bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selection Strategies for Binaural and Monaural Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Perreau Ann E. , Tyler Richard S. , Witt Shelley , Dunn Camille 
Published: December 2007

Purpose
We propose theoretical guidelines for cochlear implant selection criteria in adults and children that emphasize the contribution of each ear to the binaural advantage. The guidelines outline options for implanting one ear only, implanting one ear plus use of a contralateral hearing aid, and implanting both ears.

Method
Our method for selecting the best cochlear implant or hearing aid outcome is derived from the amount of usable hearing of the patient. This approach requires the measurement of aided speech perception with each ear separately and then bilaterally. Guidelines are based on the following: (a) overall level of performance with hearing aids relative to what is expected from a cochlear implant, (b) the contributions from each ear, and (c) whether there is a binaural advantage.

Conclusions
Our general recommendation is to provide the patient with the best opportunity for binaural hearing. Since the guidelines put forth in this article are theoretically based, future efforts should be aimed at examining the validity of these guidelines.
Stimulus Repetition Rate and the Reference Levels for Clicks and Short Tone Bursts: A Warning to Audiologists, Researchers, Calibration Laboratories, and Equipment Manufacturers
Authors: Lightfoot Guy , Sininger Yvonne , Burkard Robert , Lodwig Andre 
Published: December 2007

Purpose
To make the audiologic community aware of a technical issue with potential for misunderstanding that could affect the design, calibration, and use of auditory brainstem response (ABR) systems.

Method
Two international standards published in 2007 relating to the stimuli commonly used in ABR tests were studied and the behavior of a commercially available ABR system examined with regard to the relationship between stimulus level and repetition rate.

Results
There is potential for misunderstanding of the need to compensate for the effect of stimulus rate on stimulus level. Although rapidly presented stimuli appear louder as the rate is increased, it is inappropriate to compensate for this when calibrating the stimulus level of ABR systems.

Conclusions
Users of ABR systems should, if possible, use the stimulus reference levels now available in an international standard rather than establish local values. No adjustment of level should be made to account for different stimulus repetition rates. Users of ABR systems should check their systems to ensure that no automatic level adjustment is made; if necessary, equipment manufacturers should be consulted.
Seed growth suppression constrains the growth of seed parasites: premature acorn abscission reduces Curculio elephas larval size
Authors: BONAL RAÚL , MUÑOZ ALBERTO 
Published: December 2007

Abstract 1. The abscission of seeds infested by insects is common in many plants and has been proposed as a defensive mechanism, although its negative consequences for insects have rarely been assessed.2. We assessed the consequences of seed abscission studying the interactions between the holm oak Quercus ilex and the chestnut weevil Curculio elephas, its main pre‐dispersal seed predator. Female weevils oviposit into the acorns and the larvae must complete their development inside a single acorn feeding on the cotyledons. The growth of the infested acorns is suppressed because they are prematurely abscised.3. Female weevils oviposit along the acorn growing period; hence, the size of the infested acorns increased with date. The growth of the larvae inside the smaller, early infested, acorns was constrained because food (i.e. cotyledons) was frequently depleted. Larval size increased with the date along with the size of the infested acorns, but it declined slightly in the latest dates as a result of the higher conspecific competition provoked by the larger number of larvae per acorn.4. The present results demonstrate that premature seed abscission by Q. ilex had negative consequences for C. elephas, as a smaller acorn size reduced food availability and constrained larval size, a key insect life history trait. At the same time, it is suggested that the growth suppression of infested acorns may condition the oviposition phenology of these insects according to their body size. These results need to be considered in further research in the context of the evolutionary significance of premature seed abscission as a defensive mechanism.
Seismic characterization of basalt flows from the Faroes margin and the Faroe‐Shetland basin
Authors: Spitzer Roman , White Robert S. , Christie Philip A.F. ,   the iSIMM Team
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTHigh‐quality seismic profiles across the Faroes volcanic continental margin and the adjacent continental shelf show contrasting styles of basalt emplacement across two major structural boundaries. At the rifted continental margin, the basalts form prominent seaward dipping reflector sequences up to 5 km thick. The same basalts, after they had travelled in a landward direction across the elevated, subaerial Faroes shelf, produced prominent landward dipping foresets, where they flowed across the paleo‐coastline into the deep water of the Faroe‐Shetland Basin. In both cases we are able to image details of the internal structure of the basalts as a result of using a low‐frequency airgun source capable of penetrating through the basalt sequence, together with long‐offset recordings from ocean bottom seismometers and a 12 km long, deep‐towed, hydrophone streamer.
Clinical long‐term evaluation of MTA as a direct pulp capping material in primary teeth
Authors: Tuna D. , Ölmez A. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractAim  To evaluate the effectiveness of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) when used as a pulp capping material in primary teeth.Methodology  Clinical follow‐up was performed on 25 symmetrical pairs of primary molars with deep occlusal caries, in 25 patients between the ages of 5 and 8 years. Pulps exposed during cavity preparation were treated by direct pulp capping with MTA or calcium hydroxide, based with resin‐bonded zinc oxide eugenol cement and restored with amalgam. Clinical and radiographic examinations were carried out at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months.Results  Twenty‐four‐month clinical and radiographic follow‐ups were carried out on 22 patients. One patient failed to return for evaluation after 1 month, one after 9 months and another after 12 months. During follow‐up, none of the MTA and calcium hydroxide groups exhibited clinical or radiographic failure.Conclusions  Mineral trioxide aggregate was found to be as successful as calcium hydroxide when used for direct pulp capping in primary teeth. Further histological investigations are needed to support these findings.
Haemoglobin‐vesicles as artificial oxygen carriers: present situation and future visions
Authors: Sakai H. , Sou K. , Horinouchi H. , Kobayashi K. , Tsuchida E. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract.During the long history of development of haemoglobin (Hb)‐based O2 carriers (HBOCs), many side effects of Hb molecules have become apparent. They imply the physiological importance of the cellular structure of red blood cells. Hb‐vesicles (HbV) are artificial O2 carriers that encapsulate concentrated Hb solution with a thin lipid membrane. We have overcome the intrinsic issues of the suspension of HbV as a molecular assembly, such as stability for storage and in blood circulation, blood compatibility and prompt degradation in the reticuloendothelial system. Animal tests clarified the efficacy of HbV as a transfusion alternative and the possibility for other clinical applications. The results of ongoing HbV research make us confident in advancing further development of HbV, with the expectation of its eventual realization.
A highly reliable and budget‐friendly Peltier‐cooled camera for biological fluorescence imaging microscopy
Authors: JOLLING KOEN , VANDEVEN MARTIN , VAN DEN EYNDEN JIMMY , AMELOOT MARCEL , VAN KERKHOVE EMMY 
Published: December 2007

SummaryThe SAC8.5, a low‐cost Peltier‐cooled black and white 8‐bit CCD camera for astronomy, was evaluated for its use in imaging microscopy. Two camera–microscope configurations were used: an epifluorescence microscope (Nikon Eclipse TE2000‐U) and a bottom port laser scanning confocal microscope system (Zeiss LSCM 510 META). Main advantages of the CCD camera over the currently used photomultiplier detection in the scanning setup are fast image capturing, stable background, an improved signal‐to‐noise ratio and good linearity. Based on DAPI‐labelled Chinese Hamster Ovarian cells, the signal‐to‐noise ratio was estimated to be 4 times higher with respect to the currently used confocal photomultiplier detector. A linear relationship between the fluorescence signal and the FITC‐inulin concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 1.8 mg mL−1 could be established. With the SAC8.5 CCD camera and using DAPI, calcein‐AM and propidium iodide we could also distinguish between viable, apoptotic and necrotic cells: exposure to CdCl2 caused necrosis in A6 cells. Additional examples include the observation of wire‐like mitochondrial networks in Mito Tracker Green‐loaded Madin–Darby canine kidney cells. Furthermore, it is straightforward to interface the SAC8.5 with automated shutters to prevent rapid fluorophore photobleaching via easy to use astrovideo software. In this study, we demonstrate that the SAC8.5 black and white CCD camera is an easy‐to‐implement and cost‐conscious addition to quantitative fluorescence microfluorimetry on living tissues and is suitable for teaching laboratories.
Contribution of immunodiagnostic tests to epidemiological/intervention studies of cysticercosis/taeniosis in México
Authors: FLISSER A. , GYORKOS T. W. 
Published: December 2007

SUMMARY Cysticercosis is acquired when swine ingest human faeces contaminated with Taenia solium eggs. Humans become tapeworm carriers when they ingest infected pork meat. They can also develop cysticercosis after inadvertently swallowing T. solium eggs. Human neurocysticercosis (NCC) is considered as a public health problem in México and in several countries around the world, mainly developing ones. The development of immunodiagnostic techniques has promoted the conduct of seroepidemiological studies. This review provides insight into the evolution of these techniques, their predictive values and their use in field studies, and summarizes evidence supporting health care practice and policy related to cysticercosis/taeniosis in México. Serological studies in rural and urban settings have demonstrated that close proximity with a tapeworm carrier is the main risk factor for acquiring cysticercosis. Research focusing on the tapeworm carrier generated an ELISA for the detection of Taenia coproantigens and facilitated the evaluation of intervention measures. Health education and self‐identification of tapeworm carriers were shown to be successful. However, cestodial treatment as a community‐based intervention was not as successful. Current immunodiagnostic techniques can be used to pinpoint transmission foci so that appropriate and effective interventions can be applied. In this way, sustainable control, and even eradication of T. solium may be envisioned.
Detection and Localization of Naturally Transmitted Avian Leukosis Subgroup J Virus in Egg‐type Chickens by In situ PCR Hybridization
Authors: Li N. , Xu B. , Dong W. , Qiao S. , Lee L. F. , Zhang H. M. , Li M. , Du N. 
Published: December 2007

SummaryAvian leukosis virus (ALV) subgroup J (ALV‐J) is an exogenous ALV and causes myeloid leukosis in meat‐type chickens. We have previously reported the isolation and identification of ALV‐J in commercial layer flocks from 12 farms in northern China. In this report, we further characterized this virus by in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) hybridization in various affected organs of chickens from six of the 12 farms. A routine method for hybridization of nucleic acid uses radioactive probe, such as a P32‐labelled probe. We found that the non‐radioactive digoxigenin (DIG) probe is sensitive enough to detect the nucleic acid of virus in chicken tissues. We used a pair of published primers (H5/H7) specific to the gp85 envelope gene and 3′ region of pol gene of prototype ALV‐J strain HPRS‐103. The total RNA extracted from tumour, bone marrow, oviduct, liver and spleen of the diseased chickens from six commercial flocks, and cDNA was successfully amplified. Using the primers and cDNA, we obtained an ALV‐J‐specific cDNA probe of 545 bp in length by PCR. In situ PCR with H5/H7 primers was carried out in the paraffin sections from tissues of the diseased chickens, followed by in situ hybridization using the DIG‐labelled cDNA probe. Positive hybridization signals were detected in the cytoplasm of paraffin sections of tumours and other organ tissues. The intensity of the signals was documented using an image analysis system measuring integral optical density (IOD). The IOD values for tissue sections treated by in situ PCR hybridization are significantly higher than that by in situ hybridization alone (P < 0.01). These data taken together suggest that in situ PCR hybridization is a more sensitive technique for detection of ALV‐J in tissue sections.
Anti‐endothelial cell antibodies in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies negative pauci‐immune crescentic glomerulonephritis
Authors: CONG MIN , CHEN MIN , ZHANG JUN‐JUN , HU ZHAO , ZHAO MING‐HUI 
Published: December 2007

SUMMARY:Aim:  Pauci‐immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN) is frequently associated with circulating anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). However, in patients with ANCA‐negative pauci‐immune CrGN, the pathogenesis is not clear. Anti‐endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of vasculitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of AECA and their possible clinical significance in ANCA‐negative pauci‐immune CrGN.Methods:  Sera from 19 patients with ANCA‐negative pauci‐immune CrGN, 26 patients with ANCA‐positive pauci‐immune CrGN and 10 healthy blood donors were collected. Soluble proteins extracted from cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used as antigens and western blot analysis was carried out to detect AECA.Results:  In ANCA‐negative pauci‐immune CrGN, 10 of 19 patients were serum IgG‐AECA positive and seven bands reactive with endothelial antigens could be blotted. The prevalence of skin rash and thrombocytosis was significantly higher in patients with anti‐76 kDa and anti‐123 kDa autoantibodies than in patients without, respectively. Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Scores of patients with anti‐200 kDa AECA were significantly higher than in patients without. In the sera of 26 ANCA‐positive cases, 23 were AECA positive and 11 bands could be recognized. The prevalence of total AECA and anti‐90 kDa AECA was significantly lower in patients with ANCA‐negative pauci‐immune CrGN than in patients with ANCA‐positive pauci‐immune CrGN.Conclusion:  Anti‐endothelial cell antibodies could be found in sera of patients with ANCA‐negative pauci‐immune CrGN; some AECA might have some clinical significance. The discrepancies of AECA might be a possible contributor to the differences between ANCA‐negative and ANCA‐positive pauci‐immune CrGN.
Leukaemia inhibitory factor is over‐expressed by ischaemic brain tissue concomitant with reduced plasma expression following acute stroke
Authors: Slevin M. , Krupinski J. , Mitsios N. , Perikleous C. , Cuadrado E. , Montaner J. , Sanfeliu C. , Luque A. , Kumar S. , Kumar P. , Gaffney J. 
Published: December 2007

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a glycoprotein of the interleukin‐6 family, which has potent pro‐inflammatory properties and is involved in regulation of neuronal differentiation. We have previously identified its upregulation in gene microarrays following acute ischaemic stroke in man. LIF expression and localization was measured in human ischaemic stroke autopsy specimens, in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and in human foetal neural cell cultures following oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Circulating LIF was determined in the plasma of patients in the hyper‐acute stroke phase using a multiplex enzyme‐linked‐immunosorbent serologic assay system. Patients demonstrated an increase in LIF expression in peri‐infarcted regions with localization in neurons and endothelial cells of microvessels surrounding the infarcted core. The rat MCAO model showed similar upregulation in neurons with a peak increase at 90 min. Circulating serum LIF expression was significantly decreased in the hyper‐acute phase of stroke. Brain‐derived neurons and glia cultured in vitro demonstrated an increase in gene/protein and protein expression respectively following exposure to OGD. Increased LIF expression in peri‐infarcted regions and sequestration from the peripheral circulation in acute stroke patients characteristic of the pathobiological response to ischaemia and tissue damage.
The use of clinical findings in the identification of equine peritonitis cases that respond favorably to medical therapy
Authors: Southwood Louise L. , Russell Gail 
Published: December 2007

AbstractObjective: To compare clinical findings in horses/foals with peritonitis that: (1) had no concurrent (NCA) versus a concurrent abnormality found during hospitalization, (2) survived to discharge versus did not survive to discharge, and (3) survived to discharge without surgery versus did not survive to discharge without surgery.Design: Retrospective study.Setting: George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at New Bolton Center.Animals: Horses/foals admitted between 1992 and 2002 with a diagnosis of peritonitis. A diagnosis of peritonitis within 4 days of presentation and peritoneal fluid nucleated cell count >10,000/μL were required for study inclusion. Horses/foals were excluded if the peritonitis was secondary to gastrointestinal or reproductive tract perforation, a complication of exploratory celiotomy, or if peritonitis was not diagnosed until surgery or necropsy.Interventions: None.Measurements and main results: Information obtained from the medical records included clinical findings at presentation and during the initial 4 days of hospitalization. Outcome was defined as: (1) NCA (yes/no), (2) survived to discharge (yes/no), and (3) survived to discharge without surgery (yes/no). Forty‐two percent (23/55) of horses/foals had NCA; 78% (43/55) survived to discharge, and 68% (36/55) survived to discharge without surgery. Horses/foals with peritonitis that had any one of the following clinical findings were likely to survive to discharge without surgery: no signs of abdominal pain, normal/improved rectal temperature, normal/improved intestinal borborygmi, normal fecal production, no abnormal findings on abdominal palpation per rectum, no nasogastric reflux, or yellow/orange peritoneal fluid.Conclusion: Clinical findings can be used to identify equine peritonitis cases that will respond favorably to medical therapy.
Rapid growth of malignant melanoma in pregnancy
Authors: Sato Tomotaka , Ishiko Akira , Saito Masataka , Tanaka Masaru , Ishimoto Hitoshi , Amagai Masayuki 
Published: December 2007

SummaryMalignant melanoma during pregnancy is a difficult problem as a variety of risks to both the mother and fetus must be weighed. We describe a rapidly progressive malignant melanoma diagnosed during pregnancy. There are no standarized guidelines for treatment; each case requires an individualized approach. We review the literature and present an algorithm to aid in approaching such patients.
Five batches representative of Ontario-grown American ginseng root produce comparable reductions of postprandial glycemia in healthy individualsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 1 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Dascalu Anamaria , Sievenpiper John L. , Jenkins Alexandra L. , Stavro Mark P. , Leiter Lawrence A. , Arnason John Thor , Vuksan Vladimir 
Published: December 2007

Evidence indicates that the glycemia-lowering effect of American ginseng root may be batch dependent. We therefore evaluated the effect of 5 root batches, representative of Ontario-grown American ginseng, on postprandial glucose and insulin indices. Twelve healthy subjects (5 male, 7 female), mean ± SE age 26.5 ± 2 years, body mass index 23.96 ± 3.41 kg/m2, fasting blood glucose 4.77 ± 0.04 mmol/L, were assigned to consume 9 g of American ginseng from 5 farms (A–E), administered in randomized sequence on 5 separate visits, and a water-control during the 6th and last visit. Treatments were consumed 40 min before a 2-hour 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test. Plasma glucose and insulin were measured at baseline, before, and during the test. Compared with control, batches A and C reduced glucose incremental area under the curve (IAUC) by 35.2% (156 vs. 240 mmol·min/L) and 32.6% (162 vs. 240 mmol·min/L), respectively. Batches A, C, and E reduced incremental peak glucose by 1.3, 1.2, and 1.1 mmol/L, respectively. Batch C reduced the insulin IAUC by 27.7% (15.8 vs. 21.8 nmol·min/L). Effects on glucose and insulin parameters were not different across ginseng treatments. The mean of the 5 ginseng treatments reduced peak postprandial glucose by 1.0 mmol/L, glucose IAUC by 27.7% (173 vs. 240 mmol·min/L), and insulin IAUC by 23.8% (16.6 vs. 21.8 nmol·min/L) relative to control. (All results statistically significant at p < 0.05.) American ginseng decreased postprandial glycemia and insulinemia; however, 40% of the batches did not reduce glycemia with the anticipated magnitude, irrespective of their saponin composition.
Plant phenolics regulate neoplastic cell growth and survival: a quantitative structure–activity and biochemical analysisThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 2 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Harris Cory S. , Mo Fan , Migahed Lamiaa , Chepelev Leonid , Haddad Pierre S. , Wright James S. , Willmore William G. , Arnason John T. , Bennett Steffany A.L. 
Published: December 2007

The anti-tumour activities of many plant phenolics at high concentrations (>100 μmol/L) suggest their potential use as dietary supplements in cancer chemoprevention and cancer chemotherapy. However, it is not clear what impact phenolic compounds have at the physiological concentrations obtained through consumption of high phenolic diets on neoplastic cells. In the present study, 54 naturally occurring phenolics were evaluated at physiologically relevant concentrations for their capacity to alter PC12 cell viability in response to serum deprivation, the chemotherepeutic agent etoposide, and the apoptogen C2-ceramide. Surprisingly, novel mitogenic, cytoprotective, and antiapoptotic activities were detected. Quantitative structure–activity relationship modelling indicated that many of these activities could be predicted by compound lipophilicity, steric bulk, and (or) antioxidant capacity, with the exception of inhibition of ceramide-induced apoptosis. Where quantitative structure–activity relationship analysis was insufficient, biochemical assessment demonstrated that the benzoate orsellinic acid blocked downstream caspase-12 activation following ceramide challenge. These findings demonstrate substantive mitogenic, cytoprotective, and antiapoptotic biological activities of plant phenolics on neoplastic cells at physiologically relevant dietary concentrations that should be considered in chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies.