bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Processing of novel SiC and group III‐nitride based micro‐ and nanomechanical devices
Authors: Foerster Ch. , Cimalla V. , Brueckner K. , Lebedev V. , Stephan R. , Hein M. , Ambacher O. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractMicromechanical 3C‐SiC‐ and AlN‐resonator beams with resonant frequencies between 20 kHz and 5 MHz have been realized. The 200 nm thin epitaxial SiC and group III‐nitrides layers were grown on silicon (100) and (111) oriented substrates, respectively. Subsequent the beams were dry‐etched by an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma technique. This new developed plasma based process allows anisotropic as well as isotropic etching for all materials involved. The created freestanding resonator bars have dimensions in the µm to sub‐µm range. The operation principle based on a magneto motive actuation and a thin conductive metal layer on top of the resonator realizes the detection. We present a measurement setup for the electrical characterization of the bars and show coupled beams, to isolate the sensor signal from the excitation signal. Furthermore, we realized beams with a separate read‐out unit (capacitive) as well as resonator structures with separate actuation (piezoelectric) to solve the problems of the superimposition of actuation and detection. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The expression level of GCNF affects fate choice during neural differentiation of PCC7 cells
Authors: Koziollek‐Drechsler Ingrid , Sattler Ulrike , Zechel Christina 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe nuclear receptor GCNF (NR6A1) is required for embryonic survival and development, and regulation of fertility. We used a transgenic approach to investigate its role in neural differentiation. As model we chose the embryonal carcinoma cell line PCC7, which reproducibly differentiates into a tissue‐like pattern of neuronal and non‐neuronal cells after exposure to retinoic acid (RA). The differentiation pattern of gcnf sense and antisense clones consistently indicated that the expression level of GCNF positively correlated with the development of the neuronal fate. Moreover, antisense clones failed to down‐regulate expression of the key regulator of differentiation Oct4 during the initial stages of neural differentiation. This data proposes that GCNF might promote the neuronal fate by mechanisms that involve repression of Oct4.
A fully abstract semantics of classes for Object-Z
Authors: Smith Graeme 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
This paper presents a fully abstract semantics of classes for the object oriented formal specification language Object-Z. Such a semantics includes no unnecessary syntactic details and, hence, describes a class in terms of the external behaviour of its objects only. The semantics, based on an extension of existing process models, defines a notion of behavioural equivalence which is stronger than that of CSP and weaker than that of CCS.
Psychosocial functioning of mothers with chronic pain: a comparison to pain‐free controls
Authors: Evans Subhadra , Shipton Edward A. , Keenan Thomas R. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThis study compared the functioning of mothers experiencing chronic pain and control mothers on a range of psychosocial variables. Participants included 39 mothers with chronic pain conditions ranging from migraine and arthritis to chronic neck and back pain and 35 control mothers with out chronic pain. Analyses indicated that mothers with chronic pain experienced more physical, psychological and social difficulties when compared to controls. More difficulties were reported in completing day‐to‐day parenting tasks in mothers with chronic pain. Consistent with the biopsychosocial model of chronic pain, psychosocial variables accounted for approximately half of the variance in chronic pain mothers' physical functioning scores. The importance of psychological variables in the experience of chronic pain, the potential reduction in parenting efficacy and the risk that these influences hold for children are discussed.
Neuroanatomic observations of the brain in autism: a review and future directions
Authors: Bauman Margaret L. , Kemper Thomas L. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractInfantile autism is a behaviorally defined disorder associated with characteristic cognitive, language and behavioral features. Several postmortem studies have highlighted areas of anatomic abnormality in the autistic brain. Consistent findings have been observed in the limbic system, cerebellum and related inferior olive. In the limbic system, the hippocampus, amygdala and entorhinal cortex have shown small cell size and increased cell packing density at all ages, suggesting a pattern consistent with development curtailment. Findings in the cerebellum have included significantly reduced numbers of Purkinje cells, primarily in the posterior inferior regions of the hemispheres. A different pattern of change has been noted in the vertical limb of the diagonal band of broca, cerebellar nuclei and inferior olive with plentiful and abnormally enlarged neurons in the brains of young autistic subjects, and in adult autistic brains, small, pale neurons that are reduced in number. These findings combined with reported age‐related changes in brain weight and volume, have raised the possibility that the neuropathology of autism may represent an on‐going process.
Helicobacter pylori infection and platelet counts during pregnancy
Authors: Fukui O. , Shimoya K. , Shimizu T. , Fukuda H. , Wasada K. , Murata Y. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether there is any correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and platelet counts during pregnancy.MethodsOne hundred and twenty pregnant women without any complications were evaluated. Platelet counts were determined during pregnancy and postpartum. H. pylori infection was assessed by the detection of serum antibodies at the 3rd day postpartum. Statistically significant differences of platelet count between H. pylori‐positive and ‐negative patients were determined.ResultsH. pylori infection was found in 29 of 120 (24.2%). Platelet counts in the 3rd trimester were 22.7±4.7×103/μl in H. pylori‐positive group and 22.8±5.6×103/μl in negative group (p=0.98). Platelet count in the 3rd trimester in positive and negative patients were 93±17% and 94±20%, respectively, of that of the 1st trimester (p=0.92). The incidence of hyperemesis gravidarum in both groups was not significant (p=0.28).ConclusionA correlation between H. pylori infection and thrombocytopenia during pregnancy was not found in this study.
Multiple Myeloma and Peripheral Neuropathy in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 (DM2)
Authors: Walker Melanie , Weiss Michael D , Distad B Jane , Samii Ali 
Published: February 2005

Abstract

Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a phenotypically heterogeneous multisystem disorder, most dramatically involving the nervous system. Although multisystem involvement is common in this disease, we present a genetically proven DM2 patient with both peripheral neuropathy and blood dyscrasia, previously unreported in the literature, suggesting a distinct phenotype in this population. Routine electrophoresis in DM2 patients with neuropathy is recommended, and implications surrounding the etiology of peripheral neuropathy and paraproteinemia in DM2 are discussed.
Gastric Emptying in Premature Newborns with Acute Respiratory Distress
Authors: dos Santos Mezzacappa Maria Aparecida Marques , Collares Edgard Ferro 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTObjectives:The authors hypothesized that acute respiratory distress (ARD) delays gastric emptying. The objective was to test this hypothesis by assessing gastric emptying on the second and seventh days of life in premature infants with ARD resulting from pulmonary disease.Methods:Thirty‐nine newborns with ARD starting on the first day of life were selected and paired with 39 healthy control newborns matched by weight (within 250 g). Gestational age was ≤35 weeks and birth weight was ≤1750 g for all subjects. Gastric emptying was assessed at 48.0 ± 24.0 hours and at 168.0 ± 24.0 hours of life. A test meal consisting of 3 mL/kg of 5% glucose in water labeled with phenol red was administered by gastric tube over 1 minute and gastric retention was determined as percent test meal remaining in the stomach 30 minutes after administration.Results:Gastric retention at 30 minutes varied considerably in both groups and was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in newborns with ARD (61.4%) than controls (51.8%) at 48.0 ± 24.0 hours, decreasing significantly after partial or full remission of ARD at 168 ± 24 hours of life. Gastric retention was 60.2% in newborns with feeding intolerance and 36.8% in tolerant newborns (P < 0.001) at 168 hours. ARD and periventricular or intraventricular hemorrhage were predictors of gastric retention at 48 ± 24 hours of life, whereas feeding intolerance and gestational age were predictors of gastric retention at 168 ± 24 hours. Gastric retention was inversely correlated with gestational age.Conclusion:Gastric emptying is delayed in premature infants with ARD during the first 72 hours of life and may impair the initiation of enteral feeding.
Laparoscopic Antireflux Procedures in the Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Following Esophageal Atresia Repair
Authors: Esposito Ciro , Langer Jacob C , Schaarschmidt Klaus , Mattioli Girolamo , Sauer Carolien , Centonze Antonella , Cigliano Bruno , Settimi Alessandro , Jasonni Vincenzo 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTObjectives:The validity of open fundoplication after esophageal atresia (EA) repair is still disputed. The authors have retrospectively evaluated the results achieved in their centers using laparoscopic antireflux procedures (LARP) in children operated for EA at birth.Methods:From 1998 to 2002, 350 children underwent LARP. Of these, 21 (6%) underwent EA repair at birth. Our study focused only on the management of these 21 patients; 5 of them (23.8%) were neurologically impaired children (NIC). All underwent LARP, 9 patients according to Nissen, 9 according to Thal, and 3 according to Toupet. The 5 NIC with feeding problems underwent concomitant g‐tube placement during the same procedure.Results:All the procedures were completed in laparoscopy, without intraoperative complications. The mean operative time was 65 minutes (range 45‐140). We had no mortality in our series. Hospital stay varied from 2 to 9 days (median 3 days). At a maximum follow‐up of 6 years, all patients were evaluated with a 24‐hours pH‐metry and barium swallow. The 16 neurologically normal children were free of symptoms at the last follow‐up; five of them (31.2%) had mild dysphagia, which disappeared spontaneously within 3‐6 months. One girl experienced an important episode of aspiration 2 years after the LARP, although there was no evidence of reflux at the follow‐up examinations. As for the 5 NIC, one patient eats only through a g‐tube, the other 4 undergo mixed feeding (g‐tube and mouth); none have signs of GER, but two of them still present respiratory symptoms, and one has delayed gastric emptying.Conclusions:In our experience laparoscopic antireflux surgery is an appropriate treatment of GER in children operated for EA at birth, independently of the antireflux mechanism adopted; the 31.2% rate of short‐term dysphagia presenting as residual respiratory symptoms may be due to a primary dysmotility of the esophagus consequent to the esophageal atresia.
Using the Concept of Food Based Dietary Guidelines to Develop an Optimized Mixed Diet (OMD) for German Children and Adolescents
Authors: Kersting Mathilde , Alexy Ute , Clausen Kerstin 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTObjective:To apply for the first time FAO/WHO standards for Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) to develop a total diet concept named Optimized Mixed Diet (OMD) for children and adolescents in a European country.Methods:Exact 7‐day menus were composed for sample age groups of children (4‐6 years) and adolescents (13‐14 years), taking into account the German meal patterns, common non‐fortified foods, and sensory preferences of children (practical criteria). Food amounts and food selection within the menus were optimized so far as to achieve a total of reference intakes for 22 nutrients (scientific criteria). Simple food based messages were deduced.Results:Compared to the existing high‐fat, low plant food diet reported from the DONALD Study (Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed Study), the OMD is lower in fat and saturated fatty acids and contains ample amounts of plant foods. Reference nutrient densities for age groups between 1 and 18 years were achieved or exceeded, except folate. Foods from the optimized menus were summarized into 11 food groups based on nutritional and practical considerations. Proportions of food groups by weight are independent of age and can be used to recalculate food amounts for various age groups or energy requirements, respectively. For simplification, “recommended” foods were distinguished from “tolerated” foods by their nutrient densities; based on food amounts, 3 simple rules for food consumption were deduced, i.e. beverages and plant foods: ample; animal foods: moderate; high‐fat, high‐sugar foods: sparingly.Conclusions:Exact menus and food amounts are a prerequisite to ascertain nutrient adequacy of FBDG. The OMD demonstrates that a single diet concept with a core of quantified food groups can be adequate for age groups between 1 and 18 years within a country, such as Germany.
Celiac Disease in Children with Diarrhea Is More Frequent than Previously Suspected
Authors: Imanzadeh Farid , Sayyari Ali Akbar , Yaghoobi Mohammad , Akbari Mohammad Reza , Shafagh Hamed , Farsar Ahmad Reza 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTBackground:Celiac disease (CD) may be missed or diagnosed late in children with chronic diarrhea. In this study the authors estimated the frequency of CD among pediatric patients with chronic diarrhea based on serologic and pathologic examinations.Methods:During a 6‐year period, all patients with chronic diarrhea of more than 6 weeks referred to the authors' department were included. For each patient, an asymptomatic control was enrolled from among the patients referred to our clinic for other reasons. Serologic tests for CD including immunoglobulin A endomysial antibody and immunoglobulin A antigliadin antibody were performed in all patients and controls. If positive, duodenal biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Patients subsequently diagnosed as CD were placed on a gluten‐free diet and reevaluated after 6 months.Results:825 cases of diarrhea and 825 controls were enrolled. CD was diagnosed in 54 (6.5%) of the diarrhea patients and seven (0.8%) of the controls. After 6 months of gluten‐free diet, 48 (88.8%) patients had significant improvement in symptoms and of these 41 (76.1%) were totally asymptomatic. Forty‐two patients allowed repeat endoscopy after 6 months of gluten‐free diet and 40 (95.2%) showed improvement in histologic findings.Conclusion:CD is common among patients labeled as chronic diarrhea. In this subgroup, gluten‐free diet may lead to a significant improvement in symptoms. Routine testing for CD may be indicated in all patients being evaluated for chronic diarrhea.
Chronic Abdominal Pain In Children: A Technical Report of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Authors: Di Lorenzo Carlo , Colletti Richard B , Lehmann Horald P , Boyle John T , Gerson William T , Hyams Jeffrey S , Squires Robert H , Walker Lynn S , Kanda Pamela T 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTChronic abdominal pain, defined as long‐lasting intermittent or constant abdominal pain, is a common pediatric problem encountered by primary care physicians, medical subspecialists and surgical specialists. Chronic abdominal pain in children is usually functional‐that is, without objective evidence of an underlying organic disorder. The Subcommittee on Chronic Abdominal Pain of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition has prepared this report based on a comprehensive, systematic review and rating of the medical literature. This report accompanies a clinical report based on the literature review and expert opinion.The subcommittee examined the diagnostic and therapeutic value of a medical and psychologic history, diagnostic tests, and pharmacological and behavioral therapy. The presence of alarm symptoms or signs (such as weight loss, gastrointestinal bleeding, persistent fever, chronic severe diarrhea and significant vomiting) is associated with a higher prevalence of organic disease. There was insufficient evidence to state that the nature of the abdominal pain or the presence of associated symptoms (such as anorexia, nausea, headache and joint pain) can discriminate between functional and organic disorders. Although children with chronic abdominal pain and their parents are more often anxious or depressed, the presence of anxiety, depression, behavior problems or recent negative life events does not distinguish between functional and organic abdominal pain. Most children who are brought to the primary care physician's office for chronic abdominal pain are unlikely to require diagnostic testing. Pediatric studies of therapeutic interventions were examined and found to be limited or inconclusive.
Seizure Anticipation: Do Mathematical Measures Correlate with Video‐EEG Evaluation?
Authors: Navarro Vincent , Martinerie Jacques , Le Van Quyen Michel , Baulac Michel , Dubeau François , Gotman Jean 
Published: February 2005

Summary:  Purpose: Analysis of the EEG signal has recently shown evidence of dynamic changes preceding ictal onset in seizures selected from patients with clear epileptogenic foci. Most of the studies were conducted in highly selected EEG epochs and patients. In addition, these studies relied mostly on mathematical approaches and neglected clinical and visual EEG parameters. We therefore performed a systematic comparison of a nonlinear method (the similarity measure) with classic visual inspection of the EEG and the patient's clinical state. Methods: We analyzed the dynamics of long epochs of intracranial EEG containing 129 electroclinical and 45 electrographic seizures in 13 successive unselected patients undergoing presurgical evaluation. Results: (a) The similarity measure detected preictal dynamical changes of the EEG signal in two thirds of the seizures whether or not a clear focus was identified, and whether seizures were electroclinical or purely electrographic. The mean duration of preictal changes was 12 min. (b) The preictal changes were correlated with various visually detectable EEG changes in 78.9% of electroclinical seizures. (c) 81.5% of the preictal dynamic changes were correlated with changes of vigilance or behavior. (d) Fluctuations of the dynamics were not necessarily followed by seizures. Conclusions: Our results indicate that EEG dynamics frequently change before seizures. These preictal changes are most often associated with the EEG changes accompanying transitions between states of vigilance. The preictal dynamic changes may represent physiologic changes acting as facilitating factors or pathologic changes reflecting a network dysfunction.
Consistent Localization of Interictal Epileptiform Activity on EEGs of Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Jansen Floor E. , Van Huffelen Alexander C. , Bourez‐Swart Mireille , Van Nieuwenhuizen Onno 
Published: February 2005

Summary: Purpose:We addressed consistent localization of focal interictal epileptiform activity on EEGs of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and epilepsy.Methods:Twenty‐one patients with TSC with a 10‐year history of epilepsy and interictal epileptiform activity in three or more EEG recordings were included. None of the patients had undergone epilepsy surgery. Local maxima of interictal epileptiform activity were measured from 76 EEG traces and 33 EEG reports. Information about the patients' clinical course was extracted from their medical records. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological examinations were performed. Statistical analysis was performed with the Mann–WhitneyUtest.Results:In eight patients, interictal epileptiform activity was consistently detected in one or two regions (group 1), and in 13 patients, epileptiform activity was detected in three or more regions (group 2). The number of foci increased throughout the disease course in both groups. Age at seizure onset and IQ were significantly higher in group 1. Complex partial seizures occurred more often in the patients of group 1. In 19 of the 21 patients, the most consistent epileptiform activity was localized in the frontotemporal region.Conclusions:Ninety percent of patients with TSC showed at least one region of consistent interictal epileptiform activity. Patients with one or two regions of epileptiform activity were older at seizure onset, often experienced complex partial seizures, and had mild or no mental deficits. These patients may be candidates for epilepsy surgery.
The Effects on Cognitive Performance of Tailored Resection in Surgery for Nonlesional Mesiotemporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Leijten Frans S. S. , Alpherts Willem C. J. , Van Huffelen Alexander C. , Vermeulen Jan , Van Rijen Peter C. 
Published: February 2005

Summary:  Purpose: Mesiotemporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) can be treated with different surgical approaches. In tailored resections, neocortex is removed beyond “standard” margins when spikes are present in the electrocorticogram. We hypothesized that these larger resections are justified because spiking neocortex is dysfunctional. This would imply that in patients with spikes (a) postoperative cognitive performance is not affected, and (b) preoperative performance is worse than without spikes. Methods: We studied 80 operated‐on MTLE patients with pathologically confirmed nonlesional hippocampal sclerosis. All patients were left‐sided language dominant and underwent cognitive tests 6 months pre‐ and postoperatively. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, looking for within‐ and between‐subjects interactions with presence of intraoperative neocortical spikes. Results: Intraoperatively, neocortical spikes were present in 61% of patients. Improved postoperative cognitive outcome was seen only in left‐sided patients with spikes. Their performance IQ (PIQ) increased by 8.1 points (95% confidence interval, 3.8–12.3; p = 0.02), and visual naming latency by 12.8 s (95% CI, 2.1–23.5; p = 0.07). Conversely, in left‐sided patients without spikes, naming latency declined by 7.5 s (95% CI, −2.3–17.2; p = 0.07). Preoperative scores were comparable except for a 15.3‐point (95% CI, 0.1–30.5; p = 0.02) lower VIQ in left‐sided patients without spikes. Conclusions: Tailoring does not harm cognitive performance and is, in left‐sided MTLE, associated with postoperative improvement. Left‐sided MTLE without neocortical spikes has lower verbal scores, which tend to decline after standard resection and may represent a special pathophysiologic entity.