bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental Model of Cisplatin Ototoxicity in Chinchillas
Authors: Janning Marty H. , Whitworth Craig A. , Rybak Leonard P. 
Published: November 2005

Cisplatin is an important antineoplastic agent. Its ototoxicity has been well defined, both in human and animal studies. However, animal models of systemic cisplatin administration have been complicated by multiple toxic effects. We studied cisplatin ototoxicity in an animal model involving topical application of cisplatin to the round‐window membrane. Adult chinchillas were anesthetized with ketamine and pentobarbital, and auditory function was tested with the use of auditory brain‐stem responses to various stimuli (clicks and 8‐and 16‐kHz tone bursts). Each animal was used as its own control. The middle‐ear cavity was exposed through the bulla. In the experimental ear, a 25‐μl solution of 0.25 mg cisplatin/1.0 ml normal saline solution was applied to the round‐window membrane. In the control ear, 25 μl normal saline solution was applied to the round‐window membrane. Follow‐up auditory brain‐stem response testing was conducted 7 days after treatment. A significant increase in threshold in the experimental ears was seen on comparison with the control ears. This finding suggests that application of cisplatin to the round‐window membrane is a useful animal model in which to study cisplatin ototoxicity.
Fine‐Needle Aspiration Biopsy Diagnosis of Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Shemen Larry J. , Chess Quintus 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVEFrozen‐section analysis of follicular lesions is often inconclusive because capsular or vascular invasions are the hallmarks of malignancy with this technique and may not be seen in the particular field studied. Using preoperative fine‐needle aspiration biopsy specimens, we attempted to identify malignant follicular lesions and compare these results against frozen‐section analysis.METHODSA retrospective study of 1000 consecutive thyroid fine‐needle aspiration biopsy specimens was performed. Surgical pathologic correlation was available in 179 cases.RESULTSFine‐needle aspiration biopsy yielded a suspicious or positive rate of 23%. Surgical pathology was available in 179 patients, of which 95% had thyroid cancer. The follicular variant of papillary cancer was identified in 26 cases, or 15% of the positive cases. Frozen‐section analysis yielded false‐negative results in 7 of these 26 cases (27%).CONCLUSIONSPreoperative recognition of the follicular variant of papillary cancer by fine‐needle aspiration biopsy may reduce the overall incidence of false‐negative frozen‐section findings.
Efficacy of Laser‐Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Pribitkin Edmund A. , Schutte Sharon L. , Keane William M. , Mao Vivian , Cater Jacqueline R. , Doghramji Karl , Youakim James M. , Rosen Marc R. , Breuninger William 
Published: November 2005

Laser‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) enlarges the oropharyngeal airway by reshaping the uvula, soft palate, and tonsillar pillars. In contrast to a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty performed in the operating room, LAUP is staged over several office visits, is less costly, is bloodless, and is not associated with velopharyngeal insufficiency or stenosis. Previous studies have documented the efficacy of LAUP in the treatment of snoring. We explore the efficacy of LAUP in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Forty‐eight patients comprised the study group. Each patient snored, exhibited > 50% palatal collapse on Müller's maneuver, and had nocturnal polysomnography showing a respiratory disturbance index (RDI) > 10. Each patient underwent LAUP until he or she reported that snoring had ceased. Of the 29 patients who underwent post‐LAUP nocturnal polysomnography, 7 had RDIs < 10, oxygen saturation > 86%, and no cardiac arrhythmias. LAUP reduced RDI to < 10 in patients with pre‐LAUP apnea indexes < 3 (P = 0.05) or pre‐LAUP RDIs < 30 (P = 0.01). The following variables did not correlate with the success of LAUP in treating obstructive sleep apnea: age, sex, pre‐LAUP weight, pre‐LAUP body mass index, perioperative weight change, perioperative body mass index change, pre‐LAUP snoring, and post‐LAUP snoring. We conclude that LAUP is an effective means of treating patients with RDIs < 30.
Sodium nitroprusside/nitric oxide causes apoptosis in spiral ganglion cells
Authors: Msiv Namrata Pai , Zdanski Carlton J. , Gregory Christopher W. , Prazma Jiri , Carrasco Vincent 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVEIn the cochlea, excitatory amino acid receptor overstimulation induces toxicity in spiral ganglion neurons by an unknown mechanism. In the central nervous system, excitatory amino acid‐induced toxicity is mediated by nitric oxide, which induces apoptosis in neurons. This study tested the hypothesis that cochlear nitric oxide‐mediated toxicity is the result of induction of apoptosis in spiral ganglion neurons.METHODSThe cochleas of 15 gerbils randomly assigned to different groups were perfused for 30 minutes with a test solution of 1 mmol/L sodium nitroprusside, a nitric oxide donor, or a control solution of artificial perilymph. Animals were killed at varying times, including 2, 3, 4, 8, and 18 hours after perfusion. DNA fragmentation or in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate‐biotin nick end‐labeling analysis was done on cochleas for detection of apoptosis.RESULTSAnalysis by both techniques demonstrated marked apoptotic cell changes in spiral ganglion neurons of sodium nitroprusside‐treated cochleas evident 4 to 8 hours after perfusion, as compared with minimal to no evidence of apoptosis in spiral ganglion neurons of control specimens.CONCLUSIONSExposure to high levels of nitric oxide induces apoptosis in spiral ganglion neurons. Because apoptosis is a delayed, potentially reversible cell death pathway, this may present an opportunity for intervention to prevent or attenuate hearing damage induced by excitotoxic stimuli.
End‐to‐side neurorraphy: A long‐term study of neural regeneration in a rat model
Authors: Tarasidis Gregory , Watanabe Osamu , Mackinnon Susan E. , Strasberg Suzanne R. , Haughey Bruce H. , Hunter Daniel A. 
Published: November 2005

This study evaluated long‐term reinnervation of an end‐to‐side neurorraphy and the resultant functional recovery in a rat model. The divided distal posterior tibial nerve was repaired to the side of an intact peroneal nerve. Control groups included a cut‐and‐repair of the posterior tibial nerve and an end‐to‐end repair of the peroneal nerve to the posterior tibial nerve. Evaluations included walking‐track analysis, nerve conduction studies, muscle mass measurements, retrograde nerve tracing, and histologic evaluation. Walking tracks indicated poor recovery of posterior tibial nerve function in the experimental group. No significant difference in nerve conduction velocities was seen between the experimental and control groups. Gastrocnemius muscle mass measurements revealed no functional recovery in the experimental group. Similarly, retrograde nerve tracing revealed minimal motor neuron staining in the experimental group. However, some sensory staining was seen within the dorsal root ganglia of the end‐to‐side group. Histologic study revealed minimal myelinated axonal regeneration in the experimental group as compared with findings in the other groups. These results suggest that predominantly sensory regeneration occurs in an end‐to‐side neurorraphy at an end point of 6 months.
Role of antral puncture in the treatment of sinusitis in the intensive care unit
Authors: Ramadan Hassan H. , Owens Robert M. , Tiu Christopher , Wax Mark K. 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to determine whether maxillary sinus puncture caused an alteration in antibiotic treatment and thus affected the outcome of sinusitis in the intensive care unit.STUDY DESIGNA retrospective review was done of cases of maxillary sinus puncture between 1991 and 1994.RESULTSForty‐two patients were identified. All patients had findings suggestive of sinusitis on plain sinus films or CT scans of the sinuses. Twenty‐five punctures (60%) recovered pus, of which 80% grew organisms. Fourteen patients (33%) had a negative lavage, and 12% of these samples grew organisms (p = 0.001). Sixty‐eight percent of the cultures identified a single organism compared with 32% with multiple organisms. Gram‐negative organisms were found most commonly, followed by anaerobes. In 57% of the cases antibiotic therapy was changed. In 77% of the cases the change was directed by the culture result and in 35% the therapy was changed despite a negative culture result (p = 0.002). Resolution of symptoms occurred in 83% of patients who had antibiotics changed whereas with no change in antibiotics only 42% had resolution (p = 0.001).CONCLUSIONA sinus puncture seems to be helpful in patients with fever and positive findings on sinus films. If pus is obtained by maxillary puncture, a positive culture may be found in 80% of the cases. Changes in antibiotic regimen on the basis of culture findings seem to give a better outcome.
Overlay grafting for lateral nasal wall concavities
Authors: Gilbert Scott E. 
Published: November 2005

One of the most difficult maneuvers in rhinoplasty is achieving a straight dorsum in the patient with a crooked nose. Often this deformity is a result of trauma involving the bony and cartilaginous vaults, resulting in nasal bone fractures and avulsion of the lateral cartilages into the nasal airway. Reduction of nasal bone fractures is fairly straightforward, but the repair of nasal cartilage trauma is more problematic. The cartilage of the nasal vault possesses fibrous attachments, which when disturbed, are difficult to reestablish. Overlay grafts are known to be effective in filling these defects and creating the illusion of a straight nose. In this series, during an 8‐year period, 89 grafts were placed over lateral nasal wall concavities during rhinoplasty. Results after a minimum of 1 year follow‐up are reviewed, as well as technique, materials, complications, revision rate, and patient satisfaction.
Model for optimal space and staff efficiency in an otolaryngology clinic
Authors: Benninger Michael S. , Strode Steven R. 
Published: November 2005

Maximizing efficiency of staff and resources is one method of reducing costs without affecting quality. Using a methodology similar to that used to maximize efficiency of airline‐gate use, we developed a model with which to evaluate nursing support staff and clinical examining‐room resources in a general otolaryngology clinic. For 144 patients over 7 consecutive clinic days, with four otolaryngologists and various combinations of support staff and examining rooms, we measured space and staff resource use, including total clinic time, number of patients seen, patient waiting time, physician and nurse productivity, and examining‐room use. A simulation model was used as the medium of analysis to define parameters of the patient encounter. We identified optimal efficiency when there were three examining rooms and one and one‐half nursing staff per physician or five examining rooms and three nursing staff for two simultaneously practicing physicians. Compared with a model of two rooms and one nursing staff member, our ideal model increased the percentage of the physicians' time spent in direct contact with patients from 84% to 92%. Visit length decreased from 81 minutes to 57 minutes, the average time from check‐in to examination decreased from 47 to 16 minutes, and it became possible for three additional patients to be seen each day. Additional rooms and support staff, in comparison with the optimally efficient distribution, did not significantly affect these parameters. Maximizing efficiency with the use of this methodology can decrease waiting times for patients, resulting in greater patient satisfaction, improved physician productivity, total number of patients seen, and increased total contact time between physicians and patients.
Cellular immune defect caused by postsurgical radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Tisch Matthias , Heimlich Florίan , Daniel Volker , Opelz Gerhard , Maier Heinz 
Published: November 2005

The effects of locoregional postoperative radiation therapy (60 Gy on average) on cellular immunity were investigated in 11 patients with squamocellular carcinomas of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx. During radiation treatment, the total lymphocyte counts, CD8+ T‐lymphocyte count, and especially CD4+ T‐lymphocyte count decreased significantly. The mean CD4+ T‐lymphocyte counts dropped from an average of 739/μl to 183/μl (p <0.001), and the CD4+/CD8+ quotient also decreased significantly. Not only the lymphocyte counts but also the in vitro lymphocyte stimulation responses to several mitogens decreased, with reductions averaging 10% to 50% of normal responses by the end of radiation therapy. Within 3 to 4 weeks after radiation therapy, the CD4+ T‐lymphocyte counts and the in vitro lymphocyte stimulation responses showed a tendency toward normalization. This study shows that postoperative locoregional radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer induces a severe generalized impairment of cellular immunity.
Hearing results in pediatric patients after canal‐wall‐up and canal‐wall‐down mastoid surgery
Authors: Murphy Terrence P. , Donna Lynn Wallis 
Published: November 2005

Hearing results were studied in pediatric patients after canal‐wall‐up and canal‐wall‐down mastoid surgery in a private practice setting. A retrospective chart review was performed on 69 patients who underwent surgery from 1991–1995. Twenty‐six patients underwent canal‐wall‐up mastoidectomies, and 43 patients underwent canal‐wall‐down mastoidectomies. Various types of ossicular reconstruction were performed in patients in both groups. Hearing was evaluated for preoperative and postoperative pure‐tone averages, speech‐reception thresholds, and air‐bone gaps for the various types of ossicular reconstruction. Patients with canal‐wall‐up mastoidectomies and an intact ossicular chain had an average postoperative air‐bone gap of 15 dB, whereas reconstruction of the ossicular chain (regardless of technique) resulted in an average postoperative air‐bone gap of 19 dB. Patients with canal‐wall‐down mastoidectomies and an intact ossicular chain had an average air‐bone gap of 15 dB, while all techniques of ossicular reconstruction had an average air‐bone gap of 29 dB. Canal‐wall‐up and canal‐wall‐down mastoid surgeries in pediatric patients have similar hearing results. Variables other than hearing should be used to make treatment decisions regarding the canal wall in pediatric candidates for mastoid surgery.
Facial nerve monitoring in parotid surgery: The standard of care?
Authors: Witt Robert L. 
Published: November 2005

Recent reports have suggested that the incidence of permanent facial nerve paralysis or paresis after surgery for benign parotid tumors is between 3% and 5%. The intraoperative use of nerve‐integrity monitors has been advocated to reduce the incidence of facial nerve paralysis. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative facial nerve function after monitored and unmonitored parotid surgical procedures. The charts of 69 consecutive patients with parotid lesions who underwent surgery from 1987 to 1996 were retrospectively surveyed. Sixteen high‐risk patients were excluded from the study. The study group consisted of 53 patients (33 unmonitored and 20 monitored) who underwent lateral parotidectomy for mobile tumors of the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. No patient demonstrated permanent facial paralysis. In 9 patients (17%), transient nerve paralysis developed: 5 (15%) of the 33 patients who underwent lateral parotidectomy without the use of a nerve‐integrity monitor and 4 (20%) of the 20 patients who underwent lateral parotidectomy with the use of a nerve‐integrity monitor. Nerve‐integrity monitoring is optional for mobile parotid tumors of the superficial lobe.
Basaloid squamous carcinoma: A clinical comparison of two histologic types with poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Winzenburg Sandra M. , Niehans Gloria A. , Evan George , Kathleen Daly , Adams George L. 
Published: November 2005

Basaloid squamous carcinoma (BSC) of the head and neck has been shown to have a poor prognosis when compared with conventional squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Pathologically, specimens determined to be BSC can have nearly pure basaloid features (group 1) or a mixture of basaloid and squamous features (group 2). The clinical behavior in these 2 subgroups has not been compared previously. BSC is also commonly confused histologically with poorly differentiated SCC (PDSCC). A retrospective comparison of disease stage at presentation, rate of distant metastasis, rate of local recurrence in those offered surgical resection, and rate of survival is made to compare outcomes of the 2 BSC groups and the PDSCC group. The presence of particular histologic features may be associated with poorer outcomes. Patients with BSC have advanced disease at presentation. Survival in the BSC group was less than half that in the PDSCC groups. Statistical analysis shows the 2 groups to be well matched with regard to stage and site of disease. Presence of neck nodal disease on presentation predicts poor survival. In this study distant metastases occurred in 52% of patients with BSC and in 13% of patients in the PDSCC group. The local recurrence rate is comparable for BSC and conventional SCC, with even early tumors in the BSC group recurring distantly rather than locally or regionally. Considering the high distant metastatic rate of BSC and poorer overall survival rate, a more extensive metastatic survey is indicated in these patients before surgery is recommended. We recommend that patients with a diagnosis of BSC not be included with conventional SCC groups in prospective randomized cancer protocols.
Impact of endoscopic sinus surgery on global health perception: An outcomes study
Authors: Welby Winstead , Barnett Susan N. 
Published: November 2005

The Medical Outcome Study Short‐Form 36‐item Health Survey (SF‐36) was used to prospectively assess outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery. Our study found that chronic rhinosinusitis has a significant adverse impact on patient‐perceived functional status and quality of life. Endoscopic sinus surgery resulted in statistically significant improvement in both disease‐specific symptoms and patient‐perceived global health status at 6 and 12 months of follow‐up. The SF‐36 is recommended for use as the global health monitor in outcomes evaluation for chronic rhinosinusitis.
Stability analysis for delay differential equations with multidelays and numerical examples
Authors: Sun Leping 
Published: November 2005

In this paper we are concerned with the asymptotic stability of the delay differential equation
\[

x

′

(
t
)
=

A
0

x
(
t
)
+

∑

k
=
1

n

A
k

x
(

t

τ
k

)
,

x^{\prime }(t)=A_0x(t)+\sum _{k=1}^nA_kx(t_{\tau _k}),

\]
where

A
0

,

A
k

∈

C

d
×
d

A_0,A_k\in C^{d\times d}

are constant complex matrices, and

x
(

t

τ
k

)
=
(

x
1

(
t
−

τ

k
1

)
,

x
2

(
t
−

τ

k
2

)
,
…
,

x
d

(
t
−

τ

k
d

)

)
T

,

τ

k
l

>
0

x(t_{\tau _k})= (x_1(t-\tau _{k1}),x_2(t-\tau _{k2}),\dots ,x_d(t-\tau _{kd}))^T,\tau _{kl}>0

stand for

n
×
d

n\times d

constant delays

(
k
=
1
,
…
,
n
,
l
=
1
,
…
,
d
)

(k=1,\dots ,n,l=1,\dots ,d)

. We obtain two criteria for stability through the evaluation of a harmonic function on the boundary of a certain region. We also get similar results for the neutral delay differential equation
\[

x

′

(
t
)
=
L
x
(
t
)
+

∑

i
=
1

m

M
i

x
(
t
−

τ
i

)
+

∑

j
=
1

n

N
j

x

′

(
t
−

τ
j

′

)
,

x^{\prime }(t)=Lx(t)+\sum _{i=1}^mM_ix(t-\tau _i)+\sum _{j=1}^nN_jx^{\prime }(t-\tau _j^{\prime }),

\]
where

L
,

M
i

,

L,M_i,

and

N
j

∈

C

d
×
d

N_j\in C^{d\times d}

are constant complex matrices and

τ
i

,

τ
j

′

>
0

\tau _i,\tau _j^{\prime }>0

stands for constant delays

(
i
=
1
,
…
,
m

(i=1,\dots ,m

,

j
=
1
,
…
,
n
)

j=1,\dots ,n)

. Numerical examples on various circumstances are shown to check our results which are more general than those already reported.
WindowMasker: window-based masker for sequenced genomes
Authors: Morgulis Aleksandr , Gertz E. Michael , Schäffer Alejandro A. , Agarwala Richa 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Motivation: Matches to repetitive sequences are usually undesirable in the output of DNA database searches. Repetitive sequences need not be matched to a query, if they can be masked in the database. RepeatMasker/Maskeraid (RM), currently the most widely used software for DNA sequence masking, is slow and requires a library of repetitive template sequences, such as a manually curated RepBase library, that may not exist for newly sequenced genomes.
Results: We have developed a software tool called WindowMasker (WM) that identifies and masks highly repetitive DNA sequences in a genome, using only the sequence of the genome itself. WM is orders of magnitude faster than RM because WM uses a few linear-time scans of the genome sequence, rather than local alignment methods that compare each library sequence with each piece of the genome. We validate WM by comparing BLAST outputs from large sets of queries applied to two versions of the same genome, one masked by WM, and the other masked by RM. Even for genomes such as the human genome, where a good RepBase library is available, searching the database as masked with WM yields more matches that are apparently non-repetitive and fewer matches to repetitive sequences. We show that these results hold for transcribed regions as well. WM also performs well on genomes for which much of the sequence was in draft form at the time of the analysis.
Availability: WM is included in the NCBI C++ toolkit. The source code for the entire toolkit is available at . Once the toolkit source is unpacked, the instructions for building WindowMasker application in the UNIX environment can be found in file src/app/winmasker/README.build.
Contact: richa@helix.nih.gov
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at .
Mean curvature as a major determinant of β-sheet propensity
Authors: Koh Eunhee , Kim Taehyo , Cho Hyun-soo 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Motivation: Despite the importance of β-sheets as building blocks in proteins and also toxic elements in the pathological disorders, ranging from Alzheimer's disease to mad cow diease, the principles underlying their stability are not well understood. Non-random β-sheet propensities of amino acids have been revealed both by their distinct statistical preferences within known protein structures and by the relative thermodynamic scales through the experimental host-guest systems. However, recent fitting analysis has proved that a native β-sheet conforms to a minimal surface with zero mean curvature, like the physical model of soap films.
Results: We here suggest that the stability of a residue in the all β-sheet proteins can be measured with its mean curvature parameter, using discrete differential geometry. The sharply decreasing mean curvature with increasing number of β-strands identifies a significant cooperative effect whereby the interstrand interaction increases in strength with the number of β-strands. Furthermore, strong correlations of mean curvatures with previous β-sheet propensities of amino acids show that their intrinsic differences in adopting the ideal β-sheet structure are affected by the water-accessible area of side-chains, and result in the distinct statistical and thermodynamic β-sheet propensities. Therefore, we conclude that mean curvature should be considered as the significant stability index of a β-sheet structure.
Contact: ehkoh@yonsei.ac.kr