bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrated fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18f-fdg) pet/ct compared to standard contrast-enhanced CT for characterization and staging of pulmonary tumors eligible for surgical resection
Authors: Quaia E. , Tona G. , Gelain F. , Lubin E. , Pizzolato R. , Boscolo E. , Bussoli L. 
Published: July 2008

Background: Accurate staging is necessary to determine the appropriate therapy in patients with lung cancer. Few studies have compared integrated fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and contrast-enhanced CT in the characterization and staging of pulmonary tumors considered eligible for surgical resection. Purpose: To compare 18F-FDG PET/CT with standard contrast-enhanced CT for the diagnosis and staging of lung neoplasms eligible for surgical resection. Material and Methods: Seventy-six consecutive patients (56 male, 20 female; mean age±SD, 63.4±20 years) with 84 pulmonary tumors suspected for malignancy and considered eligible for surgical resection were prospectively enrolled. Seventy-three malignant (65 non-small-cell lung carcinomas, one small-cell lung cancer, two carcinoids, and five metastases) and 11 benign lung tumors (three hamartomas, two sarcoidosis, one amyloidosis, one Wegener granulomatosis, one tuberculosis, and three areas of scarring) were finally diagnosed by histology. Tumor staging was based on the revised American Joint Committee on Cancer. Results: In lesion characterization, the sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG PET/CT versus contrast-enhanced CT were 90% vs. 83% and 18% vs. 63% ( P<0.05, McNemar test), respectively. In nodal staging, the sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG PET/CT versus contrast-enhanced CT were 78% vs. 46% and 80% vs. 93% ( P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion: In patients with lung neoplasms considered eligible for surgical resection, 18F-FDG PET/CT versus contrast-enhanced CT revealed higher sensitivity in nodal staging, but lower specificity both in lesion characterization and nodal staging.
Computed tomography-guided core-needle biopsy specimens demonstrate epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Chen C.-M. , Chang J. W.-C. , Cheung Y.-C. , Lin G. , Hsieh J.-J. , Hsu T. , Huang S.-F. 
Published: July 2008

Background: Target therapy with a new class of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors shows improved clinical response in EGFR gene-mutated lung cancers. Purpose: To evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT)-guided core-needle biopsy specimens for the assessment of EGFR gene mutation in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Material and Methods: Seventeen (nine males, eight females) patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent CT-guided core-needle biopsy of the lung tumor prior to treatment with the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib. There were no life-threatening complications of biopsy. The specimens were sent fresh-frozen for EGFR mutation analysis and histopathological study. Results: There were 12 (70.6%) EGFR gene mutants and five (29.4%) nonmutants. The objective response rate to gefitinib therapy was 73.3% (11 of 15 patients), with 91.7% (11 of 12 mutants) for the mutant group and 0% for the nonmutant group. Conclusion: CT-guided core-needle biopsy of advanced NSCLC enables the acquisition of sufficient tissue for EGFR gene mutation analysis.
Sociodemographic determinants of multiple unhealthy behaviours
Authors: Laaksonen Mikko , Prättälä Ritva , Lahelma Eero 
Published: July 2008

Background: Although behaviours regarded as unhealthy are widespread, behaving in an unhealthy manner in several respects is relatively uncommon. However, people with multiple unhealthy behaviours exist and their number is larger than expected if the behaviours were not related to each other. The aim of this study was to examine sociodemographic determinants of multiple unhealthy behaviours, with special reference to independent and combined effects of the determinants. Methods : Data on unhealthy behaviours were derived from nationwide surveys among Finnish adults. The mean number of unhealthy behaviours practised on a daily basis and the probability of reporting three or four of these behaviours was examined across sociodemographic groups. Results: Age, educational level and marital status predicted reporting of three or four unhealthy behaviours. Interactions were observed between education and age in both genders as well as between marital status and age in men and educational level and living area in women. Mean numbers of unhealthy behaviours showed similar patterns to having three or four unhealthy behaviours but few differences between the means were statistically significant and there were no interactions. Conclusion: The influence of each sociodemographic determinant on multiple unhealthy behaviours was relatively independent from the other sociodemographic determinants. As the effect of these determinants tends to be cumulative, engaging in multiple unhealthy behaviours is common in population subgroups with several unfavourable characteristics. In health promotion initiatives special attention should be paid to such population groups and their social circumstances.
Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Pulling Force in Pultrusion and Resin Injection Pultrusion (RIP)–Part I: Experimental
Authors: Li Shoujie , Xu Liqun , Ding Zhongman , Lee L. James , Engelen Herbert 
Published: July 2008

Pulling force is the summation of resistance forces along a pultrusion die. Its mechanism is complicated because the impregnated resin inside the compressed fiber reinforcement changes from a liquid to a gel, and finally to a solid in the die. Two methods, a ‘mat tracer’method and a ‘short die length’ method, were used to determine the pulling force distribution. Results show that the downstream part of the die contributes little to the pulling force. In order to predict the resistance force in both the injection die and the heating die, two models were developed in this study. A friction measurement device was designed to measure the friction coefficient between the composite and the mold surface. The effect of process variables, such as temperature, resin conversion, normal force, and line speed, on the friction coefficient was investigated and a friction coefficient model was proposed based on the experimental results. A volume change model of vinylester resin was also developed to predict the thermal expansion–polymerization shrinkage during curing. The parameters of the model were determined by dilatometry, thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Quadric Surfaces Criterion for Composite Materials
Authors: Yeh Hsien-Liang 
Published: July 2008

A new criterion, which is named the quadric surfaces criterion for composite materials, is proposed based on the form of quadratic surface associated with a second-degree polynomial. The three interaction terms (i.e., σIσj, σIτij, and σjτij) are included in the quadric surfaces criterion completely. However, no more biaxial tests are required for the determination of those coefficients of the three stress interaction terms. Since the quadric surfaces criterion requires three yield strengths from simple tension, compression, and torsion tests, respectively, this criterion is applicable for ductile materials as well as brittle materials with different strengths in tension and compression. One unique feature of the quadric surfaces criterion is the ability to change its format depending upon what types of stresses are applied and what types of material strengths are considered. Thus, it is shown that the entire closed failure envelope of the quadric surfaces criterion is composed of piecewise quadric surfaces. For example, when a material is deformed in compression, the compressive strength should be the dominant critical strength, not the tensile strength. Accordingly, the failure function must be adjusted so that it can accommodate the compressive strength. The validity of the quadric surfaces failure criterion is examined with experimental results from off-axis uniaxial strength tests of unidirectional fiber composites, and angle-ply laminated composites. Comparisons were made with other well-known an isotropic strength theories as well.
Characteristics of Ultraviolet Cured Glass–Epoxy Textile Composites: Part 1: Experimental Procedures and Testing
Authors: Adanur Sabit , Arumugham Yuvaraj 
Published: July 2008

Ultraviolet curing of composite samples with different number of layers was carried out and the limitations and advantages of the system were examined. The optimization of the photoinitiator concentration in the radiation curable formulation was studied. The composite samples were cured in different environments to understand the phenomenon of oxygen quenching and establish ways to overcome this. Postcuring of ultraviolet cured composite samples was done to study the degree of polymerization achieved. A formulation was developed to enhance the mechanical properties of the ultraviolet cured composite samples. Composite samples were made using the conventional heat curing process and comparative studies were performed with the ultraviolet cured composite samples. Three point bending and impact tests were performed to obtain relevant properties. A curing system using ultraviolet radiation is proposed for use on a braiding machine, which can quicken the composite manufacturing and eliminate additional secondary processing.
Acrylic Fabrics Treated with Plasma for Outdoor Applications
Authors: Pane S. , Tedesco R. , Greger R. 
Published: July 2008

The increasing interest in the application of plasma processes on textiles is due both to the necessity of adding value to products and to develop new pollution free technologies. In fact, plasma treatments allow modification of the textile surface behaviour with a flexible process, which can impart particular properties to the fabrics, such as waterproofing, oil repellence, antistatic behaviour, etc. In addition, plasma processes are characterised by the very small quantity of chemicals involved and by the absence of solvent or water, which are usually employed in traditional finishing processes. In this work the effect of different plasma treatments on the properties of acrylic fabrics for outdoor applications was explored. In particular, the possibility of substituting plasma processes for the traditional cleaning and waterproofing processes of outdoor acrylic fabrics was evaluated. The properties of the plasma treated acrylic fabrics have been compared with the characteristics of the fabrics traditionally treated. The resistance of plasma treatments to wear, UV and weather exposure has been also evaluated.
Parents’ childhood fever management: community survey and instrument development
Authors: Walsh Anne , Edwards Helen , Fraser Jenny 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTitle. Parents’ childhood fever management: community survey and instrumentdevelopment.Aim. This paper is a report of a study to explore Australian parents’ knowledge, beliefs, practices and information sources about fever management and develop a scale to measure parents’ fever management practices.Background. Parental fever phobia and overuse of antipyretics to reduce fever continue. No scales to measure parents’ fever management practices are available.Method. A community‐based, postal survey was carried out in 2005 with 401 Australian parents of well children aged 6 months–5 years. Respondents were recruited through advertising (48·4%), face‐to‐face (26·4%) and snowball (24·4%) methods. A 33‐item instrument was developed; construct and content validity were determined by an expert panel and item reliability by test–retest.Results. Moderate fever (40·0 ± 1·0°C) was reported to be harmful (88%), causing febrile convulsions (77·7%). Usual practices targeted temperature reduction, antipyretic administration (87·8%), temperature monitoring (52·5%). Fewer evidence‐based practices, such as encouraging fluids (49·0%) and light clothing (43·8%), were reported. Positive changes over time (36·4%) included less concern and delayed or reduced antipyretic use. Negative practice changes (22·7%) included greater concern and increased antipyretic use. Medical advice was sought for illness symptoms (48·7%) and high (37·4%) or persistent (41·5%) fevers. Fever management was learnt from doctors, family and friends and working experience, while receiving conflicting information (41·9%) increased concerns and created uncertainty about best practice.Conclusion. Parents need consistent evidence‐based information about childhood fever management. The Parental Fever Management Scale requires further testing with different populations and in different cultures and healthcare systems to evaluate its usefulness in nursing practice and research.
Cultural encounters in reflective dialogue about nursing care: a qualitative study
Authors: Torsvik Malvin , Hedlund Marianne 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTitle.  Cultural encounters in reflective dialogue about nursing care: a qualitative study. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore how students developed reflective nursing practice through cultural encounters between students from Tanzania and Norway.Background.  Nursing students need to develop cultural care competence to care for patients in a globalized world. One way to achieve this goal may be through international practice experience. Previous studies have shown that students visiting developing countries matured personally and intellectually more than those who experienced encounters between developed countries.Method.  The study was exploratory, using qualitative data about nursing practice and cultural encounters experienced by nursing students from Tanzania and Norway. Data were collected through participatory observation, students’ logs and focus group interviews in 2006.Findings.  The encounter was characterized with an open attitude facilitating a good context for co‐learning between the students. Three main themes were identified. The Norwegian students emphasized nurse–patient relationships, individualized care, direct communication and emotional involvement. The Tanzanian nursing students demonstrated a collectivist approach in nursing characterized by nurse–relative–patient relationships, and they emphasized curing attributes with skilful performance of procedures.Conclusion.  A cultural encounter between students from different culture proved to be a fruitful way of teaching nurses. The opportunity to share thoughts, reflect on value systems and personal practice through dialogue with students from a different culture offer possibility in terms of cultural competence, reflexivity and consciousness of various ways practising nursing. This may contribute to bringing the practice of nursing a step forward in both cultures.
Segmentation of touching cell nuclei using gradient flow tracking
Authors: LI G. , LIU T. , NIE J. , GUO L. , CHEN J. , ZHU J. , XIA W. , MARA A. , HOLLEY S. , WONG S.T.C. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryReliable cell nuclei segmentation is an important yet unresolved problem in biological imaging studies. This paper presents a novel computerized method for robust cell nuclei segmentation based on gradient flow tracking. This method is composed of three key steps: (1) generate a diffused gradient vector flow field; (2) perform a gradient flow tracking procedure to attract points to the basin of a sink; and (3) separate the image into small regions, each containing one nucleus and nearby peripheral background, and perform local adaptive thresholding in each small region to extract the cell nucleus from the background. To show the generality of the proposed method, we report the validation and experimental results using microscopic image data sets from three research labs, with both over‐segmentation and under‐segmentation rates below 3%. In particular, this method is able to segment closely juxtaposed or clustered cell nuclei, with high sensitivity and specificity in different situations.
Image segmentation of liver fibrosis
Authors: WU H.‐S. , FIEL M.I. , SCHIANO T.D. , GIL J. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryQuantitation of connective tissue versus parenchymal tissue compartments is important in assessment of fibrosis (scarring) and its progression in liver disease. This paper presents a two‐step algorithm for quantifying fibrosis in liver biopsies stained with Sirius red. With this staining technique, collagen and cell nuclei appear similarly stained, whereas cytoplasm appears pale. The first step of the algorithm is to separate similarly stained areas occupied by collagen and hepatocyte nuclei. Since the total area of the combined collagen and cell nuclei is usually much smaller than the remaining liver parenchyma, a non‐linear intensity mapping is applied to enhance the smaller cluster in order to match the larger one in both intensity and size. The second step is to differentiate the fibrotic areas usually having irregular shapes from hepatocyte nuclei that have relatively uniform size and have circular shape. The proposed algorithm has been applied to quantify the development of progressive fibrosis and its possible regression in liver biopsy specimens from patients with parenteral‐induced liver injury undergoing intestinal transplantation.
Genetic variation affecting host–parasite interactions: major‐effect quantitative trait loci affect the transmission of sigma virus in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: BANGHAM JENNY , KNOTT SARA A. , KIM KANG‐WOOK , YOUNG ROBERT S. , JIGGINS FRANCIS M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn natural populations, genetic variation affects resistance to disease. Whether that genetic variation comprises lots of small‐effect polymorphisms or a small number of large‐effect polymorphisms has implications for adaptation, selection and how genetic variation is maintained in populations. Furthermore, how much genetic variation there is, and the genes that underlie this variation, affects models of co‐evolution between parasites and their hosts. We are studying the genetic variation that affects the resistance of Drosophila melanogaster to its natural pathogen — the vertically transmitted sigma virus. We have carried out three separate quantitative trait locus mapping analyses to map gene variants on the second chromosome that cause variation in the rate at which males transmit the infection to their offspring. All three crosses identified a locus in a similar chromosomal location that causes a large drop in the rate at which the virus is transmitted. We also found evidence for an additional smaller‐effect quantitative trait locus elsewhere on the chromosome. Our data, together with previous experiments on the sigma virus and parasitoid wasps, indicate that the resistance of D. melanogaster to co‐evolved pathogens is controlled by a limited number of major‐effect polymorphisms.
Control of pathogenic CD8+ T cell migration to the brain by IFN‐γ during experimental cerebral malaria
Authors: BELNOUE E. , POTTER S. M. , ROSA D. S. , MAUDUIT M. , GRÜNER A. C. , KAYIBANDA M. , MITCHELL A. J. , HUNT N. H. , RÉNIA L. 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARY Previous studies have shown that IFN‐γ is essential for the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria (CM) induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) in mice. However, the exact role of IFN‐γ in the pathway (s) leading to CM has not yet been described. Here, we used 129P2Sv/ev mice which develop CM between 7 and 14 days post‐infection with PbA. In this strain, both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were involved in the effector phase of CM. When 129P2Sv/ev mice deficient in the IFN‐γ receptor α chain (IFN‐γR1) were infected with PbA, CM did not occur. Migration of leucocytes to the brain at the time of CM was observed in wild type (WT) but not in deficient mice. However, in the latter, there was an accumulation of T cells in the lungs. Analysis of chemokines and their receptors in WT and in deficient mice revealed a complex, organ‐specific pattern of expression. Up‐regulation of RANTES/CCL5, IP‐10/CCL3 and CCR2 was associated with leucocyte migration to the brain and increased expression of MCP‐1/CCL2, IP‐10/CCL3 and CCR5 with leucocyte migration to the lung. This shows that IFN‐γ controls trafficking of pathogenic T cells in the brain, thus providing an explanation for the organ‐specific pathology induced by PbA infection.
Fungal and mycobacterial infections after Campath (alemtuzumab) induction for renal transplantation
Authors: Walsh R. , Ortiz J. , Foster P. , Palma‐Vargas J. , Rosenblatt S. , Wright F. 
Published: July 2008

Objectives: To report our experience with fungal and mycobacterial (tuberculosis) infection following induction with Campath (alemtuzumab).Methods: We reviewed the database of 477 renal transplant patients induced with alemtuzumab. All those who had a fungal or mycobacterial infection were found, and the details of these complications reviewed.Results: Five patients were found to have fungal (3) or tuberculous (2) infection. The incidence of fungal infection was 0.6% and that of tuberculous infection was 0.4%. Mortality rates for these 2 types of infection were 50% and 100%, respectively. During the same period, there was an overall mortality of 1.7% (n=5). No surviving patient lost graft function.Conclusion: Although fungal and mycobacterial infections caused significant mortality, the overall incidence remains low and comparable to that associated with other induction agents.
Use of Glutamine and Low Density Lipoproteins Isolated from Egg Yolk to Improve Buck Semen Freezing
Authors: Ali Al Ahmad MZ , Chatagnon G , Amirat‐Briand L , Moussa M , Tainturier D , Anton M , Fieni F 
Published: July 2008

ContentsTo improve the results obtained with a reference cryopreservation extender (control extender: Triladyl® + 20% (v/v) egg yolk + 6.4% (v/v) glycerol) for freezing caprine semen, glutamine was added to 18 split ejaculates at concentrations of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 120 mm (experiment 1). In experiment 2, glutamine was added to 18 split ejaculates at concentrations of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 mm. In the third experiment, the egg yolk was replaced with the low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction of egg yolk. The quality of frozen then thawed spermatozoa in each extender was compared using computer‐assisted semen analysis. In experiment 1, glutamine at concentrations of 20 mm and 40 mm significantly improved sperm motility compared with the control extender. However, at 120 mm, a significant decrease in motility and velocity was observed. In experiment 2, motility, curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) were improved in glutamine at 25 mm compared with the control. In experiment 3, 8% LDL and 25 mm glutamine significantly improved sperm motility, straight line velocity and ALH. In the fourth experiment, the quality of the previously defined freezing extender (Triladyl® + 8% (v/v) LDL + 25 mm glutamine + 6.4% (v/v) glycerol) was tested by comparing acrosome, tail membrane, plasma membrane and DNA integrity in 18 split ejaculates of frozen then thawed spermatozoa with spermatozoa that had been frozen then thawed in the control extender, and with spermatozoa from fresh, unfrozen sperm. The percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes and tail membranes was significantly higher with the newly defined extender than that observed with the control extender. There was no significant difference in the percentage of spermatozoa with intact DNA between the frozen and fresh semen.