bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Rigorous Method for Synthesis of Offset Shaped Reflector Antennas
Authors: Oliker Vladimir I. 
Published: June 2006

In this paper the problem of synthesis of offset shaped single reflector antenna is considered. This problem has to be solved when a reflector antenna system is required to control the field amplitude and/or phase on the far-field or on the output aperture in the near-field. Achieving high efficiency is a very important objective of the design and shaped reflector antennas are used for that purpose.The equations of the problem are strongly nonlinear partial differential equations which can not be analyzed by standard techniques. Though the problem has been the subject of study by many authors for over 40 years, up until recently, there were no rigorous theoretical results resolving completely the questions of existence and uniqueness. With few exceptions, authors have attacked the problem with heuristic numerical procedures, and, depending on the specific formulation, obtained different results not always in agreement with each other.In this paper a new method for solving the single reflector problem is presented. The new method allows a complete and mathematically rigorous investigation of this problem. Furthermore, the proposed method lends itself to a numerical implementation and we present here several examples.
Acetylcholine induces contractile and relaxant effects in canine nasal venous systems
Authors: Wang M. , Lung M. A. 
Published: June 2006

Acetylcholine (ACh) induces nasal congestion at low doses but decongestion at high doses. The current study investigated the vascular mechanisms underlying this biphasic nasal airway response in dogs.Collecting and outflow veins from anterior and posterior nasal venous systems and the septal mucosa (containing sinusoidal venous plexuses) were isolated. Thein vitroisometric tension of the vascular segments was monitored to reflect vascular reactivity. Immunohistochemical localisation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was performed.ACh did not affect the venous plexuses but contracted the anterior collecting vein and the outflow veins of both systems in a concentration-dependent manner; the responses were unaffected by nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME). ACh relaxed posterior collecting veins at low concentrations but contracted them at higher concentrations;L-NAME enhanced the contractions but inhibited the relaxations, with the inhibition reversed byL-arginine. NADPH-diaphorase and eNOS were located predominantly in the posterior collecting veins.The fact that acetylcholine at low concentrations relaxes posterior collecting veins but contracts other collecting and outflow veins implies that the agonistin vivomay induce nasal congestion by increasing posterior blood volume. At higher concentrations, acetylcholine contracts posterior collecting veins as well, implying diminished blood volume in both venous systems, and consequently nasal decongestion. The induced contraction in posterior collecting veins is nitric oxide-independent, while the induced relaxation is nitric oxide-dependent.
Vaginal microbicides: detecting toxicities in vivothat paradoxically increase pathogen transmission
Authors: Cone Richard A , Hoen Timothy , Wong XiXi , Abusuwwa Raed , Anderson Deborah J , Moench Thomas R 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Microbicides must protect against STD pathogens without causing unacceptable toxic effects. Microbicides based on nonoxynol-9 (N9) and other detergents disrupt sperm, HSV and HIV membranes, and these agents are effective contraceptives. But paradoxically N9 fails to protect women against HIV and other STD pathogens, most likely because it causes toxic effects that increase susceptibility. The mouse HSV-2 vaginal transmission model reported here: (a) Directly tests for toxic effects that increase susceptibility to HSV-2, (b) Determines in vivo whether a microbicide can protect against HSV-2 transmission without causing toxicities that increase susceptibility, and (c) Identifies those toxic effects that best correlate with the increased HSV susceptibility.

Methods
Susceptibility was evaluated in progestin-treated mice by delivering a low-dose viral inoculum (0.1 ID50) at various times after delivering the candidate microbicide to detect whether the candidate increased the fraction of mice infected. Ten agents were tested – five detergents: nonionic (N9), cationic (benzalkonium chloride, BZK), anionic (sodium dodecylsulfate, SDS), the pair of detergents in C31G (C14AO and C16B); one surface active agent (chlorhexidine); two non-detergents (BufferGel®, and sulfonated polystyrene, SPS); and HEC placebo gel (hydroxyethylcellulose). Toxic effects were evaluated by histology, uptake of a 'dead cell' dye, colposcopy, enumeration of vaginal macrophages, and measurement of inflammatory cytokines.

Results
A single dose of N9 protected against HSV-2 for a few minutes but then rapidly increased susceptibility, which reached maximum at 12 hours. When applied at the minimal concentration needed for brief partial protection, all five detergents caused a subsequent increase in susceptibility at 12 hours of ~20–30-fold. Surprisingly, colposcopy failed to detect visible signs of the N9 toxic effect that increased susceptibility at 12 hours. Toxic effects that occurred contemporaneously with increased susceptibility were rapid exfoliation and re-growth of epithelial cell layers, entry of macrophages into the vaginal lumen, and release of one or more inflammatory cytokines (Il-1β, KC, MIP 1α, RANTES). The non-detergent microbicides and HEC placebo caused no significant increase in susceptibility or toxic effects.

Conclusion
This mouse HSV-2 model provides a sensitive method to detect microbicide-induced toxicities that increase susceptibility to infection. In this model, there was no concentration at which detergents provided protection without significantly increasing susceptibility.
EPHB2 germline variants in patients with colorectal cancer or hyperplastic polyposis
Authors: Kokko Antti , Laiho Päivi , Lehtonen Rainer , Korja Sanna , Carvajal-Carmona Luis G , Järvinen Heikki , Mecklin Jukka-Pekka , Eng Charis , Schleutker Johanna , Tomlinson Ian PM , Vahteristo Pia , Aaltonen Lauri A 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background

Ephrin receptor B2 (EPHB2) has recently been proposed as a novel tumor suppressor gene in colorectal cancer (CRC). Inactivation of the gene has been shown to correlate with progression of colorectal tumorigenesis, and somatic mutations have been reported in both colorectal and prostate tumors.

Methods
Here we have analyzed the EPHB2 gene for germline alterations in 101 individuals either with 1) CRC and a personal or family history of prostate cancer (PC), or 2) intestinal hyperplastic polyposis (HPP), a condition associated with malignant degeneration such as serrated adenoma and CRC.

Results
Four previously unknown missense alterations were observed, which may be associated with the disease phenotype. Two of the changes, I361V and R568W, were identified in Finnish CRC patients, but not in over 300 Finnish familial CRC or PC patients or more than 200 population-matched healthy controls. The third change, D861N, was observed in a UK HPP patient, but not in additional 40 UK HPP patients or in 200 UK healthy controls. The fourth change R80H, originally identified in a Finnish CRC patient, was also found in 1/106 familial CRC patients and in 9/281 healthy controls and is likely to be a neutral polymorphism.

Conclusion
We detected novel germline EPHB2 alterations in patients with colorectal tumors. The results suggest a limited role for these EPHB2 variants in colon tumor predisposition. Further studies including functional analyses are needed to confirm this.
Prognostic value of p27Kip1expression in Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the larynx
Authors: Salerno Grazia , Di Vizio Dolores , Staibano Stefania , Mottola Giampiero , Quaremba Giuseppe , Mascolo Massimo , Galli Vieri , De Rosa Gaetano , Insabato Luigi 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Very few reports have investigated the role of cell cycle regulators as biomarkers in Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BSCC) of the larynx, a definite morphologic, uncommon, very aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Lower expression of Ki67/Mib-1, a proliferation marker highly expressed in the majority of tumours, and p53, a tumour suppressor protein that can induce an arrest of the G1-S transition, was related to a better prognosis in laryngeal BSCC. In the head and neck, p27kip1, a member of the Cip1/Kip1 family of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, has emerged as an independent prognostic factor, able to identify low-expressing tumours with unfavourable course. Up to date the role of this protein was never studied in BSCC. Aim of our study was to investigate the potential prognostic value of p27kip1 levels and their correlation with Ki67/Mib-1 and p53 expression in BSCC of the larynx.

Methods
The retrospective study group consisted of 15 male and 1 female patients, affected by laryngeal BSCC, ranging in age from 44 to 69 years (mean 58). The tumour originated from the supraglottis in thirtheen cases and from the glottis in the remaining three. Ten patients had metastatic cervical lymph nodes at presentation and were classified as N+. Post surgical stage was IV in four patients, III in nine, II in two cases and I in the remaining one. Follow-up ranged from a minimum of 5 months up to 9 years. Paraffin-embedded tissue sections of each laryngeal tumour were analyzed for p27kip, Ki67/Mib-1 and p53 expression by immunohistochemistry.

Results
The immunohistochemical study showed p27kip1 expression in 40% of the patients with no evidence of disease (NED) and in none (0%) of the patients dead of disease (DOD), whilst p53 was expressed in 60% of patients in NED status and in 90% of patients in DOD status. Ki67/Mib-1 was positive in 80% of NED patients and in 100% of DOD patients. At multivariate analysis, performed by means of Discriminant analysis, low levels of p27kip1 expression significantly correlated with poor prognosis (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
p27kip1 protein has been shown to be a significant independent prognostic factor in laryngeal SCC. In our series of laryngeal BSCC the resulting data seem to confirm the clinical prognostic relevance of p27kip1 low expression, which directly correlated with biological aggressiveness and consequent shortened survival.
Characteristics of Primary Care Trusts in financial deficit and surplus – a comparative study in the English NHS
Authors: Badrinath Padmanabhan , Currell Rosemary Anne , Bradley Peter M 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Background
Recently the financial status of primary care trusts has come under considerable scrutiny by the government, and financial deficits have been blamed on poor local management of resources. This paper examines the factors that differ between those Primary Care Trusts (PCT) in financial deficit and those in surplus, using readily available data at PCT level. PCTs are the National Health Service organisations in England responsible for improving the health of their population, developing primary and community health services, and commissioning secondary care services.

Methods
A descriptive comparative study using data from 58 PCTs; 29 in greatest financial surplus and 29 in greatest deficit in the English National Health Service.

Results
Nearly half the study deficit PCTs (14 out of 29) are in the East of England and of the 29 surplus PCTs, five each are in Birmingham and Black Country Strategic Health Authority (SHA), and Greater Manchester SHA. The median population density of the deficit PCTs is almost seven times lower than that of surplus PCTs (p = 0.004). Surplus PCTs predominantly serve deprived communities. Nearly half the surplus PCTs are 'spearhead' PCTs compared to only one of the deficit PCTs. Percentage population increase by local authority of the PCT showed that on average deficit PCTs had 2.7 times higher change during 1982–2002 (13.37% for deficit and 4.94% for surplus PCTs). Work pressure felt by staff is significantly higher in deficit PCTs, and they also reported working higher amount of extra hours due to work pressures. The proportion of dispensing general practitioners is significantly higher in deficit PCTs 40.5% vs. 12.9% (p = 0.002). Deficit PCTs on average received £123 less per head of registered population compared to surplus PCTs.

Conclusion
The two groups of PCTs serve two distinct populations with marked differences between the two. Deficit PCTs tend to be in relatively affluent and rural areas. Poor management alone is unlikely to be the cause of deficits, and potential reasons for deficits including rurality and increased demand for health services in more affluent communities need further in-depth studies.
Fusion of mental health and incapacity legislation
Authors: Dawson John , Szmukler George 
Published: June 2006

SummaryThe enactment of a single legislative scheme governing nonconsensual treatment of both ‘physical’ and ‘mental’ illnesses, based on incapacity principles, has been mooted in recent law reform debates in the UK. We propose a framework for such legislation and consider in more detail the provisions it should contain. The design of legislation that combines the strengths of both incapacity and civil commitment schemes can be readily imagined, based on the criteria for intervention in England and Wales found in the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Such legislation would reduce unjustified legal discrimination against mentally disordered persons and apply consistent ethical principles across medical law.
Emergency psychiatric assessments: implications for senior house officer training
Authors: Woodall Alan A. , Roberts Seren , Slegg Gary P. , Menkes David B. 
Published: June 2006

Aims and MethodIn order to examine the opportunities for senior house officers (SHOs) to undertake emergency psychiatric assessments we conducted a retrospective cohort study of such assessments in a district general hospital.ResultsSenior house officers conducted few assessments for self-harm compared with psychiatric liaison nurses (P< 0.001), and were involved in only 40% of emergency referrals where psychiatric opinion was requested. Senior house officers continue to undertake more assessments out of hours than any other group (P< 0.01).Clinical ImplicationsAlthough the introduction of psychiatric liaison nurses has improved capacity and reduced waiting times for emergency assessment, the opportunity for SHOs to undertake emergency assessments has been reduced, particularly with regard to assessment of suicidal risk following self-harm. These results suggest the need for better monitoring of SHO experience, particularly in the light of service developments that have an impact on psychiatric training.
Behavioral Predictors of Substance-Use Initiation in Adolescents With and Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Ernst Monique , Luckenbaugh David A. , Moolchan Eric T. , Leff Michelle K. , Allen Rachel , Eshel Neir , London Edythe D. , Kimes Alane 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to examine substance-use initiation in healthy adolescents and in adolescents who have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
METHODS. Seventy-eight adolescents (28 healthy and 50 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) participated in an ongoing longitudinal study of predictors of substance use. The substances most commonly reported were tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. Aggression, conduct problems, hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, anxiety/depression, social difficulties, and somatic complaints were assessed at study entry and tested as predictors for later substance use.
RESULTS. With an average of 4 years into the study, 37 adolescents had not used any substances, 41 had experimented with at least 1 substance, and 29 experimented with &gt;1 substance. Psychiatric diagnoses (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and depression/anxiety) did not influence reports of substance use. Distinct behavioral measures collected at study entry predicted use of different substances. In a multivariate analysis, aggression had the greatest association with tobacco smoking and marijuana use. Impulsivity was associated with alcohol use. Severity of drug exposure, indexed by the number of substances used, was predicted by aggression.
CONCLUSIONS. This 4-year longitudinal study captured the onset of substance use, not abuse. Behavioral predictors differed with the type of substance used. These behavioral characteristics may raise suspicion among pediatricians for enhanced risk for substance-use initiation.
Mental Health Care Services for Children With Special Health Care Needs and Their Family Members: Prevalence and Correlates of Unmet Needs
Authors: Ganz Michael L. , Tendulkar Shalini A. 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES. To estimate the prevalence and correlates of unmet needs for mental health care services for children with special health care needs and their families.METHODS. We use the National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs to estimate the prevalence of unmet mental health care needs among children with special health care needs (1–17 years old) and their families. Using logistic-regression models, we also assess the independent impact of child and family factors on unmet needs.RESULTS. Substantial numbers of children with special health care needs and members of their families have unmet needs for mental health care services. Children with special health care needs who were poor, uninsured, and were without a usual source of care were statistically significantly more likely to report that their mental health care needs were unmet. More severely affected children and those with emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions were also statistically significantly more likely to report that their mental health care needs went unmet. Families of severely affected children or of children with emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions were also statistically significantly more likely to report that their mental health care needs went unmet.CONCLUSIONS. Our results indicate that children with special health care needs and their families are at risk for not receiving needed mental health care services. Furthermore, we find that children in families of lower socioeconomic status are disproportionately reporting higher rates of unmet needs. These data suggest that broader policies to identify and connect families with needed services are warranted but that child- and family-centered approaches alone will not meet the needs of these children and their families. Other interventions such as anti-poverty and insurance expansion efforts may be needed as well.
Effects of Breast Milk on the Severity and Outcome of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Among Infants of Drug-Dependent Mothers
Authors: Abdel-Latif Mohamed E. , Pinner Jason , Clews Sara , Cooke Fiona , Lui Kei , Oei Julee 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of breast milk on the severity and outcome of neonatal abstinence syndrome.METHODS. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 190 drug-dependent mother and infant pairs. Patients were categorized according to the predominant type of milk consumed by the infant on the fifth day of life (breast milk: n = 85 or formula: n = 105). The Finnegan's scoring system was used to monitor withdrawal, and medication was commenced if there were 2 scores of ≥8.RESULTS. Mean Finnegan scores were significantly lower in the breast milk group during the first 9 days of life even after stratifying for prematurity and exposure to polydrug and methadone. Significantly fewer infants required withdrawal treatment in the breast milk group. The median time to withdrawal occurred considerably later in breast milk group. In a multivariate analysis controlled for exposure to drugs of high risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome, polydrug, and prematurity, breast milk group was associated with lower need for neonatal abstinence syndrome treatment.CONCLUSIONS. Breast milk intake is associated with reduced neonatal abstinence syndrome severity, delayed onset of neonatal abstinence syndrome, and decreased need for pharmacologic treatment, regardless of the gestation and the type of drug exposure.
Quality of Reporting of Randomized, Controlled Trials in Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Anttila Heidi , Malmivaara Antti , Kunz Regina , Autti-Rämö Ilona , Mäkelä Marjukka 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES. In conducting reviews on the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions on children with cerebral palsy, the assessment of trials can be hampered by problems in reporting. Therefore, we set out to evaluate trial reporting by using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement recommendations.METHODS. Randomized, controlled trials published in 1990 or later were identified in literature searches for reviews on the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions on children with cerebral palsy. Two independent reviewers evaluated the trial reporting by using a modified 33-item Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials checklist.RESULTS. We identified 15 randomized, controlled trials. Almost half (48%) of the applicable items were reported adequately. Inadequate reporting was found in the following items: outcome measures, sample-size determination, details of the sequence generation, allocation concealment and implementation of the randomization, success of assessor blinding, recruitment and follow-up dates, intention-to-treat analysis, precision of the effect size, co-interventions, and adverse events.CONCLUSIONS. Only a small number of sufficiently reported trials were found. Because nearly all items had been described in at least 1 article, high-quality reporting seems feasible. Assessment of trials depends on appropriate reporting, and poor reporting jeopardizes judgments on the clinical implications. Authors of randomized, controlled trials are encouraged to follow the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials criteria. There is a clear need to improve the quality of reporting of trials in this field.