bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging for axillary staging in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Mortellaro Vincent E. , Marshall Julia , Singer Lauren , Hochwald Steven N. , Chang Myron , Copeland Edward M. , Grobmyer Stephen R. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractPurposeTo determine the utility of MRI for assessing axillary lymph node status in patients with breast cancer.Materials and MethodsA consecutive series of patients who underwent breast MR before surgical management of breast cancer with axillary sampling between 2005 and 2007 were identified. MRs were evaluated for the number of nodes, contrast kinetics, nodal area, and number of nodes with no fatty hilum. Data were analyzed in the context of final breast pathology, sentinel lymph node status, and axillary nodal status. Correlations were analyzed using Kendall's τ‐b test. Reported P values are one‐sided.ResultsFifty‐six females (median = 58 years) were studied. Sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) were positive in 15/56 patients (27%). All SLN + patients (n = 15) had completion axillary dissection. Extent of nodal disease was 1 (n = 3), 2 (n = 4), >2 (n = 8). Presence of any axillary lymph node with no fatty hilum and the number of nodes with no fatty hilum on MR significantly correlated with pathologic node positivity (P = 0.04); while kinetics, node number, and node size did not correlate.ConclusionBreast MR may be useful in the assessment of axillary nodes in patients with breast cancer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Shielded dual‐loop resonator for arterial spin labeling at the neck
Authors: Hetzer Stefan , Mildner Toralf , Driesel Wolfgang , Weder Manfred , Möller Harald E. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractPurposeTo construct a dual‐loop coil for continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) at the human neck and characterize it using computer simulations and magnetic resonance experiments.Materials and MethodsThe labeling coil was designed as a perpendicular pair of shielded‐loop resonators made from coaxial cable to obtain balanced circular loops with minimal electrical interaction with the lossy tissue. Three different excitation modes depending on the phase shift, Δψ, of the currents driving the two circular loops were investigated including a “Maxwell mode” (Δψ = 0°; ie, opposite current directions in both loops), a “quadrature mode” (Δψ = 90°), and a “Helmholtz mode” (Δψ = 180°; ie, identical current directions in both loops).ResultsSimulations of the radiofrequency field distribution indicated a high inversion efficiency at the locations of the carotid and vertebral arteries. With a 7‐mm‐thick polypropylene insulation, a sufficient distance from tissue was achieved to guarantee robust performance at a local specific absorption rate (SAR) well below legal safety limits. Application in healthy volunteers at 3 T yielded quantitative maps of gray matter perfusion with low intersubject variability.ConclusionThe coil permits robust labeling with low SAR and minimal sensitivity to different loading conditions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:1414–1424. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Time‐resolved three‐dimensional magnetic resonance digital subtraction angiography without contrast material in the brain: Initial investigation
Authors: Hori Masaaki , Shiraga Nobuyuki , Watanabe Yasushi , Aoki Shigeki , Isono Sachiko , Yui Masao , Ohtomo Kuni , Araki Tsutomu 
Published: May 2009

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate a novel magnetic resonance (MR) angiography (MRA) of three‐dimensional (3D) MR digital subtraction angiography (MRDSA) without contrast material, which is essentially 3D true steady‐state free precession (SSFP) with selected inversion recovery (IR) pulse using multiple cardiac phase acquisitions with a short increment delay in the assessment of normal cranial arteries, as a feasibility study before clinical use.Materials and MethodsSerial MRA images using 3D MRDSA without contrast material were acquired from 10 healthy volunteers. Visualization of normal cranial arteries with time‐spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time‐SLIP) MRDSA was qualitatively compared with the conventional MRA method, 3D time‐of‐flight (TOF)‐MRA.ResultsIn all volunteers, serial 3D MRDSAs containing hemodynamic information were successfully imaged. The results of visualization of the branches of the cranial arteries with Time‐SLIP MRDSA were comparable to those of 3D TOF‐MRA. The mean scores ± standard deviations for normal cerebral arteries (internal carotid arteries, middle cerebral arteries, anterior cerebral arteries, posterior cerebral arteries, and basilar arteries) were 2.4 ± 0.5, 2.3 ± 0.5, 2.0 ± 0.7, 2.3 ± 0.7, and 2.5 ± 0.7, respectively.ConclusionTime‐SLIP 3D MRDSA is a simple method for obtaining hemodynamic information. Although more MR sequence improvement is needed, it can play an important role in assessing cranial arteries without contrast material. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:214–218. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Schwann cell chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan inhibits dorsal root ganglion neuron neurite outgrowth and substrate specificity via a soma and not a growth cone mechanism
Authors: Kuffler Damien P. , Sosa Ivan J. , Reyes Onix 
Published: May 2009

AbstractSensory axons do not regenerate into or within the spinal cord because of the presence of the axon regeneration inhibitor chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) on activated astrocytes. In the peripheral nervous system, CSPG associated with denervated Schwann cells retards axon regeneration, but regeneration occurs because the balance of regenerating, inhibiting, and promoting factors favors regeneration. The present experiments were aimed at determining the mechanism by which Schwann cells inhibit adult human dorsal root ganglia (H‐DRG) neuron growth cone elongation and substrate specificity, restricting the growth cones to Schwann cell membranes and inhibiting their growth onto a poly‐l‐lysine/laminin substrate. Neurites of H‐DRG neurons free of soma contact with Schwann cells, or after the Schwann cell membranes' CSPG had been digested, were 11.1‐fold longer than those of neurons in soma contact with untreated Schwann cells. Growth cones of DRG neuron somas without Schwann cell CSPG showed no outgrowth inhibition or substrate specificity. These results indicate that the Schwann cell CSPG influences act via contact with neuron somas but not growth cones. These results suggest that eliminating CSPG associated with Schwann cells within DRG in vivo will make the neurons' growth cones insensitive to the regeneration inhibitory influences of CSPG, allowing them to regenerate through the dorsal root entry zone and into and within the spinal cord, where they can establish appropriate and functional synaptic connections. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phospholipid transfer protein reduces phosphorylation of tau in human neuronal cells
Authors: Dong Weijiang , Albers John J. , Vuletic Simona 
Published: May 2009

AbstractTau function is regulated by phosphorylation, and abnormal tau phosphorylation in neurons is one of the key processes associated with development of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. In this study we provide evidence that phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), one of the main lipid transfer proteins in the brain, significantly reduces levels of phosphorylated tau and increases levels of the inactive form of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK3β) in HCN2 cells. Furthermore, inhibition of phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K) reversed the PLTP‐induced increase in levels of GSK3β phosphorylated at serine 9 (pGSK3βSer9) and partially reversed the PLTP‐induced reduction in tau phosphorylation. We provide evidence that the PLTP‐induced changes are not due to activation of Disabled‐1 (Dab1), insofar as PLTP reduced levels of total and phosphorylated Dab1 in HCN2 cells. We have also shown that inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity of insulin receptor (IR) and/or insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) receptor (IGFR) reverses the PLTP‐induced increase in levels of phosphorylated Akt (pAktThr308 and pAktSer473), suggesting that PLTP‐mediated activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway is dependent on IR/IGFR receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Our study suggests that PLTP may be an important modulator of signal transduction pathways in human neurons. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A synoptic analysis of the diurnal cycle of thunderstorm precipitation in Kraków (Southern Poland)
Authors: Twardosz Robert 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA study was made of the relationships between the diurnal pattern of thunderstorm precipitation in Kraków and the types of air masses and atmospheric fronts prevailing over southern Poland during the period 1951–2006. The results of these investigations contribute to a better understanding of the physical processes taking place in the atmosphere that are associated with convective rainfall and may be used to improve the forecasting of the temporal distribution of convective precipitation. The elementary parameters of the daily precipitation cycle were identified, such as the amplitude and phase of the frequency and total thunderstorm precipitation. A separate analysis was performed of air mass and frontal precipitation. The 24‐h thunderstorm precipitation cycle depends on the synoptic situation that determines the thermal and humidity properties of air masses. There is an afternoon peak in Kraków's general diurnal pattern of thunderstorm precipitation that is primarily linked to cold fronts and to air mass precipitation occurring in polar maritime air. Thunderstorm precipitation linked to warm fronts is less frequent and is concentrated in the evening. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Early fracture callus displays smooth muscle‐like viscoelastic properties ex vivo: Implications for fracture healing
Authors: McDonald Stuart J. , Dooley Philip C. , McDonald Aaron C. , Schuijers Johannes A. , Ward Alex R. , Grills Brian L. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractCells of early, fibrous callus in bone fractures possess much alpha smooth muscle actin. This callus contracts and relaxes; however, active and passive components of its force production have yet to be defined. We aimed to establish whether passive viscoelastic properties of early soft fracture callus are smooth muscle‐like in nature. Under anesthesia one rib was fractured in rats and calluses removed 7 days later for analysis. Urinary bladder detrusor muscle and Achilles tendon were also resected and analyzed. Force production in these tissues was measured using a force transducer when preparations were immersed in calcium‐free Krebs‐Henseleit solution (pH 7.4, 22°C). Viscoelastic responses were measured in each preparation in response to 50 µN increases and decreases in force after achieving basal tissue tension by preconditioning. Callus, bladder, and tendon all displayed varying, reproducible degrees of stress relaxation (SR) and reverse stress relaxation (RSR) (n = 7 for all groups). Hysteresis was observed in callus, with the first SR response significantly larger than that produced in subsequent stretches (p < 0.05). Callus SR responses were greater than tendon (p < 0.001) but less than bladder (p < 0.001). Callus RSR responses were greater than tendon (p < 0.001), but no significant difference was seen between RSR of callus and bladder. We concluded that early, soft callus displayed significant SR and RSR phenomena similar to smooth muscle tissue, and SR and RSR may be important in maintenance of static tension in early callus by promoting osteogenesis and fracture healing. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:1508–1513, 2009
Synthesis of different gold nanostructures by solar radiation and their SERS spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Hongjun , Wang Yuling , Dong Shaojun 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn this article, a simple and novel photochemical synthesis of different gold nanostructures is proposed using solar radiation. This method is rapid, convenient and of low cost, and can be performed under ambient conditions. By adjusting the concentration of sodium acetate (NaAc), different morphologies of the products can be easily obtained. Without NaAc, the products obtained are mainly polyhedral gold particles; lower concentration of NaAc (0.05 and 0.1 M) accelerates the formation of flowerlike gold nanostructures; while higher concentration of NaAc (0.5 M) facilitates the formation of a variety of gold nanowires and nanobelts. It is found that the morphology change of gold nanaostructures is the result of the synergistic effect of poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA), Ac− ions, and the pH value. In addition, the different gold nanostructures thus obtained were used as substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with p‐aminothiophenol (p‐ATP) as the probe molecule. In comparison, the flowerlike gold nanostructures show stronger SERS effect than the other gold nanostructures, which is associated with their unique geometrical shapes providing highly localized electromagnetic (EM) field for the optical enhancement to the probe molecules. These gold nanostructures, with different geometrical shapes, might have potential applications in the areas of photonics, optoelectronics and optical sensing. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular determinants of outcomes: Linking tissue banks to outcomes databases
Authors: Bathe Oliver F. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn the past, most outcomes research has focused on defining the clinicopathological determinants of outcomes. More recently, it has become apparent that the molecular features of tumor (as well as the genetic makeup of the patient) significantly influence outcomes, including responsiveness to therapy and prognosis. In view of this, there is a need for more research on the molecular determinants of outcomes. Research biorepositories are important vehicles for this type of research and they could potentially accelerate this work. For biomarker research to affect patient care, it is critical to effectively link patient outcomes data with descriptions of the molecular features of tumors. Effective linkage of outcomes data with tissue banks will dramatically accelerate biomarker research. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:513–516. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improving surgical outcomes for patients with cancer: An Australian perspective
Authors: Crowe Philip 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe quality of surgical outcomes for cancer patients is influenced by multiple factors that must be addressed by both a systemic and an individual surgeon approach. In Australia, like many other countries, changes to the health care system via both federal and state government health care quality agencies are likely to positively impact outcomes for surgical patients. Surgical audit is an important component of quality surgical practice and the most successful surgical audit in Australia is the National Breast Cancer Audit, run by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. The audit has helped to document the standard of breast cancer surgery in Australia and New Zealand and in the process identified areas for improvement. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:478–480. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using the NCDB for cancer care improvement: An introduction to available quality assessment tools
Authors: Raval Mehul V. , Bilimoria Karl Y. , Stewart Andrew K. , Bentrem David J. , Ko Clifford Y. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractImproving the quality of cancer care requires high‐quality data, mechanisms to feed back information to hospitals, systems to act on the data, and participation of providers. The purpose of this review is to describe how the National Cancer Database (NCDB) can be utilized to improve the quality of cancer care in the United States through a variety of benchmarking reports and data feedback mechanisms available to hospitals approved by the Commission on Cancer (CoC). J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:488–490. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Blood loss in surgical oncology: Neglected quality indicator?
Authors: Dixon Elijah , Datta Indraneel , Sutherland Francis R. , Vauthey Jean‐Nicolas 
Published: May 2009

AbstractQuality indicators can be defined as “specific and measurable elements of practice that can be used to assess the quality of care”. Surgical blood loss is one of the most significant perioperative predictors of patient outcome. Blood loss is a modifiable quality indicator for oncologic cancer surgery. Surgical oncologists need to alter their surgical technique to promote bloodless surgery and decrease the variability in reported blood loss and rates of blood transfusion. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:508–512. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Measuring and reporting on quality in health care: A framework and road map for improving care
Authors: Brien Susan E. , Dixon Elijah , Ghali William A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractQuality of care measurement and reporting at the provider, hospital, or health system level has become increasingly common in health systems around the world. Health system performance reports, whether they be confidentially distributed to the provider or made available to the public, are not only used as a stimulus for quality improvement, but can also be used to inform policy, apportion funding, or in rare cases, punish poorly performing providers. In this review, we outline several principles of quality of healthcare measurement and performance reporting, and describe a framework for optimal performance reporting that provides the greatest opportunity for the desired outcome—health system improvement. The quality reporting framework and roadmap that we present invokes opportunities for improving care in the domain of surgical oncology. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:462–466. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel stationary phase based on amino derivatized nanotubes for HPLC separations: Theoretical and practical aspects
Authors: André Claire , Gharbi Tijani , Guillaume Yves‐Claude 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA novel column based on silica containing immobilized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was developed and evaluated in terms of its binding efficiency and resolution. First, CNT functionalized with amino groups (CNT‐NH2) were prepared via chemical modification of carboxylic groups introduced on the CNT surface. Secondly the covalent immobilization of CNT‐NH2 was carried out by using glutardialdehyde activating agent on aminopropyl (AP)‐silica surface. This CNT stationary phase was applied to the HPLC separation of two molecule series, i.e. polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) isomers with different degrees of substitution in the ortho‐position (non‐ortho to tetra‐ortho substituted) and terpenes (linalool, geraniol, thymol, α‐terpineol). The retention behavior of these solute molecules was measured under isocratic conditions with different mobile phase compositions, ranging from 0.05–0.70 v/v of toluene in cyclohexane. The retention factors of the solute molecule do not depend linearly on the toluene fraction but follow a quadratic relationship. This CNT stationary phase was a very useful column for the separation of PCB congeners and terpenes. It was demonstrated that a planar conformation of the solute molecule enhanced the solute retention on this CNT stationary phase. As well, a quantitative structure relationship derived, demonstrated the significant input to retention was due to the structurally selective dipole‐dipole and charge transfer interactions with the solutes. These results were compared with those obtained on the AP stationary phase. The proposed CNT stationary phase for the separation possess distinctive and interesting retentive properties, and chemometric analysis of retention data of appropriate designed series of test solutes appears to be a convenient, objective and quantitative method to prove a new phase specificity.
Use of azobenzene amino acids as photo‐responsive conformational switches to regulate antibody–antigen interaction
Authors: Parisot Judicaël , Kurz Katrin , Hilbrig Frank , Freitag Ruth 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn an attempt to exploit the large geometry changes associated with azobenzene photo‐isomerization for the modulation of antibody–antigen interaction, we introduced in the backbone of the FLAG peptide (DYKDDDDK), an azobenzene unit to photo‐modulate its conformational states and consequently its interaction with the monoclonal anti‐FLAG‐tag antibody M1. The FLAG‐tag system is an established technique for purifying and detecting the corresponding fusion proteins. In this context, conflicting evidence has been presented regarding the necessity of calcium for stable binding. Using surface plasmon resonance, we showed that not the initial recognition but certainly the stability of the complex improves in the presence of calcium. Subsequently, we substituted two or three of the central aspartate residues for an artificial, azobenzene‐based, photo‐responsive amino acid. Four structural isomers of the artificial amino acid were considered, in total twelve FLAG‐tag analogues were synthesized. Two showed significant differences in their ability to bind to the antibody in their cis versus their trans state. Interestingly, these two peptides are the two shortest of the twelve photo‐peptides investigated. Finally, it was shown that for these two FLAG‐analogues switching between cis and trans states is possible in the presence of the antibody.
An immunoaffinity column with a monoclonal antibody as ligand for human follicle stimulating hormone
Authors: Zandian Marlene , Jungbauer Alois 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA detailed characterization regarding the chromatographic and biochemical properties of an immunoaffinity column for sample pretreatment using a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) β‐unit specific mAb has been performed. A maximum binding capacity of approximately 300 μg/mL was determined. A KD value of 4.5×10–8 M could be obtained in batch isotherm measurements. The dynamic binding capacity at 10% did not change when residence time was at least 6 min. High selectivity could be demonstrated using crude culture supernatant from FSH producing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. A great stability of the matrix was confirmed by performing 100 consecutive chromatographic runs without loss of capacity.
Potential of adsorption isotherm measurements for closer elucidating of binding in chiral liquid chromatographic phase systems
Authors: Samuelsson Jörgen , Arnell Robert , Fornstedt Torgny 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe human body is a chiral environment and many drugs are chiral and interact differently depending on the type of enantiomer. Therefore, the interest in analytical and preparative separations of enantiomers has steadily increased over the years. LC is today the most important technique in analytical laboratories worldwide. The key to understand the separation system lies in the adsorption isotherm, which describes the equilibrium distribution of solutes between the mobile and stationary phases. By measuring adsorption isotherms in chiral phase systems, a deeper interpenetration concerning enantioselective and non‐selective binding energies and adsorption processes is possible. Furthermore, this data provides the core information needed to optimize preparative chromatographic processes for purification of single enantiomers. However, the measurement of adsorption isotherms is a delicate matter and there are many dangerous pitfalls that may produce erroneous results and even wrong mechanistic conclusions. This review summarizes the most relevant methods and a workflow will be given for avoiding the common pitfalls and obtaining reliable data. Several applications from the literature are also treated to give insight in what information can potentially be obtained from using this methodology.