bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of natural prebiotic inulin to the quantitative microbiological indicators of bifidogenic effect: In vitro research
Authors: Sokic Zdenka , Martinov Olga , Knezevic Jasmina , Vrvic Miroslav
Published: September 2008

Introduction The aim of this paper was to examine and to compare microbiological parameters of bifidogenesis as important indicators of bifidogenic effect in infant formulas, with and without inulin supplement as a prebiotic; we also evaluated the rationale for inulin supplementation in order to improve biofidogenesis. Material and methods Feces of healthy, breast-fed infants were used to examine and to isolate the accumulated culture of Bifidobacterium spp. Human milk and infant formulas (with or without inulin supplement) were used to examine the effect of substrate to bifidogenic effect. Pure chicory inulin was used as a natural prebiotic for the supplementation of infant formulas in concentration of 0.4 g and 0.8 g to 100/ml of substrate. In vitro effects of bifidiagenesis were observed in all substrates by determining microbiological parameters at the beginning (index 0) and at the end of the experiments, after 48 hours (index 48). We observed and compared two microbiological parameters of bifidogenesis: the total number of bifidobacteria and dry biomass. Phase-contrast microscopy was used to identify Bifidobacterium spp. in accumulated mixed culture. The process of bifidogenesis was controlled by light transmission microscopy in light filed. Total number of Bifidobacterium spp. was determined by the method of serial dilution. Dry biomass was gravimetrically measured. Bifidogenic effect was calculated for each substrate. Dry biomass from the human milk substrate was used as a reference value. Results The obtained mean value of bifidogenic effect of standard milk formula was lower for 29% compared to mean value of bifidogenic index of human milk. The mean value of bifidogenic index of infant formula supplemented with 0.4 g and 0.8 g of inulin respectively was statistically significantly higher compared to the mean value of bifidogenic effect of human milk (>38% and >104%, respectively). Conclusion The rationale for supplementation of infant formulas with inulin was confirmed.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency: Case report
Authors: Vlaski Jovan , Katanic Dragan , Kavecan Ivana , Dautovic Slavica , Vorgucin Ivana
Published: September 2008

A girl with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21 hydroxylase (CYP 21, p450c2l) deficiency is the reviewed case. The clinical features (virilisation, clitoromegaly, rapid somatic growth, accelerated skeletal maturation) and laboratory find?ings (high levels of plasma 17hydroxyprogesterone, corticotrophin - ACTH, testosterone and dehydroepiandrostenedione -DHEA, low level of plasma cortisol, high level of urine 17- ketosteroids, synacthen and luteinising hormone releasing hor?mone - LHRH test) and the response to hydrocortisone therapy pointed at heterosexual gonadotrophin independent puberty due to irregular production of cortisol caused by 21 hydroxylase deficiency that leads to elevated ACTH and 17-hydroxy progesterone secretion and makes congenital adrenal hyper?plasia as entity. The six-month therapy resulted in the clinical and laboratory findings improvement, such as the decreased annual growth of body height and the stagnation in the devel?opment of the secondary sexual features.
Myocardial dysfunction in septic shock: A case report
Authors: Popovic Nada , Mijuskovic Dragan , Neskovic Vojislava , Arsenijevic Ljubica , Karamarkovic Aleksandar , Stefanovic Branislava
Published: September 2008

Introduction Sepsis is characterized by generalized inflammatory respons induced by infection. The incidence of myocardial dysfunction m sepsis is unknown as well as its impact on survival, independently other organ system dysfunction. Case report A female patient, age 36, with clinical signs of septic shock was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. After initial therapy of septic shock, patient was still haemodynamically unstable. Transthoracic echocardiography showed left ventricular dysfunction (EF=20%), with mitral regurgitation 2-3+, tricuspid regurgitation 3+, and estimated systolic right ventricular pressure of 53 mm Hg. Inotropic drug, dobutamin, was initiated, which led to significant improvement of hemodynamic parameters. Eight days after the initiation of therapy the clinical improvement was observed and the control transthoracic echocardiography was performed. It showed the improvement in left ventricular size and function, with EF of 57%. and reduced mitral regurgitation to 2+, and tricuspide regurgitation to 1+. Discussion A hyperdynamic state is typically present in sepsis. Myocardial dysfunction in sepsis is characterized by decreased ejection fraction, ventricular dilatation and impaired contaractile response to volume loading. Cardiac output can be measured using pulmonary artery catheter, transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography, or by pulse contour analysis. In this patient, myocardial dysfunction was detected by echocardiography, which helped in clinical decision making to administer inotropic agent. The recovery of myocardial function was also confirmed by echocardiography. Conclusion Echocardiography can be used in septic patient for diagnosis of myocardial dysfunction, decision making, follow-up of the response to inotropic therapy, and detection of the complete recovery of cardiac function.
Antisocial behavior: Dimension or category(ies)?
Authors: Biro Miklos , Smederevac Snezana , Novovic Zdenka
Published: September 2008

Classificatory systems (DSM-IV, ICD-10) use different criteria for defining a rather common antisocial disorder, traditionally referred as psychopathy. Most empirical studies of this phenomenon use Cleckley's operational definition that was applied and amended in Hare's revised Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R). In modern literature, the fact that there is less than a perfect correspondence between classificatory systems and Hare's PCL-R is often cited as an indication that antisocial behavior is not confined to a distinct category of people but is rather a continuous personality dimension. In order to further elucidate the nosology of antisocial behaviors, a Psychopathy Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ) based on Cleckley - Hare's criteria and consisting of 40 binary items was administered to 339 men (135 prisoners and 204 members of the general population). Four distinct clusters of respondents were identified by means of hierarchical cluster analysis: Psychopathic type (characterized by high positive scores on dimension of Unemotionality; Antisocial type (characterized by high positive scores on Social deviance dimension); Adapted type (characterized by negative scores on all dimensions); and Hyper-controlled type (characterized by extremely negative scores on dimension Social deviance accompanied with positive scores on Unemotionality dimension). Additional comparison with MMPI profiles which classified prison sample in two groups ("Psychopathic profiles" and "Non- Psychopathic profiles") shows that there is no expected compatibility between MMPI and PAQ. We conclude that Antisocial type can be treated as a distinct category, while Psychopathic type displays characteristics of dimensional distribution.
Visual search of illusory contours: an attempt of automatization
Authors: Gvozdenovic Vasilije
Published: September 2008

Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, University of Belgrade Recent research, which was mostly focused on assessing the types of visual search of illusory contours, showed that visual search is dependent on factors like target configuration and task type. Some experimental research supports the theory of parallel search while other research supports the theory of serial search of illusory contours. The inconsistency is most likely due to the fact that various types of illusory contour configurations were used in set creation. Up to this point, our research indicated that the serial search is used in most cases. Some exceptions of search type have been proven in some modification of task type but nevertheless the search profile remained serial. In this article, we are reporting on two visual search experiments. The first experiment was an investigation of a specific feature of a Kanisza type illusory triangle, orientation. The validity of the profile defined in the first experiment was tested in our second experiment with an attempt to automatize the visual search by the multiplication of the initial experimental trials. Our results confirmed that, regardless of the number of experimental trials, the visual search profile remains serial.
Origin of differences between Serbian and Roma children in social intelligence test's achievement
Authors: Djigic Gordana
Published: September 2008

The goal of the presented research is to identify the origin of differences between Serbian (N=166) and Roma children (N=169) of primary school age in achievement on Modified Rosenzweig Test, used as a measure of social intelligence (Roma children had lower results than Serbian children). Results show that these differences can be partly explained with extreme inviolable socio-economic and cultural status of Roma children. Social intelligence test's scores are significantly correlated with socio-economic and cultural status; this correlation is more apparent in Roma than in Serbian sample. Differences between Serbian and Roma children become less apparent when we control the influence of socio-economic and cultural status. Parent's educational level is recognized as the most important indicator of socio-economic and cultural status. Another way to identify the origin of differences was directed to investigation of adequacy of used test as a measure of social intelligence of Roma children. Our assumption that some items make whole test unfair for Roma children is not confirmed. However, results concerning the relation between experience with particular social situations and success in particular test items, and results concerning the different structures of implicite understanding of social intelligence by Serbian and Roma parents, point out that test key favors responses that Serbian people accept as optimal in task situation, while the responses according to Roma implicite understanding of social intelligence are less valued.
Factors influencing bonding fixed restorations
Authors: Medic Vesna , Obradovic-Djuricic Kosovka
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTION Crown displacement often occurs because the features of tooth preparations do not counteract the forces directed against restorations. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of preparation designs on retention and resistance of fixed restorations. METHOD The study was performed on 64 differently sized stainless steel dies. Also, caps which were used for evaluated retention were made of stainless steel for each die. After cementing the caps on experimental dies, measuring of necessary tensile forces to separate cemented caps from dies was done. Caps, which were made of a silver-palladium alloy with a slope of 60? to the longitudinal axis formed on the occlusal surface, were used for evaluating resistance. A sudden drop in load pressure recorded by the test machine indicated failure for that cap. RESULTS A significant difference was found between the tensile force required to remove the caps from the dies with different length (p<0.05) and different taper (p<0.01). The greatest retentive strengths (2579.2 N and 2989.8 N) were noticed in experimental dies with the greatest length and smallest taper. No statistically significant (p>0.05) differences were found between tensile loads for caps cemented on dies with different diameter. Although there was an apparent slight increase in resistance values for caps on dies with smaller tapers, the increase in resistance for those preparation designs was not statistically significant. There was a significant difference among the resistance values for caps on dies with different length (p<0.01) and diameter (p<0.05). CONCLUSION In the light of the results obtained, it could be reasonably concluded that retention and resistance of the restoration is in inverse proportion to convergence angle of the prepared teeth. But, at a constant convergence angle, retention and resistance increase with rising length and diameter.
New therapy strategies for treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock in Intensive care unit of Clinical centre in Kragujevac
Authors: Jevdjic Jasna , Surbatovic Maja , Drakulic-Miletic Svetlana , Vukicevic Vladimir
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTION Despite numerous advances in medicine, the mortality rate of severe sepsis and septic shock remains high, 30-50%. New therapy strategies include: early goaldirected therapy, fluid replacement, early and appropriate antimicrobials, source of infection control, use of corticosteroids, vasopressors and inotropic therapy, use of recombinant activated protein C, tight glucose control, low-tidal-volume mechanical ventilation. They have been shown to improve the outcomes. The adequacy and speed of treatment influence the outcome, too. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate if new therapy strategies had been integrated in our routine practice. METOD Patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, who were treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) over a ten-month period, were analyzed retrospectively. The descriptive epidemiological method was applied. Central venous catheterization, central venous pressure, antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, corticosteroids, blood administration, deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, stress ulcer prophylaxis, glucose control, were evaluated. RESULTS 27 patients were analyzed. Patient characteristics were: age, 49.9 years (18-77) with 30-day in-hospital mortality rate of 48.1%. All patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics. Blood cultures were obtained in 85.2% patients. Adequate antimicrobial treatment was applied to 59.3% and 74.1% patients had central venous pressure monitoring. Average central venous pressure was 8.47?5.6 mm Hg (-2- 20). Aggressive fluid therapy was given to 33.3% of the cases and 66.7% of the patients with septic shock received vasoactive drugs while 29.6% received corticosteroids. Red blood cell transfusions were applied in 59.3% of patients. All patients received stress ulcer prophylaxis, and 37% of them deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis. The average value of morning glucose was 9.11?5.03 mmol/l (3.7-22.0). 63% of patients were mechanically ventilated. Blood lactate was not determined. CONCLUSION Evidence-based clinical guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock have not been implemented in a widespread, systematic way in the ICU of the Clinical Centre, Kragujevac. Institutional acceptance of this protocol, and education of clinicians may improve survivability for patients with sepsis.
The serum level of C-reactive protein in neonatal sepsis
Authors: Vasiljevic Brankica , Antonovic Olga , Maglajlic-Djukic Svjetlana , Gojnic Miroslava
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTION C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most common diagnostic marker of infection. OBJECTIVE Objectives of this study were to determine the serum CRP level in neonates with sepsis and establish the influence of gestational age (GA) on the CRP level in the first few weeks after birth. METHOD Diagnosis of neonatal sepsis was established by the presence of clinical signs of sepsis, isolation of the causative agent of sepsis and abnormal hematological parameters. All neonates were divided into two groups: early onset sepsis (EOS) and late onset sepsis (LOS). According to GA all neonates were divided into three groups: <32 GA, 32-36 GA and ?37 GA. Serum CRP was measured 0-72 h after the onset of signs and symptoms of infection. RESULTS This study included all neonates with sepsis at our Institute during 2003. EOS was diagnosed in 130 neonates (mean age was 33 weeks; range 27-41 weeks) and 33 infants (mean age 29 weeks; range 27-38 weeks). We defined a relevant CRP response as a concentration of >10 mg/l for term and near term neonates and >5 mg/l for preterm neonates. The maximum concentrations of CRP were reached 48 hr after the first symptoms of neonatal sepsis. CONCLUSION CRP levels are proportional with increasing GA and body weight in EOS. The effects of gestational age do not influence CRP levels in LOS. Maturation changes in the immune system are the most likely explanation for this and partly the organisms responsible for an infection may be different at different gestational ages and also in EOS and LOS. There is no correlation with serum CRP levels and with the severity of the disease and bad prognosis in EOS.
True aneurysm of common digital artery: Case report
Authors: Nenezic Dragoslav , Matic Predrag , Ilijevski Nenad , Popov Petar , Gajin Predrag , Jocic Dario , Radak Djordje
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTION Aneurysms of digital arteries are considered to be rarity. They could be true or false. False aneurysms are usually the result of penetrating trauma, while the causes of development of true aneurysms are various, such as blunt trauma, and rarely atherosclerosis, vasculitis and infection. Also, they can be idiopathic. Reviewing the literature we found 13 cases of previously described true aneurysms of digital arteries. None of them referred to the common digital artery aneurysm. CASE OUTLINE We report a case of an idiopathic true aneurysm of the common digital artery, with its clinical presentation and a corresponding multislice CT arteriogram. Surgical treatment by ligation and excision of the aneurysm was performed. CONCLUSION As mentioned above, true aneurysms of digital arteries are very rare, so they are of little clinical importance. The most common symptom of digital artery aneurysms is pain, with a tender pulsatile mass on examination. Since natural healing cannot be expected, surgical treatment of true digital artery aneurysms is recommended for pain relief and avoidance of complications which may occur and are related to the aneurysm presence. Aneurysm resection and ligation of a blood vessel can be performed. Also, artery reconstruction can be performed by primary end-to-end anastomosis or the placement of a reversed interposition vein graft.
Giant criptogenic pyogenic gas containing left liver abscess
Authors: Colovic Radoje , Grubor Nikica , Radak Vladimir
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTION Pyogenic gas containing liver abscesses are rare. Less than 50 cases seem to have been described so far. Most of them were localised within the right liver. The majority of those abscesses appear in diabetic patients. CASE OUTLINE The authors present a 64-year old diabetic male patient in whom the investigation (US, CT, plain X-ray) performed for fever of unknown origin confirmed a giant liver gas containing abscess that destroyed almost the entire left liver. Escherichia coli sensitive to several antibiotics was isolated from the abscess. The patient was cured by surgical drainage, limited debridement, lavage, drainage and antibiotics. CONCLUSION Pyogenic gas containing liver abscesses are easy to diagnose nowadays. The type of surgical drainage has to be adapted to a particular patient.
Adrenal incidentaloma in neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Tancic-Gajic Milina , Vujovic Svetlana , Tatic Svetislav , Stojanovic Milos , Ivovic Miomira , Drezgic Milka
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTION Neurofibromatosis type 1 is one of the most common genetically transmitted diseases with a high index of spontaneous mutations and extremely varied and unpredictable clinical manifestations. It is diagnosed by the existence of certain clinical criteria. The presence of numerous localised cutaneous neurofibromas or a plexiform neurofibroma is virtually pathognomonic of neurofibromatosis type 1. The incidence of pheochromocytoma in neurofibromatosis type 1 is 0.1-5.7%. CASE OUTLINE A 56-year old female patient was admitted for further evaluation of incidental adrenal tumour previously diagnosed on computerized tomography (CT). She had previously unrecognized neurofibromatosis type 1 and a clinical picture which could remind of pheochromocytoma. None of the catecholamine samples in 24 hr urine indicated functionally active pheochromocytoma. Chromogranin A was moderately increased. Decision for operation was made after performing the image techniques. Adrenal incidentaloma had features of pheochromocytoma on abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with positive 131I-MIBG (iodine 131-labelled metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy). After being treated with phenoxybenzamine and propranolol, she was operated on. The pathohistological finding showed the case of left adrenal pheochromocytoma. CONCLUSION Detailed diagnostic procedure for pheochromocytoma should be performed with patients having neurofibromatosis type 1 and adrenal incidentaloma. Pheochromocytomas are rare tumours with fatal outcome if not duly recognized and cured.
Spontaneous intra-abdominal bleeding in twin pregnancy: Case report
Authors: Berisavac Milica , Sparic Radmila , Pervulov Miroslava , Arsenijevic Ljubica , Spremovic-Radjenovic Svetlana , Vrzic-Petronijevic Svetlana , Markovic Nebojsa , Milicevic Srboljub
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTION Spontaneous rupture of utero-ovarian vessels is a rare cause of haemoperitoneum in pregnancy, leading to significant maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Aetiopathogenesis of this condition is still unclear. Establishing clinical diagnosis of this condition is difficult, but very important. Clinical symptoms are nonspecific, and the diagnosis is usually made at laparotomy. CASE OUTLINE We report a case of spontaneous haematoperitoneum in the third trimester of twin pregnancy. Differential diagnosis included uterine rupture and placental abruption. Due to the deteriorated condition of the patient, it was decided to perform laparotomy which established the diagnosis of ruptured venous varices on the posterior uterine wall. Delivery was performed by caesarean section. The postoperative period was uneventful. CONCLUSION The clinical presentation of spontaneous rupture of utero-ovarian blood vessels is not specific and clinical examination and ultrasonographic scanning may be insufficient for diagnosis. Once the diagnosis of spontaneous haematoperitoneum in pregnancy is established, emergency laparotomy is indicated. Following caesarean delivery, it is necessary to establish surgical haemostasis. There are some authors who suggest leaving the pregnancy intact in cases when the fetus is not viable, although one must have in mind the possibility of recurrent bleeding. The safety of this procedure requires further investigation. It is necessary to have in mind the possibility of blood vessel rupture in all cases of abdominal pain and hypotension of unknown origin during pregnancy.
Transcranial Doppler test for evaluation of cerebral artery embolism: Microemboli detection
Authors: Jovanovic Zagorka , Pavlovic Aleksandra , Zidverc-Trajkovic Jasna , Mijajlovic Milija , Radojicic Aleksandra , Covickovic-Sternic Nadezda
Published: September 2008

About one third of ischaemic cerebrovascular diseases have embolic properties. Because of that, transcranial Doppler (TCD) test for detection of microembolic signals (MES), as the only one method for detection of microemboli, is a very important test for the evaluation of cerebral artery embolism. Cerebral emboli are particles of thrombus or atheromatous plaque, platelet aggregates, lipid or air particles in cerebral circulation, which can occlude arterioles and cause ischemic transient attack (TIA) or stroke. Most frequently, they derive from exulcerated plaques of the carotid bifurcation or the aortic arch, from the atrial thrombus, prosthetic heart valves, as well as during carotid endarterectomy, arterial stent, aortocoronary by-pass. For MES detection, bilateral monitoring of a. cerebri mediae (ACM) is performed with each probe held in place over a temporal bone. MES are represented as brightly coloured embolic tracks as they pass through the insonated arteries. A computer hard disk provides continuous recording that is replayed for counting embolic signals. Colour intensity or acoustic range indicate the size and structure of MES. MES in the range of one ACM indicate the source of embolism on the ipsilateral carotid artery, while the bilateral detection of MES suggests a cardiogenic source. Indications for TCD detection of MES are the evaluation of pathogenesis and risk for embolic stroke or TIA and assessing the source of embolism. We started applying this method at the Institute of Neurology in Belgrade 2 years ago. We have investigated 78 patients till today and detected MES in 23 patients (28.7%). The Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology, 2004, considers that TCD is probably useful for detection of cerebral MES in various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders and procedures.
Assessment of senses of hearing and balance in chronic suppurative otitis media
Authors: Babic Borivoj , Arsovic Nenad
Published: September 2008

Chronic suppurative otitis media is among the most frequent illnesses treated in ENT wards. To establish the diagnosis, otomicroscopy alone usually suffice. Assessing the sense of hearing, often the sense of balance, too, is mandatory. Assessment of hearing will show the extent of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Apart from this, sometimes, when the finding is not obvious, it is necessary to conduct audiological investigation in more detail in order to establish whether the diagnosis of chronic suppurative otitis media is correct. Existence and extent of conductive hearing loss or confIrmation of tympanic membrane perforation by tympanometry can help a great deal. Also, some new results about the site of perforation and the middle ear volume influence on conductive hearing loss may help have a better insight into chronic suppurative otitis media. Assessing the sense of balance may show dysfunctions with not yet necessarily permanent damage: perilymphatic fistula and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Unilateral or bilateral damage may be diagnosed with appropriate tests of vestibuloocular reflex (VOR): spontaneous nystagmus, head impulse test, head shaking test. These bedside tests do not require bulky, expensive equipment for stimulus delivery or special equipment for recording nystagmus. In addition, their significance is their ability to provide enough information without performing caloric testing which is contraindicated in chronic suppurative otitis media.
Sintering densification curve: A practical approach for its construction from dilatometric shrinkage data
Authors: Maca K. , Pouchly V. , Boccaccini A.R.
Published: September 2008

This article summarizes the usage of high-temperature dilatometry in ceramic processing and powder technology with special attention on the description of the sintering process. A practical method for transformation of dilatometric shrinkage data into densification curves (the dependence of the sample density on sintering temperature or time) is described in detail. A new automatic procedure to recalculate sintering shrinkage data allowing the plot of the densification curve has been developed, which is presented here.
Influence of the composition of the boroning mixture on the dimension change of pressed and boroned samples from iron powder
Authors: Ivanov S. , Pozega E.
Published: September 2008

Volume changes occur during sintering and chemical-thermal treatments of metal powder samples. The results of the investigation of the volume change of pressed and boroned samples from an iron powder, depending on the mixture composition used for the boroning process, are presented in this paper. The basic mixture, used for boroning of the investigated samples from iron powder, is modified by the addition of activators with different chemical compositions and in different concentrations, of up to 4 wt %. Mixtures with ammonium bifluoride, ammonium chloride and boron potassium fluoride were investigated. The research results and the mathematical modelling enable the choice of mixture compositions for boroning based on the volume change given in advance.
Dynamic interaction of cracks in piezoelectric and anisotropic solids: A non-hypersingular BIEM approach
Authors: Dineva Petia , Gross Dietmar , Rangelov Tsviatko
Published: September 2008

A non-hypersingular traction boundary integral equation method (BIEM) is proposed for the treatment of crack systems in piezoelectric or anisotropic plane domains loaded by time-harmonic waves. The solution is based on the frequency dependent fundamental solution obtained by Radon transform. The proposed method is flexible, numerically efficient and has virtually no limitations regarding the material type, crack geometry and type of wave loading. The accuracy and convergence of the BIEM solution for stress intensity factors is validated by comparison with existing results from the literature. Simulations for different crack configurations such as coplanar collinear or cracks in arbitrary position to each other are presented and discussed. They demonstrate among others the strong effect of electromechanical coupling, show the frequency dependent shielding and amplification resulting from crack interaction and reveal the sensitivity of the K-factors on the complex influence of both wave-crack and crack-crack interaction.
Two-scale approach to dynamic localization failure of AISI 316H stainless steel sheets
Authors: Gambin W. , Kowalczyk-Gajewska K. , Kudrjavceva L.T. , Micunovic M.V.
Published: September 2008

Dynamic localization failure of a thin sheet made of AISI 316H steel is considered on the macroscopic and mesoscopic level for proportional and nonproportional stress paths. On the macroscopic level, we propose: (1) the replacement of time as independent variable by a function of plastic dissipation and (2) dependence of the initial equivalent yield stress on stress rate. On the mesoscopic level - the regularized Schmid model for description of the single grain behavior is used and the polycrystalline yield surface generated by the texture development enables to improve the Forming Limit Diagrams for the sheet element.
On tensors of elasticity
Authors: Jaric Jovo , Kuzmanovic Dragoslav , Golubovic Zoran
Published: September 2008

An objective of this paper is to reconcile the "symmetry" approach with the "symmetry groups" approach as these two different points of view presently coexist in the literature. Here we will be concerned exclusively with linearly elastic materials. The starting point for an analysis of the inherent symmetry of elastic materials is the notion of a symmetry transformation. Particularly, we paid attention to the compliance tensor for cubic and hexagonal crystals.
A model of cytoskeletal reorientation in response to substrate stretching
Authors: Lazopoulos K.A. , Lazopoulos A.K. , Stamenovic D.
Published: September 2008

Living adherent cells change their orientation in response to substrate stretching such that their cytoskeletal components reorganize in a new direction. To study this phenomenon, we model the cytoskeleton as a planar system of elastic cables and struts both pinned at their endpoints to a flat flexible substrate. Tensed (pre-strained) cables represent acting stress fibers, whereas compression-bearing struts represent microtubules. We assume that in response to uniaxial substrate stretching the model reorients and deforms into a new configuration that minimizes its total potential energy. Using the Maxwell's global stability criterion, we find global minima configurations during static extension and compression of the substrate. Based on these results, we predict reorientation during cyclic stretching of the substrate. We find that in response to cyclic stretching cells either reorient transversely to the direction of stretching, or exhibit multiple configurations symmetrically distributed relative to the direction of stretching. These predictions are consistent with experimental data on living cells from the literature.
A plastic collapse method for evaluating rotation capacity of full-restrained steel moment connections
Authors: Lee Kyungkoo , Stojadinovic Bozidar
Published: September 2008

An analytical method to model failure of steel beam plastic hinges due to local buckling and low-cycle fatigue is proposed herein. This method is based on the plastic collapse mechanism approach and a yield-line plastic hinge (YLPH) model whose geometry is based on buckled shapes of beam plastic hinges observed in experiments. Two limit states, strength degradation failure induced by local buckling and low-cycle fatigue fracture, are considered. The proposed YLPH model was developed for FEMA-350 WUF-W, RBS and Free Flange connections and validated in comparisons to experimental data. This model can be used to estimate the seismic rotation capacity of fully restrained beam-column connections in special steel moment-resisting frames under both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions.
Thermally induced deformations in die-substrate assembly
Authors: Vujosevic Milena
Published: September 2008

The work focuses on the thermally induced deformations caused by the processing of Flip Chip Ball Grid Arrays (FCBGA). Analytical expressions for substrate displacements are derived based on the Plate Theory and Suhir's solution for stresses in tri-material assembly. The validity of the model is established by comparing the analytical solution to the numerical finite element results as well as to the experimental data. The benefits of the proposed model are twofold: 1) it provides a tool for fundamental understanding of the deformation process of interest, and 2) has a predictive capability. More specifically, an analysis is presented on the nature and degree of influence that different geometric and material parameters have on the substrate deflections, as well as a "Warpage Contour Plot", proposed as a tool for warpage prediction that can be easily utilized in the early stages of the design process.
Diabetes, Abdominal Adiposity, and Atherogenic Dyslipoproteinemia in Women Compared With Men
Authors: Williams Ken , Tchernof Andre , Hunt Kelly J. , Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Haffner Steven M. , Sniderman Allan D.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE—To understand why atherogenic risk differs more between diabetic and nondiabetic women than between diabetic and nondiabetic men.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS AND RESULTS—Measures of cardiovascular risk, body composition, and serum hormones from the baseline examinations of the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study on 524 nondiabetic women, 258 diabetic women, 421 nondiabetic men, and 220 diabetic men were compared to detect greater adverse differences in women than in men. Systolic blood pressure; apolipoprotein B (apoB); total cholesterol; apoB–to–apoA-I ratio; non-HDL cholesterol; LDL particle count, small LDL, and intermediate-density lipoprotein by nuclear magnetic resonance; and C-reactive protein exhibited significant diabetes-sex interaction (P < 0.05). ApoB exhibited the most significant interaction (P = 0.0005). Age- and ethnicity-adjusted apoB means were lower in nondiabetic women than nondiabetic men (102.4 vs. 106.8 mg/dl, P < 0.05) but higher in diabetes (115.7 vs. 110.2 mg/dl, P < 0.01). Plotted against BMI, waist circumference was 6% higher and hip circumference 10% lower in diabetic than nondiabetic women (both P < 0.05), whereas the circumference measures did not differ conspicuously between diabetic and nondiabetic men.

CONCLUSIONS—In diabetic women, an elevated level of atherogenic particles, as manifested by apoB and LDL particle count, which may result from abdominal adiposity, represents a major treatable cardiovascular risk factor.
Virulence Potential of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated From Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Authors: Sotto Albert , Lina Gérard , Richard Jean-Louis , Combescure Christophe , Bourg Gisèle , Vidal Laure , Jourdan Nathalie , Etienne Jérôme , Lavigne Jean-Philippe
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to assess the virulence potential of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from diabetic foot ulcers and to discriminate noninfected from infected ulcers.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Diabetic patients hospitalized in a diabetic foot department with a foot ulcer were prospectively enrolled if they had been free of antibiotic treatment over the previous 6 months. At admission, ulcers were classified as infected or noninfected on the basis of clinical examination, according to the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot system. Only patients carrying S. aureus as the sole pathogen were included. In individuals with a grade 1 ulcer, a second bacterial specimen was obtained 1 month later. Using virulence genotyping markers, clonality tools, and an in vivo Caenorhabditis elegans model, we correlated the virulence of 132 S. aureus strains with grade, time of collection, and ulcer outcome.

RESULTS—Among virulence genes, the most relevant combination derived from the logistic regression was the association of cap8, sea, sei, lukE, and hlgv (area under the curve 0.958). These markers were useful to distinguish noninfected (grade 1) from infected (grades 2–4) ulcers and to predict wound status at the follow-up. With use of the nematode model, S. aureus strains isolated from grade 1 ulcers were found to be significantly less virulent than strains from ulcers at or above grade 2 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS—This study highlights the coexistence of two S. aureus populations on diabetic foot ulcers. A combination of five genes that may help distinguish colonized grade 1 from infected grade ≥2 wounds, predict ulcer outcome, and contribute to more appropriate use of antibiotics was discovered.
Sociodemographic Correlates of the Increasing Trend in Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Large Population of Women Between 1995 and 2005
Authors: Anna Vibeke , van der Ploeg Hidde P. , Cheung N. Wah , Huxley Rachel R. , Bauman Adrian E.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE—Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasingly prevalent risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes in the mother and is responsible for morbidity in the child. To better identify women at risk of developing GDM we examined sociodemographic correlates and changes in the prevalence of GDM among all births between 1995 and 2005 in Australia's largest state.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A computerized database of all births (n = 956,738) between 1995 and 2005 in New South Wales, Australia, was used in a multivariate logistic regression that examined the association between sociodemographic characteristics and the occurrence of GDM.

RESULTS—Between 1995 and 2005, the prevalence of GDM increased by 45%, from 3.0 to 4.4%. Women born in South Asia had the highest adjusted odds ratio (OR) of any region (4.33 [95% CI 4.12–4.55]) relative to women born in Australia. Women living in the three lowest socioeconomic quartiles had higher adjusted ORs for GDM relative to women in the highest quartile (1.54 [1.50–1.59], 1.74 [1.69–1.8], and 1.65 [1.60–1.70] for decreasing socioeconomic status quartiles). Increasing age was strongly associated with GDM, with women aged >40 years having an adjusted OR of 6.13 (95% CI 5.79–6.49) relative to women in their early 20s. Parity was associated with a small reduced risk. There was no association between smoking and GDM.

CONCLUSIONS—Maternal age, socioeconomic position, and ethnicity are important correlates of GDM. Future culturally specific interventions should target prevention of GDM in these high-risk groups.
Predicting 6-Year Mortality Risk in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wells Brian J. , Jain Anil , Arrigain Susana , Yu Changhong , Rosenkrans Wayne A. , Kattan Michael W.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE—The objective of this study was to create a tool that predicts the risk of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This study was based on a cohort of 33,067 patients with type 2 diabetes identified in the Cleveland Clinic electronic health record (EHR) who were initially prescribed a single oral hypoglycemic agent between 1998 and 2006. Mortality was determined in the EHR and the Social Security Death Index. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was created using medication class and 20 other predictor variables chosen for their association with mortality. A prediction tool was created using the Cox model coefficients. The tool was internally validated using repeated, random subsets of the cohort, which were not used to create the prediction model.

RESULTS—Follow-up in the cohort ranged from 1 day to 8.2 years (median 28.6 months), and 3,661 deaths were observed. The prediction tool had a concordance index (i.e., c statistic) of 0.752.

CONCLUSIONS—We successfully created a tool that accurately predicts mortality risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. The incorporation of medications into mortality predictions in patients with type 2 diabetes should improve treatment decisions.
Additive Interaction of Hyperglycemia and Albuminuria on Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Yang Xilin , Ko Gary T.C. , So Wing Yee , Ma Ronald C.W. , Kong Alice P.S. , Lam Christopher W.K. , Ho Chung Shun , Chow Chun-Chung , Tong Peter C.Y. , Chan Juliana C.N.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE—The study aims to test whether biological interaction between hyperglycemia and albuminuria can explain the inconsistent findings from epidemiological studies and clinical trials about effects of hyperglycemia on stroke in type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A total of 6,445 Hong Kong Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes and free of stroke at enrollment were followed up for a median of 5.37 years. Spline Cox proportional hazard regression was used to obtain hazard ratio curves, which were used to identify cutoff points of A1C and spot urinary albumin–to–creatinine ratio for increased ischemic stroke risk. The identified cutoff point of A1C was used to check biological interaction between A1C and albuminuria (micro- and macroalbuminuria). The biological interaction was estimated using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP), and synergy index.

RESULTS—During the follow-up period, 4.45% (n = 287) of patients developed ischemic stroke. A1C was associated with increased hazard ratios of ischemic stroke in a near-linear manner except for two points—6.2 and 8.0%—where the slope between these two points accelerated. For A1C values <6.2%, the presence of micro/macroalbuminuria did not confer additional risk, while significant biological interaction between A1C and micro/macroalbuminuria for values ≥6.2% was observed (RERI 0.92, 95% CI 0.16–1.68, and AP 0.40, 0.01–0.78).

CONCLUSIONS—A1C ≥6.2% and micro/macroalbuminuria interact to markedly increase the ischemic stroke risk, which explains a large proportion of risk in patients with type 2 diabetes harboring both risk factors.
Plasma Adiponectin Does Not Correlate With Insulin Resistance and Cardiometabolic Variables in Nondiabetic Asian Indian Teenagers
Authors: Snehalatha Chamukuttan , Yamuna Annasami , Ramachandran Ambady
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE—The objectives of this study were to determine age- and sex-specific concentrations of adiponectin in Asian Indian teenagers and adults and to assess whether its blood levels correlated with insulin resistance and other cardiometabolic parameters.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We studied 196 teenagers (94 boys, 102 girls) 12–18 years of age, selected from a cohort of 2,640 individuals from a cross-sectional school-based survey in Chennai, India. For comparison, adiponectin and plasma insulin were measured in 84 healthy adults. Correlation of adiponectin with plasma levels of insulin, proinsulin, insulin resistance, anthropometry, and family history of diabetes were studied.

RESULTS—Adiponectin showed a sex dimorphism, with girls having higher values (in μg/ml) (10.3 ± 5.0) than boys (8.4 ± 3.5) (P < 0.0001), and it showed a positive correlation with HDL cholesterol in boys only and not with other lipid parameters, insulin resistance, proinsulin, anthropometry, and family history of diabetes. In the adults, adiponectin correlated with fasting glucose and inversely with triglycerides.

CONCLUSIONS—In Asian Indian adults and teenagers, adiponectin did not correlate directly with measures of insulin sensitivity, overweight, and other cardiometabolic variables. This was at variance with several reports in other populations showing an inverse association of adiponectin with insulin resistance, proinsulin, and BMI, suggesting ethnic differences in the relationship of adiponectin with insulin sensitivity. The role of adiponectin in relation to action of insulin needs more detailed studies in Asian Indians.
High Blood Pressure Before and During Early Pregnancy Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Hedderson Monique M. , Ferrara Assiamira
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE—While women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are more likely to display features of the metabolic syndrome, including hypertension, in the years after delivery, it is unclear whether these components are also present before pregnancy. We examined the relationship between blood pressure (BP) measured before and during early pregnancy (<20 weeks) and the risk of GDM in a nested case-control study.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Case (n = 381) and control (n = 942) subjects were selected from a cohort of women delivering between 1996 and 1998 and screened for GDM between 24 and 28 weeks’ gestation. GDM was defined by the National Diabetes Data Group criteria. BP and covariates data were obtained by review of the medical records. Women were categorized according to BP levels recommended by the American Heart Association outside of pregnancy: <120/80 mmHg (normal), 120–139/80–89 mmHg (prehypertension), and ≥140 and/or ≥90 mmHg or use of antihypertensive medications (hypertension).

RESULTS—During early pregnancy, women with prehypertension had a small increased risk of GDM (odds ratio [OR] 1.56 [95% CI 1.16–2.10]), and women with hypertension had a twofold increased risk of GDM (2.04 [1.14–3.65]) compared with women with normal BP after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, gestational week of BP, BMI, and parity. Similar results were seen among the subset of women with BP levels measured before pregnancy (1.44 [0.95–2.19] for prehypertension and 2.01 [1.01–3.99] for hypertension).

CONCLUSIONS—Clinicians should be aware that women presenting with hypertension may warrant early screening or intervention to prevent GDM.
Guest Editors - Extended Abstracts - The 23rd Himalayan-Karakoram-Tibet Workshop
Authors: Editor The
Published: September 2008

NOTICE This is a special issue of the Himalayan Journal of Sciences, containing extended abstracts of papers to be presented at the 23rd Himalaya-Karakoram-Tibet Workshop to be held in Leh, Ladakh, India August 08-11, 2008. The issue was produced by guest editors and its contents have not been subjected to peer review.
Scion Image Analysis in rocks of the hanging wall and foot wall of the MCT, central Nepal
Authors: Acharya Kamala Kant , Grasemann Bernhard
Published: September 2008

DOI = 10.3126/hjs.v5i7.1227Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.5(7) (Special Issue) 2008 p.15
Geological setting of the Siang Dome located at the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis
Authors: Acharyya Subhrangsu K , Saha Puspendu
Published: September 2008

DOI = 10.3126/hjs.v5i7.1228 Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.5(7) (Special Issue) 2008 p.16-17
Geochemical-isotopic characteristics and K-Ar ages of magmatic rocks from Hundar valley, Shyok Suture Zone, Ladakh
Authors: Ahmad T , Sivaprabha S , Balakrishnan S , Thanh NX , Itaya T , Sachan HK , Mukhopadhyay DK , Khanna PP
Published: September 2008

DOI = 10.3126/hjs.v5i7.1229 Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.5(7) (Special Issue) 2008 p.18
New SHRIMP ages for Ladakh and Karakoram Batholiths - inherited zircons indicate involvement of older crust
Authors: Ahmad T , White L , Forster M , Ireland TR , Lister G
Published: September 2008

DOI = 10.3126/hjs.v5i7.1230 Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.5(7) (Special Issue) 2008 p.19