bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Delayed, transient sciatic nerve palsy after primary cementless hip arthroplasty
Authors: May O. , Girard J. , Hurtevent J. F. , Migaud H. 
Published: April 2008

Delayed sciatic nerve palsy is uncommon after primary hip replacement. Two kinds of sciatic palsy have been reported with regard to the time of onset: early palsy related to wound haematoma or lumbosacral nerve elongation which occurs between surgery and 18 days, is more frequent than delayed palsy, occurring between 10 and 32 months, which is usually caused by cement extrusion or heat produced by cement polymerisation.We present two cases of delayed, transient sciatic nerve palsy arising at three weeks and four months after primary cementless arthroplasty, respectively, without haematoma and with a normal lumbar spine. These palsies were possibly caused by excessive tension from minor limb lengthening of 2 cm to 4 cm required to achieve leg-length equality. As the initial symptoms were limited to calf pain and mild numbness in the foot, surgeons should be aware of this mode of onset, particularly when it is delayed after hip replacement. Both patients recovered fully by 12 months after surgery so we did not undertake surgical exploration of the nerve in either patient.
Current Socio-Economic Measures, and Not Those Measured During Infancy, Affect Bone Mass in Poor Urban South African Children
Authors: Norris Shane A , Sheppard Zoë A , Griffiths Paula L , Cameron Noël , Pettifor John M 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Understanding the impact of socio-economic status (SES) on physical development in children is important, especially in developing countries where considerable inequalities persist. This is the first study to examine the association between SES on bone development at the whole body, femoral neck, and lumbar spine in black children living in Soweto and Johannesburg, South Africa. Linear regression models were used to study associations between SES during infancy and current SES, anthropometric, and DXA-derived bone mass in 9/10-yr-old children (n = 309). Findings suggest that current SES measures, rather than SES during infancy, are stronger predictors of current whole body bone area (BA) and whole body BMC after adjusting for body size, pubertal development, physical activity, habitual dietary calcium intake, and body composition. SES had no significant effect on either hip or spine bone mass. Caregiver's marital/cohabiting status (indicator of social support) and whether there was a television in the home (indicator of greater income) at age 9/10 yr were the most important socio-economic determinants of whole body BA and BMC. SES has a significant independent effect on whole body BMC through its impact on BA. This suggests that poverty alleviation policies in South Africa could have a positive effect on bone health.
Photoinstability of S-Nitrosothiols during Sampling of Whole Blood: A Likely Source of Error and Variability in S-Nitrosothiol Measurements
Authors: Wu Yiduo , Zhang Fenghua , Wang Yang , Krishnamoorthy Maheshkumaar , Roy-Chaudhury Prabir , Bleske Barry E , Meyerhoff Mark E 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Background: The determination of reference intervals for the concentration of total S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) in blood is a highly controversial topic, likely because of the inherent instability of these species. Most currently available techniques to quantify RSNOs in blood require considerable sample handling and multiple pretreatment steps during which light exposure is difficult to completely eliminate. We investigated the effect of brief light exposure on the stability of RSNO species in blood during the initial sampling process.
Methods: A novel amperometric RSNO sensor, based on an immobilized organoselenium catalyst at the distal tip of an electrochemical nitric oxide detector, was used to determine RSNO species in diluted whole blood without centrifugation or pretreatment. Porcine blood was collected into aluminum foil–wrapped syringes via a 12-inch butterfly needle tube assembly. Two blood samples were collected from the same animal—one with the butterfly needle tubing wrapped in aluminum foil and one with the tubing exposed to ambient room light. The RSNO concentrations in these sequential blood samples were determined by a standard addition procedure.
Results: Eight sets of measurements were made in 6 animals. Samples exposed to light yielded RSNO concentrations only 23.6% (7.2%) [mean (SD)] of the RSNO concentrations determined in samples that were shielded from light and obtained from the same animals.
Conclusions: These results suggest significant photoinstablity of RSNOs in whole blood and indicate the critical importance of proper light protection during sampling and processing of blood samples for the accurate determinations of endogenous RSNO concentrations.
Dyslipidemia Control in Indigent Patients Receiving Medication Assistance Compared with Insured Patients
Authors: Marrs Joel C. , Saseen Joseph J. 
Published: April 2008

Study Objectives. To compare dyslipidemia management with statin‐based therapy in insured patients versus indigent patients receiving medication assistance, and to determine drug therapy adherence rates in the two groups.Design. Retrospective medical record reviewSetting. University‐based health care system.Patients. Two hundred forty patients with dyslipidemia who received statin‐based therapy from the outpatient pharmacies and clinical care at an affiliated clinic.Measurements and Main Results. Prescription records identified 665 patients between October 1, 2004, and September 30, 2005. Forty of these patients had insurance (with a single carrier), and the remaining 625 patients received health care subsidies from the Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP). Using a block scheme, 200 patients from the CICP were randomly extracted. The primary objective was measured by assessment of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) goal attainment and use of a moderate‐potency, lipid‐lowering regimen capable of achieving an LDL level reduction of least 30%. Of a total of 240 patients who met study criteria, 26 were excluded whose records lacked LDL measurements while receiving therapy. The LDL goal was achieved in 122 (68.9%) of the 177 patients in the CICP group versus 29 (78.4%) of the 37 patients in the insured group (p=0.34). A moderate‐potency, LDL‐lowering regimen was used by 90.5% of 200 patients in the CICP group and 85% of 40 patients in the insured group (p=0.45). In patients classified as having moderately high, high, or very high cardiovascular risk, LDL goals were attained in 103 (67.3%) of 153 patients in the CICP group versus 16 (69.6%) of 23 patients in the insured group (p=0.83). In this higher‐risk subgroup, a moderate‐potency regimen was used in 162 (92.6%) of 175 patients in the CICP group versus 23 (92%) of 25 patients in the insured group (p=0.92). Among the very high‐risk patients from the two groups combined, 30 (52.6%) of 57 patients achieved LDL concentrations below 70 mg/dl, and 58 (95.1%) of 61 patients were administered a moderate‐potency, LDL‐lowering regimen. The secondary objective, overall adherence, as assessed by the medication possession ratio, was better in the CICP group than in the insured group.Conclusion. Our data suggest that quality of dyslipidemia management is similar for indigent and insured populations. Overall LDL goal attainment rates were higher than those reported in the literature. Most patients with significant cardiovascular risk, including those at very high risk, were treated according to established guidelines. Adherence rates were greater for indigent patients.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression and Mutational Analysis in Synovial Sarcomas and Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
Authors: Tawbi Hussein , Thomas Dafydd , Lucas David R. , Biermann J. Sybil , Schuetze Scott M. , Hart Anita L. , Chugh Rashmi , Baker Laurence H. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Discuss the significance of deletions and mutations of the EGFR gene in cancer cell growth and survival.Describe the significance of the role of EGFR in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, especially those associated with neurofibromatosis 1.Discuss the significance of why small molecule inhibitor therapy has been ineffectual in synovial sarcomas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
CME Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com

Background.
Synovial sarcomas (SnSrcs) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare mesenchymal tumors of adolescence and young adulthood. Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that SnSrcs express epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human EGFR (HER)-2/neu. The present study extends that work to examine the expression of EGFR in MPNSTs and the characterization of potential targets of the EGFR tyrosine kinase domain.

Methods.
Tissue microarrays containing 48 cases of SnSrc and 32 cases of MPNST were stained for EGFR, EGFRvIII, and activated EGFR (pY1068-EGFR). Tumor DNA was extracted from fresh and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks and sequenced for exons 17–21 of EGFR and exon 2 of K-ras and b-raf.

Results.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) demonstrated that EGFR is expressed in a majority of SnSrcs and MPNSTs (71% and 62.5%, respectively). EGFRvIII immunoreactivity was negative. IHC was weakly immunopositive for activated EGFR (18.7% and 3.1%, respectively). Sequence analysis of the EGFR genomic DNA did not demonstrate mutations in exons 17–21. No K-ras or b-raf mutations were observed in either tumor type.

Conclusions.
Expression of EGFR in SnSrcs and MPNSTs with an intact EGFR/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway has been hypothesized to contribute to the malignant potential of these tumors. Our study reveals the absence of known activating mutations in EGFR, which suggests that trials of small-molecule inhibitors would be of little clinical benefit. A clinical study of treatment with cetuximab is ongoing and may help elucidate whether blockade of EGFR with antibodies is likely to be more active.
Histologic Alterations from Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in High-Grade Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Clinicopathological Correlation
Authors: Lucas David R. , Kshirsagar Malti P. , Biermann J. Sybil , Hamre Merlin R. , Thomas Dafydd G. , Schuetze Scott M. , Baker Laurence H. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Use the correlation of all data from clinical, imaging, and histopathologic observations by a multidisciplinary tumor board in the prognosis of patients with soft tissue sarcoma.Interpret the prognostic value of histologic response to chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma in contrast to its value in osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.Evaluate the profound histologic alterations induced by neoadjuvant chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcomas.
CME Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com
Histologic response to chemotherapy is generally regarded as an independent prognostic variable in bone sarcomas, both osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. In soft tissue sarcomas, however, descriptions of histologic alterations from chemotherapy and correlative outcome studies are much more limited. Herein we report clinicopathological findings from a homogeneously treated group of 31 patients with tumor stage T2 grade 3 extremity soft tissue sarcomas treated with the same neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical excision, treated by the same medical oncologist and orthopedic surgeon. Histologic response to therapy was evaluated by multiple parameters using a semiquantitative grading system. Based upon the percentage of post-treatment viable tumor, tumors were arbitrarily categorized similarly to Huvos score as showing excellent (≤5% viability), moderate (6%–49% viability), or poor (≥50% viability) responses. Nineteen percent had excellent, 10% had moderate, and 71% had poor responses. These histologic response groups did not correlate with overall or event-free survival. For example, of the 22 patients showing a “poor” response, 13 were cured. Similarly, other histologic parameters, including percentages of necrosis, fibrosis/hyalinization, and cellular degeneration, did not correlate with outcome. Chemotherapy induces profound tissue alterations in soft tissue sarcomas. However, histologic alteration by itself may not be a reliable prognostic variable. Correlation of all data from clinical, imaging, and pathological observations by a multidisciplinary tumor board should have greater prognostic value than histology alone. Finally, although the histologic grading system used in this study could not be validated, the criteria we employed are simple and reproducible and take into account the major histologic patterns seen after therapy, and would be amenable for use in future studies.
Commentary: CT Screening for Lung Cancer—Caveat Emptor
Authors: Jett James R. , Midthun David E. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
There is a great need for a screening test that results in the detection of asymptomatic lung cancer, at a time when there is a substantially better chance for curative treatment. Based on the significant limitations in the results reported to date from nonrandomized, observational screening trials, the authors do not recommend computed tomography screening for lung cancer at this time. Results of two major randomized controlled trials will soon be available.
Horizontal Water Shut-Off for Better Production Optimization and Reservoir Sweep Efficiency (Case Study)
Authors: Dashash Alaa A. , Al-Arnaout Ibrahim , Al-Driweesh Saad M. , Al-Sarakbi Samer A. , Al Shaharani Khzam 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Water production is a major problem for any oil and gas field. If not properly managed, unwanted water production will seriously impact the economics of a project through lost hydrocarbon production, reserves recovery and ever increasing treatment costs. It may cause major economic and operational problems for several reasons. It requires increased capacity of water separation and handling facilities, decreases hydrocarbon production, and results in large amounts of produced water that need to be disposed in an environmentally friendly manner. Some fields in Saudi Arabia use water injection for reservoir pressure maintenance, which makes water production and handling a necessity even at a relatively early stage of some of these fields life cycle. As drilling technology advanced in the past years, horizontal wells became the norm in many fields managed by Saudi Aramco, especially in the giant Ghawar filed, the largest oil filed in the world. Some of these wells started cutting water, and as the water cut increased the need to perform rigless water shutoff was needed due to the high demand and high cost of workover rigs.
This paper will highlight the methodology, equipment and procedure used in the first rigless horizontal WSO in South Ghawar area by Coiled Tubing (CT) intervention to isolate the water producing zone at the toe of the well with a through tubing inflatable packer and a cement cap topped with mud push and high viscosity gel to reduce the cement slumping effect.
Review on the state of science on membrane bioreactors for municipal wastewater treatment
Authors: van Nieuwenhuijzen A. F. , Evenblij H. , Uijterlinde C. A. , Schulting F. L. 
Published: April 2008

Over the past two decades the field of application for membane bioreactors has broadened towards the municipal wastewater treatment sector. The Global Water Research Coalition (GWRC) determined MBR technology to be of priority for collaborative research and decided to conduct a project with the aim to determine the current state of the science in the field of MBR for municipal wastewater treatment and to develop a phased research strategy represented by priority research projects, like a State of the Science report with regard to MBR technology. This paper describes the state of the science with regard to MBR technology for municipal wastewater treatment by 2007, derived by literature review on recent publications, database analysis and international questionnaires.
The research efforts from the past seven years can be characterised by the following prioritised list: (1) membrane fouling, (2) effluent quality, (3) energy consumption (aeration) and (4) cost considerations. The research needs for the near future as identified with the questionnaire are comparable to the main topics of research as identified in the literature review:membrane fouling is still the main problem requiring thorough attention from scientists;effluent quality is a main driver for the application of the technology. There remain some important questions however, with regard to the removal of EDC and micro pollutants.
Much of the research activities on MBR are repeated more than once by research groups world-wide. This is only partially caused by a lack of knowledge exchange between researchers. However, lacking information exchange between Europe and the USA on MBR research is identified as a potential bottleneck. Another point of attention is the fast that research results can not easily be translated to other (more practical) situations, since much of the research is carried out at pilot scale.
Investigative monitoring in the context of detecting anthropogenic impact on an epipotamal river
Authors: Winkler S. , Zessner M. , Saracevic E. , Ruzicka K. , Fleischmann N. , Wegricht U. 
Published: April 2008

In the context of an investigative monitoring programme a monitoring system comprising of a water quality monitoring station and a camera station has been installed and operated for more than one year. The monitoring target was to investigate changes of water quality which can be related to a repeated occurrence of foam, observed at a river stretch downstream the monitoring station. The extent and frequency of foam buildup was recorded by means of the camera station.
The analysis of the online data clearly showed that some of the measured parameters can be used as indicators for specific discharges, which from additional targeted investigations could be identified as contributors to the foaming problems. The continuous ammonium measurement could be used to detect nitrification problems of WWTPs discharging upstream of the monitoring station.
By combining different data sources (emission data, operative and investigative monitoring data) additional information can be gained, which can be used for a comprehensive data assessment as well as a detailed system analysis.
Hydrophobicity Improvement of PET Fabrics after SF6 Plasma Treatment
Authors: Paosawatyanyong B. , Supasai T. , Pavarajarn V. , Hodak S. K. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
We have used plasma assisted surface fluorination of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics to increase the water repellency of the fabrics. Treatment at different operating conditions for the radio-frequency inductively coupled in a SF6 atmosphere resulted in improved hydrophobicity. The water repellency of treated fabrics was characterized by water contact angle and absorption time measurement. The measured contact angle of optimum-treated fabrics was 140 degrees, and the absorption time was 210 min. The morphology changes in the surface of PET were obtained by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The rms surface roughness of PET was increased from 28 nm to 45 nm after plasma treatment. The changes in chemical composition were observed in X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) analysis. We found that the F/C atom ratios obtaining by XPS analysis on PET were correlated to the pressure, the RF power, and the treatment time. An increase in the F/C atom ratios seems to contribute to the absorption time.
Improving the Mechanical Properties of ENR/NBR Blends via Masterbatches with Initial Accelerator Concentration Gradients
Authors: Sahakaro K. , Pantupon N. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Epoxidized natural rubber with 30 mol.% of epoxide (ENR-30) was blended with medium nitrile rubber (NBR) at the blend weight ratios of 30/70 and 70/30. Blend compounds were prepared via simple mixing and masterbatch techniques using TBBS as an accelerator. The masterbatches of ENR-30 initially consisted of higher accelerator concentrations compared with those of NBR, in order to compensate an effect of accelerator partition towards NBR phase. The initial accelerator concentration ratios in ENR-30 and NBR masterbatches before blending were at 50/50, 60/40, 70/30 and 80/20, respectively. The blend vulcanizates prepared by masterbatch mixing showed a significant improvement in tensile properties in comparison with those prepared by simple blend, and the initial accelerator concentration ratio in ENR-30/NBR masterbatches at 70/30 gave the highest ultimate tensile properties. The improvement in tensile properties was clearly observed for all the blends vulcanized with conventional, semi-EV and EV sulfur-vulcanization systems. The increase of tensile properties does suggest a better curative distribution, and hence a better crosslink distribution.
Effects of Hot-drawing and Annealing on the Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Polyester Monofilament Fibers
Authors: Siripitayananon J. , Molloy R. , Bunkird S. , Kleawkla A. , Panjakha R. , Chooprayoon P. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Co/terpolymers of L-lactide (LL), ∊-caprolactone (CL) and glycolide (G) are biodegradable in the human body and, as such, have considerable potential for use in biomedical applications such as absorbable surgical sutures, nerve guides, bone fixation devices and drug delivery systems. This study focuses its attention on their potential as monofilament fibers for absorbable suture applications. Random co/terpolymers with different compositions of LL, CL and G were synthesized via bulk ring-opening polymerization. The polymers obtained were melt spun at slow speeds into ice-cooled water to produce as-spun monofilament fibers with as little molecular orientation and crystallinity as possible. Combinations of off-line hot-drawing and annealing steps under controlled conditions of draw rate, draw ratio, temperature and time were then employed in order to develop the fiber's oriented semi-crystalline morphology. The mechanical properties of the fibers were tested after each processing step and compared. The tensile test results showed that the tensile strength was strongly dependent on the draw ratio. A high draw ratio was obtained by multiple off-line hot-drawings with intermediate annealing. The first hot-drawing step dramatically enhanced the mechanical properties relative to those of the weak, highly extensible as-spun fiber. Subsequent annealing at a suitable temperature and for an appropriate length of time increased fiber flexibility as a result of molecular relaxation. Additional hot-drawing steps, again under precise temperature-time conditions, increased the total draw ratio and further enhanced the fiber's mechanical strength.
The Effect of CO2 Pressure on Viscoelasticity of LDPE
Authors: Ouchi S. , Masubuchi Y. , Shikuma H. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The effect of impregnated carbon dioxide (CO2) and pressure on dynamic viscoelastic responce of a commercial LDPE was investigated by a magnetic driven rotational rheometer equipped with a high-pressure chamber. It was found that i) the mode distribution of the viscoelastic relaxation is not sensitive to CO2 pressure realizing the superposition among moduli obtained at different pressures, that ii) the horizontal shift factor for the superposition reflecting the monomeric friction exponentially decreases with increase of the pressure, and that iii) the vertical shift factor relating to the entanglement number density is not sensitive to the pressure. From the observation it is suggested that CO2 and pressure mainly affect the monomeric friction and the effect on the entanglement dilation is not significant. The results are consistent with the dielectric measurement on polyisoprene (Matsumiya et al., Nihon Reoroji Gakkaishi, 35, 155–161, 2007).