bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How reliable is contact endoscopy of the nasopharynx in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer?
Authors: Pak Martin Wai , Vlantis Alexander C. , Chow Samuel , van Hasselt Charles Andrew 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To evaluate diagnostic reliability of contact rhinoscopy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Study Design:A cross‐sectional randomized single‐blinded study was carried out to evaluate the reliability of the findings of contact rhinoscopy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma assessed by different observers.Methods:Random images of contact endoscopy of 157 subjects including normal patients and patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, both prior to external beam radiation therapy (RT), the non‐RT group, and after external beam radiation therapy, the post‐RT group, were available for analysis. Three independent observers of varying clinical experience and histopathologic knowledge viewed the images and made a diagnosis for each image. The diagnosis of each image was correlated with the histology of the biopsy from the corresponding patient.Results:In the non‐RT group, Kappa values for inter‐ and intraobserver reliability to differentiate normal epithelium from primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma were 0.894, 1.000, 0.794 and 0.694, 1.000, 0.776 for the house officer, radiologist, and pathologist, respectively. There were no significant differences in interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities between the assessors. In the post‐RT group, Kappa values for the inter‐ and intraobserver reliability to diagnose recurrent carcinoma or atypia, squamous metaplasia, and radiation change for the three observers were 0.820, 0.718, 0.775 and 0.731, 0.622, 0.734, respectively. There were no significant differences in interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities between the assessors.Conclusions:The clinical diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by contact endoscopy is highly reliable and is not dependent on the clinical experience or knowledge of histopathology of the observers. Laryngoscope, 119:523–527, 2009
Reciprocal immunohistochemical expression of sodium/iodide symporter and hexokinase I in primary thyroid tumors with synchronous cervical metastasis
Authors: Jung Young Ho , Hah J. Hun , Sung Myung‐Whun , Kim Kwang Hyun , Cho Soo Youn , Jeon Yoon Kyung 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) is a glycoprotein which is related to the concentration of radioiodine in thyroid cancer. Glucose transporter‐1 (Glut‐1) and hexokinases (HK) are glycoproteins related to glucose metabolism (i.e., uptake and phosphorylation) in various cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the immunohistochemical patterns of expression and mutual relationships between NIS, Glut‐1, HK I, and HK II in primary thyroid tumors and synchronous cervical metastatic tumors.Study Design:Retrospective experimental study.Methods:Nine cases of follicular carcinomas, sixteen cases of papillary carcinomas, and four cases of anaplastic carcinomas were included. The immunohistochemical staining intensities were categorized (scored) as negative (0), weak (1), positive (2), or strongly positive (3) and dichotomized as a negative/weak (scores 0 or 1) or positive expression (scores 2 or 3).Results:NIS had a positive expression in good prognostic types of thyroid carcinomas, such as follicular carcinomas, more often, while having a positive expression in poor prognostic types of thyroid carcinomas, such as anaplastic carcinomas (P = .033) less often; HK I had the opposite pattern of expression (P = .033). Primary thyroid tumors and corresponding synchronous cervical metastatic tumors had a similar pattern of expression for NIS, HK I, and HK II. NIS had a reciprocal relationship with HK I as compared to Glut‐1 with respect to staining intensity on each primary tumor (P = .040).Conclusion:Reciprocal staining pattern of NIS and HK I on primary tumors is related to the staining pattern of NIS and HK I on synchronous as well as occult cervical metastatic tumors. Laryngoscope, 119:541–548, 2009
Computer‐assisted teaching of epistaxis management
Authors: Glicksman Jordan T. , Brandt Michael G. , Moukarbel Roger V. , Rotenberg Brian , Fung Kevin 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives:To determine whether computer‐assisted learning (CAL) is an effective tool for the instruction of technical skills.Study Design:Prospective blinded randomized‐control trial conducted on a cohort of 47 first‐year medical students.Methods:Students were instructed on two techniques of nasal packing (formal nasal pack and nasal tampon) for the management of epistaxis, using either a standard text‐based article or a novel computer‐based learning module. Students were evaluated on proper nasal packing technique using standardized subjective and objective outcome measures by three board‐certified otolaryngologists. Blind assessments took place prior to and following instruction, using the assigned learning modality.Results:There were 47 participants enrolled in the study. Both groups demonstrated improvement in performance of both packing procedures following training. A significant post‐training difference favoring CAL learners over text‐based learners was observed, using the global assessment of skill for both packing techniques (P < .001). Additionally, a significant post‐training difference favoring CAL learners over text‐based learners was observed for all checklist items for the tampon pack and five of eight items on the formal pack checklist. The vast majority of students (94.6%) indicated that if given the choice, they would prefer to learn using CAL rather than by using text‐based learning materials.Conclusions:CAL learners demonstrated significantly greater improvement across both subjective and objective outcome measures when compared to the text‐based group. Additionally, students favored learning via the CAL modality, which further suggests that CAL is a valuable means of imparting procedural knowledge to novice medical trainees. Laryngoscope, 119:466–472, 2009
Comparison of the use of tympanic and extratympanic electrodes for electrocochleography
Authors: Bonucci Ariane Solci , Hyppolito Miguel Angelo 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives:To determine the differences between tympanic and extratympanic electrodes regarding recording technique, comfort and ease of execution of the exam, and quality of auditory potential tracings.Study Design:Prospective cross‐section investigation.Methods:Determination of the summation potential/action potential (SP/AP) ratio by electrocochleography (EchoG) using tympanic and extratympanic electrodes and separate analysis of SP and AP regarding the amplitude recorded.Results:Twenty‐three subjects (15 men and 8 women; mean age: 33.17 years) with normal tonal threshold audiometry were evaluated. EchoG analysis revealed no significant difference between the two tympanic electrodes. Eleven of the 23 subjects reported discomfort with the insertion of the tympanic electrode even with the use of topical xylocaine, whereas no complaints of discomfort were reported with the use of the extratympanic electrode.Conclusions:Both electrodes were effective for EchoG evaluation, but the extratympanic one was easier to insert and did not cause discomfort. However, the tympanic electrode produced tracings of greater amplitude and of better reproducibility. Laryngoscope, 119:563–566, 2009
A‐P positioning of medialization thyroplasty in an excised larynx model
Authors: Czerwonka Lukasz , Ford Charles N. , Machi Anthony T. , Leverson Glen E. , Jiang Jack J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractHypothesis:Posterior positioning of medialization thyroplasty provides the best acoustic and aerodynamic outcomes.Study Design:Ex vivo excised canine larynx.Methods:Unilateral thyroplasty windows were cut in the thyroid cartilages of 10 excised canine larynges. Each larynx was mounted on an artificial lung and the vocal fold opposite the thyroid window was adducted by medializing its arytenoid cartilage. Then, medialization thyroplasty was simulated with a probe placed anterior, central, and posterior in the thyroid window. The glottal area, airway reduction, medialization force, phonation threshold pressure and flow, aerodynamic power, intensity, efficiency, jitter, shimmer, and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) were measured at each medialization position.Results:Posterior medialization probe placement minimized the glottal area, provided the best voice as determined by perturbation measures and SNR, reduced the work of phonation, and increased efficiency. Anterior and middle probe placement minimized the work of phonation but provided only modest gains in sound quality and decreased sound intensity. Medializing the vocal fold with posterior probe placement required twice as much force as central and anterior probe placement.Conclusions:The results suggest that posterior medialization provides the greatest improvement in acoustic parameters and efficiency in patients who can tolerate the airway reduction. Middle and anterior medialization can decrease work of phonation, but in this experiment objective improvement in sound quality was limited. Subtle changes in displacement shim contour, especially in middle and anterior locations, have a substantial impact on voice outcome, affirming the value of intraoperative voice assessment. Laryngoscope, 119:591–596, 2009
Transoral resection of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Moore Eric J. , Henstrom Doug K. , Olsen Kerry D. , Kasperbauer Jan L. , McGree Michaela E. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives:The tonsillar fossa is the most common subsite of the oropharynx to be afflicted with squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA). Accepted treatments include any combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. We review the oncologic and functional outcomes of patients with tonsillar carcinoma who underwent transoral tumor resection and neck dissection with or without postoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.Study Design:Retrospective chart review.Methods:From 1996 through January 2005, 102 patients with tonsillar SCCA underwent transoral resection. Overall survival, disease‐specific survival, local control, and locoregional control rates were analyzed using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Immediate and long‐term speech and swallowing function and treatment‐related morbidity were analyzed.Results:Twenty‐six patients had surgery only, 71 had surgery and radiotherapy, and five had surgery and chemoradiotherapy. Twenty patients had stage III disease, 63 had stage IVA disease, and two had stage IVB disease. The Kaplan‐Meier overall survival estimate was 92.2% at 2 years and 85.0% at 5 years. The 5‐year local control estimate was 91.8%, and the 5‐year Kaplan‐Meier disease‐specific survival estimate was 93.9%. The median hospital stay was 3 days. Tracheostomy was required for 14 patients, and 13 of these patients had decannulation. Temporary feeding tubes were placed in 35 patients. Sixteen patients received a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube; of these, 12 had the tubes removed.Conclusions:Transoral resection of tonsillar SCCA with or without postoperative adjuvant therapy provided excellent locoregional control and minimized treatment‐related morbidity. We believe that transoral resection is the optimal treatment for patients with oropharyngeal SCCA. Laryngoscope, 119:508–515, 2009
Endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Chen Ming‐Yuan , Wen Wei‐Ping , Guo Xiang , Yang An‐Kui , Qian Chao‐Nan , Hua Yi‐Jun , Wan Xiang‐Bo , Guo Zhu‐Ming , Li Tian‐Ying , Hong Ming‐Huang 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives:Nasopharyngectomy is the primary treatment for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC). However, oncological nasopharyngectomy is difficult to achieve, even using extranasal surgical approaches, with potential risks of severe functional disabilities and serious complications. This report introduces an innovative, minimally invasive, oncological, endoscopic nasopharyngectomy.Methods:Between October 2004 and January 2008, 37 rNPC patients received endoscopic nasopharyngectomy, with 17, 4, 14, and 2 cases of rT1N0M0, rT2aN0M0, rT2bN0M0, and rT3N0M0, respectively. Tumors in all patients were confined to the nasopharyngeal cavity, postnaris, nasal septum, superficial parapharyngeal space, or the base of the sphenoid sinus. Nasopharyngeal malignancies and adequate surgical margin (>0.5–1.0 cm) were required for continuous en bloc resection.Results:Among the 37 endoscopic nasopharyngectomies, 35 achieved en bloc tumor resection with negative surgical margins. In the remaining two cases, the tumors were dissected into small blocks, and one had positive surgical margins. No patient received postoperative radiotherapy and no severe complication was observed. During the 6–45 months of follow‐up (median, 24 months), five patients experienced in situ residual or recurrence with 1 submaxillary lymphatic metastasis. One patient developed distant metastases and died, one died of intracranial infection, and one died of another cancer. The 2‐year overall survival rate, local relapse‐free survival rate, and progression‐free survival rate were 84.2%, 86.3%, and 82.6%, respectively.Conclusions:Appropriate endoscopic nasopharyngectomy is a minimally invasive, safe, and promising surgical modality for the en bloc excision of rNPCs with encouraging short‐term outcome. Long‐term patient follow‐up is ongoing. Laryngoscope, 119:516–522, 2009
Double half RF pulses for reduced sensitivity to eddy currents in UTE imaging
Authors: Josan Sonal , Pauly John M. , Daniel Bruce L. , Pauly Kim Butts 
Published: February 2009

AbstractUltrashort echo time imaging with half RF pulse excitation is challenging as eddy currents induced by the slice‐select gradient distort the half pulse slice profile. This work presents two pulses with T2‐dependent slice profiles that are less sensitive to eddy currents. The double half pulse improves the slice selectivity for long T2 components, while the inverted double half pulse suppresses the unwanted long T2 signal. Thus, both approaches prevent imperfect cancellation of out‐of‐slice signal from contaminating the desired slice. Experimental results demonstrate substantially improved slice selectivity and R2* quantitation accuracy with these pulses. These pulses are effective in making short T2 imaging and quantitation less sensitive to eddy currents and provide an alternative to time‐consuming gradient characterization. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cellular compartmentalization of internalized paramagnetic liposomes strongly influences both T1 and T2 relaxivity
Authors: Kok Maarten B. , Hak Sjoerd , Mulder Willem J.M. , van der Schaft Daisy W.J. , Strijkers Gustav J. , Nicolay Klaas 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn recent years, numerous Gd3+‐based contrast agents have been developed to enable target‐specific MR imaging of in vivo processes at the molecular level. The combination of powerful contrast agents and amplification strategies, aimed at increasing the contrast agent dose at the target site, is an often‐used strategy to improve the sensitivity of biomarker detection. One such amplification mechanism is to target a disease‐specific cell membrane receptor that can undergo multiple rounds of internalization following ligand binding and thus shuttle a sizeable amount of contrast agent into the target cell. An example of such a membrane receptor is the ανβ3 integrin. The goal of this study was to investigate the consequences of this amplification approach for the T1‐ and T2‐shortening efficacy of a paramagnetic contrast agent. Cultured endothelial cells were incubated with paramagnetic liposomes that were conjugated with a cyclic RGD‐peptide to enable internalization by means of the ανβ3 integrin receptor. Non‐targeted liposomes served as a control. This study showed that ανβ3 targeting dramatically increased the uptake of paramagnetic liposomes. This targeting strategy, however, strongly influenced both the longitudinal and transverse relaxivity of the internalized paramagnetic liposomes. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feasibility of single‐voxel MRS measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient of water in breast tumors
Authors: Corum C.A. , McIntosh A.D. , Bolan P.J. , Nelson M. , Snyder A.L. , Powell N.J. , Boyum J. , Emory T.H. , Yee D. , Tuttle T.M. , Everson L.I. , Garwood M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe report initial results with single voxel spectroscopy (SVS) using diffusion weighting and localization by adiabatic selective refocusing (LASER) in breast tumors to measure the apparent diffusion coefficient of water (ADCw). This is a quick (30 s) and relatively easy method to implement compared with image‐based diffusion measurements, and is insensitive to lipid signal contamination. The ADCw and concentration of total choline containing compounds [tCho] were evaluated for associations with each other and final pathologic diagnosis in 25 subjects. The average (± SD) ADCw in benign and malignant lesions was 1.96 ± 0.47 mm2/s and 1.26 ± 0.29 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively, P< 0.001. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.92. Analysis of the single voxel (SV) ADCw and [tCho] showed significant correlation with a R2 of 0.56, P< 0.001. Compared with more commonly used image‐based methods of measuring water ADC, SV‐ADCw is faster, more robust, insensitive to fat, and potentially easier to implement on standard clinical systems. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A finite shell element with well balanced approximation functions for piezoelectric coupling
Authors: Legner Dieter , Klinkel Sven , Wagner Werner 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis contribution is concerned with a piezoelectric shell formulation. The present shell element has four nodes and bilinear interpolation functions. The nodal degrees of freedom are displacements, rotations and the electric potential on top and bottom of the shell. A 3D–material law is incorporated. In case of bending dominated problems incompatible approximation functions of the electrical and mechanical fields cause incorrect results. This effect occurs in standard element formulations, where the mechanical and electrical degrees of freedom are approximated with lowest order interpolation functions. In order to overcome this problem a mixed multi–field variational approach is introduced. It allows for approximations of the electric field and the strains independent of the bilinear interpolation functions. A quadratic approach for the shear strains and the electric field is proposed through the shell thickness. This leads to well balanced approximation functions regarding coupling of electrical and mechanical fields. A numerical example illustrates the more precise results in contrast to standard elements. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis and properties of poly(ethylene oxide)‐grafted polyethylene copolymer and terpolymer
Authors: Mohajery Shabnam , Moghadam Peyman Najafi , Rahmani Sohrab , Entezami Ali Akbar 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA series of graft copolymers were synthesized based on ethylene‐co‐m,p‐methylstyrene (EMS) (backbone copolymer), ethylene‐1‐hexene‐m,p‐methylstyrene (EHMS) (backbone terpolymer), and polyethylene glycol monomethyl ethers (PEGM) (grafts) in this study. The PEGMs with molecular weights of 750 and 2000 were used. The chemical composition of the graft copolymers was analyzed by NMR and DSC measurements. The graft copolymers exhibited a phase‐separated morphology with the backbone and the methoxy polyethylene glycol (MPEG) grafts forming separate crystalline phases. The MPEG phase had a melting temperature lower than the corresponding MPEG homopolymer, as determined by DSC. The melting point of the crystalline phase formed by the EMS and EHMS main chains was lower than that of pure polymer backbone. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photochromic composites based on porous stretched polyethylene filled by nematic liquid crystal mixtures
Authors: Bobrovsky Alexey , Shibaev Valery , Elyashevich Galina , Rosova Elena , Shimkin Alexey , Shirinyan Valery , Cheng Kung‐Lung 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA number of the novel photochromic polyethylene (PE)‐based liquid crystal composites were prepared and studied. The oriented stretched porous polyethylene films were used as the polymer matrices. Commercial liquid crystals doped with new photochromic compounds were introduced into PE films and photo‐optical properties of the obtained composites were investigated. It was shown that a director of nematic liquid crystals is highly oriented along the stretching axis of PE films resulting in noticeable linear dichroism of the PE composite films. New approaches for reversible or irreversible image recording on PE LC composites by UV irradiation were demonstrated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and flammability of EPDM/PP/Mg(OH)2 dynamic vulcanizates
Authors: Lu Hongdian , Yang Wei , Zhou Shun , Xing Weiyi , Song Lei , Hu Yuan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMagnesium hydroxide (MH) flame retardant dynamic vulcanized ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM)/polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were prepared by a twin‐screw extruder. Influences of MH on their morphology, mechanical properties, flammability, and crystallization behavior have been investigated. Static tensile measurements exhibited that TPVs have higher mechanical properties than un‐vulcanized EPDM/PP/MH blends (UVBs). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed that the formation of the larger‐size “micro‐encapsulated structure” where the MH aggregates were covered with a cross‐linked rubber phase improved the interaction between MH and polymer matrix. Results of limiting oxygen index (LOI) and microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) confirmed that TPVs had superior fire‐resistant properties to UVBs. SEM images showed that more uniform and compact charred layers were generated in TPVs. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the crystallization behavior of the flame retardant TPVs changed marginally with increase in MH content. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and characterization of polyurethane electrical insulating coatings derived from novel soybean oil‐based polyol
Authors: Jalilian Mehrdad , Yeganeh Hamid , Haghighi Mehdi Nekoomanesh 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAs a viable alternative to the petrochemical polyols in polyurethanes (PUs), a new soybean oil‐based polyol (PSBO) with high functionality of hydroxyl groups and built‐in (preformed) urethane bonds was introduced. At first, a facile and improved method was developed for the transformation of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) to carbonated soybean oil (CSBO). Then ring‐opening reaction of carbonated oil with ethanolamine (ETA) led to the polyol. After characterization by conventional spectroscopic and analytical methods, PSBO was used for the formulation of novel one‐pack PU electroinsulating wire enamels. Tunable mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties for the final PUs were achieved by replacing 10 wt% of PSBO with poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) at different number average molecular weights of 725, 1000, 2000, 4000. Investigation of the results showed that these soy‐based PUs offer excellent thermal and electrical insulating properties. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.