bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal study of the assessment by MRI and diffusion‐weighted imaging of tumor response in patients with locally advanced breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Sharma Uma , Danishad Karikanni Kalathil A. , Seenu Vurthaluru , Jagannathan Naranamangalam R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMeasurements of tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), volume and diameter in assessing the response of patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) (n = 56) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) at four time periods (before treatment and after three cycles of NACT) were carried out at 1.5 T using diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and MRI. Ten benign tumors and 15 controls were also investigated. The MR tumor response was compared with the clinical response. Mean ADC before treatment of malignant breast tissue was significantly lower than that of controls, disease‐free contralateral tissue of the patients, and benign lesions, and gradually increased during the course of NACT. Analysis of the percentage change in ADC, volume and diameter after each cycle of NACT between clinical responders and non‐responders showed that the change in ADC after the first cycle was statistically significant compared with volume and diameter, indicating its potential in assessing early response. After the third cycle, the sensitivity for differentiating responders from non‐responders was 89% for volume and diameter and 68% for ADC, and the respective specificities were 50%, 70% and 100%. A sensitivity of 84% (specificity of 60% with an accuracy of 76%) was achieved when all three variables were taken together to predict the response. A cut‐off value of ADC was also calculated using receiver operator characteristics analysis to discriminate between normal, benign and malignant breast tissue. Similarly, a cut‐off value for ADC, volume and diameter was obtained after the second and third cycles of NACT to predict tumor response. The results show that ADC is more useful for predicting early tumor response to NACT than morphological variables, suggesting its potential in effective treatment management. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical application of MRI in ophthalmology
Authors: Townsend Kelly A. , Wollstein Gadi , Schuman Joel S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMRI has long been applied to clinical medical and neurological cases for the structural assessment of tissues as well as their physiological and functional needs and processes. These uses are at a variety of developmental stages in ophthalmology, from common use of clinical structural assessment for neuro‐ophthalmology and evaluation of space‐occupying lesions to the beginning stages of experimentally measuring functional activation of specific layers within the retina and measurement of physiological oxygen responses. New MRI methodologies, such as the use of orbital coils and Gd‐DTPA image enhancement, have been researched, developed, and validated in the eye, opening new possibilities for this technology to enter the clinic. This review aims to summarize the clinical ophthalmological uses of MRI, focusing on the current use of the technology and future applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of cerebral edema on diffusion tensor imaging in acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Nath Kavindra , Saraswat Vivek A. , Krishna Yellapu R. , Thomas Michael A. , Rathore Ram K. S. , Pandey Chandra M. , Gupta Rakesh K. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCerebral edema is a major complication of acute liver failure but may also be seen in other forms of liver failure such as acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) and chronic liver failure (CLF). ACLF develops in patients with previously well‐compensated chronic liver disease following acute hepatitis A or E superimposed on underlying liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to detect the occurrence, and determine the nature, of cerebral edema in patients with the defined subset of ACLF using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics. Twenty‐three patients with ACLF were studied and compared with 15 healthy controls and 15 patients with CLF. DTI metrics including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), linear anisotropy (CL), planar anisotropy (CP), and spherical isotropy (CS) were calculated by selecting regions of interest in the white matter and deep grey matter of the brain. Significantly decreased FA and increased CS were observed in the anterior limb (ALIC) and posterior limb (PLIC) of the internal capsule and frontal white matter (P < 0.05) in patients with different grades (1–4) of ACLF when compared with healthy controls. No significant changes in MD and CP were seen in any brain region. However, significantly decreased CL was observed in the PLIC, caudate nuclei and putamen. In patients with CLF, significantly decreased FA with increased CS in the ALIC and PLIC along with significantly increased MD in the ALIC and caudate nuclei were observed. The presence of significantly decreased FA and CL and increased CS along with no significant change in MD and CP suggests the presence of both intracellular and extracellular components of cerebral edema in patients with ACLF. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome analysis of childhood low‐grade astrocytomas
Authors: Fisher Paul G. , Tihan Tarik , Goldthwaite Patricia T. , Wharam Moody D. , Carson Benjamin S. , Weingart Jon D. , Repka Michael X. , Cohen Kenneth J. , Burger Peter C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to determine the long‐term natural history of low‐grade astrocytomas (LGA) in children, with respect to pathology, and to evaluate influence of treatment on survival.Patients and MethodsA consecutive cohort of patients ≤21 years with surgically confirmed LGA from 1965 to 1996 was assembled. All available pathology specimens were reviewed, masked to original diagnosis, patient data, and neuroimaging.ResultsTwo hundred seventy‐eight children (160 males; mean age 9.1 years; tumor location: 77 cerebrum, 62 cerebellum, 51 hypothalamic, 30 thalamus, 9 ventricle, 40 brainstem, and 9 spine) were assessed. Among 246 specimens reviewed, diagnoses were 135 pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), 27 diffuse astrocytoma (DA), 75 unclassifiable well‐differentiated astrocytoma (NOS), and 9 subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. At 5 and 10 years from initial surgery, for all LGA overall survival (OS) was 87% and 83%, while progression‐free survival (PFS) was 55% and 42%, respectively. Original pathology diagnoses did not predict PFS (P = 0.47), but reviewed diagnoses were significantly associated with PFS (P = 0.007). Reviewed diagnoses were highly associated with OS (P < 0.0001), with 5‐year OS for PA 96%, DA 48%, and NOS 86%; these differences remained significant when stratified by location or extent of resection. Among patients with residual tumor after surgery, 5‐year PFS was 48% with observation alone (n = 114), no different (P = 0.32) from that achieved with immediate irradiation (n = 86).ConclusionLGA, particularly PA, have excellent long‐term OS. While tumor location and resection extent affect outcome, pathologic diagnosis when carefully interpreted significantly influences long‐term survival. Immediate postoperative irradiation does not confer an advantage in delaying first progression in children with residual PA. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:245–250. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Student engagement with school: Critical conceptual and methodological issues of the construct
Authors: Appleton James J. , Christenson Sandra L. , Furlong Michael J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractResearch supports the connection between engagement, achievement, and school behavior across levels of economic and social advantage and disadvantage. Despite increasing interest and scientific findings, a number of interrelated conceptual and methodological issues must be addressed to advance this construct, particularly for designing data‐supported interventions that promote school completion and enhanced educational outcomes for all students. Of particular concern is the need to (a) develop consensus on the name of the construct, (b) identify reliable measures of the dimensions of the construct, and (c) complete the construct validation studies needed to move research and intervention forward. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Engagement as flourishing: The contribution of positive emotions and coping to adolescents' engagement at school and with learning
Authors: Reschly Amy L. , Huebner E. Scott , Appleton James J. , Antaramian Susan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractFredrickson's (1998, 2001) broaden and build theory postulates that the experience of frequent positive emotions serves to broaden humans' thoughts and behaviors, resulting in accrual of resources, including coping resources, which catalyze upward spirals toward future well‐being. Initial research supports the tenets of broaden and build; however, few if any, studies have examined this theory with children or adolescents, particularly in the context of school experiences. This study explored the role of positive emotions during school, coping, and student engagement among a sample of 293 students in grades 7 to 10. As expected, frequent positive emotions during school were associated with higher levels of student engagement and negative emotions with lower levels of engagement. Positive emotions, but not negative emotions, were associated with adaptive coping, which was then associated with student engagement. The association between positive emotions and engagement was partially mediated by adaptive coping. Results support the broaden and build theory and the role of positive emotions in students' engagement at school and with learning. Implications and future directions for research are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploration of the normal human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid proteome
Authors: Chen Jinzhi , Ryu Soyoung , Gharib Sina A. , Goodlett David R. , Schnapp Lynn M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe obtained insight into normal lung function by proteome analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from six normal human subjects using a “Lyse‐N‐Go' shotgun proteomic protocol. Intra‐sample variation was calculated using three different label‐free methods, (i) protein sequence coverage; (ii) peptide spectral counts and (iii) peptide single‐ion current areas (PICA), which generates protein expression data by summation of the area under the curve for a given peptide single‐ion current trace and then adding values for all peptides from that same parent protein. PICA gave the least intra‐subject variability and was used to calculate differences in protein expression between the six subjects. We observed an average threefold inter‐sample variability, which affects analysis of changes in protein expression that occur in different diseases. We detected 167 unique proteins with >100 proteins detected in each of the six individual BAL samples, 42 of which were common to all six subjects. Gene ontology analysis demonstrated enrichment of several biological processes in the lung, reflecting its expected role in gas exchange and host defense as an immune organ. The same biological processes were enriched compared to either plasma or total genome proteome, suggesting an active enrichment of plasma proteins in the lung rather than passive capillary leak.
Exploratory assessment of dose proportionality: review of current approaches and proposal for a practical criterion
Authors: Hummel Jürgen , McKendrick Sue , Brindley Charlie , French Raymond 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis article reviews currently used approaches for establishing dose proportionality in Phase I dose escalation studies. A review of relevant literature between 2002 and 2006 found that the power model was the preferred choice for assessing dose proportionality in about one‐third of the articles. This article promotes the use of the power model and a conceptually appealing extension, i.e. a criterion based on comparing the 90% confidence interval for the ratio of predicted mean values from the extremes of the dose range (Rdnm) to pre‐defined equivalence criterion (ϑL,ϑU). The choice of bioequivalence default values of ϑL=0.8 and ϑU=1.25 seems reasonable for dose levels only a doubling apart but are impractically strict when applied over the complete dose range. Power calculations are used to show that this prescribed criterion lacks power to conclude dose proportionality in typical Phase I dose‐escalation studies. A more lenient criterion with values ϑL=0.5 and ϑU=2 is proposed for exploratory dose proportionality assessments across the complete dose range. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tanshinone IIB, a primary active constituent from Salvia miltiorrhiza, exerts neuroprotective effect via inhibition of neuronal apoptosis in vitro
Authors: Yu Xue‐Qing , Xue Charlie Changli , Zhou Zhi‐Wei , Li Chun‐Guang , Zhou Shu‐Feng 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTanshinone IIB (TSB) is a major active constituent of the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) widely used in the treatment of stroke and coronary heart disease in Asian countries. This study investigated the in vitro neuroprotective effects of TSB and the underlying mechanism. Co‐treatment with TSB significantly inhibited the cytotoxicity and apoptosis of rat cortical neurons induced by staurosporine in a concentration‐dependent manner. Consistently, TSB significantly reduced the DNA laddering caused by staurosporine in a concentration‐dependent manner. TSB also suppressed the elevated Bax protein and decreased bcl‐2 and caspase‐3 proteins induced by staurosporine in rat cortical neurons. These findings indicated that TSB had a neuroprotective effect via inhibition of apoptosis. Further studies are warranted to investigate the role of other apoptosis‐related signaling proteins and reperfusion‐related mechanisms in the protective effect of TSB on neurons. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antimicrobial activity of various parts of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula: isolation of active principles from the leaves and the berries
Authors: Faizi Shaheen , Khan Rashid Ali , Mughal Najma Rasool , Malik Mariam Shafique , Sajjadi Kaneez‐e‐Sayyeda , Ahmad Aqeel 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMethanol extracts of leaves, stem, twigs, green berries, flowers, roots, root‐wood and root‐bark of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula, were tested for their antibacterial and antifungal potentials. Bioassay monitored isolation work on the methanol extract of leaves and berries which possess promising antibacterial activity led to the isolation of seven clerodane diterpenoids, 16(R and S)‐hydroxy‐cleroda‐3,13(14)Z‐dien‐15,16‐olide (1), 16‐oxo‐cleroda‐3,13(14)E‐dien‐15‐oic acid (2), methyl‐16‐oxo‐cleroda‐3,13(14)E‐dien‐15‐oate (3), 2‐oxo‐kolavenic acid (4), 16 (R and S)‐hydroxy‐cleroda‐3,13(14)Z‐dien‐15,16‐olide‐2‐one (5), (4→2)‐abeo‐16(R and S)‐hydroxy‐cleroda‐2,13(14)Z‐dien‐15,16‐olide‐3‐al (6), 3β,16α‐dihydroxy‐cleroda‐4(18), 13(14)Z‐dien‐15,16‐olide (7), while kolavenic acid (8) and solidagonal acid (9) were obtained from the root‐wood. Diterpenoids 1 and 8 were also obtained from the root‐bark. It is the first report of the isolation of 7 and 9 from this source, and clerodane 3 was obtained as a natural product for the first time.Clerodanes 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 were found to be active antimicrobial agents with MIC values ranging between 7.8 and 500 µg/mL. Diterpenoid 1 emerged as the most active antimicrobial agent. The acetyl derivative (10) of 1 and the methyl derivative (3) of 2 were found to be less active than the parent compounds. A complex of allantoin was also obtained from the berries, which on hydrolysis furnished pure allantoin (11). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolation of linoleic and α‐linolenic acids as COX‐1 and ‐2 inhibitors in rose hip
Authors: Jäger A. K. , Petersen K. N. , Thomasen G. , Christensen S. Brøgger 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRose hip has previously shown clinical efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis, and organic solvent extracts of rose hip have showed inhibition of cyclooxygenase‐1 and ‐2. A petroleum ether extract of rose hip was fractioned by VLC on silica; on a C‐18 column and by HPLC. Each step was COX‐1/2 activity‐guided. The bioassay‐guided fractionation led to the isolation of linoleic acid (the IC50 for COX‐1 was 85 µm and 0.6 µm for COX‐2) and α‐linolenic acid (the IC50 for COX‐1 was 52 µm and 12 µm for COX‐2). The COX‐2/COX‐1 ratio was 0.007 for linoleic acid and 0.2 for α‐linolenic acid. Linoleic acid and α‐linolenic acid contribute to the COX‐1 and ‐2 inhibitory activity of rose hip. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of multiply charged atomic ions for isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Authors: Hotchkis Michael A. C. , Button David , Waring Chris L. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe have investigated the use of multiply charged atomic ions for the measurement of isotopic ratios of gaseous and vapour samples. We use a mass spectrometer system incorporating an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source for this purpose. In the cases of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, the selection of the 2+ atomic species is found to be the most effective for obtaining reliable isotopic ratios. Using samples of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air and water vapour, we have demonstrated the determination of the isotopic ratios 13C/12C, 15N/14N, 17O/16O and 18O/16O. For oxygen, this technique offers an alternative to the equilibration or purification methods normally required to obtain isotopic ratios of water or other oxygen‐containing samples. In particular, 17O/16O can be measured directly without isobaric interference from OH+. With typical ionization efficiencies of greater than 10%, ECR ion sources have the potential to enable measurements on very small samples. In addition to those evaluated in the present work, there is scope for application of this method to other sample types, to a variety of sampling methods, and to other elements. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A robust P‐value for treatment effect in meta‐analysis with publication bias
Authors: Copas John B. , Malley Paul F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPublication bias is a major and intractable problem in meta‐analysis. There have been several attempts in the literature to adapt methods to allow for such bias, but these are only possible if we are prepared to make strong assumptions about the underlying selection mechanism. We discuss the assumption that the probability that a paper is published may depend in some unspecified way on the P‐value being claimed by that study. We suggest a new robust P‐value for the overall treatment effect, which turns out to be closely related to the correlation of the associated radial plot. Properties of the method are discussed and illustrated in two examples. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative Study of the Starch Digestibility of Araucaria angustifolia and Araucaria araucana Seed Flour
Authors: Conforti Paula A. , Lupano Cecilia E. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAraucaria angustifolia and Araucaria araucana are South American conifers; the former grows in southern and south‐eastern Brazil and north‐eastern Argentina and the latter grows in mountainous region of southern Argentina and Chile. The seeds of the conifers have been consumed by the natives for a long time. Araucaria seed flour is used to prepare traditional dishes such as “alfajores”. In this work, the characteristics, proximate composition and in vitro starch digestibility of both seeds were studied. The main component of the seed is starch, with starch content higher in A. angustifolia. The disruption and collapse of the starch granules after boiling the seeds was much more evident in A. angustifolia, probably due to their lower fibre content. This can explain the higher digestibility of A. angustifolia starch with respect to A. araucana.
Defining changeability: Reconciling flexibility, adaptability, scalability, modifiability, and robustness for maintaining system lifecycle value
Authors: Ross Adam M. , Rhodes Donna H. , Hastings Daniel E. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDesigning and maintaining systems in a dynamic contemporary environment requires a rethinking of how systems provide value to stakeholders over time. Developing either changeable or classically robust systems are approaches to promoting value sustainment. But ambiguity in definitions across system domains has resulted in an inability to specify, design, and verify to ilities that promote value sustainment. In order to develop domain‐neutral constructs for improved system design, the definitions of flexibility, adaptability, scalability, modifiability, and robustness are shown to relate to the core concept of “changeability,” described by three aspects: change agents, change effects, and change mechanisms. In terms of system form or function parameter changes, flexibility and adaptability reflect the location of the change agent—system boundary external or internal respectively. Scalability, modifiability, and robustness relate to change effects, which are quantified differences in system parameters before and after a change has occurred. The extent of changeability is determined using a tradespace network formulation, counting the number of possible and decision‐maker acceptable change mechanisms available to a system, quantified as the filtered outdegree. Designing changeable systems allows for the possibility of maintaining value delivery over a system lifecycle, in spite of changes in contexts, thereby achieving value robustness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
Retained knife blades in the ear, nose and throat: three cases
Authors: van Lierop A C , Raynham O , Basson O , Lubbe D E 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective:To discuss the management and to review the literature regarding retained knife blades in the head and neck.Case report:We present three cases in which patients presented with retained knife blades in the head and neck region; in two of these, the diagnosis was delayed by more than eight weeks. In all patients, the retained knife blade was removed through the pathway of insertion, without significant sequelae.Discussion:The methods of removal, appropriate radiological investigations and patient profiles are discussed.Conclusions:We propose that radiography be performed on all patients presenting with facial stab injuries which are anything more than superficial. We further suggest that the direct extraction of sharp objects through the pathway of insertion is safe if radiological studies show no risk of vascular injury.