bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single-crystalline nanoporous Nb2O5 nanotubes
Authors: Liu Jun , Xue Dongfeng , Li Keyan 
Published: February 2011

AbstractSingle-crystalline nanoporous Nb2O5 nanotubes were fabricated by a two-step solution route, the growth of uniform single-crystalline Nb2O5 nanorods and the following ion-assisted selective dissolution along the [001] direction. Nb2O5 tubular structure was created by preferentially etching (001) crystallographic planes, which has a nearly homogeneous diameter and length. Dense nanopores with the diameters of several nanometers were created on the shell of Nb2O5 tubular structures, which can also retain the crystallographic orientation of Nb2O5 precursor nanorods. The present chemical etching strategy is versatile and can be extended to different-sized nanorod precursors. Furthermore, these as-obtained nanorod precursors and nanotube products can also be used as template for the fabrication of 1 D nanostructured niobates, such as LiNbO3, NaNbO3, and KNbO3.
Scanning tip measurement for identification of point defects
Authors: Dózsa László , Molnár György , Raineri Vito , Giannazzo Filippo , Ferencz János , Lányi Štefan 
Published: February 2011

AbstractSelf-assembled iron-silicide nanostructures were prepared by reactive deposition epitaxy of Fe onto silicon. Capacitance-voltage, current-voltage, and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) were used to measure the electrical properties of Au/silicon Schottky junctions. Spreading resistance and scanning probe capacitance microscopy (SCM) were applied to measure local electrical properties. Using a preamplifier the sensitivity of DLTS was increased satisfactorily to measure transients of the scanning tip semiconductor junction. In the Fe-deposited area, Fe-related defects dominate the surface layer in about 0.5 μm depth. These defects deteriorated the Schottky junction characteristic. Outside the Fe-deposited area, Fe-related defect concentration was identified in a thin layer near the surface. The defect transients in this area were measured both in macroscopic Schottky junctions and by scanning tip DLTS and were detected by bias modulation frequency dependence in SCM.
Myocardial post-conditioning with Danshen-Gegen decoction protects against isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury via a PKCε/mKATP-mediated pathway in rats
Authors: Wong Sze Man , Chiu Po Yee , Leung Hoi Yan , Zhou Limin , Zuo Zhong , Lam Philip Y , Ko Kam Ming 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background

Danshen-Gegen decoction (DG), a Chinese herbal formula, has been demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of coronary heart disease such as myocardial infarction. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DG post-conditioning on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial injury in rats.

Methods
ISO was injected intraperitoneally (200 mg/kg) to induce acute (2-6 hours) myocardial injury in adult female rats. DG (4 g/kg) was administered per oral immediately after the injection of ISO in the rats. Extent of myocardial injury was assessed by measurements of plasma enzyme activities. Myocardial mitochondrial glutathione antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial calcium ion loading and cytochrome c release were also measured. Effects of inhibitors of protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCε) ranslocation and mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mKATP) on myocardial post-conditioning by DG were investigated.

Results
ISO inflicted acute myocardial injury in the rats as evidenced by increased plasma enzyme activities. DG post-treatment alleviated the ISO-induced acute myocardial injury.

Conclusion
DG post-treatment protected the myocardium against ISO-induced acute injury in rats. The myocardial post-conditioning by DG is likely mediated by PKCε/mKATP signaling pathway.
Benign giant mediastinal schwannoma presenting as cardiac tamponade in a woman: a case report
Authors: Kato Motoyasu , Shiota Satomi , Shiga Kazuo , Takagi Haruhi , Mori Hiroaki , Sekiya Mitsuaki , Suzuki Kenji , Uekusa Toshimasa , Takahashi Kazuhisa 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Mediastinal schwannomas are typically benign and asymptomatic, and generally present no immediate risks. We encountered a rare case of a giant benign posterior mediastinal schwannoma, complicated by life-threatening cardiac tamponade.

Case presentation
We report the case of a 72-year-old Japanese woman, who presented with cardiogenic shock. Computed tomography of the chest revealed a posterior mediastinal mass 150 cm in diameter, with pericardial effusion. The cardiac tamponade was treated with prompt pericardial fluid drainage. A biopsy was taken from the mass, and after histological examination, it was diagnosed as a benign schwannoma, a well-encapsulated non-infiltrating tumor, originating from the intrathoracic vagus nerve. It was successfully excised, restoring normal cardiac function.

Conclusion
Our case suggests that giant mediastinal schwannomas, although generally benign and asymptomatic, should be excised upon discovery to prevent the development of life-threatening cardiopulmonary complications.
An unusual case of persistent groin pain after total hip arthroplasty: a case report
Authors: Konala Praveen , Schaefer Thomas K , Iranpour Farhad , Friederich Niklaus F , Hirschmann Michael T 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Arthroplasty is a well-established routine elective surgical procedure in orthopaedics. To a great extent, diagnosis, treatment and post-operative rehabilitation in these patients is standardised. In a busy clinic, surgeons from time to time tend to focus their attention on common causes of joint pain, but it may lead them to overlook sinister but less common pathologies. Here we report a case of a patient with groin pain due to pre-operatively undetected pelvic metastases from a pyeloureteral carcinoma who underwent total hip arthroplasty. There are several case reports which deal with primary or secondary tumours which were either discovered at the time of replacement surgery or developed at the site of prosthesis years after total hip or knee replacement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report in which a metastatic cancer was missed pre-operatively and intra-operatively both by the radiologist and by the orthopaedic surgeon and should be reported so that surgeons are reminded to be careful when dealing with seemingly routine cases.

Case presentation
A 79-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the arthroplasty clinic with groin pain. Initial radiographs showed subtle bilateral abnormalities in the pelvis. Neither the radiologist nor the orthopaedic surgeon recognized it. A diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the hip was established, and she underwent total hip arthroplasty. Despite initial improvement, the patient came back with worsening hip pain three months later. Further radiological examination revealed multiple metastatic lesions throughout the pelvis due to a pyeloureteral carcinoma.

Conclusions
This case report emphasizes the importance of meticulous, unbiased pre-operative assessment of patients and their radiographs, even in so-called routine clinical cases. Often subtle radiological changes are classed as normal, especially if they are bilateral. Further radiological imaging should be recommended in all cases where unexplained clinical features or radiological findings are present.
Antibiotic prescriptions in primary health care in a rural population in Crete, Greece
Authors: Kontarakis Nikolaos , Tsiligianni Ioanna G , Papadokostakis Polyvios , Giannopoulou Evangelia , Tsironis Loukas , Moustakis Vasilios 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background
Antibiotic over-prescribing has generally been considered to be common in Greece, however not much is known about current antibiotic use.

Findings
The aim of this study was to investigate antibiotic prescribing in a well-defined rural population of 159 adults and 99 children over a 12-month period in Crete, Greece. The daily-defined doses (DDD) for 1000 people/day (DID) were 22.1 and 24.2 for children and adults respectively. The overall DID was 23.4, markedly lower than that previously reported for Greece. The use of penicillins was 49.5% of DDD in children and 31.7% in adults. Quinolones represented 2.2% of the total antibiotics (0% in children). Prescriptions of antibiotics were more common during the 3-month period from January to March for both children and adults.

Conclusions
The findings of this study confirm the seasonal distribution of antibiotics used and the predominance of prescribing for respiratory tract infections. In the area of the study, antibiotic use seems to be lower than that previously reported for Greece, probably as a result of the recently established net of well-trained primary health physicians.
Characterization of a synthetic human LINE-1 retrotransposon ORFeus-Hs
Authors: An Wenfeng , Dai Lixin , Niewiadomska Anna Maria , Yetil Alper , O'Donnell Kathryn A , Han Jeffrey S , Boeke Jef D 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Long interspersed elements, type 1(LINE-1, L1) are the most abundant and only active autonomous retrotransposons in the human genome. Native L1 elements are inefficiently expressed because of a transcription elongation defect thought to be caused by high adenosine content in L1 sequences. Previously, we constructed a highly active synthetic mouse L1 element (ORFeus-Mm), partially by reducing the nucleotide composition bias. As a result, the transcript abundance of ORFeus-Mm was greatly increased, and its retrotransposition frequency was > 200-fold higher than its native counterpart. In this paper, we report a synthetic human L1 element (ORFeus-Hs) synthesized using a similar strategy. The adenosine content of the L1 open reading frames (ORFs) was reduced from 40% to 27% by changing 25% of the bases in the ORFs, without altering the amino acid sequence. By studying a series of native/synthetic chimeric elements, we observed increased levels of full-length L1 RNA and ORF1 protein and retrotransposition frequency, mostly proportional to increased fraction of synthetic sequence. Overall, the fully synthetic ORFeus-Hs has > 40-fold more RNA but is at most only ~threefold more active than its native counterpart (L1RP); however, its absolute retrotransposition activity is similar to ORFeus-Mm. Owing to the elevated expression of the L1 RNA/protein and its high retrotransposition ability, ORFeus-Hs and its chimeric derivatives will be useful tools for mechanistic L1 studies and mammalian genome manipulation.
Analyses Adjusting for Selective Crossover Show Improved Overall Survival With Adjuvant Letrozole Compared With Tamoxifen in the BIG 1-98 Study
Authors: Colleoni Marco , Giobbie-Hurder Anita , Regan Meredith M. , Thürlimann Beat , Mouridsen Henning , Mauriac Louis , Forbes John F. , Paridaens Robert , Láng István , Smith Ian , Chirgwin Jacquie , Pienkowski Tadeusz , Wardley Andrew , Price Karen N. , Gelber Richard D. , Coates Alan S. , Goldhirsch Aron 
Published: February 2011

Purpose Among postmenopausal women with endocrine-responsive breast cancer, the aromatase inhibitor letrozole, when compared with tamoxifen, has been shown to significantly improve disease-free survival (DFS) and time to distant recurrence (TDR). We investigated whether letrozole monotherapy prolonged overall survival (OS) compared with tamoxifen monotherapy. Patients and Methods Of 8,010 postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive, early breast cancer enrolled on the Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 study, 4,922 were randomly assigned to 5 years of continuous adjuvant therapy with either letrozole or tamoxifen. Of 2,459 patients enrolled in the tamoxifen treatment arm, 619 (25.2%) selectively crossed over to either adjuvant or extended letrozole after initial trial results were presented in January 2005. To gain better estimates of relative treatment effects in the presence of selective crossover, we used inverse probability of censoring weighted (IPCW) modeling. Results Weighted Cox models, by using IPCW, estimated a statistically significant, 18% reduction in the hazard of an OS event with letrozole treatment (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.95). Estimates of 5-year OS on the basis of IPCW were 91.8% and 90.4% for letrozole and tamoxifen, respectively. The HRs of DFS and TDR events by using IPCW modeling were 0.83 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.94) and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.67 to 0.94), respectively (P < .05 for DFS, OS, and TDR). Median follow-up was 74 months. Conclusion Adjuvant treatment with letrozole, compared with tamoxifen, significantly reduces the risk of death, the risk of recurrent disease, and the risk of recurrence at distant sites in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer.
Determinants and Outcomes of Internet Banking Adoption
Authors: Xue Mei , Hitt Lorin M. , Chen Pei-yu 
Published: February 2011

This paper examines the drivers of adoption of Internet banking and the linkages among adoption drivers and outcomes (product acquisition, service activity, profitability, loyalty). We relate Internet banking adoption to customer demand for banking services, the availability of alternative channels, customers' efficiency in service coproduction (“customer efficiency”), and local Internet banking penetration. We find that customers who have greater transaction demand and higher efficiency, and reside in areas with a greater density of online banking adopters, are faster to adopt online banking after controlling for time, regional, and individual characteristics. Consistent with prior work, we find that customers significantly increase their banking activity, acquire more products, and perform more transactions. These changes in behavior are not associated with short-run increases in customer profitability, but customers who adopt online banking have a lower propensity to leave the bank. Building on these observations we also find that the adoption drivers are linked to the postadoption changes in behavior or profitability. Customers who live in areas with a high branch density or high Internet banking penetration increase their product acquisition and transaction activity more than Internet banking adopters in other regions. Efficient customers and those with high service demand show greater postadoption profitability. This paper was accepted by Sandra Slaughter, information systems.
Feeding ecology, habitat use and reproduction of Rousettus madagascariensis Grandidier, 1928 (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in eastern Madagascar
Authors: Andrianaivoarivelo Radosoa A. , Ramilijaona Olga R. , Racey Paul A. , Razafindrakoto Noromampiandra , Jenkins Richard K.B. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
We studied the diet, habitat use and biology of Rousettus madagascariensis, a relatively small (∼55–77 g) fruit bat endemic to Madagascar, between July 2004 and May 2005. Faecal analysis revealed few seeds in the diet, suggesting that the bats either feed extensively on nectar, flowers and leaves or on fruits with seeds too large to ingest. However, bats were captured near fruiting Ficus sp. inside relatively intact forest and Ficus sp. seeds were found in the faeces during March and April. Defecated Ficus rubra seeds germinated significantly faster than seeds from ripe fruits under controlled conditions, but germination rates were similar. Radio tracking and observations of light-tagged individuals revealed that R. madagascariensis travelled a straight line distance of at least 8 km between the roost and feeding locations, with round trip foraging routes of up to 27 km. Most juveniles were trapped between March and July and we infer that weaning of young started before 8 weeks of age. The features used to distinguish juveniles from adults were no longer evident in December and it appears therefore that R. madagascariensis reaches somatic maturity within a single year. Pregnancy, lactation and weaning in this species coincide with the austral summer when food availability is higher.
Late Preterm Infants Have Worse 24-Month Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Than Term Infants
Authors: Woythaler Melissa A. , McCormick Marie C. , Smith Vincent C. 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:
Late preterm infants (34–37 weeks' gestation) are often perceived at similar risks for morbidity and mortality as term infants.

OBJECTIVE:
To compare the neurodevelopmental outcomes of late preterm to term infants.

METHODS:
Our study sample of 6300 term and 1200 late preterm infants came from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort. We used general estimating equations to get weighted odds of having developmental delay, mental index scores (MDI) or psychomotor index scores (PDI) &lt; 70, at 24 months of age.

RESULTS:
Late preterm infants compared with term infants had lower MDI (85 vs 89) and PDI (88 vs 92), both P &lt; .0001, respectively. A higher proportion of late preterm infants compared with term infants had an MDI &lt;70 (21% vs 16%; P &lt; .0001). An equal number had PDIs &lt;70 (6.1% vs 6.5%). After controlling for statistically significant and clinically relevant descriptive characteristics, late preterm infants still had higher odds of mental (odds ratio: 1.52 [95% confidence interval: 1.26–1.82] P &lt; .0001) or physical (odds ratio: 1.56 [95% confidence interval: 1.30–1.89] P &lt; .0001) developmental delay.

CONCLUSIONS:
Late preterm infants have poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes than term infants and have increased odds to have a mental and/or physical developmental delay.
Ambulatory Visit Rates and Antibiotic Prescribing for Children With Pneumonia, 1994–2007
Authors: Kronman Matthew P. , Hersh Adam L. , Feng Rui , Huang Yuan-Shung , Lee Grace E. , Shah Samir S. 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:The incidence of pediatric hospitalizations for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has declined after the widespread use of the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The national incidence of outpatient visits for CAP, however, is not well established. Although no pediatric CAP treatment guidelines are available, current data support narrow-spectrum antibiotics as the first-line treatment for most patients with CAP.OBJECTIVE:To estimate the incidence rates of outpatient CAP, examine time trends in antibiotics prescribed for CAP, and determine factors associated with broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing for CAP.PATIENTS AND METHODS:The National Ambulatory and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (1994–2007) were used to identify children aged 1 to 18 years with CAP using a validated algorithm. We determined age group–specific rates of outpatient CAP and examined trends in antibiotic prescribing for CAP. Data from 2006–2007 were used to study factors associated with broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing.RESULTS:Overall, annual CAP visit rates ranged from 16.9 to 22.4 per 1000 population, with the highest rates occurring in children aged 1 to 5 years (range: 32.3–49.6 per 1000). Ambulatory CAP visit rates did not change between 1994 and 2007. Antibiotics commonly prescribed for CAP included macrolides (34% of patients overall), cephalosporins (22% overall), and penicillins (14% overall). Cephalosporin use increased significantly between 2000 and 2007 (P = .002). Increasing age, a visit to a nonemergency department office, and obtaining a radiograph or complete blood count were associated with broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing.CONCLUSIONS:The incidence of pediatric ambulatory CAP visits has not changed significantly between 1994 and 2007, despite the introduction of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in 2000. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, particularly macrolides, were frequently prescribed despite evidence that they provide little benefit over penicillins.
A Clinical Prediction Model to Stratify Retinopathy of Prematurity Risk Using Postnatal Weight Gain
Authors: Binenbaum Gil , Ying Gui-shuang , Quinn Graham E. , Dreiseitl Stephan , Karp Karen , Roberts Robin S. , Kirpalani Haresh ,   the Premature Infants in Need of Transfusion Study Group
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE:
To develop an efficient clinical prediction model that includes postnatal weight gain to identify infants at risk of developing severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Under current birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) screening criteria, &lt;5% of infants examined in countries with advanced neonatal care require treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This study was a secondary analysis of prospective data from the Premature Infants in Need of Transfusion Study, which enrolled 451 infants with a BW &lt; 1000 g at 10 centers. There were 367 infants who remained after excluding deaths (82) and missing weights (2). Multivariate logistic regression was used to predict severe ROP (stage 3 or treatment).

RESULTS:
Median BW was 800 g (445–995). There were 67 (18.3%) infants who had severe ROP. The model included GA, BW, and daily weight gain rate. Run weekly, an alarm that indicated need for eye examinations occurred when the predicted probability of severe ROP was &gt;0.085. This identified 66 of 67 severe ROP infants (sensitivity of 99% [95% confidence interval: 94%–100%]), and all 33 infants requiring treatment. Median alarm-to-outcome time was 10.8 weeks (range: 1.9–17.6). There were 110 (30%) infants who had no alarm. Nomograms were developed to determine risk of severe ROP by BW, GA, and postnatal weight gain.

CONCLUSION:
In a high-risk cohort, a BW-GA-weight-gain model could have reduced the need for examinations by 30%, while still identifying all infants requiring laser surgery. Additional studies are required to determine whether including larger-BW, lower-risk infants would reduce examinations further and to validate the prediction model and nomograms before clinical use.