bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive and motor improvement after retesting in normal-pressure hydrocephalus: a real change or merely a learning effect?
Authors: Solana Elisabeth , Poca Maria Antonia , Sahuquillo Juan , Benejam Bessy , Junqué Carme , Dronavalli Mithilesh 
Published: May 2009

Object
The test-retest method is commonly used in the management of patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). One of the most widely used techniques in the diagnosis of this condition is evaluation of the patient's response to CSF evacuation by lumbar puncture (a so-called tap test or spinal tap). However, interpretation of improved results in subsequent evaluations is controversial because higher scores could reflect a real change in specific abilities or could be simply the result of a learning effect.

Methods
To determine the effect of testing-retesting in patients with NPH, the authors analyzed changes documented on 5 neuropsychological tests (the Toulouse-Pieron, Trail Making Test A, Grooved Pegboard, Word Fluency, and Bingley Memory tests) and several motor ability scales (motor performance test, length of step, and walking speed tests) in a series of 32 patients with NPH who underwent the same battery on 4 consecutive days. The same tests were also applied in 30 healthy volunteers. In both groups, the authors used the generalized least-squares regression method with random effects to test for learning effects. To evaluate possible differences in response depending on the degree of cognitive impairment at baseline, the results were adjusted by using the Mini-Mental State Examination scores of patients and controls when these scores were significant in the model.

Results
In patients with NPH there were no statistically significant differences in any of the neuropsychological or motor tests performed over the 4 consecutive days, except in the results of the Toulouse-Pieron test, which were significantly improved on Day 3. In contrast, healthy volunteers had statistically significant improvement in the results of the Toulouse-Pieron test, Trail Making Test A, and Grooved Pegboard test but not in the remaining neuropsychological tests. Patients in the healthy volunteer group also exhibited statistically significant improvement in the motor performance test but not in step length or walking speed.

Conclusions
No learning effect was found in patients with NPH on any of the neuropsychological or motor tests. Clinical improvement after retesting in these patients reflects real changes, and this strategy can therefore be used in both the diagnosis and evaluation of surgical outcomes.
Removal of some hazardous materials from their solutions using active carbon‐filled poly vinyl alcohol/N‐vinyl pyrrolidone membrane subjected to freeze–thawing and gamma irradiation
Authors: Sokker H. H. , Gad Y. H. , Ismail S. A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractCarbon membrane consisting of a mixture of powdered activated carbon and poly vinyl alcohol/N‐vinyl pyrrolidone was made by single freezing and thawing followed by gamma‐ray irradiation. The prepared membrane was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and gel content. The membrane was applied for adsorption of some hazardous wastes (acid dye, basic dye, heavy metal ions such as Co and Ni, dichromate anion, and phenols) from their solutions. From the results, it was found that the prepared membrane possesses greater efficiency toward removal of heavy metal ions than powdered activated carbon, whereas their adsorption capacity toward dyes and phenol is almost the same as active carbon. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
The use of compatible blend of styrene‐vinylacetate copolymer/natural rubber latex in pressure‐sensitive adhesive applications by using irradiation and chemical initiation
Authors: Magida M. M. , Gad Y. H. , El‐Nahas H. H. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThermoplastic elastomers from blends of styrene‐vinylacetate copolymer latex (S‐VAc) and natural rubber latex (NRL) as a hydrophilic/hydrophobic blend have been prepared by the solution‐casting technique. Compatibility between S‐VAc and NRL was confirmed at all ratios of the blend mixing through the measurements of water absorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscope. The prepared blend was studied for pressure‐sensitive adhesive (PSA) application. Nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) was used as a chemical tackifier to initiate a sticky property for S‐VAc. Also, electron beam irradiation was applied as a physical tackifying agent to promote stickiness for NRL at 12.5 Mrad or at 2.5 Mrad by addition of NPE tackifier. Peel strength, tensile strength, elongation at break, surface hardness, and aging time were investigated. Two types of double‐sided PSA were prepared: the first to be applied at room temperature; the second to be applied thermally at 80°C. The obtained PSA adhesive was suggested to be used for adhering the synthetic veneers to the particle wood panels. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Medical interpreter knowledge of cancer and cancer clinical trials
Authors: Donelan Karen , Hobrecker Karin , Schapira Lidia , Mailhot Johanna R. , Goulart Bernardo H. , Chabner Bruce A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Cancer patients with limited English proficiency may need specialized assistance to communicate with health professionals about cancer and clinical trials.METHODS:Medical interpreters working in several Boston‐area hospitals were invited to participate in training sessions about cancer and cancer clinical trials. We did a pre and post survey‐based assessment of knowledge of basic concepts in cancer and clinical trials, and post assessment of satisfaction, among 97 interpreters in cancer training and education sessions and 79 participants in clinical trial training and education sessions.RESULTS:Participants had a range of prior experience with interpretation in the context of cancer and clinical trials. Training increased mean accuracy from 49% to 72% in knowledge items about cancer, and from 72% to 78% in knowledge about clinical trials. Interpreters reported several areas of concern with respect to standards of practice.CONCLUSIONS:Pretest surveys of medical interpreters revealed several areas of important knowledge gaps about cancer and clinical trials. Posttest assessment showed that training can be useful to improving short‐term accuracy, but that more work is needed to develop curricula and testing measures to address these knowledge gaps. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Synergistic effect of rapamycin and cisplatin in endometrial cancer cells
Authors: Bae‐Jump Victoria L. , Zhou Chunxiao , Boggess John F. , Gehrig Paola A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors modulate signaling pathways involved in cell cycle progression, and phase 2 trials for endometrial cancer are currently being conducted. Because rapamycin is known to enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs, the authors' goal was to examine the effects of rapamycin and cisplatin in endometrial cancer cell lines.METHODS:By using Ishikawa and ECC‐1 cells, cell proliferation was assessed after exposure to rapamycin, cisplatin, or both in combination. The combination index (CI) was calculated using the method of Chou and Talalay. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Immunoblot analysis was performed to assess expression of S6 kinase 1 and the DNA mismatch repair proteins, MSH2 and MSH6. mTOR small interfering (siRNA) was transfected into the cell lines, and proliferation and apoptosis were assessed after exposure to cisplatin.RESULTS:Cisplatin inhibited growth in a dose‐dependent manner in both cell lines (median inhibition concentration of 8‐13 μM). Simultaneous exposure of cisplatin in combination with rapamycin resulted in a significant synergistic antiproliferative effect (CI < 1). Rapamycin increased cisplatin‐induced apoptosis and stimulated expression of MSH2 and MSH6 in the cisplatin‐treated cell lines. Cell growth was significantly decreased in cells transfected with mTOR siRNA and treated with cisplatin compared with either alone (CI < 1). Transfection of mTOR siRNA did not induce apoptosis, but combined treatment with cisplatin increased apoptosis over that of cisplatin alone.CONCLUSIONS:The results of the current study provide evidence of a synergistic relation between rapamycin and cisplatin in both inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis. This suggests that rapamycin and cisplatin may be a rational combination of a targeted therapy for endometrial cancer. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Comparison of the Salmonella/microsome microsuspension assay with the new microplate fluctuation protocol for testing the mutagenicity of environmental samples
Authors: Umbuzeiro Gisela de Aragão , Rech Célia Maria , Correia Simone , Bergamasco Ana Marcela , Cardenette Giselli Helena Lima , Flückiger‐Isler Sini , Kamber Markus 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe objective of this study was to compare the responses of the Salmonella/microsome microsuspension assay with the new microplate fluctuation protocol (MPF) for the evaluation of the mutagenic activity of environmental samples. Organic extracts of total particulate atmospheric air samples, surface waters, and effluents were tested in dose–response experiments. The assays were performed with strain TA98 in the absence and presence of S9 mix. Both protocols produced similar results, despite the fact that the maximum score of the MPF is limited to 48 wells, whereas in the regular plate assay it is possible to count up to 1,500 colonies using an automatic counter. Similar sensitivities based on the lowest dose that resulted in a positive response were obtained for both assays. The MPF procedure is less laborious (e.g., all‐liquid format, use of multichannel pipettors) and allows for automation of the pipetting and dispensing steps, thus, reducing time of the analysis which is particularly important in environmental quality monitoring programs or in effect‐directed analysis. The results show that the MPF procedure is a promising tool to test environmental samples for mutagenic activity. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alteration of enhancer of polycomb 1 at 10p11.2 is one of the genetic events leading to development of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma
Authors: Nakahata Shingo , Saito Yusuke , Hamasaki Makoto , Hidaka Tomonori , Arai Yasuhito , Taki Tomohiko , Taniwaki Masafumi , Morishita Kazuhiro 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAdult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a malignant tumor caused by latent human T‐lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV‐1) infection. We previously identified a common breakpoint cluster region at 10p11.2 in acute‐type ATLL by spectral karyotyping. Single nucleotide polymorphism array comparative genomic hybridization analysis of the breakpoint region in three ATLL‐related cell lines and four patient samples revealed that the chromosomal breakpoints are localized within the enhancer of polycomb 1 (EPC1) gene locus in an ATLL‐derived cell line (SO4) and in one patient with acute‐type ATLL. EPC1 is a human homologue of the E(Pc) enhancer of polycomb gene of Drosophila. Inappropriate expression of the polycomb group gene family has been linked to the loss of normal gene silencing pathways, which can contribute to the loss of cell identity and malignant transformation in many kinds of cancers. In the case of the SO4 cell line, which carried a der(10)t(2;10)(p23;p11.2) translocation, EPC1 was fused with the additional sex combs‐like 2 (ASXL2) gene at 2p23.3 (EPC1/ASXL2). In the case with an acute‐type ATLL, who carried a der(10)del(10)(p11.2)del(10)(q22q24) translocation, a putative truncated EPC1 gene (EPC1tr) was identified. Overexpression of EPC1/ASXL2 enhanced cell growth in T‐leukemia cells, and a GAL4‐EPC1/ASXL2 fusion protein showed high transcriptional activity. Although a GAL4‐EPC1tr fusion protein did not activate transcription, overexpression of EPC1tr accelerated cell growth in leukemia cells, suggesting that the EPC1 structural abnormalities in the SO4 cell line and in the patient with acute‐type ATLL may contribute to leukemogenesis. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Longitudinal study of chronic depressive symptoms and regional cerebral blood flow in older men and women
Authors: Dotson Vonetta M. , Beason‐Held Lori , Kraut Michael A. , Resnick Susan M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjectivesLate‐life depression is associated with alterations in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and metabolism in a neural network that includes frontostriatal and limbic regions and the cerebellum. Prior studies suggest that clinical depression and subthreshold depressive symptoms (SDS) are associated with similar cognitive deficits and structural brain changes, but little is known about the relationship between SDS and patterns of brain activity. Additionally, the neural correlates of depression have not been fully explored in men and women separately. This study investigated cross‐sectional and longitudinal relationships between SDS and rCBF in older men and women.MethodsSixty‐one dementia‐free older adults (35 men, 26 women), 56 years of age and older at baseline, from the neuroimaging substudy of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging participated. Participants underwent resting‐state PET scans at baseline and at year 9 and completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale annually.ResultsAt 8‐year follow‐up, both men and women showed cross‐sectional associations between mean depressive symptom scores and activity in primarily frontal and temporal regions and the cerebellum. Higher average depressive symptoms were associated with longitudinal rCBF decreases in frontal regions in both men and women, and in temporal regions in men.ConclusionRegions showing associations between activity and SDS were similar to those found in studies of clinical depression, providing support for the hypothesis that depressive syndromes exist on a continuum of severity. Sex differences in associations provide some evidence that the pathophysiology of depressive disorders differs between men and women. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degree of cross-genotype reactivity of hepatitis C virus–specific CD8+ T cells directed against NS3 #
Authors: Giugliano Silvia , Oezkan Filiz , Bedrejowski Mathias , Kudla Markus , Reiser Markus , Viazov Sergei , Scherbaum Norbert , Roggendorf Michael , Timm Joerg 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
The inherent sequence diversity of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) with the existence of multiple genotypes that differ up to 20% at the amino acid level represents one of the major obstacles for immune control. Accordingly, immune control of a heterologous virus challenge, particularly across genotypes, is difficult to achieve; however, the overall role of genotype-specific sequence differences has not yet been defined at the epitope level. The aim of this study was to determine the role of genotype-specific sequence differences for the CD8+ T cell response against HCV. We analyzed a cohort of anti-HCV–positive injection drug users infected with HCV genotype 1 (n = 17) or genotype 3 (n = 22) or undetectable HCV-RNA (n = 14) with overlapping peptides covering consensus sequences of NS3 from both genotypes. Importantly, the majority of HCV-specific CD8 T cells were specific for one genotype only indicating that sequence differences between genotypes are relevant at the epitope level. Interestingly, T cells active against both genotypes were significantly more frequent in HCV-RNA–negative subjects. Of note, we identified five subjects with undetectable viremia and coexistence of two T cell populations—one for each genotype—suggesting immune control of two different genotypes. Conclusion: We systematically analyzed the degree of cross-genotype reactivity of HCV-specific T cells and have shown that CD8 responses targeting different HCV genotypes can be primed in the same individual and that such responses potentially characterize a subgroup among injection drug users being protected from chronic HCV infection. (Hepatology 2009.)
Assessment of hair and bone accumulation of beryllium by mice exposed to contaminated dusts
Authors: Drolet‐Vives Katherine , Zayed Joseph , Sauvé Sébastien 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis study looks at the accumulation of Be in the hair and bones of mice to understand both the use of hair as a bioindicator of exposure to Be and accumulation in bones as a means to evaluate the translocation of Be. We exposed two groups of mice (C3H/HeJ) to 250 µg m−3 of two different particles sizes of Be metal (fine and intermediate; Be‐F and Be‐I) during 3 weeks of nose‐only inhalation exposure. A control group was exposed to HEPA‐filtered air. Mice were sacrificed either 1 or 3 weeks after the end of exposure. Mice were shaved and the bones were extracted. For washed hair, the results of mice sacrificed one week after the end of exposure were 8.3 ± 1.4 µg kg−1 hair for the control group, 114 ± 42 µg kg−1 hair for the Be‐I group, and 159 ± 65 µg kg−1 hair for the Be‐F group. Results for Be‐F mice sacrificed 3 weeks after the end of exposure showed an average Be concentration in washed hair of 419 ± 100 µg kg−1, thus suggesting that excretion of Be in hair increases with time. Be concentration in bones was 6 ± 3 µg kg−1 dry bone tissues for the control group, compared with 24 ± 7 µg kg−1 for Be‐I and 34 ± 6 or 43 ± 8 µg kg−1 for Be‐F in mice sacrificed 1 or 3 weeks after the end of exposure. These results demonstrate the potential of using hair and bone as bioindicators of Be exposure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chondrocytes from patients with osteoarthritis express typical extracellular matrix molecules once grown onto a three‐dimensional hyaluronan‐based scaffold
Authors: Cavallo Carola , Desando Giovanna , Facchini Andrea , Grigolo Brunella 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe opportunity to apply autologous chondrocyte transplantation in repairing cartilage lesions in osteoarthritis (OA) is of great interest. To this end, chondrocytes from cartilage of these patients and from healthy donors were used to evaluate the expression of some extracellular matrix molecules once these cells were grown onto a hyaluronan‐based scaffold already used in clinical practice. Constructs were analyzed by immunohistochemical and real‐time PCR analyses. Chondrocytes from control and patients with OA cartilages expressed the same extracellular matrix molecules even if at different amount. These differences, which were appreciable both at protein and molecular levels, were not evident once the cells were grown onto Hyaff®‐11 scaffold. In this experimental culture condition, the cells derived from control and patients with OA showed a significant increase of collagen type II, Sox‐9, and aggrecan and a decrease of collagen type I compared with chondrocytes grown in monolayer. On the other hand, MMPs were downregulated in both the cell types evaluated by the specific action of TIMP‐1 which was highly expressed at molecular and protein levels in the two groups. The growth of chondrocytes onto Hyaff®‐11 membrane seems to erase the differences between the cells derived from normal and OA cartilages. The cells seem to benefit of the “hyaluronan” presence which is able to create an ideal environment for the expression of cartilage genes even in absence of specific growth factors. This is of particular relevance hypothesizing the use of tissue engineering therapeutical approach also in patients with OA. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Early sonographic diagnosis of intrauterine device migration to the adnexa
Authors: Deshmukh Swati , Ghanouni Pejman , Jeffrey R. Brooke 
Published: May 2009

AbstractUterine perforation is an uncommon complication of intrauterine devices (IUDs). Perforating IUDs can migrate to various locations but paradoxically are rarely found in ovaries or broad ligament. We describe an unusual case of a 23‐year‐old woman 1‐month postpartum with an IUD translocation to the right adnexa. The IUD was inserted only 1 week prior to presentation, and she experienced pain on insertion. After visualization by ultrasound, the IUD was laparoscopically removed. We suggest early use of ultrasound in cases of potential IUD migration, particularly in high‐risk patients and when IUD insertion causes pain. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009
Electrospinning of heated gelatin‐sodium alginate‐water solutions
Authors: Moon SungCheal , Farris Richard J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMost polymers that are electrospun are dissolved in a solvent and are spun at ambient temperature. Gelatin, a natural polymer, has excellent potential in medical applications as a biodegradable polymer, especially when combined with sodium alginate. Unfortunately, gelatin/water or gelatin/sodium alginate/water solutions cannot be electrospun at ambient temperature without the incorporation of substances that are considered potentially toxic to the human body, such as acetic acid. In this study, gelatin/water solutions with and without sodium alginate were successfully electrospun without the use of additional solvents by using heated water solutions. The effect of electrospinning parameters such as solution concentration and applied voltage on the nanofiber morphology of these solutions was studied. These nanofibers from heated gelatin/water solutions exhibited good morphology with an average size of 291 ± 67 nm at 18% concentration to 414 ± 52 nm at 20% concentration. Similar sizes were observed when sodium alginate was incorporated into the gelatin/water solutions, although the relationship was dependent upon the amount of sodium alginate in the solution as well as the total concentration. Typically, these nanofibers containing sodium alginate were produced at a lower gelatin concentration compared with the gelatin/water nanofibers because of the increase of viscosity and conductivity of the solutions due to the addition of the highly viscous and conductivity sodium alginate. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Optical properties of PMMA doped with erbium(III) and ytterbium(III) complexes
Authors: Prajzler Vaclav , Huttel Ivan , Lyutakov Oleksiy , Oswald Jiri , Machovic Vladimir , Jerabek Vitezslav 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn this article, we report the fabrication and optical/spectroscopic properties of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) doped with rare earth (RE) (Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+) ions. Infrared spectroscopy revealed only very weak OH stretching vibration peaks in the samples, which is important if satisfactory photoluminescence is to be observed at 1530 nm. Measurement of transmission spectra in the wavelength ranges from 300 to 700 nm for Er3+‐doped samples and from 900 to 1050 nm for Yb3+‐doped samples enabled us to observe the 4G11/2 (377 nm) and 2H11/2 (519 nm) transmission bands typical for Er3+‐doped samples, as well as the 2F5/2 (975 nm) band typical for Yb3+‐doped samples. Under excitation at 980 nm, at room temperature, the characteristic Er3+ emission at 1530 nm was also observed with improving trend when the higher RE concentrations were applied. The results indicate that the PMMA reveals very low tendency to the RE clustering, which together with low cost and easy fabrication make it a material with a great potential in the active photonics devices. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers