bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social competence and empathy in young children with cochlear implants and with normal hearing
Authors: Ketelaar Lizet , Rieffe Carolien , Wiefferink Carin H. , Frijns Johan H.M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectives:To examine the levels of social competence and empathic behavior in children with cochlear implants in comparison with normal‐hearing children, and to determine whether empathy predicts social competence to the same extent in both groups of children.Study design:Retrospective cohort study.Methods:A total of 150 children (mean age 39 months) participated in the study; 61 with cochlear implants and 89 without hearing loss. Parent reports and observation measures were employed to measure empathy and social competence.Results:Levels of empathy and social competence in children with cochlear implants and normal‐hearing children were similar. Empathic behaviors were predictive of social competence in both groups alike. Emotion acknowledgment was more predictive of social competence for children with cochlear implants than for normal‐hearing children. Language skills were unrelated to social competence or empathic behaviors in children with cochlear implants.Conclusions:Children with cochlear implants showed no delay concerning social competence or empathic behavior. The factors contributing to social competence, however, differed between the groups. This should be kept in mind when developing rehabilitation programs for children with cochlear implants.
Synchronous, primary, diffuse, large b‐cell lymphomas involving the ethmoid sinus and epiglottis: A rare clinical entity
Authors: Yoon Young‐Ho , Park Won‐Young , Choi Young‐Jin , Cho Kyu‐Sup 
Published: September 2012

AbstractNon‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) affecting the ethmoid sinus and epiglottis is uncommon. Furthermore, synchronous NHLs involving the ethmoid sinus and epiglottis are extremely rare and have not been reported previously. This article reports synchronous, primary, diffuse, large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) arising in the ethmoid sinus and epiglottis, which was successfully treated by immunochemotherapy. A careful examination of the head and neck is necessary to determine the existence of multiple synchronous primary tumors, because primary synchronous occurrence of DLBCL in the head and neck is unusual and can impact the prognosis adversely. Laryngoscope, 2013
Recent Progress in Polymer White Light‐Emitting Materials and Devices
Authors: Tang Chao , Liu Xu‐Dong , Liu Feng , Wang Xu‐Liang , Xu Hui , Huang Wei 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn this paper, recent progress in polymer white light‐emitting materials and devices published until April 2012 was reviewed according to the kinds of the materials and devices. The polymer light‐emitting materials were reviewed by the classification of small‐molecule‐doped polymer type, polymer blend type, polymer doped small molecule type, molecule‐dispersed polymer type, dye‐terminated polymer type, and excimer white EL polymer type. The polymer light‐emitting devices were reviewed by the classification of fabricating PWLED through the multilayer device and improving efficiency through the multilayer device. The relationship between the structures of materials or devices and properties was the main content during review. At last, some scientific problems and developing trends on PWLED are discussed.
Mesh‐Like Vesicles Formed From Blends of Poly(4‐vinyl pyridine)‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) Block Copolymers via Gradual Blending Method
Authors: Yan Nan , Yang Xiaoping , Zhu Yutian , Xu Jiangping , Sheng Yuping 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn this study, we developed a novel blending strategy, namely, the gradual blending method, to tune the micellar structure. Different from the most commonly used premixing blending method, which different block copolymers are premixed in a common solvent before their individual self‐assembly, the gradual blending method involves gradually adding one type of block copolymer into the pre‐generated micellar solution formed from another type of block copolymer. Moreover, we obtained a novel mesh‐like vesicle from the self‐assembly of the mixtures of P4VP43‐b‐PS260‐b‐P4VP43 and P4VP43‐b‐PS366‐b‐P4VP43 in 1,4‐dioxane/water solution using the gradual blending method.
Toward Mass Producible Ordered Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Kim Taeyong , Yoon Hyunsik , Song Hyung‐Jun , Haberkorn Niko , Cho Younghyun , Sung Seung Hyun , Lee Chang Hee , Char Kookheon , Theato Patrick 
Published: September 2012

AbstractA strategy to fabricate nanostructured poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films for organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells by a direct transfer method from a reusable soft replica mold is presented. The flexible polyfluoropolyether (PFPE) replica mold allows low‐pressure and low‐ temperature process condition for the successful transfer of nanostructured P3HT films onto PEDOT/PSS‐coated ITO substrates. To reduce the fabrication cost of masters in large area, we employed well‐ordered anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as a template. Also, we provide a method to fabricate reversed nanostructures by exploiting the self‐replication of replica molds. The concept of the transfer method in low temperature with a flexible and reusable replica mold obtained from an AAO template will be a firm foundation for a low‐cost fabrication process of ordered OPVs.
MALDI TOF MS profiling of bacteria at the strain level: A review
Authors: Sandrin Todd R. , Goldstein Jason E. , Schumaker Stephanie 
Published: September 2012

AbstractSince the advent of the use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) as a tool for microbial characterization, efforts to increase the taxonomic resolution of the approach have been made. The rapidity and efficacy of the approach have suggested applications in counter‐bioterrorism, prevention of food contamination, and monitoring the spread of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria. Strain‐level resolution has been reported with diverse bacteria, using library‐based and bioinformatics‐enabled approaches. Three types of characterization at the strain level have been reported: strain categorization, strain differentiation, and strain identification. Efforts to enhance the library‐based approach have involved sample pre‐treatment and data reduction strategies. Bioinformatics approaches have leveraged the ever‐increasing amount of publicly available genomic and proteomic data to attain strain‐level characterization. Bioinformatics‐enabled strategies have facilitated strain characterization via intact biomarker identification, bottom‐up, and top‐down approaches. Rigorous quantitative and advanced statistical analyses have fostered success at the strain level with both approaches. Library‐based approaches can be limited by effects of sample preparation and culture conditions on reproducibility, whereas bioinformatics‐enabled approaches are typically limited to bacteria, for which genetic and/or proteomic data are available. Biological molecules other than proteins produced in strain‐specific manners, including lipids and lipopeptides, might represent other avenues by which strain‐level resolution might be attained. Immunological and lectin‐based chemistries have shown promise to enhance sensitivity and specificity. Whereas the limits of the taxonomic resolution of MALDI TOF MS profiling of bacteria appears bacterium‐specific, recent data suggest that these limits might not yet have been reached. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 32:188–217, 2013
An algorithm for constructing a pseudo‐Jacobi matrix from given spectral data
Authors: Bebiano N. , Furtado S. , da Providência J. 
Published: September 2012

SUMMARYThe main purpose of this paper is the extension of the classical spectral direct and inverse analysis of Jacobi matrices for the non‐self‐adjoint setting. Matrices of this class appear in the context of non‐Hermitian quantum mechanics. The reconstruction of a pseudo‐Jacobi matrix from its spectrum and the spectra of two complementary principal matrices is investigated in the context of indefinite inner product spaces. An existence and uniqueness theorem is given, and a strikingly simple algorithm, based on the Euclidean division algorithm, to reconstruct the matrix from the spectral data is presented. A result of Friedland and Melkman stating a necessary and sufficient condition for a real sequence to be the spectrum of a non‐negative Jacobi matrix is revisited and generalized. Namely, it is shown that a suitable set of prescribed eigenvalues defines a unique non‐negative pseudo‐Jacobi matrix, which is J‐Hermitian for a fixed J. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skeletal and Surgical Evidence for Acute Osteomyelitis in Non‐Adult Individuals
Authors: Santos A. L. , Suby J. A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractOsteomyelitis is a non‐specific infection of the bone and bone marrow. In the past acute osteomyelitis (AO) led to high mortality especially in non‐adults. Nevertheless, its diagnosis in archaeological populations is rare. Documented individuals with known cause of death offer a unique opportunity to study this condition. This article aims to describe the bone lesions in non‐adults diagnosed with AO at the Coimbra University Hospital (CUH) and now belonging to the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (CISC). Moreover, mortality rates and demographic profiles for individuals aged ≤18 years old and diagnosed with AO in the CUH, between 1923 and 1929, were also determined. The 5 (1%) non‐adults in the CISC with AO listed as cause of death were selected for this study, and their bones were analysed macroscopically and radiologically. The skeletal remains of one individual revealed a small area of new bone formation in the shaft of the left femur. Radiography of this bone showed a radio‐opaque area in the diaphysis. The other four individuals show evidence of surgical treatment, responsible for many cases of disability in the past. In the 7‐year period under analysis, 122 juveniles were diagnosed with osteomyelitis and admitted for surgery at the CUH, 43 (35.2%) of which were diagnosed with AO. Sixty‐five per cent of the cases of AO occurred between the ages of 8 and 15 years, with boys twice as frequently affected as girls, and lower limb bones were involved in 91% of AO cases. AO was responsible for 76.9% of the deaths. This study of pre‐antibiotic non‐adults may help to recognize skeletal signs of AO and their surgical treatment in unidentified skeletal remains. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term outcomes of Group D eyes in bilateral retinoblastoma patients treated with chemoreduction and low‐dose IMRT salvage
Authors: Berry Jesse L. , Jubran Rima , Kim Jonathan W. , Wong Kenneth , Bababeygy Simon R. , Almarzouki Hashem , Lee Thomas C. , Murphree A. Linn 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate outcomes of Group D eyes of bilateral retinoblastoma patients treated with primary chemoreduction and external beam radiation as salvage.ProcedureRetrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma and designated Group D in at least one eye from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2009. Overall, 62 Group D eyes of 49 patients were included; 13 had bilateral Group D disease. Primary chemoreduction with vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin with local consolidation was administered, followed by external beam radiation in the form of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as salvage for recurrent tumor. Primary outcome measure was globe salvage.ResultsOf 62 Group D eyes, 7 were enucleated primarily; 55 were treated with systemic chemoreduction, and local therapy. Chemoreduction cured 26 of 55 eyes (47%). Recurrences were found in 29 eyes; 5 underwent enucleation and 24 were treated with IMRT at a dose of 24 Gy (2 eyes) or 36 Gy (22 eyes). Of the 24 irradiated eyes, 19 (79%) were salvaged and 5 required enucleation. Final visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to light perception with 10 eyes having 20/80 or better visual acuity. Average follow‐up was 54.2 months.ConclusionKaplan–Meier estimates of eye survival of Group D eyes in bilateral patients at 12 months is 82% (95% confidence interval [CI] 70.1–89.7%); at 60 months eye survival is estimated to be 68% (95% confidence interval [CI] 55.4–82.8%). Systemic treatment for retinoblastoma demonstrated a high rate of globe preservation with acceptable complications and many eyes retaining functional vision. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 688–693. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bioassay‐guided Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Cyclooxygenase‐2 Inhibiting Substances in Plantago major L.
Authors: Stenholm Å. , Göransson U. , Bohlin L. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTIntroductionSelective extraction of plant materials is advantageous for obtaining extracts enriched with desired constituents, thereby reducing the need for subsequent chromatography purification. Such compounds include three cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitory substances in Plantago major L. targeted in this investigation: α‐linolenic acid (α‐LNA) (18:3 ω‐3) and the triterpenic acids ursolic acid and oleanolic acid.ObjectiveTo investigate the scope for tuning the selectivity of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using bioassay guidance, and Soxhlet extraction with dichloromethane as solvent as a reference technique, to optimise yields of these substances.MethodExtraction parameters were varied to optimise extractsʼ COX‐2/COX‐1 inhibitory effect ratios. The crude extracts were purified initially using a solid phase extraction (SPE) clean‐up procedure and the target compounds were identified with GC‐MS, LC‐ESI‐MS and LC‐ESI‐MS2 using GC‐FID for quantification.Resultsα‐LNA was preferentially extracted in dynamic mode using unmodified carbon dioxide at 40°C and 172 bar, at a 0.04% (w/w) yield with a COX‐2/COX‐1 inhibitory effect ratio of 1.5. Ursolic and oleanolic acids were dynamically extracted at 0.25% and 0.06% yields, respectively, with no traces of (α‐LNA) and a COX‐2/COX‐1‐inhibitory effect ratio of 1.1 using 10% (v/v) ethanol as polar modifier at 75°C and 483 bar. The Soxhlet extracts had ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and αLNA yields up to 1.36%, 0.34% and 0.15%, respectively, with a COX‐2/COX‐1 inhibitory effect ratio of 1.2.ConclusionThe target substances can be extracted selectively by bioassay guided optimisation of SFE conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Human Osteoblast Cultures
Authors: Barnaba Simona , Papalia Rocco , Ruzzini Laura , Sgambato Alessandro , Maffulli Nicola , Denaro Vincenzo 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground and PurposeExogenous electromagnetic fields (EMFs) affect bone metabolism, but the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are unclear. Pulsed EMFs (PEMFs) can be effective in the management of congenital pseudarthrosis or delayed union or non‐union of fractures. We investigated the effects of PEMFs used in clinical practice on human osteoblast cultures.MethodsPrimary osteoblastic cells were isolated from a human femoral head. Cultures were exposed to the PEMF stimulation for 72 hours, 7 and 10 days and compared with a control group of primary osteoblastic cells non‐exposed to PEMF. Cell growth and alkaline phosphatase activity were evaluated in the osteoblast cell cultures at each observation time.ResultsAt each observation time, the differences in cell numbers between PEMF‐exposed cells and control group were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The alkaline phosphatase‐specific activity of PEMF‐exposed osteoblast cultures showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase when compared with the control group after 7 and 10 days of exposure.ConclusionsThe application of PEMF stimulation on human osteoblasts accelerates cellular proliferation when compared with a control group of non‐PEMF‐exposed cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional p53 determines docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Liu Chengfei , Zhu Yezi , Lou Wei , Nadiminty Nagalakshmi , Chen Xinbin , Zhou Qinghua , Shi Xu Bao , deVere White Ralph W. , Gao Allen C. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDDocetaxel is the first line treatment for castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, docetaxel resistance rapidly develops. Identifying the critical mechanisms giving rise to docetaxel resistance is the major challenge in advanced prostate cancer.METHODSThe effects of docetaxel on human DU145, PC3, LNCaP, and C4‐2 prostate cancer cells were examined in cell culture, and p53 expression were analyzed by Western blot analysis. The potential role of p53 in docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer cells was tested by either p53 silencing using shRNA or p53 overexpression by introducing wild‐type p53.RESULTSWe found that DU145 (mutant p53) and PC3 (p53 null) cells were less sensitive than LNCaP and C4‐2 cells expressing functional p53 in response to docetaxel. Docetaxel treatment induces considerably higher apoptosis in LNCaP and C4‐2 cells than in DU145 and PC3 cells in a dose dependent manner. Docetaxel increases the levels of ser15 phosphorylation of p53 in a dose dependent manner in both LNCaP and C4‐2 cells, while has no effect on the levels of ser15 phosphorylation of p53 in DU145 cells. These results suggest that p53 phosphorylation is associated with docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer cells. To further confirm whether p53 activation can induce cell sensitivity to docetaxel treatment, we used p53 shRNA to knock down p53 expression in C4‐2 cells and determined the cells response to docetaxel treatment. Knockdown of p53 significantly down regulated p53 phosphorylation and blocked docetaxel induced apoptotic cell death compared to the vector control. To further confirm this observation, we established a stable knock out p53 in C4‐2 cells. Down regulation of p53 in the stable p53 knock out C4‐2 cells significantly inhibited docetaxel induced apoptotic cell death. We also used wild‐type (WT) p53 to over express p53 in DU145 cells, and found that expression of WT‐p53 in DU145 cells increased their sensitivity to docetaxel.CONCLUSIONSThese results demonstrate that docetaxel induces p53 phosphorylation and that p53 status is a crucial determinant of docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer cells. Prostate 73: 418–427, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fungicide resistance status in French populations of the wheat eyespot fungi Oculimacula acuformis and Oculimacula yallundae
Authors: Leroux Pierre , Gredt Michel , Remuson Florent , Micoud Annie , Walker Anne‐Sophie 
Published: September 2012

AbstractEyespot, caused by Oculimacula acuformis and Oculimacula yallundae, is the major foot disease of winter wheat in several European countries, including France. It can be controlled by chemical treatment between tillering and the second node stage. The fungicides used include antimicrotubule toxicants (benzimidazoles), inhibitors of sterol 14α‐demethylation (DMIs) or of succinate dehydrogenase (SDHIs), the anilinopyrimidines cyprodinil and the benzophenone metrafenone. Since the early 1980s, a long‐term survey has been set up in France to monitor changes in the sensitivity of eyespot populations to fungicides. Resistance to benzimidazoles has become generalised since the early 1990s, in spite of the withdrawal of this class of fungicides. In the DMI group, resistance to triazoles is generalised, whereas no resistance to the triazolinethione prothioconazole has yet developed. Resistance to the imidazole prochloraz evolved successively in O. acuformis and O. yallundae and is now well established. Specific resistance to cyprodinil has also been detected, but its frequency has generally remained low. Finally, since the early 2000s, a few strains of O. yallundae displaying multidrug resistance (MDR) have been detected. These strains display low levels of resistance to prothioconazole and SDHIs, such as boscalid. Knowledge of the spatiotemporal distribution in France of O. acuformis and O. yallundae field strains resistant to fungicides allows resistance management strategies for eyespot fungi in winter wheat to be proposed.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Synergistic larvicidal effect and morphological alterations induced by ethanolic extracts of Annona muricata and Piper nigrum against the dengue fever vector Aedes aegypti
Authors: Grzybowski Adelia , Tiboni Marcela , Silva Mário AN , Chitolina Rodrigo F , Passos Maurício , Fontana José D 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundPhytopesticide combinations of different botanical sources are seldom reported. Annona muricata seed and Piper nigrum fruit ethanolic extracts enriched in acetogenins and piperamides, respectively, were synergistically used as larvicides against the dengue fever vector Aedes aegypti.ResultsIndividual bioassays of A. muricata and P. nigrum indicated respective LC50 values of 93.48 and 1.84 µg mL‐1 against third‐instar larvae. Five combinations of different proportions of plant extracts pointed to synergism between the extracts. The best A. muricata:P. nigrum extract combination was 90:10, which showed 5.12 times the amount of synergism, as confirmed by statistical equations and total concentration log versus combination proportions. Concerning the morphology, A. muricata caused larvae body elongation, mainly in the abdomen, along with the appearance of a cervix. Conversely, P. nigrum induced abdomen and whole body shortening. The morphological effects of A. muricata were prevalent in all of the combinations tested, irrespective of its proportion in the combination.ConclusionIt is suggested that the different mechanisms of action of the larvicidal actives A. muricata acetogenins and P. nigrum piperamides explain the observed synergism. The combination of inexpensive botanicals and a low‐cost organosolvent such as ethanol leads to a simple and efficient phytolarvicidal formulation.
The toxic effect of chitosan/metal‐impregnated textile to synanthropic mites
Authors: Rahel Jozef , Jonasova Eva , Nesvorna Marta , Klubal Radek , Erban Tomas , Hubert Jan 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundPlasma treatment enables effective binding of chitosan film to textile fibres. Heavy metal ions such as Ag+ adsorbed onto the chitosan coating are known to enhance toxicity to microorganisms. The acaricidal effect of chitosan and chitosan/metal adducts with Ag+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ was tested in laboratory experiments. Tested species Acarus siro, Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus and Tyrophagus putrescentiae are allergen producers and important pests in house dust, stored food and feed. The mortality was compared after 24 h of exposure of mites to plasma‐treated textiles.ResultsChitosan/Ag+ textile caused at least 80% mortality of all species tested. Chitosan/Zn2+ and chitosan/Cu2+ textiles had a smaller effect on mite mortality than chitosan/Ag+. The conversion of chitosan/Ag+ finishing to chitosan/Ag2O did not influence the mortality of mites in biotests, except that of Tyrophagus putrescentiae, where the mortality decreased from 86 to 64%.ConclusionThe results support a great potential of chitosan/Ag+ fibres in acaricidal materials and/or mite protective food packages. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry