bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of intraoral low‐level laser therapy on quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy
Authors: Oton‐Leite Angélica Ferreira , Corrêa de Castro Annelise Carrilho , Morais Marília Oliveira , Pinezi Juliana Castro Dourado , Leles Cláudio Rodrigues , Mendonça Elismauro Francisco 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundLow‐level laser therapy has been used to reduce complications of head and neck cancer treatment. The aim was to assess the impact of laser in the quality of life (QOL) of patients receiving radiotherapy.MethodsSixty outpatients were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The laser group received applications and the placebo group received sham laser. QOL was assessed using the University of Washington QOL questionnaire. A repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparisons of overall QOL scores and Mann–Whitney test compared changes in domain scores.ResultsA decrease in QOL scores was observed in both groups and the reduction in the laser group was significantly lower (p < .01). Changes in QOL scores regarding pain, chewing, and saliva domains were evident in the placebo group. Both health‐related QOL and overall QOL were rated higher by patients who received laser therapy.ConclusionLaser therapy reduces the impact of radiotherapy on the QOL of patients with head and neck cancer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Identification of the peripheral blood levels of interleukin‐12, interleukin‐10, and transforming growth factor‐β in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Günaydın Rıza Önder , Kesikli Sacit Altuğ , Kansu Emin , Hoşal Ali Şefik 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the biology of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to develop effective novel treatment modalities.MethodsSerum concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐10, IL‐12, and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) were evaluated in 50 patients with laryngeal SCC and 15 controls. Results were compared according to tumor‐node‐metastasis (TNM) classification criteria.ResultsIL‐12 and TGF‐β levels were not different between the early‐ and late‐stage patients and controls. Tumor classification or nodal involvement was not associated with IL‐12 and TGF‐β levels. Patients with laryngeal SCC had significantly more detectable serum IL‐10 levels than those of controls, given that IL‐10 could be detected in only 1 early‐stage and 9 late‐stage patients, but not in the control group (p = .003). IL‐10 was increasingly detectable with advanced T classification (p = .009) and nodal involvement (p = .008).ConclusionsSerum IL‐12 or TGF‐β levels were not affected with disease activity and classification; however, serum IL‐10 levels were correlated with both parameters. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Trends of persistent organic pollutants in the suspended matter of the River Rhine
Authors: Pohlert Thorsten , Hillebrand Gudrun , Breitung Vera 
Published: April 2011

AbstractRecently amended European (EU) water policies call for an adequate monitoring of the chemical status of sediments and suspended matter (SM) in rivers. In this study, we focus on long‐term time series of particle‐bound hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB‐138 and PCB‐153) that were monitored biweekly to monthly at eight stations in the River Rhine catchment. Our aims are (1) to detect trends in the concentration series HCB, PCB‐138 and PCB‐153, (2) to estimate the uncertainty of loads caused by SM collection techniques and load calculation procedures and (3) to detect trends in the subsequently calculated annual load series.HCB concentration in the SM for the period 1995–2008 significantly (p < 0·01) decreased at six of the eight monitoring stations. Decreasing PCB‐138 and PCB‐153 concentrations are significant at six of the eight and seven of the eight monitoring stations, respectively.A two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) that tested the effect of two collection techniques and four load calculation procedures on annual loads indicates homogeneity of the methods at four of the five monitoring stations. At Weil, only the loads of HCB, PCB‐138 and PCB‐153 are significantly affected by the collection technique.The trend analysis of an extended series (1985–2007) of annual HCB loads at Koblenz showed a significant decrease from about 110 kg year−1 to about 15–23 kg year−1; however, in the shorter period (1995–2007) only at two of the eight monitoring stations decreasing trends of annual contaminant load could be detected.We conclude that any of the tested load calculation procedures can be applied, as loads do no differ systematically. Although a high uncertainty in load estimation exists (e.g. maximum percentage error of E = [18·1, 122·5]% for HCB), the monitoring programme at the Rhine is adequate for analysing the long‐term chemical status of SM. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Excessive activity of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide 2 (APOBEC2) contributes to liver and lung tumorigenesis
Authors: Okuyama Shunsuke , Marusawa Hiroyuki , Matsumoto Tomonori , Ueda Yoshihide , Matsumoto Yuko , Endo Yoko , Takai Atsushi , Chiba Tsutomu 
Published: April 2011

AbstractApolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide 2 (APOBEC2) was originally identified as a member of the cytidine deaminase family with putative nucleotide editing activity. To clarify the physiologic and pathologic roles, and the target nucleotide of APOBEC2, we established an APOBEC2 transgenic mouse model and investigated whether APOBEC2 expression causes nucleotide alterations in host DNA or RNA sequences. Sequence analyses revealed that constitutive expression of APOBEC2 in the liver resulted in significantly high frequencies of nucleotide alterations in the transcripts of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma 2 (Eif4g2) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) genes. Hepatocellular carcinoma developed in 2 of 20 APOBEC2 transgenic mice at 72 weeks of age. In addition, constitutive APOBEC2 expression caused lung tumors in 7 of 20 transgenic mice analyzed. Together with the fact that the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor‐α induces ectopic expression of APOBEC2 in hepatocytes, our findings indicate that aberrant APOBEC2 expression causes nucleotide alterations in the transcripts of the specific target gene and could be involved in the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma through hepatic inflammation.
Evaluating Californian under‐age drunk driving laws: endogenous policy lags
Authors: Kuo Tzu‐Chun 
Published: April 2011

SUMMARYWhen evaluating the effectiveness of a policy, most studies assume that the policy effect begins with the date of enactment. However, there often exists an endogenous policy lag, due to information acquisition and the cost of adjustment. Meanwhile, the policy impact may be a gradual implementation from one level to another, instead of a one‐time shift behavior. To account for these issues when evaluating the Californian under‐age drunk driving laws, this paper adopts two econometric techniques: the multiple structural change methodology and the smooth transition method. The methods detect two effective policy changes and also reveal the existence of policy lags. In addition, ignoring these lags leads to severely biased estimates of policy effects. A long transition period is identified for the first under‐age drunk driving policy, while an abrupt transition is found for the other. In summary, the paper shows that the two econometric techniques complement each other and will be useful for policy evaluation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of 2′‐hydroxyl sampling on the conformational properties of RNA: Update of the CHARMM all‐atom additive force field for RNA
Authors: Denning Elizabeth J. , Priyakumar U. Deva , Nilsson Lennart , Mackerell Alexander D. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractHere, we present an update of the CHARMM27 all‐atom additive force field for nucleic acids that improves the treatment of RNA molecules. The original CHARMM27 force field parameters exhibit enhanced Watson‐Crick base pair opening which is not consistent with experiment, whereas analysis of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show the 2′‐hydroxyl moiety to almost exclusively sample the O3′ orientation. Quantum mechanical (QM) studies of RNA related model compounds indicate the energy minimum associated with the O3′ orientation to be too favorable, consistent with the MD results. Optimization of the dihedral parameters dictating the energy of the 2′‐hydroxyl proton targeting the QM data yielded several parameter sets, which sample both the base and O3′ orientations of the 2′‐hydroxyl to varying degrees. Selection of the final dihedral parameters was based on reproduction of hydration behavior as related to a survey of crystallographic data and better agreement with experimental NMR J‐coupling values. Application of the model, designated CHARMM36, to a collection of canonical and noncanonical RNA molecules reveals overall improved agreement with a range of experimental observables as compared to CHARMM27. The results also indicate the sensitivity of the conformational heterogeneity of RNA to the orientation of the 2′‐hydroxyl moiety and support a model whereby the 2′‐hydroxyl can enhance the probability of conformational transitions in RNA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Use of an intracoronary Doppler guidewire for evaluation of coronary hemodynamics in the porcine model of acute hibernating myocardium during dobutamine stress tests
Authors: Li Dongye , Pan Defeng , Xia Yong , Xu Wu , Qian Wenhao 
Published: April 2011

AbstractPurpose.To determine the coronary hemodynamic characteristics of acute hibernating myocardium (AHM), evaluate the changes in coronary hemodynamics during dobutamine infusion, and investigate the mechanisms by which dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) detects AHM.Methods.The porcine model of acute hibernating myocardium was created in 10 animals, all of which underwent DSE with doses of 0–40 μg/kg/min. Myocardial segments abnormality was used as a DSE criterion for evaluating AHM. An intracoronary Doppler guidewire was used to measure the coronary hemodynamics; electrocardiography and systemic hemodynamics were recorded simultaneously. The ischemic regions of myocardium were reperfused, and all variables were recorded. Finally, the animals were euthanized and pathologic changes in the heart tissue were documented.Results.There was no myocardium necrosis. There were 55 myocardial segments with abnormal DSE responses after stenosis, among which 41 segments were judged as AHM because of a biphasic response. Average peak velocity (APV) and coronary flow velocity reserve were improved during DSE. Coronary and systemic hemodynamics were increased during dobutamine infusion. There were significant differences for APV at all evaluated doses and for heart rate blood pressure product at higher doses. The difference between APV resting values and the values for peak dosage (ΔAPV) correlated with the amount of AHM during DSE. Coronary volume blood flow and coronary flow velocity reserve decreased after stenosis.Conclusions.ΔAPV may reflect the number of hibernating segments. The relative imbalance between blood supply and oxygen consumption in regional myocardium may be one of the mechanisms by which DSE detects AHM. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011;
Radiographically occult fracture of the tibial epiphysis: Sonographic findings with CT correlation
Authors: Pearce Tim , Cobby M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe report the case of a radiographically occult tibial fracture diagnosed sonographically and confirmed with CT. Ultrasound signs of cortical discontinuity and a three‐layered fluid accumulation in the deep infrapatellar bursa were demonstrated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
CMCD's lab draws on academics, automakers, and therapists to realize its own vision of excellence
Authors: Adams Jim , Graban Mark 
Published: April 2011

AbstractFocused on transforming the laboratory at Children's Medical Center Dallas into a learning organization, the lab's leaders looked beyond benchmarking to develop a customized approach—measured against their own ideal state—to achieve operational excellence. By applying lean principles, systems thinking, and family system theory; improving the facility's physical layout; and, most important, redefining the role between supervisors and staff workers, the lab has cut its turnaround times, improved service to patients and physicians, and evolved into a work environment that fosters personal and professional development. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Topical embryonic stem cells enhance wound healing in diabetic rats
Authors: Lee Keun‐Bae , Choi Jin , Cho Seong‐Beom , Chung Jae‐Yoon , Moon Eun‐Sun , Kim Nack‐Sung , Han Ho‐Jae 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe effects of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) on diabetic wound healing were investigated using an excisional skin wound model in 110 diabetes‐induced rats. We transplanted a clonal population of ESCs (5 × 106) by topical injection into full thickness skin wounds. Four study groups were used; nondiabetic rats as a control, non‐insulin controlled diabetic rats not treated with ESCs, insulin controlled diabetic rats not treated with ESCs, and insulin controlled diabetic rats treated with ESCs. Five rats in each experimental group were sacrificed on days 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 after wounding. Wounds images were acquired daily and wound sizes were calculated. We measured the mRNA levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and fibronectin levels in extracellular matrix, and assessed wound healing by assessing histological parameters of epidermal regeneration, granulation tissue thickness, and angiogenesis. In the ESC‐treated group, wound sizes were significantly smaller than in the insulin controlled diabetic group not treated with ESCs on days 5 and 10 (p < 0.05), and EGF and VEGF levels were markedly higher on days 5 and 10, fibronectin levels on day 5 after injection. All histological scores in the ESC‐treated group were significantly higher than those of the insulin controlled diabetic group on day 5 (p < 0.05). Our results shows that topical ESCs enhance diabetic wound healing during the early stage, and suggest that ESCs transplantation offers a novel therapeutic modality for the treatment of diabetic wounds. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1554–1562, 2011
Nitrate patch prevents steroid‐related bone necrosis
Authors: Drescher Wolf , Beckmann Rainer , Kasch Richard , Pufe Melanie , Knobe Matthias , Kweider Nisreen , Hassenpflug Joachim , Tingart Markus , Pufe Thomas , Kadyrov Mahmed 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAvascular necrosis of the femoral head is a common complication with disabling effect for young patients after high‐dose corticosteroid treatment. We could show that steroids have a vasoconstrictive effect on lateral epiphyseal arteries of the femoral head which could lead to ischemia and subsequent necrosis. In this study we investigated the preventive effect of a nitrate patch on steroid‐related bone necrosis in a rabbit model. New Zealand White rabbits (male; 3–4.5 kg bodyweight) were injected with 20 mg/kg bodyweight methylprednisolone (GC group; n = 6). Control animals (n = 6) were treated with phosphate‐buffered saline. A third group (GC + N; n = 6) additionally received a nitrate patch (0.675 mg/day). Four weeks after i.m. methylprednisolone injection the animals were sacrificed. For histology and immunohistochemistry, tissue samples were fixed in 3% paraformaldehyde, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, dewaxed, and stained with Ladewig. For quantification of empty lacunae, a histologic sign of FHN, histomorphometry was performed. Histomorphometry revealed a significant increase of empty lacunae in glucocorticoid‐treated animals compared to controls and GC + N‐treated animals. No significant difference in empty lacunae count was detected between the GC + N group and controls. HE staining revealed the different osteocyte amount in the GC versus GC and nitrate patch‐treated groups. This study demonstrates an increased number of empty osteocyte lacunae representing a pathologic feature of osteonecrosis, in the GC group. Less empty lacunae were counted in the GC animals after additional treatment with a nitrate patch. This finding suggests that nitrate co‐treatment has the potential to prevent steroid‐associated FHN. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1517–1520, 2011
A Simple Route to Rod‐Coil Block Copolymers of Oligo‐ and Polythiophenes with PMMA and Polystyrene
Authors: Antoun Tarek , Iraqi Ahmed , Kergoat Loïg , Miozzo Luciano , Yassar Abderrahim 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA simple and efficient approach for the preparation of rod‐coil block copolymers comprising oligo‐ and polythiophenes blocks together with PMMA or PS blocks is described. The block copolymers were prepared using a two‐step procedure. α,ω‐dicarboxy‐terminated oligothiophenes and carboxy terminated poly(3‐hexylthiophene) were first prepared. These were then reacted with P4S10 in a second step to generate the α,ω‐thioester terminated oligothiophenes and poly(3‐hexylthiophene)s which were subsequently used in a one‐pot reaction as RAFT polymerization agents with methylmethacrylate and styrene. The di‐ and tri‐block copolymers hence obtained were fully characterized, both in solution and as thin films.
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Neuropsychological functioning in Parkinson's disease: Differential relationships with self‐reported sleep‐wake disturbances
Authors: Naismith Sharon L. , Terpening Zoë , Shine James M. , Lewis Simon J.G. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackground:Sleep disturbance may represent a risk factor for the development of dementia in Parkinson's disease. However, prior studies exploring the association between specific sleep–wake disturbances and neuropsychological functions have been limited.Methods:In this study, 101 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease were assessed neurologically, underwent neuropsychological testing, and completed self‐report questionnaires covering nocturnal disturbance, excessive daytime sleepiness, and symptoms of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder.Results:Univariate correlations revealed differential patterns of neuropsychological performance in relation to nocturnal sleep disturbance, excessive daytime sleepiness, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. After controlling for potential confounders, excessive daytime sleepiness remained a significant predictor of slowed processing speed, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder predicted working memory and verbal fluency performance. The relationships between nocturnal sleep disturbance and memory appeared to be mediated by education.Conclusions:These findings highlight the critical role that specific sleep–wake disturbances in Parkinson's disease might have on neuropsychological functioning, which may reflect common neural underpinnings. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Spiral phyllotaxis: The natural way to construct a 3D radial trajectory in MRI
Authors: Piccini Davide , Littmann Arne , Nielles‐Vallespin Sonia , Zenge Michael O. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWhile radial 3D acquisition has been discussed in cardiac MRI for its excellent results with radial undersampling, the self‐navigating properties of the trajectory need yet to be exploited. Hence, the radial trajectory has to be interleaved such that the first readout of every interleave starts at the top of the sphere, which represents the shell covering all readouts. If this is done sub‐optimally, the image quality might be degraded by eddy current effects, and advanced density compensation is needed. In this work, an innovative 3D radial trajectory based on a natural spiral phyllotaxis pattern is introduced, which features optimized interleaving properties: (1) overall uniform readout distribution is preserved, which facilitates simple density compensation, and (2) if the number of interleaves is a Fibonacci number, the interleaves self‐arrange such that eddy current effects are significantly reduced. These features were theoretically assessed in comparison with two variants of an interleaved Archimedean spiral pattern. Furthermore, the novel pattern was compared with one of the Archimedean spiral patterns, with identical density compensation, in phantom experiments. Navigator‐gated whole‐heart coronary imaging was performed in six healthy volunteers. High reduction of eddy current artifacts and overall improvement in image quality were achieved with the novel trajectory. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modelling and direct measurement of the density of states in GaAsN
Authors: Vaughan M. P. , Fahy S. , O'Reilly E. P. , Ivanova L. , Eisele H. , Dähne M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe density of states for a GaAsN sample with a nitrogen concentration of x = 1.2% is determined experimentally via scanning tunnelling spectroscopy. These data are modelled using the linear combination of isolated nitrogen states (LCINS) model within a Greens function framework. Extrinsic thermal and modulation broadening effects due to the measurement process are also incorporated. Excellent agreement to the experimental data is obtained without arbitrary fitting parameters, providing confirmation of the influence of isolated N and N–N pair states on the conduction band dispersion of GaAsN.
Co-occurrence of anxiety and depression amongst older adults in low- and middle-income countries: findings from the 10/66 study
Authors: Prina A. M. , Ferri C. P. , Guerra M. , Brayne C. , Prince M. 
Published: April 2011

BackgroundThere is relative little information about the prevalence and risk factors of co-morbid anxiety and depression in later life. These disorders are often associated with worse response to treatment than either condition alone, and researching their epidemiology in diverse settings is vital to policy makers. We therefore investigated the co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive syndromes amongst older adults living in developing countries and measured the separate and joint effect of these two disorders on levels of associated disability.MethodThe 10/66 study carried out cross-cultural surveys of all residents aged 65 years or over (n=15021) in 11 sites in seven countries (People's Republic of China, India, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico and Peru). Anxiety was measured by using the Geriatric Mental State Examination and the Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy diagnostic system. Depression was assessed according to International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) and EURO-D criteria. Disability was measured by using the World Health Organization's Disablement Assessment Scale Version II. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were used to investigate the association of common mental disorders and disability.ResultsThe prevalence of co-occurring anxiety and depression (with the exclusion of subthreshold disorders) ranged between 0.9% and 4.2% across sites. Gender, socio-economic status, urbanicity and physical co-morbidities were associated with the different co-morbid states. Having both disorders was linked to higher disability scores than having anxiety or depression alone.ConclusionsGiven the close association of co-morbid anxiety and depression with disability, new policies to improve prevention, recognition and treatment will be needed to adapt to ageing populations and their mental health needs.