bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complications and postoperative events after cryosurgery for prostate cancer
Authors: Caso Jorge R. , Tsivian Matvey , Mouraviev Vladimir , Kimura Masaki , Polascik Thomas J.
Published: August 2011

Study Type – Harm (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

There is limited data available to determine the rate of complications following prostate cryosurgery. This is particularly true when limiting the experience to third generation cryoprobes. Herein we thoroughly report all complications and postoperative events, defined as any deviation from an ideal postoperative course, with extended follow up.

OBJECTIVES

There has been a call in the urological literature for standardized reporting of complications.

To use strict criteria aiming to report our complications and other postoperative events in a cohort of men undergoing third‐generation prostate cryosurgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Demographic, clinical and pathological data were collected on men undergoing primary cryosurgery from 2002–2010, excluding those who had received neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy.

Complications and events were broadly defined as any deviation from the expected postoperative course and any subjective complaint expressed during a follow‐up visit.

Descriptive statistics were generated and compared between groups using chi‐squared and rank sum tests as appropriate.

Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the potential predictors of any complication or event.

RESULTS

In total, 106 consecutive patients were identified.

There were no intra‐operative complications or instances of equipment failure. We observed 42 early complications, with 48 delayed and 10 late postoperative events.

A total of five (4.7%) patients had persistent urge and/or stress incontinence.

Thirty‐one patients had International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and bother index scores available before and after surgery; median scores decreased from 7 and 2 to 6 and 1, for IPSS and bother index, respectively. Twenty‐four patients had Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores available before surgery and at 2‐year follow‐up; median scores decreased from 11 to 2.

On multivariate analysis, there were no significant associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Modern cryosurgery is safe, and most of the complications and postoperative events are transient.

Erectile function, however, has marked deterioration.

We were unable to identify significant risk factors for complications or postoperative events.
Evolution of the clinical presentation of men undergoing radical prostatectomy for high‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Pierorazio Phillip M. , Ross Ashley E. , Han Misop , Epstein Jonathan I. , Partin Alan W. , Schaeffer Edward M.
Published: August 2011

Study Type – Prognosis cohort series (multi‐centre)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Men with high‐risk prostate cancer experience recurrence, metastases and death at a higher rate in the prostate cancer population. This study adds greater than 20‐year data regarding the continued evolution of high‐risk prostate cancer toward high‐Gleason disease as the sole determinant of high‐risk status prior to radical prostatectomy. It validates the accumulation of multiple‐risk factors as a poor prognostic indicator in a radical prostatectomy population and demonstrates long‐term cancer specific outcomes, extending the findings demonstrated by previous publications.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the outcomes and potential effect of improved longitudinal screening in men presenting with high‐risk (advanced clinical stage [>T2b], Gleason score 8–10 or prostate‐specific antigen [PSA] level >20 ng/mL) prostate cancer (PC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Institutional Review Board approved, Institutional Radical Prostatectomy Database (1992–2010) was queried for men with high‐risk PC based on D'Amico criteria.

Year of surgery was divided into two cohorts: the Early PSA Era (EPE, 1992–2000) and the Contemporary PSA Era (CPE, 2001–2010).

PC features and outcomes were evaluated using appropriate comparative tests.

RESULTS

In total, 667 men had high‐risk PC in the EPE and 764 in the CPE.

In the EPE, 598 (89.7%) men presented with one high‐risk feature; 173 (29.0%) men had a Gleason score of 8–10 on biopsy. In the CPE, 717 (93.9%) men presented with one high‐risk feature (P= 0.004) and 494 (68.9%) men had a Gleason score of 8–10.

At 10 years, biochemical‐free survival (BFS) was 44.1% and 36.4% in the EPE and CPE, respectively (P= 0.04); metastases‐free survival (MFS) was 77.1% and 85.1% (P= 0.6); and PC‐specific survival (CSS) was 83.3% and 96.2% (P= 0.5).

BFS, MFS and CSS were worse for men with more than one high‐risk feature in both eras.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the PSA era, an increasing percentage of men with high‐risk PC were categorized by a biopsy Gleason score of 8–10.

The accumulation of multiple high‐risk features increases the risk of biochemical recurrence, the development of metastases and death from PC.

BFS, MFS and CSS are stable over the PSA era for these men. The balance between a greater proportion of men having high Gleason disease and a greater proportion with small, less advanced tumours may explain the stability in MFS and CSS over time.
Assessing generalisability through the use of disease registers: findings from a diabetes cohort study
Authors: David Michael , Ware Robert , Donald Maria , Alati Rosa
Published: August 2011

Objectives

Knowledge of a study population's similarity to the target population allows researchers to assess the generalisability of their results. Often generalisability is assessed through a comparison of baseline characteristics between individuals who did and did not respond to an invitation to participate in a study. In this prospective population-based cohort, we broadened this assessment by comparing participants with all individuals from a chronic disease register who satisfied the study eligibility criteria but for a number of reasons, such as the absence of consent to be approached for research purposes, did not participate.

Methods

Data are from the Living with Diabetes Study, a population-based cohort of individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, which commenced in Queensland, Australia in 2008. Individuals were sampled from a federally-funded diabetes register. We compared the characteristics of 3951 study participants with 10 488 non-participants (individuals who were invited to participate but declined) and with 129 900 non-study individuals on the register who did not participate in the study.

Results

Study participants were more likely than non-study registrants to be male, aged 50–69, have type 2 diabetes non-insulin requiring, be recently registered and be non-indigenous Australians. Study participants were more likely than non-participants to be aged 50–69, have type 1 diabetes and be non-indigenous Australians.

Conclusions

The interpretation of a study's generalisability can alter depending on which non-participating group is compared with participants. When assessing generalisability, participants should be compared with the largest possible group of non-participating individuals. When sampling from a disease register, researchers should be wary of the influence of research consent procedures on the register's coverage.
Interaction of early environment, gender and genes of monoamine neurotransmission in the aetiology of depression in a large population-based Finnish birth cohort
Authors: Nyman Emma S , Sulkava Sonja , Soronen Pia , Miettunen Jouko , Loukola Anu , Leppä Virpi , Joukamaa Matti , Mäki Pirjo , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Freimer Nelson , Peltonen Leena , Veijola Juha , Paunio Tiina
Published: August 2011

Objectives

Depression is a worldwide leading cause of morbidity and disability. Genetic studies have recently begun to elucidate its molecular aetiology. The authors investigated candidate genes of monoamine neurotransmission and early environmental risk factors for depressiveness in the genetically isolated population-based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (12 058 live births).

Design

The authors ascertained and subdivided the study sample (n=5225) based on measures of early development and of social environment, and examined candidate genes of monoamine neurotransmission, many of which have shown prior evidence of a gene–environment interaction for affective disorders, namelySLC6A4,TPH2,COMT,MAOAand the dopamine receptor genesDRD1–DRD5.

Results and conclusion

The authors observed no major genetic effects of the analysed variants on depressiveness. However, when measures of early development and of social environment were considered, some evidence of interaction was observed. Allelic variants ofCOMTinteracted with high early developmental risk (p=0.005 for rs2239393 and p=0.02 for rs4680) so that the association with depression was detected only in individuals at high developmental risk group (p=0.0046 and β=0.056 for rs5993883–rs2239393–rs4680 risk haplotype CGG including Val158), particularly in males (p=0.0053 and β=0.083 for the haplotype CGG). Rs4274224 fromDRD2interacted with gender (p=0.017) showing a significant association with depressiveness in males (p=0.0006 and β=0.0023; p=0.00005 and β=0.069 for rs4648318–rs4274224 haplotype GG). The results support the role of genes of monoamine neurotransmission in the aetiology of depression conditional on environmental risk and sex, but not direct major effects of monoaminergic genes in this unselected population.
Changes in the quality of doctor–patient communication between 1982 and 2001: an observational study on hypertension care as perceived by patients and general practitioners
Authors: Butalid Ligaya , Verhaak Peter F M , Tromp Fred , Bensing Jozien M
Published: August 2011

Background

The rise of evidence-based medicine may have implications for the doctor–patient interaction. In recent decades, a shift towards a more task-oriented approach in general practice indicates a development towards more standardised healthcare.

Objective

To examine whether this shift is accompanied by changes in perceived quality of doctor–patient communication.

Design

GP observers and patient observers performed quality assessments of Dutch General Practice consultations on hypertension videotaped in 1982–1984 and 2000–2001. In the first cohort (1982–1984) 81 patients were recorded by 23 GPs and in the second cohort (2000–2001) 108 patients were recorded by 108 GPs. The GP observers and patient observers rated the consultations on a scale from 1 to 10 on three quality dimensions: medical technical quality, psychosocial quality and quality of interpersonal behaviour. Multilevel regression analyses were used to test whether a change occurred over time.

Results

The findings showed a significant improvement over time on all three dimensions. There was no difference between the quality assessments of GP observers and patient observers. The three different dimensions were moderately to highly correlated and the assessments of GP observers showed less variability in the second cohort.

Conclusions

Hypertension consultations in general practice in the Netherlands received higher quality assessments by general practitioners and patients on medical technical quality, psychosocial quality and the quality of interpersonal behaviour in 2000–2001 as compared with the 1980s. The shift towards a more task-oriented approach in hypertension consultations does not seem to detract from individual attention for the patient. In addition, there is less variation between general practitioners in the quality assessments of more recent consultations. The next step in this line of research is to unravel the factors that determine patients' quality assessments of doctor–patient communication.
A FAMILY OF NONCOMMUTATIVE GEOMETRIES
Authors: SINHA DEBABRATA , GIRI PULAK RANJAN
Published: August 2011

It is shown that the noncommutativity in quantum Hall system may get modified. The self-adjoint extension of the corresponding Hamiltonian leads to a family of noncommutative geometry labeled by the self-adjoint extension parameters. We explicitly perform an exact calculation using a singular interaction and show that, when projected to a certain Landau level, the emergent noncommutative geometries of the projected coordinates belong to a one-parameter family. There is a possibility of obtaining the filling fraction of fractional quantum Hall effect by suitably choosing the value of the self-adjoint extension parameter.
UTILIZING MULTIFACETED REQUIREMENT TRACEABILITY APPROACH: A CASE STUDY
Authors: ROCHIMAH SITI , WAN KADIR WAN M. N. , ABDULLAH ABDUL H.
Published: August 2011

Software evolution is inevitable. When a system evolves, there are certain relationships among software artifacts that must be maintained. Requirement traceability is one of the important factors in facilitating software evolution since it maintains the artifacts relationship before and after a change is performed. Requirement traceability can be expensive activities. Many researchers have addressed the problem of requirement traceability, especially to support software evolution activities. Yet, the evaluation results of these approaches show that most of them typically provide only limited support to software evolution. Based on the problems of requirement traceability, we have identified three directions that are important for traceability to support software evolution, i.e. process automation, procedure simplicity, and best results achievement. Those three directions are addressed in our multifaceted approach of requirement traceability. This approach utilizes three facets to generate links between artifacts, i.e. syntactical similarity matching, link prioritization, and heuristic-list based processes. This paper proposes the utilization of multifaceted approach to traceability generation and recovery in facilitating software evolution process. The complete experiment has been applied in a real case study. The results show that utilization of these three facets in generating the traceability among artifacts is better than the existing approach, especially in terms of its accuracy.
RETRIEVING DEEP WEB DATA THROUGH MULTI-ATTRIBUTES INTERFACES WITH STRUCTURED QUERIES
Authors: TIAN JIAN-WEI , QI WEN-HUI , LIU XIAO-XIAO
Published: August 2011

A great deal of data on the Web lies in the hidden databases, or the deep Web. Most of the deep Web data is not directly available and can only be accessed through the query interfaces. Current research on deep Web search has focused on crawling the deep Web data via Web interfaces with keywords queries. However, these keywords-based methods have inherent limitations because of the multi-attributes and top-k features of the deep Web. In this paper we propose a novel approach for siphoning structured data with structured queries. Firstly, in order to retrieve all the data non-repeatedly in hidden databases, we model the hidden database as a hierarchy tree. Under this theoretical framework, data retrieving is transformed into the traversing problem in a tree. We also propose techniques to narrow the query space by using heuristic rule, based on mutual information, to guide the traversal process. We conduct extensive experiments over real deep Web sites and controlled databases to illustrate the coverage and efficiency of our techniques.
AN APPROACH FOR DESIGNING, MODELING AND REALIZING ETL PROCESSES BASED ON UNIFIED VIEWS MODEL
Authors: SONG XUDONG , LIU XIAOBING
Published: August 2011

Extraction-Transformation-Loading (ETL) tools are pieces of software responsible for the extraction of data from several sources, their cleaning, customization and insertion into Data Warehouses (DWs). Complexity, usability and maintainability are the primary problems concerning ETL processes. To deal with these problems, in this paper we provide a dynamic approach for designing, modeling and realizing ETL processes. We propose a new architecture based on Unified Views Model (UVM) for ETL processes, in which Unified view layer is added between source data level and DWs level. The unified views model serves as the means to conform the structure and semantics of the source data to the ones of the data warehouses, and help designers understand and analyze the meaning, relationships and lineage of information. In order to guarantee the transparency access and the usability, two mapping methods are adopted between Unified view level and source data level as well as between DWs level and Unified view level. Based on this architecture, the method of constructing UVM and ETL operations among three levels is given. Then, we describe how to build the conceptual modeling for ETL processes based on UVM by using an extension of the Unified Modeling Language (UML). Finally, we present an ETL tool based on UVM (UVETL) with the goal of facilitating the design, modeling and realization of ETL processes, and give a case study to exemplify the benefits of our proposal.
TOTAL DEGREE FORMULA FOR THE GENERIC OFFSET TO A PARAMETRIC SURFACE
Authors: SAN SEGUNDO F. , SENDRA J. R.
Published: August 2011

Given a surface parametrization (non-necessarily birational) we provide a formula for computing the total degree of its generic offset. The formula essentially uses gcds and resultants of polynomials directly obtained from the input parametrization. In addition, it must be said that the formula is valid under the conjecture that not all offsets to a fixed rational (algebraic) surface pass though a fixed point; this was proved to be true in the curve case [Degree formulae for offset curves, J. Pure Appl. Algebra195(3) (2005) 301–335].
ON SOME GENERALIZATIONS OF GROUPS WITH TRIALITY
Authors: GRISHKOV ALEXANDER , LOGINOV EUGENE
Published: August 2011

In the present paper we generalize the concept of groups with triality and apply it to the theory of the Moufang, Bol and Bruck loops. Such generalizations allow us to reduce certain problems from the loop theory to problems in the theory of groups.
Development of lutetium bisphthalocyanine/carbon nanotube Langmuir-Blodgett films: Sensing properties
Authors: Apetrei Constantin , Nieto Marina , Rodríguez-Méndez Maria Luz , de Saja José Antonio
Published: August 2011

A method has been developed to obtain good quality Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of mixtures of lutetium bisphthalocyanine and carbon nanotubes. The π-A isotherms exhibit high monolayer stability and the compressed monolayers are easily transferred to solid substrates by Y-type deposition. The electronic absorption spectra of the composite LB films show the characteristic bands of both compounds; the bands appear broader and shifted to higher wavelengths than those observed in solutions or in disordered films prepared by the casting method. The films are sensitive to oxidant or reducing vapors, whose presence cause modifications in the electronic absorption spectra of the films. These fast and reversible changes can be the basis of optical sensors based on thin films of lutetium bisphthalocyanine and carbon nanotubes. LB film electrodes immersed in KCl and KClO4 solutions show electroactivity associated to the oxidation and reduction of the phthalocyanine ring. Important changes in the UV-vis-NIR spectra registered in situ simultaneously to the application of the electrical potential have been observed. The electrochromism observed opens the possibility of using such thin films in electrochromic devices. Composite films show characteristic electrochemical responses when exposed to solutions of antioxidants, where a certain degree of electrocatalytic effect is observed. The enhanced degree of selectivity can be used in the development of voltammetric sensors.
Characterization, liquid crystallinity and spin-coated films of some metalated 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octaalkyl tetrabenzo [b,g,l,q][5,10,15]triazaporphyrin derivatives
Authors: Cammidge Andrew N. , Chambrier Isabelle , Cook Michael J. , Langner Ernie H.G. , Rahman Muhibur , Swarts Jannie C.
Published: August 2011

The preparation and characterization of a number of metalated derivatives of 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octahexyl and 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octadecyl tetrabenzotriazaporphyrins (TBTAPs) are reported. The mesophase behavior of the compounds has been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and by polarized light optical microscopy. Mesophase behavior is compared with data for the corresponding phthalocyanine derivatives reported earlier. The temperature range of the mesophase(s) exhibited by the title compounds is generally broader than those of their phthalocyanine analogs. UV-vis data for examples of the TBTAP compounds as spin-coated films reveal differences in the type of molecular packing in the as-deposited films that is largely dependent upon the length of the alkyl chain substituents. On heating, the films undergo molecular reorganizations at temperatures corresponding to the mesophase transitions of bulk material observed by DSC.
MORITA'S THEORY FOR THE SYMPLECTIC GROUPS
Authors: QI ZHI , YANG CHANG
Published: August 2011

We construct and study the holomorphic discrete series representations and the principal series representations of the symplectic group Sp (2n, F) over a p-adic field F as well as a duality between some sub-representations of these two representations. The constructions of these two representations generalize those defined in Morita and Murase's works. Moreover, Morita built a duality for SL (2, F) defined by residues. We view the duality we defined as an algebraic interpretation of Morita's duality in some extent and its generalization to the symplectic groups.
CUBIC DIOPHANTINE INEQUALITIES INVOLVING A NORM FORM
Authors: HARVEY M. P.
Published: August 2011

We apply Freeman's variant of the Davenport–Heilbronn method to provide an asymptotic formula for the number of small values taken by a certain family of cubic forms with real coefficients. The cubic forms in question arise as the sum of a diagonal form and a norm form and should have at least seven variables.
ON xa ± yb ± zc ± wd = 0, 1/a + 1/b + 1/c + 1/d = 1
Authors: BREMNER ANDREW , ULAS MACIEJ
Published: August 2011

It is well known that the Diophantine equations x4 + y4 = z4 + w4 and x4 + y4 + z4 = w4 each have infinitely many rational solutions. It is also known for the equation x6 + y6 - z6 = w2. We extend the investigation to equations xa ± yb = ±zc ± wd, a, b, c, d ∈ Z, with 1/a + 1/b + 1/c + 1/d = 1. We show, with one possible exception, that if there is a solution of the equation in the reals, then the equation has infinitely many solutions in the integers. Of particular interest is the equation x6 + y6 + z6 = w2 because of its classical nature; but there seem to be no references in the literature.
NANOTECHNOLOGY IN PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS: DENDRIMERS
Authors: SZYMAŃSKI PAWEŁ , MARKOWICZ MAGDALENA , MIKICIUK-OLASIK ELŻBIETA
Published: August 2011

Nanotechnology, a separate field of knowledge since 1980s, involves utilization of nanomaterials not only in electronics and catalysis, but also in biomedical research including drug delivery, bioimaging, biomedical-diagnostics and tissue engineering. Multidisciplinary of this science has led to the development of different areas of technology and might contribute to innovations that will, as a final consequence, help humanity. Dendrimers are large and complex molecules that are characterized by well-defined nanoscale architecture, monodispersity and structural versatility. These highly interesting polymers consist of three elements: core, branches and peripheral groups. There is a wide variety of potential applications of dendritic polymers. One of the most promising is utilization of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers as drug delivery devices. Among pharmaceuticals that have been connected with different types of dendrimers are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticancer drugs and other. Dendrimers application as drug carriers improves pharmacokinetic properties of drug particles, decreases drugs' side effects and, by possibility of surface modification with different ligands, enables to target specific tissues and tumor cells. Dendrimers might be also utilized as devices for delivery of genetic material and contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Coral Reef Monitoring: From Cytological Parameters to Community Indices
Authors: Ben-Tzvi Ofer , Al-Zibdah Mohammad , Bresler Vladimir , Jamal Yousef , Abelson Avigdor
Published: August 2011

Sound-ecosystem-based management of coral reefs is largely based on indicators of reef health state. Currently there are various ecological parameters that serve as reef state indices; however, their practical implications are under debate. In the present study we examine an alternative parameter, the deterioration index (DI), which does not purport to replace the traditional indices but can provide a reliable, stand-alone indication of reef state. Patterns of cytological indices, which are considered as reliable indicators of environmental stressors, have been compared to ten selected reef community indices. The DI showed the highest correlations among community indices to the cytological indices in artificial reefs and high correlation in natural reefs as well. Our results suggest that in cases of lacking adequate monitoring abilities where a full set of community indices cannot be obtained, the DI can serve in many cases as the preferred, stand-alone indicator of coral reef state.
Bipartite Anterior Extraperitoneal Teratoma: Evidence for the Embryological Origins of Teratomas?
Authors: Keene D. J. B. , Craigie R. J. , Shabani A. , Batra G. , Hennayake S.
Published: August 2011

Teratomas are thought to arise from totipotent primordial germ cells (PGCs) Dehner (1983) which may miss their target destination Moore and Persaud (1984). Teratomas can occur anywhere from the brain to the coccygeal area but are usually in the midline close to the embryological position of the gonadal ridges Bale (1984), Nguyen and Laberge (2000). We report a case of a bipartite anterior extraperitoneal teratoma. This is an unusual position for a teratoma, but one which may support the “missed target” theory of embryology.
Adaptive Mixed Finite Element Methods for Parabolic Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Lu Zuliang
Published: August 2011

We will investigate the adaptive mixed finite element methods for
parabolic optimal control problems. The state and the costate are approximated by the lowest‐order Raviart‐Thomas mixed finite element spaces, and the control is approximated by piecewise constant elements. We derive a posteriori error estimates of the mixed finite element solutions for optimal control problems. Such a posteriori error estimates can be used to construct more efficient and reliable adaptive mixed finite element method for the optimal control problems. Next we introduce an adaptive algorithm to guide the mesh refinement. A numerical example is given to demonstrate our theoretical results.
Chaotic‐Search‐Based Cultural Algorithm for Solving Unconstrained Optimization Problem
Authors: He Jianjia , Xu Fuyuan
Published: August 2011

For premature convergence and instability of cultural algorithm in solving function optimization problem, based on cultural algorithm and chaos search optimization, a chaos cultural algorithm (CCA) is proposed. The algorithm model consists of a chaos‐based population space and a knowledge‐storing belief space, uses normative knowledge and situational knowledge for chaos search and chaos perturbation, respectively, effectively avoids premature convergence of cultural algorithm, and overcomes chaos search optimization′s sensitivity to initial values and poor efficiency. Test results show that this algorithm is strong in global search and has good performance in searching efficiency, precision, and stability, especially in solving high‐dimensional optimization problem.
Health-Related Quality of Life in the Gender, Race, And Clinical Experience Trial
Authors: Feinberg Judith , Saag Michael , Squires Kathleen , Currier Judith , Ryan Robert , Coate Bruce , Mrus Joseph
Published: August 2011

Background. We report health-related QoL (HRQoL) from GRACE (Gender,Race,AndClinicalExperience) study by sex and race over 48 weeks.Methods. 429 treatment-experienced adults (HIV-1  copies/mL) received darunavir/ritonavir 600/100 mg twice daily plus an appropriate background regimen. QoL was measured by the Functional Assessment of HIV Infection (FAHI) questionnaire.Results. 67% women and 77% men, including 67.4% black, 76.0% Hispanic, and 73.8% white patients, completed the trial. Baseline total FAHI scores were similar between sexes and races. Total FAHI of the entire population improved by Week 4 (); near-maximum changes obtained by Week 12 were maintained through Week 48. Women and black patients demonstrated larger improvements in total FAHI versus men, and Hispanic and white patients, respectively.Conclusion. HRQoL improved in all sex and racial/ethnic groups. Sex-based and race-based differences in improvements in FAHI subscales may provide insight into subtle differences of HIV-1 and treatment on HRQoL in different populations.
Functional Magnetic Resonance in the Evaluation of Oesophageal Motility Disorders
Authors: Covotta Francesco , Piretta Luca , Badiali Danilo , Laghi Andrea , Biondi Tommaso , Corazziari Enrico S. , Panebianco Valeria
Published: August 2011

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been recently proposed for the evaluation of the esophagus. Our aim is to assess the role of fMRI as a technique to assess morphological and functional parameters of the esophagus in patients with esophageal motor disorders and in healthy controls. Subsequently, we assessed the diagnostic efficiency of fMRI in comparison to videofluoroscopic and manometric findings in the investigation of patients with esophageal motor disorders. Considering that fMRI was shown to offer valuable information on bolus transit and on the caliber of the esophagus, variations of these two parameters in the different types of esophageal motor alterations have been assessed. fMRI, compared to manometry and videofluoroscopy, showed that a deranged or absent peristalsis is significantly associated with slower transit time and with increased esophageal diameter. Although further studies are needed, fMRI represents a promising noninvasive technique for the integrated functional and morphological evaluation of esophageal motility disorders.
NEST: A Compositional Approach to Rule-Based and Case-Based Reasoning
Authors: Berka Petr
Published: August 2011

Rule-based reasoning (RBR) and case-based reasoning (CBR) are two complementary alternatives for building knowledge-based “intelligent” decision-support systems. RBR and CBR can be combined in three main ways: RBR first, CBR first, or some interleaving of the two. The NEST system, described in this paper, allows us to invoke both components separately and in arbitrary order. In addition to the traditional network of propositions and compositional rules, NEST also supports binary, nominal, and numeric attributes used for derivation of proposition weights, logical (no uncertainty) and default (no antecedent) rules, context expressions, integrity constraints, and cases. The inference mechanism allows use of both rule-based and case-based reasoning. Uncertainty processing (based on Hájek's algebraic theory) allows interval weights to be interpreted as a union of hypothetical cases, and a novel set of combination functions inspired by neural networks has been added. The system is implemented in two versions: stand-alone and web-based client server. A user-friendly editor covering all mentioned features is included.
Feasibility of Treating Irradiated Bone with Intramedullary Delivered Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Phulpin Bérengère , Dolivet Gilles , Marie Pierre-Yves , Poussier Sylvain , Huger Sandrine , Bravetti Pierre , Graff Pierre , Merlin Jean-Louis , Tran Nguyen
Published: August 2011

Background. We aimed to explore (i) the short‐term retention of intramedullary implanted mesenchymal stem cells BMSCs and (ii) their impact on the bone blood flow and metabolism in a rat model of hindlimb irradiation. Methods. Three months after 30 Gy irradiation, fourteen animals were referred into 2 groups: a sham‐operated group (n =  6) and a treated group (n =  8) in which 111In‐labelled BMSCs (2 × 106 cells) were injected in irradiated tibias. Bone blood flow and metabolism were assessed by serial  99mTc‐HDP scintigraphy and 1‐wk cell retention by recordings of  99mTc/111In activities. Results. The amount of intramedullary implanted BMSCs was of 70% at 2 H, 40% at 48 H, and 38% at 168 H. Bone blood flow and bone metabolism were significantly increased during the first week after cell transplantation, but these effects were found to reduce at 2‐mo followup. Conclusion. Short‐term cell retention produced concomitant enhancement in irradiated bone blood flow and metabolism.
Maintaining Wireless Connectivity Constraints for Robot Swarms in the Presence of Obstacles
Authors: Esposito Joel M.
Published: August 2011

The swarm paradigm of multirobot cooperation relies on a distributed architecture, where each robot makes its own decisions based on locally available knowledge. But occasionally the swarm members may need to share information about their environment or actions through some type of ad hoc communication channel, such as a radio modem, infrared communication, or an optical connection. In all of these cases robust operation is best attained when the transmitter/receiver robot pair is (1) separated by less than some maximum distance (range constraint); and (2) not obstructed by large dense objects (line-of-sight constraint). Therefore to maintain a wireless link between two robots, it is desirable to simultaneously comply with these two spatial constraints. Given a swarm of point robots with specified initial and final configurations and a set of desired communication links consistent with the above criteria, we explore the problem of designing inputs to achieve the final configuration while preserving the desired links for the duration of the motion. Some interesting conclusions about the feasibility of the problem are offered. A potential field-based optimization algorithm is provided, along with a novel composition scheme, and its operation is demonstrated through both simulation and experimentation on a group of small robots.
Some New Volterra‐Fredholm‐Type Discrete Inequalities and Their Applications in the Theory of Difference Equations
Authors: Zheng Bin , Feng Qinghua
Published: August 2011

Some new Volterra‐Fredholm‐type discrete inequalities in two independent variables are
established, which provide a handy tool in the study of qualitative and quantitative properties of solutions
of certain difference equations. The established results extend some known results in the literature.
Structural and Functional Consequences Induced by Post-Translational Modifications inα-Defensins
Authors: Balducci Enrico , Bonucci Alessio , Picchianti Monica , Pogni Rebecca , Talluri Eleonora
Published: August 2011

HNP-1 is an antimicrobial peptide that undergoes proteolytic cleavage to become a mature peptide. This process represents the mechanism commonly used by the cells to obtain a fully active antimicrobial peptide. In addition, it has been recently described that HNP-1 is recognized as substrate by the arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase-1. Arginine-specific mono-ADP-ribosylation is an enzyme-catalyzed post-translational modification in which NAD+serves as donor of the ADP-ribose moiety, which is transferred to the guanidino group of arginines in target proteins. While the arginine carries one positive charge, the ADP-ribose is negatively charged at the phosphate moieties at physiological pH. Therefore, the attachment of one or more ADP-ribose units results in a marked change of cationicity. ADP-ribosylation of HNP-1 drastically reduces its cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. While the chemotactic activity of HNP-1 remains unaltered, its ability to induce interleukin-8 production is enhanced. The arginine 14 of HNP-1 modified by the ADP-ribose is in some cases processed into ornithine, perhaps representing a different modality in the regulation of HNP-1 activities.
Certain Conditions for Starlikeness of Analytic Functions of Koebe Type
Authors: Siregar Saibah , Darus Maslina
Published: August 2011

For α ≥ 0, λ > 0, we consider the M(α, λ) b of normalized analytic α − λ convex functions defined in the open unit disc 𝕌. In this paper, we investigate the class M(α, λ) b, that is, , with fb is Koebe type, that is, fb(z): = z/(1 − zn) b. The subordination result for the aforementioned class will be given. Further, by making use of Jack′s Lemma as well as several differential and other inequalities, the authors derived sufficient conditions for starlikeness of the class M(α, λ) b of n‐fold symmetric analytic functions of Koebe type. Relevant connections of the results presented here with those given in the earlier works are also indicated.
Analysis and Optimal Condition of the Rear‐Sound‐Aided Control Source in Active Noise Control
Authors: Kreuter Karel , Kobayashi Yasuhide
Published: August 2011

An active noise control scenario of simple ducts is considered. The previously suggested technique of using an single loudspeaker and its rear sound to cancel the upstream sound is further examined and compared to the bidirectional solution in order to give theoretical proof of its advantage. Firstly, a model with a new approach for taking damping effects into account is derived based on the electrical transmission line theory. By comparison with the old model, the new approach is validated, and occurring differences are discussed. Moreover, a numerical application with the consideration of damping is implemented for confirmation. The influence of the rear sound strength on the feedback‐path system is investigated, and the optimal condition is determined. Finally, it is proven that the proposed source has an advantage of an extended phase lag and a time delay in the feedback‐path system by both frequency‐response analysis and numerical calculation of the time response.
Comparative Approach to Define Increased Regulatory T Cells in Different Cancer Subtypes by Combined Assessment of CD127 and FOXP3
Authors: Beyer Marc , Classen Sabine , Endl Elmar , Kochanek Matthias , Weihrauch Martin R. , Debey-Pascher Svenja , Knolle Percy A. , Schultze Joachim L.
Published: August 2011

In recent years an increase of functional CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells (Tregcells) has been established for patients with solid tumors, acute leukemias, and lymphomas. We have reported an expanded pool of CD4+CD25highTregcells in patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma (MM) as well as its premalignant precursor monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). In healthy individuals, low-level expression of CD127 on T cells in addition to the expression of FOXP3 has been associated with Tregcells. Here, we demonstrate that the expanded FOXP3+T-cell population in patients with colorectal cancer, CLL, MGUS, MM, follicular lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease are exclusively CD127lowTregcells and were strongly suppressive. A significant portion of CD127lowFOXP3+Tregcells expressed only low levels of CD25 suggesting that the previously reported expansion of CD25+Tregcells underestimates the true expansion. The assessment of CCR7 and CD45RA expression on the expanded CD4+CD127lowFOXP3+Tregcells revealed an increase of both naïve as well as central and effector memory Tregcells in peripheral blood. Our data strongly support superiority of combined CD127 and FOXP3 analysis in comparison to CD25 and FOXP3 assessment for further quantification of Tregcells in malignant diseases.
Parametric Assessment of Stress Development and Cracking in Internally Cured Restrained Mortars Experiencing Autogenous Deformations and Thermal Loading
Authors: Raoufi Kambiz , Schlitter John , Bentz Dale , Weiss Jason
Published: August 2011

A finite element model is used to examine how the properties of cementitious mortar are related to the stress development in the dual ring test. The results of this investigation are used to explain the thermal cracking behavior of mixtures containing prewetted lightweight aggregates (LWA) by quantifying the contribution of several material properties individually. In addition to the beneficial effects of using the LWA as an internal curing agent to reduce the autogenous shrinkage of concrete, the LWA also helps to reduce the potential for thermal cracking due to a lower elastic modulus and increased stress relaxation. The rate of stress development, age of cracking, and magnitude of the temperature drop necessary to induce cracking in a dual ring specimen are dependent on a variety of factors, including the coefficient of thermal expansion of both the cementitious mortar and the restraining rings, elastic modulus of the mortar, creep effect of the mortar, and rate of thermal loading. Depending on the rate of cooling, cracking may or may not occur. The slowest rate of cooling (C/h) minimizes the effects of creep while cooling rates faster than C/h can produce a thermal gradient through the mortar cross-section that needs to be considered.
Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia and Portal Hypertension in a Patient with Coeliac Disease
Authors: Biecker Erwin , Fischer Hans-Peter , Schepke Michael
Published: August 2011

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) of the liver is often associated with rheumatologic or lymphoproliferative disorders and a cause of portal hypertension in some patients. We report the case of a 71-year-old patient with celiac disease and unexplained portal hypertension. Biopsy of the liver revealed NRH as the underlying cause. The patient did not suffer from an autoimmune, rheumatologic or lymphoproliferative disease. A thrombophilic disorder that might cause NRH was ruled out. Celiac disease is often associated with mild elevation of liver enzymes and steatosis of the liver, but the association with NRH was described in only a few patients. We discuss the possible relationship of celiac disease and NRH.
Th Subset Balance in Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Miyake Katsuhisa , Akahoshi Mitsuteru , Nakashima Hitoshi
Published: August 2011

Lupus nephritis, which has various histological patterns and variable clinical outcomes, is one of the most important complications of systemic lupus nephritis (SLE). This pathogenetic mechanism in each histologically different type of lupus nephritis (LN) remains unclear. Although SLE is suggested to be a Th2‐driven disease, elevation of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines occurs in both humans and mice, suggesting that SLE is a complex disease driven by different lymphocyte subsets with high heterogeneity of clinical manifestations and organ involvement. Recent findings in LN elucidate an essential role for the Th1, IL‐17 producing T cells and Th17 cells in the development of diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (DPLN), and Th2 cytokine in that of membranous lupus nephritis (MLN). These data support the hypothesis that individual Th1/Th2 balance is one of the critical determinants for histopathology of LN.
Effects of Bee Venom on Glutamate-Induced Toxicity in Neuronal and Glial Cells
Authors: Lee Sang Min , Yang Eun Jin , Choi Sun-Mi , Kim Seon Hwy , Baek Myung Gi , Jiang Jing Hua
Published: August 2011

Bee venom (BV), which is extracted from honeybees, is used in traditional Korean medical therapy. Several groups have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of BV in osteoarthritis bothin vivoandin vitro. Glutamate is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Changes in glutamate release and uptake due to alterations in the activity of glutamate transporters have been reported in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To assess if BV can prevent glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity, we examined cell viability and signal transduction in glutamate-treated neuronal and microglial cells in the presence and absence of BV. We induced glutamatergic toxicity in neuronal cells and microglial cells and found that BV protected against cell death. Furthermore, BV significantly inhibited the cellular toxicity of glutamate, and pretreatment with BV altered MAP kinase activation (e.g., JNK, ERK, and p38) following exposure to glutamate. These findings suggest that treatment with BV may be helpful in reducing glutamatergic cell toxicity in neurodegenerative diseases.
Reconstructing the Areal Organization of the Neocortex of the First Mammals
Authors: Kaas Jon H.
Published: August 2011

The fossil record indicates that early mammals had small brains with proportionately little neocortex. Here we consider what is known about the organization of the neocortex in species with the least expanded neocortex from 6 major clades of the mammalian radiation. Common features of the neocortex across these clades include primary and secondary sensory areas, retrosplenial and cingulate cortex, and frontal cortex. Overall, early mammals likely had a core of 15–20 cortical areas that have been retained in most present-day mammals.
Two-Year Vascular Event Rates in Patients with Symptomatic Cerebrovascular Disease: The REACH Registry
Authors: Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Röther Joachim , Bhatt Deepak L. , Pasquet Blandine , Mas Jean-Louis , Alberts Mark J. , Hill Michael D. , Aichner Franz , Steg P. Gabriel ,   REACH Investigators
Published: August 2011

Background and Purpose: Few practice-based studies have reported vascular outcome events among patients with cerebrovascular disease (CeVD). We describe 2-year vascular outcomes among symptomatic CeVD patients from the REduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) Registry. Methods: Vascular events (stroke; myocardial infarction, MI; cardiovascular death, CV death; hospitalization) were studied among symptomatic CeVD patients from a prospective cohort of stable outpatients with established atherothrombosis or ≧3 atherothrombotic risk factors. Results: Of the 69,055 patients in REACH, 18,992 (28%) had symptomatic CeVD, of which outcome data were available for 18,189 patients. At 2 years, the frequency of non-fatal stroke was 5.93% (95% CI 5.22–6.64), non-fatal MI 2.21% (95% CI 1.65–2.76), CV death 4.45% (95% CI 3.66–5.22), combined vascular endpoint 11.48% (95% CI 10.46–12.49), and all deaths 7.39% (95% CI 6.34–8.42). The frequency of stroke, MI, CV death, or hospitalization for atherothrombotic events was 21.05% (95% CI 20.05–22.03). Event rates were lowest among patients with CeVD alone and highest among patients with CeVD, coronary artery disease, and peripheral artery disease. Other predictors of the primary outcome were increasing age, history of diabetes, current smoking, asymptomatic carotid stenosis, and carotid plaque. Outcomes were similar across geographical regions. Conclusions: Symptomatic CeVD patients encounter high vascular event rates despite treatment. Recurrent nonfatal stroke is more common than nonfatal MI.