bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skill in Interviewing Reduces Confirmation Bias
Authors: Powell Martine B. , Hughes‐Scholes Carolyn H. , Sharman Stefanie J. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractInterviewers given prior information are biassed to seek it from interviewees. We examined whether the detrimental impact of this confirmation bias in terms of leading question use was moderated by interviewers' demonstrated ability to adhere to open questions. We classified interviewers' adherence as ‘good’ or ‘poor’ in an independent interview before they interviewed children about a staged event. Half the interviewers were given biassing true and false information about the event; half were given no information. As predicted, only poor interviewers showed the effect of bias. Poor interviewers asked fewer open questions in the biassed condition than the non‐biassed condition; good interviewers asked the same (high) proportion of open questions in both conditions. Poor interviewers asked more leading questions in the biassed condition than the non‐biassed condition; good interviewers asked the same (low) proportion of leading questions in both conditions. These results demonstrate that interviewers' skill in adhering to open questions reduces the detrimental impact of confirmation bias on question type. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A case‐control comparison of lingual tonsillar size in children with and without down syndrome
Authors: Sedaghat Ahmad R. , Flax‐Goldenberg Renee B. , Gayler Bob W. , Capone George T. , Ishman Stacey L. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Lingual tonsillar hypertrophy is a common cause of persistent obstructive sleep apnea following adenotonsillectomy in the pediatric population and may be more prevalent in patients with Down syndrome (DS). We sought to quantify lingual tonsil size in pediatric DS patients and compare these findings to those of nonsyndromic children using cervical spine (c‐spine) radiographs.Study Design:Case control study.Methods:Retrospective review of c‐spine radiographs from 105 pediatric DS patients and 89 age‐ and gender‐matched non‐DS controls was conducted. Films performed for possible airway compromise or trauma were excluded. Lingual tonsil size and narrowest lumen diameter of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx were measured.Results:Radiographically identifiable lingual tonsillar tissue was identified in 34% of children with DS and 30% of controls (P = .21); lingual tonsillar hypertrophy (≥10 mm) was seen in 5% and 0% respectively (P = .074). Nasopharyngeal diameter was smaller in patients with DS compared to controls (5.2 mm vs. 6.3 mm, P = .026), whereas lingual tonsil size was significantly larger in DS patients (2.1 mm vs. 0.8 mm, P = .0008). In multivariate analysis, lingual tonsil size was positively correlated with increasing age in the DS population (r = 0.38, P < .0001) but not in controls.Conclusions:Lingual tonsillar enlargement is more common in patients with DS than in controls, with an increased prevalence in older DS patients. C‐spine radiographs are routinely carried out in these children and appear to be useful in identifying lingual tonsillar hypertrophy. Further trials should be carried out to compare c‐spine findings and physical exam or magnetic resonance imaging to validate this method of evaluation.
Balloon dilation of the eustachian tube in a cadaver model: Technical considerations, learning curve, and potential barriers
Authors: McCoul Edward D. , Singh Ameet , Anand Vijay K. , Tabaee Abtin 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:The surgical management options for eustachian tube dysfunction have historically been limited. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the technical considerations, learning curve, and potential barriers for balloon dilation of the eustachian tube (BDET) as an alternative treatment modality.Study Design:Prospective preclinical trial of BDET in a cadaver model.Methods:A novel balloon catheter device was used for eustachian tube dilation. Twenty‐four BDET procedures were performed by three independent rhinologists with no prior experience with the procedure (eight procedures per surgeon). The duration and number of attempts of the individual steps and overall procedure were recorded. Endoscopic examination of the eustachian tube was performed after each procedure, and the surgeon was asked to rate the subjective difficulty on a five‐point scale.Results:Successful completion of the procedure occurred in each case. The overall mean duration of the procedure was 284 seconds, and a mean number of 1.15 attempts were necessary to perform the individual steps. The mean subjective procedure difficulty was noted as somewhat easy. Statistically shorter duration and subjectively easier procedure were noted in the second compared to the first half of the series, indicating a favorable learning curve. Linear fissuring within the eustachian tube lumen without submucosal disruption (nine procedures, 37%) and with submucosal disruption (five procedures, 21%) were noted. The significance of these physical findings is unclear.Conclusions:Preclinical testing of BDET is associated with favorable duration, learning curve, and overall ease of completion. Clinical trials are necessary to evaluate safety and efficacy. Laryngoscope, 2012
Normative diameters and effects of aging on the cochlear and facial nerves in normal‐hearing Korean ears using 3.0‐tesla magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Kang Woo Seok , Hyun Sang Min , Lim Hyun Kyung , Shim Byoung Soo , Cho Jae Hyeong , Lee Kwang‐Sun 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To assess the normative size of the cochlear nerve (CN) and facial nerve (FN) in normal‐hearing ears and to determine whether nerve size varies with age.Study Design:Cross‐sectional.Methods:We included 169 ears with normal hearing between 2005 and 2010. The height, width, and cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the CN and FN in the middle of the internal auditory canal were measured on oblique sagittal images of 3.0‐T magnetic resonance imaging. Results were compared by age. Young subjects were divided into three age groups, 0–5, 6–10, and 11–15 years. Subjects over age 40 years were divided into groups at 10‐year intervals.Results:Mean age was 32.6 years (range, 0.75–79 years). We found that the CN had significantly greater vertical (1.10 ± 0.21 mm vs. 0.95 ± 0.21 mm) and horizontal (1.11 ± 0.20 mm vs. 1.03 ± 0.22 mm) diameters than the FN. The CSA of the CN was larger than that of the FN (0.98 ± 0.33 mm2 vs. 0.79 ± 0.31 mm2). Except for the CN vertical diameter, there were no significant differences between right and left ears. Sex did not affect the nerve size. Although the CN was not affected by age, the FN vertical diameter and CSA of children <5 years were significantly smaller than those of children aged >5 years. The size of the two nerves did not differ among groups over age 40 years.Conclusions:The CN is not affected by age in normal‐hearing ears. The FN vertical diameter and CSA of children <5 years are smaller than those of older children.
Investigation of the cochlear effects of intratympanic steroids administered following acoustic trauma
Authors: Ozdogan Fatih , Ensari Serdar , Cakir Ozgur , Ozcan Kursat Murat , Koseoglu Sabri , Ozdas Talih , Gurgen Seren Gulsen , Dere Huseyin 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To electrophysiologically and histomorphologically demonstrate the effects of intratympanic corticosteroids administered following an acoustic trauma on cochlear hair cells.Methods:The trial was performed on 16 Wistar albino rats. The rats underwent distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) measurement before the acoustic trauma, and subsequently rats were exposed to noise. Following acoustic trauma, the otoacoustic emission measurement was repeated. The rats were divided into two groups, a study group and a control group. The study rats were injected with methylprednisolone via the intratympanic route throughout the study. In the control group, the rats were injected daily with saline. After performing repeated otoacoustic emission measurements, one rat in each of the groups was sacrificed and their cochleae isolated.Results:The histological investigation performed after the 1st week revealed a statistically significantly higher rate of apoptotic cells in the inner and particularly the outer hair cells of the rat cochleae in the control group compared to the study group. Early measurement of DPOAE within the 1st week demonstrated significantly better amplitudes in the study group compared to controls. The otoacoustic emission assessment performed on the 14th day demonstrated statistically similar DPOAE values between the two groups.Conclusions:Intratympanic methylprednisolone injection administered following an acoustic trauma appears to reduce cochlear outer hair cell loss. The impact on hearing loss is less certain. Early measurement of DPOAE within the 1st week shows significantly better amplitudes in the study group compared to controls. However at 2 weeks, there is no statistically significant difference in DPOAE amplitudes between the study and control group. Laryngoscope, 2012
Frontal sinus osteoma removal with the ultrasonic bone aspirator
Authors: Ehieli Eric , Chu Jaemi , Gordin Eli , Pribitkin Edmund A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractOsteomas, the most common skull tumors, are typically excised through either an open or endoscopic ostectomy using a high‐speed drill, a technically challenging procedure that can result in injury to adjacent soft tissue structures. Osteoma removal through ultrasonic bone emulsification and aspiration (UBA) offers the advantages of decreased blood loss, preservation of adjacent soft tissue structures, and precise bone removal. UBA was used to successfully remove a forehead osteoma without injury to adjacent nerves and with a satisfactory cosmetic outcome. We describe skull osteoma removal with an ultrasonic bone aspirator, which offers potential advantages over conventional bone removal techniques. Laryngoscope, 2012
How does measured olfactory function correlate with self‐ratings of the sense of smell in patients with nasal polyposis?
Authors: Nguyen Duc Trung , Nguyen‐Thi Phi‐Linh , Jankowski Roger 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:The objectives of this study were to investigate correlations, before and after surgery, between olfactory function self‐ratings and measurements, and self‐ratings of nasal obstruction and smell; and to establish cutoff points of self‐rating scores for smell reduction in patients with nasal polyposis (NP).Study Design:Prospective study.Methods:A total of 80 patients with NP (36 women, 44 men; aged 49 ± 4 years) were enrolled. Self‐ratings (0‐ to 10‐point scale) and measurements of olfactory function with standardized Sniffin' Sticks odor threshold and identification tests were assessed 1 day before surgery, and at 6 weeks (26–78 days) and 7 months (132–318 days) after surgery. Relationships were studied with Spearman correlation coefficients. Cutoff points of self‐rating scores for olfactory deficit were established using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results:Overall, olfactory function self‐ratings and measurements correlated strongly preoperatively (r = −0.66, P < .0001) and postoperatively (r = −0.67 at 6 weeks and −0.66 at 7 months, P < .0001). This relationship was better in patients with previous surgery. The correlation was weaker before surgery (r = −0.35, P = .01) than after in hyposmic/anosmic patients (r = −0.74, P < .0001 at 6 weeks and r = −0.73, P = .0002 at 7 months) and was not found in normosmic patients. Self‐ratings of nasal patency and smell were not correlated when two complaints were dissociated. Cutoff points of self‐rating scores for smell reduction were nine units preoperatively and five units postoperatively.Conclusions:Self‐ratings and measurements of olfactory function correlated well before and after surgery in NP patients with olfactory deficits. Self‐ratings were not reliable pre‐ and postoperatively in normosmic patients.
Effects of magnetic fields on the dynamic characteristics of wide parallel step slider bearings with electrically conducting fluids
Authors: Lin Jaw‐Ren , Lu Rong‐Fang , Hung Tzu‐Chen , Liang Long‐Jin 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTBy the use of electrically conducting fluids as lubricants together with the application of externally magnetic fields, the dynamic lubrication problems of parallel step slider bearings lubricated with a nonconducting fluid are extended in this paper. A closed‐form solution has been derived for the magneto‐hydrodynamic characteristics of wide parallel step slider bearings. Comparing with the bearing lubricated with nonconducting fluids, the magneto‐hydrodynamic parallel step slider bearings signify an improvement in the load capacity, as well as the dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients. A numerical example and calculated values are also provided in tables for engineers in bearing selection and designing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Involvement of GABAA receptors in myoclonus
Authors: Matsumoto Rae R. , Truong Daniel D. , Nguyen Kevin D. , Dang A. Terri , Hoang Tin T. , Vo Phi Q. , Sandroni Paola 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAlterations in multiple neurochemical systems have been reported in animal and human studies of posthypoxic myoclonus. It is impossible, however, to establish causative relationships between the observed changes and the myoclonic movements from these studies. Therefore, to establish causative links between neurochemical changes and myoclonus, ligands that target neurotransmitter systems that are altered in posthypoxic myoclonus were microinjected into the lateral ventricles of normal rats to identify the changes that can produce myoclonus. Of the ligands that were tested, only the GABAA antagonists produced myoclonus after intracerebroventricular administration, suggesting the importance of disinhibition of GABAergic systems in myoclonus. To further examine the role of GABA in myoclonus, GABAergic antagonists were microinjected into the nucleus reticularis of the thalamus (NRT), an area of the brain in which extensive pathologic changes are seen in posthypoxic animals. GABAA, but not GABAB, antagonists produced myoclonus after microinjection into the NRT. Earlier investigators have further reported the ability of GABAA antagonists to produce myoclonus after microinjection into the caudate. The data therefore suggest that disruption of activity at GABAA receptors at any one of a number of levels in the neural axis can produce myoclonus.
The axial stability of the femur after harvest of the medial femoral condyle corticocancellous flap: A biomechanical study of composite femur models
Authors: Katz Ryan D. , Parks Brent G. , Higgins James P. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractPurpose:Free bone or periosteal flaps from the medial femoral condyle are being employed for treatment of recalcitrant nonunions. When harvested in a corticocancellous fashion, these flaps have the potential to compromise the stability of the femur. This study is designed to test the axial stability of the femur after harvest of corticocancellous flaps using a standardized composite femur model.Methods:Corticocancellous defects of standardized width and depth (2 cm × 1 cm) were designed with increasing length (3‐cm intervals extending from 3 to 24 cm) over the medial femoral condyle of five composite femur models. After harvest of each corticocancellous block, the femur was subjected to an axial force of 9100 N loaded and unloaded over one second using a Mini‐Bionix load frame. During the application of force, load and deformation data were collected from the load cell and linear variable differential transducer. To determine changes in stiffness or deformation with increasing flap sizes, analysis of variance with repeated measures was used. If the main effect was found to be significant, a Tukey's test was used to determine differences between specific flap sizes.Results:There were no femur fractures in any femurs for any flap size. Deformation during load increased as the size of the flap increased (2.19 mm ± 0.062 mm for the 3‐cm flap defect) to (2.33 mm ± 0.113 mm for the 24‐cm flap defect). Post‐hoc testing of deformation shows a statistically significant difference only between the 3‐cm flap defect and the 15‐cm flap defect (2.19 vs. 2.30 mm) (P = 0.002). The range of stiffness is between 4,339 and 4,697 N mm−1. Stiffness tends to decrease significantly (P < 0.001) with increasing flap size. Harvest of flap sizes greater or equal than 9 cm results in significantly lower stiffness compared to the 3‐cm flap.Conclusions:In this composite femur model, when stressed with supraphysiologic forces, the femur retains its axial stability even after harvest of large corticocancellous flaps from its medial aspect. Statistical significance detected in deformation and stiffness may not be clinically relevant if the femur does not fracture after flap harvest. Such was the case in this experiment. The possibility exists of safely harvesting large flaps from this donor site. Corticocancellous flaps from the medial aspect of the femur may serve as an alternative to standard flaps used in medium and large osseous reconstructions. The size of flap that can be safely raised without compromising the stability of the femur has not yet been delineated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
MR imaging near metal with undersampled 3D radial UTE‐MAVRIC sequences
Authors: Carl Michael , Koch Kevin , Du Jiang 
Published: February 2012

AbstractRecently developed techniques such as the multiple acquisition with variable resonance image combination and slice encoding for metal artifact correction techniques have improved the ability of clinical magnetic resonance scanners to image near metal implants. These sequences are based on fast spin echo sequences which preclude detection of short T2 tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and cortical bone. Ultrashort echo time sequences have the potential to detect signals from these tissues. In this study, we investigate the potential of combining ultrashort echo time with multiple acquisition with variable resonance image combination to image short T2 musculoskeletal tissues adjacent to metallic implants. Different radio frequency excitation pulse types and spectral binning strategies were studied. We found that ultrashort echo time‐multiple acquisition with variable resonance image combination sequences were able to significantly reduce typical artifacts near metal, as well as detect very short T2 signals that are usually not visualized using clinical pulse sequences. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oestrogen attenuates tumour progression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Xu Hanwen , Wei Yinna , Zhang Yu , Xu Yichen , Li Feng , Liu Jing , Zhang Wei , Han Xiaodong , Tan Renxiang , Shen Pingping 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe precise mechanisms underlying gender disparity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and prognosis are not understood. We demonstrate that oestrogen attenuates HCC progression in vitro and in vivo, and this may contribute to the gender differences in HCC behaviour. To investigate the role of oestrogen in HCC progression, we developed an orthotopic homograft tumour model by liver implantation of H22 cells. In combination with male castration, female ovariectomy, and oestrogen treatment, we tested the hypothesis that oestrogen contributes to gender disparity in this model. Pathological analyses were performed to examine the changes in biological behaviour of liver cancer cells, and two cell lines were used to investigate possible molecular mechanisms of the suppressive effect of oestrogen. Our data showed that oestrogen modulates HCC malignancy in vivo by reducing tumour cell invasion, arresting cell cycle progression, and promoting apoptosis, characterized by decreased expression of MMP‐2, MMP‐9, PCNA, cyclin A, cyclin D1, and Bcl‐2, and increased expression in cleaved caspase 3. Through in vitro assays, we further confirmed the changes in expression levels of these related proteins, gained insights into the molecular cascades of oestrogen‐induced HCC suppression, and indicated the oestrogen receptor α‐mediated inhibition of NF‐κB binding activity as a pivotal event in this process. This study represents a novel description of the mechanisms regarding the suppressive effects of oestrogen on HCC, adding a new understanding to the gender disparity in HCC progression. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolation of Quaternary Benzo[c]phenanthridine Alkaloids from Macleaya microcarpa ( maxim.) fedde: Comparison of Maceration, Soxhlet Extraction and Pressurised Liquid Extraction
Authors: Urbanová Jana , Pěnčíková Kristýna , Gregorová Jana , Hohnová Barbora , Šťavíková Lenka , Karásek Pavel , Roth Michal , Táborská Eva 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTIntroductionMacleaya microcarpa (Papaveraceae family) has been of considerable interest in recent years as a prospective source of quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids (QBAs) related to many pharmaceutical beneficial effects. For this purpose, a quantitative, efficient and fast method to isolate the QBAs from the plant material is required.ObjectiveTo optimise and compare pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) with Soxhlet extraction and maceration in order to estimate extraction conditions for fast and efficient isolation of QBAs contained in the roots of Macleaya microcarpa.MethodologyThe QBAs were extracted by PLE, Soxhlet extraction and maceration at different conditions (solvent, time, etc.). Reversed phase HPLC with diode‐array detector was utilised for their determination and quantification. To optimise the PLE procedure, the variable parameters, including temperature (40–150 °C), sample‐to‐inert material ratio, extraction time (5–30 min) and number of extraction cycles (1–4), were also tested.ResultsQuantitative determination of QBAs resulted in 0.2–2.8 mg/g, 0.3–2.5 mg/g and 0.3–3.1 mg/g for PLE, Soxhlet extraction and maceration. To produce the yields mentioned above, PLE required only up to 30 min compared with 21 h for Soxhlet extraction and 49 days for maceration.ConclusionPLE provided an effective and fast extraction of QBAs from M. microcarpa roots and can be recommended as an alternative isolation method to conventional techniques for QBAs from the plant sources. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.