bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurosurgical implications of osteogenesis imperfecta in children
Authors: Sasaki-Adams Deanna , Kulkarni Abhaya , Rutka James , Dirks Peter , Taylor Michael , Drake James M. 
Published: February 2008

✓Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by disruption of normal collagen formation resulting in varying degrees of skeletal vulnerability, ligamentous laxity, and scleral discoloration. Children with OI may suffer from complex neurosurgical problems affecting the brain and spine. The authors sought to determine the neurosurgical implications of OI in a cohort of patients treated at a quaternary care center for pediatrics.
The authors reviewed the case histories of 10 children with OI treated by the neurosurgical service at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto between January 1988 and March 2007. The cases of 4 of these children are highlighted in the article. The most common neurosurgical conditions encountered in this cohort included macrocephaly in 5 patients, subdural hematoma in 3 patients, epidural hematoma in 2 patients, and hydrocephalus in 3 patients. Basilar invagination and spinal fractures were observed in 20% of the cohort. Although some patients could be treated nonoperatively, several required craniotomy for clot evacuation, decompression, and spinal fixation for fracture or basilar invagination, and cerebrospinal fluid shunt insertion.
Neurosurgical conditions affecting patients with OI include macrocephaly, the development of an acute intracranial hematoma after often minimal trauma, the development of chronic subdural fluid collections that may require drainage, hydrocephalus (both communicating and noncommunicating), basilar invagination, and subaxial spinal fractures. Surgery may be complicated in some children because of the underlying bone fragility and bleeding diathesis commonly observed in patients with OI.
Correlated variation in microtubule distribution, callose deposition during male post‐meiotic cytokinesis, and pollen aperture number across Nicotiana species (Solanaceae)
Authors: Ressayre Adrienne , Raquin Christian , Mignot Agnès , Godelle Bernard , Gouyon Pierre‐Henri 
Published: February 2008

In most flowering plants, a single cytokinesis follows the two meiotic divisions during pollen‐grain ontogeny. Aperture pattern (i.e., aperture number and distribution on pollen surface) ontogeny could be linked to the processes ensuring the apportionment of the cytoplasm to the four microspores.This apportionment is achieved by radial arrays of microtubules organized around the nuclei. The cleavage planes are defined in the overlapping regions of opposing arrays extending from different nuclei. We followed the establishment of these arrays in two different lines of plants belonging to the genus Nicotiana that produce pollen grains with different aperture numbers. Different distributions of the microtubules have been observed, which can be interpreted as resulting from variation in the interactions between nuclei; these distributions appear to be correlated with aperture number.As a consequence, we propose that simultaneous cytokinesis allows the formation of multiple pollen morphologies. This mechanism is consistent with aperture number distribution within angiosperms and provides clues to help our understanding of the evolution of aperture number.
In situ WAXS synchrotron radiation study on particle formation of precipitated barium sulfate
Authors: Kucher Martin , Beierlein Tobias , Kind Matthias 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe particle formation process during the precipitation of barium sulfate from aqueous solutions of barium chloride and sodium sulfate was studied experimentally and numerically. Particle formation was examined offline and in situ on timescales ranging from 55 ms to 1 s. Precipitation experiments were performed in a tubular reactor of adjustable length equipped with a flow‐through cuvette. The mass fraction of the crystalline precipitate was followed time‐resolved using wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), performed at the synchrotron radiation facility ANKA of FZK Karlsruhe GmbH. A high degree of correspondence between numerical and experimental results was achieved using nucleation kinetics based on experimental findings in combination with diffusion‐controlled growth kinetics in the population balance equation. Furthermore, the online measurements showed that the lattice ion ratio (educt ratio) has no influence on nucleation kinetics, which means that the adsorption of lattice ions on pre‐nuclei has no influence on their respective interfacial energy. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Transmission and Amplification of Information and Properties in Nanostructured Liquid Crystals
Authors: Goodby John W. , Saez Isabel M. , Cowling Stephen J. , Görtz Verena , Draper Michael , Hall Alan W. , Sia Susan , Cosquer Guirac , Lee Seung‐Eun , Raynes E. Peter 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn recent years the design of chemical structures of liquid‐crystalline materials has developed rapidly, and in many cases changed radically. Since Reinitzer's days, liquid crystals have either been classed as rodlike or disclike, with combinations of the two leading to phasmidic liquid crystals. The discovery that materials with bent molecular structures exhibited whole new families of mesophases inspired investigations into the liquid‐crystal properties of materials with widely varying molecular topologies—from pyramids to crosses to dendritic molecules. As a result of conformational change, supermolecular materials can have deformable molecular structures, which can stabilize mesophase formation, and some materials that are non‐mesogenic, on complexation form supramolecular liquid crystals. The formation of mesophases by individual molecular systems is a process of self‐organization, whereas the mesophases of supramolecular systems are formed by self‐assembly and self‐organization. Herein we show 1) deformable molecular shapes and topologies of supermolecular and self‐assembled supramolecular systems; 2) surface recognition processes of superstructures; and 3) that the transmission of those structures and their amplification can lead to unusual mesomorphic behavior where conventional continuum theory is not suitable for their description.
Control of structure formation of polycarbosilane synthesized from polydimethylsilane by Kumada rearrangement
Authors: Chen Jiangxi , He Guomei , Liao Zhinan , Zeng Birong , Ye Jianglei , Chen Lifu , Xia Haiping , Zhang Litong 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe control of structure formation of polycarbosilane (PCS) synthesized from polydimethylsilane (PDMS) was studied. It was found that the molecular structure of PCS was strongly dependent on the reaction time and reaction temperature. Shorter reaction time or lower reaction temperature is preferred to produce higher concentration of HSiC3group and less SiC4group in PCS skeleton, which was confirmed by29Si NMR analysis. Higher reaction temperature or longer reaction time tended to dissociate more Si–Si chains to give PCS with higher molecular weight and broader distribution, as verified by GPC characterization. By interrupting the structure evolution of PCS from PDMS at low reaction temperature with short reaction time, solid PCS with controllable molecular structure can be obtained after the removal of the low molecular fraction by precipitation with ethanol. A scissor‐couple rearrangement model was proposed for the formation of the PCS skeleton. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Mechanical properties of an ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene/polypropylene blend containing poly(ethylene glycol) additives
Authors: Xie Meiju , Li Huilin 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIt was recently reported that poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) additives (PEG and its hybrids with inorganic fillers) could significantly improve the processability of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UPE)/polypropylene (PP) blends. The influence of PEG additives on the mechanical properties of UPE/PP blends was investigated in this study. With the addition of small amounts of PEG additives, the tensile properties of UPE/PP blends were little affected, whereas the loss in impact strength was relatively noticeable; however, the toughness was maintained at a high level. Stress–relaxation and stress–strain tests showed that the PEG additives acted mainly in the amorphous phase, reducing the entanglement density of the blends. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Clinical validation of the watershed sign as a marker for neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Driver Catherine B. , Wallace Daniel J. , Lee Jessica C. , Forbess Chelsey J. , Pourrabbani Shahram , Minoshima Satoshi , Waxman Alan D. , Weisman Michael H. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo study the relationship between single‐photon–emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain imaging and neuropsychiatric signs/symptoms in a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), analyzed using a stereotactic surface projection (SSP) technique.MethodsThirty‐seven SLE patients were referred for 99mTc–ethyl cysteinate dimer SPECT brain imaging because of neuropsychiatric signs/symptoms. Nineteen normal controls were studied with the identical protocol. Reconstructed images were computed and Z scores were calculated using the SSP technique with the 2‐sample t‐tests comparing normal controls with SLE patients, and patients with mild cognitive dysfunction with those with severe cognitive dysfunction. The clinical characteristics of SLE patients were collected by retrospective chart review and categorized according to American College of Rheumatology case definitions for neuropsychiatric SLE. Cognitive dysfunction was rated by the treating physician on a scale of 0–3.ResultsThirty of 37 SLE patients had abnormal SPECT results. SLE patients had reduced perfusion in the watershed areas of the frontal lobes bilaterally compared with controls. Additionally, SLE patients with severe cognitive dysfunction had more severe perfusion deficits than those with mild cognitive dysfunction. In some patients with severe cognitive dysfunction, the watershed areas had Z scores ≥4 SDs below controls.ConclusionA convenience sample of patients with SLE and neuropsychiatric signs/symptoms demonstrated reduced perfusion in the watershed areas of the frontal lobes on SPECT scanning analyzed by the SSP technique. The severity of findings correlated with severity of cognitive dysfunction. The area of the brain affected is one that is susceptible to ischemia.
Tendinous disorders attributed to statins: A study on ninety‐six spontaneous reports in the period 1990–2005 and review of the literature
Authors: Marie Isabelle , Delafenêtre Hélène , Massy Nathalie , Thuillez Christian , Noblet Catherine ,   Network of the French Pharmacovigilance Centers
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo date, statins have more often been considered a safe medication. However, with the wider use of statins, severe side effects have also been reported to occur in statin‐treated patients, especially myositis and rhabdomyolysis. Currently, however, statin‐associated tendon impairment has only been described anecdotally. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate tendon manifestations occurring in statin‐treated patients.MethodsAll reports in which a statin was listed spontaneously as a causative suspect medication of tendon complications in the network of the 31 French Pharmacovigilance Centers from 1990–2005 were included in this study. Data collection included patient characteristics and tendon adverse effects (time to onset of adverse effects, pattern, site of injury, and outcome). The percentage of the reports was further calculated for each statin.ResultsData were collected from 96 patients with a median age of 56 years; patients exhibited tendinitis (n = 63) and tendon rupture (n = 33). Tendinopathy more often occurred within the first year after statin initiation (59%). Tendon manifestations were related to atorvastatin (n = 35), simvastatin (n = 30), pravastatin (n = 21), fluvastatin (n = 5), and rosuvastatin (n = 5). Statin was reinitiated in 7 patients, resulting in recurrence of tendinopathy in all cases.ConclusionOur series suggests that statin‐attributed tendinous complications are rare, considering the huge number of statin prescriptions. We suggest that prescribers should be aware of tendinous complications related to statins, particularly in risky situations, including physical exertion and association with medications known to increase the toxicity of statins.
Reliability of the hip examination in osteoarthritis: Effect of standardization
Authors: Cibere Jolanda , Thorne Anona , Bellamy Nicholas , Greidanus Nelson , Chalmers Andrew , Mahomed Nizar , Shojania Kam , Kopec Jacek , Esdaile John M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the reliability of the physical examination of the hip in osteoarthritis (OA) among rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons, and to evaluate the benefits of standardization.MethodsThirty‐five physical signs and techniques were evaluated using a 6 × 6 Latin square design. Subjects with mild to severe hip OA, based on physical and radiographic signs, were examined in random order prior to and following standardization of physical examination techniques. For dichotomous signs, agreement was calculated as the prevalence‐adjusted bias‐adjusted kappa (PABAK), whereas for continuous and ordinal signs a reliability coefficient was calculated using analysis of variance. A PABAK >0.60 and a reliability coefficient >0.80 were considered to indicate adequate reliability.ResultsAdequate post‐standardization reliability was achieved for 25 (71%) of 35 signs. The most highly reliable signs included true and apparent leg length discrepancy ≥1.5 cm; hip flexion, abduction, adduction, and extension strength; log roll test for hip pain; internal rotation and flexion range of motion; and Thomas test for flexion contracture. The standardization process was associated with substantial improvements in reliability for a number of physical signs, although minimal or no change was noted for some. Only 1 sign, Trendelenburg's sign, was highly unreliable post‐standardization.ConclusionWith the exception of gait, a comprehensive hip examination can be performed with adequate reliability. Post‐standardization reliability is improved compared with pre‐standardization reliability for some physical signs. The application of these findings to future OA studies will contribute to improved outcome assessments in OA.
Association of regional racial/cultural context and socioeconomic status with arthritis in the population: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Cañizares Mayilee , Power J. Denise , Perruccio Anthony V. , Badley Elizabeth M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the extent to which differences in individual‐ and regional‐level socioeconomic status and racial/cultural origin account for geographic variations in the prevalence of self‐reported arthritis, and to determine whether regional characteristics modify the effect of individual characteristics associated with reporting arthritis.MethodsAnalyses were based on the 2000–2001 Canadian Community Health Survey (>15 years, n = 127,513). Arthritis was self‐reported as a long‐term condition diagnosed by a health professional. A 2‐level logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of reporting arthritis. Individual‐level variables included age, sex, income, education, immigration status, racial/cultural origin, smoking, physical activity, and body mass index. Regional‐level variables included the proportion of low‐income families, low education, unemployment, recent immigrants, Aboriginals, and Asians.ResultsAt the individual level, age, sex, low income, low education, Aboriginal origin, current smoking, and overweight/obesity were positively associated with reporting arthritis; recent immigration and Asian origin were negatively associated with reporting arthritis. At the regional level, percentages of low‐income families and the Aboriginal population were independently associated with reporting arthritis. Regional income and racial/cultural origin moderated the effects of individual income and racial/cultural origin; low‐income individuals residing in regions with a higher proportion of low‐income families reported arthritis more than low‐income individuals living in better‐income regions.ConclusionBoth individual and regional factors were found to contribute to variations in the prevalence of arthritis, although significant unexplained variation remained. Further research is required to better understand the mechanisms that underlie these regional effects and to identify other contributing factors to the remaining variation.
Clinical implications of rotator cuff degeneration in the rheumatic shoulder
Authors: Van de Sande Michiel A. J. , De Groot Jurriaan H. , Rozing Piet M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveIn rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of the shoulder, loss of cartilage and soft tissue degeneration coexists with pain and reduced range of motion. We evaluated the presence of bony and rotator cuff degeneration in RA of the shoulder joint and assessed their relationship with pain and loss of functioning. We hypothesized that rotator cuff degeneration plays an important role in the presence of pain and loss of functioning of the rheumatic shoulder.MethodsWe used a cross‐sectional study to assess both bony and rotator cuff involvement using plain anteroposterior radiographs, ultrasound, and computed tomography images. Additionally, we used an electromagnetic tracking device and a force transducer to evaluate range of motion and maximum force of the shoulder muscles. Between January 2003 and July 2004 we included 26 consecutive patients (51 shoulders). Twenty‐one shoulders showed no or slight joint destruction, 15 showed intermediate destruction, and 15 showed severe destruction.ResultsOnly 19 shoulders showed an intact rotator cuff. Proximal migration of the humeral head and fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle especially showed a significantly strong correlation with increased pain and function loss (R2 = 0.36, P < 0.001). In a multivariate regression analysis, proximal migration and fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle were related most significantly with pain and reduced functioning in the shoulder joint.ConclusionRotator cuff degeneration plays an important role in the daily functioning of the rheumatic shoulder. Prevention of rotator cuff degeneration may therefore play an important part in the treatment of the rheumatic shoulder.
Chromatographic separation of three monoclonal antibody variants using multicolumn countercurrent solvent gradient purification (MCSGP)
Authors: Müller‐Späth Thomas , Aumann Lars , Melter Lena , Ströhlein Guido , Morbidelli Massimo 
Published: February 2008

AbstractMulticolumn countercurrent solvent gradient purification (MCSGP) is a continuous chromatographic process developed in recent years (Aumann and Morbidelli, 2007a; Aumann et al., 2007) that is particularly suited for applications in the field of bioseparations. Like batch chromatography, MCSGP is suitable for three‐fraction chromatographic separations and able to perform solvent gradients but it is superior in terms of solvent consumption, yield, purity, and productivity due to the countercurrent movement of the liquid and the solid phases. In this work, the MCSGP process is applied to the separation of three monoclonal antibody variants on a conventional preparative cation exchange resin. The experimental process performance was compared to simulations based on a lumped kinetic model. Yield and purity values of the target variant of 93%, respectively were obtained experimentally. The batch reference process was clearly outperformed by the MCSGP process. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 1166–1177. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Utilization of cellulosic waste from tequila bagasse and production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics by Saccharophagus degradans
Authors: Alva Munoz Luis Esteban , Riley Mark R. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractUtilization of wastes from agriculture is becoming increasingly important due to concerns of environmental impact. The goals of this work were to evaluate the ability of an unusual organism, Saccharophagus degradans (ATCC 43961), to degrade the major components of plant cell walls and to evaluate the ability of S. degradans to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs, also known as bioplastics). S. degradans can readily attach to cellulosic fibers, degrade the cellulose, and utilize this as the primary carbon source. The growth of S. degradans was assessed in minimal media (MM) containing glucose, cellobiose, avicel, and bagasse with all able to support growth. Cells were able to attach to avicel and bagasse fibers; however, growth on these insoluble fibers was much slower and led to a lower maximal biomass production than observed with simple sugars. Lignin in MM alone did not support growth, but did support growth upon addition of glucose, although with an increased adaptation phase. When culture conditions were switched to a nitrogen depleted status, PHA production commences and extends for at least 48 h. At early stationary phase, stained inclusion bodies were visible and two chronologically increasing infrared light absorbance peaks at 1,725 and 1,741 cm−1 confirmed the presence of PHAs. This work demonstrates for what we believe to be the first time, that a single organism can degrade insoluble cellulose and under similar conditions can produce and accumulate PHA. Additional work is necessary to more fully characterize these capabilities and to optimize the PHA production and purification. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 882–888. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subclinical late cardiac toxicity in childhood cancer survivors
Authors: Cox Cheryl L. , Rai Shesh N. , Rosenthal David , Phipps Sean , Hudson Melissa M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe authors analyzed how self‐reported health and self‐reported modified New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function scores were related to cardiac systolic function, cardiac risk factors, and cancer treatment history in childhood cancer survivors who reported no symptoms of cardiac disease.METHODSLong‐term survivors of pediatric cancer who were treated between 1971 and 1995 (current ages, 16–39.7 years) underwent noninvasive clinical and laboratory cardiac risk evaluation and responded to selected subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short Form Health Survey. Results were compared with survivor history of anthracycline therapy alone or with radiotherapy (n = 127 patients; mean, 10 years after diagnosis) versus no anthracycline therapy (n = 32 patients; mean, 11 years after diagnosis).RESULTSSex, current age, highest school grade completed, race, age at diagnosis, diagnostic group, years off therapy, fractional shortening (FS), heart rate, and smoking status were found to be independently predictive of self‐reported health. Interaction between female sex and higher low‐density lipoprotein values and between diagnosis and abnormal FS variably predicted low reported vitality and low reported modified New York Heart Association (NYHA) scores. Echocardiographic findings, cardiac risk factors, and treatment history explained 13% to 28% of the variance in perceived health and self‐reported modified NYHA scores.CONCLUSIONSSystolic function and cardiac risk factors were linked to lower self‐reported health and NYHA scores even in the absence of clinically evident cardiotoxicity. Cancer 2008. ©2008 American Cancer Society.