bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Monte Carlo Assessment of Uncertainties in Heavy Precipitation Frequency Variations
Authors: Kunkel Kenneth E. , Karl Thomas R. , Easterling David R. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
A Monte Carlo analysis was used to assess the effects of missing data and limited station density on the uncertainties in the temporal variations of U.S. heavy precipitation event frequencies observed for 1895–2004 using data from the U.S. Cooperative Observer Network (COOP). Based on the actual availability of long-term station data, the effects of limited spatial density were found to be of greater importance than those of missing data. The Monte Carlo simulations indicate that there is a high degree of statistical confidence that the recent elevated frequencies in the United States are the highest in the COOP record since 1895, at least for event definitions using return periods of 5 yr or shorter. There is also high confidence that elevated frequencies seen early in the record are higher than those measured in the 1920s and 1930s, and are not simply an artifact of the limited spatial sampling. The statistically significant shift from high to low values in the early portion of the record, a reflection of natural variability, should not be ignored when interpreting the elevated levels of the most recent decades. Nevertheless, it does appear that the recent elevated levels exceed the variations seen in the earlier part of the record since 1895. The confidence in these statements decreases as the return period increases because of the diminishing number of events in the sample. When a linear trend is fit to the entire 1895–2004 period, the trends are positive and different from zero with a high level of statistical confidence for all return periods from 1 to 20 yr.
Inhibition of thrombocyte aggregation during extracorporeal lung assist: a case report
Authors: Philipp Alois , Müller Thomas , Bein Thomas , Foltan Maik , Schmid Franz-Xaver , Birnbaum Dietrich , Schmid Christof 
Published: November 2007

Disclaimer: All authors declare that there are no beneficial arrangements with NovaLung® GmbH, Hechingen, Germany In extracorporeal lung assist, membrane oxygenators are used to improve gas exchange. Accumulations on the membranes of coagulation end products can increase resistance to blood flow and diffusion distance. Thus, functioning of the system can be impaired and, in extreme cases, lead to malfunction which may necessitate change out of the oxygenator. We describe a method that complements conventional continuous heparinisation with the administration of acetylsalicylic acid to inhibit thrombocyte aggregation. Perfusion (2007) 22, 293—298.
Using computational fluid dynamics to evaluate a novel venous cannula (Smart canula ®) for use in cardiopulmonary bypass operating procedures
Authors: Jegger D. , Sundaram S. , Shah K. , Mallabiabarrena I. , Mucciolo G. , von Segesser L.K. 
Published: November 2007

Peripheral access cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is initiated with percutaneous cannulae (CTRL) and venous drainage is often impeded due to smaller vessel and cannula size. A new cannula (Smartcanula ®, SC) was developed which can change shape in situ and, therefore, may improve venous drainage. Its performance was evaluated using a 2-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The Navier-Stokes equations could be simplified due to the fact that we use a steady state and a 2-dimensional system while the equation of continuity (ρ constant) was also simplified. We compared the results of the SC to the CTRL using CFDRC® (Version 6.6, CFDRC research corporation, Huntsville, USA) at two preloads (300 and 700 Pa). The SC's mass flow rate outperformed the CTRL by 12.1% and 12.2% at a pressures of 300 and 700 Pa, respectively. At 700 Pa, a pressure gradient of 50% was measured for the CTRL and 11% for the SC. The mean velocity at the 700 Pa for the CTRL was 1.0 m.s-1 at exit while the SC showed an exit velocity of 1.3 m.s-1. Shear rates inside the cannulae were similar between the two cannulae. In conclusion, the prototype shows greater mass flow rates compared to the classic cannula; thus, it is more efficient. This is also advocated by a better pressure gradient and higher average velocities. By reducing cannula-tip surface area or increasing hole surface area, greater flow rates are achieved. Perfusion (2007) 22, 257—265.
Development of a Chinese version of the Modified Barthel Index — validity and reliability
Authors: Leung Sharron O.C. , Chan Chetwyn C.H. , Shah Surya 
Published: November 2007

Objective: To establish the structural validity of the Chinese version of the Modified Barthel Index and to estimate its inter-rater reliability for use with patients who have had a stroke. Design: Prospective study. Setting: A regional general hospital and a day hospital in Hong Kong. Subjects: One hundred and sixteen older people who had had a stroke (mean age 76.0; SD 7.6) were involved in the establishment of evidence of the structural validity and item quality. Another 15 older people with stroke (mean age 78.0; SD 7.1) participated in estimating the reliability of the instrument. Methods and results: The Modified Barthel Index was translated into Chinese. Factor analyses revealed a two-factor structure that explained 75.7% of the total variance. Factor 1 was found to consist of eight items relating to patients' functional performance. Factor 2 consisted of the two items that focused on patients' `physiological needs'. The test—retest reliability of the Chinese version at the item level was comparable with that of the original version, with kappa statistics ranging from 0.63 to 1.00 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The Chinese version of the Modified Barthel Index (MBI-C) seems to be valid and reliable for use with older people with stroke. Changes were made to the item content and the rating criteria that were specific to Chinese culture. The structural validity and the reliability of the Chinese version were shown to be robust across the original and Chinese groups.
Route learning in amnesia: a comparison of trial-and-error and errorless learning in patients with the Korsakoff syndrome
Authors: Kessels Roy P.C. , van Loon Eke , Wester Arie J. 
Published: November 2007

Objective: To examine the errorless learning approach using a procedural memory task (i.e. learning of actual routes) in patients with amnesia, as compared to trial-and-error learning. Design: Counterbalanced self-controlled cases series. Setting: Psychiatric hospital (Korsakoff clinic). Subjects: A convenience sample of 10 patients with the Korsakoff amnestic syndrome. Intervention: All patients learned a route in four sessions on separate days using an errorless approach and a different route using trial-and-error. Main measures: Error rate was scored during route learning and standard neuro-psychological tests were administered (i.e. subtest route recall of the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and the Dutch version of the California Verbal Learning Test (VLGT)). Results: A significant learning effect was found in the trial-and-error condition over consecutive sessions (P = 0.006), but no performance difference was found between errorless and trial-and-error learning of the routes. VLGT performance was significantly correlated with a trial-and-error advantage (P < 0.05); no significant correlation was found between the RBMT subtest and the learning conditions. Conclusion: Errorless learning was no more successful than trial-and-error learning of a procedural spatial task in patients with the Korsakoff syndrome (severe amnesia).
The rate and extent of improvement with therapy from the different types of aphasia in the first year after stroke
Authors: Bakheit A.M.O. , Shaw S. , Carrington S. , Griffiths S. 
Published: November 2007

Objective: To examine the rate and extent of improvement from the different types of aphasia in the first year after stroke. Design: A prospective longitudinal study. Setting: A specialist stroke unit. Participants: Seventy-five aphasic patients with first-ever stroke. Intervention: The type of aphasia was classified according to the criteria of the Western Aphasia Battery. The Western Aphasia Battery aphasia quotient was used to measure the initial severity and the rate and extent of improvement from aphasia. Assessments were made at baseline and 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks later. Results: The median percentage increase in the Western Aphasia Battery aphasia quotient was statistically higher in patients with Broca's aphasia than in the other groups at all weeks. Patients with Wernicke's aphasia had a significantly greater median percentage increase in their aphasia quotient than those with conduction and anomic aphasia at weeks 12 and 24, but less than patients with global aphasia at week 24. Conclusions: Patients with Broca's aphasia appear to have the best prognosis for improvement of language function in the first year of stroke. The extent of improvement in patients with global aphasia is better than that of patients with Wernicke's aphasia.
A prospective, randomized, parallel group, controlled study of the effect of intensity of speech and language therapy on early recovery from poststroke aphasia
Authors: Bakheit A.M.O. , Shaw S. , Barrett L. , Wood J. , Carrington S. , Griffiths S. , Searle K. , Koutsi F. 
Published: November 2007

Objective: To examine whether the amount of speech and language therapy influences the recovery from poststroke aphasia. Setting: A hospital stroke unit and community. Design: A prospective, randomized controlled trial. Intervention: Aphasic stroke patients were randomly allocated to receive 5 hours (intensive therapy group, n=51) or 2 hours (standard therapy group) of speech and language therapy per week for 12 consecutive weeks starting as soon as practicable after the stroke. Another 19 patients were recruited for 2 hours per week of therapy and were treated by National Health Service (NHS) staff (NHS group). Outcome measure and assessment: The Western Aphasia Battery. Assessments were made blind to randomization at baseline and 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after the start of therapy. Data were analysed by intention to treat. Results: The mean (SD) Western Aphasia Battery score at week 12 for the intensive, standard and NHS groups was 70.3 (26.9), 66.2 (26.2) and 58.1 (33.7), respectively. There was no treatment effect of intensive therapy (P > 0.05), but there was a statistically significant difference between the standard study and the NHS groups (P = 0.002 at week 12 and 0.01 at week 24). Conclusions: Intensive speech and language therapy (as delivered in this study) did not improve the language impairment significantly more than the `standard' therapy which averaged 1.6 hours/week. The improvement in aphasia was least in patients who were in the NHS group. These patients received 0.57 (0.49) hours of therapy per week.
Long-term Outcome of Acute versus Chronic Bony Bankart Lesions Managed Arthroscopically
Authors: Porcellini Giuseppe , Paladini Paolo , Campi Fabrizio , Paganelli Massimo 
Published: November 2007

Background Acute bony Bankart lesions can be successfully treated with an arthroscopic approach to fix the avulsed bone fragment to the glenoid without grafting. Hypothesis Chronic bony Bankart lesions with glenoid defects can be repaired arthroscopically in the same manner as acute lesions. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods Over 6 years, 215 of 406 unstable shoulders were managed with an arthroscopic approach. A bony Bankart lesion was detected in 68 (31.6%); of these, 41 were operated on <3 months after the first dislocation (acute group) and 27 at a longer interval (chronic group). Preoperative evaluation was by radiography and computed tomography. A modified Bankart technique was used to repair the capsulolabral complex and fix the avulsed bone fragment to the healthy glenoid with suture anchors. Long-term follow-up data (at least 4 years) were available for 65 patients (41 acute and 24 chronic). Preoperative and postoperative Rowe scores were compared. Results One patient from the acute group (2.4%) and 1 patient in the chronic group (4.2%) experienced traumatic redislocation. The mean postoperative Rowe scores increased, from 59 to 92 and from 43.5 to 61, respectively (both P < .001). Conclusion An arthroscopic procedure using suture anchors appears to enable successful treatment of acute bony Bankart lesions. Chronic lesions had less favorable outcomes.
The Effects of Different Tensioning Strategies on Knee Laxity and Graft Tension after Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Cuomo Pierluigi , Reddi Boddu Siva Rama Krishna , Bull Anthony M. J. , Amis Andrew A. 
Published: November 2007

Background Double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction replicates the 2 functional bundles of the native ligament, the posterolateral and the anteromedial, to control anteroposterior and rotational laxity. Hypothesis Double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction laxity should be affected by the way grafts are tensioned. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Fourteen intact cadaveric knees were instrumented in a 6 degree of freedom rig, and kinematics throughout flexion-extension were recorded with an electromagnetic system under a 90-N anterior force or a 5-N·m internal rotation torque. Anteromedial and posterolateral bundle bovine extensor tendon grafts were fixed to load cells on the tibia, and tension was adjusted to match the intact knee anteroposterior laxity with 3 different protocols: (1) anteromedial bundle first and then posterolateral bundle at 90° and 20° of flexion, respectively; (2) posterolateral bundle first and then anteromedial bundle at 20° and 90° of flexion, respectively; and (3) both bundles together at 20° of flexion. Finally, a single-bundle graft positioned at 10 o'clock was tensioned at 20° of flexion. Results Lower graft tensions were required to match intact knee laxity in double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Tension patterns with knee flexion were independent from the tensioning protocol. Protocols 1 and 2 overconstrained anteroposterior laxity, whereas protocol 3 matched intact knee anteroposterior laxity throughout the range of motion. The single-bundle reconstructions had excess anteroposterior laxity in flexion. Rotations were better restored with double-bundle protocols 2 and 3. Conclusion Knee laxity after double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is affected by the sequence in which the grafts are tensioned. Clinical Relevance Double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction ensures better laxity restoration than does single bundle when both bundles are fixed together.
Self-disclosure of HIV Status: Perception of Malaysian HIV-positive Subjects towards Attitude of Dental Personnel in Providing Oral Care
Authors: Sujak SL , Abdul-Kadir R. , Omar R. 
Published: November 2007

The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of Malaysian HIV-positive subjects towards the attitude of dental personnel in providing oral care to them. The study design was cross-sectional with the sampling frame comprising of 27 Government Drug Rehabilitation Centres throughout Malaysia. A convenience sample was then taken from 20 centres with the highest enrolment of HIV-positive subjects. A self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on the perception of HIV-positive subjects towards the attitude of dental personnel in providing oral care to the patient with HIV-positive. The study sample consisted of 509 HIV-positive individuals with a mean age of 31.3 ±12.9 years old. Of these, only 15.1% attended a dental clinic after confirmation of HIV-positive status. The study demonstrated that 67.5% of the HIV-positive subjects disclosed their status voluntarily to the dentists and majority of the dentists (76.9%) did not show any negative reaction on knowing their HIV positive status. There was also no difference in the attitude of auxiliary staff toward the above disclosure. In conclusion, the study showed that oral health care personnel are more receptive to the HIV-positive subjects receiving dental care and treatment. Asia Pac J Public Health 2005: 17(1): 15-18.
RHAMM-R3 peptide vaccination in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and multiple myeloma elicits immunologic and clinical responses
Authors: Schmitt Michael , Schmitt Anita , Rojewski Markus T. , Chen Jinfei , Giannopoulos Krzysztof , Fei Fei , Yu Yingzhe , Götz Marlies , Heyduk Marta , Ritter Gerd , Speiser Daniel E. , Gnjatic Sacha , Guillaume Philippe , Ringhoffer Mark , Schlenk Richard F. , Liebisch Peter , Bunjes Donald , Shiku Hiroshi , Dohner Hartmut , Greiner Jochen 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
The receptor for hyaluronic acid–mediated motility (RHAMM) is an antigen eliciting both humoral and cellular immune responses in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and multiple myeloma (MM). We initiated a phase 1 clinical trial vaccinating 10 patients with R3 (ILSLELMKL), a highly immunogenic CD8+ T-cell epitope peptide derived from RHAMM. In 7 of 10 patients, we detected an increase of CD8+/HLA-A2/RHAMM R3 tetramer+/CD45RA+/CCR7−/CD27−/CD28− effector T cells in accordance with an increase of R3-specific CD8+ T cells in enzyme linked immunospot (ELISpot) assays. In chromium release assays, a specific lysis of RHAMM-positive leukemic blasts was shown. Three of 6 patients with myeloid disorders (1/3 AML, 2/3 MDS) achieved clinical responses: one patient with AML and one with MDS showed a significant reduction of blasts in the bone marrow after the last vaccination. One patient with MDS no longer needed erythrocyte transfusions after 4 vaccinations. Two of 4 patients with MM showed a reduction of free light chain serum levels. Taken together, RHAMM-R3 peptide vaccination induced both immunologic and clinical responses, and therefore RHAMM constitutes a promising target for further immunotherapeutic approaches. This study is registered at http://ISRCTN.org as ISRCTN32763606 and is registered with EudraCT as 2005-001706-37.
Treatment of newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL): a comparison of French-Belgian-Swiss and PETHEMA results
Authors: Adès Lionel , Sanz Miguel A. , Chevret Sylvie , Montesinos Pau , Chevallier Patrice , Raffoux Emmanuel , Vellenga Edo , Guerci Agnès , Pigneux Arnaud , Huguet Francoise , Rayon Consuelo , Stoppa Anne Marie , de la Serna Javier , Cahn Jean-Yves , Meyer-Monard Sandrine , Pabst Thomas , Thomas Xavier , de Botton Stéphane , Parody Ricardo , Bergua Juan , Lamy Thierry , Vekhoff Anne , Negri Silvia , Ifrah Norbert , Dombret Hervé , Ferrant Augustin , Bron Dominique , Degos Laurent , Fenaux Pierre 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAll-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) plus anthracycline chemotherapy is the reference treatment of newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), whereas the role of cytosine arabinoside (AraC) remains disputed. We performed a joint analysis of patients younger than 65 years included in Programa para el Estudio de la Terapéutica en Hemopatía Maligna (PETHEMA) LPA 99 trial, where patients received no AraC in addition to ATRA, high cumulative dose idarubicin, and mitoxantrone, and APL 2000 trial, where patients received AraC in addition to ATRA and lower cumulative dose daunorubicin. In patients with white blood cell (WBC) count less than 10 × 109/L, complete remission (CR) rates were similar, but 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was significantly lower in LPA 99 trial: 4.2% versus 14.3% (P = .03), although 3-year survival was similar in both trials. This suggested that AraC is not required in APL with WBC count less than 10 × 109/L, at least in trials with high-dose anthracycline and maintenance treatment. In patients with WBC of 10 × 109/L or more, however, the CR rate (95.1% vs 83.6% P = .018) and 3-year survival (91.5% vs 80.8%, P = .026) were significantly higher in APL 2000 trial, and there was a trend for lower 3-year CIR (9.9% vs 18.5%, P = .12), suggesting a beneficial role for AraC in those patients.
Application of high-throughput screening to identify a novel αIIb-specific small- molecule inhibitor of αIIbβ3-mediated platelet interaction with fibrinogen
Authors: Blue Robert , Murcia Marta , Karan Charles , Jiroušková Markéta , Coller Barry S. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSmall-molecule αIIbβ3 antagonists competitively block ligand binding by spanning between the D224 in αIIb and the MIDAS metal ion in β3. They variably induce conformational changes in the receptor, which may have undesirable consequences. To identify αIIbβ3 antagonists with novel structures, we tested 33 264 small molecules for their ability to inhibit the adhesion of washed platelets to immobilized fibrinogen at 16 μM. A total of 102 compounds demonstrated 50% or more inhibition, and one of these (compound 1, 265 g/mol) inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation (IC50: 13± 5 μM), the binding of soluble fibrinogen to platelets induced by mAb AP5, and the binding of soluble fibrinogen and a cyclic RGD peptide to purified αIIbβ3. Compound 1 did not affect the function of GPIb, α2β1, or the other β3 family receptor αVβ3. Molecular docking simulations suggest that compound 1 interacts with αIIb but not β3. Compound 1 induced partial exposure of an αIIb ligand-induced binding site (LIBS), but did not induce exposure of 2 β3 LIBS. Transient exposure of purified αIIbβ3 to eptifibatide, but not compound 1, enhanced fibrinogen binding (“priming”). Compound 1 provides a prototype for small molecule selective inhibition of αIIbβ3, without receptor priming, via targeting αIIb.
Endogenous lipid mediators in the resolution of airway inflammation
Authors: Haworth O. , Levy B. D. 
Published: November 2007

Acute inflammation in the lung is fundamentally important to host defence, but chronic or excessive inflammation leads to several common respiratory diseases, including asthma and acute respiratory distress syndrome.The resolution of inflammation is an active process. In health, events at the onset of acute inflammation establish biosynthetic circuits for specific chemical mediators that later serve as agonists to orchestrate a return to tissue homeostasis. In addition to an overabundance of pro-inflammatory stimuli, pathological inflammation can also result from defects in resolution signalling.The understanding of anti-inflammatory, pro-resolution molecules and their counter-regulatory signalling pathways is providing new insights into the molecular pathophysiology of lung disease and opportunities for the design of therapeutic strategies.In the present review, the growing family of lipid mediators of resolution is examined, including lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, cyclopentenones and presqualene diphosphate. Roles are uncovered for these compounds, or their structural analogues, in regulating airway inflammation.
Tracheal aspirate pH is alkaline in pre-term human infants
Authors: Paget-Brown A. O. , Hunt J. F. , Gaston B. 
Published: November 2007

The pH of sputum and exhaled breath condensate is abnormal in several pulmonary disorders. Though airway pH regulatory proteins may be abnormally expressed in human development, the tracheal aspirate pH of infants born prematurely has not been studied.Undiluted mid-tracheal aspirate samples were obtained on the first day of life from pre-term (23–30 weeks’ gestation) and term (≥37 weeks’ gestation) infants for pH measurement; subsequently, pH was measured on days 7, 14 and 21 from the pre-term infants who remained intubated.Thirty-five pre-term infants and eight term infants had samples collected on the first day of life. The mean pH of the pre-term infant samples (8.31±0.35) was significantly higher than that of the term infants (7.83±0.39). The pH in pre-term infants' airways fell with prolonged endotracheal intubation; the maximal decrease was of -1.37±0.96 pH units to 6.89±0.77.Pre-term infants have a higher tracheal aspirate pH than full-term infants, and their airways tend to become more acidic with prolonged mechanical ventilation. The present data demonstrate for the first time that premature infants may have abnormal tracheal aspirate pH.