bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Light‐mediated ferroelectric domain engineering and micro‐structuring of lithium niobate crystals
Authors: Ying C.Y.J. , Muir A.C. , Valdivia C.E. , Steigerwald H. , Sones C.L. , Eason R.W. , Soergel E. , Mailis S. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAn overview is presented of recently developed light‐mediated methods for ferroelectric domain engineering of lithium niobate single crystals. These methods include light‐assisted poling, UV laser‐induced inhibition of poling, and all‐optical poling. In addition to the primary application of ferroelectric domain patterns, namely the realization of non‐linear optical devices, the ability of transferring a domain pattern into a topographical structure by domain selective etching allows also for surface structuring of lithium niobate. This intertwining between ferroelectric domain patterns and surface topography has been used to fabricate exquisite micro‐structures based on unusual domains generated purposefully by these light‐mediated methods.
High‐frequency ultrasound imaging of noninvasive laser coagulation of the canine vas deferens
Authors: Cilip Christopher M. , Pierorazio Phillip M. , Ross Ashley E. , Allaf Mohamad E. , Fried Nathaniel M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesA noninvasive approach to vasectomy may eliminate male fear of complications related to surgery (e.g., hematoma, infection, acute and chronic pain, sterilization failure) and increase its acceptance. Noninvasive laser thermal occlusion of the canine vas deferens has recently been reported. In this study, high‐frequency ultrasound is used to confirm successful laser thermal coagulation and scarring of the vas in a short‐term canine model.Materials and MethodsBilateral noninvasive laser coagulation of the vas was performed in a total of nine dogs using a laser wavelength of 1,075 nm, incident power of 9.0 W, pulse duration of 500 milliseconds, pulse rate of 0.5 Hz, and 3‐mm‐diameter spot. Cryogen spray was used to cool the scrotal skin surface and prevent burns during the procedure. A clinical ultrasound system with a 13.2‐MHz high‐frequency transducer was used to image the vas before and after the procedure. Burst pressure measurements were performed on excised vas to confirm thermal occlusion.ResultsDay 0 and 28 burst pressures averaged 291 ± 31 mmHg and 297 ± 26 mmHg, respectively, significantly greater than ejaculation pressures of 136 ± 29 mmHg. Ultrasound showed a hyperechoic vas segment after thermal coagulation (Day 0) and scarring (Day 28). Doppler ultrasound showed normal blood flow through the testicular artery, indicating no collateral thermal damage to proximal structures.ConclusionsHigh‐frequency ultrasound may be used as a noninvasive diagnostic tool to assist in determining successful short‐term laser thermal coagulation and scarring of the vas. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dose response effects of 810 nm laser light on mouse primary cortical neurons
Authors: Sharma Sulbha K. , Kharkwal Gitika B. , Sajo Mari , Huang Ying‐Ying , De Taboada Luis , McCarthy Thomas , Hamblin Michael R. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesIn the past four decades numerous studies have reported the efficacy of low level light (laser) therapy (LLLT) as a treatment for diverse diseases and injuries. Recent studies have shown that LLLT can biomodulate processes in the central nervous system and has been extensively studied as a stroke treatment. However there is still a lack of knowledge on the effects of LLLT at the cellular level in neurons. The present study aimed to study the effect of 810 nm laser on several cellular processes in primary cortical neurons cultured from embryonic mouse brains.Study Design/Materials and MethodsNeurons were irradiated with fluences of 0.03, 0.3, 3, 10, or 30 J/cm2 of 810‐nm laser delivered over varying times at 25 mW/cm2 and intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide and calcium were measured using fluorescent probes within 5 minutes of the end of irradiation. The changes in mitochondrial function in response to light were studied in terms of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).ResultsLight induced a significant increase in calcium, ATP and MMP at lower fluences and a decrease at higher fluences. ROS was significantly induced at low fluences, followed by a decrease and a second larger increase at 30 J/cm2. Nitric oxide levels showed a similar pattern of a double peak but values were less significant compared to ROS.ConclusionsThe results suggest that LLLT at lower fluences is capable of inducing mediators of cell signaling processes which in turn may be responsible for the beneficial stimulatory effects of the low level laser. At higher fluences beneficial mediators are reduced and high levels of Janus‐type mediators such as ROS and NO (beneficial at low concentrations and harmful at high concentrations) may be responsible for the damaging effects of high‐fluence light and the overall biphasic dose response. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interstitial laser photocoagulation for benign thyroid nodules: Time to treat large nodules
Authors: Amabile Gerardo , Rotondi Mario , Pirali Barbara , Dionisio Rosa , Agozzino Lucio , Lanza Michele , Buonanno Luciano , Di Filippo Bruno , Fonte Rodolfo , Chiovato Luca 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveInterstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) is a new therapeutic option for the ablation of non‐functioning and hyper‐functioning benign thyroid nodules. Amelioration of the ablation procedure currently allows treating large nodules. Aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ILP, performed according to a modified protocol of ablation, in patients with large functioning and non‐functioning thyroid nodules and to identify the best parameters for predicting successful outcome in hyperthyroid patients.Materials and MethodsFifty‐one patients with non‐functioning thyroid nodules (group 1) and 26 patients with hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules (group 2) were enrolled. All patients had a nodular volume ≥40 ml. Patients were addressed to 1–3 cycles of ILP. A cycle consisted of three ILP sessions, each lasting 5–10 minutes repeated at an interval of 1 month. After each cycle of ILP patients underwent thyroid evaluation.ResultsA nodule volume reduction, expressed as percentage of the basal volume, significantly occurred in both groups (F = 190.4; P < 0.0001 for group 1 and F = 100.2; P < 0.0001 for group 2). Receiver‐operator‐characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for: (i) percentage of volume reduction; (ii) difference in nodule volume; (iii) total amount of energy delivered expressed in Joule. ROC curves identified the percentage of volume reduction as the best parameter predicting a normalized serum TSH (area under the curve 0.962; P < 0.0001). Intraoperative complications consisted in: (i) mild pain occurring in five (6.5%) patients, (ii) vasovagal reaction in two (2.6%) patients, (iii) fever within 24 hours from ILP in five (6.5%) patients. No major complications including persistent pain, laringeal nerve dysfunction, hypoparathyroidism, pseudocystic transformation, and/or neck fascitis were observed.ConclusionsILP represents a valid alternative to surgery also for large benign thyroid nodules, both in terms of nodule size reduction and cure of hyperthyroidism (87% of cured patients after the last ILP cycle). ILP should not be limited to patients refusing or being ineligible for surgery and/or radioiodine. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new and self‐contained presentation of the theory of boundary operators for slit diffraction and their logarithmic approximations
Authors: Gorenflo Norbert , Kunik Matthias 
Published: September 2011

AbstractWe present a new and self‐contained theory for mapping properties of the boundary operators for slit diffraction occurring in Sommerfeld's diffraction theory, covering two different cases of the polarisation of the light. This theory is entirely developed in the context of the boundary operators with a Hankel kernel and not based on the corresponding mixed boundary value problem for the Helmholtz equation. For a logarithmic approximation of the Hankel kernel we also study the corresponding mapping properties and derive explicit solutions together with certain regularity results.
Whispering dysphonia in an Australian family (DYT4): A clinical and genetic reappraisal
Authors: Wilcox Robert A. , Winkler Susen , Lohmann Katja , Klein Christine 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe designation, DYT4, was assigned to an Australian family with whispering dysphonia. The role of known causes of dystonia has not been comprehensively investigated in this family, nor has the possible relationship with Wilson disease (WND) in 2 siblings. Eighteen family members were neurologically examined, and DNA samples were obtained. Linkage analysis was performed to DYT1, DYT6, DYT7, DYT11, DYT13, DYT15, and ATP7B with microsatellite markers and the THAP1 (DYT6), PRKRA (DYT16), and ATP7B (WND) genes were sequenced. Reevaluation of the family identified 9 living affected family members, 6 of whom are newly affected. Phenotypic expression was variable, ranging from isolated spasmodic dysphonia (often with mild craniocervical dystonia) to severe generalized dystonia. Two newly described features included an extrusional tongue dystonia and a unique “hobby horse gait.” Genetic analyses excluded all tested loci. Haplotype analysis of the ATP7B region resulted in three different combinations of the two parental alleles in the 8 investigated siblings of the 2 deceased WND patients, indicating that the fourth combination (of two mutated alleles) had occurred only in the deceased WND patients. On these two alleles, we identified a missense (c.2297C>G; p.T766R) and a splice‐site mutation (IVS5+1G>T). The c.2297C>G mutation was detected in 3 affected and 4 unaffected family members, whereas the IVS5+1G>T mutation was detected in 1 affected and unaffected family member. Five DYT4 patients carried neither mutation. DYT4 is a familial form of dystonia unrelated to known dystonia genes and loci. ATP7B mutations do not segregate with the dystonia phenotype, indicating two independent genetic diseases in this family. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Moving toward “laboratory‐supported” criteria for psychogenic tremor
Authors: Schwingenschuh Petra , Katschnig Petra , Seiler Stephan , Saifee Tabish A. , Aguirregomozcorta Maria , Cordivari Carla , Schmidt Reinhold , Rothwell John C. , Bhatia Kailash P. , Edwards Mark J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA confident clinical diagnosis of psychogenic tremor is often possible, but, in some cases, a “laboratory‐supported” level of certainty would aid in early positive diagnosis. Various electrophysiological tests have been suggested to identify patients with psychogenic tremor, but their diagnostic reliability has never been assessed “head to head” nor compared to forms of organic tremor other than essential tremor or PD. We compared baseline tremor characteristics (e.g., frequency and amplitude) as well as electrophysiological tests previously reported to distinguish psychogenic and organic tremor in a cohort of 13 patients with psychogenic tremor and 25 patients with organic tremor, the latter including PD, essential‐, dystonic‐, and neuropathic tremors. We assessed between‐group differences and calculated sensitivity and specificity for each test. A number of tests, including entrainment or frequency changes with tapping, pause of tremor during contralateral ballistic movements, increase in tremor amplitude with loading, presence of coherence, and tonic coactivation at tremor onset, revealed significant differences on a group level, but there was no single test with adequate sensitivity and specificity for separating the groups (33%–77% and 84%–100%, respectively). However, a combination of electrophysiological tests was able to distinguish psychogenic and organic tremor with excellent sensitivity and specificity. A laboratory‐supported level of diagnostic certainty in psychogenic tremor is likely to require a battery of electrophysiological tests to provide sufficient specificity and sensitivity. Our data suggest such a battery that, if supported in a prospective study, may form the basis of laboratory‐supported criteria for the diagnosis of psychogenic tremor. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Reproductive factors and Parkinson's disease: A multicenter case–control study
Authors: Nicoletti Alessandra , Nicoletti Giuseppe , Arabia Gennarina , Annesi Grazia , De Mari Michele , Lamberti Paolo , Grasso Lucia , Marconi Roberto , Epifanio Antonio , Morgante Letterio , Cozzolino Autilia , Barone Paolo , Quattrone Aldo , Zappia Mario 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground:The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible association between endogenous and exogenous estrogens and Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods:The FRAGAMP study is a large Italian multicenter case–control study. PD was diagnosed according to Gelb's criteria. A standardized questionnaire was administered to record demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data. Adjusted ORs and 95% CIs were estimated using multivariate analysis (logistic regression).Results:Two hundred PD women (mean age, 68.0 ± 9.5 years) and 299 control women (mean age, 61.8 ± 9.9 years) were enrolled in the study. Age at menarche, age at menopause, fertile life duration, cumulative duration of pregnancies, hormone replacement therapy, and surgical menopause were not significantly associated with PD. Multivariate analysis showed a significant positive association between use of oral contraceptives and PD, with an adjusted OR of 3.27 (95% CI, 1.24–8.59; P = .01).Conclusions:Our data suggest that oral contraceptives could increase the risk of PD. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Camptocormia in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease: A multicenter study
Authors: Seki Morinobu , Takahashi Kazushi , Koto Atsuo , Mihara Ban , Morita Yoko , Isozumi Kazuo , Ohta Kouichi , Muramatsu Kazuhiro , Gotoh Jun , Yamaguchi Keiji , Tomita Yutaka , Sato Hideki , Nihei Yoshihiro , Iwasawa Satoko , Suzuki Norihiro ,   on behalf of Keio Parkinson's Disease Database
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjective:The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of camptocormia and the clinical characteristics of patients with camptocormia in a large population of PD patients.Background:Although camptocormia has been recognized as a prominent phenomenon in PD, the previous epidemiological reports were limited, especially in terms of sample size.Methods:We evaluated 531 PD patients (disease duration: 7.0 ± 5.5 years, mean ± standard deviation). We examined their clinical features and the prevalence of camptocormia.Results:Camptocormia was detected in 22 patients (4.1%) and found in patients who were older and had more severe motor symptoms and a higher levodopa (L‐dopa) dose (P < 0.05), compared to the patients without camptocormia. Patients with camptocormia showed significantly higher frequencies of autonomic symptoms, such as constipation and urinary incontinence (P < 0.05).Conclusions:Camptocormia is uncommon in PD and is associated with disease severity, higher L‐dopa dose and higher frequencies of autonomic symptoms. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Effects of pelvic organ prolapse repair on urinary symptoms: A comparative study between the laparoscopic and vaginal approach
Authors: Ramanah Rajeev , Ballester Marcos , Chereau Elisabeth , Rouzier Roman , Daraï Emile 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo compare changes in urinary symptoms before and after pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery, using either laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) or transvaginal porcine dermis hammock placement with sacrospinous ligament suspension (VS).Materials and MethodsData were prospectively collected from all women undergoing POP surgery between May 2001 and October 2009. Pre‐ and postoperative urinary symptoms, Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI), and Urinary Impact Questionnaires (UIQ) scores were compared within and between groups. A generalized linear model was used for multivariate analysis.ResultsOut of the 151 patients included, 87 patients underwent LSC, and 64 VS. Overall, after a median follow‐up of 32.4 months, POP surgery improved urinary frequency (P = 0.006), voiding difficulty (P = 0.001), stress urinary incontinence (SUI) (P = 0.001), but not urgency (P = 0.29). VS was more effective in treating SUI (P < 0.001 vs. 0.52) while LSC more effective on voiding difficulty (P = 0.01 vs. 0.08). Postoperative de novo symptoms were observed in 35.8% of patients with no difference between the groups (P = 0.06). UDI (P = 0.04) and UIQ (P = 0.01) scores were significantly lower after surgery. However, LSC significantly improved UDI (P = 0.03) with no effect on UIQ (P = 0.29) scores while VS significantly improved both scores (P = 0.02 and 0.001, respectively). Upon multivariate analysis, only the improvement in the impact of urinary symptoms on daily living was independently associated to VS (OR = 5.45 [95% confidence interval 2.20–13.44], P = 0.01).ConclusionMost preoperative urinary symptoms decreased after POP surgery with equivalent proportion of de novo symptoms after vaginal and laparoscopic approaches. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:126–131, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The efficiency of a group‐specific mandated benefit revisited: The effect of infertility mandates
Authors: Lahey Joanna N. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThis paper examines the labor market effects of state health insurance mandates that increase the cost of employing a demographically identifiable group. State mandates requiring that health insurance plans cover infertility treatment raise the relative cost of insuring older women of child‐bearing age. Empirically, wages in this group are unaffected, but their total labor input decreases. Workers do not value infertility mandates at cost, and so will not take wage cuts in exchange, leading employers to decrease their demand for this affected and identifiable group. Differences in the empirical effects of mandates found in the literature are explained by a model including variations in the elasticity of demand, moral hazard, ability to identify a group, and adverse selection. © 2011 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
CERT depletion predicts chemotherapy benefit and mediates cytotoxic and polyploid‐specific cancer cell death through autophagy induction
Authors: Lee Alvin J. X. , Roylance Rebecca , Sander Jil , Gorman Patricia , Endesfelder David , Kschischo Maik , Jones Neil P. , East Philip , Nicke Barbara , Spassieva Stefka , Obeid Lina M. , Birkbak Nicolai Juul , Szallasi Zoltan , McKnight Nicole C. , Rowan Andrew J. , Speirs Valerie , Hanby Andrew M. , Downward Julian , Tooze Sharon A. , Swanton Charles 
Published: September 2011

AbstractChromosomal instability (CIN) has been implicated in multidrug resistance and the silencing of the ceramide transporter, CERT, promotes sensitization to diverse cytotoxics. An improved understanding of mechanisms governing multidrug sensitization might provide insight into pathways contributing to the death of CIN cancer cells. Using an integrative functional genomics approach, we find that CERT‐specific multidrug sensitization is associated with enhanced autophagosome–lysosome flux, resulting from the expression of LAMP2 following CERT silencing in colorectal and HER2+ breast cancer cell lines. Live cell microscopy analysis revealed that CERT depletion induces LAMP2‐dependent death of polyploid cells following exit from mitosis in the presence of paclitaxel. We find that CERT is relatively over‐expressed in HER2+ breast cancer and CERT protein expression acts as an independent prognostic variable and predictor of outcome in adjuvant chemotherapy‐treated patients with primary breast cancer. These data suggest that the induction of LAMP2‐dependent autophagic flux through CERT targeting may provide a rational approach to enhance multidrug sensitization and potentiate the death of polyploid cells following paclitaxel exposure to limit the acquisition of CIN and intra‐tumour heterogeneity. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alkaloid Profiling as an Approach to DifferentiateLupinus garfieldensis,Lupinus sabinianusandLupinus sericeus
Authors: Cook Daniel , Lee Stephen T. , Pfister James A. , Stonecipher Clint A. , Welch Kevin D. , Green Benedict T. , Panter Kip E. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTIntroductionMany species in theLupinusgenus are poorly defined morphologically, potentially resulting in improper taxonomic identification. Lupine species may contain quinolizidine and/or piperidine alkaloids that can be acutely toxic and/or teratogenic, the latter resulting in crooked calf disease.ObjectiveTo identify characteristic alkaloid profiles ofLupinus sabinianus,L. garfieldensisandL. sericeuswhich would aid in discriminating these species from each other and fromL. sulphureus.Methods and materialsQuinolizidine and piperidine alkaloids were extracted from herbarium specimens and recent field collections ofL. sabinianus,L. garfieldensisandL. sericeus. The alkaloid composition of each species was defined using GC‐FID and GC‐MS and compared using multivariate statistics.ResultsEach of the three species investigated contained a diagnostic chemical fingerprint composed of quinolizidine and/or piperidine alkaloids.ConclusionThe alkaloid profiles ofLupinus sabinianus,L. garfieldensisandL.sericeuscan be used as a tool to discriminate these species from each other andL. sulphureusas long as one considers locality of the collection in the case ofL. sabinianus. Published 2011. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Sonographic measurement of corpus spongiosum in male fetuses
Authors: Vuillard Edith , Chitrit Yvon , Dreux Sophie , ElGhoneimi Alaa , Oury Jean‐François , Muller Françoise 
Published: September 2011

ObjectiveTo establish a nomogram of the corpus spongiosum dimensions in male fetuses and to evaluate its correlation with penile length. These references can be useful when fetal genital anomalies are suspected, particularly to distinguish micropenis from concealed penis cases.MethodA cross‐sectional prospective study was conducted on 486 fetuses of normal singleton pregnancies between 18 and 40 weeks. Corpus spongiosum length, penile length, penile diameter and scrotal diameter were measured by one operator. All measurements were analyzed according to gestational age.ResultsThe four measurements were studied as a function of gestational age. Median values, 3rd and 97th percentiles were determined using regression curves. A correlation between penile length and corpus spongiosum length (r2 = 0.845) was observed.ConclusionWe established measurements of the length of fetal corpus spongiosum and a correlation between the former and the penile length. These references can be useful when fetal genital anomalies are suspected. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.