bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamics in Biological Systems as seen by QENS
Authors: Stadler A. M. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Quasielastic incoherent neutron scattering is a well suited and established experimental method to study protein and water dynamics in the picosecond to nanosecond time- and Ångstrom length-scale. Using deuterium labelling either protein or water motions can be selected and brought into focus. Protein and cell water dynamics were separately studied in red blood cells. A consistent picture of cytoplasmic water and protein dynamics in whole cells is emerging from recent experimental results.
Dynamics of Nanostructures for Drug Delivery: the Potential of QENS
Authors: Deriu Antonio , Bari Maria Teresa Di , Gerelli Yuri 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
In recent biomedical studies different nanocarrier systems have been proposed for ´smart´ drug delivery. The engineering of these systems requires as a prerequisite a detailed knowledge of their structure and dynamics at the molecular level. Quasielastic neutron scattering is an ideal tool for dynamic studies of these complex systems since it provides information on molecular motions in a time window which is important to relate the local dynamics to the macroscopic functional properties of the drug vectors. Some selected examples referring to different nanostructures will be analysed in the following.
Experience and Results with a New Automated MPD System while Drilling and Cementing Liner in an Onshore Depleted Gas Field
Authors: Fredericks Paul , Ossama Sehsah , Montilva Julio , Vogelsberg Phil 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
In their development of onshore gas fields in South Texas Shell has encountered margins in which the difference between dynamic ECD and static BHP is the difference between lost circulation and influx. Their solution to eliminate those problems included liner drilling and automated MPD. Those complementary technologies allowed Shell to extend static underbalanced drilling to extremely tight margins, eliminate losses and stuck pipe, and manage constant BHP during periods of high drill gas and cementing operations.
An automated and modular MPD system was recently used in two wells to hold constant BHP in a very narrow window without a back pressure pump. In the first well, Shell used the system to drill-in 740 ft of 7-5/8” liner in an 8-1/2” hole with 15.0 ppg mud statically underbalanced relative to wellbore stability. In the second, the system was used to drill-in 700’ of 3-1/2” tubing in a 6-1/2” hole with a static mud of 15.7 and a dynamic ECD of 16.2 ppg. In that interval the upper limit was estimated to be a 16.5 ppg fracture gradient and the lower limit, a 15.8 ppg pore pressure.
In the second well the level of drill gas rose to over 1400 units. However, even with such high levels of gas the new MPD system was able to maintain the BHP between +/− 0.2 ppg while making connections and trapping gas in the annulus. Shell was able to avoid the cost of a contingency 5-1/2” liner drilling operation and for the first time used an automated MPD system to manage constant BHP while cementing a drilled-in production tubing string.
The small footprint and improved control capability of the new MPD system can provide onshore and offshore operators an efficient solution to improve drilling and cementing operations in mature depleted fields.
Markets versus Negotiations: The Predominance of Centralized Markets
Authors: Neeman Zvika , Vulkan Nir 
Published: February 2010

The paper considers the consequences of competition between two widely used exchange mechanisms, a	decentralized bargaining'' market, and a	centralized'' market. In every period, members of a large heterogenous group of privately-informed traders who each wish to buy or sell one unit of some homogenous good may opt for trading through one exchange mechanism. Traders may also postpone their trade to a future period. It is shown that trade outside the centralized market completely unravels. In every strong Nash equilibrium, all trade takes place in the centralized market. No trade ever occurs through direct negotiations.
Regulation and Safety Assessment of Genetically Engineered Food
Authors: Singh Om V 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Transgenic technologies avails new ways that alter plants and animals to be better suited for applications in food, feed, and processing. The ability to express foreign genes and proteins opens the door to producing many commercially important industrial and pharmaceutical products. However, despite the promise of these technologies, there are many concerns about the environmental impact of genetically engineered (GE) food plants and how to contain them. Risk assessment and monitoring are vital for this industry: the regulatory agencies aimed to monitor the specific environment and public health hazards associated with GE food and organisms. In the United States, the FDA, USDA, and EPA are responsible for these regulations. Several agencies in other countries also monitor GE foods and frame guidelines for the safe application of recombinant genes in agro-industries. This article gives an overview on the tracking of GE DNA in foods and the general public's concerns about them. The role of regulatory agencies are also summarized in regulating GE products while ensuring the public health.
Global Bioethics, Collective Identities and the Limits of Rationality
Authors: Gunson Darryl 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
This paper is in two parts, both of which are concerned to explore the justificatory presuppositions and limits of the idea of a universal framework for bioethical judgments; a global bioethics. The first part takes up the issues of the meaning and justification of global bioethics. After distinguishing the different ways in which global bioethics may be understood, various strategies for justifying the project are described. It is argued that in the absence of an actual global consensus on the content of the framework, a procedure for establishing what that content should be is required. This requirement is explored by outlining the contributions of Hermeneutics and Critical Theory. This part of the paper concludes with the view that one central presupposition of the project of global bioethics is that there is, or could be, a global consensus about the general norms of reason and discourse that disagreements over the ethical content of the framework should observe. Part two of the paper aims to explore one aspect of the rational limit to global bioethics that is revealed by the interplay between it and the claims of collective identity that groups of people make. The paper concludes that because of its ‘existential connotations' identity may be resistant to rational scrutiny, which paradoxically may not be irrational. Those for whom the ‘language of identity' gives way to the ‘language of interests' may well be able to engage in compromise and negotiation towards consensus on ethical principles and values.
Natural versus Assisted Reproduction: In Search of Fairness
Authors: Cutas Daniela E , Bortolotti Lisa 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
In this paper, we are concerned with the ethical implications of the distinction between natural reproduction (via sexual intercourse) and reproduction that requires assistance (either medical or social). We argue that the current practice of enforcing regulations on the latter but not on the former means of reproduction is ethically unjustified. It is not defensible to tolerate parental ignorance or abuse in natural reproduction and subsequently in natural parenting, whilst submitting assisted reproduction and parenting to invasive scrutiny. Our proposal is to guarantee equal (ethical and legal) treatment to people engaging in either form of reproduction or parenting.
The Vascular Flora of the Railway Grounds of the Pabianice Town
Authors: Warcholińska Aurelia Urszula , Suwara-Szmigielska Sylwia 
Published: February 2010

In the paper a list and general characterization of vascular plants recorded on railway grounds of the town of Pabianice is presented. The great diversity o f habitats within the railway grounds as well as their inclination to be colonized by numerous introduced species resulted in high variety of vascular plants there. This flora consists of 382 taxa.
The New Locality of Chenopodium Pumilio R. Br. in Poland
Authors: Witosławski Piotr 
Published: February 2010

The clammy goosefoot Chenopodium pumilio R. Br. is a rare anthropophyte in the Polish flora. Hitherto, this species was recorded in Gdańsk and Rybnik. The present study describes the newly-discovered locality in Stryków near Łódź (Central Poland), the occurrence of this species in Poland and the general geographical distribution in the world.
Microdebrider-Assisted Endoscopic Marsupialization for the Nasolabial Cyst: Comparisons between Sublabial and Transnasal Approaches
Authors: Chen Chia-Nan , Su Chih-Ying , Lin Hsin-Ching , Hwang Chung-Feng 
Published: February 2010

Background The incidence of nasolabial cysts is very low. Simple excision through a sublabial approach is the treatment of choice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microdebrider as a tool in transnasal endoscopic marsupialization for nasolabial cysts and compare it with conventional instruments and a sublabial approach for cyst removal. Methods Retrospective chart review of 30 patients (31 cysts) with a mean age of 46.9 years received surgical treatments for nasolabial cysts. We performed three types of surgical procedures including the sublabial approach (10 cysts), conventional transnasal marsupialization (13 cysts), and microdebrider-assisted marsupialization (8 cysts). Results Patients that received surgery with the sublabial approach experienced significant increases in operation time, blood loss, and hospitalized time compared with those treated with transnasal marsupialization. However, the number of postoperative stoma stenoses was higher for conventional transnasal marsupialization (two cases). No recurrences or other postoperative complications were found during the follow-up. Conclusion The transnasal marsupialization of nasolabial cysts has remarkable benefits compared with sublabial cyst excision during operation. Microdebriders can be used safely and effectively in endoscopic marsupialization without stoma stenosis.
Transantral, Endoscopically Guided Balloon Dilatation of the Ostiomeatal Complex for Chronic Rhinosinusitis under Local Anesthesia
Authors: Stankiewicz James , Tami Thomas , Truitt Theodore , Atkins James , Liepert Douglas , Winegar Bradford 
Published: February 2010

Background A multicenter study (BREATHE I - Entellus Medical, Inc.) was performed to assess the safety and outcomes of a new, less invasive system that uses direct endoscopic visualization to facilitate balloon dilation of the maxillary sinus ostia and ethmoid infundibulum. General anesthesia was avoided in most subjects to assess feasibility of performing transantral ostial dilatation in an office setting. Methods Subjects with chronic rhinosinusitis of the maxillary sinuses alone or maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses underwent baseline evaluation including CT imaging and symptom assessment using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT 20). Subjects underwent transantral balloon dilation and follow-up evaluation at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months post-procedure. Results Thirty subjects were treated at three centers. Fifty-five of 58 maxillary ostia were successfully treated for a procedural completion rate of 94.8%. Ninety-seven percent of the procedures were completed under local anesthesia with or without minimal intravenous sedation. There were no device-related serious adverse events or unanticipated adverse device effects. The mean overall SNOT 20 score at baseline was 2.9 ∓ 1.0. Mean overall SNOT 20 scores at 1-week, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up were 0.8 ∓ 0.8, 0.7 ∓ 0.8, and 0.8 ∓ 0.9 respectively. Patency at 3-months as confirmed by CT imaging was 95.8%. Conclusion These results indicate that transantral balloon dilation of the ostiomeatal complex under local anesthesia appears to be a safe technique for managing isolated maxillary or maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinusitis and can potentially be performed safely in an office setting.
Development and Pilot-Testing of a Feasible, Reliable, and Valid Operative Competency Assessment Tool for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Lin Sandra Y. , Laeeq Kulsoom , Ishii Masaru , Kim Jean , Lane Andrew P. , Reh Douglas , Bhatti Nasir I. 
Published: February 2010

Background Otolaryngology residency programs are required by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to evaluate residents’ operative competency. Many such tools based on the model of objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATSs) have been developed in other surgical specialties, but no such instruments exist for otolaryngologic procedures except for tonsillectomy. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is among the most common rhinologic procedure and lends itself to objective evaluation of operative competency. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a new tool for ESS, focusing on feasibility, content and construct validity, and interrater agreement that can be used for such assessment in the operating room and the cadaver dissection course. Methods Faculty input via the modified Delphi technique helped develop the content of a new OSATS-based instrument. The instrument underwent serial improvements based on 3 years of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) cadaver courses. All evaluations were used to calculate construct validity while paired observations were used to determine interrater agreement. Regional and national faculty input was incorporated for increasing generalizability. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. Results A total of 51 assessments were completed for 28 residents who were evaluated by 15 faculty members as they performed ESS on cadavers over a period of 3 years. A high degree of internal consistency (0.99) and feasibility was noted for the instrument, which took 7 minutes to complete. The interrater agreement improved with focused faculty development for the 3rd year of the course. Conclusion Our results and experience suggest that a feasible, reliable, and valid instrument for objective evaluation of operative competency can be developed for ESS. Further experience at other otolaryngology programs and efforts focused on faculty development will be needed to enhance faculty buy-in. The instrument can be used for formative and summative feedback as well as for identifying residents needing remediation.
Cigarette Smoke Exposure Impairs Respiratory Epithelial Ciliogenesis
Authors: Tamashiro Edwin , Xiong Guoxiang , Anselmo-Lima Wilma T. , Kreindler James L. , Palmer James N. , Cohen Noam A. 
Published: February 2010

Background Cigarette smoke exposure is considered an important negative prognostic factor for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients. However, there is no clear mechanistic evidence implicating cigarette smoke exposure in the poor clinical evolution of the disease or in the maintenance of the inflammatory state characterizing CRS. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cigarette smoke exposure on respiratory cilia differentiation. Methods Mouse nasal septal epithelium cultures grown at an air-liquid interface were used as a model of respiratory epithelium. After 5 days of cell growth, cultures were exposed to air on the apical surface. Additionally, cigarette smoke condensate (CSC; the particulate phase of tobacco smoke) or cigarette smoke extract (CSE; the volatile phase) were diluted in the basolateral compartment in different concentrations. After 15 days of continuous exposure, scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence for type IV tubulin were used to determine presence and maturation of cilia. Transepithelial resistance was also recorded to evaluate confluence and physiological barrier integrity. Results CSC and CSE impair ciliogenesis in a dose-dependent manner with notable effects in concentrations higher than 30 μg/mL, yielding >70% nonciliation and shorter cilia compared with control. No statistical difference on transepithelial resistance was evident. Conclusion CSC and CSE exposure negatively impacts ciliogenesis of respiratory cells at concentrations not effecting transepithelial resistance. The impairment on ciliogenesis reduces the mucociliary clearance apparatus after injury and/or infection and may explain the poor response to therapy for CRS patients exposed to tobacco smoke.
Prolactin may Stimulate Proliferation in the Olfactory Epithelium of the Female Mouse
Authors: Orita Saeko , Yoshinobu Junko , Orita Yorihisa , Tsujigiwa Hidetsugu , Kakiuchi Masashi , Nagatsuka Hitoshi , Nomiya Shigenobu , Nagai Noriyuki , Nishizaki Kazunori 
Published: February 2010

Background Although it is well known that olfactory receptor neurons differentiated from stem cells have an unusual lifelong ability to continue neurogenesis, effective treatment of patients with sensorineural olfactory loss is still lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine whether intranasal prolactin (PRL) is an effective inducer of proliferation in the olfactory epithelium (OE). Methods The OE of mice treated with PRL for 6 consecutive days and of pregnant mice on gestation day (GD) 7 was investigated by immunohistochemical study using antibodies to bromodeoxyuridine. Results The number of bromodeoxyuridine -labeled cells in the OE increased significantly in PRL-treated female mice and GD 7 mice (but not PRL-treated male mice) compared with controls. Conclusion Pregnancy may induce proliferation in the OE, and administration of intranasal PRL may have almost the same effect as pregnancy on the OE of female mice.
Relationships between Severity of Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyposis, Asthma, and Atopy
Authors: Pearlman Aaron N. , Chandra Rakesh K. , Chang Dennis , Conley David B. , Tripathi-Peters Anju , Grammer Leslie C. , Schleimer Robert T. , Kern Robert C. 
Published: February 2010

Background The effect of comorbid conditions such as asthma and atopy on the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and the presence of nasal polyps (NPs) remains an area of investigation. We sought to elucidate the relationship among these entities. Methods The study population included 106 consecutive patients who were referred to a multidisciplinary, university-based allergy and sinus clinic that underwent computed tomography (CT) scan, skin-prick testing, and had CRS. Data were analyzed to determine Lund-MacKay score (LMS), presence of NPs, asthma status, and sensitivity to seven classes of aeroallergens. Results Skin tests were positive in 52 cases and negative in 54 cases. Although, there was no statistical relationship between LMS and atopic status in the entire group, among the asthmatic subgroup, mean LMS was greater in nonatopic asthmatic patients than in atopic asthmatic patients. Asthmatic patients had a higher LMS than nonasthmatic patients (p < 0.0001). Asthmatic patients were more likely than nonasthmatic patients to have NPs (57.6% versus 25%; p = 0.0015), regardless of atopic status. Mean LMS was higher in NP patients compared with nonpolyp patients (p < 0.0001), independent of atopic status. Mean LMS was not affected by sensitivity to any particular allergen, with the exception of cockroach-allergic patients who were more likely to have an LMS of >10 (p = 0.0236) and had more severe maxillary sinus involvement (p = 0.0391). Conclusion These data indicate a strong relationship between CRS severity, as measured by LMS, and chronic airway inflammatory diseases, asthma, and NPs. The association between LMS and atopic status appears weak. The present study suggests that CRS is an inflammatory disease that occurs independently of systemic IgE-mediated pathways.
Olfactory Function and Disease Severity in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Litvack Jamie R. , Mace Jess C. , Smith Timothy L. 
Published: February 2010

Background Olfactory dysfunction is deemed to be a significant contributor to poor quality of life (QOL). However, little is known about the relationship of olfactory testing to other measures of disease burden in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). In this study, we examine the relationship of olfactory function to computed tomography (CT) scores, endoscopy scores, and QOL measures in patients with CRS. Methods A multi-institutional, cross-sectional analysis of 367 patients was performed. Several objective measures were collected: the Smell Identification Test, Lund-MacKay CT score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopy score, two validated disease-specific QOL instruments, the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index and the Chronic Sinusitis Survey, and a general health-related QOL instrument, the Medical Short Form-36. Analysis of variance was performed. Correlation coefficients were calculated. Results Patients with olfactory dysfunction had significantly worse mean endoscopy scores (normosmics, 4.16 [± 3.97]; hyposmics, 6.26 [± 4.21]; anosmics, 9.61 [± 4.48]; p < 0.001) and significantly worse CT scores (normosmics, 9.11 [± 5.40]; hyposmics, 11.16 [± 5.96]; anosmics, 17.62 [± 5.37]; p < 0.001). Endoscopy scores were moderately correlated with olfactory scores (r = -0.46; 95% CI, -0.38, -0.54; p < 0.001). CT scores were moderately correlated with olfactory scores (r = -0.53; 95% CI, -0.45, -0.60; p < 0.001). Olfactory function was not correlated with disease-specific or general health-related QOL measures. Conclusion Although previous studies have suggested that olfactory impairment is associated with poor QOL, this study found no such correlation. In contrast, olfaction scores correlated well with other objective measures of CRS, namely, endoscopy and CT scores.
Changes of Airflow Pattern in Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Model
Authors: Lee Heow Pueh , Poh Hee Joo , Chong Fook Hin , Wang De Yun 
Published: February 2010

Background Nasal obstruction (NO) is a very common symptom, but its effect on nasal physiology has not been fully understood. We performed this study to determine the effect of severity of NO due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy on airflow pattern using the computational fluid dynamics simulations. Methods A three-dimensional nasal cavity model was constructed from the MRI scans of a healthy human subject. Nasal cavities corresponding to healthy, moderate, and severe NO was simulated by enlarging the inferior turbinate geometrically, which can be documented by approximately one-third reduction of the minimum cross-sectional area (1.453 cm2 in the healthy nose) for the moderate (0.873 cm2) and two-thirds (0.527 cm2) for the severe obstruction. Results Total negative pressure through the nasal cavity increased during the inspiratory phase by almost twofold (-19 Pa) and threefold (-33 Pa) for moderate and severe blockage, respectively, compared with the increase of total negative pressure of -10 Pa in a healthy nose. In cases of moderate and severe blockage, a higher velocity and shear stress was observed at the nasopharynx and dorsal region of the nasal cavity. Moreover, nasal valve function will not exist in severe NO because of the changes of airflow pattern at the original nasal valve location. Conclusion Impairment of nasal airflow and physiology is evidenced in NO caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Data of this study may help in predicting the aerodynamic effects of surgical correction of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy.