bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Deficiency Fails to Restrain Macrophage Infiltration Into Adipose Tissue
Authors: Kirk Elizabeth A. , Sagawa Zachary K. , McDonald Thomas O. , O'Brien Kevin D. , Heinecke Jay W. 
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE— Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a CC-motif chemokine, has been proposed to play critical roles in insulin resistance and recruitment of monocytes into adipose tissue. We hypothesized that the absence of MCP-1 would improve the former and diminish the latter.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— We investigated these two hypotheses by quantifying glucose metabolism and the accumulation of macrophages in adipose tissue of control and MCP-1–deficient (Mcp1−/−) mice after feeding the animals a high-fat diet for 10 or 16 weeks.
RESULTS— We first established that the two strains were in the same genetic background and that macrophage recruitment into inflamed peritoneum was markedly reduced in the MCP-1–deficient animals. In striking contrast, independent studies at two different facilities at either an early or late time point failed to detect any impairment in macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue of fat-fed Mcp1−/− mice. Immunoblot analysis revealed higher levels of Mac2, a macrophage-specific protein, in multiple fat depots of Mcp1−/− mice fed a high-fat diet. These mice also had significantly more adipose tissue than control mice, but their glucose metabolism was similar.
CONCLUSIONS— Our observations suggest that MCP-1 does not play a prominent a role in promoting macrophage recruitment into adipose tissue or in systemic insulin resistance.
Radiographic assessment of the sinuses in patients treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Raviv Joseph , Downing Lance , Le Quynh-Thu , Hwang Peter 
Published: February 2008

Introduction Patients undergoing therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) often experience dysfunction of the sinonasal mucosa as a side effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Sinonasal mucosal changes may vary throughout the treatment and posttreatment periods, but little objective data exist characterizing such changes. We evaluated serial radiologic changes of the paranasal sinus mucosa in patients with NPC undergoing treatment. Methods Medical and radiographic records were reviewed for all patients treated for NPC between 2004 and 2006 at Stanford University Medical Center. Pretreatment computed tomography (CT) images served as the baseline images for comparison, and posttreatment CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were categorized temporally into 3-month intervals, up to 25 months after initiation of treatment. Images were scored in a blinded fashion using the Lund-Mackay (LM) staging system. Results Thirty-five patients received treatment for NPC during the study period, of whom 27 had adequate data for analysis and inclusion in the study. The mean pretreatment LM score was 1.41, and a statistically significant increase in LM score was observed at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18, 22, and 28 months. There was continued progression of radiologic sinus opacification over the first 30 months after treatment. Conclusions The treatment of NPC with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is associated with radiologic evidence of sinus mucosal thickening. The extent of mucosal thickening can be expected to progress after treatment for up to 30 months. Patients undergoing treatment for NPC should be monitored carefully throughout the posttreatment period for clinical manifestations of dysfunctional sinonasal mucosa.
Absorbable Biomaterials used within Paranasal Sinuses: An Animal Study
Authors: Stumpe Matthew R. , Handorf Charles , Thompson Jerome W. , Chandra Rakesh K. 
Published: February 2008

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of mucosal regeneration in the presence of two different resorbable dressings derived from hyaluronic acid (HA): HA-carboxymethyl cellulose (HACMC) and esterified HA (HYAFF). A prospective randomized animal study was performed. Methods Twelve New Zealand white rabbits underwent bilateral maxillary sinusomy via a canine fossa approach. Each sinus was stripped circumferentially, except for the mucosa along the medial wall in the region of the natural ostium. Each of the 24 sinuses was then packed with either HACMC (n = 8) or HYAFF (n = 8) or left as an unpacked control (n = 8). After 14 days, each animal was killed and the sinus contents were evaluated histologically by a blinded pathologist. Results Criteria for optimal mucosal regeneration included a continuous layer of ciliated columnar epithelium with normal-appearing submucous glands and lack of both inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis. Optimal regeneration was observed in 5/8 (62.5%) of the HACMC specimens, 1/8 (12.5%) of the HYAFF specimens, and 6/8 (75%) of the controls. The trend toward optimal regeneration using either HACMC or control was statistically significant when compared with HYAFF (p = 0.03). HYAFF specimens also were more likely to exhibit atrophic subepithelial glands in the regenerated mucosa. Polarizable foreign material was observed in 1/8 (12.5%) of the HACMC specimens and 2/8 (25%) of the HYAFF specimens. Conclusion The quality of epithelial regeneration is potentially affected by the form of HA present in the healing milieu. In this series, the most optimal healing characteristics were seen in unpacked controls. Between the preparations of HA studied, HACMC exhibited more favorable healing patterns, which were nearly similar to controls.
Anterior Palate Sensory Impairment after Septal Surgery
Authors: Chandra Rakesh K. , Rohman Grant T. , Walsh William E. 
Published: February 2008

Background This study was performed to present a series of patients who experienced anterior palatal sensory impairment after nasal septal surgery. This phenomenon has not been reported in the English literature to date. Methods We reviewed 107 septal surgeries done by the same surgeon over a 3-year period. One hundred one surgeries were septoplasty by technique of submucous resection, three surgeries were septal perforation repairs using a mucosal advancement flap from the nasal floor, two surgeries were excisions of benign septal neoplasms, and one surgery was a closed reduction of a nasal septal fracture. Results Overall, 3/107 patients (2.8%) experienced postoperative numbness of the anterior palate. Two of these patients underwent septoplasty, and the third patients underwent repair of septal perforation. A chisel was used to resect a portion of the maxillary crest posterior to the nasal spine in 11 patients, including the 3 patients who reported postoperative numbness. Suction cautery was also used in one of the 3 patients to address bleeding of the nasopalatine artery. Two patients reported concomitant palatal paresthesias with numbness, and both had recovery of normal sensation at 3 months follow-up. The third patient, in whom cautery was used, continued to experience numbness 1 year postoperatively. Conclusion Sensory impairment of the anterior palate may result from surgery of the nasal septum and appears to be associated with chisel of the maxillary crest. Cautery should be avoided near the nasopalatine foramen. The relevant surgical anatomy of the nasopalatine nerve is reviewed and discussed in the context of these cases.
Patients with Positive Allergen Test have Less Favorable Outcome after Endoscopic Microdebrider-assisted Inferior Turbinoplasty
Authors: Wu Chen-Chi , Lee Shiann-Yann , Hsu Chuan-Jen , Yeh Te-Huei 
Published: February 2008

Background Endoscopic microdebrider–assisted inferior turbinoplasty is a newly developed surgical technique to treat patients with nasal obstruction. Although the procedure has been reported to be safe and effective, we tested the hypothesis that the prognosis might deteriorate with time in allergic rhinitis patients as identified by a positive allergen test in patients who have a persistent regional inflammation of the nose. We assessed the degree of nasal obstruction in a prospective cohort to investigate whether positive allergen test predicts outcome. Methods In 70 consecutive patients, the symptom of nasal obstruction was evaluated subjectively by a visual analog scale (VAS) and objectively by acoustic rhinometry using cross-sectional area of the second notch (CSA-2) and nasal cavity volume before operation, and 3 months, 12 months after operation, respectively. Then, patients were classified and compared according to the multiple-antigen simultaneous test (MAST). Results Both MAST+ and MAST− groups showed statistically significant improvement in VAS score, CSA-2, and nasal cavity volume at 12 months after operation (p < 0.01). Of note, MAST+ patients showed less favorable results than MAST− patients at 12 months after operation (p < 0.05). Conclusion Microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty provides effective relief for patients with nasal obstruction. However, such turbinate surgery may be successful only for a short period of time in patients with allergic rhinitis. Our finding suggests that, in selecting appropriate candidates, surgeons should consider criteria other than symptomatology, especially in patients with allergic rhinitis who may have manifestations other than at the level of the inferior turbinate contributing to nasal blockage.
Effects of Nasal Surgery on Sleep Quality in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome with Nasal Obstruction
Authors: Nakata Seiichi , Noda Akiko , Yasuma Fumihiko , Morinaga Mami , Sugiura Makoto , Katayama Naomi , Sawaki Mine , Teranishi Masaaki , Nakashima Tsutomu 
Published: February 2008

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of nasal surgery on nasal resistance, sleep apnea, and sleep quality in adult male patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). A prospective study was performed in OSAS patients who underwent isolated nasal surgery in a tertiary referral center. Methods During the 3-year study period, 49 OSAS patients suffering from symptomatic nasal obstruction/impaired nasal breathing underwent the standard polysomnography before and after surgery. Polysomnography along with measures of nasal resistance and daytime sleepiness (the Epworth sleepiness scale [ESS] scores) were reviewed also. Results Surgery decreased the nasal resistance (0.55 ± 0.37 Pa/cm3 per second versus 0.17 ± 0.19 Pa/cm3 per second; p < 0.001) and ESS scores (11.7 ± 4.1 versus 3.3 ± 1.3; p < 0.001), without changes in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI; 44.6 ± 22.5 versus 42.5 ± 22.0). Surgery increased nadir oxygen saturation (76.2 ± 10.9% versus 78.8 ± 8.1%; p < 0.01), shortened apnea–hypopnea duration (averaged/maximum; 33.5 ± 7.3/61.1 ± 46.0 versus 28.8 ± 7.4/47.3 ± 36.1 second; p < 0.05/p < 0.01), and improved sleep quality. Conclusion The results suggest that nasal surgery is useful for lowering nasal resistance, ameliorating sleep-disordered breathing, and improving sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in OSAS.
Baby Shampoo Nasal Irrigations for the Symptomatic Post-functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Patient
Authors: Chiu Alexander G. , Palmer James N. , Woodworth Bradford A. , Doghramji Laurel , Cohen Michael B. , Prince Anthony , Cohen Noam A. 
Published: February 2008

Background Symptoms of postnasal drainage and thickened mucus are commonly seen in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) recalcitrant to sinus surgery and conventional medical therapies. Chemical surfactants can act as a mucolytic by reducing water surface tension and have the potential to serve as an antimicrobial agent. Baby shampoo is an inexpensive, commercially available solution containing multiple chemical surfactants. This is an in vitro study of its antimicrobial effects on Pseudomonas biofilms with translation to a clinical study for use as an adjuvant nasal wash in patients with CRS who remain symptomatic despite adequate sinus surgery and conventional medical therapies. Methods In vitro testing was performed to determine the optimal concentration of baby shampoo that disrupted preformed bacterial biofilms and inhibited biofilm formation. This concentration was then used in a prospective study of symptomatic post–functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) patients who irrigated twice a day for 4 weeks. Validated outcome forms and objective smell testing was performed before and after therapy. Results One percent baby shampoo in normal saline was the optimal concentration for inhibition of Pseudomonas biofilm formation. Baby shampoo had no effect on the eradication of preformed Pseudomonas biofilms. Eighteen patients with CRS with an average of 2.8 surgeries were studied after irrigating with 1% baby shampoo solution. Two patients discontinued use because of minor nasal and skin irritations; 46.6% of patients experienced an overall improvement in their subjective symptoms, and 60% of patients noted improvement in specific symptoms of thickened mucus and postnasal drainage. Conclusion Baby shampoo nasal irrigation has promise as an inexpensive, tolerable adjuvant to conventional medical therapies for symptomatic patients after FESS. Its greatest benefit may be in improving symptoms of thickened nasal discharge and postnasal drainage.
Anatomical Reconstruction from Endoscopic Images: Toward Quantitative Endoscopy
Authors: Wang Hanzi , Mirota Daniel , Hager Gregory , Ishii Masaru 
Published: February 2008

Background Recent advances in computational image processing have made it possible to reconstruct camera motion and scene geometry from a series of monocular images. By applying these methods to endoscopic image sequences, it is possible to create detailed, quantitative anatomic reconstructions. Such anatomic reconstructions have many potential clinical uses. Our objectives in this study are to (1) develop a process flow for reconstruction from endoscopic image sequences and (2) present results supporting the hypothesis that such reconstructions can be computed. Methods We first outline the overall process flow for endoscopic reconstruction. Then, we present an instantiation of this process flow using recently developed methods in computational vision. We apply these methods to cadaverous specimens for which ground truth endoscopic motion is known. Results We are able to produce consistent estimates of endoscopic motion and dense reconstructions of the surrounding anatomy for >65% of 1373 image pairs. Conclusion Our study indicates that processing endoscopic images to produce anatomic structure is feasible. Such reconstructions have high potential clinical value for intraoperative navigation, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
A numerical study of grain size effects on the strength and elongation of Al polycrystals using strain gradient plasticity theory
Authors: Zhou L. , Li S. X. , Ke W. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
By incorporating the constitutive equations based on classical plasticity and the mechanism-based strain gradient plasticity with finite element software, the stress–strain relationships and uniform elongations of Al polycrystals with different grain sizes were studied numerically. The calculation results indicate that grain refinement cannot substantially improve the uniform elongation but can increase the yield strength of Al polycrystals when the grain size is of the order of the micron and submicron scale. The Hall–Petch relationship for yield strength holds and the uniform elongation decreases with decreasing grain size. The calculation results in general agree well with the experiment data.
The anisotropy of deformation for friction stir processed Mg alloy due to the existence of onion rings
Authors: Xinghao Du , Baolin Wu 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
In the present study, it is found that one-pass friction stir processed AZ61 alloy exhibits inferior deformation ability along the longitudinal direction compared with the transverse direction at high temperatures. Based on observation of microstructure and fracture surface, premature onion ring splitting is suggested to be mainly responsible for this anisotropy of deformation behavior. Furthermore, the homogeneous microstructure from multi-pass friction stir processing can cure the premature onion ring splitting and then exhibit isotropic high-temperature superplastic deformation behavior.
A study of the Si-phase growth mechanismin thixocast (A356) alloy during hot deformation
Authors: Haghshenas M. , Zarei-Hanzaki A. , Fatemi-Varzaneh S. M. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The microstructure in modified semi-solid thixocast (A356) alloy consists of an α-Al phase with an Al/Si eutectic structure. The silicon phase in the eutectic structure is coral-like with fine fibers. The lack of good ductility in this alloy is related to the presence of silicon fibers. Accordingly, many investigations have been recently conducted to modify the Si morphology through thermomechanical processing on this alloy. In the present work, a thixocast (A356) alloy was deformed at 450 °C, 500 °C and 540 °C through different strain rates. Consequently the silicon fibers were broken into small particles. The results indicated that the Si particles might coarsen at 540 °C when deformed by rates of 0.0005 s−1 and 0.0001 s−1.
The morphology of nitrided iron–chromium alloys; influence of chromium content and nitrogen supersaturation
Authors: Díaz Nicolás Emiliano Vives , Schacherl Ralf Erich , Mittemeijer Eric Jan 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Different iron–chromium alloys (4, 8, 13 and 20 wt.% Cr) were nitrided in NH3/H2 gas mixtures at 580°C. The nitrided microstructure was investigated by X-ray diffraction, light microscopy, hardness measurements and scanning electron microscopy. Composition depth-profiles of the nitrided zone were determined by electron probe microanalysis. Various microstructures develop, depending on the nitriding conditions and the alloy composition (chromium content). The initial development of coherent, sub-microscopical CrN nitrides leads to a state of hydrostatic stress allowing the uptake of excess nitrogen dissolved in the ferrite matrix. It is shown that the outcome of the subsequent discontinuous coarsening process, which leads to a lamellar microstructure, has a close relation to the nitrogen supersaturation. As a result, the occurrence of a distinct gradient in hardness across the nitrided zone can be understood.
Experimental study of the phase relations in the Fe–Zn–Cr system at 600°C
Authors: Ai Meirong , Yin Fucheng , Liu Ya , Wang Xinming , Zhao Manxiu , Su Xuping 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The isothermal section of the Fe–Zn–Cr ternary system at 600 °C was determined using equilibrated alloys with the aid of a diffusion couple approach. The specimens were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that (Cr) is in equilibrium with all phases in the system except (α-Fe). A ternary phase with an approximate formula of Fe18Zn79Cr3 was found. The composition ranges of all intermetallic phases in the system were determined. The solubility of Zn in (Cr) is about 2.5 at.%, and that of Cr in the δ, Γ and liquid zinc is 3.1, 5.4 and 1.4 at.%, respectively.
Thermodynamic description of the ternary Pd–Sn–Zn system
Authors: Li Zuoan , Knott Sabine , Mikula Adolf 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The thermodynamic properties of the liquid Pd–Sn–Zn ternary system were investigated, because the Sn–Zn alloy is a promising lead-free solder and Pd can be used as a substrate material. Using an appropriate galvanic cell, the partial free energies of Zn in liquid Pd–Sn–Zn alloys were determined as a function of concentration and temperature. Thermodynamic properties were obtained for 18 alloys. Their composition was situated on two cross-sections with the constant molar ratios of Pd: Sn = 1:3 and 1:9. The integral Gibbs free energy and the integral enthalpy for the ternary system at 1000 K were calculated by Gibbs–Duhem integration. For the liquid binary Pd–Sn system, some inconsistencies were found in previous CALPHAD results. Considering the latest experimental information, the interaction parameters of the liquid phase were reevaluated. The liquidus temperatures were also determined from EMF measurements.
Cover Picture: Nano‐characterization of Cast Structures by FIB‐Tomography (Adv. Eng. Mater. 01‐02/2008)
Authors: Lasagni F. , Lasagni A. , Engstler M. , Degischer H. P. , Mücklich F. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe cover shows the 3D‐FIB reconstruction of an AlSi8Mg5 alloy with: AlFeSiMg aluminides (red), Mg2Si Chinese script (yellow∥, and Si lamellae (cyan/Al‐transparent). The “tomograph” was obtained using SE‐images for drawing the particle contours and low resolution EDS maps for phase identification (analyzed volume [xyz] = 14.0 × 7.9 × 7.0 μm3). More details can be found in the article by F. Lasagni et al. on page 62.
Organic Nanoclusters on Inorganic Nanostructures for Tailoring the Emission Properties of Organic Materials
Authors: Ng Alan Man‐Ching , Djurišić Aleksandra B. , Tam Kai‐Hang , Kwok Wai‐Ming , Chan Wai‐Kin , Tam Wing Yan , Phillips David Lee , Cheah Kok‐Wai 
Published: February 2008

AbstractInorganic nanostructures have been intensively studied because of their size‐dependent emission color as a result of quantum confinement effects. In contrast, no significant size dependence of the optical properties is expected for organic nanostructures owing to the weak nearest‐neighbor interactions in molecular crystals; however, the optical properties of organic materials can be significantly affected by aggregation and molecular packing, which can result in large differences between the emission spectra of solutions and thin films. Thus, the emission spectra of organic nanostructures may differ considerably from the bulk material despite the absence of quantum confinement effects. We demonstrate that 3,4,9,10‐perylenetetracarboxylicdiimide (PTCDI) nanoclusters grown on ZnO nanorods exhibit an intense blue‐white photoluminescence, different from the weak red emission of PTCDI films. Light emitting diodes consisting of ZnO nanorods and PTCDI nanoclusters also exhibited white emission.
Tuning the Rate‐Dependent Stiffness of Materials by Exploiting Néel Relaxation of Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Singh Harpreet , Wang Mao , Rutledge Gregory C. , Hatton T. Alan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe effective stiffness of materials that are impregnated with magnetic nanoparticles can be modulated by magnetic fields if the nanoparticle Néel relaxation rates are slower than the characteristic deformation rates. A numerical analysis indicates that the deflection of magnetic dipoles against the applied magnetic field on deformation of the material provides the energy absorption necessary for the enhanced stiffness observed in drop ball impact tests. The penetration depth, fraction of the impact energy that is absorbed by the rotating dipoles, and the effective increase in stiffness are shown to depend uniquely on the ratio of the characteristic magnetic energy density relative to the elastic energy density, and on the shape of the impacting object.
Syntheses, Properties, and Potential Applications of Multicomponent Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Zeng Hao , Sun Shouheng 
Published: February 2008

AbstractMulticomponent hybrid nanostructures that contain two or more nanometer‐scale components have attracted much attention recently owing to the synergistic properties induced by interactions between these different nanometer‐scale objects. Herein, we give an overview of the efforts to synthesize multicomponent nanoparticles with at least one component being magnetic, and focus on our recent developments. The syntheses are based on heterogeneous nucleation and growth of a second and third component onto seed nanoparticles. These multicomponent nanoparticles show interesting magnetic, magneto‐optical, plasmonic, and semiconducting properties that can be modulated by interfacial interactions between different nanocomponents. This opens up a new avenue to advanced multifunctional nanomaterials for device concepts and applications.