bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biobanking for cancer research: Preservation of tissue integrity – Some technical considerations
Authors: Mahadevan Anita , Shankar S.K. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Biobanking and biomarker discovery have become an integral part of neuro-oncology research. Towards achieving this end, the essential requirement is optimizing methods of tissue preservation of human tissues removed at surgery for diagnostic purposes and banking them for subserving future research. Owing to recent advances in molecular diagnostic tools, this clinical material has become a precious source for proteomic and genomic studies. The advent of biotechnological tools such as microarray, proteomics, and genomics has made it essential to preserve not just morphology but also the quality of nucleic acids and proteins, changing the traditional workflow of a pathology laboratory. It is therefore essential to develop simple technologies for tissue fixation and storage ensure that receptor and molecular integrity is reasonably maintained. Knowledge of the basic chemistry of tissue fixatives, the biochemical changes that take place in biological material by utilizing different techniques of fixation is essential while undertaking molecular, genomic, and proteomic studies on fresh and archival tissues.
Spontaneous acute subdural hematoma in a patient with multiple myeloma
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Ramzan Altaf , Malik Nayil , Naseer Syed , Wani Abrar 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Acute spontaneous subdural hematoma in a patient of multiple myeloma receiving chemotherapy is an unknown event, needing an urgent neurosurgical management. We report this patient who presented with progressive neurological deterioration and a low platelet count. She was successfully managed by craniotomy and evacuation of subdural hematoma with intraoperative transfusion of platelets. The acute spontaneous subdural hematoma in her was probably related to the bleeding diathesis due to thrombocytopenia associated with chemotherapy.
Post shunt meningeal fibrosis: Role of contrast enhanced MRI in differentiation from chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Panda Prashant , Sharma Sanjiv , Sood R.G. , Bhatia Vikas 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Post shunt meningeal fibrosis is an uncommon complication following VP shunt insertion and it presents with a diagnostic dilemma. It is a rare post shunt entity that may mimic chronic subdural hematoma on unenhanced CT and MR. Thus it is important to recognize it before any therapeutic intervention is being considered. We present a case of 47 year male who underwent VP shunt insertion for tubercular hydrocephalus 4 years ago. He presented with chronic headache for 6 months for which MRI brain was done. MRI finding revealed post shunt meningeal fibrosis thus differentiating from chronic subdural hematoma and hence obviated surgical drainage.
Transformational leadership in Pakistan: An examination of the relationship of transformational leadership to organizational culture and innovation propensity
Authors: Tipu Syed Awais Ahmad , Ryan James C , Fantazy Kamel A 
Published: October 2012

AbstractDoes transformational leadership have a positive relationship to organizational culture and innovation propensity in business organizations of Pakistan? Transformational leadership has been associated with a variety of positive organizational outcomes in a number of studies. However, the outcomes of transformational leadership in Pakistan are still underexplored. The current study examined the specific relationship between transformational leadership, organizational culture, and innovation propensity among a sample of 523 organizational members in Pakistan. Our findings showed that transformational leadership is positively related to organizational culture and innovation propensity. Results also indicated that organizational culture mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and innovation propensity. Furthermore, ANOVA analyses identified differences in ratings of transformational leadership across employees' education level and company size. Also, correlation analyses found no relationship between employees' ratings of transformational leadership and employees' age and organizational tenure. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
Evaluation of quality of life pre- and post-vestibular rehabilitation in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo associated with Meniere's disease
Authors: Socher Jan Alessandro , Azzi Viviane Jacintha Bolfe , Socher Dayra Dill 
Published: October 2012

Introduction: Vertigo is a symptom that impacts the patients' quality of life and may force them to cease performing activities of daily living. Here, we discuss benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Meniere's disease (MD), which show exacerbated symptoms when they appear in association. Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is an effective treatment in reducing vertigo, especially in conjunction with other therapies.
Aim: To evaluate the quality of life of patients with BPPV and MD before and after VR.
Method: We conducted a descriptive observational qualitative and quantitative case study with 12 patients aged 35 to 86 years. All patients diagnosed with BPPV and MD received treatment in the ENT clinic. The Brazilian DHI questionnaire, which assesses the quality of life with a focus on physical, emotional, and functional aspects, was used for data collection, and was completed by patients before the first session and after the fifth session of VR. Data were tested using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, followed by Wilcoxon, Friedman, and Spearman correlation tests (p < 0.05).
Results: There were significant improvements in scores for all aspects, with median changes ranging from 12 to 0 in the physical, 6 to 1 in the emotional, and 11 to 1 in the functional aspect. There were no correlations between the scores and sample characteristics.
Conclusion: VR was an effective method for the treatment of patients with BPPV and MD; it improves quality of life and shows the maximal influence on physical aspect scores, regardless of age or gender.
Profile of cochlear implant users of the city of Manaus
Authors: Moreira Sandra Costa , Pedrett Mariana dos Santos 
Published: October 2012

Introduction: The cochlear implant is a device that is intended to substitute for the function of cochlear hair cells, electrically stimulate auditory nerve fibers, and contribute to the perception of speech sounds. However, the surgical procedure alone is not enough for the user to achieve favorable results in habilitation/rehabilitation.
Objective: To characterize the patients from Manaus who have received cochlear implants based on the criteria for surgery.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of 15 cases and recorded etiological aspects of deafness, age, gender, duration of implant use, use of hearing aids, and participation in individual therapy. Data were recorded in a protocol designed specifically for this purpose. All patients were natives of Manaus.
Results: The leading etiological aspect was ototoxicity associated with prematurity in newborns undergoing treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit. The age at surgery is carefully observed in the evaluation of implant centers, as well as if the candidate is pre-or post-lingual. In this study, 73% of patients were pre-lingual and did not benefit from hearing aids. As to the degree and type of hearing loss, 93% had audiological reports indicating profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and 7% had severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. This latter finding confirmed one of the basic principles of implant placement.
Conclusion: This study allowed us to verify that there are reduced number of cochlear implant recipients in Manaus, but they have met the criteria required by implant centers located in other states of Brazil.
Predicting the short‐term risk of diabetes in HIV‐positive patients: the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti‐HIV Drugs (D:A:D) study
Authors: Petoumenos Kathy , Worm Signe W , Fontas Eric , Weber Rainer , De Wit Stephane , Bruyand Mathias , Reiss Peter , El‐Sadr Wafaa , Monforte Antonella D'Arminio , Friis‐Møller Nina , Lundgren Jens D , Law Matthew G ,   D:A:D Study Group
Published: October 2012

IntroductionHIV‐positive patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) frequently experience metabolic complications such as dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, as well as lipodystrophy, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Rates of DM and other glucose‐associated disorders among HIV‐positive patients have been reported to range between 2 and 14%, and in an ageing HIV‐positive population, the prevalence of DM is expected to continue to increase. This study aims to develop a model to predict the short‐term (six‐month) risk of DM in HIV‐positive populations and to compare the existing models developed in the general population.MethodsAll patients recruited to the Data Collection on Adverse events of Anti‐HIV Drugs (D:A:D) study with follow‐up data, without prior DM, myocardial infarction or other CVD events and with a complete DM risk factor profile were included. Conventional risk factors identified in the general population as well as key HIV‐related factors were assessed using Poisson‐regression methods. Expected probabilities of DM events were also determined based on the Framingham Offspring Study DM equation. The D:A:D and Framingham equations were then assessed using an internal‐external validation process; area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve and predicted DM events were determined.ResultsOf 33,308 patients, 16,632 (50%) patients were included, with 376 cases of new onset DM during 89,469 person‐years (PY). Factors predictive of DM included higher glucose, body mass index (BMI) and triglyceride levels, and older age. Among HIV‐related factors, recent CD4 counts of<200 cells/µL and lipodystrophy were predictive of new onset DM. The mean performance of the D:A:D and Framingham equations yielded AUROC of 0.894 (95% CI: 0.849, 0.940) and 0.877 (95% CI: 0.823, 0.932), respectively. The Framingham equation over‐predicted DM events compared to D:A:D for lower glucose and lower triglycerides, and for BMI levels below 25 kg/m2.ConclusionsThe D:A:D equation performed well in predicting the short‐term onset of DM in the validation dataset and for specific subgroups provided better estimates of DM risk than the Framingham.
Epidemiologic aspects of traumatic brain injury in acute combat casualties at a major military medical center: A cohort study
Authors: Xydakis Michael S. , Ling Geoffrey S. F. , Mulligan Lisa P. , Olsen Cara H. , Dorlac Warren C. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjective:From the ongoing military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, an understanding of the neuroepidemiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has emerged as requisite for further advancements in neurocombat casualty care. This study reports population‐specific incidence data and investigates TBI identification and grading criteria with emphasis on the role of loss of consciousness (LOC) in the diagnostic rubric.Methods:This is a cohort study of all consecutive troops acutely injured during combat operations—sustaining body‐wide injuries sufficient to require immediate stateside evacuation—and admitted sequentially to our medical center during a 2‐year period. A prospective exploration of the TBI identification and grading system was performed in a homogeneous population of blast‐injured polytrauma inpatients.Results:TBI incidence was 54.3%. Structural neuroimaging abnormalities were identified in 14.0%. Higher Injury Severity Score (ISS) was associated with abnormal neuroimaging, longer length of stay (LOS), and elevated TBI status—primarily based on autobiographical LOC. Mild TBI patients had normal neuroimaging, higher ISS, and comparable LOS to TBI‐negative patients. Patients who reported LOC had a lower incidence of abnormal neuroimaging.Interpretation:This study demonstrates that the methodology used to assign the diagnosis of a mild TBI in troops with complex combat‐related injuries is crucial to an accurate accounting. The detection of incipient mild TBI, based on an identification system that utilizes LOC as the principal diagnostic criterion to discern among patients with outcomes of interest, misclassifies patients whose LOC may not reflect actual brain injury. Attempts to identify high‐risk battlefield casualties within the current point‐of‐injury mild TBI case definition, which favors high sensitivity, will be at the expense of specificity. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:673–681
Diminished Th17 (not Th1) responses underlie multiple sclerosis disease abrogation after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Darlington Peter J. , Touil Tarik , Doucet Jean‐Sebastien , Gaucher Denis , Zeidan Joumana , Gauchat Dominique , Corsini Rachel , Kim Ho Jin , Duddy Martin , Jalili Farzaneh , Arbour Nathalie , Kebir Hania , Chen Jacqueline , Arnold Douglas L. , Bowman Marjorie , Antel Jack , Prat Alexandre , Freedman Mark S. , Atkins Harold , Sekaly Rafick , Cheynier Remi , Bar‐Or Amit ,   for the Canadian MS/BMT Study Group
Published: October 2012

ObjectiveTo define changes in phenotype and functional responses of reconstituting T cells in patients with aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with ablative chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).MethodsClinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging measures of disease activity were monitored serially in patients participating in the Canadian MS HSCT Study. Reconstitution kinetics of immune‐cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry, whereas thymic function was assessed using T‐cell receptor excision circle analyses as well as flow cytometry measurements of CD31+ recent thymic emigrants (RTEs). Functional assays were performed to track central nervous system–autoreactive antigen‐specific T‐cell responses, and the relative capacity to generate Th1, Th17, or Th1/17 T‐cell responses.ResultsComplete abrogation of new clinical relapses and new focal inflammatory brain lesions throughout the 2 years of immune monitoring following treatment was associated with sustained decrease in naive T cells, in spite of restoration of both thymic function and release of RTEs during reconstitution. Re‐emergence as well as in vivo expansion of autoreactive T cells to multiple myelin targets was evident in all patients studied. The reconstituted myelin‐specific T cells exhibited the same Th1 and Th2 responses as preablation myelin‐reactive T cells. In contrast, the post‐therapy T‐cell repertoire exhibited a significantly diminished capacity for Th17 responses.InterpretationOur results indicate that diminished Th17 and Th1/17 responses, rather than Th1 responses, are particularly relevant to the abrogation of new relapsing disease activity observed in this cohort of patients with aggressive MS following chemoablation and HSCT. ANN NEUROL 2013;73:341–354
Adsorption behavior and mechanism of 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene by functionalized polystyrene nanospheres
Authors: Zhang Yihe , Wang Xinyan , Lv Fengzhu , Chu Paul K. , Ye Zhengfang , Zhou Fengshan , Zhang Rui , Wei Fangfang 
Published: October 2012

Abstract3‐Methactyloxylpropyltrimethoxyl silane (KH‐570)‐modified polystyrene (PS) nanospheres and PS nanospheres were prepared and used to absorb 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene. The absorbed amount reached 2.81 mg/g for KH‐570‐modified PS nanospheres at 298 K and pH 6 when the initial 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluen concentration was 50 mg/L. The kinetic results showed that the pseudo‐second‐order model fit the two kinds of absorbents. The adsorption mechanism study revealed that the driving forces of adsorption were combined actions of Π–Π stacking interaction, hydrogen interaction, and hydrophobic interaction. The prepared nanospheres were reusable. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Thermo‐reversible healing in a crosslinked polymer network containing covalent and thermo‐reversible bonds
Authors: Khor Sarah P. , Varley Russell J. , Shen Shirley Z. , Yuan Qiang 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe self‐healing behavior of a modified ureido‐amide based thermoplastic hybrid elastomer was investigated by increasing the concentration of non‐reversible (covalent) bonds compared to reversible (hydrogen) bonds. A crosslinked polymer network was synthesized using varying amounts of diglycidylether of bisphenol A and reacting with the ureido‐amide thermoplastic. Increasing epoxy content produced a more rigid and thermally stable hybrid network, which in turn decreased overall thermo‐reversible or healing behavior. Fracture toughness recoveries varied from 25% for the system containing the greatest number of covalent bonds to well over 200% for systems containing higher thermoplastic content. Substantial levels of healing, about 62% recovery, were still achieved despite the crosslinked network having a Tg above room temperature, 31°C as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis was used to monitor thermo‐reversible behavior of the elastic moduli and thus probe molecular mobility within the glassy state. The extent and rate of recovery of the elastic modulus was dominated by the extent of thermal activation above the glass transition temperature. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic and DSC studies confirmed that reacting the thermoplastic with an epoxy resin produced a covalently bonded crosslinked network and the epoxide groups were completely consumed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Improvement of electrical conductivity with phase‐separation in polyolefin/multiwall carbon nanotube/polyethylene oxide composites
Authors: Miyazaki Kensuke , Okazaki Noriyasu , Nakatani Hisayuki 
Published: October 2012

AbstractElectrical conductivity developments of polypropylene (PP)/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) and polybutene (PB)/MWNT composites were carried out with polyethylene oxide (PEO) phase‐separation behavior for the polymeric materials. The low conductivity (8.47 × 10−8 S cm−1) of PP(98%)/MWNT (2%) was drastically increased up to 1.56 × 10−3 S cm−1 by only 2% PEO(96%)/MWNT(4%) loading. The drastic improvement originated from the formation of an electrical connector structure with the PEO/MWNT domain. The PB(93%)/MWNT(7%) conductivity was also improved by the PEO(92%)/MWNT(8%) loading although the conductivity improvement effect was lower than that of the PP/MWNT. The Raman spectra showed that the MWNT dispersity in the PB was poorer than that in the PP, resulting in the formation of a PEO/MWNT connector structure only at higher loading. In addition, a PEO/carbon black composite was able to produce the connector structure for the PP/MWNT as well as the PEO/MWNT. These results indicated that the highly conductive composites could be produced with smaller MWNT amounts. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Numerical approximations of fractional derivatives with applications
Authors: Pooseh Shakoor , Almeida Ricardo , Torres Delfim F. M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTwo approximations, derived from continuous expansions of Riemann–Liouville fractional derivatives into series involving integer order derivatives, are studied. Using those series, one can formally transform any problem that contains fractional derivatives into a classical problem in which only derivatives of integer order are present. Corresponding approximations provide useful numerical tools to compute fractional derivatives of functions. Application of such approximations to fractional differential equations and fractional problems of the calculus of variations are discussed. Illustrative examples show the advantages and disadvantages of each approximation.
Fractal analysis of extra‐embryonic vascularization in Japanese quail embryos exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields
Authors: Costa Edbhergue V.L. , Jimenez George C. , Barbosa Catão T.F. , Nogueira Romildo A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMagnetic fields (MF) can alter the dynamic behavior of vascular tissue and may have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on blood vessel growth. Fractal geometry has been used in several studies as a tool to describe the development of blood vascular networks. Due to its self‐similarity, irregularity, fractional dimension, and dependence on the scale of vessel dimensions, vascular networks can be taken as fractal objects. In this work, we calculated the fractal dimension by the methods of box counting (Dbc) and information dimension (Dinf) to evaluate the development of blood vessels of the yolk sac membrane (YSM) from quail embryos exposed to MF with a magnetic flux density of 1 mT and a frequency of 60 Hz. The obtained results showed that when the MF was applied to embryos aged between 48 and 72 h, in sessions of 2 h (6 h/day) and 3 h (9 h/day) with exposure intervals between 6 and 5 h, respectively, blood vascular formation was inhibited. Exposure sessions shorter than 2 h or longer than 3 h had no observable change on the vascular process. In contrast, the magnetic field had no observable change on the YSM vascular network for embryos aged between 72 and 96 h, irrespective of the exposure time. In conclusion, these results show a “window effect” regarding exposure time. Bioelectromagnetics 34:114–121, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Considerations in setting up and conducting epidemiologic studies of cancer in middle‐ and low‐income countries: the experience of a case–control study of inflammatory breast cancer in North Africa in the past 10 years
Authors: Soliman Amr S. , Schairer Catherine 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis article illustrates some issues we faced during our experience in conducting an epidemiologic case–control study of inflammatory breast cancer in North Africa. We expect that some of the questions we had to ask in order to address these issues might be helpful to others in setting up epidemiologic studies in developing regions. We describe our experience from different angles including the use of multiple sites to achieve adequate sample size, standardizing diagnosis of disease, identifying cancer cases at the time of diagnosis, control selection procedures, logistics of study implementation, questionnaire development and interviewing, biologic specimens, and procedures for protection of human subjects. We have developed a brief checklist to summarize important issues for conducting future epidemiologic studies in these or similar low‐ or middle‐income countries.
Synthesis of Stoichiometric and Bulk CrN through a Solid‐State Ion‐Exchange Reaction
Authors: Chen Miao , Wang Shanmin , Zhang Jianzhong , He Duanwei , Zhao Yusheng 
Published: October 2012

AbstractChromium mononitride (CrN) exhibits interesting magnetic, structural, and electronic properties for technological applications. Experimental reports on these properties are often inconsistent owing to differences in the degree of nonstoichiometry in CrNx. To date, the preparation of bulk and stoichiometric CrN has been challenging; most products are in the form of a thin film produced by non‐equilibrium processes, and are often nonstoichiometric and poorly crystallized. In this work, we formulated a solid‐state ion‐exchange route for the synthesis of CrN under high pressure. The final CrN product is phase‐pure, stoichiometric, and well‐crystallized in the bulk form. Near‐stoichiometric and well‐crystallized CrN can be synthesized using the same route at atmospheric pressure, making massive and industrial‐scale production technologically feasible. The successful synthesis of stoichiometric and bulk CrN is expected to open new opportunities in diverse areas of fundamental research.