bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“You will only see it, if you understand it” or occupational risk prevention from a management perspective
Authors: Swuste Paul 
Published: May 2008

AbstractEvidence of a managerial influence on occupational risk prevention is largely lacking. The incidence of major accidents in high‐hazard sectors of industry does not show a downward trend. Also, the decline of fatal occupational accidents in industrialized Western countries may well be attributed to the growing employment in the relatively safe service sectors and to a phenomenon known as export of hazards. Looking more closely at accidents and disasters, we now believe they are not only caused by direct physical events, nor by human errors alone. They have their roots in organizational settings and in the sociotechnical system companies are active in. Whatever their cause, we know that (major) accidents almost always take us by surprise. Despite all our efforts and systems, we seem unable to foresee or predict these events. It seems our management systems are looking at the wrong items. Critics from small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises also point in that direction; management systems are too bureaucratic and lack a focus on hazard and risk identification. Apparently, we fail to incorporate the main ingredients of accident causation in our management systems. This article will discuss current models and presentations. In reference to the title of this article, the possibility to integrate these presentations into management systems will be discussed. This article is based on the presentation given at the 4th International Conference on Occupational Risk Prevention, Sevilla, Spain, May 10–12, 2006. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human factors and usability in service quality measurement
Authors: Strawderman Lesley , Koubek Rick 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to develop a modified measurement instrument for service quality that includes human factor considerations. Tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy were dimensions commonly used to measure service quality through a survey instrument termed SERVQUAL. A sixth dimension, usability, was added in a modified survey instrument termed SERVUSE. To examine the predictive power of both instruments, 200 patients at an on‐campus health clinic were surveyed. The survey measured subject expectations and perceptions regarding the service system. Gap scores were calculated as the difference between these two measures. Positive gap scores reflected the exceeding of customer expectations. Negative gap scores reflected a failure to meet these expectations. The three response variables were perceived quality, satisfaction, and behavioral intention. Usability was found to be a significant predictor of all response variables. It also adds significant predictive value to the regression models when measuring behavioral intention. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A pilot MRI study of organ specific hemosiderosis and functional correlation in Chinese patients with myelodysplasia and aplastic anemia with raised ferritin levels
Authors: Au WY , Lam WWM , Chu WWC , Tam S , Wong WK , Chan H , Law MF , Liu HSY , Liang R 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe performed MRI and endocrine assessment in 27 adult Chinese patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) and myelodysplasia (MDS). Despite high ferritin levels, cardiac hemosiderosis and heart failure was not common, and were not concordant in most cases. However, significant correlation was found between cardiac T2/T2* MRI assessment, ejection fraction and ferritin levels. Furthermore, there was a high incidence subclinical pancreatic abnormality that was related to liver MRI T2* readings. Hence, chelating agents may still have a role to improve organ function. Prospective data with serial functional and imaging monitoring is needed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Familial chronic myeloproliferative disorders: the state of the art
Authors: Rumi Elisa 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFamilial chronic myeloproliferative disorders are defined when in the same pedigree at least two relatives have a chronic myeloproliferative disorder (CMD) as polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) or primary myelofibrosis (PMF). This condition should be distinguished from inherited disorders with Mendelian transmission and single haematopoietic lineage proliferation, named hereditary erythrocytosis and thrombocytosis. The recently discovered mutations in patients with CMD (V617F and exon 12 of JAK2 gene, MPL gene), and those identified in hereditary erythrocytosis and in hereditary thrombocytosis have improved our ability to discriminate these conditions. In familial CMD, the JAK2 mutations are acquired and occur as secondary genetic events. As both mutations of the JAK2 gene have been reported in the same pedigree, a genetic predisposition to the acquisition of the JAK2 mutations is supposed to be inherited. The prevalence of familial cases within CMD is at least 7.6%. The inheritance pattern of familial CMD is consistent with an autosomal dominant trait with decreased penetrance. The clinical presentation at diagnosis of patients with familial CMD does not differ from that of patients with sporadic CMD. In addition, patients with familial CMD develop the same type of complications (thrombosis and haemorrhage) and disease evolution (post‐PV myelofibrosis, post‐ET myelofibrosis and leukaemia) observed in patients with sporadic CMD. The 10‐year survival is 83% for patients with familial PV, 100% for those with familial ET, and 30% for those with familial PMF. The aim of this review is to focus the state of the art of familial CMD and to offer an overview of inherited conditions causing erythrocytosis and thrombocytosis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of mania patients suitable for treatment trials versus clinical treatment
Authors: Talamo Alessandra , Baldessarini Ross J. , Centorrino Franca 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIt remains uncertain whether bipolar disorder (BPD) patients in randomized‐controlled trials (RCTs) are sufficiently representative of clinically encountered patients as to guide clinical‐therapeutic practice. We complied inclusion/exclusion criteria by frequency from reports of 21 RCTs for mania, and applied them in a pilot study of patients hospitalized for DSM‐IV BPD manic/mixed states to compare characteristics and clinical responses of patients who did versus did not meet exclusion criteria. From 27 initially identified inclusion/exclusion criteria ranked by citation frequency, we derived six inclusion, and 10 non‐redundant‐exclusion factors. Of 67 consecutive patients meeting inclusion criteria, 15 (22.4%) potential “research subjects” met all 10 exclusion criteria. The remaining 52 “clinical patients” differed markedly on exclusion criteria, including more psychiatric co‐morbidity, substance abuse, involuntary hospitalization, and suicide attempts or violence, but were otherwise similar. In both groups responses to clinically determined inpatient treatments were similar, including improvement in mania ratings. Based on applying reported inclusion/exclusion criteria for RCTs to a pilot sample of hospitalized‐manic patients, those likely to be included in modern RCTs were similar to patients who would be excluded, most notably in short‐term antimanic‐treatment responses. The findings encourage further comparisons of subjects included/excluded from RCTs to test potential clinical generalizability of research findings. The pilot study is limited in numbers and exposure times with which to test for the minor differences between “research subjects” and “clinical patients.” Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk factors associated with neuroendocrine tumors: A U.S.‐based case–control study
Authors: Hassan Manal M. , Phan Alexandria , Li Donghui , Dagohoy Cecile G. , Leary Colleen , Yao James C. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractCarcinoids are rare neuroendocrine tumors (NETs); however, their incidence has significantly increased in the United States over the past 30 years. Little is known about the epidemiology of these cancers and their associated risk factors. We evaluated the independent effects of multiple risk factors associated with NETs arising at 5 disease sites (small intestine, stomach, lung, pancreas and rectum). We conducted a retrospective, hospital‐based, case–control study involving 740 patients with histologically confirmed NETs and 924 healthy controls. Information on different risk factors was collected, and unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to determine adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) by the maximum‐likelihood method. Smoking and alcohol consumption were not associated with NETs development in either men or women. However, a family history of cancer was a significant risk factor for all NETs. A long‐term history of diabetes mellitus was a significant risk factor for gastric NETs (AOR = 5.6; 95% CI, 2.1–14.5), particularly in women (AOR = 8.4; 95% CI, 1.9–38.1). Diabetes modified the risk among women with a positive family history of cancer for the development of gastric NETs (AOR = 52.2; 95% CI, 5.5–491.5). Our results suggest that the risk of NETs may mostly explained by genetic factors. The increased risk of gastric NETs in women with both diabetes and a positive family history of cancer suggest that women may have a greater genetic susceptibility to NETs than men. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Statin use and the risk of prostate cancer: A metaanalysis of 6 randomized clinical trials and 13 observational studies
Authors: Bonovas Stefanos , Filioussi Kalitsa , Sitaras Nikolaos M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractStatins have been suggested to prevent prostate cancer. Our aim was to examine statin use in relation to both total prostate cancer and the more clinically important advanced prostate cancer, through a detailed metaanalysis of the epidemiologic studies published on the subject in peer‐reviewed literature. A comprehensive search for articles published up to November 2007 was performed, reviews of each study were conducted and data were abstracted. Prior to metaanalysis, the studies were evaluated for publication bias and heterogeneity. Pooled relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random‐effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Nineteen studies [6 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), 6 cohort and 7 case–control studies] contributed to the analysis. There was no evidence of an association between statin use and total prostate cancer among either RCTs (RR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.93–1.20) or the observational studies (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.65–1.24). However, high heterogeneity was detected among the observational studies. Moreover, long‐term statin use did not significantly affect the risk of total prostate cancer (RR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.77–1.13). In contrast, synthesis of the available reports that had specifically examined statin use in relation to advanced prostate cancer indicated a protective association (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.64–0.93). Our results do not support the hypothesis that statins reduce the risk of total prostate cancer. However, further research is required to investigate whether the particular association of statin use with lower risk of advanced prostate cancer is indeed causal. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A sensitive test for the detection of specific DSB repair defects in primary cells from breast cancer specimens
Authors: Keimling Marlen , Kaur Jatinder , Bagadi Sarangadhara Appala Raju , Kreienberg Rolf , Wiesmüller Lisa , Ralhan Ranju 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIncreasing evidence indicates that breast cancer pathogenesis is linked with DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair dysfunction. This conclusion is based on advances in the study of functions of breast cancer susceptibility genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, on the identification of breast cancer‐associated changes regarding the genetics, expression, and localization of multiple DSB repair factors, and on observations indicating enhanced radiation‐induced chromosomal damage in cells from predisposed individuals and sporadic breast cancer patients. In this pilot study, we describe a sensitive method for the analysis of DSB repair functions in mammary carcinomas. Using this method we firstly document alterations in pathway‐specific DSB repair activities in primary cells originating from familial as well as sporadic breast cancer. In particular, we identified increases in the mutagenic nonhomologous end joining and single‐strand annealing mechanisms in sporadic breast cancers with wild‐type BRCA1 and BRCA2, and, thus, similar phenotypes to tumors with mutant alleles of BRCA1 and BRCA2. This suggests that detection of error‐prone DSB repair activities may be useful to extend the limits of genotypic characterization of high‐risk susceptibility genes. This method may, therefore, serve as a marker for breast cancer risk assessment and, even more importantly, for the prediction of responsiveness to targeted therapies such as to inhibitors of poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase (PARP1). © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dietary flavonoid intake and risk of cancer in postmenopausal women: The Iowa Women's Health Study
Authors: Cutler Gretchen J. , Nettleton Jennifer A. , Ross Julie A. , Harnack Lisa J. , Jacobs David R. , Scrafford Carolyn G. , Barraj Leila M. , Mink Pamela J. , Robien Kim 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFlavonoids, which are found in certain plant foods, are thought to lower cancer risk through their antioxidant, antiestrogenic and antiproliferative properties. We examined the association of intake of total flavonoids and 7 flavonoid subclasses with risk of lung, colorectal, breast, pancreatic and upper aerodigestive cancer among women in a large prospective cohort study. Study participants were 34,708 postmenopausal women in the Iowa Women's Health Study who completed a food frequency questionnaire and were followed for cancer occurrence from 1986 through 2004. Flavonoid intake was estimated from 3 databases developed by the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL). Hazard ratios (HR) for cancer risk were calculated across total flavonoid and flavonoid subclass intake categories. Interactions between smoking history and flavonoid intake were also examined. After multivariable adjustment, lung cancer incidence was inversely associated with intakes of flavanones (HR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.53–0.86, all results highest vs. lowest quintile) and proanthocyanidins (HR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.57–0.97). Among current and past smokers, those with intakes in the highest quintile for flavanones (HR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.50–0.86), and proanthocyanidins (HR = 0.66; 95% CI; 0.49–0.89) had significantly lower lung cancer incidence than those in the lowest quintile. Similar associations were not seen in never smokers. Isoflavone intake was inversely associated with overall cancer incidence (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.86–1.00). This study provides further support for a beneficial effect of flavonoid intake on lung cancer risk, especially among current and past smokers. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The electrochemical impedance of polarized 316L stainless steel: Structure‐property‐adsorption correlation
Authors: Gettens Robert T. T. , Gilbert Jeremy L. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractElectrochemical (EC) impedance and polarization data were synergistically coupled with AFM micrographs providing insight on the polarized alloy–electrolyte interface. Several regions of oxide topography/ impedance characteristic were apparent on a 316L SS surface. A relatively rough surface with apparent EC reaction products was observed below −500 mV. Smooth surfaces were seen from −500 mV to 200 mV. A transition region which displayed the aggregation of particles on the surface was seen from 200 mV to 600 mV. Above 600 mV these particles disappeared revealing a smooth topography. These topographical observations matched closely with the impedance behavior of the system, particularly the capacitance (C), polarization resistance (Rp) and current density. The presence of pre‐adsorbed Fb had a significant impact on C below approximately −500 mV (increased capacitance). The deviation from ideality of the current response as determined by a KWW empirical dielectric decay function showed significant differences between PBS‐immersed and pre‐adsorbed Fb cases. Earlier, changes in Fb area coverage, height, and eccentricity were observed between voltages lower and higher than 0 mV. The presence of the flat‐band potential around −150 mV as well as high cathodic charge‐transfer reactions taking place below −100 mV relate to these observations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
In vivo evaluation of bone‐bonding ability of RGD‐coated porous implant using layer‐by‐layer electrostatic self‐assembly
Authors: Yang Guo‐Li , He Fu‐Ming , Yang Xiao‐Feng , Wang Xiao‐Xiang , Zhao Shi‐Fang 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRGD has been demonstrated to improve implant osseointegration. However, few studies are known about an effect of RGD coating on a bone‐bonding ability of screw‐shaped porous implant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of RGD coating using the layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly technique on the bone‐bonding ability of porous implant. 60 implants of 10 mm in length (30 control and 30 RGD‐coated) were inserted into femurs of 30 rabbits and 30 implants of 8 mm in length (15 control and 15 RGD‐coated) were inserted into tibias of 15 rabbits. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks post‐implantation, femurs and tibias were retrieved and prepared for removal torque tests (RTQ) and histomorphometric evaluation, respectively. No differences were found in the RTQ values between two implants at 4 weeks (p = 0.932). There were statistical significances in the RTQ values at 8 and 12 weeks (p = 0.002, 0.001, respectively). New bone was formed on both implant surfaces. The bone–implant contact pattern appeared to produce a broad‐based direct contact in both implants. The RGD‐coated implants showed a significantly greater BIC in the threads inside the cortical bone compared with the control implants at 4, 8, and 12 weeks (p = 0.024, 0.041, 0.022, respectively). No differences were found in the bone area within the same threads between two implants at 4 weeks (p = 0.806) whereas differences were found at 8 and 12 weeks (p = 0.009, 0.031, respectively). It was concluded that RGD coating using the layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly technique has a positive effect on the bone‐bonding ability of porous implant. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Electrochemical characteristic of TiNi shape memory alloy in artificial body fluids
Authors: Liang Chenghao , Huang Naibao 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn this work, the electrochemical characteristic of TiNi shape memory alloy (SMA) in Hank's solution was studied. The results indicated that low potential active dissolution of TiNi SMA occurred at a potential range of 150–250 mV during anodic polarizing. Its corrosion resistance was not affected by temperature, but was deeply affected by pH and Cl− ion concentration. Decreasing pH and improving Cl− ion concentration made the pitting broken potential (Eb) move toward negative and increased the sensitivity to pitting corrosion. Electro‐probe microanalyzer and scanning electron microscope analysis showed that low potential active dissolution resulted in forming Ti2Ni precipitation phase in the hole, which enriched Ti and deficient Ni, became the sensitive position to pitting corrosion. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Periodontal ligament cellular structures engineered with electrospun poly(DL‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) nanofibrous membrane scaffolds
Authors: Inanç Bülend , Arslan Y. Emre , Seker Sükran , Elçin A. Eser , Elçin Y. Murat 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPeriodontal tissue engineering is expected to overcome the limitations associated with the existing regenerative techniques for the treatment of periodontal defects involving alveolar bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament. Cell‐based tissue engineering approaches involve the utilization of in vitro expanded cells with regenerative capacity and their delivery to the appropriate sites via biomaterial scaffolds. The aim of this study was to establish living periodontal ligament cell‐containing structures on electrospun poly(DL‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofiber membrane scaffolds, assess their viability and characteristics, and engineer multilayered structures amenable to easy handling. Human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells were expanded in explant culture and then characterized morphologically and immunohistochemically. PLGA nanofiber membranes were prepared by the electrospinning process; mechanical tensile properties were determined, surface topography, nanofiber size, and porosity status were investigated with SEM. Cells were seeded on the membranes at ∼50,000 cell/cm2 and cultured for 21 days either in expansion or in osteogenic induction medium. Cell adhesion and viability were demonstrated using SEM and MTT, respectively, and osteogenic differentiation was determined with IHC and immunohistomorphometric evaluation of osteopontin, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein marker expression. At days 3, 6, 9, and 12 additional cell/membrane layers were deposited on the existing ones and multilayered hybrid structures were established. Results indicate the feasibility of periodontal ligament cell‐containing tissue‐like structures engineering with PDL cells and electrospun nanofiber PLGA scaffolds supporting cell adhesion, viability and osteogenic differentiation properties of cells in hybrid structures amenable to macroscopic handling. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Influence of cross‐linker chemistry on release kinetics of PEG‐co‐PGA hydrogels
Authors: Bencherif Sidi A. , Sheehan Jeffrey A. , Hollinger Jeffrey O. , Walker Lynn M. , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof , Washburn Newell R. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAn investigation of encapsulated plasmid DNA release from degradable poly(ethylene glycol)‐co‐poly(glycolic acid) hydrogels (PEG‐co‐PGA) is presented. We determined by varying the chemistry of the cross‐linker group, significant variations in hydrogel degradation kinetics could be achieved to control the release profiles of plasmid DNA. We prepared three analogues of PEG‐co‐PGA hydrogels by a photopolymerization process and measured variation in degradation rates by monitoring mechanical properties and release of plasmid DNA. 1H 1D DOSY NMR (one‐dimensional diffusion ordered nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) was used to measure conversion of vinyl groups after photocross‐linking. Nearly full vinyl conversion was reached after 10 min exposure under ultraviolet light. Gel electrophoresis analysis confirmed that plasmid DNA remained structurally intact after photoencapsulation and release from the gels. This approach provides an additional strategy for controlling the release of biologically active compounds from hydrogels. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
GDNF blended chitosan nerve guides: An in vivo study
Authors: Patel Minal , Mao Li , Wu Bin , VandeVord Pamela 
Published: May 2008

AbstractChitosan nerve guides are currently being utilized to repair damaged or injured peripheral nerves. To enhance the nerve regeneration process, instead of using the material alone, researchers are focusing on blending different proteins or molecules with chitosan to facilitate nerve repair and regeneration. In our study, we have blended chitosan with glial cell‐line derived neurotrophic factor and laminin within our nerve guides (GLC). The rat sciatic nerve injury model was used to test these nerve guides and histologically evaluated at 6, 9, and 12 weeks. Histologically at 6 weeks, the axon area and myelination are significantly higher in the GLC group compared with the controls. However, at 9 and 12 weeks control groups matched the GLC values. Thus the histological results indicate that GLC nerve guides can enhance the nerve regeneration process during the initial stages of nerve repair. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009