bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aneurysm Formation in Arteriovenous Grafts: Associations and Clinical Significance
Authors: Siedlecki Andrew , Barker Jill , Allon Michael 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAneurysms are a common complication of arteriovenous grafts in hemodialysis patients, resulting from repetitive needle sticks in the graft material. Although aneurysms are thought to contribute to graft failure, there are no prospective studies evaluating their risk factors or impact on graft survival. The present study evaluated aneurysms in 117 hemodialysis outpatients with upper extremity grafts at a university‐affiliated dialysis center. An arterial aneurysm was defined as a cannulation site defect diameter (difference between arterial cannulation site diameter and normal graft diameter) above the median value for the study population (0.63 cm). Subsequent graft outcomes were determined by retrospective analysis of a prospective vascular access database. Thrombosis‐free graft survival was compared among patient subgroups using Cox proportional hazards models. Patients with an arterial aneurysm had significantly longer median graft age, when compared with those not having a aneurysm (888 vs. 588 days, p = 0.01). However, the two groups did not differ in patient age, sex, diabetes, body mass index, or graft location. The hazard ratio for graft thrombosis was 0.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.25–0.82, p = 0.009) for grafts with an arterial aneurysm, when compared with those without a defect (1‐year graft survival of 71 vs. 50%). Graft age was not associated with the likelihood of graft thrombosis (p = 0.12). In contrast to the prevailing wisdom, arterial aneurysms are associated with improved graft survival.
Sleep‐related Minor Motor Events in Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Terzaghi Michele , Sartori Ivana , Mai Roberto , Tassi Laura , Francione Stefano , Cardinale Francesco , Castana Laura , Cossu Massimo , LoRusso Giorgio , Manni Raffaele , Nobili Lino 
Published: January 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE) is characterized by a wide spectrum of sleep‐related motor manifestations of increasing complexity, ranging from major episodes to brief motor events (minor motor events, MMEs). NFLE patients may exhibit a large quantity of MMEs in the form of short‐lasting stereotyped movements. Whereas major episodes are considered epileptiform manifestations, it remains unclear whether the MMEs are related to epileptiform discharges (EDs). Methods: To study the relation between EDs and the occurrence of MMEs, we report a detailed neurophysiolgical evaluation in NFLE subjects explored by using implanted electrodes. Results: The median value of ED‐related movements was 71.8%. Motor expression in relation to epileptiform discharge was surprisingly variable; no peculiar expression of MMEs could be attributed to the presence of EDs. Conclusions: Our data suggest that ED‐associated MMEs are extremely polymorphous, and no univocal relation to EDs can be identified. We hypothesize that MMEs are not a direct effect of epileptiform discharge (i.e., not epileptic in origin), but the result of aspecific disinhibition of innate motor patterns. We warn clinicians that the epileptic nature of minimal motor phenomena in NFLE cannot be established on the clinical phenomenology of the event.
Outcome Measurement after Vagal Nerve Stimulation Therapy: Proposal of a New Classification
Authors: McHugh John C. , Singh Harsh W. , Phillips Jack , Murphy Kevin , Doherty Colin P. , Delanty Norman 
Published: January 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is an adjunctive palliative therapy for refractory epilepsy. Effects of treatment are varied and some, such as the use of an external magnet for seizure termination, are unique to VNS. No accepted standard exists for outcome measurement after VNS treatment. We present a novel classification for outcome, which includes assessment of both seizure frequency and severity in VNS‐treated patients. Methods: We devised a classification system modeled on the Engel classification for surgically treated patients, but tailored for use in VNS therapy, which incorporates five classes of outcome. We retrospectively reviewed VNS‐treated patients in our centre, and used the data to illustrate our system and compare it with the Engel model. Results: With this system, 48 patients (mean age, 30 years) were followed up over a median of 18 months. Seventy‐eight percent had partial epilepsy. Sixteen and a half percent experienced class I outcome (>80% seizure‐frequency reduction). Twenty percent had class II improvement (50–79% seizure‐frequency reduction). One‐third had no improvement (class V). The remaining patients comprised class III (seizure‐frequency reduction <50%) or class IV (magnet benefit alone) outcomes. Class I–III outcomes were further subdivided according to effects on ictal or postictal severity. Conclusions: We propose a new classification, which can be used for all epilepsies and which reflects outcome measures beyond seizure‐frequency reduction alone. Use of this system would allow greater comparison between future studies of VNS therapy.
Quantification of nucleated red blood cells in allogeneic marrow graft and impact of processing on recovery
Authors: Marolleau Jean‐Pierre , Vanneaux Valérie , Rea Delphine , Ternaux Brigitte , Delasse Veronique , Hubert Valérie , Chantre Elisabeth , Traineau Richard , Robin Marie , Benbunan Marc , Socié Gerard , Larghero Jérôme 
Published: January 2007

BACKGROUND: In allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), a higher nucleated and CD34+ cell dose has been reported to improve various outcomes. Other cell types, such as lymphocyte subsets, also influenced BMT results. While nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) represent a subset of bone marrow (BM) cell subpopulation, the question of their quantification in BM grafts and the impact of BM processing on their recovery has not been addressed.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a prospective study on 77 BM products, NRBCs were enumerated by flow cytometry and the recovery analyzed after manipulation. Because NRBCs could compromise white blood cell count, the impact of NRBC count on CD34+ cell percentage and total nucleated cell (TNC) dose were also determined.RESULTS: The mean percentage of NRBCs in BM grafts was 21.6 percent (range, 7.8%‐40.9%). Mean NRBC recoveries after BM concentration or RBC depletion were 98.4 and 28.7 percent, respectively, close to those obtained for TNC cells (88.6 and 31.3%, respectively). When corrected with NRBC count, the mean percentages of corrected CD34+ cell and TNC dose were significantly modified when compared with uncorrected values, whatever the type of BM manipulation.CONCLUSION: Our data show that NRBC quantification might be of importance to improve quality control of BM products and to evaluate the influence of NRBCs cell dose on outcomes after BMT.
McLeod phenotype without the McLeod syndrome
Authors: Walker Ruth H. , Danek Adrian , Uttner Ingo , Offner Robert , Reid Marion , Lee Soohee 
Published: January 2007

BACKGROUND:McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome is a late‐onset X‐linked multisystem disorder affecting the peripheral and central nervous systems, red blood cells (RBCs), and internal organs. A variety of mutations have been found in the responsible gene (XK) including single nonsense and missense mutations, nucleotide mutations at or near the splice junctions of introns ofXK, and different deletion mutations. To date no clear phenotype‐genotype correlation is apparent. The clinical details of one case of McLeod phenotype without apparent neuromuscular abnormalities have been reported. Here the clinical details of two additional cases are presented, of which the genetic details have previously been published.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Two asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic cases at ages expected to manifest the McLeod syndrome (MLS) were evaluated. The first case had been authenticated as a genuine McLeod both by serology and by genotyping (R222G missense mutation) and the second case had a mutation inXK(IVS2+5G>A) and by serology exhibited very weak Kx antigen and no detectable Kell antigens, except extremely low k antigen by adsorption‐elution technique. The patients were examined for hematologic, neurologic, and other clinical abnormalities.RESULTS:Despite documented McLeod phenotype on RBCs, and identified mutations ofXK, neurologic and other clinical findings were minimal at ages expected to manifest MLS.CONCLUSIONS:The differentXKmutations may have different effects upon theXKgene product and thus may account for the variable phenotype.
Comparison of detection ability of learned odors between males and females in the larval parasitoid Microplitis croceipes
Authors: Takasu Keiji , Rains Glen C. , Lewis W. Joe 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAlthough female parasitic wasps are known to learn to associate odors with hosts and food, the ability of males to learn and detect odors has been neglected. We conducted laboratory experiments to compare the detection ability of learned odors between males and females in the larval parasitoid Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). We first conditioned males and females to associate sucrose water with methyl benzoate, 3‐octanone, or cyclohexanone, and then observed their behavior toward various concentrations (40 ng l−1−4 mg l−1) of the trained odors. Conditioned male wasps responded as well as female wasps to various concentrations of the three odors. Response times by wasps to these three odors were not significantly different between sexes. For the three odors, response times of both sexes were longer at the intermediate concentrations (40–400 µg l−1) than the higher or lower concentrations. The present study suggests that M. croceipes males can learn and respond to the three chemicals tested as well as the females, and conditioned males are as sensitive to learned odors as conditioned females. By using their sensitive learning and odor‐detection capabilities, M. croceipes males could search for food sources as efficiently as females under natural conditions.
Interclinician disparity in periodontal decision making: need for consensus statements on surgical treatment
Authors: Cosyn J. , De Bruyn H. 
Published: January 2007

Background and Objective:  The clinical factors involved in the decision‐making process for surgical treatment have been described. However, there is still little standardization of the criteria upon which such a decision should be based. The impact of this lack of practice guidelines on the recommendation of surgery in clinical practice is unclear. The objective of the present study was to investigate the recommendation of surgical therapy during the corrective/reparative treatment phase by trained clinicians with various backgrounds on the basis of clinical data.Material and Methods:  Fifteen clinicians (10 periodontal students and/or recent graduates from two dental schools and five experienced practitioners) were asked to make a treatment decision (surgery or no surgery) at a tooth level. Therefore, they were given 23 initially treated patients with details on demographics and smoking habits. Radiographs and clinical information on 573 teeth at baseline (prior to root debridement) and at 9 mo of follow‐up were provided.Results:  Clinicians interpret clinical data quite differently in their advice of surgery when practice guidelines are not provided, as the results showed high variation in surgical recommendation. Experienced practitioners showed most variation, with a range from 13 to 50% in surgical recommendation. Clinicians linked to a training center shared a common treatment philosophy as to when periodontal surgery should be performed. This philosophy differed markedly among the two dental schools. Most disagreement among the 15 clinicians was found for deep pockets and for multirooted teeth. Disease status, tooth type, age, and full‐mouth plaque levels had a significant impact on decision making.Conclusion:  The substantial variation in recommending surgery calls for consensus statements on surgical treatment.
Skin conductance; validation of Skicon‐200EX® compared to the original model, Skicon‐100®
Authors: O'goshi Ken‐ichiro , Serup Jørgen 
Published: January 2007

Background/purpose: Measurement of skin surface and stratum corneum (SC) hydration during experimental trials needs devices with acceptable precision under conditions ranging from decreased, and normal to high hydration. The aim of this study was to validate the recent model of a commonly used device for measurement of skin conductance (Skicon‐200EX®) vs. the original model (Skicon‐100®) introduced 20 years ago.Methods: Twenty‐six healthy Danish volunteers (16 women and 10 men, aged between 22 and 67, with a median age of 42 years) were studied using the Skicon‐100®and the Skicon‐200EX® mounted with three different probes. Normal skin of the cheek, forearm, antecubital fossa, palm, lower leg, and popliteal fossa was studied. The sorption–desorption test was performed on the forearm.Result: The two instruments displayed closely correlated conductance levels. However, the Skicon‐200EX® displayed systematically 1.6‐fold higher values than the Skicon‐100®. Different body sites showed different levels depending on anatomical regions. The three probes measured systematically different levels with the original probe measuring lower values. The sorption–desorption test showed high skin conductance values which peaked a few minutes after hydration, in accordance with the original experiments of Tagami.Conclusion: The two Skicon® instruments evaluated in this study correlated well, however, they displayed different levels depending on instrument main body and probes. Overall, the Skicon‐200EX® gave 1.6‐fold higher value, and this instrument might be more sensitive than the original device, Skicon‐100®. In scientific reports, the type of instrument main body as well as probe shall be clearly specified.
Combination of features from skin pattern and ABCD analysis for lesion classification
Authors: She Zhishun , Liu Y. , Damatoa A. 
Published: January 2007

Background/Purpose: It is known that the standard features for lesion classification are ABCD features, that is, asymmetry, border irregularity, colour variegation and diameter of lesion. However, the observation that skin patterning tends to be disrupted by malignant but not by benign skin lesions suggests that measurements of skin pattern disruption on simply captured white light optical skin images could be a useful contribution to a diagnostic feature set. Previous work using both skin line direction and intensity for lesion classification was encouraging. But these features have not been combined with the ABCD features. This paper explores the possibility of combing features from skin pattern and ABCD analysis to enhance classification performance.Methods: The skin line direction and intensity were extracted from a local tensor matrix of skin pattern. Meanwhile, ABCD analysis was conducted to generate six features. They were asymmetry, border irregularity, colour (red, green and blue) variegations and diameter of lesion. The eight features of each case were combined using a principal component analysis (PCA) to produce two dominant features for lesion classification.Results: A larger set of images containing malignant melanoma (MM) and benign naevi were processed as above and the scatter plot in a two‐dimensional dominant feature space showed excellent separation of benign and malignant lesions. An ROC (receiver operating characteristic) plot enclosed an area of 0.94.Conclusions: The classification results showed that the individual features have a limited discrimination capability and the combined features were promising to distinguish MM from benign lesion.
Simultaneous determination of the nonlinear‐elastic properties of skin and subcutaneous tissue in unconfined compression tests
Authors: Wu John Z. , Cutlip Robert G. , Andrew Michael E. , Dong Ren G. 
Published: January 2007

Background/aims:The compressive nonlinear‐elastic properties of soft tissues are usually determined using unconfined compression tests. To determine the nonlinear‐elastic behavior of skin and subcutaneous tissue using a conventional approach, the skin and subcutaneous tissue had to be separated before testing. Using such an approach, measurement errors may be increased as a consequence of the reduced specimen dimensions and cumulative experimental errors. In the present study, we propose a novel method to determine the nonlinear‐elastic behaviors of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue simultaneously using specimens of skin/subcutaneous composites.Methods:The stress/strain curves of skin and subcutaneous tissues are derived from stress/strain curves of soft tissue specimens with different skin/subcutaneous height ratios. There is no need to separate the skin from the subcutaneous tissue in the tests, thereby improving the reliability and reducing measurement errors. In order to demonstrate the application of the proposed approach, unconfined compression tests with skin/subcutaneous tissues collected from the front paws of pigs were conducted.Results/Conclusion:Using the proposed approach, stress/strain relationships of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue were derived from data determined in eight unconfined compression tests. The obtained stress/strain curves were consistent with published experimental data. Compared with conventional methods, the proposed approach is not only more efficient but also more reliable.
Can dermal thickness measured by ultrasound biomicroscopy assist in determining osteoporosis risk?
Authors: Cagle Perri E. , Dyson Mary , Gajewski Byron , Lukert Barbara 
Published: January 2007

Background and purpose: A study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between dermal thickness and bone density. Ninety‐eight female subjects were recruited from a population of patients attending a university hospital osteoporosis clinic. The subject population ranged in age from 30 to 88 years with a mean age of 60. The weight range was from 91 to 274 pounds, mean 142 pounds.Methods: Dermal thickness measurements were taken at the right forearm using a Longport high resolution 20 MHz ultrasound scanner. Bone density measurements were taken using a GE Lunar Prodigy DXA scanner at both hips.Results: Statistical analysis using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the skin measurements showed that the dermal measurement technique was highly reliable (CI=0.87, 0.92). Linear regression was used to examine the value of dermal thickness as a predictor of bone density. The correlation coefficient between dermal thickness and hip T score was statistically significant in the positive direction (corr.=0.304, P=0.001). We further investigated the relationship between dermal thickness and T scores using penalized splines.Conclusion: This analysis indicated that the strongest association with bone density occurred between 1.0 and 1.5 mm of dermal thickness. In those subjects identified as having osteoporosis dermal thickness measure of ≥1.04 corresponds to 4% of the subjects having osteoporosis. If dermal thickness is <1.04 then 23% have osteoporosis.
A Simple Borehole Dilution Technique in Measuring Horizontal Ground Water Flow
Authors: Pitrak M. , Mares S. , Kobr M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBorehole dilution techniques use repeated fluid column profiling after establishment of an initial uniform condition to monitor the rate at which ambient ground water moves into a borehole. Application of the dilution technique in a monitoring well makes it possible to estimate the horizontal Darcy flow velocity of ground water in the aquifer surrounding the borehole. Previous investigators have demonstrated the technique using either relatively concentrated saline solutions or deionized water to produce a fluid column with properties distinctly different from those of local ground water. We present a new dilution technique using the food color Brilliant Blue FCF (Euro code E‐133) to mark the fluid column and using a specially constructed photometric sensor to characterize the dilution of this dye over time. The effective application of this technique is documented by two practical examples.
An Excel Macro for Generating Trilinear Plots
Authors: Shikaze Steven G. , Crowe Allan S. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis computer note describes a method for creating trilinear plots in Microsoft Excel. Macros have been created in MS Excel’s internal language: Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). A simple form has been set up to allow the user to input data from an Excel worksheet. The VBA macro is used to convert the triangular data (which consist of three columns of percentage data) into X‐Y data. The macro then generates the axes, labels, and grid for the trilinear plot. The X‐Y data are plotted as scatter data in Excel. By providing this macro in Excel, users can create trilinear plots in a quick, inexpensive manner.
Female-Teacher Gender and Sexuality in Twentieth-Century Ontario, Canada
Authors: Cavanagh Sheila L. 
Published: January 2007

[The Romans] created the cult of the Vestal Virgins, high-minded priestesses of the goddess Vesta, Guardian Angel of Mankind and Keeper of the Hearth. These priestesses were educated in special normal training schools, were forbidden to marry, were subjected to drastic moral codes, and were accorded social position of preeminence.Spinster teachers were hired so frequently in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that they eventually became an important part of the cultural landscape.Single women seem forever to unnerve, anger and unwittingly scare large swaths of the population, both female and male.”
Reconsidering Schools and the American Welfare State
Authors: Cohen Miriam 
Published: January 2007

Recalling her experience as an exchange teacher in Birmingham, England, in 1938-39, in the midst of the Great Depression, Oregon teacher Mary Kelly, wrote:When I witnessed the first ‘leaving’ day … in one of the Birmingham schools and learned that as soon as the majority of the English children were fourteen they were through with regular schooling forever, I almost shed tears.“Do you mean that those girls will never go to high school?” I asked.“Yes it is true.”“Will they have jobs or will they be idle?”“The Education Department will place most of them in positions in homes, shops or factories ….”There were no graduation exercises, no lovely new dresses, no parents or relatives invited. I thought of my high-school graduation, which possibly would never have been if education was not free, because the means were limited. Still another graduation after going through college on nothing a year permitted me to take up teaching … . To me, at that moment, there was nothing more precious than democracy and I mean theAmerican way.