17. By comparison, this same population exhibited an RR of more than 23.8‐fold for imidacloprid relative to the susceptible population.CONCLUSIONIn spite of sharing a target site with neonicotinoids (the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor), sulfoxaflor was largely unaffected by existing cases of neonicotinoid resistance in B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum. Neonicotinoid resistance mechanisms in these whitefly species are known to be primarily based on enhanced detoxification of insecticide. This lack of cross‐resistance indicates that sulfoxaflor is a valuable new tool for the management of sap‐feeding pests already resistant to established insecticide groups.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Spontaneous spin polarization and spin pumping effect on edges of graphene antidot lattices
Authors: Tada K. , Hashimoto T. , Haruyama J. , Yang H. , Chshiev M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe zigzag‐type atomic structure at edges of graphenes theoretically produces flat energy band. Because electrons have infinite effective mass at the flat band, they localize at zigzag edges with high densities. The localized electron spins are spontaneously polarized due to mutual Coulomb interaction in spite of a material consisting of only carbon atom with sp2 bonds. However, in most experimental studies, spin polarization (such as ferromagnetism) has been observed in defect‐related carbon systems. Here, we fabricate honeycomb‐like arrays of low‐defect hexagonal antidots (nanopores) terminated by hydrogen atoms on graphenes. They are prepared by a non‐lithographic method using nanoporous alumina templates. We find large‐magnitude ferromagnetism arising from polarized electron spins localizing at the zigzag antidot edges. Moreover, weak hysteresis loop in magnetoresistance and also spin pumping effect are found for perpendicular and parallel magnetic fields applied to the few‐layer antidot lattices with larger inter‐antidot space. These promise to be a realization of rare‐element free magnets and also novel spintronic devices such as all‐carbon spin transistors.