bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responding to the Wendy Doniger Controversy
Authors: Ramey Steven
Published: May 2014

The controversy over Penguin India withdrawing Wendy Doniger's book, announced in February 2014, provides an occasion to consider the problems and possibilities within the academic study of religion. As the controversy centered on representations of what both Doniger and her opponents termed Hinduism, the problems with adjudicating contested definitions of religions or the category religions becomes apparent. Rather than assuming that we can present a normative definition of any of these terms, I argue that scholars should avoid applying these contested labels themselves and recognize instead whose application of contested labels that they use. This approach facilitates a more robust analysis of the ways these terms enter the negotiation of various conflicts and the interests and assumptions behind them, making religious studies more relevant to contemporary society.
Molecular Tumor Board: The University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center Experience
Authors: Schwaederle Maria , Parker Barbara A. , Schwab Richard B. , Fanta Paul T. , Boles Sarah G. , Daniels Gregory A. , Bazhenova Lyudmila A. , Subramanian Rupa , Coutinho Alice C. , Ojeda-Fournier Haydee , Datnow Brian , Webster Nicholas J. , Lippman Scott M. , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: May 2014

Objective.

DNA sequencing tests are enabling physicians to interrogate the molecular profiles of patients’ tumors, but most oncologists have not been trained in advanced genomics. We initiated a molecular tumor board to provide expert multidisciplinary input for these patients.

Materials and Methods.

A team that included clinicians, basic scientists, geneticists, and bioinformatics/pathway scientists with expertise in various cancer types attended. Molecular tests were performed in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments environment.

Results.

Patients (n = 34, since December 2012) had received a median of three prior therapies. The median time from physician order to receipt of molecular diagnostic test results was 27 days (range: 14–77 days). Patients had a median of 4 molecular abnormalities (range: 1–14 abnormalities) found by next-generation sequencing (182- or 236-gene panels). Seventy-four genes were involved, with 123 distinct abnormalities. Importantly, no two patients had the same aberrations, and 107 distinct abnormalities were seen only once. Among the 11 evaluable patients whose treatment had been informed by molecular diagnostics, 3 achieved partial responses (progression-free survival of 3.4 months, ≥6.5 months, and 7.6 months). The most common reasons for being unable to act on the molecular diagnostic results were that patients were ineligible for or could not travel to an appropriately targeted clinical trial and/or that insurance would not cover the cognate agents.

Conclusion.

Genomic sequencing is revealing complex molecular profiles that differ by patient. Multidisciplinary molecular tumor boards may help optimize management. Barriers to personalized therapy include access to appropriately targeted drugs.
Costs of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Using Reduced Intensity Conditioning Regimens
Authors: Khera Nandita , Emmert Amy , Storer Barry E. , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Alyea Edwin P. , Lee Stephanie J.
Published: May 2014

Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens have allowed older patients and those with comorbidities to receive hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We analyzed medical costs from the beginning of conditioning to 100 days after HCT for 484 patients and up to 2 years for 311 patients who underwent a RIC HCT at two institutions from January 2008 to December 2010. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between clinical variables, center effect, and costs. Patient and transplant characteristics were comparable between the sites, although differences were seen in pretransplant performance scores. Significant predictors for lower costs for the first 100 days included a diagnosis of lymphoma/myeloma and use of human leukocyte antigen-matched related donors. Grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was associated with higher costs. The overall short-term costs between the two institutions were comparable when adjusted for clinical variables (p = .43). Late costs between 100 days and 2 years after HCT were available for one cohort (n = 311); median costs during this period were $39,000 and accounted for 39% of costs during the first 2 years. Late costs were not associated with any pretransplant variables, but were higher with extensive chronic GVHD and death. After adjustment for clinical characteristics, the overall costs of the RIC transplants were similar between the two institutions despite different management approaches (inpatient vs. outpatient conditioning) and accounting methodologies. Use of unrelated/alternative donors, transplant for diseases other than lymphoma or myeloma, and acute GVHD were predictors for higher early costs, and extensive chronic GVHD and death were associated with higher late costs.
Enabling a Genetically Informed Approach to Cancer Medicine: A Retrospective Evaluation of the Impact of Comprehensive Tumor Profiling Using a Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Panel
Authors: Johnson Douglas B. , Dahlman Kimberly H. , Knol Jared , Gilbert Jill , Puzanov Igor , Means-Powell Julie , Balko Justin M. , Lovly Christine M. , Murphy Barbara A. , Goff Laura W. , Abramson Vandana G. , Crispens Marta A. , Mayer Ingrid A. , Berlin Jordan D. , Horn Leora , Keedy Vicki L. , Reddy Nishitha M. , Arteaga Carlos L. , Sosman Jeffrey A. , Pao William
Published: May 2014

Background.

Oncogenic genetic alterations “drive” neoplastic cell proliferation. Small molecule inhibitors and antibodies are being developed that target an increasing number of these altered gene products. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a powerful tool to identify tumor-specific genetic changes. To determine the clinical impact of extensive genetic analysis, we reviewed our experience using a targeted NGS platform (FoundationOne) in advanced cancer patients.

Patients and Methods.

We retrospectively assessed demographics, NGS results, and therapies received for patients undergoing targeted NGS (exonic sequencing of 236 genes and selective intronic sequencing from 19 genes) between April 2012 and August 2013. Coprimary endpoints were the percentage of patients with targeted therapy options uncovered by mutational profiling and the percentage who received genotype-directed therapy.

Results.

Samples from 103 patients were tested, most frequently breast carcinoma (26%), head and neck cancers (23%), and melanoma (10%). Most patients (83%) were found to harbor potentially actionable genetic alterations, involving cell-cycle regulation (44%), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT (31%), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (19%) pathways. With median follow-up of 4.1 months, 21% received genotype-directed treatments, most in clinical trials (61%), leading to significant benefit in several cases. The most common reasons for not receiving genotype-directed therapy were selection of standard therapy (35%) and clinical deterioration (13%).

Conclusion.

Mutational profiling using a targeted NGS panel identified potentially actionable alterations in a majority of advanced cancer patients. The assay identified additional therapeutic options and facilitated clinical trial enrollment. As time progresses, NGS results will be used to guide therapy in an increasing proportion of patients.
The understory fern Dicranopteris dichotoma facilitates the overstory Eucalyptus trees in subtropical plantations
Authors: Wan Songze , Zhang Chenlu , Chen Yuanqi , Zhao Jie , Wang Xiaoli , Wu Jianping , Zhou Lixia , Lin Yongbiao , Liu Zhanfeng , Fu Shenglei
Published: May 2014

Plant–plant interactions are important not only for understanding biodiversity maintenance and plant community assembly but also for forest conservation and management. However, our knowledge about how plant species of different functional groups interact in forests is limited. For example, understory removal is thought to enhance tree growth in subtropical plantations but such enhancement has not been experimentally confirmed. In the present study, we conducted an understory removal experiment combined with nutrient addition to examine how the understory fern Dicranopteris dichotoma interacts with overstory Eucalyptus trees and how fertilization affects that interaction in subtropical plantations. Our results demonstrate that the understory fern D. dichotoma facilitates the overstory Eucalyptus trees and that the facilitative effect is enhanced by nutrient addition. In addition to illustrating the complex interactions among plant functional groups and the importance of plant traits in predicting plant–plant interactions, our findings counter the traditional view that understory ferns primarily compete with trees for resources in subtropical Eucalyptus plantations. This information should help in the development of sustainable management practices.
Aerobic oxidation of cumene catalysed by 4-alkyloxycarbonyl-N-hydroxyphthalimide
Authors: Kasperczyk Kornela , Orlińska Beata , Zawadiak Jan
Published: May 2014

4-Hexyloxycarbonyl-, 4-dodecyloxycarbonyl- and 4-hexadecyloxycarbonyl-N-hydroxyphthalimides were synthesised using trimellitic anhydride chloride as the starting material. The obtained lipophilic derivatives of N-hydroxyphthalimide were applied as catalysts of the cumene oxidation reaction with oxygen performed in polar acetonitrile, in non-polar tert-butylbenzene and in the absence of a solvent. The courses of reactions catalysed by N-hydroxyphthalimide and its derivatives were compared.
Metals content of soil, leaves and wild fruit from Serbia
Authors: Randjelovic Sasa , Kostic Danijela , Stojanovic Gordana , Mitic Snezana , Mitic Milan , Arsic Biljana , Pavlovic Aleksandra
Published: May 2014

The concentrations of Zn, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cu and Cd in soil, leaves and edible wild fruit (Crataegus laevigata L., Cornus mas L. and Prunus spinosa L.) from southeast Serbia were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Metal translocations from soil to fruit were calculated as well as their oral intake and health risk indices. Positive correlations were found among metal concentrations in soil, leaves and fruit.
Transient electro-osmotic flow of generalized Maxwell fluids in a straight pipe of circular cross section
Authors: Wang Shaowei , Zhao Moli , Li Xicheng
Published: May 2014

The transient electro-osmotic flow of a generalized Maxwell fluid with fractional derivative in a narrow capillary tube is examined. With the help of an integral transform method, analytical expressions are derived for the electric potential and transient velocity profile by solving the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation and the Navier-Stokes equation. It was shown that the distribution and establishment of the velocity consists of two parts, the steady part and the unsteady one. The effects of relaxation time, fractional derivative parameter, and the Debye-Hückel parameter on the generation of flow are shown graphically and analyzed numerically. The velocity overshoot and oscillation are observed and discussed.
Fannin-Lubbock-I [α2β2119(GLY>ASP)], a rare mutation in the beta-globin gene, has been detected for the first time in a Hindu Brahmin family in West Bengal, India
Authors: Basak Jayasri , Bhattacharyya Deboshree , Mukhopadhyay Ashis
Published: May 2014

This study aims to describe the hemoglobin Fannin-Lubbock-I, which has a rare mutation substituting the amino acid glycine with aspartic acid at codon 119 of the β-globin chain. A Bengalee Hindu Brahmin family from Kolkata in West Bengal was the focus of this study. Molecular analysis using ARMS-PCR and direct DNA sequencing revealed the presence of a GGC > GAC mutation in codon 119 of the β-globin gene in a heterozygote state in three women of the same family. This is the first report of the hemoglobin Fannin-Lubbock-I from India. Our results will help to identify this mutation, which is relatively infrequent in our population.
Kinetics of enantioselective liquid-liquid extraction of phenylglycine enantiomers using a BINAP-copper complex as chiral selector
Authors: Zhang Pan-Liang , Luo Jing-Jing , Tang Ke-Wen , Yi Jian-Min
Published: May 2014

Kinetic study of reactive extraction of phenylglycine (PhgH) racemate with S-BINAP ((S)-(−)-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthalene)-copper complex (BINAP-Cu) as the chiral selector was performed in a modified Lewis cell. The theory of extraction accompanied by a chemical reaction was applied to achieve insightful understanding of the extraction process. The effects of agitation speed, interface area, pH value of the aqueous phase, initial concentration of PhgH racemate, and initial concentration of BINAP-Cu on the specific rate of extraction were investigated. An extraction course was simulated based on the rate equations. The forward rate constants of 3.14 × 10−5 m3.4 mol−0.7 s−1 for R-PhgH and 4.03 × 10−5 m3.4 mol−0.7 s−1 for S-PhgH, respectively, were found. The modeled extraction course was in good agreement with the experimental one.
Geochronology of plutonic rocks from the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, Iran and new zircon and titanite U-Th-Pb ages for granitoids from the Marivan pluton
Authors: Sepahi Ali , Shahbazi Hossein , Siebel Wolfgang , Ranin Ahmad
Published: May 2014

The Sanandaj-Sirjan zone of Iran is a metamorphic belt consisting of rocks which were metamorphosed under different pressure and temperature conditions and intruded by various plutons ranging in composition from gabbro to granite. The majority of these granitoids formed along the ancient active continental margin of the Neo-Tethyan ocean at the southeastern edge of the central Iranian microplate. Geochronological data published in recent years indicate periodic plutonism lasting from Carboniferous through Mesozoic to late-Paleogene times (from ca. 300 to ca. 35 Ma) with climax activity during the mid- and late-Jurassic. The age constraints for plutonic complexes, such as Siah-Kouh, Kolah-Ghazi, Golpayegan (Muteh), Azna, Aligoodarz, Astaneh, Borujerd, Malayer (Samen), Alvand, Almogholagh, Ghorveh, Saqqez, Marivan, Naqadeh and Urumieh, clearly indicate the periodic nature of magmatism. Therefore, the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone preserves the record of magmatic activity of a complete orogenic cycle related to (1) Permocarboniferous(?) rifting of Gondwana and opening of the Neo-Tethyan ocean, (2) subduction of the oceanic crust, (3) continental collision and (4) post-collision/post-orogenic activities. The formation of the Marivan granitoids, northwestern Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, for which we present U-Pb zircon and titanite ages of ca. 38 Ma, can be related to the collisional and post-collisional stages of this orogenic cycle.
A new monitoring technique for the grounding grids
Authors: Chikarov Y. , Lie T. , Nair N.
Published: May 2014

The performance and reliability of grounding grids depend on its structural integrity. If grounding conductors are damaged, it may cause misoperation of protective relay which leads to trip feeders unnecessarily. It can also cause not only failures on the surroundings such as the grounding grid, secondary circuits’ cables, and structural elements but also voltage hazard for human. The circuits may attain unacceptable voltages when short-circuit fault currents occur in these grids. This paper presents the development of a new technique to monitor the operating conditions of the grounding grids of high voltage apparatus and systems without any diggings and forced outages. New concept, principals, a technique and a device shown in the paper have never been described before by the other authors. The technique is based on the evaluation of the electromagnetic field distribution pattern over the damaged horizontal elements of the grid.
Fe2+- and Er2+-intercalative modification of porous and electron structure of activated carbon and its influence on supercapacitor parameters
Authors: Venhryn B. , Grygorchak I. , Kulyk Yu. , Mudry S. , Strelchuk V. , Budzulyak S. , Dovbeshko G. , Fesenko O.
Published: May 2014

An influence of both porous and electron structure on the processes in an electric double layer (EDL) determining the main working parameters of carbon-based supercapacitors has been studied in order to improve them. The investigations involved impedance spectroscopy, X-ray small angle scattering, confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy, infra-red and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Fe2+- and Er2+-intercallative modifications of nanoporous carbon were performed. It was found that the modification process characteristics correlated with the structure parameters of the EDL.
Structural and elastic properties of TiN and AlN compounds: first-principles study
Authors: Fodil Meriem , Mounir Amine , Ameri Mohammed , Baltache Hadj , Bouhafs Bachir , Al-Douri Y. , Ameri Ibrahim
Published: May 2014

First-principles calculations of the lattice constants, bulk modulus, pressure derivatives of the bulk modulus and elastic constants of AlN and TiN compounds in rock-salt (B1) and wurtzite (B4) structures are presented. We have used the fullpotential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within the density functional theory (DFT) in the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the exchange-correlation functional. Moreover, the elastic properties of cubic TiN and hexagonal AlN, including elastic constants, bulk and shear moduli are determined and compared with previous experimental and theoretical data. Our results show that the structural transition at 0 K from wurtzite to rock-salt phase occurs at 10 GPa and −26 GPa for AlN and TiN, respectively. These results are consistent with those of other studies found in the literature.
Sensor properties of ZnO:Al nanofibres obtained by electrospinning
Authors: Maziarz Wojciech , Rydosz Artur , Wysocka Kinga , Pisarkiewicz Tadeusz
Published: May 2014

An electrospinning technology have been developed to obtain zinc oxide nanofibres doped with aluminum. Properties of the obtained nanostructures can be controlled by both the composition of a precursor and subsequent annealing treatment. The gas sensors manufactured with the use of ZnO:Al nanofibres exhibit good response to NO2 at relatively low operating temperatures. For some samples it was observed that interaction with ambient NO2 gas causes the change of conductivity from n-type to p-type at higher operating temperatures. This phenomenon was not observed for the samples annealed at higher temperature.
Profile of Color Vision Defects in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Nepal
Authors: Godar ST , Kaini KR , Khattri JB
Published: May 2014

Background: Significant numbers of people suffer from color vision defect but most of the time remains an unnoticed problem. The present work was undertaken to study the profile of color vision defects in Western region of Nepal. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, hospital based study conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Western Nepal from January 2012 to December2012. Total of 971 patients were selected by simple random method. In each patient assessment of visual acuity and the examination of anterior segment and posterior segment was done. Color vision was tested by Ishihara Pseudo isochromatic chart. Results: Out of total 971 patients, 501 were males (51.59%) and 470were females (48.40%). Out of this total, 91 (9.37%) had color vision defects. Among the color vision defects patients,68were males (74.72%)and 23 were females (25.27%). Congenital color vision defect was seen in 10.97% of males and 2.97% of females whereas acquired color vision defect was observed in 2.57% of males and 1.91% of females respectively. Color vision defects were observed more in Chhetri (14.38%), followed by Brahmin (10.16%) and Magar caste (9.89%). Conclusion: The prevalence of color vision defect in Nepal is significant. All people should be screened for color vision defect and advised about it so that they can take special care in daily practice as well as in future life Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 1-4 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10340
A Comparative study to quantify the area of obturating material, sealer and voids in root canals obturated with Resilon/Epiphany and gutta-percha with different sealers
Authors: Vikram M , Shetty N , Singh VP
Published: May 2014

Background: Complete obturation of the root canal with an inert filling material and creation of a fluid-tight seal are among the major goals of successful endodontic treatment. Methods: Extracted mandibular premolar teeth were decoronated, prepared in a crown-down fashion and irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA. The specimens were randomly assigned into 4groups (n=10/each) and obturated with gutta-percha and Resilon/Epiphanywith different sealers. Horizontal sections were obtained of the coronal, middle and apical third at levels of 14-mm, 8-mm and 2-mm from the apex respectively and were viewed under magnification. The area of obturating material, sealer and voids were calculated using Image Jsoftware. Statistical comparisons between the Resilon and gutta-percha groups were made with Kruskal-Wallis Test and intergroup comparisions were made by Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction. Results: The results of this study showed that root canals obturated with gutta-percha or Resilon with Epiphany as sealer had significantly less area of sealer plus voids and voids alone as compared to root canals obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus as sealer or gutta-percha and GuttaFlow. Conclusion: From the results of this study it can be concluded that methacrylate resin-based sealer Epiphany will lead to a better obturation of the root canals and adhesive sealers hold a better prospective. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 8-13 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10342
Operative Treatment of Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Persistent Air Leaks – The Thoracoscopic Approach
Authors: Thapa B
Published: May 2014

Background: Spontaneous pneumothoraces are common thoracic surgical problems and when complicated by recurrences and persistent air leaks are often difficult to treat. While conservative non-operative methods were favored in the past, thoracoscopy has made operative treatment more successful, easier and less painful. We reviewed our experience withthoracoscopic management of spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods: We analyzed the retrospective data from the patients who received Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for spontaneous pneumothoraces from January 2012 to January 2013 at Manmohan Cardio-thoracic Vascular and Transplant Center. Results: The male to female ratio was 6:1 with mean age 33 years (minimum17 years to maximum70 years). The ratio of primary spontaneous to secondary spontaneous was 5:2. Seventeen of 21 patients had air leaks at operation. Seven of 15 patients with primary spontaneous and 4/6 with secondary spontaneous had prior two or more episodes of pneumothorax. Blebs/ bullae were found in 18/21 patients. In 9/18 patients, the bullae/blebs were stapled while in seven, they were plicated. Only pleurodesis was done in the remaining patients. Additional procedures in the form of decortications were required in three. The chest tube was removed by the second post operative day in 13/21 patients. Prolonged chest tube was required in three patients (persistent leak in two and collection in one patient). One patient needed a subsequent thoracotomy and decortication. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic approach to spontaneous pneumothoraces and persistent air leaks is feasible and safe. Plication of bullae/ blebs can be a viable alternative when stapling devices are not available. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 14-18 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10343
Comparision of Antibiotic Susceptility of Levofloxacin with Other Commonly Tested Antibiotics Against Salmonella Enterica Serovar (Typhi And Paratyphi A)
Authors: Chhetri A , Manandhar A , Shah Y , Simkhada RC , Paudyal R , Amatya J , Shrestha J
Published: May 2014

Background: Increasing antibiotic resistance of bacteria is a global problem. Fluoroquinolones are recommended as first line therapy for children and adults infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and Paratyphi A. The purpose of this study was to compare the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of different classes of antibiotics with levofloxacin from blood samples of suspected enteric fever patients visiting Birhospital, Kathmandu. Methods: Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by Kirby-Bauerdisc diffusion method as per Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guideline. Results: Among 50 isolates of Salmonella enterica, 39 (78%) were S.Typhi and 11 (22%) were S. Paratyphi A. All the isolates were tested against antibiotics, and all isolates were found sensitive to chloramphenicol and ceftriaxone whereas 3 isolates of S. Typhi were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 1 was resistant to levofloxacin. Fluoroquinolone resistant S. ParatyphiA was not observed. Among the 10 (20%) multi drug resistant isolates, only 1 isolate was resistant to levofloxacin which was S. Typhi. Both S.Typhi (96.7%) and S. Paratyphi A (89.4%) were resistant to Nalidixic acid. Conclusion: High level of nalidixic acid resistance and even some fluoroquinolone resistance showed that the treatment of the enteric fever cannot be relied on the fluoroquinolones. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 19-21 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10344
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey Tool for Intellectual Disability (KAP-ID)
Authors: Lakhan R
Published: May 2014

Background: Community based rehabilitation approach is very popular in providing rehabilitation services to the people with intellectual disability in low and middle income countries. It is useful to assess level of knowledge, attitude and practices of parents and relatives of people with intellectual disabilities for strategic planning of the program. Method: series of meetings, focus groups and in-depth interviews with the professionals employed in community based rehabilitation project and workers, and community members were conducted. Common questions around the issues related with intellectual disabilities were collected and discussed. These questions were refined with consultation, references with existing literature and field testing. Result: We have developed and tested a Knowledge, Attitude and Practice survey tool for Intellectual Disability (KAP-ID) in a resource poor setting of a middle income country, India. This tool contains fifteen questions. Conclusion: This brief survey tool is helpful in assessing knowledge, attitude and practices of parents, relatives and also of the community on intellectual disabilities. Information gained through the survey on KAPID found to be useful in designing the behavioral, awareness, educational, health promotional, and interventional program for the population with intellectual disabilities in rural poor settings. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 22-25 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10345
Factors affecting Early Age Marriage in Dhankuta Municipality, Nepal
Authors: Sah RB , Gaurav K , Baral DD , Subedi L , Jha N , Pokharel PK
Published: May 2014

Background: Child marriage is a substantial barrier to social and economic development in Nepal, and a primary concern for women’s health. Little evidence from Nepal is available regarding the ways in which early marriage may compromise young women’s lives and their reproductive health and choices. The objectives of this study was to find out the factors associated with early age marriages in Dhankuta Municipality. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among the residents of Dhankuta municipality, Nepal; where 246 households were taken as subjects. Pretested semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the study subjects and face to face interview was conducted. Chi-square test was applied to find out the association between factors and age of marriages. Results: Almost 53.3% of women were married before age 18 years. Education of wife and husband, and economic status are found to be the important variables in explaining early age marriage. Prevalence of child marriage was higher in Hindu than in Buddhist and Christian women but the difference was not significant. Age of marriage was not significantly associated with contraceptive use. Unwanted pregnancies were higher in early age marriage. It was also seen that unwanted pregnancies was higher (59.3%) than wanted pregnancies (48.6%). Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that early age marriage was associated with low education and being poor. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 26-30 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10354
Conventional vestibular function tests vs. butterfly vestibulometry in peripheral vertigo
Authors: Sharma V , Shah RK
Published: May 2014

Background: To perform conventional vestibular function tests & butterfly vestibulometry via electronystagmography (E.N.G.) in patients diagnosed clinically as suffering from peripheral vertigo. To rule out the presence of a central lesion in clinically diagnosed patients of peripheral vertigo. Methods: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, case series study conducted in 50 normal subjects and 138 patients clinically diagnosed as suffering from peripheral vertigo (excluding benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), who were subjected to conventional vestibular function tests &butterfly vestibulometry. Results: Conventional bithermal caloric test identified a nystagmus in 13.04% patients while E.N.G. assisted bithermal caloric test identified anystagmus in 91.30% patients. Thus in our study the sensitivity of identifyinga nystagmus increased 7 times when comparing conventional bithermal caloric test to E.N.G. assisted caloric test. During E.N.G., amongthe pathological group 8.96% had normal response, 80.43% had a peripheral lesion, 7.97% had a central lesion and 2.89% had a non-localizing lesion. Among the control group 96% had normal response and 4% had a peripheral lesion. Among the 11 central causes of vertigo diagnosed by E.N.G., 4 cases were also diagnosed by M.R.I. of brain but in 7 cases(63.63%) no structural pathology was seen. Conclusion: E.N.G. has 7 times more sensitivity to elicit nystagmus when compared to Fitzgerald Hallpike bithermal caloric test. E.N.G. can pick up central causes for vertigo amongst cases clinically diagnosed asperipheral vertigo. It has a better sensitivity to diagnose a central cause for vertigo when compared to M.R.I. of brain. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 31-37 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10355
A very rare association of hereditary breast cancer-pregnancy associated, with familial conjoined twin of rarest variety
Authors: Biswas J , Mandal GK , Mukhopadhyay AK , Dewan K , Chakrabarti S , Dash S
Published: May 2014

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is itself a rare entity and even has very rare familial association. Here not only we report a case of PABC in a young lady but another incidental finding of rarest type of conjoined twin classified as dicephalus dibrachius dipus revealed during medical termination of pregnancy. Ultimately at the same time we managed to retrieve a familial association with both neoplastic and non neoplastic conditions from her family pedigree. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 68-71 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10363
Successful Vaginal delivery of locked twin in a tertiary care centre of Western region of Nepal
Authors: Pandey MR , Ghimire P , Ghimire P
Published: May 2014

Here we report a case of unbooked primigravida who was admitted to the labor room with labor pain. Ultrasonography revealed twin pregnancy with first twin presenting as breech. After coming head of the first breech fetus locked with the head of the second cephalic fetus during labor. Successful Vaginal delivery of both the live fetuses was performed along with mediolateral episiotomy following disengagement of head. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 74-75 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10366
Isolated bilateral fetal pleural effusion: diagnosed on antenatal ultrasonography
Authors: Ansari S , Ahmad K , Dhungel K , Gupta MK , Rauniyar RK , Kumar A
Published: May 2014

Isolated fetal pleural effusion is a rare condition with high mortality. When there are no other findings of hydropsfetalis or documented etiology such as inflammatory, iatrogenic or cardiac problems exist, isolated pleural effusion is considered. We present a rare case of isolated bilateral fetal pleural effusion diagnosed prenatally on ultrasonography. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 76-78 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10367
Introduction
Authors:   The Editors
Published: May 2014

Comics, and in particular European comics, has always engaged with the social world, whether to contest or to uphold its norms. From its antecedents in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century caricature, it inherited a strong current of satire and critique. In the adventure genre that marked the emergence of European comics in its modern form in the first part of the twentieth century, engagement with the world was no less evident, but most often served, rather, to defend the dominant order, colonial or anti-communist, as heroes set off to right wrongs in far-flung places.
The New Spanish Memory Comics
Authors: Magnussen Anne
Published: May 2014

Since the end of the 1990s, more and more Spanish comics have focused on the recent Spanish past, including the memory of the Civil War (1936–1939) and the succeeding dictatorship. This article offers an analysis of a particular comics volume, Cuerda de presas (2005) by Jorge García and Fidel Martínez, and discusses the way in which it interprets the role of the past in Spanish society thirty years after the political transition to democracy. I argue that Cuerda de presas participates in the questioning of the dominant memory about the past. It does this by undermining narrative coherence and by pointing to the plural and unstable characteristics of memories. Charles Peirce's semiotics constitutes the framework for the analysis, according to which there is a dynamic relationship between Cuerda de presas and Spanish society.
Medical students’ achievement on the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery/Chirurgery Final Part I and II licensing examination: a comparison of students in problem-based learning, community-based education and service, and conventional curricula in Ghana
Authors: Mogre Victor , Amalba Anthony , Saaka Mark , Kyei-Aboagye Kwabena
Published: May 2014

Purpose: Problem-based learning is an established method of teaching and learning in medical education. However, its impact on students’ achievement on examinations is varied and inconsistent. We compared the levels of achievement on the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery/Chirurgery (MB ChB) Part I and II licensing examination of students in problem-based learning, community-based education and service (PBL/COBES), and conventional curricula.Methods: In 2014, we analyzed the MB ChB Final Part I and II licensing examination results of students in three classes (2004, 2005, and 2006) of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana. Ninety-three students in the 2004 and 2005 cohorts followed a conventional curriculum, and 82 students in the 2006 cohort followed a PBL/COBES curriculum. Using appropriate statistical tools, the analysis compared individual discipline scores and the proportions of students who received distinction/credit/pass grades among the classes.Results: The PBL students had significantly higher mean and median scores than the conventional students in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Community Health and Family Medicine, Surgery, and Psychiatry, but not in Child Health and Pediatrics. Also, a significantly (P=0.0010) higher percentage, 95.1% (n=78), of the PBL students passed all the disciplines, compared to 79.6% (n=74) of the conventional students.Conclusion: The PBL students significantly performed better in all the disciplines except child health and pediatrics, where the conventional students scored higher. These findings demonstrate that the benefits of the PBL/COBES curriculum are tangible and should be fostered.
Assessing study skills among a sample of university students: an Iranian survey
Authors: Didarloo Alireza , Khalkhali Hamid Reza
Published: May 2014

Purpose: Numerous studies have revealed that study skills have a constructive role on the academic performance of students, in addition to educational quality, students’ intelligence, and their affective characteristics. This study aims to examine study skills and the factors influencing them among the health sciences students of Urmia University of Medical Sciences in Iran.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out from May to November 2013. A total of 340 Urmia health sciences students were selected using a simple sampling method. Data were collected using the Study Skills Assessment Questionnaire of Counseling Center of Houston University and analyzed with descriptive and analytical statistics.Results: The mean and standard deviation of the students’ study skills were 172.5±23.2, out of a total score of 240. Around 1.2% of the study skills were weak; 86.8%, moderate; and 12%, good. Among the study skills, the scores of time management, and memory and concentration were better than the others. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between study skills scores and the students’ family housing status and academic level (P<0.05).Conclusion: Although the majority of the participants had moderate study skills, these were not sufficient and far from good. Improving and promoting the study skills of university students require the designing and implementing of education programs for study strategies. Therefore, decision makers and planners in the educational areas of universities should consider the topic described above.
Gilles Deleuze and the Missing Architecture
Authors: Jobst Marko
Published: May 2014

This essay combines experiential writing, quotes from Virginia Woolf's novel The Waves and Gilles Deleuze's philosophy in order to indicate that architecture remains a largely overlooked instance of the world. This is particularly problematic in the context of the question of immanence, which can be understood to lie at the core of Deleuze's philosophy. Architecture's relation to thought is discussed here via Deleuze's writing in Difference and Repetition and pursued in conjunction with Simone Brott's notion of architectural ‘effects’. Rather than seeing encounters with architecture as the site of recognition of the habitual and routine, our experience of architecture-as-world should be understood to ceaselessly contribute to the emergence of thought. Brian Massumi's writing offers one potential direction to pursue, via the notion of the diagram tied to experience before it is fed into the loop of architectural design and its accompanying representational techniques.
A Life between the Finite and Infinite: Remarks on Deleuze, Badiou and Western Buddhism
Authors: O'Sullivan Simon
Published: May 2014

This article explores the resonances between certain concepts of Deleuze and Badiou and a Western Buddhism that is figured, in Foucault's terminology, as a particular ‘technology of the self’. In particular Deleuze's readings of Bergson and Spinoza are brought into encounter with Buddhist doctrine and practice alongside a consideration of the figure of the bodhisattva who is further compared to Badiou's account of the subject. At stake in these enquiries and experimental conjunctions is the laying out of a particular – and liveable – diagram of the finite–infinite relation, or, we might say, a specifically Western dharma for a contemporary production of subjectivity.
Extraction of Antioxidants from Borage (Borago officinalis L.) Leaves—Optimization by Response Surface Method and Application in Oil-in-Water Emulsions
Authors: Segovia Francisco , Lupo Bryshila , Peiró Sara , Gordon Michael , Almajano María
Published: May 2014

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a typical Spanish plant. During processing, 60% are leaves. The aim of this work is to model and optimize the extraction of polyphenol from borage leaves using the response surface method (RSM) and to use this extract for application in emulsions. The responses were: total polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant capacity by ORAC, and rosmarinic acid by HPLC. The ranges of the variables temperature, ethanol content and time were 50–90 °C, 0%–30%–60% ethanol (v/v), and 10–15 min. For ethanolic extraction, optimal conditions were at 75.9 °C, 52% ethanol and 14.8 min, yielding activity of 27.05 mg GAE/g DW TPC; 115.96 mg TE/g DW in ORAC and 11.02 mg/L rosmarinic acid. For water extraction, optimal activity was achieved with extraction at 98.3 °C and 22 min, with responses of 22.3 mg GAE/g DW TPC; 81.6 mg TE/g DW in ORAC and 3.9 mg/L rosmarinic acid. The significant variables were ethanol concentration and temperature. For emulsions, the peroxide value was inhibited by 60% for 3% extract concentration; and 80% with 3% extract concentration and 0.2% of BSA. The p-anisidine value between the control and the emulsion with 3% extract was reduced to 73.6% and with BSA 86.3%, and others concentrations had similar behavior.
Development and Evaluation of Quality Metrics for Bioinformatics Analysis of Viral Insertion Site Data Generated Using High Throughput Sequencing
Authors: Gao Hongyu , Hawkins Troy , Jasti Aparna , Chen Yu-Hsiang , Mockaitis Keithanne , Dinauer Mary , Cornetta Kenneth
Published: May 2014

Integration of viral vectors into a host genome is associated with insertional mutagenesis and subjects in clinical gene therapy trials must be monitored for this adverse event. Several PCR based methods such as ligase-mediated (LM) PCR, linear-amplification-mediated (LAM) PCR and non-restrictive (nr) LAM PCR were developed to identify sites of vector integration. Coupling the power of next-generation sequencing technologies with various PCR approaches will provide a comprehensive and genome-wide profiling of insertion sites and increase throughput. In this bioinformatics study, we aimed to develop and apply quality metrics to viral insertion data obtained using next-generation sequencing. We developed five simple metrics for assessing next-generation sequencing data from different PCR products and showed how the metrics can be used to objectively compare runs performed with the same methodology as well as data generated using different PCR techniques. The results will help researchers troubleshoot complex methodologies, understand the quality of sequencing data, and provide a starting point for developing standardization of vector insertion site data analysis.
Propofol Exposure in Pregnant Rats Induces Neurotoxicity and Persistent Learning Deficit in the Offspring
Authors: Xiong Ming , Li Jing , Alhashem Hussain , Tilak Vasanti , Patel Anuradha , Pisklakov Sergey , Siegel Allan , Ye Jiang , Bekker Alex
Published: May 2014

Propofol is a general anesthetic widely used in surgical procedures, including those in pregnant women. Preclinical studies suggest that propofol may cause neuronal injury to the offspring of primates if it is administered during pregnancy. However, it is unknown whether those neuronal changes would lead to long-term behavioral deficits in the offspring. In this study, propofol (0.4 mg/kg/min, IV, 2 h), saline, or intralipid solution was administered to pregnant rats on gestational day 18. We detected increased levels of cleaved caspase-3 in fetal brain at 6 h after propofol exposure. The neuronal density of the hippocampus of offspring was reduced significantly on postnatal day 10 (P10) and P28. Synaptophysin levels were also significantly reduced on P28. Furthermore, exploratory and learning behaviors of offspring rats (started at P28) were assessed in open-field trial and eight-arm radial maze. The offspring from propofol-treated dams showed significantly less exploratory activity in the open-field test and less spatial learning in the eight-arm radial maze. Thus, this study suggested that propofol exposure during pregnancy in rat increased cleaved caspsase-3 levels in fetal brain, deletion of neurons, reduced synaptophysin levels in the hippocampal region, and persistent learning deficits in the offspring.
Inflammatory Cell Distribution in Primary Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wheat Rachel , Roberts Claudia , Waterboer Tim , Steele Jane , Marsden Jerry , Steven Neil , Blackbourn David
Published: May 2014

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cutaneous carcinoma associated with older age, immunodeficiency and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) integrated within malignant cells. The presence of intra-tumoural CD8+ lymphocytes reportedly predicts better MCC-specific survival. In this study, the distribution of inflammatory cells and properties of CD8+ T lymphocytes within 20 primary MCC specimens were characterised using immunohistochemistry and multicolour immunofluorescent staining coupled to confocal microscopy. CD8+ cells and CD68+ macrophages were identified in 19/20 primary MCC. CD20+ B cells were present in 5/10, CD4+ cells in 10/10 and FoxP3+ cells in 7/10 specimens. Only two specimens had almost no inflammatory cells. Within specimens, inflammatory cells followed the same patchy distribution, focused at the edge of sheets and nodules and, in some cases, more intense in trabecular areas. CD8+ cells were outside vessels on the edge of tumour. Those few within malignant sheets typically lined up in fine septa not contacting MCC cells expressing MCPyV large T antigen. The homeostatic chemokine CXCL12 was expressed outside malignant nodules whereas its receptor CXCR4 was identified within tumour but not on CD8+ cells. CD8+ cells lacked CXCR3 and granzyme B expression irrespective of location within stroma versus malignant nodules or of the intensity of the intra-tumoural infiltrate. In summary, diverse inflammatory cells were organised around the margin of malignant deposits suggesting response to aberrant signaling, but were unable to penetrate the tumour microenvironment itself to enable an immune response against malignant cells or their polyomavirus.
Tin Oxide-Silver Composite Nanomaterial Coating for UV Protection and Its Bactericidal Effect on Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Authors: Santos Gil , Tibayan Eduardo , Castillon Gwen , Estacio Elmer , Furuya Takashi , Iwamae Atsushi , Yamamoto Kohji , Tani Masahiko
Published: May 2014

SnO2-Ag composite nanomaterials of mass ratio 1:4, 2:3, 3:2 and 4:1 were fabricated and tested for toxicity to E. coli using the pour-plate technique. The said nanomaterials were mixed with laminating fluid and then coated on glass slides. The intensity of UVA transmitted through the coated glass slides was measured. Results revealed that the 1:4 ratios of SnO2-Ag composite nanomaterials have the optimum toxicity to E. coli. Furthermore, the glass slides coated with SnO2 nanomaterial showed the lowest intensity of transmitted UVA.