bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Muscle ultrasound in neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Pillen Sigrid , Arts Ilse M. P. , Zwarts Machiel J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMuscle ultrasound is a useful tool in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders, as these disorders result in muscle atrophy and intramuscular fibrosis and fatty infiltration, which can be visualized with ultrasound. Several prospective studies have reported high sensitivities and specificities in the detection of neuromuscular disorders. Although not investigated in large series of patients, different neuromuscular disorders tend to show specific changes on muscle ultrasound, which can be helpful in differential diagnosis. For example, Duchenne muscular dystrophy results in a severe, homogeneous increase of muscle echo intensity with normal muscle thickness, whereas spinal muscular atrophy shows an inhomogeneous increase of echo intensity with severe atrophy. A major advantage of muscle ultrasound, compared to other imaging techniques, is its ability to visualize muscle movements, such as muscle contractions and fasciculations. This study reviews the possibilities and limitations of ultrasound in muscle imaging and its value as a diagnostic tool in neuromuscular disorders. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Changes in intracellular action potential profile affect parameters used in turns/amplitude analysis
Authors: Arabadzhiev Todor I. , Dimitrov George V. , Chakarov Vichren E. , Dimitrov Alexander G. , Dimitrova Nonna A. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe influence of changes in the intracellular action potential (IAP) spatial profile on motor unit potentials (MUPs), number of turns per second (NTs), and mean turn amplitude were simulated and analyzed. We show why measurement of NTs was “the best indicator of neurogenic affection” and why the lower diagnostic yield of turns/amplitude analysis in myopathy could be due to changes in IAP shape caused by elevated free calcium concentration. The results explain the complications observed when interference electromyographic signals obtained during high levels of isometric contractions were analyzed. We show that, in contrast to earlier assumptions, the effect of increased IAP spike duration on NTs was stronger than that of a decrease in muscle fiber propagation velocity (MFPV). The decrease in the NTs could occur without a drop‐out of MUs and/or a decrease in their firing rates, and without a change in MFPV and synchronous firing. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Bilateral drop foot secondary to a primary tumor in the conus medullaris
Authors: Makridou Alexandra , Argyriou Andreas A. , Karanasios Panagiotis , Makris Nicolaos 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIntramedullary tumors of the spinal cord are rare neoplasms that can be associated with severe neurological and functional handicaps. To our knowledge, we describe for the first time the case of a male patient who developed bilateral drop foot as an initial manifestation of a primary tumor in the conus medullaris of the spinal cord, probably an astrocytoma. Muscle Nerve, 2008
A novel SNaPshot assay to detect the mdx mutation
Authors: Budowle Sarah A. , Gonzalez Suzanne , Budowle Bruce , Eisenberg Arthur J. , Grange Robert W. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe mdx mouse is an animal model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In order to evaluate possible treatments and to carry out genetic studies, it is essential to distinguish between mice that carry the dystrophic (mutant) or wild‐type (wt) allele(s). The current amplification‐resistant mutation system (ARMS) assay is labor intensive and yields false negatives, which reduces its efficiency as a screening tool. An alternate assay based on single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) primer extension technology (i.e., SNaPshot) is described. The SNaPshot assay has been optimized to identify both wild‐type and mutant alleles, providing a robust, potentially automatable assay for high‐throughput analysis. Muscle Nerve 37: 731–735, 2008
Lambert–Eaton syndrome with large‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung
Authors: Grommes Christian , Preston David C. , Al‐Kadhimi Zaid , Alshekhlee Amer 
Published: May 2008

AbstractLambert–Eaton syndrome (LES) is an immune‐mediated disorder of the presynaptic neuromuscular junction due to the blocking effect of the voltage‐gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibodies. Small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most common cause of LES. We report an unusual case of LES associated with large‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung. In this case, clinical symptoms of LES predated the diagnosis of LCNEC by 6 years. After tumor resection, the patient experienced clinical and electrophysiological improvement. In addition, he had a decrease in VGCC antibody titer from 130 to 80 pmol/L. The onset of LES can be prolonged, and tumor surveillance should continue in these cases. Muscle Nerve 37: 786–789, 2008
Management of neurogenic bladder patients in the Netherlands: do urologists follow guidelines?
Authors: Rikken Berend , Blok Bertil F.M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAimsPreventive measurements are obligatory for optimal treatment of neurogenic bladder patients. We investigated Dutch urological practice in neurogenic bladder patients in relation to the available guidelines on neurogenic bladder.MethodsA 12‐point survey was sent to all 304 certified urologists of the Dutch Urological Association in July 2007. Management of urinary tract infections (UTI), follow‐up of the lower and upper urinary tract and treatment techniques were topics of inquiry.ResultsThe response rate was 46% of which 94% were involved in treatment of neurogenic bladder patients. Follow‐up was performed every 6 or 12 months in 86%, urine analysis respectively in 85% and upper urinary tract imaging with ultrasound in 60%; only 12% routinely repeated urodynamics. Uncomplicated UTI was treated for 7.1 days in women and 9.2 days in males. Eighteen percent used the EAU guidelines on neurogenic bladder frequently, 35% did occasionally and 47% did not use them at all. Urologists, that used these guidelines frequently, treated asymptomatic UTIs significantly less frequent in patients on intermittent catheterization (5% vs. 25%; P = 0.008); no difference was found in frequency of follow‐up, urine analysis, surveillance of upper urinary tract, use of routine urodynamics, and availability of treatment techniques. Video urodynamics, the golden standard, was used by only 11% of the adult urologists.ConclusionThe majority of Dutch urologists is involved in the treatment of neurogenic bladder, which suggests a less prominent role for specialized centers. Furthermore, urodynamics are not performed routinely. These observations are contrary to the recommendations of the available guidelines. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:758–762, 2008, © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adaptive grid based on geometric conservation law level set method for time dependent PDE
Authors: Soheili Ali R. , Ameri Maryam A. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA new method for mesh generation is formulated based on the level set functions, which are solutions of the standard level set evolution equation with the Cartesian coordinates as initial values (Liao et al. J Comput Phys 159 (2000), 103–122; Osher and Sethian J Comput Phys 79 (1988), 12; Sethian, Level set methods and fast marching methods, Cambridge University Press, 1999; Di et al. J Sci Comput 31 (2007), 75–98). The intersection of the level contours of the evolving functions form a new grid at each time. The velocity vector in the evolution equation is chosen according to the Geometric Conservation Law (GCL) method (Cao et al., SIAM J Sci Comput 24 (2002), 118–142.). This method has precise control over the Jacobian of transformation because of using the GCL method. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2009
Internet use among adolescent and young adults (AYA) with cancer
Authors: Schiffman Joshua D. , Csongradi Eric , Suzuki Lalita K. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe Internet serves as an important resource for adult cancer patients, but little is known about Internet use among adolescent and young adults (AYA) with cancer. The aims of this study were to describe (1) cancer‐specific websites which AYA with cancer visit and (2) Internet features desired by AYA on cancer‐specific websites and how many current AYA cancer websites contain these features.ProcedureIndividual phone interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 16 AYA with cancer from across North America in June 2005. Content analysis of these interviews were coded and validated for desired website features. Current AYA cancer websites were identified on the Internet and the features on these sites were compared to the features desired by our sample.ResultsFavorite websites visited by AYA with cancer (cancer‐related and unrelated) were identified along with current Internet use. Twenty‐one distinct cancer website features desired by AYA with cancer were described. Twenty‐seven unique AYA cancer websites were found on the Internet during May–June 2006. Each site contained 7.7 (SD = 2.7) of the 21 features identified by participants as desirable, but the highest ranked features did not occur in the majority of these websites.ConclusionsAYA with cancer indicate that they prefer to visit cancer websites that contain cancer‐related information, provide the ability to chat with AYA with cancer, and offer some type of game. Although many websites exist for AYA with cancer, few individual sites contain the web features identified as most desired by AYA with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:410–415. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Severe chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura during childhood: A survey of physician management
Authors: Neunert Cindy E. , Bright Brianna C. , Buchanan George R. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundPhysician attitudes regarding management of children with severe chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) have not been recently characterized.ProcedureWe designed a survey of members of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology‐Oncology (ASPHO) that described a 5‐year‐old female with ITP for 1 year who was unresponsive to steroids, IVIG, and anti‐D immune globulin and having frequent epistaxis causing interference with her daily activities. A 13‐item questionnaire evaluated physician decision‐making in this setting.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety‐seven surveys (35% response rate) were returned, and 295 were evaluable. Thirty‐three percent of respondents stated that they would recommend splenectomy for such a child. Of those who would not recommend splenectomy, 67% reported that they would instead treat with rituximab. If initial drug therapy failed, 47% would proceed with splenectomy. Those who reported treating with rituximab initially were more likely to recommend splenectomy following failure than those who preferred other drug therapy (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsPhysician management of patients with chronic ITP is diverse. With the advent of new treatments such as rituximab and thrombopoetic agents it is critically important to compare their cost, adverse effects and efficacy with splenectomy in order to optimally guide treatment practices. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:513–516. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long‐term outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated in China
Authors: Tang Yongmin , Xu Xiaojun , Song Hua , Yang Shilong , Shi Shuwen , Wei Jian 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundTo retrospectively determine the treatment outcome and causes of treatment failure of ALL children treated in a single institution at East China.ProcedureBetween January 1998 and October 2004, 346 newly diagnosed ALL patients ≤16 years were admitted to our hospital. Of these, 248 patients received modified National Protocol of Childhood ALL in China 1997 (NPCAC97) for at least 2 weeks of treatment and were eligible for protocol evaluation.ResultsAmong the 346 newly diagnosed patients, 167 (48.3%) stopped treatment either at diagnosis or during therapy. The abandonment rates for urban area group (UAG) and rural area group (RAG) were 25.3% and 57.3%, respectively (P < 0.0001). The 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) rate for the entire cohort was 38.5 ± 2.7%. For 248 evaluable patients, the remission rate was 97.2%. The 5‐year EFS and overall survival (OS) rates were 70.7 ± 3.6% and 82.1 ± 3.0%, respectively. The 5‐year EFS for standard‐risk group (n = 196) was significantly higher than that of high‐risk group (n = 52) (75.9 ± 3.9% vs. 50.7 ± 8.0%, P = 0.0002). Prognostic factor analysis showed that poor response to remission induction therapy and a poor socioeconomic status were predictive for an inferior outcome.ConclusionAbandonment of chemotherapy was the most common cause of treatment failure, which was strongly related to poor socioeconomic status and financial support. For patients who could adhere to the treatment protocol, a relatively good outcome was achieved. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:380–386. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivomodel to determine fetal‐cell enrichment efficiency of novel noninvasive prenatal diagnosis methods
Authors: Ponnusamy S. , Mohammed N. , Ho S. S. Y. , Zhang H. M. , Chan Y. H. , Ng Y. W. , Su L. L. , Mahyuddin A. P. , Venkat A. , Chan J. , Rauff M. , Biswas A. , Choolani M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo develop anin vivomodel to determine fetal‐cell enrichment efficiency of novel noninvasive prenatal diagnosis methods.MethodsEfficiency of our three‐step enrichment protocol was determinedin vitrobefore fetal nucleated red blood cells (FNRBCs) were enriched from first‐trimester maternal blood samples collected from the same patients pre‐ and postsurgical termination of pregnancy (TOP) (n= 10). FNRBCs enriched were identified using embryonic ε‐globin immunocytochemistry and chromosomal fluorescencein situhybridization.ResultsWe recovered 37% of spiked FNRBCs (95% confidence interval (CI) 28.5–45.6;n= 8) inin vitroexperiments. We show a consistent threefold increase in the number of ε + FNRBCs in maternal blood obtained immediately post‐TOP (p= 0.005). A mathematical relationship was derived: observed number of pretermination primitive FNRBCs = 0.6 + 0.31 (coefficient between pretermination/post‐termination primitive FNRBCs, 95% CI 0.12–0.49;p= 0.005) × observed number of post‐termination primitive FNRBCs (R2= 0.65).ConclusionOur data demonstrate that maternal blood obtained immediately post‐TOP would be a goodin vivomodel to determine the enrichment efficiency of novel protocols and methods for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of fiber orientation in a rotating compressing and expanding mold
Authors: Wang J. , Silva C.A. , Viana J.C. , van Hattum F.W.J. , Cunha A.M. , Tucker C.L. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn the rotating/compressing/expanding mold (RCEM), one mold wall can expand, compress, and rotate during injection molding, thus offering opportunities to control the thermomechanical history of a polymer and its microstructure. A computer simulation of flow and fiber orientation in RCEM was developed. The predictive model extends the generalized Hele‐Shaw formulation to account for compression/expansion and rotation of the mold wall, and uses the Folgar–Tucker model for fiber orientation predictions. A 20% GF polypropylene was molded under various molding conditions. The predicted fiber orientation distributions were compared with experiments. The model compares favorably with experiments, provided that the fiber orientation equation is modified by a strain‐reduction factor that slows the transient development of fiber alignment. The effect of fountain flow on orientation must also be included to correctly predict fiber orientation near the mold walls, mainly for the case of stationary and linear motions of the mold surface. Compression or expansion of the mold has only a small effect on fiber orientation, but rotation of the mold dramatically changes the orientation, causing fibers to align in the tangential direction across the entire thickness of the molding. This rotation action perturbs the fountain flow and becomes the dominant factor affecting fiber alignment across the entire cavity thickness. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Linear and nonlinear melt‐state viscoelastic properties of polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites
Authors: Nazockdast Ehssan , Nazockdast Hossein , Goharpey Fatemeh 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRheological behavior of polypropylene (PP)/organoclay nanocomposites varying in compatibilizer (PP‐g‐MA) and organoclay concentration was investigated. The samples were prepared by melt intercalation method in an internal mixer. The wide angle X‐ray diffraction patterns and results of rheological measurements showed that the compatibilizer had strong influence in increasing the interlayer spacing. The observed low frequency liquid‐like to solid‐like transition and apparent yield stress in simple shear flows, along with convergence of transient shear stress to nonzero values in stress relaxation after the cessation of flow experiments, were found to be consistent with formation of a physical network in quiescent conditions which could be easily ruptured with applying low shear rates. The values of stress overshoot strain in flow reversal experiments were independent of shear rate, organoclay, and compatibilizer content. From the results of frequency sweep experiments in different nonlinear strain amplitudes it was shown that extended Cox‐Merz analogy was valid in nonlinear dynamic deformations while the shear viscosity showed positive deviation from this analogy with higher deviations at lower shear rates. Results of storage modulus recovery and flow reversal experiments at different shear rates suggested that network structure is reformed with a much slower rate compared to the rotational relaxation of organoclay platelets. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Nanocomposites from plasticized high‐amylopectin, normal and high‐amylose maize starches
Authors: Mondragón Margarita , Mancilla Juana E. , Rodríguez‐González Francisco J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThree types of maize starch with different amounts of amylose and amylopectin were used to prepare plasticized starch/clay nanocomposite films by casting. Studies by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the intercalation/exfoliation of the plasticized starch molecules took place into the clay galleries for the three types of starch. However, the plasticized waxy starch molecules were the easiest of them all to be intercalated/exfoliated, which was reflected in the highest increment of the stress at peak of these nanocomposites. Moreover, the lowest water uptake was showed by the plasticized high‐amylose starch/clay nanocomposites. It was concluded that varying contents of amylose and amylopectin influenced the formation of intercalated/exfoliated clay structures and also affected the interactions of clay with water. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Hard coatings on polycarbonate plate by sol‐gel reactions of melamine derivative, PHEMA, and silicates
Authors: Shin Young Jae , Oh Mee Hye , Yoon Yeo Seong , Shin Jae Sup 
Published: May 2008

AbstractHard coatings were deposited on a polycarbonate plate using a sol‐gel process with a melamine derivative, PHEMA, and silicates, and examined as potential substitutes for glass in cars. Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) was partially functionalized with (3‐isocyanatopropyl)triethoxysilane, and the synthesized polymer was used to form a coating solution with methylated poly(melamine‐co‐formaldehyde), tetraethoxysilane, and methyltriethoxysilane. The coatings on the polycarbonate plate were deposited using a sol‐gel process. Precoating with poly(methyl methacrylate) was carried out to improve the adhesive strength of the coating. The optimum conditions and formulation to obtain excellent physical properties of the coating were determined. Smooth coatings with the hardness of a 3H class pencil, excellent abrasion resistance, and transparency were formed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Macroindentation of polymers
Authors: Guglielmotti Alessandro , Quadrini Fabrizio , Squeo Erica Anna 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMacroindentation tests were performed by means of a flat cylindrical indenter on high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyamide 66 (PA66). Commercial sheets were acquired for both materials, and specimens were extracted for differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermal recovery tests. In this way, the fabrication effect was correctly identified in terms of degradation, orientation, and mechanical performance. Specimens were also prepared for tensile tests, which were performed for comparison with indentation experiments. Indentation tests were carried out on the external sheet surfaces at different indenter diameters (1 and 2 mm) and test rates (from 0.1 to 20 mm/min). A very high correlation was found between the tensile test and indentation results at the different test rates. In particular, the indentation stress at fixed depth was a linear function of the tensile yield stress, depending only on the indenter diameter and not on the material type. Moreover, a threshold value for the thickness for a correct comparison among samples having different dimensions is discussed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and characterization of melt‐processed polycarbonate/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Wu Tzong‐Ming , Chen Erh‐Chiang , Lin Yen‐Wen , Chiang Ming‐Feng , Chang Gwo‐Yang 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis study describes the preparation of polycarbonate (PC)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites by melt processing the PC and PC/MWCNT master batch at 260°C. The PC/MWCNT master batch was prepared using ultrasonic mixing the carboxylic acid containing MWCNT and PC in a tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution. The HRTEM images of PC/MWCNT master batch and PC/MWCNT nanocomposites show that the MWCNT is well separated and uniformly distributed in the PC matrices. Mechanical properties of the fabricated nanocomposites measured by dynamic mechanical analysis indicate significant improvements in the storage modulus when compared with that of pure PC matrix. The conductivities of 2 and 5 wt% PC/MWCNT nanocomposites are more than four and seven orders in magnitude higher than that of PC without MWCNT, respectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis and properties of polybenzoxazine modified polyurethanes as a new type of electrical insulators with improved thermal stability
Authors: Yeganeh Hamid , Razavi‐Nouri Mohammad , Ghaffari Mehdi 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA new class of electrical insulating materials with improved thermal stability was prepared from combination of polybenzoxazine with epoxy terminated polyurethane prepolymer (EPU). EPU was prepared by the reaction of glycidol with NCO‐terminated urethane prepolymer. The prepolymer was prepared from polycaprolactone polyol (molecular weight 1000), and hexamethylene diisocyanate. Bisphenol‐A and aniline were used for preparation of benzoxazine monomer. Mode of reactions and optimum curing condition were determined by DSC and FTIR analysis. Upon these analysis as well as DMTA findings, formation of interpenetrating polymer networks was suggested for blends consisted different weight ratios of two components. Viscoelastic behavior, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the prepared samples was studied and their relation to the chemical structure and composition of blends were elucidated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers