bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Latent difference score approach to longitudinal trauma research
Authors: King Lynda A. , King Daniel W. , McArdle John J. , Saxe Glenn N. , Doron‐LaMarca Susan , Orazem Robert J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn this article, the authors introduce a latent difference score (LDS) approach to analyzing longitudinal data in trauma research. The LDS approach accounts for internal sources of change in an outcome variable, including the influence of prior status on subsequent levels of that variable and the tendency for individuals to experience natural change (e.g., a natural decrease in posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms over time). Under traditional model assumptions, the LDSs are maximally reliable and therefore less likely to introduce biases into model testing. The authors illustrate the method using a sample of children who experienced significant burns or other injuries to examine potential influences (i.e., age of child–adolescent at time of trauma and ongoing family strains) on PTSD symptom severity over time.
A guide to economic evaluation: Methods for cost‐effectiveness analysis of person‐level data
Authors: Hoch Jeffrey S. , Smith Mark W. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe authors introduce economic evaluation with particular attention to cost‐effectiveness analysis. They begin by establishing why health care decisions should be guided by economics. They then explore different types of economic evaluations. To illustrate how to conduct and evaluate a cost‐effectiveness analysis, a hypothetical study about the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder with psychotherapy versus pharmacotherapy is considered. The authors conclude with recommendations for increasing the strength and relevance of economic evaluations.
Customized PEG‐Derived Copolymers for Tissue‐Engineering Applications
Authors: Tessmar Joerg K. , Göpferich Achim M. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractPEG‐containing copolymers play a prominent role as biomaterials for different applications ranging from drug delivery to tissue engineering. These custom‐designed materials offer enormous possibilities to change the overall characteristics of biomaterials by improving their biocompatibility and solubility, as well as their ability to crystallize in polymer blends and to resist protein adsorption. This article demonstrates various principles of PEG‐based material design that are applied to fine tune the properties of biomaterials for different tissue engineering applications. More specifically, strategies are described to develop PEG copolymers with various block compositions and specific bulk properties, including low melting points and improved surface hydrophilicity. Highly hydrated polymer gel networks for promoting cellular growth or suppressing protein adsorption and cell adhesion are introduced. By incorporating selectively cleavable cross‐links, these hydrophilic polymers can also serve as smart hydrogel scaffolds, mimicking the natural extracellular matrix for cell cultivation and tissue growth. Ultimately, these developments lead to the creation of biomimetic materials to immobilize bioactive compounds, allowing precise control of cellular adhesion and tissue growth.magnified image
Homotopy classification of module bundles via Grassmannians
Authors: Papatriantafillou Maria H. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractGiven a Waelbroeck ring R, we prove that the Grassmannian of a projective finitely generated R ‐module is a topological manifold modeled on a topological abelian group of R ‐linear maps. Fibre bundles of fibre type a module as above, over a compact base space B, admitting R ‐valued partitions of unity, are classified by the homotopy classes of continuous maps on B with values in the respective Grassmannian. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
IgE‐Mediated food allergy diagnosis: Current status and new perspectives
Authors: Asero Riccardo , Ballmer‐Weber Barbara K. , Beyer Kirsten , Conti Amedeo , Dubakiene Ruta , Fernandez‐Rivas Montserrat , Hoffmann‐Sommergruber Karin , Lidholm Jonas , Mustakov Tihomir , Oude Elberink Joanne N. G. , Pumphrey Richard S. H. , Stahl Skov Per , van Ree Ronald , Vlieg‐Boerstra Berber J. , Hiller Reinhard , Hourihane Jonathan O. , Kowalski Marek , Papadopoulos Nikos G. , Wal Jean‐Michel , Mills E. N. Clare , Vieths Stefan 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn June 2005, the work of the EU Integrated Project EuroPrevall was started. EuroPrevall is the largest research project on food allergy ever performed in Europe. Major aims of the project are to generate for the first time reliable data on the prevalence of food allergies across Europe and on the natural course of food allergy development in infants. Improvement of in vitro diagnosis of food allergies is another important aim of the project. The present review summarizes current knowledge about the clinical presentation of food allergy and critically reviews available diagnostic tools at the beginning of the project period. A major problem in diagnosis is a relatively poor ‘clinical specificity’, i. e. both positive skin tests and in vitro tests for specific IgE are frequent in sensitized subjects without food allergy symptoms. So far, no in vitro test reliably predicts clinical food allergy. EuroPrevall aims at improving the predictive value of such tests by proceeding from diagnosis based on allergen extracts to purified allergen molecules, taking into account the affinity of the IgE–allergen interaction, and evaluating the potential of biological in vitro tests such as histamine release tests or basophil activation tests including assays performed with permanently growing cell lines.
Ochratoxin A: An overview on toxicity and carcinogenicity in animals and humans
Authors: Pfohl‐Leszkowicz Annie , Manderville Richard A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractOchratoxin A (OTA) is a ubiquitous mycotoxin produced by fungi of improperly stored food products. OTA is nephrotoxic and is suspected of being the main etiological agent responsible for human Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) and associated urinary tract tumours. Striking similarities between OTA‐induced porcine nephropathy in pigs and BEN in humans are observed. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified OTA as a possible human carcinogen (group 2B). Currently, the mode of carcinogenic action by OTA is unknown. OTA is genotoxic following oxidative metabolism. This activity is thought to play a central role in OTA‐mediated carcinogenesis and may be divided into direct (covalent DNA adduction) and indirect (oxidative DNA damage) mechanisms of action. Evidence for a direct mode of genotoxicity has been derived from the sensitive32P‐postlabelling assay. OTA facilitates guanine‐specific DNA adductsin vitroand in rat and pig kidney orally dosed, one adduct comigrates with a synthetic carbon (C)‐bonded C8‐dG OTA adduct standard. In this paper, our current understanding of OTA toxicity and carcinogenicity are reviewed. The available evidence suggests that OTA is a genotoxic carcinogen by induction of oxidative DNA lesions coupled with direct DNA adductsviaquinone formation. This mechanism of action should be used to establish acceptable intake levels of OTA from human food sources.
Intestinal absorption of dietary carotenoids
Authors: Yonekura Lina , Nagao Akihiko 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe assessment of carotenoid bioavailability has long been hampered by the limited knowledge of their absorption mechanisms. However, recent reports have elucidated important aspects of carotenoid digestion and absorption. Disruption of food matrix and increasing amounts of fat seem to enhance the absorption of carotenes to a larger extent than that of xanthophylls. Comparing different carotenoid species, xanthophylls seem to be more easily released from the food matrix and more efficiently micellized than the carotenes. On the other hand, carotenes are more efficiently taken up by the enterocytes. However, carotenoid emulsification and micellization steps are largely affected by the food matrix and dietary components, being the main determinant of carotenoid bioavailability from foodstuffs. Although the intestinal uptake of carotenoids has been thought to occur by simple diffusion, recent studies reported the existence of receptor‐mediated transport of carotenoids in enterocytes. Comparisons between the intestinal absorption of a wide array of carotenoids would be useful to elucidate the absorption mechanism of each carotenoid species, in view of the recent indications that intestinal carotenoid uptake may involve the scavenger receptor class B type I and possibly other epithelial transporters. The unraveling of the whole mechanism underlying the absorption of carotenoids will be the challenge for future studies.
Overview of antibacterial, antitoxin, antiviral, and antifungal activities of tea flavonoids and teas
Authors: Friedman Mendel 
Published: December 2006

AbstractTea leaves produce organic compounds that may be involved in the defense of the plants against invading pathogens including insects, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These metabolites include polyphenolic compounds, the six so‐called catechins, and the methyl‐xanthine alkaloids caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Postharvest inactivation of phenol oxidases in green tea leaves prevents oxidation of the catechins, whereas postharvest enzyme‐catalyzed oxidation (fermentation) of catechins in tea leaves results in the formation of four theaflavins as well as polymeric thearubigins. These substances impart the black color to black teas. Black and partly fermented oolong teas contain both classes of phenolic compounds. A need exists to develop a better understanding of the roles of polyphenolic tea compounds in food and medical microbiology. This overview surveys and interprets our present knowledge of activities of tea flavonoids and teas against foodborne and other pathogenic bacteria, virulent protein toxins produced by some of the bacteria, virulent bacteriophages, pathogenic viruses and fungi. Also covered are synergistic, mechanistic, and bioavailability aspects of the antimicrobial effects. Further research is suggested for each of these categories. The herein described findings are not only of fundamental interest, but also have practical implications for nutrition, food safety, and animal and human health.
Poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐Based Microspheres Prepared by Heterogeneous Polymerizations
Authors: Babič Michal , Horák Daniel 
Published: December 2006

AbstractPDMAAm microspheres have been obtained by inverse suspension, inverse emulsion, and dispersion polymerization. Conventional inverse suspension polymerization in toluene/trichloroethene is modified by the use of ultrasound. The resulting hydrogel microspheres are examined by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy to afford the morphology, dispersity, and size of the microspheres. Inverse suspension polymerization yields 100‐µm particles, while those obtained by inverse emulsion polymerization are 0.13–1 µm in diameter. While the inverse techniques produce particles of broad size distribution, monodisperse microspheres are obtained by the Kraton G 1650‐stabilized dispersion polymerization of DMAAm in a toluene/heptane medium. The particle size and polydispersity could be controlled by the addition of water into the dispersed phase, and by varying the cellulose acetate butyrate or Kraton G 1650 concentration and the toluene/trichloroethene or toluene/heptane ratio.magnified image
Bayesian parallel imaging with edge‐preserving priors
Authors: Raj Ashish , Singh Gurmeet , Zabih Ramin , Kressler Bryan , Wang Yi , Schuff Norbert , Weiner Michael 
Published: December 2006

AbstractExisting parallel MRI methods are limited by a fundamental trade‐off in that suppressing noise introduces aliasing artifacts. Bayesian methods with an appropriately chosen image prior offer a promising alternative; however, previous methods with spatial priors assume that intensities vary smoothly over the entire image, resulting in blurred edges. Here we introduce an edge‐preserving prior (EPP) that instead assumes that intensities are piecewise smooth, and propose a new approach to efficiently compute its Bayesian estimate. The estimation task is formulated as an optimization problem that requires a nonconvex objective function to be minimized in a space with thousands of dimensions. As a result, traditional continuous minimization methods cannot be applied. This optimization task is closely related to some problems in the field of computer vision for which discrete optimization methods have been developed in the last few years. We adapt these algorithms, which are based on graph cuts, to address our optimization problem. The results of several parallel imaging experiments on brain and torso regions performed under challenging conditions with high acceleration factors are shown and compared with the results of conventional sensitivity encoding (SENSE) methods. An empirical analysis indicates that the proposed method visually improves overall quality compared to conventional methods. Magn Reson Med 57:8–21, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Time‐resolved 3D quantitative flow MRI of the major intracranial vessels: Initial experience and comparative evaluation at 1.5T and 3.0T in combination with parallel imaging
Authors: Bammer Roland , Hope Thomas A. , Aksoy Murat , Alley Marcus T. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractExact knowledge of blood flow characteristics in the major cerebral vessels is of great relevance for diagnosing cerebrovascular abnormalities. This involves the assessment of hemodynamically critical areas as well as the derivation of biomechanical parameters such as wall shear stress and pressure gradients. A time‐resolved, 3D phase‐contrast (PC) MRI method using parallel imaging was implemented to measure blood flow in three dimensions at multiple instances over the cardiac cycle. The 4D velocity data obtained from 14 healthy volunteers were used to investigate dynamic blood flow with the use of multiplanar reformatting, 3D streamlines, and 4D particle tracing. In addition, the effects of magnetic field strength, parallel imaging, and temporal resolution on the data were investigated in a comparative evaluation at 1.5T and 3T using three different parallel imaging reduction factors and three different temporal resolutions in eight of the 14 subjects. Studies were consistently performed faster at 3T than at 1.5T because of better parallel imaging performance. A high temporal resolution (65 ms) was required to follow dynamic processes in the intracranial vessels. The 4D flow measurements provided a high degree of vascular conspicuity. Time‐resolved streamline analysis provided features that have not been reported previously for the intracranial vasculature. Magn Reson Med 57:127–140, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of tumor necrosis factor α on electrically induced calcium transients elicited in C2C12 skeletal myotubes
Authors: van Kann Lisa N. , Bakker Anthony J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractDiseases involving chronic inflammation can lead to prolonged exposure of skeletal muscle to inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), which may contribute to the skeletal muscle weakness seen in these conditions. In this study we examined the effect of a prolonged exposure to TNFα on intracellular Ca2+ transients elicited in skeletal C2C12 myotubes. A 48‐h exposure to TNFα (10 ng/mL) significantly reduced the peaks, time to peak, and rate of Ca2+ decay of electrically induced Ca2+ transients elicited in C2C12 skeletal myotubes. TNFα exposure had no significant effect on the resting Ca2+ levels. The results of this study indicate that prolonged exposure to TNFα decreases sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in cultured skeletal muscle cells. This altered Ca2+ release could contribute to the muscle weakness found in conditions involving chronic inflammation. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Quantitative sensory testing of cold and vibration perception during compression of median nerve at the wrist
Authors: Tsuboya Hideshi , Tani Toshikazu , Ishida Kenji , Ushida Takahiro , Taniguchi Shinichirou , Kimura Jun 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWe conducted a sequential study of quantitative sensory testing (QST) during compression‐induced conduction block of the median nerve to determine relative vulnerability of the small and large myelinated nerve fibers. We tested cold (CPT) and vibratory perception thresholds (VPT) of the third digit in 15 healthy subjects during constant, localized compression for 30 min of the median nerve at the wrist. The orthodromic sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) recorded at wrist and elbow served to monitor the degree of associated conduction block. After the onset of nerve compression, it took 16 min for CPT to show the first change; VPT remained normal for 26 min. CPT recovered 2 min later than VPT after release of compression. The SNAP amplitude at the wrist diminished immediately at the start of compression and declined progressively, whereas the response at the elbow remained the same initially, showing no latency change for 20 min. A nearly identical time course of SNAP changes in the two experiments justified the comparison of separately tested CPT and VPT as a measure of modality‐specific vulnerability. Contrary to the common belief, a focal compression sufficient to produce rapidly reversible conduction abnormalities affects the slow‐conducting small myelinated fibers mediating cold perception before the fast‐conducting large myelinated fibers transmitting vibration perception. The data document the order of modality‐specific vulnerability of sensory nerve fibers to mild compression. The finding suggests that testing CPT, rather than VPT, provides a better QST to delineate rapidly reversible symptoms induced by compression. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Does motoneuron adaptation contribute to muscle fatigue?
Authors: Nordstrom Michael A. , Gorman Robert B. , Laouris Yiannis , Spielmann John M. , Stuart Douglas G. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractTo help reduce the gap between the cellular physiology of motoneurons (MNs) as studied “bottom‐up” in animal preparations and the “top‐down” study of the firing patterns of human motor units (MUs), this article addresses the question of whether motoneuron adaptation contributes to muscle fatigue. Findings are reviewed on the intracellularly recorded electrophysiology of spinal MNs as studied in vivo and in vitro using animal preparations, and the extracellularly recorded discharge of MUs as studied in conscious humans. The latter “top‐down” approach, combined with kinetic measurements, has provided most of what is currently known about the neurobiology of muscle fatigue, including its task and context dependencies. It is argued that although the question addressed is still open, it should now be possible to design new “bottom‐up” research paradigms using animal preparations that take advantage of what has been learned with the use of relatively noninvasive quantitative procedures in conscious humans. Muscle Nerve, 2006
The standardization of terminology of lower urinary tract function in children and adolescents: Report from the standardization committee of the International Children's Continence Society (ICCS)
Authors: Nevéus Tryggve , Gontard Alexander von , Hoebeke Piet , Hjälmås Kelm , Bauer Stuart , Bower Wendy , Jørgensen Troels Munch , Rittig Søren , Van de Walle Johan , Yeung Chung‐Kwong , Djurhuus Jens Christian 
Published: December 2006

AbstractPurposeWe updated the terminology in the field of pediatric lower urinary tract function.Materials and MethodsDiscussions were held in the board of the International Children's Continence Society and an extensive reviewing process was done involving all members of the International Children's Continence Society, the urology section of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the European Society of Pediatric Urology, as well as other experts in the field.Results and ConclusionsNew definitions and a standardized terminology are provided, taking into account changes in the adult sphere and new research results. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:90–102, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Levator ani trigger point injections: An underutilized treatment for chronic pelvic pain
Authors: Langford Carolyn F. , Udvari Nagy Szilvia , Ghoniem Gamal M. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAimsWe conducted this study to examine the role of trigger point injections in females with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) of at least 6 months duration and specific levator ani trigger points.MethodsThis prospective study included 18 consecutive female patients with CPP and specific palpable levator ani trigger points. Pain was evaluated before and after trigger point injection on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patient global satisfaction (PGS) and cure rates (PGC) were also measured by a VAS on a scale of 0–100%. The trigger points were identified manually by intravaginal palpation of the levator ani bilaterally. A mixture of 10 cc of 0.25% bupivacaine, 10 cc of 2% lidocaine and 1 cc (40 mg) of triamcinolone was used for injection of 5 cc per trigger point. A 5.5″ Iowa trumpet pudendal needle guide was used for injection. All but one injection were performed in the office setting without sedation. Pelvic floor muscle exercises were taught for use after injection. Success was defined as a decrease in pain as measured by a VAS of 50% or more, as well as PGS and PGC scores of 60% or greater. There was a mean follow up of 3 months after trigger point injection.ResultsThirteen of 18 women improved with the first trigger point injection resulting in a comprehensive success rate of 72%. Six (33%) of 18 women were completely pain free.ConclusionIn the management of CPP, a non‐surgical office‐based therapy such as trigger point injections can be effective in selected patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:59–62, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
3D‐based hp‐adaptive first‐order shell finite element for modelling and analysis of complex structures—Part 1: The model and the approximation
Authors: Zboiński G. , Jasiński M. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe paper presents a 3D‐based adaptive first‐order shell finite element to be applied to hierarchical modelling and adaptive analysis of complex structures. The main feature of the element is that it is equipped with 3D degrees of freedom, while its mechanical model corresponds to classical first‐order shell theory. Other useful features of the element are its modelling and adaptive capabilities. The element is assigned to hierarchical modelling and hpq‐adaptive analysis of shell parts of complex structures consisting of solid, thick‐ and thin‐shell parts, as well as of transition zones, where h, p and q denote the mesh density parameter and the longitudinal and transverse orders of approximation, respectively. The proposed hp‐adaptive first‐order shell element can be
joined with 3D‐based hpq‐adaptive hierarchical shell elements or 3D hpp‐adaptive solid elements by means of the family of 3D‐based hpq/hp‐ or hpp/hp‐adaptive transition elements.The main objective of the first part of our research, presented in this paper, is to provide non‐standard information on the original parts of the element algorithm. In order to do that, we present the definition of shape functions necessary for p‐adaptivity, as well as the procedure for imposing constraints corresponding to the lack of elongation of the straight lines perpendicular to the shell mid‐surface, which is the procedure necessary for q‐adaptivity. The 3D version of constrained approximation presented next is the basis for h‐adaptivity of the element. The second part of our research, devoted to methodology and results of the numerical research on application of the element to various plate and shell problems, are described in the second part of this paper. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.