bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Running in ostriches (Struthio camelus): three-dimensional joint axes alignment and joint kinematics
Authors: Rubenson Jonas , Lloyd David G. , Besier Thor F. , Heliams Denham B. , Fournier Paul A. 
Published: June 2007

SUMMARYAlthough locomotor kinematics in walking and running birds have been examined in studies exploring many biological aspects of bipedalism, these studies have been largely limited to two-dimensional analyses. Incorporating a five-segment, 17 degree-of-freedom (d.f.) kinematic model of the ostrich hind limb developed from anatomical specimens, we quantified the three-dimensional(3-D) joint axis alignment and joint kinematics during running (at ∼3.3 m s–1) in the largest avian biped, the ostrich. Our analysis revealed that the majority of the segment motion during running in the ostrich occurs in flexion/extension. Importantly, however, the alignment of the average flexion/extension helical axes of the knee and ankle are rotated externally to the direction of travel (37° and 21°, respectively) so that pure flexion and extension at the knee will act to adduct and adbuct the tibiotarsus relative to the plane of movement, and pure flexion and extension at the ankle will act to abduct and adduct the tarsometatarsus relative to the plane of movement. This feature of the limb anatomy appears to provide the major lateral (non-sagittal) displacement of the lower limb necessary for steering the swinging limb clear of the stance limb and replaces what would otherwise require greater adduction/abduction and/or internal/external rotation, allowing for less complex joints, musculoskeletal geometry and neuromuscular control. Significant rotation about the joints'non-flexion/extension axes nevertheless occurs over the running stride. In particular, hip abduction and knee internal/external and varus/valgus motion may further facilitate limb clearance during the swing phase, and substantial non-flexion/extension movement at the knee is also observed during stance. Measurement of 3-D segment and joint motion in birds will be aided by the use of functionally determined axes of rotation rather than assumed axes, proving important when interpreting the biomechanics and motor control of avian bipedalism.
Magnetic Resonance-Based Tracking and Quantification of Intravenously Injected Neural Stem Cell Accumulation in the Brains of Mice with Experimental Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Politi Letterio S. , Bacigaluppi Marco , Brambilla Elena , Cadioli Marcello , Falini Andrea , Comi Giancarlo , Scotti Giuseppe , Martino Gianvito , Pluchino Stefano 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Eliciting the in situ accumulation and persistence patterns of stem cells following transplantation would provide critical insight toward human translation of stem cell-based therapies. To this end, we have developed a strategy to track neural stem/precursor cells (NPCs) in vivo using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Initially, we evaluated three different human-grade superparamagnetic iron oxide particles for labeling NPCs and found the optimal labeling to be achieved with Resovist. Next, we carried out in vivo experiments to monitor the accumulation of Resovist-labeled NPCs following i.v. injection in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of multiple sclerosis. With a human MR scanner, we were able to visualize transplanted cells as early as 24 hours post-transplantation in up to 80% of the brain demyelinating lesions. Interestingly, continued monitoring of transplanted mice indicated that labeled NPCs were still present 20 days postinjection. Neuropathological analysis confirmed the presence of transplanted NPCs exclusively in inflammatory demyelinating lesions and not in normal-appearing brain areas. Quantification of transplanted cells by means of MR-based ex vivo relaxometry (R2*) showed significantly higher R2* values in focal inflammatory brain lesions from EAE mice transplanted with labeled NPCs as compared with controls. Indeed, sensitive quantification of low numbers of NPCs accumulating into brain inflammatory lesions (33.3–164.4 cells per lesion; r2 = .998) was also obtained. These studies provide evidence that clinical-grade human MR can be used for noninvasive monitoring and quantification of NPC accumulation in the central nervous system upon systemic cell injection.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Concise Review: Prospects of Stem Cell Therapy for Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Shetty Ashok K. , Hattiangady Bharathi 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Certain regions of the adult brain have the ability for partial self-repair after injury through production of new neurons via activation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs). Nonetheless, there is no evidence yet for pervasive spontaneous replacement of dead neurons by newly formed neurons leading to functional recovery in the injured brain. Consequently, there is enormous interest for stimulating endogenous NSCs in the brain to produce new neurons or for grafting of NSCs isolated and expanded from different brain regions or embryonic stem cells into the injured brain. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), characterized by hyperexcitability in the hippocampus and spontaneous seizures, is a possible clinical target for stem cell-based therapies. This is because these approaches have the potential to curb epileptogenesis and prevent chronic epilepsy development and learning and memory dysfunction after hippocampal damage related to status epilepticus or head injury. Grafting of NSCs may also be useful for restraining seizures during chronic epilepsy. The aim of this review is to evaluate current knowledge and outlook pertaining to stem cell-based therapies for TLE. The first section discusses the behavior of endogenous hippocampal NSCs in human TLE and animal models of TLE and evaluates the role of hippocampal neurogenesis in the pathophysiology and treatment of TLE. The second segment considers the prospects for preventing or suppressing seizures in TLE using exogenously applied stem cells. The final part analyzes problems that remain to be resolved before initiating clinical application of stem cell-based therapies for TLE.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Changes in and Prognostic Value of Hormone Receptor Status in a Series of Operable Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Tacca Olivier , Penault-Llorca Frédérique , Abrial Catherine , Mouret-Reynier Marie-Ange , Raoelfils Inès , Durando Xavier , Achard Jean-Louis , Gimbergues Pierre , Curé Hervé , Chollet Philippe 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
The aim of this study was to detect and analyze changes in hormone receptor (HR) status after treatment of operable breast cancer with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). Patients were treated from 1982 to 2004 with different NCT combinations, mainly in successive prospective phase II trials. HR status before and after NCT was retested and reviewed in a blinded fashion by two pathologists, for 420 patients from a database of 710 patients. Among these 420 tumors, 145 (35%) were HR negative and 275 (65%) were HR positive before NCT. The HR status had changed after treatment in 98 patients (23%): 61 patients (42%) initially HR negative became HR positive. This HR-positive switch was significantly correlated with better overall survival (OS), compared with patients with unchanged HR-negative tumors. Moreover, this HR-positive switch also had an effect on disease-free survival (DFS). Conversely, 37 patients (13%) initially HR positive became HR negative after NCT. However, this group of previously positive patients still had a survival advantage for OS, but not for DFS. The Allred score was evaluated before and after chemotherapy. An increase in Allred score after NCT was significantly correlated with better DFS but not OS. It was previously shown, for other tumor parameters, that residual disease after NCT, rather than parameters evaluated on the initial biopsy, must be considered for patient prognosis. In this work, NCT induced variations in HR status in 23% of patients. A positive switch in HR status after NCT could be an indicator of better prognosis for patient outcome.
FDA Drug Approval Summary: Bevacizumab (Avastin®) Plus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel as First-Line Treatment of Advanced/Metastatic Recurrent Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Cohen Martin H. , Gootenberg Joe , Keegan Patricia , Pazdur Richard 
Published: June 2007

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the bevacizumab mechanism of action.List the current bevacizumab indications.Discuss the role of bevacizumab in the treatment of specific non-small cell lung cancer histologies.Describe the clinical trial design leading to bevacizumab approval by the FDA.Identify the major adverse events associated with bevacizumab treatment.
CME Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com
Efficacy and Safety of Every-2-Week Darbepoetin Alfa in Patients with Anemia of Cancer: A Controlled, Randomized, Open-Label Phase II Trial
Authors: Charu Veena , Belani Chandra P. , Gill Ahmad N. , Bhatt Mukesh , Tomita Dianne , Rossi Greg , Ben-Jacob Ali 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
This randomized, controlled trial evaluated the effect of darbepoetin alfa on hospitalization days, transfusion requirements, hemoglobin levels, and fatigue in patients with anemia of cancer (AOC). Eligible patients were anemic (hemoglobin ≤11 g/dl) due to cancer, ≥18 years old, and had not received chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 4 weeks of study screening. Patients were randomized 4:1 to receive darbepoetin alfa, 3.0 μg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W) (n = 226), or observation only for 12 weeks (n = 59), followed by an optional 9 weeks of darbepoetin alfa, 3.0 μg/kg Q2W. Endpoints were compared between the two treatment arms at week 13. A planned interim analysis indicated that assumptions regarding hospitalization in the study design were incorrect, so the study was terminated early. Therefore, results for the primary endpoint should be interpreted cautiously. The hospitalization rate was similar (0.5 days) for both the darbepoetin alfa and observation groups (p = .73). Transfusion incidence (weeks 5–12) was significantly lower for darbepoetin alfa patients (8%) than for observation patients (22%) (p = .0092). By week 13, hemoglobin increased by 2.1 g/dl in patients receiving darbepoetin alfa, compared with 0.1 g/dl in the observation group p &lt; .0001. Hemoglobin improvements were paralleled by an increase in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Fatigue score (mean change in score at week 13: darbepoetin alfa, 6.0; observation, 2.2; p &lt; .05). Darbepoetin alfa Q2W can significantly improve hemoglobin levels and reduce transfusion requirements in patients with AOC, resulting in significant improvements in health-related quality of life.
Factors Associated With Successful Smoking Cessation in the United States, 2000
Authors: Lee Chung-won , Kahende Jennifer 
Published: June 2007

Objectives. Each year, nearly 2 in 5 cigarette smokers try to quit, but fewer than 10% succeed. Taking a multifaceted approach to examine the predictors of successfully quitting smoking, we identified factors associated with successful quitting so that cessation programs could be tailored to those at highest risk for relapse. Methods. Using data from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey, we employed multiple regression analysis to compare demographic, behavioral, and environmental characteristics of current smokers who tried unsuccessfully to quit in the previous 12 months with characteristics of those able to quit for at least 7 to 24 months before the survey. Results. Successful quitters were more likely than those unable to quit to have rules against smoking in their homes, less likely to have switched to light cigarettes for health concerns, and more likely to be aged 35 years or older, married or living with a partner, and non-Hispanic White, and to have at least a college education. Conclusions. Programs promoting smoking cessation might benefit by involving family or other household members to encourage smoke-free homes.
Predictors of Sustained Smoking Cessation: A Prospective Analysis of Chronic Smokers From the Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study
Authors: Augustson Erik M. , Wanke Kay L. , Rogers Scott , Bergen Andrew W. , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Synder Kirk , Albanes Demetrius , Taylor Phil R. , Caporaso Neil E. 
Published: June 2007

Objectives. Because US smoking rates have not declined during the past decade, there is a renewed need to identify factors associated with smoking cessation. Using a nested case–control design, we explored the association between ability to sustain cessation over an extended period and demographic, smoking, medical, and behavioral variables. Methods. We selected a sample of 1379 sustained quitters (abstinent from smoking for at least 40 months) and 1388 relapsers (abstinent for more than 8 months before relapse) from participants in the Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study, a nutritional intervention study involving Finnish men aged 50 to 69 years at baseline. Contingency table and multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate potential differences between the 2 groups on baseline variables. Results. Compared with sustained quitters, relapsers were more likely to report symptoms of emotional distress and higher levels of nicotine dependence, to drink more alcohol, and to report more medical conditions. Conclusions. Factors associated with both tobacco use and comorbid conditions impact an individual’s ability to maintain long-term smoking cessation. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of action and potential common pathways among these factors may help to improve smoking cessation therapies.
The Effects of Changes in Smoking Prevalence on Obesity Prevalence in the United States
Authors: Flegal Katherine M. 
Published: June 2007

Objectives. Reduction of cigarette smoking is an important public health goal. However, lower smoking prevalence may be associated with increased obesity prevalence. I sought to estimate the effect of decreases in smoking prevalence on obesity prevalence in the United States population. Methods. I combined current weight data by smoking status from the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with smoking prevalence data from past NHANES surveys to estimate weight status had smoking prevalence not changed. Results. Even relatively large changes in the prevalence of smoking were estimated to have little effect on obesity prevalence. For example, if smoking prevalence in 1999–2002 were at the higher 1971–1975 smoking level, the estimated 1999–2002 obesity prevalence would be 22.5% rather than the actual value of 23.9%, a difference of only 1.4 percentage points. Estimates for other weight categories were similarly small. Conclusions. Decreases in the prevalence of cigarette smoking probably had only a small effect, often less than 1 percentage point, on increasing the prevalence of obesity and decreasing the prevalence of healthy weight in the population.
Under the Radar: Smokeless Tobacco Advertising in Magazines With Substantial Youth Readership
Authors: Morrison Margaret A. , Krugman Dean M. , Park Pumsoon 
Published: June 2007

Objectives. In light of the Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (STMSA) and the fact that smokeless tobacco advertising has received little attention, we examined industry data to assess smokeless tobacco advertising in popular magazines. Of particular interest was the level of advertising in magazines with high youth readership and the amount of reach and frequency that was generated among readers aged 12 to 17 years. Methods. We used readership data from Mediamark Research Inc, advertising expenditure data from TNS Media Intelligence, and Adplus, a media planning program from Telmar to document the composition of adult and youth readership of magazines in which smokeless tobacco products were advertised, industry expenditures on advertising, and adolescents’ exposure to smokeless tobacco advertising. Results. The STMSA appears to have had a limited effect on the advertising of smokeless tobacco products to youth; both before and after the agreement, smokeless tobacco companies advertised in magazines with high adolescent readership. Conclusions. Popular magazines with smokeless tobacco advertising reach a large number of adolescents through a combination of both youth-oriented and adult magazines. These exposure levels have generally increased since the STMSA.
Smoking and Cessation Behaviors Among Young Adults of Various Educational Backgrounds
Authors: Solberg Leif I. , Asche Stephen E. , Boyle Raymond , McCarty Maribet C. , Thoele Merry Jo 
Published: June 2007

Objectives. We sought to determine whether the educational backgrounds of young adult smokers (aged 18 to 24 years) affect their cessation attitudes or behaviors in ways that could be used to improve smoking interventions. Methods. We surveyed 5580 members of the HealthPartners health plan and conducted a follow-up survey 12 months later of current and former smokers. Respondents were divided into subgroups according to educational level. Results. Higher levels of education were associated with lower smoking rates (16% among students in 4-year colleges, 31% among those in technical or 2-year colleges, and 48% among those with a high school education or less) as well as less frequent or heavy smoking. However, number of quit attempts in the past year, level of interest in quitting, and smoking relapse rates did not vary according to educational level. Seventy-three percent of those who had attempted to quit had not used some form of assistance. Conclusions. Rates of smoking among young adults, especially those at low educational levels, are relatively high. However, most members of this age group are interested in quitting, regardless of educational background.
“A Whole ’Nother Smoke” or a Cigarette in Disguise: How RJ Reynolds Reframed the Image of Little Cigars
Authors: Delnevo Cristine D. , Hrywna Mary 
Published: June 2007

Present-day consumption of little cigars rivals that of the early 1970s when sales of little cigars boomed. This boom was largely attributed to RJ Reynolds, and documents reveal how and why they became a powerful force in little cigar sales. RJ Reynolds designed a little cigar, Winchesters, for cigarette smokers and produced one as close to a cigarette as legally possible.Initially, RJ Reynolds intended to capitalize on the cigarette advertising broadcast ban, but the price and tax structure was more critical to Winchester’s success. Today, the tobacco industry is fighting again to sustain its unique application of federal definitions for little cigars. Regulatory efforts are needed to close taxation loopholes for the little cigar.
New Organic Nonlinear Optical Polyene Crystals and Their Unusual Phase Transitions
Authors: Kwon O‐P. , Kwon S.‐J. , Jazbinsek M. , Choubey A. , Gramlich V. , Günter P. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA series of new nonlinear optical chromophores based on configurationally locked polyenes (CLPs) with chiral pyrrolidine donors are synthesized. All CLP derivatives exhibit high thermal stability with decomposition temperatures Td at least >  270 °C. Acentric single crystals of enantiopure D‐ and L‐prolinol‐based chromophores with a monoclinic space group P21 exhibit a macroscopic second‐order nonlinearity that is twice as large than that of analogous dimethylamino‐based crystal. This is attributed to a strong hydrogen‐bonded polar polymer‐like chain built by these molecules, which is aligned along the polar crystallographic b‐axis. Five α‐phase CLP crystals with different donors grown from solution exhibit a reversible or irreversible thermally induced structural phase transition to a β‐phase. These phase transitions are unusual, changing the crystal symmetry from higher to lower at increasing temperatures, for example, from centrosymmetric to non‐centrosymmetric, enhancing their macroscopic second‐order nonlinear optical properties.
A Smart Supramolecular Hydrogel Exhibiting pH‐Modulated Viscoelastic Properties
Authors: Shi N. E. , Dong H. , Yin G. , Xu Z. , Li S. H. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe macroscopic viscoelastic properties of a physical hydrogel are reversibly modulated by tuning the microscopic hydrogen‐bonding interactions with pH. The hydrogel forms at a rather low concentration of the multi‐pyridyl‐based gelator, N, N′, N″‐tris(3‐pyridyl)trimesic amide. The yield stress of the hydrogel is greatly enhanced from 10 to 769 Pa by changing the pH from 7.0 to 5.0. At pH 7.0, the amide molecules are assembled into an ordered structure as a result of the hydrogen bonds between the amide N–H bond and the nitrogen on the pyridyl group (N–H…Py). Fourier transform (FT) IR spectroscopy indicates that hydrogen bonds of N–H…Py are partially broken because the pyridyl groups are partly protonated at pH 5.0. This condition leads to a highly branched and homogeneous fibrillar network, which is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images. Highly branched fibrillar networks create more compartments and greatly increase the interfacial tension that is required to hold the solvent in the gel, thereby increasing the yield stress to 769 Pa. By further increasing the acidity of the hydrogel to pH < 3.0, the gel becomes a sol. Both the change in the viscoelastic properties and the sol–gel transition are reversible and controllable in the material.
White Electroluminescence from a Single‐Polymer System with Simultaneous Two‐Color Emission: Polyfluorene Blue Host and Side‐Chain‐Located Orange Dopant
Authors: Liu J. , Guo X. , Bu L. J. , Xie Z. Y. , Cheng Y. X. , Geng Y. H. , Wang L. X. , Jing X. B. , Wang F. S. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractFour single polymers with two kinds of attachment of orange chromophore to blue polymer host for white electroluminescence (EL) were designed. The effect of the side‐chain attachment and main‐chain attachment on the EL efficiencies of the resulting polymers was compared. The side‐chain‐type single polymers are found to exhibit more efficient white EL than that of the main‐chain‐type single polymers. Based on the side‐chain‐type white single polymer with 4‐(4‐alkyloxy‐phenyl)‐7‐(4‐diphenylamino‐phenyl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazoles as the orange‐dopant unit and polyfluorene as the blue polymer host, white EL with simultaneous orange (λmax = 545 nm) and blue emission (λmax = 432 nm/460 nm) is realised. A single‐layer device (indium tin oxide/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/polymer/Ca/Al) made of these polymers emits white light with the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage coordinates of (0.30,0.40), possesses a turn‐on voltage of 3.5 V, luminous efficiency of 10.66 cd A–1, power efficiency of 6.68 lm W–1, and a maximum brightness of 21 240 cd m–2.