bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral health in children with hearing and speech impairment in Banjaluka
Authors: Djeri Aleksandra , Kuzmanovic-Radman Irena , Grabez Milkica , Bajic Zorislava , Prtina Alma , Novakovic Budimka , Zivkovic Slavoljub
Published: October 2013

Introduction. Children with hearing impairment do not understand speech
without specific instructions and cannot meet daily life requirements.
Children with hearing and speech impairment have higher DMFT index and poorer
oral hygiene than healthy children of the same age. The aim of this study was
to determine oral health status and the prevalence of dental caries in
children attending The Center for Education and Rehabilitation of Speech and
Hearing in Banjaluka. Material and Methods. The study was conducted as a
cross-sectional study and it included 66 children of both genders, age 3 to
18 years, with deciduous, mixed and permanent dentition. General information
about the respondents, their socioeconomic status, dental hygiene habits and
frequency of dental visits were obtained using a questionnaire. Dental
examination was performed using a dental mirror, regular and proximal probe
on the daylight, in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines.
Oral examination included: number of present teeth, presence of caries,
restorations, number of extracted teeth. These data was entered in each
patient?s dental record. The DMFT index was used for the assessment of dental
status. Results. Results showed that the mean DMFT value in the total sample
was 7.79. There was no significant difference in the DMFT index between
genders (p=0.19). The significant difference was not found between children
who live with parents and those who live in foster families (p=0.15). It was
observed that the respondents from rural areas had higher DMFT index (8.68)
than respondents from urban areas (5.83). The DMFT index increased with age
and school age (p<0.001). Examined patients were most affected with dental
caries (6.62%) and least affected with extracted teeth (0.38%). It was
revealed that 6% of respondents do not brush their teeth, and 25.8% of
respondents had never visited dentist. Conclusion. Children with hearing and
speech impairment from Banjaluka have low level of oral health. The DMFT
index, as one of the most important parameters of oral health in these
children was much higher compared to European countries and other countries
in the region.
MTHFR C677T and A1298C Genotypes and Haplotypes in Slovenian Couples with Unexplained Infertility Problems and in Embryonic Tissues from Spontaneous Abortions
Authors: Stangler Herodež Š , Zagradišnik B , Erjavec Škerget A , Zagorac A , Takač I , Vlaisavljević V , Lokar L , Kokalj Vokač N
Published: October 2013

The objective of this study was to analyze the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductases (MTHFRs) C677T and A1298C genotype distributions in couples with unexplained fertility problems (UFP) and healthy controls, and to analyze the genotype and haplotype distribution in spontaneously aborted embryonic tissues (SAET) using allele specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 200 probands with UFP, 353 samples of SAET and 222 healthy controls. The analysis revealed a significant overall representation of the 677T allele in male probands from couples with UFP (p = 0.036). The combined genotype distribution for both MTHFR polymorphisms was also significantly altered (χ2 21.73, p <0.001) although female probands made no contribution (c2 1.33, p = 0.72). The overall representation of the 677T allele was more pronounced in SAET (0.5 vs. 0.351 in controls, p <0.001) regardless of the karyotype status (aneuploidy vs. normal karyotype). In addition, the frequencies of the CA and CC haplotypes were significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.021 and p = 0.001, respectively), whereas the frequency of the TC haplotype was significantly higher than in controls (p <0.0001). The presented findings indicate that only male probands contribute to the association of MTHFR mutations with fertility problems in grown adults and demonstrate a high prevalence of mutated MTHFR genotypes in SAET.
A Rare Association of Monosomy 18P Syndrome and Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome Type IIIA
Authors: Dolek-Cetinkaya D , Demirpence M.M. , Gorgel A , Salgur F , Bahceci M
Published: October 2013

We report a monosomy 18p syndrome in a male patient with polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PAS) type IIIA. A 34-year-old mentally retarded diabetic male patient with short stature, wide earlaps, old-looking face, straight nasal bone, atrophic mouth, drooping cheeks, full teeth loss, and soft, weak and sparse white hair was admitted to the outpatient endocrinology clinic. Chromosome analysis of the patient revealed 46,XY,del(18)(p11.2). He was also diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis, primary hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus type 1. We concluded that monosomy 18p syndrome may be associated with autoimmune diseases and if this is suspected, patients should be examined for an endocrine deficiency.
Emergence of the pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza A virus in swine herds in Poland
Authors: Markowska-Daniel Iwona , Urbaniak Kinga , Porowski Marian , Karbowiak Paweł , Kowalczyk Andrzej , Kozak Edyta , Pejsak Zygmunt
Published: October 2013

The outbreaks of pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus (pdm-like H1N1 2009), detected for the first time in farrow-to-finish farms in Poland, were described. The nasal swabs and lung tissue collected from diseased/dead animals were tested using molecular techniques (RRT-PCR, MRT-PCR, RT-PCR, SSG-PCR, sequencing) and virus isolation. The amplification of the genetic material extracted from the tested samples confirmed the presence of the M1 gene sequence of type A influenza virus. Using MRT-PCRs no products characteristic for HA and NA of any swine influenza virus subtypes were obtained. Using SSGPCR, products specific for pandemic HA and NA gene fragments were detected. Six new pdm-like H1N1 2009 strains were isolated and characterised. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA and NA genes revealed that they belong to one lineage with the pandemic strain A/California/04/2009 and other human strains, including human strains isolated in Poland in 2011.
Evaluation of diagnostic methods to distinguish between calves persistently and transiently infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus in respect to the presence of maternal antibodies
Authors: Larska Magdalena , Kuta Aleksandra , Polak Mirosław P.
Published: October 2013

Two issues concerning virus detection and identification of persistently infected (PI) cattle were analysed in the study: 1) interference by maternal antibodies and 2) discrimination between PI and transiently infected (TI) animals. Antigen ELISA and RT-PCR based methods were compared using serum samples from natural and experimental PI and TI calves. RT-PCR and realtime RT-PCR using primers within 5’UTR region were more sensitive in detecting PI animals than Erns and NS3 antigen capture ELISAs, and they were not influenced by the presence of colostral antibodies in serum or by bovine viral diarrhoea virus genotype. The serum samples with Ct values ≤ 29.10 (corresponding to 104.87 viral RNA copies/μL) identified PI animals with 100% probability, while all samples with Ct values > 32.06 (corresponding to viral RNA load below 104 copies/μL) indicated TI status. The samples with Ct values between 29.10 and 32.06 (17.2% of PI and 11.5% of TI) should be considered as PI suspect and retested.
Wild boar meat sensory attributes contributing general meat quality
Authors: Guzek Dominika , Głąbska Dominika , Plewa Paweł , Kozań Karolina , Pietras Jacek , Plewa Rafał , Pogorzelska Ewelina , Pogorzelski Grzegorz , Trajer Jędrzej , Wierzbicka Agnieszka
Published: October 2013

The purpose of the study was to establish relationship between different sensory attributes of wild boar meat, as well as to develop a prediction model of sensory attributes demanded. The sensory analysis of 40 samples of wild boar meat (the loin) was performed. For wild boar meat, tenderness, juiciness, colour, taste, aroma, and off-flavours are significantly correlated with general quality of meat, assessed by the sensory panel. The results from the study indicate that wild boar meat reveals characteristic sensory traits; however, texture as well as off-flavours do not play an important role in creating general quality, but the most important factors influencing the general quality of wild boar meat included juiciness, colour, taste, and aroma.
Assessment of semen quality in infertile dogs using computer-assisted sperm analysis by the Hamilton-Thorne Semen Analyser
Authors: Domosławska Anna , Zduńczyk Sławomir , Niżański Wojciech , Janowski Tomasz
Published: October 2013

Semen quality parameters of infertile and fertile dogs were compared. Sperm concentration and semen motility parameters were measured by the Hamilton-Thorne Semen Analyser IVOS 12.3. The spermatozoal morphology and the percentage of live spermatozoa were examined microscopically. Forty-six dogs of various breeds were examined. Twenty dogs had a conception failure within last year. These dogs had a history of prior normal fertility. Twenty six fertile dogs served as control. All animals underwent a clinical examination as well as ultrasonography. Sperm concentration was significantly lower in infertile dogs than in fertile dogs. For most determined motility parameters (MOT, PMOT, VAP, VSL, VCL, BCF, RAPID, STATIC) significant differences between infertile and fertile dogs were found. The percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology also significantly differed between both groups. Ultrasonography of the prostate gland and testes revealed no pathological conditions. The testicular degeneration was assumed to be a possible cause of infertility in these dogs. The present study showed that the most sperm CASA motility parameters were significantly lower in infertile dogs in comparison to the fertile ones, and confirmed the usefulness of the Hamilton-Thorne Semen Analyser for a quick and objective analysis of sperm concentration and motility in dogs.
P-R interval in porcine model of chronic tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy
Authors: Skrzypczak Piotr , Zyśko Dorota , Pasławska Urszula , Noszczyk-Nowak Agnieszka , Janiszewski Adrian , Kiczak Liliana , Bania Jacek , Zacharski Maciej , Tomaszek Alicja , Rybińska Ilona , Nicpoń Józef , Pasławski Robert , Gajek Jacek , Jankowska Ewa A. , Ponikowski Piotr
Published: October 2013

The aim of the study was to assess the atrioventricular conduction in the model of porcine pacing induced tachycardiomyopathy. Fifty-one swine were examined: 27 were paced and 24 served as a control group. Every 4 weeks, the animals were anaesthetised for 1 h and an ECG Holter was performed. Thirty minutes after the onset of anaesthesia, P-R and R-R intervals were measured. Each result was assigned to the subgroup according to the animal’s weight and the presence or absence of previous pacing. P-R interval was longer in animals after at least 4 weeks of rapid ventricular stimulation than in adjusted group of the animals according to the body mass. Multivariate analysis has showed that longer P-R interval was related to male gender, higher body mass, slower heart rate, and history of previous pacing. Chronic ventricular pacing led to the slowing of atrioventricular conduction. The presence of differences in the duration of R-R intervals between groups was only found in swine weighing 120-139 kg. The R-R interval was shorter in paced animals, whereas PR interval was longer in that group, indicating that PR prolongation is related to electrical or structural remodelling of the cardiac conductive tissue but not increased sympathetic nervous system activity, which is expected to produce corresponding changes in PR and R-R intervals.
Ghrelin concentration in half-blood jumping horses during moderate and intense training exercise
Authors: Bis-Wencel Hanna , Lutnicki Krzysztof , Rowicka Agnieszka Zofia , Bryl Monika , Nowakowicz-Dębek Bożena
Published: October 2013

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of varying intensity of exercise on ghrelin levels in half-blood jumping horses during training season. Blood samples were collected in the period of intense and moderate exercise. Serum concentrations of active and total ghrelin were measured using commercial RIA kits. Exercise did not cause the disruption in energy homeostasis, which was confirmed by the conducted tests. Total concentration of ghrelin measured during the increased effort intensity elevated in stallions (from 1031.45 to 1732.19 pg/mL at P ≤ 0.05). The opposite situation occurred in the case of active ghrelin, which concentration did not increase significantly in mares (from 26.21 to 28.46 pg/mL), whereas an insignificant decrease was noted in stallions (from 24.19 to 22.54 pg/mL). The only significant difference between stallions and mares was noted in the 2nd sampling (P = 0.015). The research proved that the fluctuations of both studied parameters did not reflect a negative impact of the increased effort.
Comparison of the influence of selenium supplementation in organic and inorganic forms on oxidant/antioxidant balance in rat lungs
Authors: Musik Irena , Kiełczykowska Małgorzata , Kocot Joanna
Published: October 2013

The aim of the experiment was to compare the effect of two newly synthesised organic selenocompounds with that exerted by sodium selenite on oxidant processes in rat lungs. Total antioxidant status (TAS), activity of antioxidant enzymes - superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants - ascorbic acid (AA) and reduced glutathione (GSH), concentration of lipid peroxidation marker - malonyldialdehyde (MDA), as well as tissue concentrations of silicon and magnesium were determined in rats receiving different selenocompounds (inorganic selenite and organic selenosemicarbazide in a chain form - compound A and selenazoline in a ring form - compound B). TAS values were elevated in comparison with control without Se-supplementation. GPx was insignificantly increased when compared to control, mainly in the group receiving compound B. Inorganic selenite significantly increased SOD and decreased levels of AA. MDA was slightly altered in Se-supplemented animals. Silicon levels were not affected, whereas magnesium concentrations were considerably reduced in all groups receiving selenium. Compound B increased TAS to the highest degree. It did not have any impact on components of the antioxidant barrier and slightly decreased MDA. Therefore, it could be suggested that further research, including in vitro studies on cancer cell lines, may reveal new possibilities of medical applications of selenocompounds
Income (In)Justice in the Czech Republic
Authors: Birčiaková Naďa , Stávková Jana , Antošová Veronika
Published: October 2013

The present paper deals with the income situation of households in the Czech Republic between 2005 and 2011. The subject of observation is disposable income per equalized member. We attempt to assess income inequality based on a Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve. Another point of observation is the development of the poverty level. The poverty gap is assessed using a Sen index. Special attention is paid to groups of households according to economic activity (employed, self-employed, pensioner, unemployed, other). Using Scheffe’s method of contrast, specific pairs of demonstrable differences between levels of economic activity are detected. The poverty of individual groups is assessed based on poverty level and risk-of-poverty index. The performed analyses showed that the total incomes of households within the given period were increasing, even though the year-on-year increments were gradually decreasing. The most significant increase was observed in the incomes of unemployed people, the least significant increase in the incomes of self-employed people. Social policy in the Czech Republic does mitigate poverty; however, it does not prevent the unfair development of incomes for various groups of households.
Effect of Salinity on Soil Respiration and Nitrogen Dynamics
Authors: Zeng Wen-Zhi , Xu Chi , Wu Jing-Wei , Huang Jie-Sheng , Ma Tao
Published: October 2013

A facility of BaPS (Barometric Process Separation) and indoor incubation experiments were used to determine the effect of soil salinity on soil respiration and nitrogen transformation. The rates of soil respiration, gross nitrification, denitrification, ammonium and nitrate nitrogen concentrations and relevant soil parameters were measured. Results showed that soil respiration and nitrification and denitrification rates were all affected by soil salinity. Furthermore, the effect of soil salinity level on nitrification and denitrification rates had a threshold value (EC1:5 = 1.13 dS/m). When soil salinity level was smaller to this threshold value, the rates of nitrification and denitrification increased with soil salinity while they were reduced when soil salinity level was larger than the threshold value. Moreover, the changing law of soil respiration rate with soil salinity was similar with the nitrification and denitrification rates while the variation tendency was opposite. In addition, the transformation form urea to ammonium and nitrate nitrogen was also reduced with the increase of soil salinity and the reduced effect could be expressed by exponential functions.
Correlation between Cu mineralization and major faults using multifractal modelling in the Tarom area (NW Iran)
Authors: Nouri Reza , Jafari Mohammad Reza , Arian Mehran , Feizi Faranak , Afzal Peyman
Published: October 2013

The Tarom 1: 100,000 sheet is located within the Cenozoic Tarom-Hashtjin volcano-plutonic belt, NW Iran. Reconstruction of the tectonic and structural setting of the hydrothermal deposits is fundamental to predictive models of different ore deposits. Since fractal/multifractal modelling is an effective instrument for separation of geological and mineralized zones from background, therefore Concentration-Distance to Major Fault (C-DMF) fractal model and distribution of Cu anomalies were used to classify Cu mineralizations according to their distance to major faults. Application of the C-DMF model for the classification of Cu mineralization in the Tarom 1: 100,000 sheet reveals that the main copper mineralizations have a strong correlation with their distance to major faults in the area. The distances of known copper mineralizations having Cu values higher than 2.2 % to major faults are less than 10 km showing a positive correlation between Cu mineralization and tectonic events. Moreover, extreme and high Cu anomalies based on stream sediments and lithogeochemical data were identified by the Number-Size (N-S) fractal model. These anomalies have distances to major faults less than 10 km and validate the results derived via the C-DMF fractal model. The C-DMF fractal modelling can be utilized for the reconnaissance and prospecting of magmatic and hydrothermal deposits.
Do Different Listers Make the Same Housing Unit Frame? Variability in Housing Unit Listing
Authors: Eckman Stephanie
Published: October 2013

Housing unit listing is often used in countries that do not have household or person registries to create frames for household surveys. While several studies have reported the kinds of units and areas that are at risk of overcoverage and undercoverage in such frames, none has looked at variability in the listing process. This article explores this variability by comparing two frames created by trained field staff using the same methods and materials. The overall overlap rate between the two listings is 80%. In nearly all blocks, the listers created different frames, and in more than ten percent of the blocks, the two frames did not overlap at all. In this observational study, the overlap between the two frames is particularly low in the blocks listed using the traditional (from scratch) listing method. There is also evidence that sometimes one lister visited the wrong block. The results show that the listing process can introduce variance into survey data.
“Interviewer” Effects in Face-to-Face Surveys: A Function of Sampling, Measurement Error, or Nonresponse?
Authors: West Brady T. , Kreuter Frauke , Jaenichen Ursula
Published: October 2013

Recent research has attempted to examine the proportion of interviewer variance that is due to interviewers systematically varying in their success in obtaining cooperation from respondents with varying characteristics (i.e., nonresponse error variance), rather than variance among interviewers in systematic measurement difficulties (i.e., measurement error variance) - that is, whether correlated responses within interviewers arise due to variance among interviewers in the pools of respondents recruited, or variance in interviewer-specific mean response biases. Unfortunately, work to date has only considered data from a CATI survey, and thus suffers from two limitations: Interviewer effects are commonly much smaller in CATI surveys, and, more importantly, sample units are often contacted by several CATI interviewers before a final outcome (response or final refusal) is achieved. The latter introduces difficulties in assigning nonrespondents to interviewers, and thus interviewer variance components are only estimable under strong assumptions. This study aims to replicate this initial work, analyzing data from a national CAPI survey in Germany where CAPI interviewers were responsible for working a fixed subset of cases.
A middle Eocene mesoeucrocodylian (Crocodyliformes) from the Kaninah Formation, Republic of Yemen
Authors: Stevens Nancy J. , Hill Robert V. , Al-Wosabi Mohammed , Schulp Anne , As-Saruri Mustafa , Al-Nimey Fuad , Jolley Lea Ann , Schulp-Stuip Yvonne , O’Connor Patrick
Published: October 2013

During the Cenozoic, the Arabian Plate separated from continental Africa and assumed a closer geographical relationship with Eurasia. As such, the vertebrate fossil record of the Arabian Peninsula has great potential for documenting faunal interchanges that occurred as a result of such tectonic events, with a shift from a primarily Afro-Arabian fauna in the Palaeogene to a more cosmopolitan fauna in the Neogene. Understanding of the sequence and timing of this faunal interchange has long been hampered by a lack of palaeontological data. Recently recovered fossils from the Middle Eocene Kaninah Formation of Yemen constitute the earliest Palaeogene record of continental vertebrates from the Arabian Peninsula, thereby offering a rare glimpse at the region’s post- -Cretaceous fauna. Here we describe fossil materials from the Kaninah Formation, a collection of dental and postcranial elements representing a mesoeucrocodylian crocodyliform of unclear affinities. The specimen exhibits ziphodont tooth morphology along with a biserial paravertebral shield and polygonal gastral osteoderms, consistent with certain mesoeucrocodylians (e.g., ziphodontan notosuchians). Yet the associated fragmentary anterior caudal vertebra, although badly abraded, preserves morphology suggestive of procoely. This vertebral type in combination with the dental and osteoderm morphology is much more taxonomically restrictive and consistent with the suite of characters exhibited by atoposaurids, a finding that would significantly extend that clade through the Cretaceous/Palaeogene boundary. Alternatively, given the relative paucity of information from the region during the Palaeogene, the combination of characteristics of the Kaninah crocodyliform may reflect a novel or poorly known form exhibiting previously unrecognised character mosaicism. We take a conservative approach, and refer the Kaninah specimen to Mesoeucrocodylia, Atoposauridae (?) pending discovery of more complete material. New fossils recovered from the Kaninah Formation raise unanticipated questions about the longevity of Mesozoic clades, underscoring the role that the region may play in revealing novel occurrences, relictual forms, and evidence of faunal dispersals from this critical interval in vertebrate evolutionary history.
Geochemistry and ore potential of the Almoughlagh batholith, western Iran
Authors: Zamanian Hassan , Asadollahi Behrooz
Published: October 2013

The Almoughlagh batholith intruded the dioritic Baba Ali pluton during the Oligo-Miocene; the pluton and is now exposed as a big enclave within the batholith. The pluton intruded the Songhor Series during the Late Kimmeridgian (~136 Ma) orogeny. The intrusion by the batholith transformed the diorite to metadiorite and the impure carbonate units of the Songhor Series. The batholith consists of rock types such as quartz syenite and syenogranite, which have a low average quartz content, and which are metaluminous to peraluminous and calc-alkaline in composition. Comparison of the compositions of the Almoughlagh batholith and the pluton with its Cu, Mo, Fe, Sn, W, Au, and Zn skarn deposits, indicates that the Baba Ali diorite geochemically shows much resemblance with those which could bring about Fe-Cu skarn mineralization, whereas the compositions of the Almoughlagh granitoids resembles those of the plutons associated with Mo and Zn skarn deposits. The associated hydrothermal activity related to the Almoughlagh batholith culminated in magnetite mineralisation in the Baba Ali and the Chenar mines in which copper mineralisation also is considerable.
An analysis of fungal propagules transported to the Henryk Arctowski Antarctic Station
Authors: Augustyniuk−Kram Anna , Chwedorzewska Katarzyna J. , Korczak−Abshire Małgorzata , Olech Maria , Lityńska−Zając Maria
Published: October 2013

During three austral summer seasons, dust and soil from clothes, boots and equipment of members of scientific expeditions and tourists visiting the Polish Antarctic Station Henryk Arctowski were collected and analysed for the presence of fungal propagules. Of a total of 60 samples, 554 colonies of fungi belonging to 19 genera were identified. Colonies of the genus Cladosporium, Penicillium and non−sporulating fungus (Mycelia sterilia) dominated in the examined samples. The microbiological assessment of air for the presence of fungi was also conducted at two points in the station building and two others outside the station. A total of 175 fungal colonies belonging to six genera were isolated. Colonies of the genus Penicillium were the commonest in the air samples. The potential epidemiological consequences for indigenous species as a result of unintentional transport of fungal propagules to the Antarctic biome are discussed in the light of rapid climate change in some parts of the Antarctic and adaptation of fungi to extreme conditions.
Distribution, genesis, and properties of Arctic soils: a case study from the Fuglebekken catchment, Spitsbergen
Authors: Szymański Wojciech , Skiba Stefan , Wojtuń Bronisław
Published: October 2013

This paper presents distribution and properties of soils within the Fuglebekken catchment in neighbourhood of the Polish Polar Station in Hornsund, SW Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago). The present study describes 8 representative soil profiles out of 34 profiles studied for the whole catchment. Soils of the Fuglebekken catchment show initial stage of their formation because of very slow rate of chemical and biological weathering in Arctic climate conditions. Upliftedmarine terraces of the Fuglebekken catchment are characterized by domination of Haplic Cryosolswhich are related to stony and gravelly parent material (reworked marine sediments). Such soils constitute of 17% of the studied area. Turbic Cryosols forming characteristic micro−relief occur on flat surfaces and gentle slopes. Such soils (covering 7% of the catchment) are formed from loamy parent material. Along streams Hyperskeletic Cryosols (Reductaquic) and Turbic Histic Cryosols occur. The last two soil units (constituting 11% of the catchment) are mantled by continuous and dense vegetation cover (especially mosses) due to high content of water rich in nutrients flowing from colonies of sea birds located on slopes of Ariekammen and Fugleberget. The studied soils are generally characterized by shallowoccurrence of permafrost (i.e. at 30-50 cm), high content of pebbles, sandy or sandy loam texture, and neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. Soils occurring along streams and near colonies of sea birds show higher content of nutrients (N and P) in comparison with other soils and are covered by more dense vegetation. This indicates important impact of bird guano on chemical composition of soil solution and fertility of such soils.
Electrochemotherapy as a new therapeutic strategy in advanced Merkel cell carcinoma of head and neck region
Authors: Scelsi Daniele , Mevio Niccolò , Bertino Giulia , Occhini Antonio , Brazzelli Valeria , Morbini Patrizia , Benazzo Marco
Published: October 2013

Background. Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive tumour, arising from a cutaneous mechanoceptor cell located in the basal layer of epidermis, with poor prognosis. The treatment of choice for the initial stage of the disease is surgery and/or radiotherapy. The treatment of recurrent or advanced disease is still controversial.

Case report. We report a case of 84 years old woman with a recurrent MCC of the chin treated with electrochemotherapy (ECT). During the period of 20 months, four sessions of ECT were employed, which resulted in an objective response of the tumour and good quality of residual life.

Conclusions. Our case shows the effectiveness of ECT in the treatment of locally advanced MCC of the head and neck region in a patient not suitable for standard therapeutic options.
Expansive growth of two glioblastoma stem-like cell lines is mediated by bFGF and not by EGF
Authors: Podergajs Neza , Brekka Narve , Radlwimmer Bernhard , Herold-Mende Christel , Talasila Krishna M. , Tiemann Katja , Rajcevic Uros , Lah Tamara T. , Bjerkvig Rolf , Miletic Hrvoje
Published: October 2013

Background. Patient-derived glioblastoma (GBM) stem-like cells (GSCs) represent a valuable model for basic and therapeutic research. GSCs are usually propagated in serum-free Neural Basal medium supplemented with bFGF and EGF. Yet, the exact influence of these growth factors on GSCs is still unclear. Recently it was suggested that GBM stemlike cells with amplified EGFR should be cultured in stem cell medium without EGF, as the presence of EGF induced rapid loss of EGFR amplification. However, patient biopsies are usually taken into culture before their genomic profiles are defined. Thus, an important question remains whether GBM cells without EGFR amplification also can be cultured in stem cell medium without EGF.

Meterials and methods. To address this question, we used two heterogeneous glioblastoma GSC lines (NCH421k and NCH644) that lack EGFR amplification.

Results. Although both cell lines showed very low EGFR expression under standard growth conditions, bFGF stimulation induced higher expression of EGFR in NCH644. In both cell lines, expression of the stem cell markers nestin and CD133 was higher upon stimulation with bFGF compared to EGF. Importantly, bFGF stimulated the growth of both cell lines, whereas EGF had no effect. We verified that the growth stimulation by bFGF was either mediated by proliferation (NCH421k) or resistance to apoptosis (NCH644).

Conclusions. We demonstrate that GSC cultures without EGFR amplification can be maintained and expanded with bFGF, while the addition of EGF has no significant effect and therefore can be omitted.
Statistical Analysis of Chosen Aspects of the Suburbanization Process in Szczecin in 2006-2011
Authors: Gnat Sebastian , Bas Marcin
Published: October 2013

Suburbanization is one of the processes of urban expansion which is inseparably linked with the real estate market. It takes place when residents of cities gradually leave their administrative limits in order to live in satellite communities. The article presents studies dealing with the demographic and market-related aspects of this phenomenon. The authors analyzed the dynamics of prices of undeveloped plots of land chosen due to their location in municipalities (gminas) located in the proximity of Szczecin. The analysis was supplemented with a survey of average plot sizes and the number of transactions concluded in subsequent years. The dynamics of population flow from the West Pomeranian capital to the urban-rural fringe were also investigated. The analyses resulted in the proposal of a synthetic measure illustrating the suburbanization dynamics which combines the market dimension (prices and the number of transactions) with the demographic dimension (population flow). The study covered the period of 2006-2011.
Effect of sewing parameters and wash type on the dimensional stability of knitted garments
Authors: Malik Mumtaz Hasan , Malik Zulfiqar Ali , Hussain Tanveer , Ramzan Muhammad Babar
Published: October 2013

The aim of this research is to study the effect of clothing manufacturing parameters, that is, stitch type, stitch
density, sewing thread type and washing type on the dimensional stability of single jersey knitted garment. Single
jersey bleached fabric, made from Ne 32 cotton combed ring spun yarn, was used to make 32 medium size crew
neck T-shirts selecting two levels of stitch type, stitch density, sewing thread type and wash type according to the
experimental design. After constructing the garments, four critical measurements of each garment, that is, body
length, body width, across shoulder and sleeve length were measured. The constructed garments were divided
into two equal groups. One group was washed with water and the other group was washed using a detergent.
After washing, drying and tumbling, the same critical measurements of each garment were taken and the percent
shrinkage was calculated. Analysis of data was done on responses of output variables against the input variables
using MINITAB. The results showed that three input variables: stitch type, stitch density and garment wash type
have significant effect on all the output variables.
Bardet Biedl Syndrome
Authors: Ghosh Taraknath , De Sangita , Pati Sananda , Kumar Prabhat , Chaki Bhusan
Published: October 2013

This is a case report of Bardet-Biedl syndrome, diagnosed in a 8 year old girl presented with obesity. She had polydactyly, mild mental retardation, retinitis pigmentosa in both eyes, with hypoplastic uterus, fallopian tube and ovaries. She was born to a consanguinous marriage and had a family member with same features. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i2.7359   J Nepal Paediatr Soc. 2013; 33(2):129-131
A Study of Clinical Features, Management and Outcome of Organophosphate and Carbamate Poisoning in Children
Authors: Koirala Deepak Prasad , Rao Kalipatnam Seshagiri , Malla Kalpana K , Malla Tejesh
Published: October 2013

Introduction: Organophosphates (OP) are commonly used pesticides in rural agricultural regions of Nepal and carbamates are popular household insecticides. Because of poor legislation these poisons are easily accessible and are the most popular suicidal poisons. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study done in poisoning cases admitted in PICU of Manipal Teaching Hospital (MTH) over a seven year period. Results: Out of 187 cases of poisoning, 30 (16.04%) were OPs and 4 (2.13%) were Carbamates. The male to female ratio was 56:44 and these poisonings were more common in rural areas (56%). Accidental poisoning (82.4%) was more common but suicidal attempts (17.6%) were also observed. Atropine and pralidoxime were used in 82.4% of the cases. The total atropinizing dose was 0.77±0.6 mg/kg and patients required 56.6±23.7 hours of atropinization. In our study 94.1% of the patients survived and none of them developed any sequel. Children developed muscarinic, nicotinic and CNS symptoms similar to adults. Complications were seen in 41.1% of the children and most common being seizure (85.7%). The most common OP observed in childhood poisoning was Metacid (methyl parathion) seen in 26.4% of the cases. Conclusion: OP and Carbamate poisonings are common in children. Possibility of self-harm poisoning in adolescent females cannot be ignored. Atropine is the mainstay of therapy after initial resuscitation and complications are common in children. With prompt treatment the outcome is good even with complications. The case fatality rate is much less as compared to adults.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i2.7799 J Nepal Paediatr Soc. 2013; 33(2):85-90
Study of Risk Factor for Congenital Heart Diseases in Children at Rural Hospital of Central India
Authors: Taksande Amar M , Vilhekar Krishna
Published: October 2013

Introduction: Congenital heart disease is the most common congenital problem that accounts for up to 25% of all congenital malformations. Hence this study was aimed at improving the knowledge related to risk factors associated with CHD in a rural Indian scenario. It was a hospital- based case control study. Materials and Methods: The children up to twelve year of age with clinical suspicion of CHD were subjected to chest x-ray and electrocardiography, and final diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography (n=209) as cases. The control group (n=418) were randomly selected from children without CHD who were admitted during the same period. The etiological factors like environmental, infections, drugs, and maternal factors were analyzed by using EPI 6 version. Results: In cases group, 56% were male and 44% female children. 82% cases presented at age of less than 5 years and 18% after 5 year. Exposure to smoking (OR=10.45), tobacco intake by mother (OR=8.28) and family history of CHD (OR=7.21) were the significant risk factor present in cases. Conclusion: The risk factors for CHD child identified were exposure to smoking and tobacco intake by mother, family history of CHD, antenatal infection in 1st trimester and history of diabetic mother. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i2.8254   J Nepal Paediatr Soc. 2013; 33(2):121-124
Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Authors: Sharma Deepak Kumar , Garg Eva
Published: October 2013

TTTS is a specific condition that only occurs in multiple pregnancies of monozygotic (monochorionic) twins. When twins share a single placenta, the blood vessels become mutually interconnected in the placenta, so that blood flows back and forth between both twins. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i2.8379   J Nepal Paediatr Soc. 2013; 33(2):157
Viral and Cellular Requirements for the Nuclear Entry of Retroviral Preintegration Nucleoprotein Complexes
Authors: Matreyek Kenneth , Engelman Alan
Published: October 2013

Retroviruses integrate their reverse transcribed genomes into host cell chromosomes as an obligate step in virus replication. The nuclear envelope separates the chromosomes from the cell cytoplasm during interphase, and different retroviral groups deal with this physical barrier in different ways. Gammaretroviruses are dependent on the passage of target cells through mitosis, where they are believed to access chromosomes when the nuclear envelope dissolves for cell division. Contrastingly, lentiviruses such as HIV-1 infect non-dividing cells, and are believed to enter the nucleus by passing through the nuclear pore complex. While numerous virally encoded elements have been proposed to be involved in HIV-1 nuclear import, recent evidence has highlighted the importance of HIV-1 capsid. Furthermore, capsid was found to be responsible for the viral requirement of various nuclear transport proteins, including transportin 3 and nucleoporins NUP153 and NUP358, during infection. In this review, we describe our current understanding of retroviral nuclear import, with emphasis on recent developments on the role of the HIV-1 capsid protein.
Flood Risk in Australia: Whose Responsibility Is It, Anyway?
Authors: Box Pamela , Thomalla Frank , Van den Honert Robin
Published: October 2013

This paper presents research into four key stakeholders in flood risk management in Australia: local councils, the insurance industry, the State Emergency Service (SES), and local residents; examining the perception of their own roles and responsibilities, and those of the other stakeholders. Key informant interviews were conducted in four locations—Brisbane and Emerald, in Queensland, Dora Creek, in New South Wales, and Benalla, in Victoria. We find that understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder varied considerably between research participants. Insurance representatives felt their concerns about increasing flood risk costs were unheeded until the 2010–2011 floods made them the “canary in the coal mine”. Councils felt they had limited options for reducing flood risk. SES representatives felt they were too relied upon for event response, with requests for assistance outstripping their capacity to assist, and many residents were uncertain how to prepare for flood, relying on emergency agencies and the local council to protect them. Key lessons for flood risk management in Australia are (a) an urgent need for all stakeholders to better understand each others’ roles and responsibilities; and (b) residents must take greater responsibility for their own personal protection. Only then can the vision of shared responsibility presented by the 2009 National Strategy for Disaster Resilience be achieved.
Shield or not to Shield: Effects of Solar Radiation on Water Temperature Sensor Accuracy
Authors: Johnson Matthew , Wilby Robert
Published: October 2013

Temperature sensors are potentially susceptible to errors due to heating by solar radiation. Although this is well known for air temperature (Ta), significance to continuous water temperature (Tw) monitoring is relatively untested. This paper assesses radiative errors by comparing measurements of exposed and shielded Tinytag sensors under indirect and direct solar radiation, and in laboratory experiments under controlled, artificial light. In shallow, still-water and under direct solar radiation, measurement discrepancies between exposed and shielded sensors averaged 0.4 °C but can reach 1.6 °C. Around 0.3 °C of this inconsistency is explained by variance in measurement accuracy between sensors; the remainder is attributed to solar radiation. Discrepancies were found to increase with light intensity, but to attain Tw differences in excess of 0.5 °C requires direct, bright solar radiation (>400 W m−2 in the total spectrum). Under laboratory conditions, radiative errors are an order of magnitude lower when thermistors are placed in flowing water (even at velocities as low as 0.1 m s−1). Radiative errors were also modest relative to the discrepancy between different thermistor manufacturers. Based on these controlled experiments, a set of guidelines are recommended for deploying thermistor arrays in water bodies.
Origens do conceito de literatura brasileira: o papel de Joaquim Norberto de Sousa Silva e seu Bosquejo da História da Poesia Brasileira
Authors: Miranda José Américo
Published: October 2013

Résumé - Cet article est une contribution à la problématique des origines de la littérature du Brésil. Il aborde la question d'un point de vue spécifique, selon lequel cette origine est liée à l'élaboration d'un concept de littérature brésilienne. Après avoir passé en revue les premiers textes consacrés à la littérature du Brésil, écrits dans la première moitié du XIXe siècle, il analyse avec une attention toute particulière le Bosquejo da história da poesia brasileira, de Joaquim Norberto de Sousa Silva, considéré comme le premier texte qui éclaire vraiment l'objet en question.
Les publications françaises en comptabilité et contrôle de gestion sur la période 1994-2003 : un état des lieux
Authors: Charreaux Gérard , Schatt Alain
Published: October 2013

Cet article a pour objet de dresser un état des lieux de la production académique française en comptabilité et contrôle de gestion. Il met notamment en évidence, d’une part, les auteurs et les centres de recherche les plus productifs, d’autre part, les chercheurs français les plus influents. Il porte également sur les revues pour évaluer leur influence. Ce travail est fondé sur le recensement des articles publiés en comptabilité et contrôle de gestion dans les quatre revues académiques françaises «majeures» (Comptabilité-Contrôle-Audit, Finance-Contrôle-Stratégie, Revue française de gestion, Sciences de gestion/ Économies et sociétés) , au cours des dix dernières années (1994-2003), ainsi que sur les travaux qu’ils citent.
Les informations comparatives publiées par les groupes de sociétés lors de changements de périmètres de consolidation
Authors: Pourtier Frédéric
Published: October 2013

L’analyse financière des groupes de sociétés est rendue délicate par des facteurs d’incomparabilité : mouvance du périmètre, démultiplication des choix comptables, changements de référentiels, etc. Pour pallier ces problèmes, le législateur recommande fortement la publication de données « pro forma ». Elles permettent, en théorie, la comparaison sur deux périodes successives. En réalité la doctrine est assez peu contraignante, aussi bien en règles françaises qu’en IFRS, et le sujet reste mal connu. Par ailleurs, la réalité des cas observés surprend, quant à la richesse des pratiques et à la paradoxale incomparabilité de ces données. Nous essayons ici de circonscrire un thème mal connu et de rendre compte des pratiques de groupes du SBF 250. Ce travail met en évidence la grande hétérogénéité des diffusions d’informations comparatives, de types « pro forma », et souligne leur caractère souvent discrétionnaire dans le cas des changements de périmètres. Le rôle des IFRS est discuté. Nous dessinons quelques pistes de recherches à venir pour un champ d’investigation très vaste.
Service Discovery with Personal Awareness in Smart Environments
Authors: Opasjumruskit Kobkaew , Expósito Jesús , König-Ries Birgitta , Nauerz Andreas , Welsch Martin
Published: October 2013

Web service descriptions with Semantic Web annotations can be exploited to automate dynamic discovery of services. The approaches introduced aim at enabling automatic discovery, configuration, and execution of services in dynamic environments. In this chapter, the authors present the service discovery aspect of MERCURY, a platform for straightforward, user-centric integration and management of heterogeneous devices and services via a Web-based interface. In the context of MERCURY, they use service discovery to find appropriate sensors, services, or actuators to perform a certain functionality required within a user-defined scenario (e.g., to obtain the temperature at a certain location, book a table at a restaurant close to the location of all friends involved, etc.). A user will specify a service request, which will be fed to a matchmaker, which compares the request to existing service offers and ranks these offers based on how well they match the service request. In contrast to existing works, the service discovery approach the authors use is geared towards non-IT-savvy end users and is not restricted to single service-description formalism. Moreover, the matchmaking algorithm should be user-aware and environmentally adaptive (e.g. depending on the user’s location or surrounding temperature), rather than specific to simple keywords-based searches, which depend on the users’ expertise and mostly require several tries. Hence, the goal is to develop a service discovery module on top of existing techniques, which will rank discovered services to serve users’ queries according to their personal interests, expertise, and current situations.