bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic Subtotal Thyroidectomy: The Procedure of Choice for Graves’ disease?
Authors: Sasaki Akira , Nitta Hiroyuki , Otsuka Koki , Obuchi Toru , Kurihara Hideo , Wakabayashi Go 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of endoscopic subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease.MethodsFrom August 1998 to April 2008, a total of 100 patients with benign thyroid diseases underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy via the breast approach. Among these patients, 42 underwent subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease.ResultsThe resection was successfully completed endoscopically in 41 patients (98%). Overall, the mean operating time, mean blood loss, and mean resected thyroid weight were 277 minutes, 76 ml, and 49.9 g, respectively. As the resected thyroid weight increased, the operating time was significantly prolonged and the blood loss significantly increased. Morbidities included one permanent and one temporary case of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy with hypocalcemia. A hypertrophic scar was seen in the right breast medial margin in three men. Thyroid function was classified as euthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and recurrent hyperthyroidism in 5, 34, and 3 patients, respectively. At 92 months of median follow‐up, two patients had modest operation‐associated symptoms: one with swallowing discomfort and another with paresthesia in the anterior chest wall at the time of discharge. However, both patients’ symptoms disappeared within 36 months after surgery. Young women were highly satisfied, with an overall mean satisfaction rating of 9.3 points.ConclusionsAlthough the endoscopic approach may be relatively contraindicated for large thyroid glands, endoscopic subtotal thyroidectomy via the breast approach is a safe, feasible procedure with excellent cosmetic benefits, and it may be the procedure of choice in carefully selected patients with Graves’ disease.
Modified Radical Neck Dissection Is Better Than Partial Dissection of Lymph Nodes
Authors: Noguchi Shiro , Yamashita Hiroto , Uchino Shinya 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundFor papillary thyroid cancer, lymph node excision may be less important for smaller tumors and rather limited node excision might be sufficient to prevent recurrence.MethodsWe compared patients who had undergone modified radical neck dissection with patients who had undergone limited node basin excision. Between 1967 and 1996, 4966 patients at our institution had resection of pure papillary carcinoma tumors larger than 11 mm.ResultsIn patients whose tumors were larger than 25 mm without local adhesion, modified radical neck dissection had a significantly better prognosis compared to that of more limited node excision. For patients with a primary tumor larger than 11 mm, modified radical had a better prognosis than partial node excision only if there was adhesion or invasion to the recurrent nerve, jugular vein, common carotid artery, vagus nerve, or trachea.ConclusionThe size of papillary cancer of the thyroid directly affects prognosis and the role of nodal dissection.
Clinical trials update from European Society of Cardiology meeting 2008: TIME‐CHF, BACH, BEAUTIFUL, GISSI‐HF, and HOME‐HF
Authors: Coletta Alison P. , Cullington Damien , Clark Andrew L. , Cleland John G.F. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis article provides information and a commentary on trials relevant to the pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of heart failure presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting which was held in Munich, Germany from 30th August to 3rd September 2008. Unpublished reports should be considered as preliminary, as analyses may change in the final publication.The TIME‐CHF study failed to show that BNP guided therapy was superior to usual care in patients with heart failure. The BACH study suggested that a new biomarker, MR‐proANP, was as good as BNP for the diagnosis of heart failure in patients presenting with breathlessness. Ivabradine failed to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in the BEAUTIFUL study, but patients with higher heart rates might have benefited. In GISSI‐HF, n–3 PUFA reduced mortality and cardiovascular hospitalisation by a small amount compared to placebo in patients with chronic heart failure, but rosuvastatin had no effect on clinical outcomes. In the HOME‐HF study, telemonitoring support failed to reduce the time to first re‐hospitalisation or death, or days alive and out of hospital, compared with usual care.
Adenosine A2A receptors assemble into higher‐order oligomers at the plasma membrane
Authors: Vidi Pierre-Alexandre , Chen Jiji , Irudayaraj Joseph M.K. , Watts Val J. 
Published: November 2008

MINT‐6797156, MINT‐6797142: A2AR (uniprotkb:P29274) physically interacts (MI:0218) with A2AR (uniprotkb:P29274) by bimolecular fluorescence complementation (MI:0809)
MINT‐6797129: A2AR (uniprotkb:P29274) physically interacts (MI:0218) with A2AR (uniprotkb:P29274) by fluorescent resonance energy transfer (MI:0055)
Comment on administration and scoring of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory in clinical trials
Authors: Connor Donald J. , Sabbagh Marwan N. , Cummings Jeffery L. 
Published: November 2008

BackgroundThe Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) is commonly used in dementia trials to quantify and qualitate changes in psychiatric symptoms.MethodsA questionnaire was administered to clinical trial raters to assess whether they were being trained to administer and score the NPI differently between clinical trial protocols.ResultsResponses to the survey indicated that there are differences between clinical trials protocols in how the instrument is administered and scored.DiscussionClarification of administration and scoring rules are provided, including the behavioral sampling period, whether premorbid characteristics are considered, and what behaviors are considered in rating frequency, severity, and caregiver distress.
PROPORTIONAL THREE-PERSON RED-AND-BLACK GAMES
Authors: Chen May-Ru 
Published: November 2008

Consider a three-person game that occurs in stages. The state of the game is given by the integral amounts of chips that the players have, say x=(x1, x2, x3) with M=x1+x2+x3 fixed. At a stage of the game, player i places ai chips in the pot, an integer between 1 and xi. (Player i is already eliminated from the game if xi=0.) The winner of the pot is then immediately chosen in such a way that player i wins the pot with probability proportional to the index wiai for i with xi>0. The idea is that if player i bets more, then he is more likely to win, but this is modified by weights that parameterize the players’ abilities.Each player is trying to maximize his probability of taking all the chips (i.e., reaching xi=M). In the two-person game, it is known that a Nash equilibrium is for each player to adopt strategy σ of playing timidly (ai=1) or boldly (ai=xi) according to whether the game is in his favor or not (assuming the other also plays σ). In this article, we investigate whether this also is the form of a Nash equilibrium in a three-person game when the weights are of the form (w1, w2, w3)=(w, w, 1−2w) with 0<w<1/2. It turns out that this is true if w<1/3, but not true if w>1/3 and M≥8.
Prosodic patterns in Hebrew child-directed speech
Authors: SEGAL OSNAT , NIR-SAGIV BRACHA , KISHON-RABIN LIAT , RAVID DORIT 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe study examines prosodic characteristics of Hebrew speech directed to children between 0 ; 9–3 ; 0 years, based on longitudinal samples of 228,946 tokens (8,075 types). The distribution of prosodic patterns – the number of syllables and stress patterns – is analyzed across three lexical categories, distinguishing not only between open- and closed-class items, but also between these two categories and a third, innovative, class, referred to as between-class items. Results indicate that Hebrew CDS consists mainly of mono- and bisyllabic words, with differences between lexical categories; and that the most common stress pattern is word-final, with parallel distributions found for all categories. Additional analyses showed that verbs take word-final stress, but nouns are both trochaic and iambic. Finally, a developmental analysis indicates a significant increase in the number of iambic words in CDS. These findings have clear implications regarding the use of prosody for word segmentation and assignment of lexical class in infancy.
How do-not-resuscitate orders are utilized in cancer patients: Timing relative to death and communication-training implications
Authors: Levin Tomer T. , Li Yuelin , Weiner Joseph S. , Lewis Frank , Bartell Abraham , Piercy Jessica , Kissane David W. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTObjectives:End-of-life communication is crucial because most U.S. hospitals implement cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the absence of do-not-resuscitate directives (DNRs). Despite this, there is little DNR utilization data to guide the design of communication-training programs. The objective of this study was to determine DNR utilization patterns and whether their use is increasing.Methods:A retrospective database analysis (2000–2005) of DNR data for 206,437 patients, the entire patient population at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), was performed.Results:The hospital recorded, on average, 4,167 deaths/year. In 2005, 86% of inpatient deaths had a DNR, a 3% increase since 2000 (p < .01). For patients who died outside the institution (e.g., hospice), 52% had a DNR, a 24% increase over 6 years (p < .00001). Adult inpatients signed 53% of DNRs but 34% were signed by surrogates. The median time between signing and death was 0 days, that is, the day of death. Only 5.5% of inpatient deaths had previously signed an outpatient DNR. Here, the median time between signing and death was 30 days.Significance of results:Although DNR directives are commonly utilized and their use has increased significantly over the past 6 years, most cancer patients/surrogates sign the directives on the day of death. The proximity between signing and death may be a marker of delayed end-of-life palliative care and suboptimal doctor–patient communication. These data underscore the importance of communication-training research tailored to improve end-of-life decision making.
Attitudes of Iranian nurses toward caring for dying patients
Authors: Iranmanesh Sedigheh , Dargahi Helen , Abbaszadeh Abbas 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTObjective:To examine the attitudes of Iranian nurses toward caring for dying patients.Methods:Nurses' attitudes toward death and caring for dying patients were examined by using two types of questionnaires: the Death Attitude Profile–Revised (DAP-R) and Frommelt's Attitude towards Caring for Dying Patients (FATCOD), both with a demographic survey.Results:The results showed that most respondents are likely to view death as a natural part of life and also as a gateway to the afterlife. The majority reported that they are likely to provide care and emotional support for the people who are dying and their families, but they were unlikely to talk with them or even educate them about death. They had a tendency not to accept patients and their families as the authoritative decision makers or involve families in patient care. Nurses' personal views on death, as well as personal experiences, affected their attitudes toward care of the dying.Significance of results:Lack of education and experience, as well as cultural and professional limitations, may have contributed to the negative attitude toward some aspects of the care for people who are dying among the nurses surveyed. Creating a reflective narrative environment in which nurses can express their own feelings about death and dying seems to be a potentially effective approach to identify the factors influencing their interaction with the dying. Continuing education may be required for Iranian palliative care nurses in order to improve the patients quality of care at the end of life.
Selective progressive response of soil microbial community to wild oat roots
Authors: DeAngelis Kristen M , Brodie Eoin L , DeSantis Todd Z , Andersen Gary L , Lindow Steven E , Firestone Mary K 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Roots moving through soil induce physical and chemical changes that differentiate rhizosphere from bulk soil, and the effects of these changes on soil microorganisms have long been a topic of interest. The use of a high-density 16S rRNA microarray (PhyloChip) for bacterial and archaeal community analysis has allowed definition of the populations that respond to the root within the complex grassland soil community; this research accompanies compositional changes reported earlier, including increases in chitinase- and protease-specific activity, cell numbers and quorum sensing signal. PhyloChip results showed a significant change compared with bulk soil in relative abundance for 7% of the total rhizosphere microbial community (147 of 1917 taxa); the 7% response value was confirmed by16S rRNA terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. This PhyloChip-defined dynamic subset was comprised of taxa in 17 of the 44 phyla detected in all soil samples. Expected rhizosphere-competent phyla, such as Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, were well represented, as were less-well-documented rhizosphere colonizers including Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and Nitrospira. Richness of Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria decreased in soil near the root tip compared with bulk soil, but then increased in older root zones. Quantitative PCR revealed rhizosphere abundance of β-Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria at about 108 copies of 16S rRNA genes per g soil, with Nitrospira having about 105 copies per g soil. This report demonstrates that changes in a relatively small subset of the soil microbial community are sufficient to produce substantial changes in functions observed earlier in progressively more mature rhizosphere zones.
A small component of the endoplasmic reticulum is required for store-operated Ca2+ channel activation in liver cells: evidence from studies using TRPV1 and taurodeoxycholic acid
Authors: Castro Joel , Aromataris Edoardo C. , Rychkov Grigori Y. , Barritt Greg J. 
Published: November 2008

The question of whether the activation of SOCs (store-operated Ca2+ channels) requires the whole or part of the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) has not been fully resolved. The role of a putative sub-compartment of the ER in SOC activation in liver cells was investigated using ectopically expressed TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1), a non-selective cation channel, and TDCA (taurodeoxycholic acid), an activator of SOCs, to release Ca2+ from different regions of the ER. TRPV1 was expressed in the ER and in the plasma membrane. The amount of Ca2+ released from the ER by a TRPV1 agonist, measured using fura-2, was the same as that released by a SERCA (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase) inhibitor, indicating that TRPV1 agonist-sensitive stores substantially overlap with SERCA inhibitor-sensitive stores. In contrast with SERCA inhibitors, TRPV1 agonists did not activate store-operated Ca2+ entry. These findings were confirmed by patch-clamp recording. Using FFP-18, it was shown that SERCA inhibitors release Ca2+ from the ER located closer to the plasma membrane than the region from which TRPV1 agonists release Ca2+. In contrast with SERCA inhibitors, TRPV1 agonists did not induce a redistribution of STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1). TDCA caused the release of Ca2+ from the ER, which was detected by FFP-18 but not by fura-2, and a redistribution of STIM1 to puncta similar to that caused by SERCA inhibitors. It is concluded that in liver cells, Ca2+ release from a small component of the ER located near the plasma membrane is required to induce STIM1 redistribution and SOC activation.
Electrical properties of high energy ion irradiated 4H-SiC Schottky diodes
Authors: Izzo G. , Litrico G. , Calcagno L. , Foti G. , La Via F. 
Published: November 2008

The changes in the electrical properties of 4H-SiC epitaxial layer induced by irradiation with 7.0 MeV C+ ions were investigated by current-voltage measurements and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). Current-voltage characteristics of the diodes fabricated from epilayers doped with different nitrogen concentrations were monitored before and after irradiation in the fluence range of 109–1010 cm−2. The leakage current was not changed after irradiation, while the forward current-voltage characteristics of the diodes showed an increase in the series resistance, which is mainly related to the high degree of compensation occurring near the end of the ion implant depth.
The temperature dependence of the carrier mobility determined from the I-V measurements in the temperature range of 100–700 K shows a T−3 dependence of mobility as determined from the nonirradiated as well as the irradiated diodes. DLTS measurements of the irradiated diodes reveal the presence of two deep levels located at 0.98 and 1.4 eV below the conduction band edge.
Understanding Consumer Preference for Functional Barley Tortillas Through Sensory, Demographic, and Behavioral Data
Authors: Toma Ayako , Omary María Botero , Rosentrater Kurt A. , Arndt Elizabeth A. , Prasopsunwattana Naruemon , Chongcham Sutida , Flores Rolando A. , Lee Sylvia P. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTConsumption of whole grains as part of a health‐promoting diet is encouraged among Americans due to beneficial nutrients and phytochemicals. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of whole barley flour particle size on consumer acceptance of whole grain and soluble fiber‐enriched tortillas; to examine the effect of demographic and behavioral data on consumer acceptance; and to establish relationships between consumer acceptance and survey results to identify market opportunities among particular groups of consumers. Four experimental tortillas and two representative commercial brands were tested by 95 untrained panelists using a 9‐point hedonic scale for appearance, color, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability. Demographic and behavioral data on age, gender, ethnicity, frequency of tortilla consumption, daily effort to include fiber in the diet, consumption of tortillas containing ≥1 g of dietary fiber/serving, consumption of low‐fat tortillas, and tortilla brands and type used were collected. Potential market segments for these tortillas include older consumers (41+), women, Hispanics, and Asians, and frequent tortilla consumers. A response surface relating flavor and texture to overall acceptability produced almost equivalent results to the multivariate PLS results in terms of predicting overall acceptability, which facilitates analysis and interpretation.
Commercial Evaluation of a Continuous Micronutrient Fortification Process for Nixtamal Tortillas
Authors: Dunn Michael L. , Serna‐Saldivar Sergio O. , Sanchez‐Hernandez Diana , Griffin Robert W. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe corn tortilla plays an integral role in the Mexican diet and is an ideal vehicle for micronutrient fortification. Approximately 60% of corn tortillas in Mexico are produced from nixtamal, with the remainder prepared from masa flour. A process for continuous fortification of nixtamal tortillas was evaluated in two commercial mills in Mexico. A commercial powder dosifier was used to add micronutrient premix containing iron, zinc, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin to nixtamal (1 g/kg) as it was milled. After training and preliminary sampling, mills produced fortified tortillas unassisted for four weeks. Masa flow rates over a four‐day period were 10–12 kg/min in both plants. Premix flow from the dosifier showed good stability, with an average coefficient of variation of 1.6%. Initial results indicated consistency in the fortification process, with significantly increased variation during the four‐week production period. Fortified tortillas had significantly higher levels of all nutrients tested. Micronutrient losses were <11% in all cases except folic acid, which showed an 80% loss. Despite processing losses, fortification resulted in a nearly fivefold increase in folic acid compared with control tortillas. The new fortification process is technically viable and was well received by millers.
Rheological Properties of Wheat Flour Dough and the Relationship with Bread Volume. I. Creep‐Recovery Measurements
Authors: Van Bockstaele Filip , De Leyn Ingrid , Eeckhout Mia , Dewettinck Koen 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe rheological properties of 17 pure European wheat cultivars were analyzed and evaluated in relation to the bread volume. Rheological testing included two empirical rheological methods, farinograph and alveograph, and more fundamental creep‐recovery experiments at shear stresses of 100 and 250 Pa. Principal component analysis on the farinograph and alveograph results showed that a wide range of rheological properties was present among the wheat cultivars. Correlation analysis pointed out that creep‐recovery parameters showed significant correlations with protein content, Zeleny sedimentation value, farinograph water absorption, alveograph extensibility, and bread volume. Among the rheological parameters, maximum recovery strain at a shear stress of 250 Pa showed the highest significant correlation with the bread volume (r = 0.790**). Variables were combined to predict the bread volume by multiple linear regression. A combination of protein content, farinograph water absorption, and alveograph P/L showed the best prediction (r2 = 0.80). When taking into account the creep‐recovery parameters, the best prediction of the bread volume (r2 = 0.74) was obtained for a combination of the maximum recovery strain at a shear stress of 250 Pa with one other quality parameter (Zeleny sedimentation value, farinograph water absorption, or alveograph W).