bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Middle ear mucosal inflammation: An in vivo model
Authors: Chan Kenny H. , Swarts J. Douglas , Tan Lingshi 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe inflammatory process underlies the pathogenesis of otitis media (OM). Although knowledge concerning this common childhood disease continues to accumulate, most of the basic science research is based on in vitro or ex vivo methodologies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), although lauded for its ability to image soft tissue, is often neglected as a research tool providing real‐time in vivo information. This study attempts to assess experimental middle ear (ME) inflammation using MRI. The vasoactive effects of histamine and its interaction with antihistamines and a glucocorticoid were evaluated. Histamine was chosen because it is one of the naturally occurring inflammatory mediators. The antagonists were selected on the basis of their antihistaminic and vasoactive effects, respectively. Certainly there is substantial clinical interest in these agents because their efficacy for the treatment of OM is still being debated. The chinchilla model was chosen since it is one of the best characterized species in the study of OM.The three parts of the study are as follows: the effects of histamine on chinchilla ME mucosa; histamine challenge following pretreatment using hydroxyzine hydrochloride (H1 antagonist), ranitidine chloride (H2 antagonist), and the combination; and histamine challenge following pretreatment with dexamethasone. Sequential T1‐weighted spin‐echo (SE) MRI was used to detect extravasation of gadolinium‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd‐DTPA) into the middle ear effusion (MEE). The results indicate that the vasoactive effects of histamine are dose‐related and can be assessed across a wide spectrum of histamine dosages inclusive of the human MEE levels. The H1 antagonist alone, or in combination with the H2 antagonist, was able to prevent the increased vascular permeability induced by histamine. When used alone, the H2 antagonist did not abolish the effects of histamine. The vasoactive effects of histamine were also ameliorated by pretreatment with a glucocorticoid.These findings indicate the utility of MRI for assessing mucosal inflammation in a real‐time manner rather than as an accumulation of events. This study also validates the efficacy of an H1 antagonist and a glucocorticoid in counteracting the vasoactive effects of histamine. This methodology may be suited for evaluating the effects of other classes of antiinflammatory mediators.
The risk to olfaction from nasal surgery
Authors: Kimmelman Charles P. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractImplicit in all types of nasal surgery is the potential for worsening of olfactory function. Not only can injury occur to the delicate olfactory neuroepithelium itself, but also more indirect disturbances are engendered by pharmacologic agents, distortions of intranasal anatomy, persistent mucosal edema or crusts, and other processes.This study examined 93 patients undergoing various types of nasal surgery, including ethmoidectomy, polypectomy, Caldwell‐Luc procedure, open reduction of nasal fracture, closed reduction of nasal fracture, rhinoplasty, and septoplasty. Factors considered as contributing to loss of olfactory acuity were age, gender, use of general anesthesia, and type of operation. The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), a 40‐item, microencapsulated scratch‐and‐sniff procedure, was used to ascertain olfactory ability.Sixty‐one patients (66%) had either improved or unchanged UPSIT scores after surgery; the remaining 32 patients (34%) had a decline in score. One patient (1%) became anosmic. Statistical treatment of outcome data using analysis of covariance with repeated measures showed no effect of age, gender, type of operation, or anesthetic.
Cochlear polyamines: Markers of otitis media‐induced cochlear damage
Authors: Naguib Maged B. , Hunter Robert E. , Henley Charles M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractHigh‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) set to the femtoliter sensitivity level was used to identify and quantify the polyamines spermidine and spermine as well as the diamine putrescine in the different tissues of the inner ears of guinea pigs with experimentally induced otitis media. The tissues examined were the lateral wall (stria vascularis and the spiral ligament), the organ of Corti, and the cochlear nerve. The difference in polyamine profile in the different tissues of the control noninfected guinea pigs suggests a relation to the particular function of each of these tissues. The difference in polyamine profile in infected different inner ear tissues compared to controls encourages the assumption that the polyamines may be involved in a repair process of the inner ear after injury and that they may be considered as biochemical markers for inner ear damage secondary to acute otitis media.
Lack of synergistic association between human papillomavirus and ras gene point mutation in laryngeal carcinomas
Authors: Shidara Kouichi , Suzuki Takeshi , Hara Futoshi , Nakajima Takashi 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe spectrum of human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes in laryngeal carcinomas was investigated by combined polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. HPV DNA was detected in 11 (24%) of 45 cases, including HPV 16 in 9 cases and HPV 18 in 2 cases. Other HPV subtypes commonly found in the female genital organs were not detected. In addition, the point mutation of codons 12 and 13 in c‐Ki‐ras‐2, c‐Ha‐ras‐1, and N‐ras genes was studied by the PCR‐single‐strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) method. Of 45 cases tested, only 1 had a point mutation of c‐Ki‐ras‐2 gene at codon 12. These results indicate that the incidence of ras gene point mutation is uncommon and that the synergistic effect of HPV infection and ras gene activation in laryngeal carcinogenesis is probably rare.
Nasal cavity dimensions in the newborn measured by acoustic reflections
Authors: Pedersen O. F. , Hilberg O. , Berkowitz R. , Yamagiwa M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe acoustic refections technique was used to measure nasal cavity dimensions in 27 newborns. The results were expressed in terms of curves describing cross‐sectional area as a function of the distance into the nose. From these curves, a mean curve with 95% confidence limits, nasal cavity volumes between the nostril and 4.5 cm into the nasal cavity (V45 = 1.05 (0.24) cm3), the cross‐sectional area at the narrowest site (Amin = 0.114 (0.033) cm2), and the distance from the nostril to Amin, (DAmin = 1.14 (0.47) cm), expressed as mean and SD were calculated. There was a weak correlation between Amin and length and weight at birth, but otherwise nasal cavity dimensions did not correlate with sex, race, birth weight, birth length, head circumference, or duration of gestation. Comparison of the curves from the newborns with curves from adults showed a facial growth in vertical/transverse directions (area) of 600% and anterior/posterior directions of 120%. The technique of acoustic rhinometry is noninvasive, and can be performed rapidly, and is therefore eminently suitable for pediatric application. Further investigations are needed to demonstrate the value as a diagnostic tool in pathological cases.
Effects of vestibular rehabilitation and social reinforcement on recovery following ablative vestibular surgery
Authors: Mruzek Maria , Barin Kamran , Nichols Deborah S. , Burnett Carolyn N. , Welling D. Bradley 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis study investigated the relative effects of vestibular rehabilitation (VR) and social reinforcement (SR) on recovery following ablative vestibular surgery. Twenty‐four subjects were randomly assigned to three treatment groups of either VR with SR, VR without SR, or general range of motion (ROM) exercises with SR. Outcome measures included equilibrium scores in dynamic posturography, asymmetry index in rotation testing, motion sensitivity quotient (MSQ), and dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). A multiple comparison of the overall outcome measures showed no significant differences in group performance over an 8‐week period. When individual outcome measures were compared, MSQ and DHI results at the end of the 8‐week treatment period revealed less motion sensitivity and dizziness handicap in groups who received VR, with or without SR, as compared with the group who received ROM exercises. These results suggest that after a vestibular injury most patients can effectively utilize central compensation mechanisms to recover from such an injury, regardless of the type of therapeutic intervention used. On the other hand, the reduction in motion sensitivity and dizziness handicap for patients who received VR could indicate a more rapid and complete recovery for these patients. This investigation is continuing as a long‐term follow‐up study to determine whether there are any long‐term benefits in participating in a VR program.
Acoustic schwannoma and pregnancy: A DNA flow cytometric, steroid hormone receptor, and proliferation marker study
Authors: Beatty Charles W. , Scheithauer Bernd W. , Katzmann Jerry A. , Roche Patrick C. , Kjeldahl Klint S. , Ebersold Michael J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractFor a long time, it has been speculated that pregnancy stimulates the growth of acoustic schwannomas. To test this hypothesis, immunohistochemical stains for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were performed. Flow cytometric studies for DNA ploidy and S‐phase fraction determinations were also performed. The study subjects included 6 female patients with unilateral acoustic tumors; at the time of tumor removal, 1 woman was pregnant and the other 5 women were 2 to 10 months postpartum. The age‐sex‐matched control group consisted of 6 men and 12 nonpregnant women, all with acoustic schwannomas similar in size to those of the study group. The study found no statistically significant association between the presence or quantity of estrogen or progesterone receptors and pregnancy, DNA ploidy, proliferation indices, or clinical data. Based on PCNA indices, large tumors tended to be less “biologically active” than small lesions (P<.01). The authors concluded that pregnancy does not significantly stimulate the cellular growth of acoustic schwannomas.
Liposarcomas of the larynx and hypopharynx: A clinicopathologic study of eight new cases and a review of the literature
Authors: Wenig Bruce M. , Heffher Dennis K. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractLaryngeal and hypopharyngeal liposarcomas were studied in seven men and one woman. Patient age ranged from 25 to 81 years, with a median of 64 years. Symptoms included dysphagia, airway obstruction, and the sensation of a foreign body in the back of the throat. Histologically, seven of the tumors were of the biologically favorable types, either representing well‐differentiated (lipoma‐like) liposarcomas or myxoid liposarcomas. One tumor was a pleomorphic liposarcoma. Six of the eight patients had one or more episodes of recurrent tumor.Surgery is the treatment of choice and can include conservative (organ‐sparing) procedures. However, to eradicate the tumor completely and thereby prevent recurrent disease, open surgical approaches (i.e., lateral pharyngotomy), rather than endoscopic techniques should be employed. The morbidity rate for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal liposarcomas is high because these tumors tend to recur over extended periods of time. In this study, however, there were no instances of metastatic disease, and no deaths were attributed to liposarcoma. Prospectively, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal well‐differentiated (lipoma‐like) liposarcoma is a difficult clinical and histopathologic diagnosis to establish. Often, this diagnosis is made only after one or more episodes of recurrent disease.
Measurements of cross‐sectional area of the nasal cavity by acoustic rhinometry and CT scanning
Authors: Min Yang‐Gi , Jang Yong Ju 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe authors aimed to evaluate the validity and characteristics of acoustic rhinometric tests by comparing the results with those of computed tomography (CT) of the nasal cavity. Cross‐sectional areas along the nasal cavity were measured by acoustic rhinometry (AR) and CT of the nasal cavity in 30 normal subjects.Cross‐sectional areas measured by each technique showed a statistically significant correlation. The two measurements showed a better linear correlation in the anterior part of the nasal cavity up to 24 mm from the nostril than in the posterior part of the nasal cavity beyond that point. Mean cross‐sectional areas measured by AR were constantly less than those measured by CT of the nasal cavity up to 33 mm from the nostril, whereas areas measured by AR were greater than those measured by CT scans beyond that point.
Coping with ovarian cancer risk: The moderating effects of perceived control on coping and adjustment
Authors: Fang Carolyn Y. , Daly Mary B. , Miller Suzanne M. , Zerr Tana , Malick John , Engstrom Paul 
Published: October 2006

Objective. Although perceived control and coping have been studied across various health conditions, these relationships have been less well studied in the context of coping with cancer risk over time. The present study was a longitudinal study of the effects of perceived control and problem‐focused coping on changes in psychological adjustment and behavioural outcomes among women at increased risk for ovarian cancer.Design and methods. Eighty women enrolled in a familial cancer risk assessment programme participated in this study. Assessments of problem‐focused coping, perceived control and distress were collected upon entry into the programme and again at 3‐month follow‐up. Behavioural adherence to screening during the 12‐month period following programme entry was obtained from clinic records.Results. Using hierarchical regression analysis, we observed a significant interaction between perceived control and problem‐focused coping for psychological distress, β = 0.94, p <.05. Specifically, problem‐focused coping was associated with increasing distress over time among women who perceived high control. A significant control by coping interaction was also observed for behavioural adherence to pelvic ultrasound and CA125 screening, such that women who perceived high control and utilized problem‐focused coping were less likely to undergo screening.Conclusions. Under conditions of high perceived control, problem‐focused coping was associated with increasing distress as well as poorer behavioural adherence. Thus, perceived control and problem‐focused coping may not always yield positive psychological or behavioural health outcomes. These findings contribute to a greater understanding of how problem‐focused coping and perceived control may influence the course of adjustment to cancer risk over time.
Sample size for regression analyses of theory of planned behaviour studies: Case of prescribing in general practice
Authors: Rashidian Arash , Miles Jeremy , Russell Daphne , Russell Ian 
Published: October 2006

Objectives. Interest has been growing in the use of the theory of planned behaviour (TBP) in health services research. The sample sizes range from less than 50 to more than 750 in published TPB studies without sample size calculations. We estimate the sample size for a multi‐stage random survey of prescribing intention and actual prescribing for asthma in British general practice. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic attempt to determine sample size for a TPB survey.Methods. We use two different approaches: reported values of regression models' goodness‐of‐fit (the λ method) and zero‐order correlations (the variance inflation factor or VIF method). Intra‐cluster correlation coefficient (ICC) is estimated and a socioeconomic variable is used for stratification. We perform sensitivity analysis to estimate the effects of our decisions on final sample size.Results. The VIF method is more sensitive to the requirements of a TPB study. Given a correlation of .25 between intention and behaviour, and of .4 between intention and perceived behavioural control, the proposed sample size is 148. We estimate the ICC for asthma prescribing to be around 0.07. If 10 general practitioners were sampled per cluster, the sample size would be 242.Conclusions. It is feasible to perform sophisticated sample size calculations for a TPB study. The VIF is the appropriate method. Our approach can be used with adjustments in other settings and for other regression models.
Information, social support and anxiety before gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Eberhardt Judith , van Wersch Anna , van Schaik Paul , Cann Paul 
Published: October 2006

Objectives. To examine Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) stress theory regarding the effects of the stress mediators information and perceived social support on anxiety (as the stress response) regarding gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy (as the stressor) in male and female patients of various age groups.Design. Non‐experimental design.Methods. Structured interviews were conducted with 113 hospital out‐patients about to undergo GI endoscopy. Participants indicated their perceptions of how much support and how much clear and useful information they had received from both their general practitioner (GP) and a patient information leaflet developed in collaboration with health psychologists as well as their perceptions of how much social support they had obtained from other patients, family and friends. Anxiety was measured with a population‐specific trait and state adaptation of the Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS‐A).Results. Psychometric exploration of the HADS‐A revealed a single general anxiety factor. The reliability of this factor was high, with Cronbach's α = 0.91. The majority of the sample experienced high anxiety levels. Gender, but not age, differences emerged, showing females to be more anxious than males, F (1, 84) = 5.68, p <.05. A regression model built on stress theory was tested, with anxiety as the dependent variable and 11 predictor variables. The model was significant with R2 = 0.452, F (11, 47) = 3.522 and p = 0.001.Conclusions. The clarity, but not the amount, of information and social support from important others, but not GPs, were both mediating the stress experience of the patients by reducing their perceived anxiety.
Predicting self‐efficacy using illness perception components: A patient survey
Authors: Lau‐Walker Margaret 
Published: October 2006

Objectives. To assess the measures of illness representation components in predicting measures of self‐efficacy in patients with coronary heart disease.Design. A longitudinal design was adopted with predictor variables and dependent variables (general self‐efficacy, diet self‐efficacy and exercise self‐efficacy) measured twice while participants were in hospital and 9 months following discharge. Change scores of the predictor variables can be calculated and dependent variables at baseline can be controlled.Method. A cohort sample of 300 patients admitted to hospital with coronary heart disease were given the questionnaire measuring their illness perception (illness representation components: identity, consequences, timeline and control/cure and outcome expectation for diet and exercise); self‐efficacy (general, diet and exercise self‐efficacy measures), demographic and illness characteristics and attendance on a cardiac rehabilitation programme. The patients were asked to complete the questionnaire in hospital before discharge following their cardiac diagnosis, and again, 9 months later, when participants were expected to be functioning independently of any rehabilitation programme.Results. Demographic and illness characteristics were found to have a more significant relationship with illness representation components than with specific self‐efficacy. The relationship between illness representation components and specific self‐efficacy changes overtime, consequence and timeline were significantly related to self‐efficacy measures initially; however, symptom and control/cure were the variables that were significantly related to self‐efficacy measures 9 months later. After statistically controlling individuals' baseline self‐efficacy measures, demographic and illness characteristic effects, symptom and control/cure were found to make significant contributions to exercise and diet self‐efficacy, respectively, 9 months later.Conclusion. A significant relationship exists between illness representation and self‐efficacy. There is potential to integrate both approaches to the assessment of psychosocial factors to provide effective individualized care in cardiac rehabilitation.
An electronic diary assessment of the effects of distraction and attentional focusing on pain intensity in chronic low back pain patients
Authors: Roelofs Jeffrey , Peters Madelon L. , Patijn Jacob , Schouten Erik G. W. , Vlaeyen Johan W. S. 
Published: October 2006

Objective.The present study examined the effects of a manipulation of attention to pain (i.e. attentional focusing vs. distraction) on pain intensity in daily life of patients with chronic low back pain. It was hypothesized that attentional focusing would lead to decreased pain intensity in high pain fearful individuals, whereas distraction from pain would be associated with decreased pain intensity in low pain fearful individuals.Design.An experience sampling methodology was used to examine the effects of a manipulation of attention to pain on pain intensity in daily life of pain patients.Methods.A total number of 38 patients with chronic low back pain participated in this study and carried a palmtop computer for 2 weeks. During this period, patients were ‘beeped’ 8 times a day to complete diary questions. On certain days, instructions to either attend to or distract from pain were given.Results.Multi‐level analyses showed that attentional focusing was not associated with decreased pain intensity in high pain fearful individuals and that distraction did not lead to decreased pain intensity in low pain fearful individuals. The manipulations in isolation neither influenced pain intensity. The manipulation check was generally weak.Conclusion.A manipulation of attention to pain in daily life of patients with chronic low back pain proved difficult to accomplish. As the manipulation check was generally unsuccessful, no clear inferences about the underlying theory can be made. Future research within the field of pain treatments (e.g.in vivoexposure) might benefit greatly from electronic diary assessments studies.
A Review of Swedish Bearing Steel Manufacturing and Quality Assurance of Steel Products
Authors: Johansson TI , Lund TB , Ölund PLJ 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
The Swedish bearing steel industry dates back a century. Already in the early days, Swedish bearing steels were characterized by an exceptionally high quality due to the availability of pure iron ores that made it possible to produce bearing steels by the acid open-hearth processes. Development of the ladle furnace process using inductive stirring made it possible to use the much more flexible and cost effective electric arc melting process. The strive to produce ever better steel products has been strong, driven by increasing demands on final product performance. Developments in steel processing technology, process know-how, and understanding of the complex relationships governing steel cleanliness are worth noting. Methods used have undergone vast improvements in recent times and the development continues. The same situation is valid for the quality assurance methods employed in the manufacturing of steel products.