bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low‐frequency pulsed ultrasound in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: a feasibility and distribution study
Authors: Patel Zara M. , Hwang Peter H. , Chernomorsky Ary , Bravo Dawn T. , Nguyen Bryan L. , Nesterova Klementina , Nayak Jayakar V. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:Bacterial biofilms have been implicated in refractory rhinosinusitis. Biofilms have been shown to respond to treatment with low‐frequency ultrasound (LFU) therapy in vitro, and exposure to LFU has shown efficacy in wound repair and topical drug delivery in other fields. This preliminary study was designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of LFU for use in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.Methods:This was an experimental observational study. Six cadaver heads were used to deliver a mixture of Renografin and methylene blue solvent to the paranasal sinuses via LFU both before and after resident endoscopic sinus dissection. Sinus computed tomography (CT) scans of the cadaver heads were performed before and after mixture delivery, and blinded assessments were made for distribution to individual sinuses. Mucosa was harvested from 2 subsites to evaluate LFU‐treated cadaver tissue.Results:Predissection, LFU delivered solution to 12 of 12 inferior and middle turbinates, 6 of 12 of the superior turbinates and ethmoid sinuses, and 1 of 12 maxillary sinuses as shown by contrast radiography. Postdissection, all heads showed delivery to the maxillary and sphenoid sinuses, with 8 of 12 sinus cavities showing delivery to the ethmoid region, and 4 of 11 to the frontal recess. Using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of tissue frozen sections, harvested tissue demonstrated no architectural damage to the mucosal layer from LFU exposure.Conclusion:LFU appears to be capable of reliably delivering topical solution to the turbinates and ethmoid region preoperatively and to all sinuses, except the frontal, postoperatively. The nasal epithelium does not appear to be disrupted histologically from LFU at this time and distance. This data provides a foundation for a prospective human protocol studying the efficacy of this modality in the treatment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and biofilm formation. © 2012 ARS‐AAOA, LLC.
Activation of microglial N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors triggers inflammation and neuronal cell death in the developing and mature brain
Authors: Kaindl Angela M. , Degos Vincent , Peineau Stéphane , Gouadon Elodie , Chhor Vibol , Loron Gauthier , Le Charpentier Tifenn , Josserand Julien , Ali Carine , Vivien Denis , Collingridge Graham L. , Lombet Alain , Issa Lina , Rene Frédérique , Loeffler Jean‐Philippe , Kavelaars Annemieke , Verney Catherine , Mantz Jean , Gressens Pierre 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective:Activated microglia play a central role in the inflammatory and excitotoxic component of various acute and chronic neurological disorders. However, the mechanisms leading to their activation in the latter context are poorly understood, particularly the involvement of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs), which are critical for excitotoxicity in neurons. We hypothesized that microglia express functional NMDARs and that their activation would trigger neuronal cell death in the brain by modulating inflammation.Methods and Results:We demonstrate that microglia express NMDARs in the murine and human central nervous system and that these receptors are functional in vitro. We show that NMDAR stimulation triggers microglia activation in vitro and secretion of factors that induce cell death of cortical neurons. These damaged neurons are further shown to activate microglial NMDARs and trigger a release of neurotoxic factors from microglia in vitro, indicating that microglia can signal back to neurons and possibly induce, aggravate, and/or maintain neurologic disease. Neuronal cell death was significantly reduced through pharmacological inhibition or genetically induced loss of function of the microglial NMDARs. We generated Nr1 LoxP+/+LysM Cre+/− mice lacking the NMDAR subunit NR1 in cells of the myeloid lineage. In this model, we further demonstrate that a loss of function of the essential NMDAR subunit NR1 protects from excitotoxic neuronal cell death in vivo and from traumatic brain injury.Interpretation:Our findings link inflammation and excitotoxicity in a potential vicious circle and indicate that an activation of the microglial NMDARs plays a pivotal role in neuronal cell death in the perinatal and adult brain. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:536–549
Metabolic brain networks in translational neurology: Concepts and applications
Authors: Niethammer Martin , Eidelberg David 
Published: April 2012

AbstractOver the past 2 decades, functional imaging techniques have become commonplace in the study of brain disease. Nevertheless, very few validated analytical methods have been developed specifically to identify and measure systems‐level abnormalities in living patients. Network approaches are particularly relevant for translational research in the neurodegenerative disorders, which often involve stereotyped abnormalities in brain organization. In recent years, spatial covariance mapping, a multivariate analytical tool applied mainly to metabolic images acquired in the resting state, has provided a useful means of objectively assessing brain disorders at the network level. By quantifying network activity in individual subjects on a scan‐by‐scan basis, this technique makes it possible to objectively assess disease progression and the response to treatment on a system‐wide basis. To illustrate the utility of network imaging in neurological research, we review recent applications of this approach in the study of Parkinson disease and related movement disorders. Novel uses of the technique are discussed, including the prediction of cognitive responses to dopaminergic therapy, evaluation of the effects of placebo treatment on network activity, assessment of preclinical disease progression, and the use of automated pattern‐based algorithms to enhance diagnostic accuracy. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:635–647
Pittsburgh compound B and the postmortem diagnosis of alzheimer disease
Authors: Niedowicz Dana M. , Beckett Tina L. , Matveev Sergey , Weidner Adam M. , Baig Irfan , Kryscio Richard J. , Mendiondo Marta S. , LeVine Harry , Keller Jeffrey N. , Murphy M.Paul 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective:Deposition of the amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptide in neuritic plaques is a requirement for the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD). Although the continued development of in vivo imaging agents such as Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) is promising, the diagnosis of AD is still challenging. This can be partially attributed to our lack of a detailed understanding of the interrelationship between the various pools and species of Aβ and other common indices of AD pathology. We hypothesized that recent advances in our ability to accurately measure Aβ postmortem (for example, using PiB), could form the basis of a simple means to deliver an accurate AD diagnosis.Methods:We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the amount of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in increasingly insoluble fractions, oligomeric Aβ, and fibrillar Aβ (as defined by PiB binding), as well as plaques (diffuse and neuritic), and neurofibrillary tangles in autopsy specimens from age‐matched, cognitively normal controls (n = 23) and AD (n = 22) cases, across multiple brain regions.Results:Both PiB binding and the amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐soluble Aβ were able to predict disease status; however, SDS‐soluble Aβ was a better measure. Oligomeric Aβ was not a predictor of disease status. PiB binding was strongly related to plaque count, although diffuse plaques were a stronger correlate than neuritic plaques.Interpretation:Although postmortem PiB binding was somewhat useful in distinguishing AD from control cases, SDS‐soluble Aβ measured by standard immunoassay was substantially better. These findings have important implications for the development of imaging‐based biomarkers of AD. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:564–570
A role for the default mode network in the bases of disorders of consciousness
Authors: Fernández‐Espejo Davinia , Soddu Andrea , Cruse Damian , Palacios Eva M. , Junque Carme , Vanhaudenhuyse Audrey , Rivas Eva , Newcombe Virginia , Menon David K. , Pickard John D. , Laureys Steven , Owen Adrian M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective:Functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) is known to be reduced in patients with disorders of consciousness, to a different extent depending on their clinical severity. Nevertheless, the integrity of the structural architecture supporting this network and its relation with the exhibited functional disconnections are very poorly understood. We investigated the structural connectivity and white matter integrity of the DMN in patients with disorders of consciousness of varying clinical severity.Methods:Fifty‐two patients—19 in a vegetative state (VS), 27 in a minimally conscious state (MCS), and 6 emerging from a minimally conscious state (EMCS)—and 23 healthy volunteers participated in the study. Structural connectivity was assessed by means of probabilistic tractography, and the integrity of the resulting fibers was characterized by their mean fractional anisotropy values.Results:Patients showed significant impairments in all of the pathways connecting cortical regions within this network, as well as the pathway connecting the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus with the thalamus, relative to the healthy volunteers. Moreover, the structural integrity of this pathway, as well as that of those connecting the posterior areas of the network, was correlated with the patients' behavioral signs for awareness, being higher in EMCS patients than those in the upper and lower ranges of the MCS patients, and lowest in VS patients.Interpretation:These results provide a possible neural substrate for the functional disconnection previously described in these patients, and reinforce the importance of the DMN in the genesis of awareness and the neural bases of its disorders. Ann Neurol 2012;72:335–343.
Structure regulation of silk fibroin films for controlled drug release
Authors: Wei Qiao‐Na , Huang Ai‐Min , Ma Lin , Huang Zilun , Huang Xi , Qiang Pan‐Pan , Gong Zhu‐Ping , Zhang Li 
Published: April 2012

AbstractSilk fibroin (SF) films were prepared using a casting method and the change of secondary structure and crystal structure owing to treatment with ethanol–water mixtures of different concentrations was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The results were used to reveal the influence of structure of SF matrix on the release kinetics of drug compounds incorporated. It was found that the content of silk II structure, constituted by β‐sheet, first increased and then decreased with increasing ethanol concentration ranging from 50 to 90%, reaching a maximum around 70–80%. The release kinetics of Rhodamine B, a model compound for small molecule drugs, was described by Peppas equation. The results indicated that Rhodamine B released from SF films via Fickian diffusion mechanism and the diffusional exponent n increased with increasing β‐sheet content in the matrix. The experimental data had a good linear fit, suggesting that the silk II crystal could be used as a natural regulator for drug release from SF material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Investigation on flame retardancy and thermal degradation of flame retardant poly(butylene succinate)/bamboo fiber biocomposites
Authors: Nie Shibin , Liu Xueli , Dai Guanglong , Yuan Shujie , Cai Feng , Li Benxia , Hu Yuan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPoly(butylene succinate)/bamboo fiber (BBF) biocomposites were prepared by melt blending method. Microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MCAPP) was used as flame retardants to prepare flame retardant BBF biocomposites. The thermal degradation and flame retardant properties of BBF biocomposites were investigated. The volatilized products of the thermal degradation of flame retardant BBF biocomposite are saturated hydrocarbons, unsaturated alkane, CO2, carboxylic acid, acid anhydride, aromatic compounds, NH3, and CH3OH. The peak of heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) of flame retardant BF biocomposites decrease substantially compared with that without MCAPP. The pHRR value of flame retardant BBF biocomposites decreases from 443.2 to 236.2 kW m−2 and the THR value decreases from 62.0 to 36.1 kW m−2. Furthermore, MCAPP shows the best flame retardant property at the same loading, compared with other flame retardants such as Mg(OH)2, and Al(OH)3. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Adipic acid interaction enhances the mechanical and thermal stability of natural polymers
Authors: Mitra Tapas , Sailakshmi G. , Gnanamani A. , Mandal A. B. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractApplication of biopolymers for biomedical applications limits with the functional and structural properties of the materials. Crosslinkers are used to provide the requisite properties. The question on biocompatibility of the existing crosslinkers necessitates the need for alternative crosslinkers. In the present study, adipic acid was chosen as crosslinker and evaluated the mode of interaction with chitosan and type‐I collagen. A 3D scaffold biopolymer material was prepared using chitosan at 1.0% (w/v) and adipic acid at 0.2% (w/v), similarly collagen 0.5% (w/v) and adipic acid 0.2% (w/v) displayed an improved mechanical strength and in addition found biocompatible for NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells. The chemistry behind the interaction and the characteristics of the biopolymer material obtained upon crosslinking suggests that noncovalent interactions play the major role in deciding the property of the said materials and their suitability for biomedical applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Homocysteine Exposure Affects Early Hemodynamic Parameters of Embryonic Chicken Heart Function
Authors: Oosterbaan Annelien M. , Bon Els , Steegers‐Theunissen Regine P.M. , Van Der Steen Anton F.W. , Ursem Nicolette T.C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMaternal hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with an increased risk of newborns with a congenital heart defect. This has been substantiated in the chicken embryo, as congenital heart defects have been induced after homocysteine treatment. Comparable heart defects are observed in venous clipping studies, a model of altered embryonic blood flow. Because of this overlap in heart defects, our aim was to test the hypothesis that homocysteine would cause alterations in embryonic heart function that precede the structural malformations previously described. Therefore, Doppler flow velocity waveforms were recorded in both primitive ventricles and the outflow tract of the embryonic heart of homocysteine treated and control chicken embryos at embryonic day 3.5. Homocysteine treatment consisted of 50 μL 0.05 M L‐homocysteine thiolactone at 24, 48, and 72 hr. Homocysteine‐treated embryos displayed significantly lower mean heart rates of 134 (SD 22) bpm, compared to 150 (14) bpm in control embryos. Homocysteine treatment caused an inhibiting effect on hemodynamic parameters, and altered heart function was presented by a shift in the proportions of the different wave times in percentage of total cycle time. Homocysteine induces changes in hemodynamic parameters of early embryonic chicken heart function. These changes may precede morphological changes and contribute to the development of CHD defects through alterations in shear stress and shear stress related genes, as seen before in venous clipping studies. Anat Rec,, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Map of nonprofit organization websites in Israel
Authors: Bar‐Ilan Judit , Azoulay Rina 
Published: April 2012

In this study, we consider the structure and linking strategy of Hebrew websites of several nonprofit organizations. Because nonprofit organizations differ from commercial, educational, or governmental sectors, it is important to understand the ways they utilize the web. To the best of our knowledge, the linking structure of nonprofit organizations has not been previously studied.We surveyed websites of 54 nonprofit organizations in Israel; most of these sites have at least 100 volunteers. We compared their orientation and contents and we built their linking map. We divided the organizations into four main groups: economic aid and citizen rights organizations, health aid organizations, organizations supporting families and individuals with special needs, and organizations for women and children. We found that the number of links inside the special needs group is much higher than in the other groups. We tried to explain this behavior by considering the data obtained from the site‐linking graph. The value of our results is in defining and testing a method to investigate a group of nonprofit organizations, using a case study of Israeli organizations.
Exposure classification of MRI workers in epidemiological studies
Authors: Hansson Mild Kjell , Hand Jeff , Hietanen Maila , Gowland Penny , Karpowicz Jolanta , Keevil Stephen , Lagroye Isabelle , van Rongen Eric , Scarfi Maria Rosaria , Wilén Jonna 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe estimate that there are about 100,000 workers from different disciplines, such as radiographers, nurses, anesthetists, technicians, engineers, etc., who can be exposed to substantial electromagnetic fields (compared to normal background levels) around magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. There is a need for well‐designed epidemiological studies of MRI workers but since the exposure from MRI equipment is a very complex mixture of static magnetic fields, switched gradient magnetic fields, and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF), it is necessary to discuss how to assess the exposure in epidemiological studies. As an alternative to the use of job title as a proxy of exposure, we propose an exposure categorization for the different professions working with MRI equipment. Specifically, we propose defining exposure in three categories, depending on whether people are exposed to only the static field, to the static plus switched gradient fields or to the static plus switched gradient plus RF fields, as a basis for exposure assessment in epidemiological studies. Bioelectromagnetics 34:81–84, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Classification of and cytoreductive surgery for low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms
Authors: McDonald J R , O'Dwyer S T , Rout S , Chakrabarty B , Sikand K , Fulford P E , Wilson M S , Renehan A G 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) is a precursor lesion for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), which, if treated suboptimally, may later disseminate throughout the abdominal cavity. The role of cytoreductive surgery for these relatively early lesions is unclear.

Methods
Clinicopathological details and treatment outcomes of patients with a LAMN and disease limited to the appendix or immediate periappendiceal tissues, referred to a national treatment centre between 2002 and 2009, were evaluated prospectively.

Results
Of 379 patients with a diagnosis of PMP, 43 (median age 49 years) had LAMNs localized to the appendix and periappendiceal tissue. Thirty-two patients initially presented with symptoms of acute appendicitis or right iliac fossa pain. Two distinct lesions were identified: type I (disease confined to the appendiceal lumen) and type II (mucin and/or neoplastic epithelium in the appendiceal submucosa, wall and/or periappendiceal tissue, with or without perforation). Type I lesions were managed by a watch-and-wait surveillance policy with serial measurement of tumour markers and computed tomography in 14 of 16 patients. Seventeen of 27 patients with type II lesions underwent risk-reducing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with low morbidity. After a median follow-up of 40 months, there was no disease progression in either treatment pathway.

Conclusion
This study identified two LAMN subtypes. Type II lesions have pathological features of increased risk for dissemination and should be considered for risk-reducing cytoreductive surgery.
Identification of the metabolites after oral administration of extract of ziziphi spinosae semen to rats or dogs by high‐performance liquid chromatography/linear ion trap FTICR hybrid mass spectrometry
Authors: Ren Yan , Wang Pengyuan , Wu Caisheng , Zhang Jinlan , Niu Chunyan 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTZiziphi spinosae semen (ZSS) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used to treat insomnia and anxiety. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that flavonoids are the main active compounds in ZSS. However, the metabolites and the metabolic pathways of flavonoids in ZSS have not been investigated thoroughly. In this study, a method based on high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (HPLC/FTICR‐MS) was established to identify the metabolites of flavonoids after oral administration of extract of ZSS to rats or dogs, using parent mass list‐triggered data‐dependent multiple‐stage mass analysis at a resolving power of 50,000 in the external calibration mode. The mass accuracies obtained for all full‐scan analyses were less than 4 ppm (<2 ppm in most cases). A total of 15 compounds were detected in biological samples of rats and dogs, and nine compounds were identified. The metabolic pathways of flavonoids of ZSS in rats and dogs were proposed. The results may help better understand the material basis and pharmacological mechanism of ZSS. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and validation of a sensitive LC/MS/MS method for the determination of γ‐tocotrienol in rat plasma: application to pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Liang Su , Bian Xiaomei , Ma Jing , Arogunjo Motolani , Deorukhkar Amit A. , Krishnan Sunil , Xie Huan 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTγ‐Tocotrienol has attracted much attention owing to its multiple health benefits. This study developed and validated a simple, specific, sensitive and reliable LC/MS/MS method to analyze γ‐tocotrienol in rat plasma. Plasma samples (50 μL) were extracted with internal standard solution (25 ng/mL of itraconazole) in acetonitrile (200 μL) with an average recovery of 44.7% and an average matrix effect of −2.9%. The separation of γ‐tocotrienol and internal standard from the plasma components was achieved with a Waters XTerra® MS C18 column with acetonitrile–water as mobile phase. Analysis was performed under positive ionization electrospray mass spectrometer via the multiple reaction monitoring. The standard curve was linear over a concentration range of 10–1000 ng/mL with correlation coefficient values >0.997. The method was validated with intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy (relative error) ranging from 1.79 to 9.17% and from 2.16 to 9.66%, respectively, and precision (coefficient of variation) ranged from 1.94 to 9.25% and from 2.37 to 10.08%, respectively. Short‐term stability, freeze–thaw stability and the processed sample stability tests were performed. This method was further applied to analyze γ‐tocotrienol plasma concentrations in rats at various time points after administration of a 2 mg/kg single intravenous dose, and a pharmacokinetic profile was successfully obtained. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.