bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a rapid hybrid spectral-spatial domain 3D forward-modeling approach for loop-loop electromagnetic induction quadrature data acquired in low-induction-number environments
Authors: Guillemoteau Julien , Tronicke Jens
Published: September 2016

When exploring subsurface environments using electromagnetic (EM) induction (EMI) tools, approximate forward-modeling methods based on a homogeneous half-space kernel have been extensively evaluated in the past. For large-scale exploration methods, such as magnetotellurics, marine EM, airborne EM, transient EM, and large offset loop-loop harmonic EM, such forward-modeling approaches are limited because the kernel depends strongly on the subsurface distribution of electrical conductivity. However, the response of small portable EMI loop-loop sensors applied in a low-induction number (LIN) context are known to be more linearly related to the true distribution of electrical conductivity. Thus, data collected using such sensors are more adapted to an approximate forward-modeling with a conductivity-independent kernel. We have evaluated the bias of such an approximate modeling for the case of portable multiconfiguration system measurements in 1D, 2D, and 3D contexts. Our result shows that the approximate approach tends to underestimate the conductivity of more conductive targets but is able to reproduce the right structural information. Compared with previous algorithms presented in the literature, we solved the approximate forward-modeling problem in the hybrid spectral-spatial domain to speed up the computation. Considering the level of accuracy in structural modeling as well as the computational efficiency of our hybrid spectral-spatial approach, we conclude that this method is especially suitable for near-surface, large-scale mapping applications in LIN environments as typically encountered in soil sciences and archaeological studies. For such applications, our approach can be implemented in rapid multichannel deconvolution procedures.
Association of anticholinergic burden with adverse effects in older people with intellectual disabilities: an observational cross-sectional study
Authors: O'Dwyer Máire , Maidment Ian D. , Bennett Kathleen , Peklar Jure , Mulryan Niamh , McCallion Philip , McCarron Mary , Henman Martin C.
Published: September 2016

Background

No studies to date have investigated cumulative anticholinergic exposure and its effects in adults with intellectual disabilities.

Aims

To determine the cumulative exposure to anticholinergics and the factors associated with high exposure.

Method

A modified Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) scale score was calculated for a representative cohort of 736 people over 40 years old with intellectual disabilities, and associations with demographic and clinical factors assessed.

Results

Age over 65 years was associated with higher exposure (ACB 1–4 odds ratio (OR) = 3.28, 95% CI 1.49–7.28, ACB 5+ OR = 3.08, 95% CI 1.20–7.63), as was a mental health condition (ACB 1–4 OR = 9.79, 95% CI 5.63–17.02, ACB 5+ OR = 23.74, 95% CI 12.29–45.83). Daytime drowsiness was associated with higher ACB (P<0.001) and chronic constipation reported more frequently (26.6% ACB 5+v.7.5% ACB 0,P<0.001).

Conclusions

Older people with intellectual disabilities and with mental health conditions were exposed to high anticholinergic burden. This was associated with daytime dozing and constipation.
Tankyrase inhibition promotes a stable human naïve pluripotent state with improved functionality
Authors: Zimmerlin Ludovic , Park Tea Soon , Huo Jeffrey S. , Verma Karan , Pather Sarshan R. , Talbot C. Conover , Agarwal Jasmin , Steppan Diana , Zhang Yang W. , Considine Michael , Guo Hong , Zhong Xiufeng , Gutierrez Christian , Cope Leslie , Canto-Soler M. Valeria , Friedman Alan D. , Baylin Stephen B. , Zambidis Elias T.
Published: September 2016

The derivation and maintenance of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in stable naïve pluripotent states has a wide impact in human developmental biology. However, hPSCs are unstable in classical naïve mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) WNT and MEK/ERK signal inhibition (2i) culture. We show that a broad repertoire of conventional hESC and transgene-independent human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines could be reverted to stable human preimplantation inner cell mass (ICM)-like naïve states with only WNT, MEK/ERK, and tankyrase inhibition (LIF-3i). LIF-3i-reverted hPSCs retained normal karyotypes and genomic imprints, and attained defining mouse ESC-like functional features, including high clonal self-renewal, independence from MEK/ERK signaling, dependence on JAK/STAT3 and BMP4 signaling, and naïve-specific transcriptional and epigenetic configurations. Tankyrase inhibition promoted a stable acquisition of a human preimplantation ICM-like ground state via modulation of WNT signaling, and was most efficacious in efficiently reprogrammed conventional hiPSCs. Importantly, naïve reversion of a broad repertoire of conventional hiPSCs reduced lineage-primed gene expression and significantly improved their multilineage differentiation capacities. Stable naïve hPSCs with reduced genetic variability and improved functional pluripotency will have great utility in regenerative medicine and human disease modeling.
A link between planar polarity and staircase-like bundle architecture in hair cells
Authors: Tarchini Basile , Tadenev Abigail L. D. , Devanney Nicholas , Cayouette Michel
Published: September 2016

Sensory perception in the inner ear relies on the hair bundle, the highly polarized brush of movement detectors that crowns hair cells. We previously showed that, in the mouse cochlea, the edge of the forming bundle is defined by the ‘bare zone’, a microvilli-free sub-region of apical membrane specified by the Insc-LGN-Gαi protein complex. We now report that LGN and Gαi also occupy the very tip of stereocilia that directly abut the bare zone. We demonstrate that LGN and Gαi are both essential for promoting the elongation and differential identity of stereocilia across rows. Interestingly, we also reveal that total LGN-Gαi protein amounts are actively balanced between the bare zone and stereocilia tips, suggesting that early planar asymmetry of protein enrichment at the bare zone confers adjacent stereocilia their tallest identity. We propose that LGN and Gαi participate in a long-inferred signal that originates outside the bundle to model its staircase-like architecture, a property that is essential for direction sensitivity to mechanical deflection and hearing.
Monitoring cell-cell contacts in vivo in transgenic animals
Authors: Huang Ting-Hao , Velho Tarciso , Lois Carlos
Published: September 2016

We used a synthetic genetic system based on ligand-induced intramembrane proteolysis to monitor cell-cell contacts in animals. Upon ligand-receptor interaction in sites of cell-cell contact, the transmembrane domain of an engineered receptor is cleaved by intramembrane proteolysis and releases a protein fragment that regulates transcription in the interacting partners. We demonstrate that the system can be used to regulate gene expression between interacting cells, both in vitro and in vivo, in transgenic Drosophila. We show that the system allows for detection of interactions between neurons and glia in the Drosophila nervous system. In addition, we observed that when the ligand is expressed in subsets of neurons with a restricted localization in the brain it leads to activation of transcription in a selected set of glial cells that interact with those neurons. This system will be useful to monitor cell-cell interactions in animals, and can be used to genetically manipulate cells that interact with one another.
An in vitro model of murine middle ear epithelium
Authors: Mulay Apoorva , Akram Khondoker M. , Williams Debbie , Armes Hannah , Russell Catherine , Hood Derek , Armstrong Stuart , Stewart James P. , Brown Steve D. M. , Bingle Lynne , Bingle Colin D.
Published: September 2016

Otitis media (OM), or middle ear inflammation, is the most common paediatric disease and leads to significant morbidity. Although understanding of underlying disease mechanisms is hampered by complex pathophysiology it is clear that epithelial abnormalities underpin the disease. There is currently a lack of a well-characterised in vitro model of the middle ear (ME) epithelium that replicates the complex cellular composition of the middle ear. Here, we report the development of a novel in vitro model of mouse middle ear epithelial cells (mMECs) at an air–liquid interface (ALI) that recapitulates the characteristics of the native murine ME epithelium. We demonstrate that mMECs undergo differentiation into the varied cell populations seen within the native middle ear. Proteomic analysis confirmed that the cultures secrete a multitude of innate defence proteins from their apical surface. We showed that the mMECs supported the growth of the otopathogen, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), suggesting that the model can be successfully utilised to study host–pathogen interactions in the middle ear. Overall, our mMEC culture system can help to better understand the cell biology of the middle ear and improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of OM. The model also has the potential to serve as a platform for validation of treatments designed to reverse aspects of epithelial remodelling that underpin OM development.
A proximity-dependent assay for specific RNA–protein interactions in intact cells
Authors: Zhang Wei , Xie Mingyi , Shu Mei-Di , Steitz Joan A. , DiMaio Daniel
Published: September 2016

The proximity ligation assay (PLA) is an immune staining method that detects protein–protein interactions in fixed cells. We describe here RNA–PLA, a simple adaptation of this technology that allows the detection of specific RNA–protein interactions in fixed cells by using a DNA oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a target RNA in combination with an antibody that recognizes the protein bound to the target RNA. Stable and transient RNA–protein interactions can be readily detected by generation of a fluorescent signal in discrete compartments in intact fixed cells with high specificity. We demonstrate that this approach requires the colocalization of the binding protein and its RNA target in the same cellular compartment, use of an oligonucleotide complementary to the target RNA, and the presence of a binding site for the protein in the target RNA.
An intermolecular G-quadruplex as the basis for GTP recognition in the class V–GTP aptamer
Authors: Nasiri Amir H. , Wurm Jan Philip , Immer Carina , Weickhmann Anna Katharina , Wöhnert Jens
Published: September 2016

Many naturally occurring or artificially created RNAs are capable of binding to guanine or guanine derivatives with high affinity and selectivity. They bind their ligands using very different recognition modes involving a diverse set of hydrogen bonding and stacking interactions. Apparently, the potential structural diversity for guanine, guanosine, and guanine nucleotide binding motifs is far from being fully explored. Szostak and coworkers have derived a large set of different GTP-binding aptamer families differing widely in sequence, secondary structure, and ligand specificity. The so-called class V–GTP aptamer from this set binds GTP with very high affinity and has a complex secondary structure. Here we use solution NMR spectroscopy to demonstrate that the class V aptamer binds GTP through the formation of an intermolecular two-layered G-quadruplex structure that directly incorporates the ligand and folds only upon ligand addition. Ligand binding and G-quadruplex formation depend strongly on the identity of monovalent cations present with a clear preference for potassium ions. GTP binding through direct insertion into an intermolecular G-quadruplex is a previously unobserved structural variation for ligand-binding RNA motifs and rationalizes the previously observed specificity pattern of the class V aptamer for GTP analogs.
APPROXIMATION ALGORITHM TAKING INTO ACCOUNT TECHNOLOGICAL AND REGIME OF RESTRICTIONS IN THE PROBLEM OF PARAMETRIC OPTIMIZATION OF HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS
Authors: Мезенцев  , Mezentsev A. , Сазонова  , Sazonova Svetlana
Published: September 2016

The peculiarities of construction and implementation of approximation algorithm taking into account technological and regime of restrictions in the problem of parametric optimization of hydraulic systems.
COMPUTER EXPERIMENT FOR TESTING THE APPROXIMATION ALGORITHM OF PARAMETRIC OPTIMIZATION OF HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS
Authors: Мезенцев  , Mezentsev A. , Сазонова  , Sazonova Svetlana
Published: September 2016

The results of computational experiments for testing the approximation algorithm of parametric optimization of hydraulic systems. The object of investigation was adopted SIS theme of gas supply of low pressure residential neighborhood.
LOCAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE DIAMETERS OF HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS WITH PARAMETRIC OPTIMIZATION AND ENSURING SECURITY DURING THEIR OPERATION
Authors: Мезенцев  , Mezentsev A. , Сазонова  , Sazonova Svetlana
Published: September 2016

In the formation of the local correction algorithms diameter hydraulic systems. The choice of the group sites, pipe diameters of which are subject to change. We consider two algorithms for adjusting the diameter, realized on the basis of the developed software package. Solution of parametric optimization provides the required level of reliability and safety of hydraulic systems.
Evaluation of the relationship between cognitive functioning in patients with borderline personality disorder and their general functioning
Authors: Mosiołek Anna , Gierus Jacek , Koweszko Tytus , Szulc Agata
Published: September 2016

Cel pracy

Celem pracy było badanie zależności pomiędzy funkcjonowaniem poznawczym osób z osobowością chwiejną emocjonalnie typ borderline, a ich ogólnym poziomem funkcjonowania oraz nasileniem psychopatologii swoistej dla tego typu zaburzeń osobowości.

Metoda

Przebadano 64 osoby w wieku 18-55 lat (M=30,09) z zaburzeniem osobowości chwiejnej emocjonalnie typ borderline wg. ICD-10. W badaniu korzystano z: kwestionariusza demograficzno - opisowego, ustrukturalizowanego wywiadu SCID-II, skali Borderline Symptom Checklist-23 oraz skali GAF. Oceny poznawczej dokonywano przy pomocy Testu 15 Słów Reya, Testu Figury Złożonej Reya, TMT A, TMT B, testu fluencji słownej, testu Stroopa oraz Frontal Assessment Battery.

Wyniki

Średni wskaźnik GAF w badanej próbie wyniósł M=43,65. Wykryto istotne różnice pomiędzy wymienionymi grupami pod względem wskaźnika GAF (U Mann-Whitney=300,500, p=0,008) oraz szereg istotnych (p<0.05) związków korelacyjnych pomiędzy poziomem funkcji poznawczych, a funkcjonowaniem w grupie osób bez współzachorowalności.

Wnioski

W grupie badanych osób z osobowością chwiejną emocjonalnie typ borderline utrzymywały się znaczące klinicznie zaburzenia w funkcjonowaniu ogólnym i społecznym. Uzyskane dane wydają się sugerować, że funkcje poznawcze wpływają na ogólne funkcjonowanie jedynie u osób ze współzachorowalnością psychiatryczną. U osób bez współzachorowalności psychiatrycznej wykazują powiązania jedynie z niektórymi aspektami swoistej dla BPD psychopatologii.
Knowledge Utilization, Coordination, and Team Performance
Authors: Reagans Ray , Miron-Spektor Ella , Argote Linda
Published: September 2016

Considerable research has established the superior performance of teams on which team members utilize specialized knowledge and also develop transactive processes that promote coordination. Less is known, however, about the consequences for team performance when team members only possess one of the two productivity factors. We develop and test a framework highlighting the distinct challenges these teams will face. In particular, our results show that each productivity factor contributed significantly more to team performance when the other factor was present. And our findings also illustrate a potential failure mode for knowledge utilization. If team members could not coordinate their collective efforts, utilizing knowledge undermined team performance. Our framework outlines a similar risk for too much coordination, if team members cannot utilize their specialized knowledge and are asked to perform a task with a “rugged” performance landscape. We discuss the implications of our framework and results for theory and practice.
Case formulation in cognitive behavioural analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP): A case study
Authors: Swan John , Liebing-Wilson Marianne , MacVicar Robert , Sloan Graham
Published: September 2016

Assisting people who experience chronic depression towards recovery can be complex. This article offers some insight into the theory and practice of cognitive behavioural analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP), a psychotherapy specifically designed to treat persistent depression. Clinical experience has highlighted that a course of CBASP provides more benefit when the patient understands the links and connections between what was learned in the past and how that learning manifests itself in the present. A core aspect of CBASP is collaborative working, and emphasis is placed on how best to nurture and maintain this healing relationship within the context of a system of theory and practice. We believe the practice of CBASP combined with a case formulation structure offers much support to mental health professionals and we hope they will find this approach helpful when trying to understand and treat the breadth and complexity working with the persistently depressed.
The efficacy of statins in preventing glucocorticoid-related osteonecrosis in animal models
Authors: Yang Z. , Liu H. , Li D. , Xie X. , Qin T. , Ma J. , Kang P.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

The primary purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine whether statin usage could reduce the risk of glucocorticoid-related osteonecrosis in animal models.

Methods

A systematic literature search up to May 2015 was carried out using the PubMed, Ovid, EBM reviews, ISI Web of Science, EBSCO, CBM, CNKI databases with the term and boolean operators: statins and osteonecrosis in all fields. Risk ratio (RR), as the risk estimate of specific outcome, was calculated along with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The methodological quality of individual studies was assessed using a quantitative tool based on the updated Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR) recommendations.

Results

A total of 11 eligible studies were included according to predetermined criteria. The pooled data demonstrated that animals with statin usage, either alone or combined with other treatments, were at a decreased risk of developing glucocorticoid-related osteonecrosis (RR = 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.71 to 2.50). Moreover, subgroup analysis revealed that compared with statins alone, statins combined with other treatments significantly decreased the risk of osteonecrosis (RR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.47). However, we could find no significant risk difference for different gender, or for different time points.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that statins combined with other treatments are efficient in preventing the development of glucocorticoid-related osteonecrosis in animals. These results might shed light on clinical practice when glucocorticoids are prescribed, and could be further investigated in high-quality clinical trials. Cite this article: Z. Yang, H. Liu, D. Li, X. Xie, T. Qin, J. Ma, P. Kang. The efficacy of statins in preventing glucocorticoid-related osteonecrosis in animal models: A meta-analysis. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:393–402. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.59.2000500.
Porous tantalum biocomposites for osteochondral defect repair
Authors: Mrosek E. H. , Chung H-W. , Fitzsimmons J. S. , O’Driscoll S. W. , Reinholz G. G. , Schagemann J. C.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

We sought to determine if a durable bilayer implant composed of trabecular metal with autologous periosteum on top would be suitable to reconstitute large osteochondral defects. This design would allow for secure implant fixation, subsequent integration and remodeling.

Materials and Methods

Adult sheep were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 8/group): 1. trabecular metal/periosteal graft (TMPG), 2. trabecular metal (TM), 3. empty defect (ED). Cartilage and bone healing were assessed macroscopically, biochemically (type II collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) content) and histologically.

Results

At 16 weeks post-operatively, histological scores amongst treatment groups were not statistically different (TMPG: overall 12.7, cartilage 8.6, bone 4.1; TM: overall 14.2, cartilage 9.5, bone 4.9; ED: overall 13.6, cartilage 9.1, bone 4.5). Metal scaffolds were incorporated into the surrounding bone, both in TM and TMPG. The sGAG yield was lower in the neo-cartilage regions compared with the articular cartilage (AC) controls (TMPG 20.8/AC 39.5, TM 25.6/AC 33.3, ED 32.2/AC 40.2 µg sGAG/1 mg respectively), with statistical significance being achieved for the TMPG group (p < 0.05). Hypercellularity of the neo-cartilage was found in TM and ED, as the dsDNA content was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared with contralateral AC controls (TM 126.7/AC 71.1, ED 99.3/AC 62.8 ng dsDNA/1 mg). The highest type II collagen content was found in neo-cartilage after TM compared with TMPG and ED (TM 60%/TMPG 40%/ED 39%). Inter-treatment differences were not significant.

Conclusions

TM is a highly suitable material for the reconstitution of osseous defects. TM enables excellent bony ingrowth and fast integration. However, combined with autologous periosteum, such a biocomposite failed to promote satisfactory neo-cartilage formation. Cite this article: E. H. Mrosek, H-W. Chung, J. S. Fitzsimmons, S. W. O’Driscoll, G. G. Reinholz, J. C. Schagemann. Porous tantalum biocomposites for osteochondral defect repair: A follow-up study in a sheep model. Bone Joint J 2016;5:403–411. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.59.BJR-2016-0070.R1.
Virtual fracture clinic delivers British Orthopaedic Association compliance
Authors: Holgate J , Kirmani S , Anand B
Published: September 2016

INTRODUCTION

The British Orthopaedic Association recommends that patients referred to fracture clinic are thereafter reviewed within 72 hours. With the aim of improving care by seeking to meet this target, waiting times for fracture clinic appointments in a district general hospital were audited prospectively against this national guideline, with the intervening implementation of a virtual fracture clinic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted as a prospective closed-loop audit in which the second cycle took place several months after a change in the clinical pathway for all referrals from the emergency department to fracture clinic. Data were gathered in real-time via a pro forma during fracture clinic consultations.

RESULTS

The first cycle demonstrated a non-compliant mean waiting time of 10.7 days, with 6% of patients being seen within the 72-hour target. Following the implementation of the virtual fracture clinic, the second cycle found that all patients were reviewed within the 72-hour target (mean 1.3 days).

DISCUSSION

The improvement in performance was delivered with no increase in clinic capacity. The cost of implementation was negligible.

CONCLUSION

A simple virtual fracture clinic model delivered a significant reduction in waiting times and achieved compliance with the British Orthopaedic Association guideline. Similar results could be achieved in subsequent deployment elsewhere in the NHS.
Delayed diagnosis of central skull-base osteomyelitis with abscess: case report and learning points
Authors: Chawdhary G , Hussain S , Corbridge R
Published: September 2016

Central skull-base osteomyelitis (CSBO) is a rare life-threatening infection, usually resulting from medial spread of necrotising otitis externa. Here, we describe a case with no identifiable source of infection, causing a delay in diagnosis. An 80-year-old man with Crohn’s disease treated with mesalazine presented with collapse and tonic–clonic seizure. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a nasopharyngeal mass that was initially thought to be a neoplasm. Awaiting formal biopsy, he represented with collapse and repeat imaging showed features of abscess formation. Review of previous scans revealed skull-base erosion and the diagnosis was revised to skull-base osteomyelitis. This is the first reported case of CSBO associated with mesalazine use, an aminosalicylate used in Crohn’s disease. It is only the second reported case with abscess formation. We discuss the learning points in making a timely diagnosis and examine the potential association of factors such as mesalazine use and abscess formation in this case.
A case of endobronchial paraganglioma
Authors: Muriana P , Bandiera A , Ciriaco P , Arrigoni G , Negri G , Zannini P
Published: September 2016

Paragangliomas are rare lung tumours; endobronchial localisation is even more rare. This report describes the case of a 59-year-old patient with a symptomatic endobronchial paraganglioma successfully resected by means of pulmonary lobectomy. Recognition of this uncommon tumour can lead to a correct diagnosis and therapeutic strategy.
Risk factors for intramedullary nail breakage in proximal femoral fractures: a 10-year retrospective review
Authors: Johnson NA , Uzoigwe C , Venkatesan M , Burgula V , Kulkarni A , Davison JN , Ashford RU
Published: September 2016

INTRODUCTION

Intramedullary nailing is a common treatment for proximal femoral fractures. Fracture of the nail is a rare but devastating complication that exposes often frail patients to complex revision surgery. We investigated which risk factors predict nail failure.

METHODS

We reviewed all cases of nail breakage seen over a 10-year period in a single busy trauma unit; 22 nail fractures were seen in 19 patients. Comparison was made with a group of 209 consecutive patients who underwent intramedullary fixation of a proximal femur fracture with no nail breakage over a 2-year period.

RESULTS

In the fractured nail group, mean age was 70.4 years (range 55–88 years).The mean time to fracture was 10 months (range 2.5–23 months). Logistical regression was used to show that low American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, subtrochanteric fracture and pathological fracture were independent risk factors for nail fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

Young patients with a low ASA score are at highest risk of nail breakage. We advise close follow-up of patients with these risk factors until bony union has been achieved. In addition, there may be merit in considering other treatment options, such as proximal femoral replacement, especially for those with pathological fracture with a good prognosis.
Spontaneous diaphragmatic rupture following robotic prostatectomy
Authors: Naeem T , Kumar S , Fareed K , Jah A , Hindmarsh A , Shah N , Sujendran V
Published: September 2016

Robotic surgery is an established therapy for localised prostate cancer and is replacing conventional laparoscopic prostatectomy in developed countries. Port-site hernia is a recognised, albeit small, risk following laparoscopic or robotic surgery. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the right hemidiaphragm following robotic prostatectomy.
The management of colonic trauma in the damage control era
Authors: Shazi B , Bruce JL , Laing GL , Sartorius B , Clarke DL
Published: September 2016

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to audit our current management of colonic trauma, and to review our experience of colonic trauma in patients who underwent initial damage control (DC) surgery.

METHODS

All patients treated for colonic trauma between January 2012 and December 2014 by the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service were included in the study. Data reviewed included mechanism of injury, method of management (primary repair [PR], primary diversion [PD] or DC) and outcome (complications and mortality rate).

Results

A total of 128 patients sustained a colonic injury during the study period. Ninety-seven per cent of the injuries were due to penetrating trauma. Of these cases, 56% comprised stab wounds (SWs) and 44% were gunshot wounds (GSWs). Management was by PR in 99, PD in 20 and DC surgery in 9 cases. Among the 69 SW victims, 57 underwent PR, 9 had PD and 3 required a DC procedure. Of the 55 GSW cases, 40 were managed with PR, 9 with PD and 6 with DC surgery. In the PR group, there were 16 colonic complications (5 cases of breakdown and 11 of wound sepsis). Overall, nine patients (7%) died.

CONCLUSIONS

PR of colonic trauma is safe and should be used for the majority of such injuries. Persistent acidosis, however, should be considered a contraindication. In unstable patients with complex injuries, the optimal approach is to perform DC surgery. In this situation, formal diversion is contraindicated, and the injury should be controlled and dropped back into the abdomen at the primary operation. At the repeat operation, if the physiological insult has been reversed, then formal repair of the colonic injury is acceptable.
Usefulness of chemoradiotherapy for inoperable gastric cancer
Authors: Taki T , Hoya Y , Watanabe A , Nakayoshi T , Okamoto T , Sekine H , Mitsumori N , Yanaga K
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Radiotherapy is not commonly used for the treatment of gastric cancer in Japan, where surgery is the standard local treatment. We report the results of chemoradiotherapy in patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer which was deemed difficult to treat surgically.

Methods

Twenty-one patients with gastric cancer (including sixteen with advanced/recurrent gastric cancer and five with poor general condition) underwent chemo-radiotherapy, for whom the therapeutic efficacy, toxicity and survival period were analysed.

Results

The tumour response to chemoradiotherapy was categorised as complete, partial, stable or progressive in 5, 9, 3, and 4 patients, respectively, with an overall response rate of 67%. No serious complications such as gastrointestinal perforation or bleeding occurred, and no cardiac, hepatic or renal dysfunction developed during the follow-up period. The mean survival time was 19.8 months (range, 3–51 months). One patient died of another disease, 18 died of primary cancer and the cause of death was unknown in 2 patients.

Conclusions

Chemoradiotherapy appears to be an effective treatment for localised gastric cancer without distant metastases, but further studies are needed to determine the indications for chemoradiotherapy and late adverse effects, as well as the chemotherapy regimens to be used.
Spontaneous haemorrhage from a left gastric artery aneurysm as a cause of acute abdominal pain
Authors: Gregory CR , Proctor VK , Thomas SM , Ravi K
Published: September 2016

Visceral artery aneurysms are rare, with a reported incidence of less than 2% in the general population. 1,2 Aneurysms of the left gastric artery are particularly uncommon, accounting for 4% of all visceral aneurysms. 3,4 Although the majority are discovered incidentally and can be managed conservatively, prompt treatment of those ruptured or at risk of rupture is crucial to reduce the associated morbidity. Increasing awareness of visceral artery aneurysms as a cause of spontaneous intraperitoneal haemorrhage will improve early recognition and impact on survival. We present a rare case of spontaneous rupture of a left gastric artery aneurysm.
APROXIMAÇÕES CRÍTICAS SOBRE A FUNÇÃO DO DIREITO NO HORIZONTE DAS TENSÕES ENTRE MERCADO E SOCIEDADE: FRAGMENTOS DO PAPEL DO DIREITO PENAL?
Authors: Gesta Leal Rogério , Rodrigues Reck Janriê
Published: September 2016

O presente trabalho busca enfrentar o tema que envolve algumas insuficiências normativas e regulatórias das tensas relações entre Mercado e Sociedade, que geram conflitos por vezes hipercomplexos, a partir de abordagens no campo da Teoria do Direito e da Dogmática Jurídica, dando destaque exemplificativo para alguns âmbitos do Direito Penal Contemporâneo.
O GARANTISMO E OS PRECEDENTES DA CORTE INTERAMERICANA DE DIREITOS HUMANOS: EFEITO VINCULANTE AOS ESTADOS SOB SUA JURISDIÇÃO
Authors: Araruna Santi Nestor Eduardo , Almendra Martins Eduardo
Published: September 2016

O objetivo do artigo é analisar como os precedentes da Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos vinculam os Estados que não tomaram parte de um julgamento, de modo que a decisão seja internalizada pelo ordenamento. Inicialmente se fará uma análise qualitativa do contexto constituinte brasileiro de 1987 para abordar as mudanças interpretativas sobre as normas de recepção dos tratados de direitos humanos e como a recepção da Convenção Americana de Direitos Humanos está atrelada à jurisprudência da Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos. Além disso, salienta-se a necessidade de que os Estados participem efetivamente de um diálogo jurisdicional interamericano a fim de fortalecer a democracia por meio dos vínculos substanciais dos direitos humanos na região, numa perspectiva garantista. O método de estudo de casos foi utilizado para conhecer a distinção feita pela Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos entre coisa julgada e coisa interpretada e como essa distinção teórica reforça ou não sua jurisdição. Foram utilizadas decisões da Suprema Corte Nacional de Justiça do México e do Supremo Tribunal Federal brasileiro no que pertine à eficácia vinculante e erga omnes.
“É uma questão de céu e inferno”: letramentos e formação identitária por meio da análise de discursos religiosos
Authors: Kuchnir Jonatas Michel , Lima Gabriel Maciel de
Published: September 2016

Sob a égide da Análise do Discurso e Letramentos Ideológicos, este artigo objetiva analisar alguns comentários de uma notícia no site Gospelprime.com, de cunho religioso. Partiremos do pressuposto de que toda e qualquer mídia é um formador identitário, pois utiliza-se de ideologias para letrar os sujeitos. Ao ter acesso a essa forma de letramento ideológico, a identidade dos sujeitos é (re)formulada, visto que nossas leituras de mundo nos fornecem novas possibilidades de ver e ver-se o/no mundo. O discurso religioso é uma delas. Um discurso que tem por objetivo alcançar o maior número de sujeitos possíveis na intenção de levá-los a um assujeitamento a Deus, pois essa é a única forma de obter salvação, segundo a Bíblia. Nesse contexto, observaremos que as novas mídias desempenham um papel fundamental, tendo em vista que é exatamente ali (e não só ali) que os fiéis reproduzem seus discursos e ratificam sua identidade.
BENTUK KIGO PADA HAIKU DAN ISI SINDIRAN PADA SENRYU OLEH MAHASISWA SASTRA JEPANG UNIVERSITAS BRAWIJAYA
Authors: Dewi Fitriana Puspita , Worobroto Elizabeth , Andayani Santi
Published: September 2016

In the Japanese literature, poetry has its own type and form, including Haiku and Senryu with 5-7-5 syllabic structure. Another prominent characteristic of Haiku is the topic concerning beauty of nature and the elements like Kigo or Kisetsu no Kotoba (the words marking the seasons) in which it shows the closeness of Japanese people with nature. Senryu has humorous and witty elements, including satire and the story about people; it does not describe season at all. Therefore, cultural background and social condition of society will affect content and form of the satire. This research aims to analyze the form of kigo in haiku and the content of satire in senryu, written by students of Japanese Literature in Brawijaya University. This research used qualitative descriptive methodology. The research shows the result that kigo ame and kigo taiyou are the most frequently used forms.  In senryu, the contents of satire are love, student life, and physical depiction.
Characterization of Low Dimensional
RCD*(K, N) Spaces
Authors: Kitabeppu Yu , Lakzian Sajjad
Published: September 2016

In this paper,we give the characterization of metric measure spaces that satisfy synthetic lower Riemannian
Ricci curvature bounds (so called RCD*(K, N) spaces) with non-empty one dimensional regular sets.
In particular, we prove that the class of Ricci limit spaces with Ric ≥ K and Hausdorff dimension N and the
class of RCD*(K, N) spaces coincide for N < 2 (They can be either complete intervals or circles). We will also
prove a Bishop-Gromov type inequality (that is ,roughly speaking, a converse to the Lévy-Gromov’s isoperimetric
inequality and was previously only known for Ricci limit spaces) which might be also of independent
interest.
Clinical autoantibody detection by microarray
Authors: Dillaerts Doreen , De Baere Heidi , Bossuyt Xavier
Published: September 2016

Background:

AMiDot is a microdot array-based immunoassay that allows simultaneous detection of multiple autoantibodies on a single patient. We evaluated the AMiDot “Systemic Autoimmune Disease” (SAD) panel, which detects antibodies to 17 different antigens.

Methods:

AMiDot was performed on 184 samples from blood donors and on 280 randomly selected clinical samples containing antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens or to dsDNA. The results obtained by AMiDot on the clinical samples were compared to results obtained by EliA (Thermo Fisher) for anti-Ro60, anti-La, anti-RNP, anti-Scl-70, anti-CENPB, anti-Sm, and anti-Jo-1 and by Farr assay for anti-dsDNA. Discordant results were further analyzed by immunodot (D-tek).

Results:

Concordance between AMiDot and EliA was ≥87% and κ agreement ≥0.44. When compared to EliA and immunodot (in case of discordance between AMiDot and EliA), concordance improved to ≥91% and κ agreement to ≥0.77. The sensitivity of AMiDot (compared to EliA and immunodot, in case of discordance between AMiDot and EliA) was ≥93%, except for anti-Ro60 (84%). The concordance and κ agreement of AMiDot with the Farr assay (for dsDNA antibodies) was, respectively, 84% and 0.33. The sensitivity of AMiDot for dsDNA (compared to Farr assay) was 25%. The specificity was ≥97% (in blood donors as well as in clinical samples). The within-run imprecision was 9%–27% and the between-run imprecision 29%–39%.

Conclusions:

AMiDot offers an alternative to line immunodot assay. Individual antibody assays might suffer from low sensitivity.
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from deoiled brown algal extract via Box-Behnken based design and their antimicrobial and sensing properties
Authors: Periaswamy Sivagnanam Saravana , Tilahun Getachew Adane , Choi Jae Hyung , Park Yong Beom , Woo Hee Chul , Chun Byung Soo
Published: September 2016

The aim of this work was to acquire even and sphere-shaped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using statistical design of experiment. AgNPs were produced by green synthesis method using deoiled Saccharina japonica powder obtained after supercritical carbon dioxide (Sc-CO2) extraction. Based on the Box-Behnken design, three variables influencing the size of AgNPs produced were identified as silver nitrate (AgNO3) concentration, temperature, and reaction time. Optimum conditions were determined using response surface methodology for synthesis of AgNPs. We found that increasing reaction time at low concentration of AgNO3 resulted in smaller particle size, and conversely increasing reaction time at high concentration of AgNO3 resulted in bigger particles. The obtained AgNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction analysis, and ultraviolet-visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques for particle size, distribution, aggregation, and anisotropy. The optimum operating conditions are 1 mm of AgNO3, 40°C, and 45 min with the smallest AgNPs size being 14.77 nm. The optimized AgNPs showed good antimicrobial activity and excellent sensing behavior towards hydrogen peroxide. The polyphenols present in aqueous AgNPs were evaluated by high-pressure liquid chromatography, which revealed the existence of chlorogenic acid and rutin.
Progesterone in normal and pathological pregnancy
Authors: Di Renzo Gian Carlo , Giardina Irene , Clerici Graziano , Brillo Eleonora , Gerli Sandro
Published: September 2016

Progesterone is an essential hormone in the process of reproduction. It is involved in the menstrual cycle, implantation and is essential for pregnancy maintenance. It has been proposed and extensively used in the treatment of different gynecological pathologies as well as in assisted reproductive technologies and in the maintenance of pregnancy. Called “the pregnancy hormone”, natural progesterone is essential before pregnancy and has a crucial role in its maintenance based on different mechanisms such as: modulation of maternal immune response and suppression of inflammatory response (the presence of progesterone and its interaction with progesterone receptors at the decidua level appears to play a major role in the maternal defense strategy), reduction of uterine contractility (adequate progesterone concentrations in myometrium are able to counteract prostaglandin stimulatory activity as well as oxytocin), improvement of utero-placental circulation and luteal phase support (it has been demonstrated that progesterone may promote the invasion of extravillous trophoblasts to the decidua by inhibiting apoptosis of extravillous trophoblasts). Once the therapeutic need of progesterone is established, the key factor is the decision of the best route to administer the hormone and the optimal dosage determination. Progesterone can be administered by many different routes, but the most utilized are oral, the vaginal and intramuscular administration. The main uses of progesterone are represented by: threatened miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage and preterm birth (in the prevention strategy, as a tocolytic agent and also in the maintenance of uterine quiescence).
Effect of Processing Parameters on Plasma Jet and In-flight Particles Characters in Supersonic Plasma Spraying
Authors: Wei Pei , Wei Zhengying , Zhao Guangxi , Bai Y. , Tan Chao
Published: September 2016

In supersonic plasma spraying system (SAPS), heat transfer from arc plasma is characterized by several distinct features, such as transport of dissociation and ionization energy and of electrical charges in addition to mass transport. The thermodynamic and transport properties of plasma jet were influenced by several main parameters such as primary gas flow rate, the H2 vol.% and current intensity A. This paper first analyzes the effect of these parameters on the temperature and velocity of plasma jet theoretically. Further, the loading particles were melted and accelerated by plasma jet. Effects of several main parameters such as carrier gas flow rate, the H2 vol.%, the current intensity, the voltage and the spraying distance on temperature and velocity of in-flight particle were studied experimentally. The average maximum temperature and velocity of in-flight particle at any given parameters were systematically quantified. Optimal SAPS process parameters were given in this paper. In general, increasing the particles impacting velocity and surface temperature can improve the maximum spreading factor and decrease the coating porosity.
Automatical Knowledge Representation of Logical Relations by Dynamical Neural Network
Authors: Wang Gang
Published: September 2016

Currently, most artificial neural networks (ANNs) represent relations, such as back-propagation neural network, in the manner of functional approximation. This kind of ANN is good at representing the numeric relations or ratios between things. However, for representing logical relations, these ANNs have disadvantages because their representation is in the form of ratio. Therefore, to represent logical relations directly, we propose a novel ANN model called probabilistic logical dynamical neural network (PLDNN). Inhibitory links are introduced to connect exciting links rather than neurons so as to inhibit the connected exciting links conditionally to make them represent logical relations correctly. The probabilities are assigned to the weights of links to indicate the belief degree in logical relations under uncertain situations. Moreover, the network structure of PLDNN is less limited in topology than traditional ANNs, and it is dynamically built completely according to the data to make it adaptive. PLDNN uses both the weights of links and the interconnection structure to memorize more information. The model could be applied to represent logical relations as the complement to numeric ANNs.
Prenatal screening for microcephaly: an update after three decades
Authors: Gelber Shari E. , Grünebaum Amos , Chervenak Frank A.
Published: September 2016

Background:

Due to the recent outbreak of Zika virus, there has been a newfound interest in fetal and neonatal microcephaly. In 1984, Chervenak et al. proposed criteria for the prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of microcephaly as ≤3 standard deviations (SD) from the mean. Despite improvements in medicine these criteria have not been reevaluated in 30 years.

Objective:

To examine how the original 1984 Chervenak et al. criteria for the diagnosis of fetal microcephaly apply to a current population utilizing modern ultrasound equipment and techniques.

Study design:

Retrospective database review of 27,697 ultrasound exams between 18 and 40 weeks’ gestation. Mean and SDs were calculated for each week of gestation from 18 to 40 completed weeks and these were compared to the 1984 data.

Results:

There is no statistically significant difference in gestational age-specific mean head circumference (HC) between the two studied populations. Because the current dataset is larger the SD differ.

Conclusions:

The 1984 ultrasound criteria for microcephaly remain valid. Physicians today have two alternatives: either use the 3SD cutoff as recommended by Chervenak et al. and endorsed by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) or develop a new dataset for one’s population with statistical validation.
Novel and facile synthesis of transparent-monolithic TiO2 gels by sol-gel method based on an esterification reaction
Authors: Elghniji Kais , Anna-Rabah Zohra , Elaloui Elimame
Published: September 2016

Transparent TiO2 monoliths were obtained through a modified sol-gel route from titanium isopropoxide as a precursor. By controlling the hydrolysis of this precursor through the intermediate of esterification reaction between acetic acid and isopropanol at 40 °C, transparent TiO2 xerogel monoliths were obtained. The monoliths prepared by this method were transparent in the wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy suggested that the acetic acid played also an active role as a chelating agent, forming Ti[(OH)y(OOCCH3)x] less reactive species. Powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the amorphous-to-anatase phase transformation with the formation of unknown Ti-containing complex at 90 °C. Only anatase TiO2 could be observed in the samples calcined at 250 °C and 450 °C. Optical aspects of the gel (transparent-transluscent transformation of monolithic gel) and gelation time were controlled by changing the amount of external water.
Comparative analysis of XTT assay and xCELLigence system by measuring cytotoxicity of resveratrol in human cancer cell lines
Authors: Atmaca Harika , Bozkurt Emir , Kısım Aslı , Uslu Rüçhan
Published: September 2016

Objective

In vitro preliminary oncological and translational studies are mainly based on evaluating the cytotoxic effects of a specific compound on cultured cells. Resveratrol is a commercially available compound which is originally isolated from the roots of white hellebore and later from Polygonum cuspidatum. The objective of the study was to compare cytotoxicity data of Resveratrol from XTT end point assay with a real-time cell based xCELLigence system in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, speed and reproducibility in a panel of human cancer cell lines.

Methods

XTT end point assay and real-time cell based xCELLigence system were used to evaluate cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity results were verified by monitoring cells under phase-contrast microscope which were treated with IC50 values of resveratrol.

Results

Resveratrol decreased cell viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in all cancer cell lines when tested by both the XTT assay and xCELLigence system. Standard deviations of the xCELLigence data were found to be lower than the data from XTT assay.

Conclusion

The data from this study strongly imply that xCELLigence system has higher precision, more enlightening and more reproducible than XTT end point assay.