bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infratentorial oligodendrogliomas: Imaging findings in six patients
Authors: Lee In Ho , Kim Sung Tae , Suh Yeon-Lim , Kim Hyung-Jin , Kim Keon Ha , Jeon Pyoung , Byun Hong Sik 
Published: February 2010

Background: Oligodendrogliomas are primarily supratentorial tumors. However, infrequently, they can also arise from infratentorial structures. There are only limited numbers of radiological articles on the specific imaging findings of this entity. Purpose: To investigate the imaging findings of infratentorial oligodendrogliomas. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical records of six patients with pathologically proven infratentorial oligodendrogliomas between December 1994 and April 2008. Tumor location, circumscription, signal intensity (SI), enhancement pattern, the presence of restricted diffusion, and the change of the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) on MRI were evaluated. Results: In total, six patients (three male, three female; mean age 65 years, range 51–75 years) were included. The pathology revealed anaplastic oligodendrogliomas in all six patients. The location was cerebellum in four patients, medulla in one patient, and fourth ventricle and tegmentum in one patient. Three of them were of the infiltrative type, and the other three of the mass-forming type. The solid component of the tumors showed high SI ( n=6) on FLAIR and T2-weighted images, and low ( n=5) or iso ( n=1) SI on T1-weighted images. All infiltrative lesions showed multifocal patchy enhancement, and mass-forming lesions showed heterogeneous enhancement ( n=2) and diffuse homogeneous enhancement ( n=1). Three patients had restricted diffusion, and one had leptomeningeal seeding. There was markedly increased rCBV on perfusion-weighted image (PWI) in one patient. Calcification or hemorrhage was not found. Tumor progression after operation, radiation therapy, gamma-knife surgery, or chemotherapy developed in five patients. Conclusion: Although infratentorial oligodendrogliomas did not show characteristic imaging findings, there was a tendency toward multifocal heterogeneous enhancement and absent or mild mass effect of infiltrative lesions. Infratentorial oligodendrogliomas may be more malignant than supratentorial oligodendrogliomas.
Magnetic resonance sialography using CISS and HASTE sequences in inflammatory salivary gland diseases: Comparison with digital sialography
Authors: Gadodia Ankur , Seith Ashu , Sharma Raju , Thakar Alok , Parshad Rajinder 
Published: February 2010

Background: Inflammatory conditions are the most common pathology affecting the salivary glands. Magnetic resonance (MR) sialography has emerged as an alternative to conventional sialography for evaluation of inflammatory salivary gland diseases. Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the role and diagnostic accuracy of MR sialography in the diagnosis of inflammatory salivary gland disease. Material and Methods: Thirty-seven glands in 28 patients (19 males and nine females; mean age 31 years, range 3–65 years) presenting with inflammatory salivary gland disorders underwent MR sialography. Conventional sialography was used as the gold standard and was performed in 26 patients (34 glands). Thus, comparative evaluation was done in 26 patients (34 glands). Axial T1-weighted (T1W) and fat-suppressed T2W sequences, a constructive interference in steady state (CISS) sequence in the axial plane with maximum intensity projection (MIP)/multiplanar reformation (MPR) done in the axial and sagittal oblique planes, and a half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) sequence in the sagittal oblique direction were performed. Results: Main salivary gland duct was visualized in 32 glands (94.1%) with MR sialography, and in all 34 (100%) glands with conventional sialography. Calculus and strictures were well demonstrated by MR sialography. MR sialography was superior for demonstration of the ductal system proximal to calculus/strictures. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of specific pathology were 87% and 100% with CISS sequence and 90% and 75% with HASTE sequence, respectively. On using a combination of CISS and HASTE sequences, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values in the diagnosis of specific pathology were 93%, 100%, 100%, and 64%, respectively. Conclusion: MR sialography using CISS and HASTE sequences is a promising technique and has the potential to replace conventional sialography in patients with inflammatory salivary gland disorders.
Role of three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D FLAIR) and proton density magnetic resonance imaging for the detection and evaluation of lesion extent of focal cortical dysplasia in patients with refractory epilepsy
Authors: Saini Jitender , Singh Atampreet , Kesavadas Chandrasekharan , Thomas Bejoy , Rathore Chathurbhuj , Bahuleyan Biji , Radhakrishnan Ashalatha , Radhakrishnan Kurupath 
Published: February 2010

Background: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is often associated with epilepsy. Identification of FCD can be difficult due to subtle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes. Though fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence detects the majority of these lesions, smaller lesions may go unnoticed while larger lesions may be poorly delineated. Purpose: To determine the ability of a specialized epilepsy protocol in visualizing and delineating the extent of FCD. Material and Methods: We compared the imaging findings in nine patients with cortical malformation who underwent routine epilepsy MR imaging as well as a specialized epilepsy protocol. All imaging was done on a 1.5T MR unit. The specialized epilepsy protocol included 3D FLAIR in the sagittal plane as well as proton density (PD) and high-resolution T2-weighted (T2W) images in the transverse plane. Results: In all nine patients, the specialized protocol identified lesion anatomy better. In three patients in whom routine MRI was normal, the specialized epilepsy protocol including 3D FLAIR helped in identifying the lesions. One of these patients underwent surgery, and histo-pathology revealed a cortical dysplasia. In one patient, lesion characterization was improved, while in the remaining patients the extent of the FCD was more clearly demonstrated in the 3D FLAIR and PD images. Statistical analysis of images for cortical thickness, cortical signal intensity, adjacent white matter abnormalities, and gray–white matter junction showed significant statistical difference in the ability of 3D FLAIR to assess these aspects over conventional images. PD images were also found superior to the routine epilepsy protocol in assessment of cortical signal, adjacent white matter, and gray–white matter junction. Conclusion: Specialized MRI sequences and techniques should be performed whenever there is a high suspicion of cortical dysplasia, especially when they remain occult on conventional MR protocols. These techniques can also be used to define lesion extent more precisely.
Correlation between lactate and neuronal cell damage in the rat brain after focal ischemia: An in vivo 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopic (1H-MRS) study
Authors: Woo Chul-Woong , Lee Byong Sop , Kim Sang Tae , Kim Ki-Soo 
Published: February 2010

Background: Increased levels of lactate are observed by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in rat brains after stroke. However, it is not known whether the changes in lactate levels are predictive of the degree of neuronal damage. Purpose: To investigate the correlation between changes in lactate and lipid levels measured by 1H-MRS and neuronal cell damage in the rat brain. Material and Methods: A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used to evaluate focal ischemia in rats (n=36). After MCAO for 90 min T2-weighted images (T2WIs), diffusion-weighted images (DWIs), and 1H-MRS data were obtained from brains immediately, 6 hours, 9 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after reperfusion. Infarct volumes were measured in T2WIs obtained 4 weeks after reperfusion. The degree of neuronal damage was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining in three rats from each group at the same time as brain images were collected. Results: Creatine (Cr)-normalized lactate + lipid levels ([Lac+Lip]/Cr) were negatively correlated with Cr-normalized N-acetyl-L-aspartate levels (NAA/Cr) and positively correlated with TUNEL-positive cell numbers up to 24 hours after reperfusion. (Lac+Lip)/Cr at 6 hours and 9 hours was significantly correlated with NAA/Cr at 7 days, but there was no significant correlation between (Lac+Lip)/Cr during the first 24 hours and infarct volume at 4 weeks. Conclusion: Up to 24 hours after reperfusion, (Lac+Lip)/Cr was strongly negatively correlated with NAA/Cr, and was a good predictor of neuronal damage at 7 days; however, it was not predictive of final infarct volume at 4 weeks.
Gaze aversion to stuttered speech: a pilot study investigating differential visual attention to stuttered and fluent speech
Authors: Bowers Andrew L. , Crawcour Stephen C. , Saltuklaroglu Tim , Kalinowski Joseph 
Published: February 2010

Background: People who stutter are often acutely aware that their speech disruptions, halted communication, and aberrant struggle behaviours evoke reactions in communication partners. Considering that eye gaze behaviours have emotional, cognitive, and pragmatic overtones for communicative interactions and that previous studies have indicated increased physiological arousal in listeners in response to stuttering, it was hypothesized that stuttered speech incurs increased gaze aversion relative to fluent speech. The possible importance in uncovering these visible reactions to stuttering is that they may contribute to the social penalty associated with stuttering.Aims: To compare the eye gaze responses of college students while observing and listening to fluent and severely stuttered speech samples produced by the same adult male who stutters.Methods & Procedures: Twelve normally fluent adult college students watched and listened to three 20‐second audio–video clips of the face of an adult male stuttering and three 20‐second clips of the same male producing fluent speech. Their pupillary movements were recorded with an eye‐tracking device and mapped to specific regions of interest (that is, the eyes, the nose and the mouth of the speaker).Outcomes & Results: Participants spent 39% more time fixating on the speaker's eyes while witnessing fluent speech compared with stuttered speech. In contrast, participants averted their direct eye gaze more often and spent 45% more time fixating on the speaker's nose when witnessing stuttered speech compared with fluent speech. These relative time differences occurred as a function of the number of fixations in each area of interest. Thus, participants averted their gaze from the eyes of the speaker more frequently during the stuttered stimuli than the fluent stimuli.Conclusions & Implications: This laboratory study provides pilot data suggesting that gaze aversion is a salient response to the breakdown in communication that occurs during stuttering. This response may occur as a result of emotional, cognitive, and pragmatic factors in communication partners. Regardless of the factors contributing to the response, its primary importance may be that gaze aversion is a visible communication partner signal informing the person stuttering that something is amiss in the interaction and hence, may contribute to inducing negative emotions in the persons stuttering, via engagement of the mirror neuron system. We suggest that witnessing and interpreting communication partner responses to stuttering may play a role when a person who stutters engages in future interactions, perhaps contributing to the development of covert strategies to hide stuttering.
Treating children with phonological problems: does an eclectic approach to therapy work?
Authors: Lancaster Gwen , Keusch Susanna , Levin Abigail , Pring Tim , Martin Susanna 
Published: February 2010

Background: A survey of clinicians made by Joffe and Pring in 2008 revealed that different approaches exist between researchers and clinicians in the treatment of children with phonological problems. Researchers have examined specific approaches to treatment often giving substantial amounts of therapy and have obtained encouraging results; clinicians, with less time available, often use an eclectic approach mixing different treatment methods. The reasons for this difference are discussed.Aims: We examined the effectiveness of an eclectic approach giving amounts of therapy more consistent with clinical practice and involving parents in treating their children.Methods & Procedures: We report two small experiments conducted within Speech and Language Therapy clinics. In the first, a group of treated children are compared with a group of children whose treatment is delayed. Parents attended therapy sessions and were given homework tasks to do with their children. The second compared children treated as in the first experiment with children treated at home by their parents who had attended training sessions and with untreated children.Outcomes & Results: In the first experiment, a general trend towards improvement was seen in all children. Change during treatment periods was statistically significant. In the second experiment, children treated by therapists showed strongly significant gains. Lesser but significant gains were made by children treated by their parents; no change was found in untreated children.Conclusions & Implications: The findings offer encouragement to clinicians who use an eclectic approach and who are only able to offer limited amounts of therapy. They also suggest that parental involvement is helpful. However, we find the current incompatibility of research and clinical work worrying and a hindrance to our efforts to understand and treat these children.
Pragmatic language impairment and associated behavioural problems
Authors: Ketelaars Mieke P. , Cuperus Juliane , Jansonius Kino , Verhoeven Ludo 
Published: February 2010

Background: Specific language impairment (SLI) is diagnosed when a child shows isolated structural language problems. The diagnosis of pragmatic language impairment (PLI) is given to children who show difficulties with the use of language in context. Unlike children with SLI, these children tend to show relatively intact structural language skills while they do exhibit clear communicative deficits. There is hardly any research on the relationship between pragmatic competence and behavioural problems. Existing research suggests a strong relationship, but has only been executed on clinical SLI samples. Moreover, it is not known whether pragmatic language problems are related to specific types of behavioural problems.Aims: This study aims to clarify the incidence and nature of behavioural problems in children with PLI using a prognostic design in mainstream education. This design should provide valuable insights into the general relationship between PLI and various behavioural problems.Methods & Procedures: Teachers completed the Children's Communication Checklist (CCC) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and provided additional data for a sample of 1364 children aged 4 years.Outcomes & Results: Within the community sample, pragmatic competence is highly correlated with behavioural problems. Pragmatic competence is a good predictor of behavioural problems, and once pragmatic competence is accounted for, structural language abilities do not predict behavioural problems. Children with pragmatic language impairment often show behavioural problems, largely of an externalizing nature. The most prominent problems are hyperactivity and the lack of prosocial behaviour, which reach clinical levels for this group. However, all problem levels are elevated compared with normally developing children.Conclusions & Implications: Young children with PLI show a wide variety of behavioural problems. Early assessment of pragmatic competence may benefit early detection of children at risk of behavioural problems. Furthermore, due to the relationship between pragmatic competence, behavioural problems and possible underlying disorders such as autism and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), early assessment of pragmatic competence may also provide an early marker for the detection of autism or ADHD.
Appraisal in student–supervisor conferencing: a linguistic analysis
Authors: Ferguson Alison 
Published: February 2010

Background: Student–supervisor conferencing involves a pivotal moment for teaching and learning, involving clinical educators in directing the students' work with clients, promoting the students' learning and self‐evaluation, and in providing feedback to students about their progress. Previous research in the area of student–supervisor conferencing has focused on broad categories of behavioural aspects of this clinical education process, but less is known about how educators and students use their linguistic resources to manage the interpersonal aspects of communication involved in these learning partnerships.Aims: This paper presents a descriptive study of the way language was used by clinical educators and students in student–supervisor conferences. The main aim of the study was to describe some aspects of the linguistic resources used by clinical educators and students to evaluate their work and learning in routine discussions, outside the framework of a formal assessment of student progress. Within the inherent limits of descriptive research, the study also considered the extent to which selected aspects of language use reflected individual communicative style or varied across partners and over time.Methods & Procedures: The study was descriptive, using case studies as well as grouped data. Audio recordings of ten authentic student–supervisor interactions were provided voluntarily for the study by four clinical educators and their six speech–language pathology students. After transcription, linguistic analysis described the resources used for Appraisal (Affect, Judgement and Appreciation), from the perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistics.Outcomes & Results: Educators used proportionally more resources to express Judgement in contrast with students who used proportionally more resources to express evaluation of Affect. Most Judgements were expressed positively and directly, whereas negative Judgements tended to be expressed implicitly. Comparison of clinical educators' language across repeated occasions indicated use of a range of linguistic resources, rather than the use of these interpersonal resources being associated with particular styles for supervision.Conclusions & Implications: The findings provide directions for clinical educators seeking to reflect on supervisory practice, and also highlight the need for further longitudinal research, and for further research into the interactive learning processes involved in current models of clinical education.
A better way for finding the optimal number of nodes in a distributed database management system
Authors: Mustafa Rashed , Hossain Md Javed , Chowdhury Thomas 
Published: February 2010

Distributed Database Management System (DDBMS) is one of the prime concerns in distributed computing. The driving force of development of DDBMS is the demand of the applications that need to query very large databases (order of terabytes). Traditional Client- Server database systems are too slower to handle such applications. This paper presents a better way to find the optimal number of nodes in a distributed database management systems. Keywords: DDBMS, Data Fragmentation, Linear Search, RMI. DOI: 10.3329/diujst.v4i2.4362 Daffodil International University Journal of Science and Technology Vol.4(2) 2009 pp.19-22
Efficacy of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor agonist in the treatment of virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome in a rabbit model
Authors: Hsieh Wen-Chuan , Lan Bau-Shin , Chen Yi-Ling , Chang Yao , Chuang Huai-Chia , Su Ih-Jen 
Published: February 2010

Background Virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS) is a fatal complication of viral infections, such as Epstein–Barr virus and H5N1 influenza, that results from macrophage activation and proinflammatory cytokine injuries. The high comorbidity and mortality of current therapy urgently demands an ideal agent based on VAHS pathogenesis. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) agonists, regulators of metabolic syndrome, can exhibit immunomodulatory effects on macrophage activation and cytokine secretion. Methods In this study, we adopted rosiglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist, for VAHS control in a Herpesvirus papio (HVP)-infected rabbit model. Various doses of rosiglitazone were orally administered to rabbits on day 7 or day 20 after intravenous challenge with 5x107 copies of HVP. Results The rabbits that received 4 mg/day rosiglitazone had significantly increased survival when treated at an early stage of infection ( P<0.01), whereas a higher dose (8 mg/day) was required at the advanced stage of the disease ( P<0.05). All rosiglitazone-treated rabbits had significantly improved laboratory parameters and plasma tumour necrosis factor-α levels. Importantly, rosiglitazone could also inhibit viral replication in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions PPAR agonists could represent a potentially new agent for the therapy of VAHS.
The influence of antiviral therapy on psychiatric symptoms among patients with hepatitis C and schizophrenia
Authors: Huckans Marilyn , Mitchell Alex , Pavawalla Shital , Morasco Benjamin J , Ruimy Samantha , Loftis Jennifer M , Rifai Muhamad A , Hauser Peter 
Published: February 2010

Background Antiviral therapy for chronic infection with HCV is associated with significant neuropsychiatric side effects. Research indicates that patients with mental illness are less likely to receive antiviral therapy, despite limited data regarding the influence of antiviral therapy on psychiatric symptoms in patients with specific psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to determine whether antiviral therapy is associated with higher rates of psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia (SCHZ). Methods A regional Veterans Healthcare Administration database was used to identify veterans meeting criteria for this retrospective chart review. Patients confirmed to have SCHZ and to have received antiviral therapy for HCV between 1998 and 2006 ( n=30) were compared with a control group of demographically matched (age, race and gender) patients with SCHZ who did not receive antiviral therapy ( n=30). Clinicians blinded to antiviral therapy status used chart notes to evaluate whether patients exhibited prominent symptoms of SCHZ, depression or mania during a 6 month pre-treatment period, the treatment period and a 6 month post-treatment period (or during equivalent periods for the control group). Results Groups did not significantly differ in rates of symptoms of SCHZ, depression or mania during any study period. During the treatment period, groups did not significantly differ in rates of emergency room visits or inpatient hospitalizations. Conclusions Our retrospective chart review suggests that patients with SCHZ experience similar rates of psychiatric symptoms on and off antiviral therapy. Despite limitations and constraints of the methods, our data suggest that SCHZ is not a contraindication to antiviral therapy for HCV.