bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined liver and lung metastasectomy through an exclusive transthoracic approach
Authors: Delis Spiros G. , Madariaga Juan , Bakoyiannis Andreas , Avgerinos Costas , Touloumis Zisis , Vasileios Vasiliadis , Dervenis Christos 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackgroundIn a very selected group of patients, resection of metachronous liver and lung metastases, prolongs survival despite the aggressive nature of these lesions. We present here our experience with metastasectomy in patients with metachronous liver and lung metastases in whom, an exclusive transthoracic approach was performed.MethodsBetween 2002 and 2005, five patients with metachronous colorectal liver and right‐lung metastases, underwent an exclusive transthoracic approach. There were three men and two women, with a median age of 68 years (range, 55–76 years). Liver resections performed included segmentectomy of segments VII, VIII, or both. Previous operations include colon resection, adhesiolysis, or ventral hernia repair were performed in all patients.ResultsNo mortality was documented. Morbidity included pleural effusion (n = 2) and post‐operative pneumonia (n = 1) which responded to conservative management. Median hospital stay was 8 days (range 5–12 days). With a median follow‐up of 26 months all patients are alive without recurrent disease.ConclusionAn aggressive surgical approach should be undertaken for CRC metastases. An exclusive transthoracic approach is feasible for combined lung and subdiaphragmatic liver metastasectomy in selected cases with previous abdominal surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:178–182. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Barriers to the optimal rehabilitation of surgical cancer patients in the managed care environment: An administrator's perspective
Authors: Germain Pamela 
Published: March 2007

AbstractEnsuring that surgical cancer patients obtain optimal rehabilitation care (defined here as all care provided post‐operatively following cancer surgery) can be challenging because of the fragmented nature of the U.S. healthcare delivery and payment systems. In the managed care environment, surgical cancer patients' access to rehabilitation care is likely to vary by type of health insurance plan, by setting, by type of provider, and by whether care is provided in‐network or out‐of‐network. The author of this article, who negotiates managed care contracts for the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), gives examples of strategies used with some success by RPCI to collaborate with local payers to ensure that surgical cancer patients get optimal rehabilitation care, especially as they make the transition from hospital to outpatient care. She suggests that further collaborations of healthcare providers, payers, consumers, and policymakers are needed to help ensure optimal rehabilitation care for surgical cancer patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 95:386–392. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Compostability of Bioplastic Packaging Materials: An Overview
Authors: Kale Gaurav , Kijchavengkul Thitisilp , Auras Rafael , Rubino Maria , Selke Susan E. , Singh Sher Paul 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPackaging waste accounted for 78.81 million tons or 31.6% of the total municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2003 in the USA, 56.3 million tons or 25% of the MSW in 2005 in Europe, and 3.3 million tons or 10% of the MSW in 2004 in Australia. Currently, in the USA the dominant method of packaging waste disposal is landfill, followed by recycling, incineration, and composting. Since landfill occupies valuable space and results in the generation of greenhouse gases and contaminants, recovery methods such as reuse, recycling and/or composting are encouraged as a way of reducing packaging waste disposal. Most of the common materials used in packaging (i.e., steel, aluminum, glass, paper, paperboard, plastics, and wood) can be efficiently recovered by recycling; however, if packaging materials are soiled with foods or other biological substances, physical recycling of these materials may be impractical. Therefore, composting some of these packaging materials is a promising way to reduce MSW. As biopolymers are developed and increasingly used in applications such as food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods packaging, composting could become one of the prevailing methods for disposal of packaging waste provided that industry, governments, and consumers encourage and embrace this alternative. The main objective of this article is to provide an overview of the current situation of packaging compostability, to describe the main mechanisms that make a biopolymer compostable, to delineate the main methods to compost these biomaterials, and to explain the main standards for assessing compostability, and the current status of biopolymer labeling. Biopolymers such as polylactide and poly(hydroxybutyrate) are increasingly becoming available for use in food, medical, and consumer goods packaging applications. The main claims of these new biomaterials are that they are obtained from renewable resources and that they can be biodegraded in biological environments such as soil and compost. Although recycling could be energetically more favorable than composting for these materials, it may not be practical because of excessive sorting and cleaning requirements. Therefore, the main focus is to dispose them by composting. So far, there is no formal agreement between companies, governments and consumers as to how this packaging composting will take place; therefore, the main drivers for their use have been green marketing and pseudo‐environmental consciousness related to high fuel prices. Packaging compostability could be an alternative for the disposal of biobased materials as long as society as a whole is willing to formally address the challenge to clearly understand the cradle‐to‐grave life of a compostable package, and to include these new compostable polymers in food, manure, or yard waste composting facilities.magnified image
Patterned Co‐Culture of Primary Hepatocytes and Fibroblasts Using Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Templates
Authors: Kidambi Srivatsan , Sheng Lufang , Yarmush Martin L. , Toner Mehmet , Lee Ilsoon , Chan Christina 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper describes the formation of patterned cell co‐cultures using the layer‐by‐layer deposition of synthetic ionic polymers and without the aid of adhesive proteins/ligands such as collagen or fibronectin. In this study, we used synthetic polymers, namely poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC) and sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) as the polycation and polyanion, respectively, to build the multilayer films. We formed SPS patterns on polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) surfaces either by microcontact printing PDAC onto SPS surfaces or vice‐versa. To create patterned co‐cultures on PEMs, we capitalize on the preferential attachment and spreading of primary hepatocytes on SPS as opposed to PDAC surfaces. In contrast, fibroblasts readily attached to both PDAC and SPS surfaces, and as a result, we were able to obtain patterned co‐cultures of fibroblast and primary hepatocytes on synthetic PEM surfaces. We characterized the morphology and hepatic‐specific functions of the patterned cell co‐cultures with microscopy and biochemical assays. Our results suggest an alternative approach to fabricating controlled co‐cultures with specified cell–cell and cell–surface interactions; this approach provides flexibility in designing cell‐specific surfaces for tissue engineering applications.magnified image
Water Absorption and Degradation Characteristics of Chitosan‐Based Polyesters and Hydroxyapatite Composites
Authors: Correlo Vitor M. , Pinho Elisabete D. , Pashkuleva Iva , Bhattacharya Mrinal , Neves Nuno M. , Reis Rui L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBlends of chitosan and biodegradable synthetic aliphatic polyesters (polycaprolactone, poly(butylene succinate), poly[(butylene succinate)‐co‐adipate], poly[(butylene terephthalate)‐co‐adipate], and poly(lactic acid)) were injection‐molded. These samples were immersed in isotonic solution at 37 °C for a period of 60 d. The water uptake and the degradation properties, as measured by the loss in tensile strength, were evaluated as a function of time. In this study, the rate and the equilibrium water uptake were proportional to the amount of chitosan in the blend. The addition of HA to chitosan and polyester significantly reduced the equilibrium water uptake. The water uptake did not follow the classical Fickian phenomena and could be expressed by a two‐stage sorption non‐Fickian diffusion model. Contact angle measurement was used to quantify the changes in surface hydrophilicity as a function of chitosan and polyester composition. The glycerol contact angle decreased with increasing synthetic components in the blend. The blends and composites also showed increased degradation, as quantified by a loss in their mechanical properties, with increase in natural content. The degradation of properties was directly related to the water uptake of the blends; the higher the water uptake, the higher the degradation. Pure polyesters, while having low water uptake, nevertheless showed significant degradation by a precipitous drop in the strain at break. Among the polyesters, poly(lactic acid) displayed maximum degradation, while polycaprolactone displayed the least.magnified image
Cucurbitacins from Cayaponia racemosa: isolation and total assignment of 1H and 13C NMR spectra
Authors: Chaves Davina C. , Assunção João Carlos C. , Braz‐Filho Raimundo , Lemos Telma L. G. , Monte Francisco J. Q. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTwo new cucurbitane‐type triterpenoids, 2β,3β,16α,20(R),25‐pentahydroxy‐9‐methyl‐19‐norlanost‐5‐en‐7,22‐dione and 2β,3β,16α,20(R),25‐pentahydroxy‐9‐methyl‐19‐norlanost‐5‐en‐7,11,22‐trione, were isolated from fruits of Cayaponia racemosa. The total 1H and 13C chemical shift assignment of these two closely related compounds is described, making use of one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR techniques. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reaction of bis[bis(tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolato) cadmium(II)] with 3,5‐dimethylpyridine ‐ 113Cd NMR solution study
Authors: Dołȩga Anna , Walewski Maciej 
Published: March 2007

AbstractNMR studies on the reaction of bis[bis(tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolato)cadmium(II)] with 3,5‐dimethylpyridine in benzene‐d6 and toluene‐d8 solutions provide clear evidence for the equilibrium character of formation of mixed S,N‐ligand cadmium complex. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
31P NMR spectroscopy in the quality control and authentication of extra‐virgin olive oil: A review of recent progress
Authors: Dais Photis , Spyros Apostolos 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis review is a brief account on the application of a novel methodology to the quality control and authentication of extra‐virgin olive oil. This methodology is based on the derivatization of the labile hydrogens of functional groups, such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, of olive oil constituents with the phosphorus reagent 2‐chloro‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyldioxaphospholane, and the use of the 31P chemical shifts to identify the phosphitylated compounds. Various experimental aspects such as pertinent instrumentation, sample preparation, acquisition parameters and properties of the phosphorus reagent are reviewed. The strategy to assign the 31P signals of the phosphitylated model compounds and olive oil constituents by employing 1D and 2D NMR experiments is presented. Finally, the capability of this technique to assess the quality and the genuineness of extra‐virgin olive oil and to detect fraud is discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A critical perspective on organizational values
Authors: Fenton Nancy E. , Inglis Sue 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis article looks critically at the results of one nonprofit volunteer center in its identification of organizational values and associated workplace behaviors. Using Martin's cultural framework (2002) inclusive of integration, differentiation, and fragmentation perspectives revealed a richer understanding of how staff, board members, and in‐service service volunteers variously interpret the meanings of workplace values. In particular, views that might otherwise have been ignored or remained silent were more clearly understood.
Transcriptional upregulation and unmethylation of the promoter region of p16 in invasive basal cell carcinoma cells and partial co‐localization with the γ2 chain of laminin‐332
Authors: Svensson Månsson S , Reis‐Filho J , Landberg G 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBasal cell carcinoma cells show low proliferation rates at the invasive front and a concordant upregulation of the cdk‐inhibitor p16, limiting proliferative capacity. Little is known about the mechanisms of p16 regulation in normal and malignant cells apart from that many transcription factors such as Ets1, Ets2, SP1, SP3, JunB and the polycomb protein Bmi1 have the potential to induce or repress p16 expression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine how p16 is regulated in basal cell carcinoma with special focus on its upregulation in invasive cells. By analysing various microdissected areas of basal cell carcinoma using real‐time quantitative PCR we observed upregulation of p16 mRNA in invasive tumour cells compared to centrally localized tumour cells. The methylation status of the p16 promoter, analysed by methylation‐specific PCR, also showed diminished methylation in tumour cells at the invasive front, supporting the hypothesis that promoter methylation can affect the transcriptional activation of p16 in vivo. There was only sporadic co‐localization of Ets, or ERK1/2 phosphorylation with p16 upregulation at the invasive front, suggesting that these factors were not directly involved in the regulation of p16. Furthermore, the γ2 chain of laminin‐332 has been reported to be increased at the invasive front compared to the central areas of many tumours. Interestingly, in basal cell carcinoma we observed partial co‐localization between p16 and the γ2 chain of laminin‐332 in tumour cells towards areas of ulceration and in the majority of clearly infiltrative tumour cells but not in p16 positive tumour cells with a more pushing invasive growth pattern. These data suggest that concurrent p16 upregulation and decreased proliferation are more general phenomena in different types of invasive growth patterns in basal cell carcinomas and that these only partially overlap with the γ2 chain of laminin‐332 associated invasion patterns. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lymphocytes and synovial fluid fibroblasts support osteoclastogenesis through RANKL, TNFα, and IL‐7 in an in vitro model derived from human psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Colucci S , Brunetti G , Cantatore FP , Oranger A , Mori G , Quarta L , Cirulli N , Mancini L , Corrado A , Grassi FR , Grano M 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPsoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory joint disease, characterized by extensive bone resorption, whose mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Thus, in the present study we investigated the involvement of RANKL, TNFα, and IL‐7 in the osteoclastogenesis of PsA patients. In vitro osteoclastogenesis models, consisting of unfractionated and T‐cell‐depleted mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (PBMCs) and synovial fluid (SFMCs) of 20 PsA patients as well as from healthy donors were studied. Freshly isolated T and B cells from PBMCs and T cells and fibroblasts from SFMCs of PsA patients were subjected to RT‐PCR to detect the levels of RANKL, TNFα, and IL‐7. Osteoclastogenesis was studied in the presence of RANK‐Fc, anti‐TNFα, and anti IL‐7 functional antibodies. We demonstrate that lymphocytes and fibroblasts support osteoclast (OC) formation in PsA patients through the production of osteoclastogenic cytokines. In particular, OC formation was completely abolished in unstimulated T cell‐depleted PBMC cultures, and reduced by approximately 70% in unstimulated T cell‐depleted SFMC cultures. Freshly isolated T cells from PBMCs and SFMCs of PsA patients overexpressed RANKL and TNFα, while fibroblasts from synovial fluid produced only RANKL. We show that the presence of RANK‐Fc and/or anti‐TNFα functional antibodies reduced OC formation. Moreover, T and B cells from PBMCs as well as T cells and fibroblasts from SFMCs expressed IL‐7 mRNA. Finally, the anti‐IL‐7 functional antibody significantly reduced osteoclastogenesis. Our results suggest that fibroblasts, B and T lymphocytes support OC formation by producing RANKL, TNFα, and IL‐7, contributing to the aggressive bone resorption in PsA patients. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome of chromosomally abnormal pregnancies in Lebanon: obstetricians' roles during and after prenatal diagnosis
Authors: Eldahdah Lama T. , Ormond Kelly E. , Nassar Anwar H. , Khalil Tayma , Zahed Laila F. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo better understand obstetrician experiences in Lebanon when disclosing abnormal amniocentesis results.MethodsStructured interviews with 38 obstetricians identified as caregivers from the American University of Beirut Medical Center Cytogenetics Laboratory database of patients with abnormal amniocentesis results between 1999 and 2005.ResultsObstetricians were primarily male, Christian, and with an average of 14 years of experience. They reported doing most pre‐amniocentesis counseling, including discussion of risk for common autosomal aneuplodies (95%), and procedure‐related risk (95%). Obstetricians reported that 80% of patients at risk for aneuploidy underwent amniocentesis. The study population reported on 143 abnormal test results (124 autosomal abnormalities). When disclosing results, obstetricians reportedly discussed primarily physical and cognitive features of the diagnosis. They varied in levels of directiveness and comfort in providing information. Our records showed that 59% of pregnancies with sex chromosome abnormalities were terminated compared to 90% of those with autosomal aneuploidies; various reasons were proposed by obstetricians.ConclusionsThis study is among the few to assess prenatal diagnosis practices in the Middle East, with a focus on the role of the obstetrician. Given the influence of culture and social norms on prenatal decision‐making, it remains important to understand the various impacts on clinical practice in many nations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Posterior fossa malformation in fetuses: a report of 56 further cases and a review of the literature
Authors: Forzano F. , Mansour S. , Ierullo A. , Homfray T. , Thilaganathan B. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveThe purposes of this study were to determine the outcome of fetuses diagnosed as having a posterior fossa abnormality (PFA) and to find out if there are associated features helpful in determining the prognosis.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of all posterior fossa abnormalities detected prenatally in our Units within the last 10 years. Fifty six patients were selected. Outcome data was collected from the Clinical Genetics Department records and the attending obstetrician or pediatrician.ResultsAn enlarged cisterna magna (ECM, diameter greater than 10 mm at 18–23 gw) was detected in 22 fetuses, which was isolated in 14 cases. All the patients followed‐up (n = 11) with isolated ECM were normal at birth (100%). Non‐isolated ECM was present in 8 cases. Further information was available in 7, 5 (71%) of whom had a poor outcome. A Dandy Walker complex abnormality (DWC) was detected in 34 patients. The majority of them had a poor prognosis, 54% if isolated and 84% if non‐isolated.ConclusionsIsolated ECM detected on prenatal scans has a favourable outcome, while DWC is associated with a very high chance of a poor prognosis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Second trimester prenatal ultrasound for the detection of pregnancies at increased risk of Down syndrome
Authors: Smith‐Bindman Rebecca , Chu Philip , Goldberg James D. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the association between second trimester ultrasound findings (genetic sonogram) and the risk of Down syndrome.MethodsProspective population‐based cohort study of women who were at increased risk of chromosome abnormality based on serum screening.ResultsOverall 9244 women with singleton pregnancies were included, including 245 whose fetuses had Down syndrome. Overall, 15.3% of the women had an abnormal genetic sonogram, including 14.2% of pregnancies with normal fetuses and 53.1% of those with Down syndrome. If the genetic sonogram were normal, the risk that a woman had a fetus with Down syndrome was reduced (likelihood ratio 0.55 [95% CI 0.49, 0.62]) However, if the normal genetic sonogram were used to counsel these high‐risk women that they could avoid amniocentesis, approximately half of the cases of Down syndrome (115 of 245) would have been missed. The isolated ultrasound soft markers were the most commonly observed abnormality. These were seen in a high proportion of Down syndrome fetuses (13.9%) and normal fetuses (9.3%). In the absence of a structural anomaly, the isolated ultrasound soft markers of choroid plexus cyst, echogenic bowel, renal pyelectasis, clenched hands, clinodactyly, two‐vessel umbilical cord, short femur, and short humerus were not associated with Down syndrome. Nuchal fold thickening was a notable exception, as a thick nuchal fold raised the risk of Down syndrome even when it was seen without an associated structural anomaly.LimitationsAll women included in this study were at high risk of Down syndrome based on serum screening, and thus the results of this study cannot be used as a basis to modify maternal age‐related risk.ConclusionsThe accuracy of the genetic sonogram is less than previously reported. The genetic sonogram should not be used as a sequential test following serum biochemistry, as this would substantially reduce the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome cases. In contrast to prior reports, most isolated soft markers were not associated with Down syndrome. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Norman–Roberts syndrome: characterization of the phenotype in early fetal life
Authors: Natacci Federica , Bedeschi Maria Francesca , Righini Andrea , Inverardi Francesca , Rizzuti Tommaso , Boschetto Chiara , Triulzi Fabio , Spreafico Roberto , Frassoni Carolina , Lalatta Faustina 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPurposeOur purpose is to describe the prenatal manifestation of Norman–Roberts syndrome and to expand the knowledge of the fetal phenotype of this rare condition. The recurrence in two sibs might contribute to the hypothesis of a recessive condition.MethodsThree cases are presented in which the diagnosis was suggested by a prenatal ultrasound examination and confirmed by pathology of the fetuses, after termination of pregnancy. The major sign was the ultrasound detection of microcephaly at the 22nd and 23rd week of gestation. Fetal Magnetic Nuclear Resonance, the pathological examination with histological studies, was applied to arrive at the diagnosis of Norman–Roberts syndrome.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the second description of prenatal cases of Norman–Roberts syndrome. The combined clinical and pathological data is a contribution that might help to increase the identification of this rare condition and to correctly define the risk of its recurrence. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.