bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation Results in Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophies by Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Sapci Tarik , Usta Canan , Evcimik M Fatih , Bozkurt Ziya , Aygun Elcin , Karavus Ahmet , Peker Mustafa 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectives: Nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophies is one of the most frequent problems in otolaryngology. Treatment of this disease may involve medical and surgical methods. Thermal ablation with radiofrequency energy has become quite popular in the recent years as one of the surgical methods used when medical therapy is not adequate.Study Design: Prospective, clinical trial.Methods: Thermal ablation with radiofrequency energy was used in this study on the inferior turbinates of 21 patients who had nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy only. The results were evaluated subjectively by preoperative and postoperative patient‐ and physician‐assigned visual analogue scales and objectively by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation.Results: By the end of the postoperative week 10, 64.76% recovery was detected according to the patient evaluation, and 40.75% recovery was detected according to the physician evaluation. Measurement of the average volumes of the inferior turbinates by MRI revealed a 8.70% postoperative reduction. The most significant change was detected in the anterior‐posterior length measurement performed in the axial plane.Conclusions: These results suggest that thermal ablation with radiofrequency energy is an easily applied, efficient, and reliable technique in treatment of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy, and that anterior‐posterior length measurement in the axial section of the inferior turbinate by MRI, which is thought as an objective evaluation method, could be an efficient diagnostic tool in detecting the efficiency of radiofrequency on inferior turbinate.
Concurrent Cetuximab and Bevacizumab Therapy in a Murine Orthotopic Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Prichard Christopher N. , Kim Seungwon , Yazici Yasmin D. , Doan Dao D. , Jasser Samar A. , Mandal Mahitosh , Myers Jeffrey N. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of bevacizumab and cetuximab, alone and in combination, in an orthotopic model of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) in athymic nude mice.Study Design and Setting: This was a randomized, controlled in vivo study.Materials and Methods: The ATC cell line, ARO, was used to establish orthotopic xenografts of ATC in athymic nude mice. Mice were randomized to therapy for 4 weeks in one of four treatment groups: placebo, cetuximab, bevacizumab, or the combination of cetuximab and bevacizumab. A second study compared the antitumor efficacy of the cetuximab‐bevacizumab combination with doxorubicin. In both studies, tumor volumes on completion were measured and compared. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with antiCD31 and antiproliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies to assess the in vivo mechanisms of action of these agents.Results: Cetuximab decreased the production of vascular endothelial growth factor by ATC cell lines in vitro. Mean tumor volumes for the control, bevacizumab, cetuximab, and combination groups at the end of the in vivo study were 291, 213, 94, and 42 mm3, respectively. The differences in mean tumor volume for the control versus treatment groups were statistically significant. Immunohistochemical analysis showed decreased microvessel density and PCNA positivity in the treatment groups. In the doxorubicin comparison study, mean tumor volumes for control, doxorubicin, and combination antibody treatment groups were 175, 162, and 22 mm3, respectively.Conclusions: Cetuximab and bevacizumab alone and in combination inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis in an in vivo model of ATC. Also, this therapy was superior to doxorubicin therapy.
Interactions between methamphetamine and environmental stress: role of oxidative stress, glutamate and mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Tata Despina A. , Yamamoto Bryan K. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTAims Methamphetamine is an amphetamine derivative that is abused increasingly world‐wide at an alarming rate over the last decade. Pre‐clinical and human studies have shown that methamphetamine is neurotoxic to brain dopamine and serotonin. Other lines of study indicate that stress enhances the vulnerability to drug abuse. The purpose of this review is to shed light on the biochemical similarities between methamphetamine and stress in an effort to highlight the possibility that prior exposure to stress may interact with methamphetamine to exacerbate neurotoxicity.Methods A review of the literature on methamphetamine and stress was conducted that focused on the common neurotoxic and biochemical consequences of methamphetamine administration and stress exposure.Results Experimental findings of a large number of studies suggest that there are parallels between stress and methamphetamine with regard to their ability to increase glutamate release, produce a metabolic compromise and cause oxidative damage.Conclusion A combination of methamphetamine administration and stress can act synergistically and/or additively to cause or augment toxicity in brain regions such as striatum and hippocampus.
‘Tweaking 12‐Step’: the potential role of 12‐Step self‐help group involvement in methamphetamine recovery
Authors: Donovan Dennis M. , Wells Elizabeth A. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTAims To determine from a review of the available literature the extent to which involvement in 12‐Step mutual support groups could play a role in the recovery process for individuals abusing or dependent on methamphetamine.Method Review of the literature on outcomes associated with 12‐Step meeting attendance and involvement in 12‐Step activities among substance abusers, particularly those who abuse stimulants.Results There are few if any data available on methamphetamine abusers and their use of 12‐Step approaches. Evidence derived from work with alcohol‐ and cocaine‐dependent individuals indicates that involvement in 12‐Step self‐help groups, both attending meetings and engaging in 12‐Step activities, is associated with reduced substance use and improved outcomes. Although involvement in 12‐Step fellowship improves outcome, many individuals do not engage on their own in 12‐Step activities, and there are high rates of dropout from such groups. There are a number of evidence‐based therapies available to assist clinicians in facilitating 12‐Step involvement; however, these have not been used with methamphetamine abusers. While there are some potential barriers to adopting manualized treatment interventions into clinical practice, the familiarity, in community‐based practice, of the 12‐Step approach may make this easier.Conclusion More actively integrating 12‐Step approaches into the treatment process may provide low‐ or no‐cost options for methamphetamine abusers and increase the capacity for providing treatment. Further research and evaluation are necessary to determine the extent to which methamphetamine abusers do engage in 12‐Step self‐help programs, whether they prefer more general (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous) or drug‐specific (e.g. Crystal Meth Anonymous) meetings, the rate of dropout and the outcomes associated with their involvement. Further, the efficacy of efforts to facilitate involvement of methamphetamine abusers in such 12‐Step groups needs to be determined.
Breed assignment of Italian cattle using biallelic AFLP®markers
Authors: Negrini R. , Milanesi E. , Colli L. , Pellecchia M. , Nicoloso L. , Crepaldi P. , Lenstra J. A. , Ajmone‐Marsan P. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryThe verification of the breed origin of animal products is relevant for food safety and authenticity. We assessed the suitability of AFLP molecular markers in the assignment of cattle individuals to their breed of origin. Three hundred and ninety‐six animals belonging to 16 cattle breeds genotyped with 141 AFLP markers were used as reference data set. Assignment was performed with likelihood (aflpop) and Bayesian (structure) methods. The Bayesian approach was superior to the likelihood algorithm with respect to (i) the correct assignment of simulated individuals to their breed of origin (93% vs. 81% respectively), (ii) the correct assignment of 44 sampled Romagnola animals (91% vs. 45% respectively) and (iii) the correct classification of animals belonging to a breed that was not included within the reference dataset. Thus, AFLP profiling in combination with the Bayesian approach seems a useful tool for breed assignment.
SHORT COMMUNICATION: MX1 exon 13 polymorphisms in broiler breeder chickens and associations with commercial traits
Authors: Livant E. J. , Avendano S. , McLeod S. , Ye X. , Lamont S. J. , Dekkers J. C. M. , Ewald S. J. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryThe Mx1 gene in mice is induced by type I interferons and is the major determinant of resistance to influenza virus and related orthomyxoviruses. It has been previously shown that a SNP in exon 13 of the chicken MX1 gene determines differential antiviral activity of the protein. We evaluated this SNP and two additional SNPs in elite broiler lines by PCR amplification and sequence analysis. Associations between MX1 exon 13 SNPs and several traits of economic interest were evaluated. Significant associations were found between the SNP determining antiviral activity and mortality in one line and leg defects in another line.
Reticulated platelets interfere with flow cytometric reticulocyte counts
Authors: IVORY K. , SARRIA B. , FAIRWEATHER‐TAIT S. J. , HUGHES D. A. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryAs part of an iron absorption study, we needed to accurately count reticulocytes in the peripheral blood of healthy human volunteers before measuring their enrichment with stable iron isotopes given in an oral dose. Recent studies have suggested the usefulness of reticulocyte counting by flow cytometry, through a combination of differential light scatter and measurement of the stoichiometric binding of thiazole orange (TO) to RNA within the maturing erythrocyte. Using this method we set out to improve the precision of our quantitative analysis by counting more cells, as reticulocytes normally comprise <2% of the red cell population. To ensure exclusion of other cell types, we identified WBCs and platelets with CD16+CD45− allophycocyanin and CD61− phycoerythrin, respectively. After removal of CD16+ CD45+ TO+ WBCs and CD61+ TO− platelets from analysis, the remaining cells were a combination of CD61− TO− erythrocytes, CD61− TO+ reticulocytes and CD61+ TO+ reticulated platelets. Reticulocyte counts were lower after exclusion of CD61+ TO+ cells from analysis. They were similarly lower when erythrocyte precursors were positively identified through their glycophorin A expression and TO uptake. We conclude that it is necessary to exclude reticulated platelets from flow cytometric reticulocyte analysis.
Evaluation of treatment adherence in type 1 diabetes: a novel approach
Authors: Kitzler T. M. , Bachar M. , Skrabal F. , Kotanko P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground  Intensified insulin therapy requires outstanding compliance but no measure of therapy adherence has been agreed upon. The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that treatment adherence, as described by a novel multiple regression model, relates to glycosylated haemoglobin and hypoglycaemia frequency in type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, we sought to analyse the complex diurnal patterns of therapy adherence.Materials and methods  Thirty type 1 diabetes patients (20 females and 10 males), treated with intensified insulin therapy, were studied in a retrospective manner. Patients were trained to follow treatment algorithms for adjusting regular insulin dosage which took into account the actual blood glucose, food intake and the time of the day. By means of multiple linear regression analysis, with regular insulin dosage as the dependent variable, blood glucose and food intake as the independent variables, the insulin treatment algorithms actually used by the individual patient were retrieved. The correlation between prescribed and implemented insulin therapy served as a measure of adherence. Metabolic control was assessed by glycosylated haemoglobin and hypoglycaemia frequency.Results  Median glycosylated haemoglobin was 7·7% (range: 6·3–10·8); median monthly hypoglycaemia frequency was 3·8 (range: 0–9·8). Patients with good metabolic control (glycosylated haemoglobin < 7·7 and/or hypoglycaemia frequency < 3·8 per month) adhered to prescribed insulin dosing algorithms more frequently than those with poor metabolic control.Conclusions  In patients with type 1 diabetes on intensified therapy a positive relationship between adherence to the therapy prescribed and metabolic control exists.
Bile synthesis in rat models of inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Dikopoulos N. , Schmid R. M. , Bachem M. , Buttenschoen K. , Adler G. , Chiang J. Y. L. , Weidenbach H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground  A broad spectrum of hepatobiliary disorders are found in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of the present work was to study interactions between gut and liver in experimental rat models of colitis and small bowel inflammation.Materials and methods  Colitis was induced either by trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid or dextran sodium sulphate. Small‐bowel inflammation was induced by indomethacin. Bile acid secretion, bile acid pool, and cholesterol 7‐α hydroxylase were studied. Cholesterol 7‐α hydroxylase protein expression was analysed in the microsomal liver fraction. As portal mediators released form the inflamed gut we measured lipopolysaccharide, tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β in portal serum. The hepatic inflammatory response was evaluated by binding activity of nuclear factor‐κB, activator protein‐1 and α‐2‐macroglobulin.Results  Increased bile acid secretion, total bile acid content in gut and liver (bile acid pool size), and hepatic cholesterol 7‐α hydroxylase protein and mRNA levels were found in the two colitis models associated with only a minor hepatic acute phase and cytokine response. In contrast, during indomethacin‐induced small‐bowel inflammation bile acid secretion, pool size, and cholesterol 7‐α hydroxylase decreased in parallel to a strong hepatic cytokine and acute phase response.Conclusions  Colitis without portal cytokine release and acute phase reaction shows an induction of bile acid secretion, pool size, and cholesterol 7‐α hydroxylase. In contrast, intestinal inflammation after indomethacin treatment is associated with an acute phase response and a repression of bile acid synthesis.
Struggling for confirmation – patients’ experiences of dissatisfaction with hospital care
Authors: Eriksson Ulrika , Svedlund Marianne 
Published: February 2007

Aim. The aim of the study was to illuminate patients’ experiences of dissatisfaction with hospital care.Background. During the last decade, interest in measuring patient satisfaction has become an important indicator of the quality of care. Researchers have, however, criticized the concept theoretically and methodologically. Subsequently, researchers have increasingly argued that the focus of attention should shift to explore patient dissatisfaction.Design. A qualitative approach.Methods. Narrative interviews were conducted with six people who had experienced dissatisfaction during a hospital care episode. The interview text was analysed using qualitative content analysis.Results. The results show the patients’ struggle for confirmation, the feeling of distrust in health care and what they have been forced to sacrifice because of lack of treatment. A feeling of being a troublesome patient is also apparent. At the same time a positive encounter is described, as well as situations of confirmation from caregivers. The results also show hope and a will to get on with life.Conclusions. Dissatisfaction relating to aspects of encounter is a common problem in health care and conceivable causes and possible solutions are discussed from different perspectives.Relevance to clinical practice. Caregivers as well as patients are in need of confirmation. If management were to take notice of and confirm caregivers this could consequently help them to gain the strength and energy necessary to provide care permeated with confirmation. A veritable, trustworthy care can be established through personal presence. To take notice of, confirm and listen to patients, creates opportunities for providing them with a positive experience of human encounter, which in the long run is rewarding from all perspectives.
What does partnership in care mean for children's nurses?
Authors: Lee Polly 
Published: February 2007

Aim and objective.  To explore partnership in care with a small sample of children's nurses in an inner city trust. (i) To obtain local data on what a sample of children's nurses understand by partnership in care and to what degree partnership in care is evident in their practice; (ii) where feasible, to compare these data with national and international literatures describing partnership in care and provide pointers that will be useful in contributing and responding to the children's national service framework.Background.  Partnership in care has been practised within children's nursing in UK for over a decade, but is an amorphous topic. More recently, it has been suggested that partnership in care can be described as a part of the spectrum of family‐centred care. An exploratory study with 10 experienced children's nurses was undertaken to determine what they understood by the term partnership in care.Results.  Seven categories emerged from the data: attitudes, respect for family, communication, parent understanding, effective partnership, all parties (satisfied) and improved well‐being.Conclusion.  It is suggested that a negative approach to one of the first four categories leads to ineffective partnership in care.Relevance to clinical practice.  Attitudes, respect for the family and communication should improve to enhance the practice of partnership in care. Respect for the child and family and communication have both been identified as important qualities within the new National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services. Further research is suggested to determine the applicability of these findings to other members of the multi‐disciplinary team.
Time‐correlated single‐photon counting fluorescence lifetime confocal imaging of decayed and sound dental structures with a white‐light supercontinuum source
Authors: McCONNELL G. , GIRKIN J. M. , AMEER‐BEG S.M. , BARBER P. R. , VOJNOVIC B. , NG T. , BANERJEE A. , WATSON T. F. , COOK R. J. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryWe report the demonstration of time‐correlated single‐photon counting (TCSPC) fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) to ex vivo decayed and healthy dentinal tooth structures, using a white‐light supercontinuum excitation source. By using a 100 fs‐pulsed Ti:Sapphire laser with a low‐frequency chirp to pump a 30‐cm long section of photonic crystal fibre, a ps‐pulsed white‐light supercontinuum was created. Optical bandpass interference filters were then applied to this broad‐bandwidth source to select the 488‐nm excitation wavelength required to perform TCSPC FLIM of dental structures. Decayed dentine showed significantly shorter lifetimes, discriminating it from healthy tissue and hard, stained and thus affected but non‐infected material. The white‐light generation source provides a flexible method of producing variable‐bandwidth visible and ps‐pulsed light for TCSPC FLIM. The results from the dental tissue indicate a potential method of discriminating diseased tissue from sound, but stained tissue, which could be of crucial importance in limiting tissue resection during preparation for clinical restorations.
On the complex three‐dimensional amplitude point spread function of lenses and microscope objectives: theoretical aspects, simulations and measurements by digital holography
Authors: MARIAN A. , CHARRIÈRE F. , COLOMB T. , MONTFORT F. , KÜHN J. , MARQUET P. , DEPEURSINGE C. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryThe point spread function is widely used to characterize the three‐dimensional imaging capabilities of an optical system. Usually, attention is paid only to the intensity point spread function, whereas the phase point spread function is most often neglected because the phase information is not retrieved in noninterferometric imaging systems. However, phase point spread functions are needed to evaluate phase‐sensitive imaging systems and we believe that phase data can play an essential role in the full aberrations' characterization. In this paper, standard diffraction models have been used for the computation of the complex amplitude point spread function. In particular, the Debye vectorial model has been used to compute the amplitude point spread function of ×63/0.85 and ×100/1.3 microscope objectives, exemplifying the phase point spread function specific for each polarization component of the electromagnetic field. The effect of aberrations on the phase point spread function is then analyzed for a microscope objective used under nondesigned conditions, by developing the Gibson model (Gibson & Lanni, 1991), modified to compute the three‐dimensional amplitude point spread function in amplitude and phase. The results have revealed a novel anomalous phase behaviour in the presence of spherical aberration, providing access to the quantification of the aberrations.This work mainly proposes a method to measure the complex three‐dimensional amplitude point spread function of an optical imaging system. The approach consists in measuring and interpreting the amplitude point spread function by evaluating in amplitude and phase the image of a single emitting point, a 60‐nm‐diameter tip of a Near Field Scanning Optical Microscopy fibre, with an original digital holographic experimental setup. A single hologram gives access to the transverse amplitude point spread function. The three‐dimensional amplitude point spread function is obtained by performing an axial scan of the Near Field Scanning Optical Microscopy fibre. The phase measurements accuracy is equivalent to λ/60 when the measurement is performed in air. The method capability is demonstrated on an Achroplan ×20 microscope objective with 0.4 numerical aperture. A more complete study on a ×100 microscope objective with 1.3 numerical aperture is also presented, in which measurements performed with our setup are compared with the prediction of an analytical aberrations model.
Use of EBSD to identify phases in interdendrite region of a cast Zn–Al‐based alloy (ZA27)
Authors: TO S. , ZHU Y. H. , LEE W. B. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryElectron backscattered Kikuchi diffraction methodology was used to identify phases in the interdendrite region of an alloy ZA27. Two Zn‐rich hexagonal close‐packed structure phases η and ɛ phases were distinguished using predetermined lattice parameters of the phases. In relation to studies of scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction, electron backscattered diffraction results revealed that the Al‐rich precipitates of the α phase were from decomposition of the η′T, and the four‐phase transformation: α+ɛ→ T′+η, had occurred in the ɛ phase after ageing at 150°C for 8 h.