bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adrenocortical carcinoma: Past, present, and future
Authors: LaFemina Jennifer , Brennan Murray F. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAdrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy. Due to its rarity, heterogeneity, and a lack of a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis, little progress has been made in treatment and outcomes. The current review explores the past, present, and future of the understanding and treatment of this disease process. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:586–594. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Atmospheric dynamics and elevated ozone concentrations in the northern Adriatic
Authors: Prtenjak Maja Telišman , Jeričević Amela , Klaić Zvjezdana Bencetić , Alebić‐Juretić Ana , Bulić Ivana Herceg 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThe influence of mesoscale flow on the elevated O3concentrations recorded during 13–19 August 2000 in the coastal town of Rijeka (45.33°N, 14.45°E) has been examined. Although high levels of ozone concentration are often observed there, this episode was unique due to hourly afternoon concentrations persistently higher than 180 µg m−3and nocturnal levels above 100 µg m−3. To study this episode, available meteorological and ozone measurements were analysed, along with supplemental numerical simulations and trajectories. The measurements revealed favourable atmospheric conditions for the production of ozone, i.e., high air temperatures associated with (1) the exchange of two dominant (although relatively weak) large‐scale flows: southwesterlyversusnortheasterly bora winds, and (2) local thermal circulation. The bora wind was relatively weak and short lasting. Although the bora transported the polluted air mass away along the western Adriatic coast, the southwesterly flow returned ozone‐rich air toward the Alps, thus contributing to the overall pollution over the northern Adriatic Sea. Models revealed the superposition of the southwesterly wind and local, thermally induced winds that caused the regional transport of ozone toward the Alps and the eastern Adriatic coast. However, while the regional transport of ozone from the northern Adriatic was found to enhance somewhat the ozone concentrations in Rijeka at the end of period studied, its surrounding local emission sources, uniform local thermal circulation systems, and recirculation of pollutants were crucial factors in the formation of the large daytime and night time ozone levels observed in Rijeka.
The rotational advancement of medial plantar flap for coverage of foot defect: A case report
Authors: Beidas Omar E. , Tan Benny K. , Petersen J. Dayne 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis case describes the use of the medial plantar artery flap used to cover a lateral foot wound in a 19‐year‐old male with a history of spina bifida. The original operative plan was for coverage with a medial plantar flap based distally on retrograde flow through the lateral plantar artery; however, this had to be revised intraoperatively as his vascular anatomy was not adequate to support a flap of this type. Thus, advancement with rotation modification of the conventional medial plantar flap was performed with good results. At 2‐month follow‐up, the patient's flap had fully healed, he returned to full weight‐bearing status, and he had gross sensation in the sole of his foot. This case illustrates the use of the well‐described medial plantar flap by rotating and advancing the flap for reconstruction of defects of the foot. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Multilayer reconstructions for defects overlying the Achilles tendon with the lateral‐arm flap: Long‐term follow‐up of 16 cases
Authors: Smit Jeroen M. , Darcy Catharine M. , Audolfsson Thorir , Hartman Ed H.M. , Acosta Rafael 
Published: April 2012

AbstractDefects of the Achilles tendon and the overlying soft tissue are challenging to reconstruct. The lateral‐arm flap has our preference in this region as it provides thin pliable skin, in addition, the fascia and tendon can be included in the flap as well. The aim of this report is to share the experience the authors gained with this type of reconstruction. The authors report the largest series in the published reports today. Patients and methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients treated between January 2000 and January 2009 with a lateral‐arm flap for a soft‐tissue defect overlying the Achilles tendon. Results: In the reviewed period, 16 soft‐tissue defects overlying the Achilles tendon were reconstructed, with a mean follow‐up of 63 months. In three cases, tendon was included into the flap and in two, a sensory nerve was coapted. Fifteen cases (94%) were successful, one failed. In seven cases, a secondary procedure was necessary for thinning of the flap. Conclusion: The lateral‐arm flap is a good and safe option for the reconstruction of defects overlying the Achilles tendon. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
The MG‐QOL15 Japanese version: Validation and associations with clinical factors
Authors: Masuda Masayuki , Utsugisawa Kimiaki , Suzuki Shigeaki , Nagane Yuriko , Kabasawa Chiaki , Suzuki Yasushi , Shimizu Yuko , Utsumi Hiroya , Fujihara Kazuo , Uchiyama Shinichiro , Suzuki Norihiro 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIntroduction:Our study aim was to produce a Japanese translation of the 15‐item Myasthenia Gravis Quality‐of‐Life Scale (MG‐QOL15), assess its reliability and validity, and examine clinical factors affecting self‐perceived QOL in MG.Methods:We evaluated 327 consecutive patients with MG seen at six neurological centers. All patients completed the Japanese version of the MG‐QOL15 (MG‐QOL15‐J), the Beck Depression Inventory—second edition (BDI‐II), and a generic health‐related QOL questionnaire, the SF‐36. Disease severity was determined according to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) quantitative MG score and the MG composite.Results:The MG‐QOL15‐J exhibited adequate internal reliability, test–retest repeatability, and concurrent validity with SF‐36, disease severity, and known‐patient groups categorized by MGFA post‐intervention status. Multivariate analysis revealed severity, dose of oral corticosteroids, and BDI‐II as independent factors negatively affecting QOL.Conclusion:The MG‐QOL15‐J is anticipated to be a valuable clinical measure of QOL in Japanese patients with MG. Muscle Nerve 46: 166–173, 2012
High frequency sacral root nerve block allows bladder voiding
Authors: Boger Adam S. , Bhadra Narendra , Gustafson Kenneth J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAimsDyssynergic reflexive external urethral sphincter (EUS) activity following spinal cord injury can prevent bladder voiding, resulting in significant medical complications. Irreversible sphincterotomies or neurotomies can prevent EUS activation and allow bladder voiding, but may cause incontinence or loss of sacral reflexes. We investigated whether kilohertz frequency (KF) electrical conduction block of the sacral roots could prevent EUS activation and allow bladder voiding.MethodsThe S2 sacral nerve roots were stimulated bilaterally to generate bladder pressure in six cats. One S1 nerve root was stimulated proximally (20 Hz biphasic pulse trains) to evoke EUS pressure, simulating worst‐case dyssynergic EUS reflexes. KF waveforms (12.5 kHz biphasic square wave) applied to an electrode implanted distally on the S1 nerve root blocked nerve conduction, preventing the increase in EUS pressure and allowing voiding.ResultsApplying KF waveforms increased bladder voiding in single, limited‐duration trials from 3 ± 6% to 59 ± 12%. Voiding could be increased to 82 ± 9% of the initial bladder volume by repeating or increasing the duration of the trials.ConclusionsSacral nerve block can prevent EUS activation and allow complete bladder voiding, potentially eliminating the need for a neurotomy. Eliminating neurotomy requirements could increase patient acceptance of bladder voiding neuroprostheses, increasing patient quality of life and reducing the cost of patient care. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:677–682, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A cognitive accountability mechanism for penalizing misbehaving ECN‐based TCP stacks
Authors: Latré Steven , de Meerssche Wim Van , Deschrijver Dirk , Papadimitriou Dimitri , Dhaene Tom , Turck Filip De 
Published: April 2012

SUMMARYThe introduction of high‐bandwidth demanding services such as multimedia services has resulted in important changes on how services in the Internet are accessed and what quality‐of‐experience requirements (i.e. limited amount of packet loss, fairness between connections) are expected to ensure a smooth service delivery. In the current congestion control mechanisms, misbehaving Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) stacks can easily achieve an unfair advantage over the other connections by not responding to Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) warnings, sent by the active queue management (AQM) system when congestion in the network is imminent. In this article, we present an accountability mechanism that holds connections accountable for their actions through the detection and penalization of misbehaving TCP stacks with the goal of restoring the fairness in the network. The mechanism is specifically targeted at deployment in multimedia access networks as these environments are most prone to fairness issues due to misbehaving TCP stacks (i.e. long‐lived connections and a moderate connection pool size). We argue that a cognitive approach is best suited to cope with the dynamicity of the environment and therefore present a cognitive detection algorithm that combines machine learning algorithms to classify connections into well‐behaving and misbehaving profiles. This is in turn used by a differentiated AQM mechanism that provides a different treatment for the well‐behaving and misbehaving profiles. The performance of the cognitive accountability mechanism has been characterized both in terms of the accuracy of the cognitive detection algorithm and the overall impact of the mechanism on network fairness. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A quadratically convergent inexact SQP method for optimal control of differential algebraic equations
Authors: Houska Boris , Diehl Moritz 
Published: April 2012

SUMMARYIn this paper, we present an inexact sequential quadratic programming method in the context of a direct multiple shooting approach for differential algebraic equations. For the case that a numerical integration routine is used to compute the states of a relaxed differential algebraic equation, the computation of sensitivities, with respect to a large number of algebraic states, can become very expensive. To overcome this limitation, the inexact sequential quadratic programming method that we propose in this paper requires neither the computation of any sensitivity direction of the differential state trajectory, with respect to the algebraic states, nor the consistent initialization of the differential algebraic equation. We prove the locally quadratic convergence of the proposed method. Finally, we demonstrate the numerical performance of the method by optimizing a distillation column with 82 differential and 122 algebraic states. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma exhibits phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase/akt activity with retained but inactivated PTEN—A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Thakral Charu , Hutchison Robert E. , Shrimpton Antony , Barrett Donna , Laver Joseph , Link Michael , Halleran Devin R. , Hudson Sandra 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is usually a disease of young patients. We investigated phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway‐associated factors in pediatric cases and cell lines.ProcedurePatient materials consisted of tissue slides of ALK+/CD30+ ALCL from 33 patients treated on Pediatric Oncology Group protocols (9219, n = 8 and 9315, n = 25). Slides were examined by immunohistochemistry for phospho(p)‐Akt and PTEN, the primary feedback regulator of the pathway, as well as for p27kip1 and stathmin‐1. ALCL cell lines SUDHL‐1 and Karpas‐299 were examined for ALK, pALK, pAkt, p27/Kip1, PTEN, pPTEN, CD30, pSTAT3, and pSTAT5; ALK inhibition was performed using compound PF‐2341066 and PTEN genes were sequenced.ResultsA majority of patients expressed pAkt, PTEN, and stathmin, with p27kip1 levels less than controls. Cell lines showed expression of ALK, pALK, pSTAT3, pSTAT5, CD30, pAkt, PTEN, and pPTEN, with p27 slightly less than positive controls, and germline PTEN DNA. There was evidence of phosphorylated PTEN (pPTEN) associated with inhibited function. Pharmacologic inhibition of activated ALK diminished pSTAT3, pSTAT5, and CD30 expression but not pAkt or pPTEN in cultured cell lines.ConclusionWe conclude that the PI3K/Akt pathway is activated in many, though not all, pediatric ALK+ ALCL. Our data suggest that activation of this pathway involves post‐translational regulation of PTEN. Pharmacologic inhibition of activated ALK does not reduce modest levels of activated Akt as it does with the more abundant levels of activated STAT3 or STAT5. Future therapy of ALCL might, in selected patients, best combine agents inhibiting PI3K/Akt with those targeting ALK. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:440–447. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
X‐ray scattering study on the damage in fibers used in soft body armor after folding
Authors: Kobayashi H. , McDonough W.G. , Dunkers J.P. , Wight S.A. , Lee H.J. , Kim J.H. , Forster A.L. , Rice K.D. , Holmes G.A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe goals of the research effort described in this article are to develop a framework to evaluate improvements in next‐generation fibers used in soft body armor and to anticipate long‐term performance and potential fiber deterioration. This effort to date has included the effect of folding on the fibers and exploring the interaction between the specific fiber strain energy and their sound velocity. Previous work in this lab noted a severe drop‐off of tensile strength and strain‐to‐failure in poly(p‐phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers when subjected to repeated folding. Subsequent work on poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) fibers showed at most a slight drop‐off in these mechanical properties. Results from wide angle X‐ray diffraction indicated that both PPTA and PBO fibers showed no significant changes in the d‐spacing and the apparent crystal size. However, with small angle X‐ray scattering, it was found that the void and fibril sizes within PBO fibers may decrease after folding. Environmental scanning electron microscopy showed no damage to the fiber surfaces upon folding, and confocal microscopy revealed extensive internal damage to the PBO fibers that tracks well with the SAXS and mechanical testing results. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
QF‐PCR: application, overview and review of the literature
Authors: Mann Kathy , Ogilvie Caroline Mackie 
Published: April 2012

AbstractQuantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction has been in diagnostic use in the UK for over 10 years and has proved to be a cost‐effective, robust and accurate rapid prenatal test for common aneuploidies. Specific advantages include detection of triploidy, mosaicism and maternal cell contamination. Its application at our centre is described, with developments including stand‐alone testing and improvements in strategies for the preparation and testing of chorionic villus biopsies. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic counselling and ethical issues with chromosome microarray analysis in prenatal testing
Authors: McGillivray George , Rosenfeld Jill A , McKinlay Gardner R. J. , Gillam Lynn H. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTMolecular karyotyping using chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) detects more pathogenic chromosomal anomalies than classical karyotyping, making CMA likely to become a first tier test for prenatal diagnosis. Detecting copy number variants of uncertain clinical significance raises ethical considerations. We consider the risk of harm to a woman or her fetus following the detection of a copy number variant of uncertain significance, whether it is ethically justifiable to withhold any test result information from a woman, what constitutes an ‘informed choice’ when women are offered CMA in pregnancy and whether clinicians are morally responsible for ‘unnecessary’ termination of pregnancy. Although we are cognisant of the distress associated with uncertain prenatal results, we argue in favour of the autonomy of women and their right to information from genome‐wide CMA in order to make informed choices about their pregnancies. We propose that information material to a woman's decision‐making process, including uncertain information, should not be withheld, and that it would be paternalistic for clinicians to try to take responsibility for women's decisions to terminate pregnancies. Non‐directive pre‐test and post‐test genetic counselling is central to the delivery of these ethical objectives. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal chromosomal microarray analysis in a diagnostic laboratory; experience with >1000 cases and review of the literature
Authors: Breman Amy , Pursley Amber N. , Hixson Patricia , Bi Weimin , Ward Patricia , Bacino Carlos A. , Shaw Chad , Lupski James R. , Beaudet Arthur , Patel Ankita , Cheung Sau W. , Van den Veyver Ignatia 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the results of prenatal chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) on >1000 fetal samples referred for testing at our institution and to compare these data to published reports.MethodsHigh resolution CMA was offered to women undergoing amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. Parental samples were obtained concurrently to exclude maternal cell contamination and assist interpretation of copy number variations.ResultsClinically significant copy number variations were observed in 85/1115 cases (7.6%) overall, and in 45/1075 cases (4.2 %) if 40 abnormal cases with known chromosome abnormalities or familial genomic imbalances were excluded. Eighteen of the 1115 cases had variants of unclear clinical significance (1.6%). Indications yielding the most clinically significant findings were abnormal karyotype/fluorescence in situ hybridization (26/61, 42.6%), family history of chromosomal abnormality (13/137, 9.5%), abnormal ultrasound (38/410, 9.3%), abnormal serum screening (2/37, 5.4%) and advanced maternal age (5/394, 1.3%). Of 1075 cases having no previously known cytogenetic abnormality or family history, 18 (1.7%) had clinically significant genomic changes undetectable by conventional prenatal chromosome analysis.ConclusionCurrent experience confirms that the detection rate of CMA for prenatal chromosomal abnormalities surpasses that of conventional karyotype analysis and continues to improve with higher resolution arrays, while maintaining a low frequency of results of unclear clinical significance. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integration of microarray technology into prenatal diagnosis: counselling issues generated during the NICHD clinical trial
Authors: Wapner Ronald J. , Driscoll Deborah A. , Simpson Joe Leigh 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTCytogenetic microarray analysis (CMA) in prenatal testing detects chromosome abnormalities and new genetic syndromes that would be missed by conventional cytogenetics and has the potential to significantly enhance prenatal genetic evaluation. A large Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute Of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)‐sponsored multicentered trial to assess the role of CMA as a primary prenatal diagnostic tool has been completed, and results will soon be available. Integration of this technology into clinical care will require thoughtful changes in patient counseling. Here, we examine four cases, all ascertained in the NICHD prenatal microarray study, to illustrate the challenges and subtleties of genetic counseling required with prenatal CMA testing. Although the specifics of each case are distinct, the underlying genetic principles of uncertainty, variable expressivity, and lack of precise genotype–phenotype correlation are well known and already part of prenatal counseling. Counselor and practitioner education will need to include both the science of interpreting array findings as well as development of improved approaches to uncertainty. A team approach to interpretation will need to be developed, as will standardized guidelines by professional organizations and laboratories. Of equal import is additional research into patient attitudes and desires, and a better understanding of the full phenotypic spectrum of copy number variants discoveredin utero. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new approach for the preparation of hydrophilic poly(L‐lactide) porous scaffold for tissue engineering by using lamellar single crystals
Authors: Bakry Ahmed , Martinelli Andrea , Bizzarri Mariano , Cucina Alessandra , D'Ilario Lucio , Francolini Iolanda , Piozzi Antonella , Proietti Sara 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe aim of the present work was to study the possibility of building a porous scaffold for tissue engineering with a new bottom‐up approach, obtained by assembling two‐dimensional‐micro, one‐dimensional‐nano sized poly(L‐lactide) lamellar single crystals. This choice was dictated by the fact that polymer single crystals have structural and morphological features which can be exploited for chemical surface modifications to give a system characterized by a high specific active surface area. Indeed, the outermost amorphous regions can undergo functionalization reactions easily, whereas the inner, relatively inaccessible and inert crystalline core ensures morphological and mechanical stability. The assembling method employed to give the porous structures is based on a mould pressing, salt leaching technique and was found to be facile and versatile. In the first part of this paper we report the experimental results obtained to find the best conditions to achieve a suitable frame in terms of morphology, porosity and mechanical properties. In the second part of the paper, we describe the biological tests performed by using mouse fibroblasts seeded onto scaffolds prepared from pristine and surface hydrolysed lamellae. The results show that the samples obtained are suitable for sustaining cells which can proliferate and reach the inner pores of the scaffold containing hydrolysed single crystals much better than those prepared from pristine lamellae. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation as antitumour drug carriers of folate‐targeted N‐isopropylacrylamide‐based nanohydrogels
Authors: Blanco María Dolores , Benito Marta , Olmo Rosa , Teijón César , Pérez Elena , Katime Issa , Teijón José M 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCopolymeric nanohydrogels based on N‐isopropylacrylamide, N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)acrylamide and tert‐butyl‐2‐acrylamidoethyl carbamate, synthesized by microemulsion polymerization, were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and their size (38–52 nm) determined using quasielastic light scattering. Folic acid was covalently attached to the nanohydrogels (1.40 ± 0.07 mmol g−1). Tamoxifen (6.7 ± 0.2–7.3 ± 1.2 µg TMX mg−1 nanohydrogel), a hydrophobic anticancer drug, and 5‐fluorouracil (7.7 ± 0.7–10.14 ± 1.75 µg 5‐FU mg−1 nanohydrogel), a hydrophilic anticancer drug, were loaded into the nanohydrogels. Maximum in vitro TMX release (77–84% of loaded drug) depended on interactions of the drug with hydrophobic clusters of the nanogels; however, no nanogel/5‐FU interactions allowed total release of the loaded drug. The cytotoxicity of unloaded nanohydrogels in MCF7, T47D and HeLa cells was low. Cell uptake of nanogels without bound folic acid took place in the three cell types by unspecific internalization in a time‐dependent process. Cell uptake increased for folic acid‐targeted nanohydrogels in T47D and HeLa cells, which have folate receptors. The administration of 10 and 30 µmol L−1 TMX by TMX‐loaded nanogels and 10 µmol L−1 5‐FU by 5‐FU‐loaded nanogels was effective on the three cell types, and the best results were obtained for folic acid‐targeted nanohydrogels. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry