bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic field induced ferroelectric transition of quasi one-dimensional frustrated quantum spin chain system Rb2Cu2Mo3O12
Authors: Yasui Yukio , Yanagisawa Yudai , Okazaki Ryuji , Terasaki Ichiro , Yamaguchi Yasuhiro , Kimura Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2013

Dielectric and magnetic properties have been studied in magnetic fields up to 9 T for a quasi-one-dimensional frustrated spin-1/2 system Rb2Cu2Mo3O12, which does not exhibit a three-dimensional magnetic transition. By applying magnetic fields, a peak structure is found to appear in the dielectric constant—temperature curve at Tc ∼ 8 K. A ferroelectric polarization has been observed below Tc in magnetic fields. However, the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility does not show any anomaly at Tc. These results indicate that the ferroelectric transition is found to be induced by applying magnetic fields though no magnetic transition is induced. The observed magnetic field induced ferroelectric transition is considered to be a new type of ferroelectric transition triggered by the magnetism of frustrated quantum spin systems.
Two-dimensional magnetic property measurement for magneto-rheological elastomer
Authors: Zeng Jianbin , Guo Youguang , Li Yancheng , Zhu Jianguo , Li Jianchun
Published: March 2013

Magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE) is a new kind of smart material. Its rheological properties can be altered and controlled in a real time manner when it is applied an external magnetic field. For calculating magnetic properties of MRE material, usually Maxwell-Garnet equation is used to acquire an approximately effective permeability. This equation treats the magnetic property of particles as linear. However, when the applied magnetic field is alternating or rotating, the nonlinearity of magnetic property and magnetic hysteresis cannot be neglected. Hence, the measurement and modelling of the magnetic properties under alternating and rotating magnetic fields are essential to explore new applications of the material. This paper presents the investigation on the magnetic hysteresis properties of MRE material under one-dimensional (1-D) alternating and two-dimensional (2-D) rotating magnetic field excitations. A kind of MRE material, consisting of 70% carbonyl iron particles, 10% silicone oil, and 20% silicone rubber, was used to investigate the magnetic properties. The diameter of carbonyl iron particles is 3–5 μm. The measurement results, such as the relations between magnetic field intensity (H) and magnetic flux density (B) under different magnetic field excitations on the MRE sample, have been obtained and analyzed. These data would be useful for design and analysis of MRE smart structures like MR dampers.
Inelastic transient electrical currents and phonon heating in a single-level quantum dot system
Authors: Liu Wei , Sasaoka Kenji , Yamamoto Takahiro , Tada Tomofumi , Watanabe Satoshi
Published: March 2013

We present a theoretical study on inelastic transient electrical currents and the effects of phonon heating in a single-level quantum dot system weakly coupled to a localized vibration degree of freedom, using the nonequilibrium Green's function method under the wide-band-limit and the lowest-order-expansion approximations. The energy transfer between electron and phonon systems is evaluated using both approximations, which separately are exact in the limits of the equilibrium state (t < 0) and steady state (t→∞). The time-dependent phonon number, which determines the system temperature and heating effects on the inelastic current, is calculated using a phenomenological method employing the time-dependent power transfer. The two approximations are shown to provide qualitatively similar dynamical behaviors for the system temperature, which can be grouped under two responses: if the energy corresponding to the applied bias voltage is smaller than or equal to the phonon energy, the temperature first increases because of phonon emission, and then decreases because of phonon absorption; alternatively, if the energy corresponding to the bias voltage is larger than the phonon energy, the temperature increases monotonically until a steady state is reached. The total electrical current is suppressed by phonon heating, while heat transferring between dot and environment mitigates the effects of such heating. Furthermore, the relaxation time of the current is extended by phonon scattering and heating.
Temperature dependent thermal conductivity of a free-standing graphene nanoribbon
Authors: Xie Huaqing , Chen Lifei , Yu Wei , Wang Bingqian
Published: March 2013

This letter reports on the measurements of the thermal conductivity along a long free-standing graphene nanoribbon (GNR) by a one-dimensional steady-state method. The GNR was cut from a single layer graphene sheet and it has the length and width of 508 and 385 μm, respectively. It is observed from the measurements that the GNR has highly temperature dependent thermal conductivities. The values increase from 126.21 W·m−1·K−1 to 877.32 W·m−1·K−1 in the temperature range from −75 to 100 °C, with an exception of an abruptly large value of 1044.41 W·m−1·K−1 at 50 °C. The electrical resistances of the GNR decrease linearly with the temperature and the absolute resistance-temperature coefficient was determined to be a pretty large value of 0.004148 K−1, indicating obvious temperature dependent electrical conductive behavior.
Quantitative detection of stochastic microstructure in turbid media by photoacoustic spectral matching
Authors: Wang Shaohua , Tao Chao , Wang Xueding , Liu Xiaojun
Published: March 2013

Quantitative detection of stochastic microstructure in turbid media remains a challenge to both optical and acoustical observation. A method of photoacoustic spectral matching is proposed to solve this problem. This method allows us to quantitatively detect the characteristic dimension of stochastic microstructures using a long wavelength. Using a working wavelength of about 375 μm, we accurately measure the dimensions (49, 94.8, and 199 μm) of particles hidden in turbid phantoms. Since stochastic microstructures composed of particles commonly appear in tissue, this method might provide an insight into the physiological and pathological processes deep within organisms.
Anti-integrin and integrin detection using the heat dissipation of surface plasmon resonance
Authors: Huang Hao-Ting , Huang Chen-Yu , Ger Tzong-Rong , Wei Zung-Hang
Published: March 2013

We verified that the heat dissipation of surface plasmon resonance can be measured using photothermal deflection method. The maximum value of photothermal deflection corresponded to the occurrence of surface plasmon resonance. The detection of anti-integrin and integrin biomolecules that exhibit specific binding was demonstrated using this technique. From our experimental results it shows that the photothermal deflection method can be used to obtain the surface plasmon resonance angles and angle shift.
Etching damage and its recovery by soft X-ray irradiation observed in soft X-ray absorption spectra of TiO2 thin film
Authors: Niibe Masahito , Sano Keiji , Kotaka Takuya , Kawakami Retsuo , Tominaga Kikuo , Nakano Yoshitaka
Published: March 2013

Damage characteristics of TiO2 thin films etched by N2 plasma were analyzed using soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Changes in the spectra at the Ti-L2,3 near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) resulting from etching damage were observed more in the bulk region rather than in the sample surface. The damaged spectra were recovered to the spectra of the as-grown sample by soft X-ray irradiation for 10 min. Moreover, the once-recovered spectrum of the irradiated sample was returned to the disordered shape by storage in dark place for 10 days. These results could have been caused by electron-related structural relaxation in appearance.
Performance enhancement of poly(3-hexylthiophene) organic field-effect transistor by inserting poly(methylmethacrylate) buffer layer
Authors: Shi Wei , Yu Junsheng , Huang Wei , Yu Xinge , Zheng Yifan
Published: March 2013

Electrode buffer layer has been extensively studied to improve the performance of organic field-effect transistor (OFET). Here, poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) was employed as an electrode buffer layer between poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) layer and gold electrodes in OFETs. These OFETs exhibited nearly five-fold enhancement of hole mobility. Through atomic force microscope and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction analyses, the performance enhancement was attributed to the uniformity and hydrophobicity of PMMA surface, which led to a remarkable reduction of contact resistance at P3HT/electrode interface. This study provides a facile strategy for the performance enhancement of OFET and insights into the essentiality of buffer layers.
Broadband ultra-low-loss mesh filters on flexible cyclic olefin copolymer films for terahertz applications
Authors: Pavanello Fabio , Garet Frédéric , Kuppam Mohan-Babu , Peytavit Emilien , Vanwolleghem Mathias , Vaurette François , Coutaz Jean-Louis , Lampin Jean-François
Published: March 2013

The cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) has recently demonstrated promising properties for THz applications due to its extremely high transparency in the THz region. Here, we prove that COC can be efficiently used as substrate material for free-space THz devices through the design, fabrication, and characterization of high-pass metal mesh filters. Measurements are in good agreement with calculations, and a transmittance higher than 75% has been measured between 1.5 THz and 2.5 THz for a single-layer filter. In addition, we prove that stacked meshes can be easily embedded to improve their rejection ratio in the stop-band, while preserving a high transparency in the pass-band. The broadband behavior of these filters should extend up to their diffraction limit estimated at around 6.3 THz for the single-layer filter.
Tolerance of extreme salinity in two stem-succulent halophytes (Tecticornia species)
Authors: English Jeremy P. , Colmer Timothy D.
Published: March 2013

Communities of Tecticornia on the margins of ephemeral salt lakes in Australia often exhibit species zonation, such as at Hannan Lake (Western Australia) where Tecticornia indica subsp. bidens (Nees) K.A.Sheph. and Paul G.Wilson occupies the less saline dune habitat on lake margins and Tecticornia pergranulata (J.M.Black) K.A.Sheph. and Paul G.Wilson subsp. pergranulata occupies both the dunes and the more saline and moist lake playa. Here we tested the hypothesis that these two species differ in tolerance to extreme salinity. Plants were grown in drained sand cultures with treatments of 10–2000 mM NaCl for 85 days. Both species were highly salt tolerant, maintaining growth at treatments of up to 2000 mM NaCl, although the death of two replicates of T. indica at 2000 mM NaCl suggests this salinity is close to the species tolerance limit. Both Tecticornia species maintained a favourable gradient in tissue water potential via osmotic adjustment as external salinity increased, also with reduced tissue water content at very high external salinity. Regulated accumulation of Na+ and Cl–, maintenance of net K+ to Na+ selectivity, high tissue concentrations of glycinebetaine and presumed cellular solute compartmentation, would have contributed to salt tolerance. The growth rate of T. pergranulata was 11–29% higher than T. indica suggesting, in addition to these moderate differences in salinity tolerance, other factors are likely to contribute to species zonation at salt lakes. The higher water use efficiency of the C4 T. indica compared with the C3 T. pergranulata may provide an advantage in the drier dune habitat on salt lake margins. An additional experiment confirmed the hypothesis that survival of T. pergranulata seedlings is enhanced by the duration of reduced salinity after germination, as would occur following significant rainfall, as older seedlings maintained higher growth rates during subsequent increases in salinity.
An economic point of view of secondary compounds in halophytes
Authors: Buhmann Anne , Papenbrock Jutta
Published: March 2013

Salt tolerance of halophytes relies on several strategies, among them, the production of species-specific secondary metabolites. Chemically, a broad variety of secondary compounds of economic interest is present in halophytes. Several of these secondary compounds are restricted to halophytic species or are found in higher concentrations than in glycophytes. For their exploitation, optimal plant cultivation conditions and extraction, fractionation and isolation processes need to be identified. On the one hand, the function of single compounds can be more precisely determined and controlled; on the other hand the mixture of compounds in crude extracts might have synergistic effects. Also, different plant organs and plants in different developmental stages contain highly varying amounts and compositions of secondary compounds. Secondary compounds from halophytes have potential uses in various fields such as pharmacognosy, functional foods, nutraceuticals and technical implementations. Many of the potential applications are still in the research and development phase; some products are already on the market. We describe and evaluate the economic potential of several halophytes such as Salicornia spp. and Crithmum maritimum containing valuable compounds used in different applications.
Monitoring injury reporting in selected Australian media: a potential advocacy strategy?
Authors: Stoneham Melissa , Boss Andrea , Daube Mike
Published: March 2013

Issue addressed

This review of injury articles describes how selected primary print media sources in Australia report injury events and explores how this may impact on public perception of the injury risk and the opportunities it may present to health professionals.

Methods

Media articles specific to injury, compiled by the Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia (PHAIWA) through their MediaWatch service during 2011, were collated and analysed. Articles were gathered from The West Australian, The Australian and The Sunday Times newspapers and ABC Online. Each article was categorised into injury topics and target groups, and preventive strategies were identified.

Results

Of the 546 articles that contained injury as a Key word, 424 articles were used for the present study. The majority of articles related to community‐based injuries (65%) and the most frequent reported injury was violence and assault. The results also indicate that although there is regular media reporting on injury issues, only one‐fifth of reports discuss possible preventive measures.

Conclusions

Selected Australian newspapers and the ABC Online are important and low‐cost sources of injury‐related information for the general public and can impact how the public perceives injury. It is important for public health professionals to embrace media advocacy strategies to assist in influencing and setting local public policy.

So what?

Public attitudes and understanding of issues are influenced by media coverage. Media monitoring is one tool to track what media sources are reporting about public health issues, the industry and stakeholders. Influencing the quantity and quality of media coverage is critical to advancing healthy public policy, particularly when advocating for prevention strategies to be reported and acted upon. Advocacy is an important health promotion strategy; it is therefore important for health professionals to understand media advocacy and position public health issues as societal issues with policy solutions.
Response to Arora et al.: A qualitative evaluation of the view of Child and Family Health Nurses on the early childhood oral health education materials in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Phelan Claire , Wright Clive
Published: March 2013

In response to Arora et al.'s article ‘A qualitative evaluation of the view of Child and Family Health Nurses on the early childhood oral health education materials in New South Wales’, most state and territories now support early childhood oral health programs that link oral health professionals with general health professionals. Following literature reviews and discussion at a national workshop in 2009, there is also consensus on a set of 11 health messages for oral health that complement those for general health.
Anxieties of Legitimacy: The Origins and Influence of the “Classicist Stance” in American Rhetoric Studies
Authors: Kalbfleisch Elizabeth
Published: March 2013

This article describes an origin of the “classicist stance,” Nan Johnson's term for the emphasis on the classical past in American rhetoric historiography. It argues that adherence to the classical past arises from an anxiety about conducting research evident in the field in the early twentieth century, an anxiety that develops into fears about institutional legitimacy later in the century. The article closes by urging scholars of rhetoric in the modern era to embrace print modernity as their researh framework, rather than classicism.
Remarks on non-abelian cohomology of proalgebraic groups
Authors: Hain Richard
Published: March 2013

In this paper we develop a theory of non-abelian cohomology for proalgebraic groups which is used in J. Amer. Math. Soc. 24 (2011), 709–769 to study the unipotent section conjecture. The non-abelian cohomology

H

n
a
b

1

(

G

,

P

)

H^1_{\mathrm {nab}}(\mathcal {G},\mathcal {P})

is a scheme. The argument

G

\mathcal {G}

is a proalgebraic group; the coefficient group

P

\mathcal {P}

is prounipotent with trivial center and endowed with an outer action of

G

\mathcal {G}

. This outer action uniquely determines an extension

G

^

\widehat {\mathcal {G}}

of

G

\mathcal {G}

by

P

\mathcal {P}

. With suitable hypotheses, the scheme

H

n
a
b

1

(

G

,

P

)

H^1_{\mathrm {nab}} (\mathcal {G},\mathcal {P})

parametrizes the

P

\mathcal {P}

conjugacy classes of sections of

G

^

→

G

\widehat {\mathcal {G}} \to \mathcal {G}

.
PHISTO: pathogen–host interaction search tool
Authors: Durmuş Tekir Saliha , Çakır Tunahan , Ardıç Emre , Sayılırbaş Ali Semih , Konuk Gökhan , Konuk Mithat , Sarıyer Hasret , Uğurlu Azat , Karadeniz İlknur , Özgür Arzucan , Sevilgen Fatih Erdoğan , Ülgen Kutlu Ö.
Published: March 2013

Summary: Knowledge of pathogen–host protein interactions is required to better understand infection mechanisms. The pathogen–host interaction search tool (PHISTO) is a web-accessible platform that provides relevant information about pathogen–host interactions (PHIs). It enables access to the most up-to-date PHI data for all pathogen types for which experimentally verified protein interactions with human are available. The platform also offers integrated tools for visualization of PHI networks, graph–theoretical analysis of targeted human proteins, BLAST search and text mining for detecting missing experimental methods. PHISTO will facilitate PHI studies that provide potential therapeutic targets for infectious diseases.

Availability:  http://www.phisto.org.

Contact:  saliha.durmus@boun.edu.tr

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Modeling the Influence of the A118G Polymorphism in the OPRM1 Gene and of Noxious Stimulation on the Synergistic Relation between Propofol and Remifentanil
Authors: Borrat Xavier , Trocóniz Iñaki F. , Valencia José F. , Rivadulla Silvia , Sendino Oriol , Llach Josep , Muñoz Jenifer , Castellví-Bel Sergi , Jospin Mathieu , Jensen Erik W. , Castells Antoni , Gambús Pedro L.
Published: March 2013

Background:

The presence of the A118G single nucleotide polymorphism in the OPRM1 gene as well as noxious stimulation might affect the requirements of remifentanil for patients undergoing ultrasonographic endoscopy under sedation-analgesia with propofol and remifentanil. Bispectral index (BIS) was used as a surrogate measure of effect.

Methods:

A total of 207 patients were screened for A118G and randomly received different combinations of propofol and remifentanil, changed depending on the nausea response to endoscopy tube introduction. Nonlinear mixed effects modelling was used to establish the relation between propofol and remifentanil with respect to BIS and to investigate the influence of A118G or noxious stimulation. The value of ke0 for propofol and remifentanil was estimated to avoid the hysteresis between predicted effect site concentration (Ce) and BIS.

Results:

Data from 176 patients were analysed. Eleven were recessive homozygous for A118G (OPRM = 1). A total of 165 patients were either dominant homozygous or heterozygous and considered normal (OPRM = 0). The estimated values of ke0 for propofol and remifentanil were 0.122 and 0.148min−1. Propofol and remifentanil were synergistic with respect to the BIS (α = 1.85). EC50 estimate for propofol was 3.86 µg/ml and for remifentanil 19.6 ng/ml in normal patients and 326ng/ml in OPRM = 1 patients. BIS increases around 4% for the same effect site concentrations with noxious stimulation.

Conclusions:

Predicted effect site concentration of remifentanil ranging 1–5ng/ml synergistically potentiates the effects of propofol on the BIS but has no effect in A118G patients. Noxious stimulation increases BIS values by 4% at the same concentrations of propofol and remifentanil.
Isoflurane Regulates Atypical Type-A γ-Aminobutyric Acid Receptors in Alveolar Type II Epithelial Cells
Authors: Xiang Yun-Yan , Chen Xuanmao , Li Jingxin , Wang Shuanglian , Faclier Gil , MacDonald John F. , Hogg James C. , Orser Beverley A. , Lu Wei-Yang
Published: March 2013

Background:

Volatile anesthetics act primarily through upregulating the activity of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. They also exhibit antiinflammatory actions in the lung. Rodent alveolar type II (ATII) epithelial cells express GABAA receptors and the inflammatory factor cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The goal of this study was to determine whether human ATII cells also express GABAA receptors and whether volatile anesthetics upregulate GABAA receptor activity, thereby reducing the expression of COX-2 in ATII cells.

Methods:

The expression of GABAA receptor subunits and COX-2 in ATII cells of human lung tissue and in the human ATII cell line A549 was studied with immunostaining and immunoblot analyses. Patch clamp recordings were used to study the functional and pharmacological properties of GABAA receptors in cultured A549 cells.

Results:

ATII cells in human lungs and cultured A549 cells expressed GABAA receptor subunits and COX-2. GABA induced currents in A549 cells, with half-maximal effective concentration of 2.5 µm. Isoflurane (0.1–250 µm) enhanced the GABA currents, which were partially inhibited by bicuculline. Treating A549 cells with muscimol or with isoflurane (250 µm) reduced the expression of COX-2, an effect that was attenuated by cotreatment with bicuculline.

Conclusions:

GABAA receptors expressed by human ATII cells differ pharmacologically from those in neurons, exhibiting a higher affinity for GABA and lower sensitivity to bicuculline. Clinically relevant concentrations of isoflurane increased the activity of GABAA receptors and reduced the expression of COX-2 in ATII cells. These findings reveal a novel mechanism that could contribute to the antiinflammatory effect of isoflurane in the human lung.
Effects of Volatile Anesthetic Agents on Cerebral Cortical Synchronization in Sheep
Authors: Li Duan , Voss Logan J. , Sleigh Jamie W. , Li Xiaoli
Published: March 2013

Background:

The exact neurophysiological mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness are not yet fully elucidated. The cortical information integration theory hypothesizes that loss of consciousness during general anesthesia is associated with breakdown of long-distance cortical connectivity across multiple brain regions. However, what is the effect of anesthetics on neural activities at a smaller spatial scale?

Methods:

The authors analyzed a set of previously published eight-channel electrocorticogram data, obtained from a 14-mm-long linear array of electrodes in eight adult merino sheep during general anesthesia induced by sevoflurane, desflurane, isoflurane, and enflurane. The S-estimator was applied to the bi-channel coherence matrix to construct an overall index called the SI, which is the entropy of the eigenvalues of the cortical coherence for each pair of channels within the multichannel electrocorticographic dataset.

Results:

The SI values increased ~30–50% from the waking to the burst-suppression states, and returned to baseline during recovery. The anesthetic-induced increase in synchrony was most marked in the α (8–13 Hz) and β (13–30 Hz) frequency bands (P < 0.05). Using prediction probability (PK) analysis, we found a significant correlation between the increase in spatial synchrony (as estimated by the SI at various frequency bands) and anesthetic-induced cortical depression (as estimated by the approximate entropy).

Conclusions:

The results suggest that it is feasible to use the SI to measure cortical synchrony, and over a local spatial scale of 2–14 mm, synchrony increased during general anesthesia.
Postoperative B-type Natriuretic Peptide for Prediction of Major Cardiac Events in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Rodseth Reitze N. , Biccard Bruce M. , Chu Rong , Lurati Buse Giovana A. , Thabane Lehana , Bakhai Ameet , Bolliger Daniel , Cagini Lucio , Cahill Thomas J. , Cardinale Daniela , Chong Carol P. W. , Cnotliwy Miłosław , Di Somma Salvatore , Fahrner René , Lim Wen K. , Mahla Elisabeth , Le Manach Yannick , Manikandan Ramaswamy , Pyun Wook B. , Rajagopalan Sriram , Radovic´ Milan , Schutt Robert C. , Sessler Daniel I. , Suttie Stuart , Vanniyasingam Thuvaraha , Waliszek Marek , Devereaux P. J.
Published: March 2013

Background:

It is unclear whether postoperative B-type natriuretic peptides (i.e., BNP and N-terminal proBNP) can predict cardiovascular complications in noncardiac surgery.

Methods:

The authors undertook a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis to determine whether postoperative BNPs predict postoperative cardiovascular complications at 30 and 180 days or more.

Results:

The authors identified 18 eligible studies (n = 2,051). For the primary outcome of 30-day mortality or nonfatal myocardial infarction, BNP of 245 pg/ml had an area under the curve of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.64–0.78), and N-terminal proBNP of 718 pg/ml had an area under the curve of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.77–0.84). These thresholds independently predicted 30-day mortality or nonfatal myocardial infarction (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.5; 95% CI, 2.74–7.4; P < 0.001), mortality (AOR, 4.2; 95% CI, 2.29–7.69; P < 0.001), cardiac mortality (AOR, 9.4; 95% CI, 0.32–254.34; P < 0.001), and cardiac failure (AOR, 18.5; 95% CI, 4.55–75.29; P < 0.001). For greater than or equal to 180-day outcomes, natriuretic peptides independently predicted mortality or nonfatal myocardial infarction (AOR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.58–4.3; P < 0.001), mortality (AOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.67–86; P < 0.001), cardiac mortality (AOR, 2.1; 95% CI, 0.05–1,385.17; P < 0.001), and cardiac failure (AOR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.0–9.34; P = 0.022). Patients with BNP values of 0–250, greater than 250–400, and greater than 400 pg/ml suffered the primary outcome at a rate of 6.6, 15.7, and 29.5%, respectively. Patients with N-terminal proBNP values of 0–300, greater than 300–900, and greater than 900 pg/ml suffered the primary outcome at a rate of 1.8, 8.7, and 27%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Increased postoperative BNPs are independently associated with adverse cardiac events after noncardiac surgery.
Change in Angular Alignment Is Associated With Early Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Authors: Radcliff Kristen E. , Bennett Jonathan , Stewart Robert J. , Kepler Chris K. , Sidhu Gursukhman S. , Hilibrand Alan S. , Kane Justin , Albert Todd J. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Rihn Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2013

Study Design:

Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort.

Objective:

Change in cervical angular alignment may be associated with dysphagia.

Summary of Background Data:

Bony deformities of the cervical spine may be associated with secondary contractures of soft tissues in the neck. Acute surgical deformity correction causes in changes in soft tissue tension in the anterior neck, resulting in dysphagia.

Methods:

The study population included patients undergoing 1 and 2 level elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical myelopathy or radiculopathy. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs at 2 weeks were measured by a blinded observer for C2–C7 endplate angle, C2–C7 posterior vertebral body length, and occipital condyle plumb line distance on upright lateral radiographs at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Patients were prospectively queried about dysphagia incidence and severity using a numeric rating scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the effect of change in radiographic parameters controlling for demographic characteristics.

Results:

The study population included 25 patients with complete radiographs. The mean change in C2–C7 angle was −0.6 degrees (SD 9), the mean change in C2–C7 length was 1.7 mm (SD 26), the mean change in occipital condyle plumb line distance was 2.3 mm (SD 20).

Multiple linear regression analysis was performed including operative time, age, sex, number of levels, and change in radiographic parameters as independent variables and using dysphagia score as the dependent variable. The change in C2–C7 angle and operative time were the only statistically significant predictors of change in dysphagia at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively.

Conclusions:

These results indicate that lordotic change in spinal alignment and longer operative times are associated with increased postoperative dysphagia. Surgeons should counsel patients in whom a large angular correction is expected about the possibility for postoperative dysphagia. Furthermore, future studies on dysphagia incidence should include radiographic alignment as an independent predictor of dysphagia.
Outcomes of Statin Myopathy After Statin Withdrawal
Authors: Armour Ryan , Zhou Lan
Published: March 2013

Objective:

To study the outcomes of statin myopathy after statin withdrawal.

Methods:

Sixty-nine patients with mild statin myopathy were studied by chart review.

Results:

Mean age at presentation was 62.1 years. Forty-nine (71.0%) of the 69 patients were men. Mean duration of follow-up after statin withdrawal was 18.2 months. Muscle symptoms improved in 9 (13.0%) and completely resolved in 50 (72.5%) patients. Thirteen (18.8%)/69 patients had symptoms lingered beyond 14 months. Creatine kinase (CK) levels were elevated in 52 (75.4%)/69 patients at initial presentation and returned to normal in 11 (21.3%)/52 patients at follow-up. Symptom improvement was not influenced by the initial presence of weakness, CK elevation, or myopathic changes on electromyography or muscle biopsy.

Conclusions:

Muscle symptoms can linger beyond 14 months, and it is difficult to predict which patients will have a prolonged recovery course. CK normalization often lags behind symptom improvement, and this should not be the only indication for muscle biopsy.
Knowledge and Practice Styles of Pediatricians in Saudi Arabia Regarding Childhood Constipation
Authors: Hasosah Mohammed , Telmesani Abdulwahab , Al‐Binali Ali , Sarkhi Ahmed , Alghamdi Sharifah , Alquair Khalid , Alturaiki Moath , Alanazi Aziz , Alsahafi Ashraf , Alzaben Abdullah , Di Lorenzo Carlo
Published: March 2013

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate knowledge and practice styles among medical providers working in 5 regions of Saudi Arabia regarding their approach to childhood constipation.

Methods:

A survey of 850 pediatric providers (PPs) conducted in 5 regions of Saudi Arabia. PPs included pediatric specialists (PSs), pediatric consultants (PCs), general practitioners (GPs), family physicians (FPs), and pediatric gastroenterologists (PGs). They were asked anonymously about definition, causes, diagnosis, and management of constipation. Information about family concerns regarding constipation and the source of constipation‐related information was also collected.

Results:

A response rate of 73% yielded 622 questionnaires. Among respondents, 61.2% were aware of the Rome definition of functional constipation. More pediatricians (PSs and PCs) than other physicians (GPs and FPs) reported the definition of constipation correctly (P > 0.05). Stool withholding was reported as the most common cause of constipation by 27% of pediatricians (PSs and PCs), 24% of other physicians (GPs and FPs), and 50% of PGs (P = 0.097). Rectal examination was performed by 39% of all PPs and 78.6% of PGs (P = 0.009). Pediatricians prescribed lactulose significantly more often than physicians (P = 0.001). Pediatricians recommended disimpaction before maintenance treatment significantly more than other physicians (P = 0.001). Twenty‐three percent of families believed that constipation was caused by a stricture and 10% feared it was caused by a malignancy.

Conclusions:

Significant differences in knowledge and practice patterns exist regarding the approach to pediatric constipation. Identification of knowledge gaps may be useful to develop educational materials to improve proper diagnosis and treatment of childhood constipation.
Bacteraemia caused by Sciscionella marina in a lymphoma patient: phenotypically mimicking Nocardia
Authors: Sinha M. , Shivaprakash M. R. , Chakrabarti A. , Shafiulla M. , Babu K. G. , Jayshree R. S.
Published: March 2013

A 55-year-old female patient with malignant lymphoma after induction chemotherapy developed fever. Blood culture yielded an organism biochemically identified as representing Nocardia spp., but molecular identification (16S rRNA gene sequencing) later identified it as representing Sciscionella marina. This is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, of Sciscionella being isolated from a human sample.
Kocuria kristinae endocarditis related to diabetic foot infection
Authors: Citro Rodolfo , Prota Costantina , Greco Luigi , Mirra Marco , Masullo Alfonso , Silverio Angelo , Bossone Eduardo , Piscione Federico
Published: March 2013

We report an unusual case of endocarditis occurring in a 74-year-old man with a history of systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus and minor amputation for left forefoot ulcer. The patient was hospitalized for vacuum-assisted closure therapy to aid in wound healing. After the first treatment session, the patient reported abdominal pain with haematemesis and fever (40 °C). Owing to persistent fever, three blood cultures were performed, all positive for Kocuria kristinae. The identification was based on biochemical tests and automated systems. The speciation of the micro-organism was achieved with MALDI-TOF and then confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Transthoracic echocardiographic examination showed the presence of a large vegetation (38×20 mm) on the posterior mitral leaflet and moderate mitral regurgitation. Since there are no current guidelines for the treatment of K. kristinae endocarditis, empiric antibiotic therapy with intravenous sulbactam/ampicillin (1.5 g twice daily) and gentamicin (6 mg kg−1 per day) was started. After 7 days of hospitalization, the patient’s condition suddenly worsened because of the occurrence of haemorrhagic stroke. Despite inotropic support and rifampicin infusion, the haemodynamic status progressively deteriorated. After an initial improvement, he worsened again, becoming stuporous, hypotensive and dyspnoeic. In the following days, the patient developed compartment syndrome resulting in right foot ischaemia. Unfortunately, 25 days after hospitalization, the patient died of multiple organ failure from overwhelming sepsis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of K. kristinae endocarditis on a native valve that is not related to a central venous catheter but associated with diabetic foot infection.
Isolation and full genomic characterization of Batai virus from mosquitoes, Italy 2009
Authors: Huhtamo Eili , Lambert Amy J. , Costantino Stefano , Servino Luca , Krizmancic Letizia , Boldorini Renzo , Allegrini Sara , Grasso Ivan , Korhonen Essi M. , Vapalahti Olli , Lanciotti Robert S. , Ravanini Paolo
Published: March 2013

In 2009, 2589 mosquitoes were collected in northwest Italy and screened for orthobunyavirus RNA by RT-PCR. One pool of Anopheles maculipennis complex mosquitoes was found to be positive and a virus was isolated from that pool. The isolate was identified as Batai virus (BATV) by sequencing. Previously, BATV was detected in Italy, but limited data and no prior isolates existed. Full-length sequences of the S, M and L segments were determined for the newly isolated Italian strain. For comparison, partial sequences were also determined for the BATV strain Calovo (former Czechoslovakia, 1960). Phylogenetic analyses revealed clustering of the newly derived Italian BATV along with a recent isolate from Germany and the historic strain Calovo. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first isolation of BATV from Italy, which confirms a broader geographical distribution of BATV in Europe than was previously verified by isolation.
Latest statistics on cardiovascular disease in Australia
Authors: Waters Anne‐Marie , Trinh Lany , Chau Theresa , Bourchier Michael , Moon Lynelle
Published: March 2013

The results presented herein summarize the most up‐to‐date cardiovascular statistics available at this time in Australia. The analysis presented here is based on and extends results published in two Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports, namely Cardiovascular disease: Australian facts 2011 and the cardiovascular disease (CVD) section of Australia's Health 2012.

Despite significant improvements in the cardiovascular health of Australians in recent decades, CVD continues to impose a heavy burden on Australians in terms of illness, disability and premature death. Direct health care expenditure for CVD exceeds that for any other disease group.

The most recent national data have been analysed to describe patterns and trends in CVD hospitalization and death rates, with additional analysis by Indigenous status, remoteness and socioeconomic group. The incidence of and case‐fatality from major coronary events has also been examined.

Although CVD death rates have declined steadily in Australia since the late 1960s, CVD still accounts for a larger proportion of deaths (33% in 2009) than any other disease group. Worryingly, the rate at which the coronary heart disease death rate has been falling in recent years has slowed in younger (35–54 years) age groups.

Between 1998–99 and 2009–10, the overall rate of hospitalizations for CVD fell by 13%, with declines observed for most major CVDs.

In conclusion, CVD disease remains a significant health problem in Australia despite decreasing death and hospitalization rates.
Amino acid polymorphisms flanking the EPIYA‐A motif of Helicobacter pylori CagA C‐terminal region is associated with gastric cancer in East China: Experience from a single center
Authors: Chen Chun Yan , Wang Fang Yu , Wan Hai Jun , Jin Xin Xin , Wei Juan , Wang Zhen Kai , Liu Chang , Lu Heng , Shi Hui , Li Dong Hai , Liu Jiong
Published: March 2013

Objective

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between gastroduodenal disease and the diversity of the cagA 3′ variable region and the amino acid polymorphisms in the Glu‐Pro‐Ile‐Tyr‐Ala (EPIYA) segments of the CagA C‐terminal region of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Methods

Gastric mucosal specimens from 170 patients in our center (Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China) were collected and the genomic DNA of the H. pylori strains was extracted directly from biopsied specimens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the cagA gene, and diversity in its 3′ variable region was assessed by direct sequencing.

Results

A total of 154 (90.6%) H. pylori isolates were cagA‐positive, but the presence of this gene alone was not associated with the type of gastroduodenal disease. A total of 151 (88.8%) strains had the East Asian type EPIYA‐D sequence, most of which were of ABD subtype. Three isolates from patients with chronic gastritis possessed the EPIYA‐C segment. The sequences flanking the EPIYA motifs contained polymorphisms at seven residues, among which amino acid positions 878 and 879 had a statistically significant association with gastric cancer (P = 0.021). Amino acid change from glycine to aspartic acid at residue 968 was present only in patients with gastric cancer (4/20) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Most H. pylori strains present in our study are of the CagA‐ABD subtype. Polymorphisms at amino acids 878 and 879 flanking the EPIYA‐A motif are statistically associated with gastric cancer.
Abnormally invasive placenta: changing trends in diagnosis and management
Authors: Guleria Kiran , Gupta Bindiya , Agarwal Shuchi , Suneja Amita , Vaid Neelam , Jain Sandhya
Published: March 2013

Trends in patient profile, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management options and outcome of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) were retrospectively evaluated at a tertiary care centre from 2001 to 2010. AIP was diagnosed when confirmed by ultrasound or MRI, when complete manual removal of placenta was not possible or when histological confirmation was achieved in a hysterectomy specimen. The first and second halves of the time period were compared. The total number of cases was 56 and the incidence increased significantly in the second half. Main risk factors were placenta previa and previous cesarean section. Antenatal diagnosis by ultrasound was made in 72% in the second half, compared with 35% in the first half (p = 0.009). Maternal mortality was 29% in the first half and 21% in the second half. Hysterectomy was the mainstay in management; elective procedures being significantly higher in the second half.
Family Role Performance: Scale Development and Validation
Authors: Chen Yu‐Ping , Shaffer Margaret , Westman Mina , Chen Shoshi , Lazarova Mila , Reiche Sebastian
Published: March 2013

We conducted five interlocking studies to develop and validate a family role performance scale that can be used across cultures. InStudy 1, we generated scale items based on interviews with individuals representing various family and work structures in theUnitedStates andIsrael. InStudy 2, we surveyed bothUSandIsraeli participants to assess measurement equivalence, dimensionality, and reliability. InStudy 3, we refined the items and repeated the exploratory analyses. InStudies 4 and 5, with samples from theUnitedStates andEurope, we confirmed the scale dimensionality and established convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity. We contribute to the work‐family literature by providing a valid instrument for assessing performance within the family domain.
Tissue Accumulation Kinetics of Ciclesonide‐active Metabolite and Budesonide in Mice
Authors: Mårs Ulla , d'Argy Roland , Hallbeck Karin , Miller‐Larsson Anna , Edsbäcker Staffan
Published: March 2013

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are mainstay treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, highly lipophilic ICS accumulate in systemic tissues, which may lead to adverse systemic effects. The accumulation of a new, highly lipophilic ICS, ciclesonide and its active metabolite (des‐CIC) has not yet been reported. Here, we have compared tissue accumulation of des‐CIC and an ICS of a moderate lipophilicity, budesonide (BUD), after 14 days of once‐daily treatment in mice. Single, three or 14 daily doses of [3H]‐des‐CIC or [3H]‐BUD were administered subcutaneously to male CD1 albino mice, which were killed at 4 hr, 24 hr or 5 days after the last dose. Distribution of tissue concentration of radioactivity was studied by quantitative whole‐body autoradiography. Pattern of radioactivity distribution across most tissues was similar for both corticosteroids after a single as well as after repeated dosing. However, tissue concentration of radioactivity differed between des‐CIC and BUD. After a single dose, concentrations of radioactivity for both corticosteroids were low for most tissues but increased over 14 days of daily dosing. The tissue radioactivity of des‐CIC at 24 hr and 5 days after the 14th dose was 2–3 times higher than that of BUD in majority of tissues. Tissue accumulation, assessed as concentration of tissue radioactivity 5 days after the 14th versus 3rd dose, showed an average ratio of 5.2 for des‐CIC and 2.7 for BUD (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, des‐CIC accumulated significantly more than BUD. Systemic accumulation may lead to increased risk of adverse systemic side effects during long‐term therapy.
Retracted: Quercetin Decreases Liver Damage in Mice with Non‐Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Marcolin Éder , Forgiarini Luiz Felipe , Rodrigues Graziella , Tieppo Juliana , Borghetti Greice Stefani , Bassani Valquiria Linck , Picada Jaqueline Nascimento , Marroni Norma Possa
Published: March 2013

Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a frequent condition in obese patients that may progress to end‐stage liver disease. This study was designed to evaluate the modulation of this condition by use of quercetin (Q), a flavonoid largely found in vegetable foods, with known anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in the experimental model of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) using a diet deficient in methionine and choline (MCD). Male C57BL6 mice were divided into four groups (n = 16): (i) Control plus vehicle (control ration plus carboxymethylcellulose 1% used as vehicle, CO + V); (ii) Control ration plus Q 50 mg/kg (CO + Q); (iii) MCD diet plus vehicle (NASH + V); and (iv) MCD diet plus Q (NASH + Q). Diets were administered for 4 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, liver alterations, bioindicators of oxidative stress and DNA damage were assessed. NASH was diagnosed in 100% of the mice that were fed the MCD diet. In addition, a significant increase in DNA damage in liver tissue from NASH + V group was observed in comparison with CO + V. The group NASH + Q showed a significant decrease in hepatic damage enzymes, lipoperoxidation, DNA damage and a lower degree of macrovesicular steatosis, ballooning and inflammatory process. These findings suggest that Q may have protective effects by improving liver integrity in NASH.
Investigating theactor effectin moral emotion expectancies across cultures: A comparison ofChinese andCanadian adolescents
Authors: Krettenauer Tobias , Jia Fanli
Published: March 2013

The study investigated adolescents' moral emotion expectancies for actions versus inactions across cultures (Chinese vs.Canadian) and different moral rule contexts (rules that prohibit antisocial behaviour vs. rules that prescribe prosocial actions) while controlling for judgements of obligatoriness of moral actions. The sample consisted of 372 teenagers from three grade levels (7–8, 10–11, and 1st–2nd year university). Participants were provided with scenarios depicting moral and immoral actions of self or others. Moral emotion expectancies were assessed following each scenario by asking participants to rate the intensity of various emotions they anticipate for themselves in the given situation. Actions were related to stronger self‐evaluative and other‐evaluative moral emotion expectancies than inactions in both cultures. Whereas perceived obligatoriness of moral actions was associated with moral emotion expectancies, it did not account for the actor effect. Moreover,Chinese adolescents tended to report stronger negatively charged other‐evaluative emotions when observing others engaging in antisocial behaviour and less positive emotions for moral actions. Overall, the study indicates that moral emotion expectancies hinge upon universal moral principles (as exemplified by the actor effect) that interact with cultural values and individuals' moral judgement in complex ways.