bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Learning curve of combined modality treatment in peritoneal surface disease
Authors: Smeenk R M , Verwaal V J , Zoetmulder F A N 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Cytoreductive surgery with intraperitoneal chemotherapy has emerged as a new standard approach for peritoneal surface disease. This study investigated the learning curve of this combined modality treatment at a single institute.

Methods
Variables analysed over three consecutive treatment periods (1996–1998, 1999–2002 and 2003–2006) included number of abdominal regions affected, Simplified Peritoneal Cancer Index (SPCI) score, result of cytoreduction, morbidity, duration of hospital stay and survival.

Results
A total of 323 procedures were performed between January 1996 and June 2006, 184 for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer origin and 139 for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), including second procedures in 11 patients with PMP. The mean SPCI score decreased significantly over the study period (P &lt; 0·001), but the number of regions affected did not. The rate of complete cytoreductions increased from 35·6 to 65·1 per cent (P = 0·012). The postoperative morbidity rate decreased from 71·2 to 34·1 per cent (P &lt; 0·001). The median duration of hospital stay decreased from 24 to 17 days. The peak of the learning curve, graded by the percentage of complete cytoreductions, was reached after approximately 130 procedures.

Conclusion
The learning curve of combined modality treatment for peritoneal surface disease is long, and reflects patient selection and treatment expertise.
Improving forensic tribunal decisions: the role of the clinician
Authors: McKee Shari A. , Harris Grant T. , Rice Marnie E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThree empirical investigations of forensic decision‐making were conducted: a study of 104 hearings by a forensic tribunal; an evaluation of which aspects of forensic patients' clinical presentation were empirical predictors of violence; and a survey of forensic clinicians to determine which factors they said they used to assess risk of violent recidivism and which they actually used. Results showed a significant correlation between actuarial risk and clinical advice to the tribunal, and a nonsignificant trend for patients higher in actuarial risk to receive more restrictive dispositions. Psychotic diagnoses and symptoms were not indicators of increased risk of violent recidivism. Clinicians endorsed some empirically valid indicators of risk, but also relied on some invalid indicators. There was also inconsistency between factors clinicians said they used and factors actually related to their hypothetical decision‐making. An automated system is presented as an illustration of how the consistency and validity of forensic decisions could be enhanced. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Approximating character biomechanics with real‐time weighted inverse kinematics
Authors: Meredith Michael , Maddock Steve 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn this paper we show how the expensive, offline dynamic simulations of character motions can be approximated using the cheaper weighted inverse kinematics (WIK)‐based approach. We first show how a dynamics‐based approach can be used to produce a motion that is representative of a real target actor using the motion of a different source actor and the biomechanics of the target actor. This is compared against a process that uses WIK to achieve the same motion mapping goal without direct biomechanical input. The parallels between the results of the two approaches are described and further reasoned from a mathematical perspective. Thus we demonstrate how character biomechanics can be approximated with real‐time WIK. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nematicidal Metabolites Produced by the Endophytic Fungus Geotrichum sp. AL4
Authors: Li Guo‐Hong , Yu Ze‐Fen , Li Xuan , Wang Xing‐Biao , Zheng Li‐Jun , Zhang Ke‐Qin 
Published: July 2007

AbstractFrom the endophytic fungal strain Geotrichum sp. AL4, cultivated from the leaves of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), four compounds, 1–4, were isolated from the AcOEt extract, including two new, chlorinated, epimeric 1,3‐oxazinane derivatives. All compounds were assessed for their nematicidal activities against the nematodes Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Panagrellus redivivus, and three out of the four isolates showed noticeable bioactivities.
The Effect of Ultraviolet‐Depleted Light on the Flavonol Contents of the Cactus Species Opuntia wilcoxii and Opuntia violacea
Authors: Berger John M. , Itagaki Yasuhiro , Nakanishi Koji 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAn early investigation at the Biosphere‐2 Laboratory, an artificial ecosystem in the Arizona desert, had shown that the flavonoid content of cacti grown in glass‐filtered solar light was lower than of cacti grown in normal solar light. This was attributed to the absence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is required for flavonoid biosynthesis. In this study, two species of Opuntia cacti were grown in solar and UV‐depleted light, and their flavonol contents of different tissues were determined by HPLC. O. wilcoxii, previously raised in the absence of UV light, was exposed to normal solar light. The flavonol content of young O. wilcoxii pads was 28‐fold higher when grown in solar light as compared to UV‐depleted light. The flavonol contents of mature outer tissues were only slightly higher. O. violacea, previously raised in solar light, was also maintained in the same UV‐depleted artificial ecosystem. The flavonol content after hydrolysis of outer tissues was similar, whether grown in solar light or UV‐depleted light. We attribute these responses to different biosynthetic and metabolic rates of young vs. mature plant tissues; slow‐growing mature tissues neither produce nor metabolize compounds as quickly as immature tissues. These findings indicate that artificial ecosystems can influence the production of natural products in cultivated plants.
Estrogen‐eluting stent implantation inhibits neointimal formation and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase activation
Authors: Han Yaling , Liang Ming , Kang Jian , Qi Yanmei , Deng Jie , Xu Kai , Yan Chenghui 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the mechanism of 17β‐estradiol‐eluting stents on inhibiting neointimal formation of abdominal aortas in rabbits fed with high fat diet. Background: Animal experiments have shown that local delivery of estrogen reduced neointimal formation after coronary angioplasty. Preliminary trial of estrogen‐eluting stent implantation in patients with coronary disease also suggests a reduction in restenosis. Methods: We implanted 17β‐estradiol‐eluting stents, or control phosphorylcholine‐ coated stents, or bare metal stents of abdominal aortas in rabbits fed with high fat diet. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis were used to assess the efficacy and mechanism of inhibiting neointimal formation of 17β‐estradiol‐eluting stents. Results: Western blot analysis revealed marked increase in ERK phosphorylation in 30 min after deployment of phosphorylcholine‐coated or bare metal stents, indicating activation of MAP kinase pathway. Immunohistochemistry showed intense staining of phospho‐ERK in the medial smooth muscle cells in stent‐implanted region. Extensive neointimal hyperplasia developed 12 weeks after stenting. In contrast, we observed significant inhibition of ERK phosphorylation and neointimal thickening in estrogen‐eluting stent‐implanted animals. Immunohistochemistry of factor VIII‐related antigen demonstrated an accelerated reendothelialization as compared with the bare metal stent or phosphorylcholine‐coated stent‐implanted controls. Conclusions: Current study suggests that estrogen‐eluting stents reduce neointimal formation and hence prevent restenosis after angioplasty possibly by inhibiting ERK activation in smooth muscle cells and promoting reendothelialization. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical relevance of coronary angiography at the time of percutaneous closure of a patent foramen ovale
Authors: Wahl Andreas , Praz Fabien , Seiler Christian , Windecker Stephan , Meier Bernhard 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground:The value of incidental coronary angiography during percutaneous shunt closure to screen for asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown.Methods:On the occasion of percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO), incidental coronary angiography routinely offered to men >40 and women >50 years, or younger patients with particular risk patterns, was performed in 575 patients (64% men, mean age 55 ± 10 years, mean 1.5 ± 1.1 cardiovascular risk factors) without overt history, signs, or symptoms of CAD.Results:CAD was found in 164 patients (29%); 53 (9%) had ≥50% diameter stenoses. Thirty patients (5%) had one‐vessel, 13 (2%) two‐vessel, and 10 (2%) three‐vessel disease. Patients with CAD (n = 164) were older (60 ± 9 vs. 53 ± 10 years; P < 0.0001), more frequently male (76% vs. 59%; P = 0.0002), and had a higher body mass index (26.5 ± 4.0 vs. 25.4 ± 4.6; P = 0.006) and more cardiovascular risk factors (2.0 ± 1.1 vs. 1.2 ± 1.0; P < 0.0001). There were six procedural complications (1%). Two were unequivocally related to coronary angiography: one minor stroke (diplopia), and one iatrogenic dissection of the right coronary ostium requiring stenting. Furthermore, four arteriovenous fistulae at the puncture site requiring elective surgical closure were possibly related to coronary angiography. Forty‐five patients (8% of total) underwent percutaneous (n = 43) or surgical (n = 2) revascularization.Conclusions:In selected asymptomatic patients referred for percutaneous PFO closure, incidental coronary angiography discloses a rather high prevalence of clinically unsuspected CAD. These findings are relevant not only for timely revascularization but also for maintenance of long‐term antiplatelet therapy beyond the few months recommended after PFO closure. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does creatine kinase‐MB (CK‐MB) isoenzyme elevation following percutaneous coronary intervention with drug‐eluting stents impact late clinical outcome?
Authors: Javaid Aamir , Buch Ashesh N. , Steinberg Daniel H. , Pinto Slottow Tina , Roy Probal , Pichard Augusto D. , Satler Lowell F. , Kent Kenneth M. , Gevorkian Natalie , Xue Zhenyi , Suddath William O. , Waksman Ron 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground:The incidence of postprocedural creatine kinase (CK)‐MB elevation to >3× the upper limit of normal after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been reported at rates of up to 18% in the bare metal stent era and is correlated with higher adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This study examined the incidence and prognostic significance of CK‐MB elevations after drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation.Methods:The records of 2,537 patients who underwent DES implantation and completed ≥6 months' follow‐up were evaluated. Patients with acute myocardial infarction and those who presented in cardiogenic shock and had elevated cardiac enzymes at baseline were excluded from the analysis. Of these, 179 patients (7.1%) had ≥3× postprocedural CK‐MB and 2,358 patients had <3× CK‐MB elevation. The composite end point of target vessel revascularization‐major adverse cardiac events (TVR‐MACE) at 6 months was compared between groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of adverse cardiac outcomes.Results:The patients with CK‐MB ≥3× elevation had a higher number of diseased vessels (2.15 ± 0.86 vs. 1.81 ± 0.87; P < 0.001), higher prevalence of type C lesions (29.9% vs. 17.7%; P < 0.001), received a higher average number of stents, and total stented length (1.72 ± 0.89 vs. 1.49 ± 0.83; P < 0.001 and 37.4 ± 23.0 mm vs. 30.8 ± 20.7 mm; P = 0.0003, respectively), and had lower rates of clinical success (91.9% vs. 99.2%; P < 0.001). The 6‐month and 1‐year TVR‐MACE rates were higher for the elevated CK‐MB group (11.9% vs. 7.0%; P = 0.02 and 16.1% vs. 26.6%, respectively; P = 0.005). The rates of subacute thrombosis were also significantly higher in the group with elevated CK‐MB (0.4% vs. 3.2%, P < 0.001). Though significant CK‐MB release was a predictor of TVR‐MACE after univariate analysis, multivessel PCI, subacute stent thrombosis, total stented length, and history of prior PCI were the only predictors after multivariate regression analysis.Conclusions:Postprocedural CK‐MB ≥3× elevation following PCI with DES continues to be a marker for the complexity of coronary disease and lack of clinical success; and correlates with higher rates of subacute thrombosis as well as late adverse events at 6‐months and 1‐year postprocedure. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic disease: Mid‐term follow‐up
Authors: Tespili Maurizio , Banfi Carlo , Valsecchi Orazio , Aiazzi Luigi , Ricucci Cristina , Guagliumi Giulio , Musumeci Giuseppe , Ferrazzi Paolo , Dake Michael D. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the mid‐term follow‐up in a cohort of patients with acute or chronic descending aortic disease treated by stent‐graft repair.Background:Since 1999, endovascular stent‐graft placement has been reported as an alternative treatment to surgical approach for a variety of thoracic aortic diseases; however, results beyond initial short‐term follow‐up are not widely available for the broad range of applications.Methods:From March 2001, 43 consecutive patients with traumatic aortic transection (group A = 16) and complicated type B aortic dissection or aneurysm (group B = 27) underwent stent‐graft implantation. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scan as preoperative assessment and in 26 a transesophageal echo (TEE) exam was performed.Results:Technically successful stent‐graft deployment was achieved in all patients. No patient required surgical conversion and no cases of paraplegia occurred. The overall in‐hospital mortality was 9.3%. A residual endoleak (type II) was detected in one group B patient who was managed conservatively. The mean follow‐up was 29 ± 8 months (range 10–48 months). No patient died during late follow‐up after hospital discharge. At 12 months, one patient (2.5%) who had stent graft repair of an aortic dissection developed an asymptomatic type I endoleak. Three asymptomatic patients with chronic dissection had a persistent retrograde perfusion of the thoracic false lumen via a distal tear(s) in the dissection septum.Conclusion:Our results of stent‐graft treatment of complicated and uncomplicated diseases of the descending aorta confirms that this alternative to open repair is a safe, less invasive, and relatively low risk approach. Medium‐term follow‐up results suggest that it is effective and durable therapy with low associated mortality and morbidity rates. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methanesulfenyl Fluoride, CH3SF, a Missing Link in the Family of Sulfenyl Halides: Formation and Characterization through the Matrix Photochemistry of Methyl Thiofluoroformate, FC(O)SCH3
Authors: Romano Rosana M. , Della Védova Carlos O. , Downs Anthony J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractMatrix‐isolation experiments have afforded the means of preparing the hitherto unknown sulfur(II) fluoride, methanesulfenyl fluoride, CH3SF. Broadband UV‐visible irradiation of methyl thiofluoroformate, FC(O)SCH3, isolated in a solid Ar matrix results, first, in photoisomerization of thesyninto theantiform of the molecule, and, subsequently, in the elimination of CO with the concomitant formation of CH3SF. Continued irradiation brings about tautomerization of this product with the detachment and migration of a hydrogen from the methyl group to give the molecular complex H2CS⋅⋅⋅HF. The changes have been monitored and the photoproducts detected and identified by the IR spectra of the matrices, and the conclusions confirmed: 1) with reference to the corresponding behavior of the perdeuterated molecule FC(O)SCD3; 2) by analogy with the properties of related molecules, for example, ClC(O)SCH3, CH3SCl, and H2CS⋅⋅⋅HCl, and; 3) by comparison with the vibrational properties simulated for the different molecules by ab initio and density functional theory methods.
Studies on a New Material for Hydrogen Storage and Supply by Modified Fe and Fe2O3 Powder
Authors: Wang Hui , Wang Xian‐Sheng , Wang Xin‐Zhi , Wang Xiao‐Fang , Dong Fa‐Xin , Shi Qi‐Zhen 
Published: July 2007

AbstractModified iron oxide, a new material for hydrogen storage and supply to polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), was prepared by impregnating Fe or Fe2O3 powder with an aqueous solution containing metal cation additives (Al, Cr, Ni, Co, Zr and Mo). Hydrogen storage properties of the samples were investigated. The results show that both Fe and Fe2O3 powder with additive Mo presented excellent catalytic activity and cyclic stability, and their hydrogen producing temperature could be surprisingly decreased. The temperature of forming hydrogen for the Fe2O3‐Mo at the rate of 250 µmol·min−1·Fe‐g−1 could be dramatically decreased from 527 °C before addition of Mo to 283 °C after addition of Mo in the fourth cycle. The cause for it was probably related to preventing the sinter of the sample particles. In addition, hydrogen storage capacity of the Fe2O3‐Mo can reach w=4.5% (72 kg H2/m3), close to International Energy Agency (IEA) criterion. These show the value of practical application of the Fe2O3‐Mo as the promising hydrogen storage material.
A Novel Toxicological Evaluation of TiO2 Nanoparticles on DNA Structure
Authors: Zhu Rong‐Rong , Wang Shi‐Long , Zhang Rui , Sun Xiao‐Yu , Yao Si‐De 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTiO2 has been tested to be toxic to DNA under the photo‐irradiation of ultraviolet A (UVA). However, in the dark conditions, after several days of treatment with TiO2 in aqueous solution, the interaction between TiO2 and two types of DNA was detected and the mechanisms were studied by the methods of gel‐electrophoresis, IR spectroscopy and TEM. The results showed that the DNA would be bound to TiO2; the ratio of binding was related to the concentration and the treating time; the mechanism of binding is related to phosphate groups of DNA. Besides, DNA with different structure showed different degree of binding. These findings showed a new possible way through which the TiO2 nanoparticles interact with DNA.
NMR chemical shift measurements revisited: High precision measurements
Authors: Granger P. , Bourdonneau M. , Assémat O. , Piotto M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAccurate chemical shifts are now accessible with high field NMR spectrometers. After the recall of the basic formulae, methods are proposed to measure chemical shifts with a high precision. Using two coaxial rotors at the magic angle, the necessary parameters used for correction are measured. The influence of different factors on the precision of the NMR measurements is discussed. Some proposals are given for MAS experiments used with solid‐state samples. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 30A: 184–193, 2007.
Generalized treatment of NMR spectra for rapid chemical reactions
Authors: Christianson Matthew D. , Landis Clark R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractApplication of NMR spectroscopy to fast irreversible reactions (t1/2 < 0.7 s) has been hampered by limitations in instrumentation and general methods for modeling the complicated spectra that result. Analytical descriptions of nuclear spin dynamics during fast reactions, first solved by Ernst and coworkers, are limited to first‐order reaction kinetics. We demonstrate that numeric methods enable simulation of NMR spectra for fast reactions having any form of rate law. Simulated stopped‐flow NMR spectra are presented for a variety of common kinetic scenarios including reversible and irreversible reactions of first and second‐order, multistep reactions, and catalytic transformations. The simulations demonstrate that a wealth of mechanistic information, including reaction rates, rate laws, and the existence of intermediates, is imbedded in a single NMR spectrum. The sensitivity of modern NMR instrumentation along with robust methods for simulating and fitting kinetic parameters of fast reactions make stopped‐flow NMR an attractive method for kinetic studies of fast chemical reactions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 30A: 165–183, 2007.
An MRI‐dedicated parallel FDTD scheme
Authors: Wang Hua , Trakic Adnan , Xia Ling , Liu Feng , Crozier Stuart 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis study extends our recent works on object‐oriented Finite‐Difference Time‐Domain (FDTD) simulations into a parallel‐computing framework, producing substantially improved performance with respect to computing time efficiency. The simulator is intended to be a complete, high‐performance FDTD model of an MRI system including all temporal radio frequency (RF) and low‐frequency field generating units and electrical models of the patient. The parallel computational structure has been designed using a Message‐Passing Interface (MPI) Library. The implementation of the MRI‐dedicated FDTD algorithms within the parallel computing framework is detailed. To improve the simulator performance in a realistic network‐computing environment, several software design aspects have been investigated. These include: data transmission with consideration of buffered and synchronous communication, load balancing on the computing network using a weighting mechanism. The power of the optimized FDTD parallel architecture is illustrated by two distinct, large‐scale field calculation problems involving the study of the interaction of RF‐fields with human tissue (whole‐body, male and female) in high field MRI and characterization of the temporal eddy currents induced on the cryostat vessel during gradient switching. The examples demonstrate the improved capabilities of the simulator. In addition, through the parallelization of the FDTD algorithm we are in a position to study various MRI phenomena at much higher spatial resolutions than was previously feasible. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 31B: 147–161, 2007
InterGrid: a case for internetworking islands of Grids
Authors: Dias de Assunção Marcos , Buyya Rajkumar , Venugopal Srikumar 
Published: July 2007

AbstractOver the last few years, several nations around the world have set up Grids to share resources such as computers, data, and instruments to enable collaborative science, engineering, and business applications. These Grids follow a restricted organizational model wherein a Virtual Organization (VO) is created for a specific collaboration and all interactions such as resource sharing are limited to within the VO. Therefore, dispersed Grid initiatives have led to the creation of disparate Grids with little or no interaction between them. In this paper, we propose a model that: (a) promotes interlinking of islands of Grids through peering arrangements to enable InterGrid resource sharing; (b) provides a scalable structure for Grids that allow them to interconnect with one another and grow in a sustainable way; (c) creates a global Cyberinfrastructure to support e‐Science and e‐Business applications. This work identifies and proposes architecture, mechanisms, and policies that allow the internetworking of Grids and allows Grids to grow in a similar manner as the Internet. We term the structure resulting from such internetworking between Grids as theInterGrid. The proposed InterGrid architecture is composed of InterGrid Gateways responsible for managing peering arrangements between Grids. We discuss the main components of the architecture and present a research agenda to enable the InterGrid vision. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.