bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healthcare Systems in Comparative Perspective: Classification, Convergence, Institutions, Inequalities, and Five Missed Turns
Authors: Beckfield Jason , Olafsdottir Sigrun , Sosnaud Benjamin
Published: May 2013

This article reviews and evaluates recent comparative social science scholarship on healthcare systems. We focus on four of the strongest themes in current research: (a) the development of typologies of healthcare systems, (b) assessment of convergence among healthcare systems, (c) problematization of the shifting boundaries of healthcare systems, and (d) the relationship between healthcare systems and social inequalities. Our discussion seeks to highlight the central debates that animate current scholarship and identify unresolved questions and new opportunities for research. We also identify five currents in contemporary sociology that have not been incorporated as deeply as they might into research on healthcare systems. These five missed turns include emphases on social relations, culture, postnational theory, institutions, and causal mechanisms. We conclude by highlighting some key challenges for comparative research on healthcare systems.
Pancreatitis activates pancreatic apelin-APJ axis in mice
Authors: Han Song , Englander Ella W. , Gomez Guillermo A. , Aronson Judith F. , Rastellini Cristiana , Garofalo R. P. , Kolli Deepthi , Quertermous Thomas , Kundu Ramendra , Greeley George H.
Published: May 2013

Pancreatitis is classified into acute pancreatitis (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Apelin, a small regulatory peptide, is the endogenous ligand for the APJ receptor. Apelin and APJ are expressed in the pancreas. The aims of this study were to examine whether apelin influences the inflammatory and fibrosis responses to pancreatitis in mice and to identify mechanisms behind apelin's activities. Supramaximal cerulein induction of AP or CP caused significant ( P < 0.05) elevations in pancreatic apelin and APJ expression. Levels declined during the recovery phases. In apelin gene-knockout mice with pancreatitis, pancreatic neutrophil invasion and myeloperoxidase activity were enhanced significantly, and apelin treatment suppressed both. Apelin exposure reduced CP-induced elevations of extracellular matrix-associated proteins. Apelin inhibited PDGF-simulated connective tissue growth factor production and proliferation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and keratinocyte cytokine levels were higher in apelin gene-knockout than wild-type mice with pancreatitis. Apelin reduced AP- and CP-induced elevations in pancreatic NF-κB activation. Together, these findings imply that the pancreatic apelin-APJ system functions to curb the inflammatory and fibrosis responses during pancreatitis. Furthermore, findings suggest that apelin reduces inflammation and fibrosis by reducing neutrophil recruitment and PSC activity. Inhibition of neutrophil invasion may be mediated by reduced keratinocyte cytokine and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor secretion. Apelin-induced reductions in PSC proliferation and connective tissue growth factor production are putative mechanisms underlying apelin's inhibition of extracellular matrix production. The apelin-associated changes in NF-κB binding may be linked to apelin's regulation of pancreatic inflammatory and fibrosis responses during pancreatitis.
Evidence for a retinal velocity memory underlying the direction of anticipatory smooth pursuit eye movements
Authors: Scott Murdison T. , Paré-Bingley Chanel A. , Blohm Gunnar
Published: May 2013

To compute spatially correct smooth pursuit eye movements, the brain uses both retinal motion and extraretinal signals about the eyes and head in space ( Blohm and Lefèvre 2010 ). However, when smooth eye movements rely solely on memorized target velocity, such as during anticipatory pursuit, it is unknown if this velocity memory also accounts for extraretinal information, such as head roll and ocular torsion. To answer this question, we used a novel behavioral updating paradigm in which participants pursued a repetitive, spatially constant fixation-gap-ramp stimulus in series of five trials. During the first four trials, participants' heads were rolled toward one shoulder, inducing ocular counterroll (OCR). With each repetition, participants increased their anticipatory pursuit gain, indicating a robust encoding of velocity memory. On the fifth trial, they rolled their heads to the opposite shoulder before pursuit, also inducing changes in ocular torsion. Consequently, for spatially accurate anticipatory pursuit, the velocity memory had to be updated across changes in head roll and ocular torsion. We tested how the velocity memory accounted for head roll and OCR by observing the effects of changes to these signals on anticipatory trajectories of the memory decoding (fifth) trials. We found that anticipatory pursuit was updated for changes in head roll; however, we observed no evidence of compensation for OCR, representing the absence of ocular torsion signals within the velocity memory. This indicated that the directional component of the memory must be coded retinally and updated to account for changes in head roll, but not OCR.
Robotic loading during treadmill training enhances locomotor recovery in rats spinally transected as neonates
Authors: See Pamela Anne , de Leon Ray D.
Published: May 2013

Loading on the limbs has a powerful influence on locomotion. In the present study, we examined whether robotic-enhanced loading during treadmill training improved locomotor recovery in rats that were spinally transected as neonates. A robotic device applied a force on the ankle of the hindlimb while the rats performed bipedal stepping on a treadmill. The robotic force enhanced loading during the stance phase of the step cycle. One group of spinally transected rats received 4 wk of bipedal treadmill training with robotic loading while another group received 4 wk of bipedal treadmill training but without robotic loading. The two groups exhibited similar stepping performance during baseline tests of bipedal treadmill stepping. However, after 4 wk, the spinally transected rats that received bipedal treadmill training with robotic loading performed significantly more weight-bearing steps than the bipedal treadmill training only group. Bipedal treadmill training with robotic loading enhanced the ankle trajectory and ankle velocity during the step cycle. Based on immunohistochemical analyses, the expression of the presynaptic marker, synaptophysin, was significantly greater in the ventral horn of the lumbar spinal cord of the rats that received bipedal treadmill training with robotic loading. These findings suggested that robotic loading during bipedal treadmill training improved the ability of the lumbar spinal cord to generate stepping. The results have implications for the use of robotic-enhanced gait training therapies that encourage motor learning after spinal cord injury.
The Impact of Nanochloroquine on Restoration of Hepatic and Splenic Mitochondrial Damage against Rodent Malaria
Authors: Tripathy Satyajit , Das Sabyasachi , Dash Sandeep Kumar , Chattopadhyay Sourav , Roy Somenath
Published: May 2013

The applications of nanotechnology to pharmacology are the potential appliance of biodegradable polymers and convection-enhanced drug delivery in the diagnostics and treatment of diseases. Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide that has attracted significant scientific interest during the last two decades. The present study was to evaluate the possible effects of chitosan tripolyphosphate conjugated nanochloroquine againstPlasmodium bergheiinfection on select makers of oxidative damage and antioxidant status in mitochondria of liver and spleen.P. bergheiinfection was developed in Swiss mice by intraperitoneal injection of 200 µL of infected blood. Parasite-infected mice were treated with chloroquine and nanoconjugated chloroquine. Superoxide radical generation, nitrate level, and oxidized glutathione were increased significantly (P<0.05) in the mitochondria of infected group as compared to control group, and reduced glutathione level, activity of SOD, GPx, GR, and GST, and mitochondrial transmembrane potential were decreased significantly (P<0.05), which were increased or decreased significantly (P<0.05) near to normal in nanoconjugated chloroquine treated group than chloroquine treated group. So, the findings may suggest the advantageous role of nanoconjugated chloroquine against theP. bergheiinduced oxidative damage in hepatic and splenic mitochondria.
Existence Theorems for Vector Equilibrium Problems via Quasi‐Relative Interior
Authors: Adela Elisabeta Capătă
Published: May 2013

The aim of this paper is to present new existence theorems for solutions of vector equilibrium problems, by using weak interior type conditions and weak convexity assumptions.
A Numerical Solution to Fractional Diffusion Equation for Force-Free Case
Authors: Tasbozan O. , Esen A. , Yagmurlu N. M. , Ucar Y.
Published: May 2013

A collocation finite element method for solving fractional diffusion equation for force-free case is considered. In this paper, we develop an approximation method based on collocation finite elements by cubic B-spline functions to solve fractional diffusion equation for force-free case formulated with Riemann-Liouville operator. Some numerical examples of interest are provided to show the accuracy of the method. A comparison between exact analytical solution and a numerical one has been made.
A Viable Passive Optical Network Design for Ultrahigh Definition TV Distribution
Authors: Niazi Shahab Ahmad , Zhang Xiaoguang , Xi Lixia , Munir Abid , Idrees Muhammad , Khan Yousaf
Published: May 2013

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recently standardized ultrahigh definition television (UHD-TV) with a resolution 16 times more than the current high definition TV. An increase in the efficiency of video source coding or in the capacity of transmission channels will be needed to deliver such programs by passive optical network (PON). In this paper, a high capacity integrated PON infrastructure is proposed to overlay ultrahigh definition television by a complete passive coexistence of 10G-PON (XG-PON) and single carrier directly modulated, duo-binary 40G-PON (XLG-PON) signal. The simulation results show error-free transmission performance and further distribution to 32 optical network units (ONUs) on broadcast basis with negligible power penalty over 20 km of bidirectional standard single mode fiber.
Remarks on Some Recent Coupled Coincidence Point Results in Symmetric G-Metric Spaces
Authors: Radenović Stojan
Published: May 2013

We use a method of reducing coupled coincidence point results in (ordered) symmetric G-metric spaces to the respective results for mappings with one variable, even obtaining (in some cases) more general theorems. Our results generalize, extend, unify, and complement recent coupled coincidence point theorems in this frame, established by Cho et al. (2012), Aydi et al. (2011), and Choudhury and Maity (2011). Also, by using our method several recent tripled coincidence point results in ordered symmetric G-metric spaces can be reduced to the coincidence point results with one variable.
Large-Eddy Simulation of Particle-Laden Turbulent Flows over a Backward-Facing Step Considering Two-Phase Two-Way Coupling
Authors: Bing Wang , Hui Qiang Zhang , Xi Lin Wang
Published: May 2013

Particle-laden turbulent flows over a backward-facing step were here numerically studied by means of a large-eddy simulation considering two-way coupling between particle and fluid phases. The modification of turbulence by particles was then analyzed based on the predicted results of mean and fluctuating velocities. The influencing factors of particle size and material density were also evaluated. Turbulence modifications are anisotropic and closely dependent on flow status. Stronger modulations were observed in the up-wall shear flow regions. Fluid laden with smaller size, low-density particles showed enhancement of turbulence in the streamwise direction, but this effect was less pronounced in the case of larger low-density particles. Particle dispersions were also investigated for comparison of particle instantaneous distributions in coherent structures. Particle modulations of turbulence were not found to change particle preferential distributions. The conclusions drawn in the present study were useful for further understanding of a two-phase turbulence physical mechanism and establishment of accurate prediction models for engineering applications.
Remission of Ulcerated Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum after Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Bozkurt Suleyman , Coskun Halil , Kadioglu Huseyin , Memmi Naim , Cipe Gokhan , Ersoy Yeliz Emine , Lebe Banu , Muslumanoglu Mahmut
Published: May 2013

A 32-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus suffering from morbid obesity with BMI 45,14 kg/m2was operated on. Not only the type 2DM but also one of its complication known as necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum remitted postoperatively. Obesity should no longer be regarded simply as a cosmetic problem affecting certain individuals but an epidemic that threatens global well-being. It causes or exacerbates many health problems, and in particular, it is associated with the type 2 diabetes. Necrobiosis lipoidica is a granulomatous skin disease of unknown etiology, associated mainly with diabetes mellitus. We presented in this paper a morbid obese case of necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum with dramatic good response to bariatric surgery.
A Reconfigurable WiMAX Antenna for Directional and Broadside Application
Authors: Jusoh M. , Jamlos M. F. , Kamarudin M. R. , Sabapathy T.
Published: May 2013

A novel reconfigurable compact patch array antenna for directional and broadside application is proposed. The presented antenna has successfully been able to function for directional beam at 320° or 35° and divisive broadside beam at 43° and 330°. This is realized in the unique form of aperture coupled spiral feeding technique and positioning of the radiating elements at 0°, 90,° and 180°. The switchable feature is effectively performed by the configuration of three PIN diodes. All PIN diodes are positioned at the specific location of the aperture coupled structure. It is discovered in simulation that the switches can be represented with a copper strip line or touchstone (TS) block . The proposed antenna design operates at 2.37 GHz to 2.41 GHz and has a maximum gain of 6.4 dB and efficiency of 85.97%. Such antenna produces a broadside HPBW with a wider bandwidth covering from −90° to 90° compared to the normal microstrip antenna which could only provide HPBW of −50° to 50°. Moreover, the proposed antenna has small physical dimension of 100 mm by 100 mm. The simulation and measurement results have successfully exhibited the idea of the presented antenna performance. Therefore, the antenna is sufficiently competent in the smart WiMAX antenna application.
A Cyber‐ITS Framework for Massive Traffic Data Analysis Using Cyber Infrastructure
Authors: Xia Yingjie , Hu Jia , Fontaine Michael D.
Published: May 2013

Traffic data is commonly collected from widely deployed sensors in urban areas. This brings up a new research topic, data‐driven intelligent transportation systems (ITSs), which means to integrate heterogeneous traffic data from different kinds of sensors and apply it for ITS applications. This research, taking into consideration the significant increase in the amount of traffic data and the complexity of data analysis, focuses mainly on the challenge of solving data‐intensive and computation‐intensive problems. As a solution to the problems, this paper proposes a Cyber‐ITS framework to perform data analysis on Cyber Infrastructure (CI), by nature parallel‐computing hardware and software systems, in the context of ITS. The techniques of the framework include data representation, domain decomposition, resource allocation, and parallel processing. All these techniques are based on data‐driven and application‐oriented models and are organized as a component‐and‐workflow‐based model in order to achieve technical interoperability and data reusability. A case study of the Cyber‐ITS framework is presented later based on a traffic state estimation application that uses the fusion of massive Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS) data and GPS data. The results prove that the Cyber‐ITS‐based implementation can achieve a high accuracy rate of traffic state estimation and provide a significant computational speedup for the data fusion by parallel computing.
A Memetic Lagrangian Heuristic for the 0-1 Multidimensional Knapsack Problem
Authors: Yoon Yourim , Kim Yong-Hyuk
Published: May 2013

We present a new evolutionary algorithm to solve the 0-1 multidimensional knapsack problem. We tackle the problem using duality concept, differently from traditional approaches. Our method is based on Lagrangian relaxation. Lagrange multipliers transform the problem, keeping the optimality as well as decreasing the complexity. However, it is not easy to find Lagrange multipliers nearest to the capacity constraints of the problem. Through empirical investigation of Lagrangian space, we can see the potentiality of using a memetic algorithm. So we use a memetic algorithm to find the optimal Lagrange multipliers. We show the efficiency of the proposed method by the experiments on well-known benchmark data.
Optimized Quality of Service for Real-Time Wireless Sensor Networks Using a Partitioning Multipath Routing Approach
Authors: Hasan Mohammed Zaki , Wan Tat-Chee
Published: May 2013

Multimedia sensor networks for real-time applications have strict constraints on delay, packet loss, and energy consumption requirements. For example, video streaming in a disaster-management scenario requires careful handling to ensure that the end-to-end delay is within the acceptable range and the video is received properly without any distortion. The failure to transmit a video stream effectively occurs for many reasons, including sensor function limitations, excessive power consumption, and a lack of routing reliability. We propose a novel mathematical model for quality of service (QoS) route determination that enables a sensor to determine the optimal path for minimising resource use while satisfying the required QoS constraints. The proposed mathematical model uses the Lagrangian relaxation mixed integer programming technique to define critical parameters and appropriate objective functions for controlling the adaptive QoS constrained route discovery process. Performance trade-offs between QoS requirements and energy efficiency were simulated using the LINGO mathematical programming language. The proposed approach significantly improves the network lifetime, while reducing energy consumption and decreasing average end-to-end delays within the sensor network via optimised resource sharing in intermediate nodes compared with existing routing algorithms.
Ocular Melanoma Metastasizing to Intra-Abdominal Lymph Nodes
Authors: Aranovich David , Meir Karen , Lotem Michal M. , Appelbaum Liat , Merhav Hadar
Published: May 2013

Background. Visceral metastatic spread of ocular melanoma most commonly occurs via hematogenous route to the liver. Lymphatic spread of ocular melanoma into abdominal lymph nodes has not been reported previously.Case Presentation. A 47-year-old man with a history of ocular melanoma presented with a soft tissue mass on CT scan. The mass encased the portal structures of the hepaticoduodenal ligament. Image-guided biopsy revealed it to be a metastatic melanoma to lymph nodes. The patient underwent surgery with the intent to prolong disease-free survival. On final pathological examination, two lymph nodes were found harboring metastatic melanoma.Conclusion. Extrahepatic lymphatic intra-abdominal spread of ocular melanoma is not impossible. Since this mode of spread is rare, the oncologic significance of surgical resection of isolated intra-abdominal nodal with metastatic ocular melanoma is difficult to determine at the present time.
Free Tools and Strategies for the Generation of 3D Finite Element Meshes: Modeling of the Cardiac Structures
Authors: Pavarino E. , Neves L. A. , Machado J. M. , de Godoy M. F. , Shiyou Y. , Momente J. C. , Zafalon G. F. D. , Pinto A. R. , Valêncio C. R.
Published: May 2013

The Finite Element Method is a well-known technique, being extensively applied in different areas. Studies using the Finite Element Method (FEM) are targeted to improve cardiac ablation procedures. For such simulations, the finite element meshes should consider the size and histological features of the target structures. However, it is possible to verify that some methods or tools used to generate meshes of human body structures are still limited, due to nondetailed models, nontrivial preprocessing, or mainly limitation in the use condition. In this paper, alternatives are demonstrated to solid modeling and automatic generation of highly refined tetrahedral meshes, with quality compatible with other studies focused on mesh generation. The innovations presented here are strategies to integrate Open Source Software (OSS). The chosen techniques and strategies are presented and discussed, considering cardiac structures as a first application context.
Weakly Nonlinear and Numerical Analysis of Auto-Oscillatory Dynamics in a Solid Propellant Combustion Model
Authors: Reardon Michael , Yu Jun
Published: May 2013

In solid combustion, a planar traveling flame wave may lose stability to oscillatory modes in certain parameter regimes. The loss of stability is commonly achieved through a Hopf bifurcation in which linearly unstable modes grow to fixed amplitudes. This situation has been well studied in models of strictly condensed combustion and has been observed experimentally. In this paper, we describe the onset and evolution of oscillatory modes arising in a free-interface model of solid propellant combustion. After a brief introduction, the structure and stability of small perturbations to a planar flame wave are then investigated. Multiple-scale expansions are utilized to describe changes in the amplitude and the phase of a single, weakly unstable mode, and the results are compared to numerical predictions. It is found the over much of the parameter space that the analytical and numerical solutions predict a supercritical Hopf bifurcation similar to those found in models of strictly condensed combustion.
Design of Optimal PID Controller withɛ-Routh Stability for Different Processes
Authors: Li XianHong , Yu HaiBin , Yuan MingZhe
Published: May 2013

This paper presents a design method of the optimal proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller withɛ-Routh stability for different processes through Lyapunov approach. The optimal PID controller could be acquired by minimizing an augmented integral squared error (AISE) performance index which contains control error and at least first-order error derivative, or even may containnth-order error derivative. The optimal control problem could be transformed into a nonlinear constraint optimization (NLCO) problem via Lyapunov theorems. Therefore, optimal PID controller could be obtained by solving NLCO problem through interior method or other optimization methods. The proposed method can be applied for different processes, and optimal PID controllers under various control weight matrices andɛ-Routh stability are presented for different processes. Control weight matrix andɛ-Routh stability’s effects on system performances are studied, and different tuning methods’ system performances are also discussed.ɛ-Routh stability’s effects on disturbance rejection ability are investigated, and different tuning methods’ disturbances rejection ability is studied. To further illustrate the proposed method, experimental results of coupled water tank system (CWTS) under different set points are presented. Both simulation results and experiment results show the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed method.
Increasing Whole Grain Intake as Part of Prevention and Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Ross Alastair B. , Godin Jean-Philippe , Minehira Kaori , Kirwan John P.
Published: May 2013

In conjunction with the rise in rates of obesity, there has been an increase in the rate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). While NAFLD at least partially originates from poor diet, there is a lack of nutritional recommendations for patients with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of NAFLD, beyond eating a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and emphasising weight loss. The limited current literature suggests that there may be opportunities to provide more tailored dietary advice for people diagnosed with or at risk of NAFLD. Epidemiological studies consistently find associations between whole grain intake and a reduced risk of obesity and related diseases, yet no work has been done on the potential of whole grains to prevent and/or be a part of the treatment for fatty liver diseases. In this review, we examine the potential and the current evidence for whole grains having an impact on NAFLD. Due to their nutrient and phytochemical composition, switching from consuming mainly refined grains to whole grains should be considered as part of the nutritional guidelines for patients diagnosed with or at risk for fatty liver disease.
Evaluation of the Significance of Pretreatment Liver Biopsy and Baseline Mental Health Disorder Diagnosis on Hepatitis C Treatment Completion Rates at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Authors: Kluck Joseph , O’Flynn Rose M. , Kaplan David E. , Chang Kyong-Mi
Published: May 2013

Objectives. This study was performed to define the overall treatment response rates and treatment completion rates among the population of Hepatitis C infected patients at an urban VA Medical Center. Additionally, we examined whether pretreatment liver biopsy is a positive predictor for treatment completion and if the presence of mental health disorders is a negative predictor for treatment completion. Methods. Retrospective chart review was performed on the 375 patients that were treated for HCV and met the study inclusion parameters between January 1, 2003 and April 1, 2008 at our institution. Clinical data was obtained from the computerized patient record system and was analyzed for respective parameters. Results. Sustained virological response was achieved in 116 (31%) patients. 169 (45%) patients completed a full treatment course. Also, 44% of patients who received a pre-treatment liver biopsy completed treatment versus 46% completion rates for patients who did not receive a pretreatment liver biopsy. Baseline ICD9 diagnosis of a mental health disorder was not associated with higher treatment discontinuation rates. Conclusions. In conclusion, pretreatment liver biopsy was not a positive predictor for treatment completion, and the presence of mental health disorders was not a negative predictor for treatment completion.
Iatrogenic Femoral Arteriovenous Fistula with Double Connection between Femoral Artery and Vein Leading to High-Output Heart Failure Years after Mitral and Tricuspid Valve Replacement
Authors: Özyüksel Arda , Doğan Rıza
Published: May 2013

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are potentially harmful but curable complications of diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterizations. In this report, we present a case of iatrogenic AVF both from superficial and deep femoral arteries to common femoral vein leading to progressively developing severe right-sided heart failure in a patient who had two normally functioning mechanical valves at mitral and tricuspid positions. A 58-year-old woman who had a history of mitral and tricuspid valve replacement operations was admitted to our clinic with exertional dyspnea, palpitation, abdominal tenderness, and right-sided inguinal pain. Coronary angiography was performed via right femoral arterial access ten months ago. Doppler ultrasonography and computerized tomography revealed right superficial femoral artery to common femoral vein fistulisation. The patient was operated, and a double connection between the femoral artery and vein was encountered and treated successfully. Soon after the surgical procedure, clinical signs of right-sided heart failure ceased dramatically. The postoperative course was uneventful. Access site complications following interventional procedures represent significant problems. Sudden and progressive clinical deterioration in a patient especially with a history of diagnostic or therapeutic cardiovascular intervention may evocate the possibility of peripheral access site AVF formation.
Cholesterol Metabolism and Weight Reduction in Subjects with Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Randomised, Controlled Study
Authors: Hallikainen Maarit , Tuomilehto Henri , Martikainen Tarja , Vanninen Esko , Seppä Juha , Kokkarinen Jouko , Randell Jukka , Gylling Helena
Published: May 2013

To evaluate whether parameters of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) associate with cholesterol metabolism before and after weight reduction, 42 middle-aged overweight subjects with mild OSA were randomised to intensive lifestyle intervention (N=23) or to control group (N=18) with routine lifestyle counselling only. Cholesterol metabolism was evaluated with serum noncholesterol sterol ratios to cholesterol, surrogate markers of cholesterol absorption (cholestanol and plant sterols) and synthesis (cholestenol, desmosterol, and lathosterol) at baseline and after 1-year intervention. At baseline, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) was associated with serum campesterol (P<0.05) and inversely with desmosterol ratios (P<0.001) independently of gender, BMI, and homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) was not associated with cholesterol metabolism. Weight reduction significantly increasedSaO2and serum cholestanol and decreased AHI and serum cholestenol ratios. In the groups combined, the changes in AHI were inversely associated with changes of cholestanol and positively with cholestenol ratios independent of gender and the changes of BMI and HOMA-IR (P<0.05). In conclusion, mild OSA seemed to be associated with cholesterol metabolism independent of BMI and HOMA-IR. Weight reduction increased the markers of cholesterol absorption and decreased those of cholesterol synthesis in the overweight subjects with mild OSA.
Linear Sequences and Weighted Ergodic Theorems
Authors: Eisner Tanja
Published: May 2013

We present a simple way to produce good weights for several types of ergodic theorem including the Wiener-Wintner type multiple return time theorem and the multiple polynomial ergodic theorem. These weights are deterministic and come from orbits of certain bounded linear operators on Banach spaces. This extends the known results for nilsequences and return time sequences of the form for a measure preserving system and , avoiding in the latter case the problem of finding the full measure set of appropriate points .
A Comprehensive Tutorial onIn VitroCharacterization of New Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Antitumor Therapy and Photodynamic Inactivation of Microorganisms
Authors: Kiesslich Tobias , Gollmer Anita , Maisch Tim , Berneburg Mark , Plaetzer Kristjan
Published: May 2013

In vitroresearch performed on eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell cultures usually represents the initial step for characterization of a novel photosensitizer (PS) intended for application in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer or photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of microorganisms. Although many experimental steps of PS testing make use of the wide spectrum of methods readily employed in cell biology, special aspects of working with photoactive substances, such as the autofluorescence of the PS molecule or the requirement of light protection, need to be considered when performingin vitroexperiments in PDT/PDI. This tutorial represents a comprehensive collection of operative instructions, by which, based on photochemical and photophysical properties of a PS, its uptake into cells, the intracellular localization and photodynamic action in both tumor cells and microorganisms novel photoactive molecules may be characterized for their suitability for PDT/PDI. Furthermore, it shall stimulate the efforts to expand the convincing benefits of photodynamic therapy and photodynamic inactivation within both established and new fields of applications and motivate scientists of all disciplines to get involved in photodynamic research.
Effect of Abdominoplasty in the Lipid Profile of Patients with Dyslipidemia
Authors: Ramos-Gallardo Guillermo , Pérez Verdin Ana , Fuentes Miguel , Godínez Gutiérrez Sergio , Ambriz-Plascencia Ana Rosa , González-García Ignacio , Gómez-Fonseca Sonia Mericia , Madrigal Rosalio , González-Reynoso Luis Iván , Figueroa Sandra , Toscano Igartua Xavier , Jiménez Gutierrez Déctor Francisco
Published: May 2013

Introduction. Dyslipidemia like other chronic degenerative diseases is pandemic in Latin America and around the world. A lot of patients asking for body contouring surgery can be sick without knowing it. Objective. Observe the lipid profile of patients with dyslipidemia, before and three months after an abdominoplasty. Methods. Patients candidate to an abdominoplasty without morbid obesity were followed before and three months after the surgery. We compared the lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and HOMA (cardiovascular risk marker) before and three months after the surgery. We used Student's t test to compare the results. A P value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results. Twenty-six patients were observed before and after the surgery. At the third month, we found only statistical differences in LDL and triglyceride values (P 0.04 and P 0.03). The rest of metabolic values did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion. In this group of patients with dyslipidemia, at the third month, only LDL and triglyceride values reached statistical significances. There is no significant change in glucose, insulin, HOMA, cholesterol, VLDL, or HDL.
Endometrial Adenocarcinoma and Mucocele of the Appendix: An Unusual Coexistence
Authors: Kalogiannidis Ioannis , Mavrona Amalia , Grammenou Sophia , Zacharioudakis Georgios , Aggelidou Stamatia , Rousso David
Published: May 2013

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare clinical entity, which is however quite often associated with mucinous ovarian tumor. The coexistence of mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix and endometrial adenocarcinoma has not been reported before. A 49-year-old woman presented to our clinic with postmenopausal bleeding and no other symptom. Endometrial biopsy revealed endometrial adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type (grade I). Preoperative CT scanning revealed an appendiceal mucocele, and a colonoscopy confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and appendectomy. The final histopathological examination showed a mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix and confirmed the diagnosis of endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. The coexistence of appendiceal mucocele and female genital tract pathology is rare. However, gynecologists should keep a high level of suspicion for such possible coexistence. Both the diagnostic approach and the therapeutic management should be multidisciplinary, most importantly with the involvement of general surgeons.
Optimal Modeling and Filtering of Stochastic Time Series for Geoscience Applications
Authors: Blais J. A. Rod
Published: May 2013

Sequences of observations or measurements are often modeled as realizations of stochastic processes with some stationary properties in the first and second moments. However in practice, the noise biases and variances are likely to be different for different epochs in time or regions in space, and hence such stationarity assumptions are often questionable. In the case of strict stationarity with equally spaced data, the Wiener-Hopf equations can readily be solved with fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) with optimal computational efficiency. In more general contexts, covariance matrices can also be diagonalized using the Karhunen-Loève transforms (KLTs), or more generally using empirical orthogonal and biorthogonal expansions, which are unfortunately much more demanding in terms of computational efforts. In cases with increment stationarity, the mathematical modeling can be modified and generalized covariances can be used with some computational advantages. The general nonlinear solution methodology is also briefly overviewed with the practical limitations. These different formulations are discussed with special emphasis on the spectral properties of covariance matrices and illustrated with some numerical examples. General recommendations are included for practical geoscience applications.
Incarcerated Thoracic Gastric Herniation after Nephrectomy: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Fitzgerald Conall , Mc Cormack Orla , Awan Faisal , Elliott Jessie , Ravi Narayanasamy , Reynolds John V.
Published: May 2013

Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernias can occur after abdominal or thoracic surgery. Acute presentation of a diaphragmatic hernia varies depending on the extent and nature of the organ which has herniated. The initial diagnosis can be challenging due to the nonspecific nature of the presenting symptoms. Delay in diagnosis poses a significant risk to the patient, and a rapid deterioration can occur in the context of strangulation. We outline two cases of acute gastric herniation through a defect in the diaphragm after an open and a laparoscopic nephrectomy. Both had characteristic findings on imaging, required emergency, surgery and had a successful outcome. Both cases highlight the potential for late presentation with non-specific symptoms and the necessity for urgent surgical management where gastric perfusion is compromised.
Quality of Life in Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Yilmaz Halim , Erkin Gulten , İZKİ Alparslan Ali
Published: May 2013

Objective. To investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in mothers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to determine factors into HRQoL.Materials and Method. Participants comprised 137 mothers of children with spastic-type CP, and controls comprised 140 mothers with healthy children. Functional levels of children with CP were evaluated using Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMCFS). HRQoL of mothers with CP children and control groups was assessed with 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and depression levels with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).Results. Social function, mental health, role limitation emotional, and vitality as subscale of mental component of SF-36 were found to be lower in CP children’s mothers than controls. BDI scores were higher in CP children’s mothers than controls. Among mothers with CP children, a negative correlation was detected between BDI scores and all subscale scores of SF-36 and age rate of mothers and physical function, bodily pain, and physical component scale scores, among subscales of SF-36.Conclusion. Our study indicates that HRQoL is impaired in CP children’s mothers, and depression is a significant symptom affecting HRQoL of mothers with CP children. Therefore, to increase HRQoL, mothers of children with CP should be motivated to join social activities related to their interests, and mothers with depressive symptoms should be psychologically supported.
Coiled Internal Carotid Arteries Associated with Bilateral Sequential Strokes
Authors: Tse Gary G. , Masuda Elna M. , McMurtray Aaron M. , Nakamoto Beau K.
Published: May 2013

The risk of stroke and management of coiling of the cervical internal carotid artery in the absence of an atherosclerotic carotid bulb lesion is unclear. We report a case of an otherwise healthy 39-year-old woman who developed bilateral sequential strokes associated with bilateral coiled internal carotid arteries. We discuss the risk of stroke and management of coiled carotid arteries as they relate to the patient presented.
Natriuretic Peptides in the Management of Solid Organ Transplantation Associated Acute Kidney Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nigwekar Sagar U. , Kulkarni Hrishikesh , Thakar Charuhas V.
Published: May 2013

Randomized controlled trials involving natriuretic peptide administration in solid organ transplantation setting have shown inconsistent effects for renal endpoints. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of these trials to ascertain the role of natriuretic peptides in the management of solid organ transplantation associated acute kidney injury (AKI). MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google scholar were searched independently by two authors for randomized trials evaluating renal effects of natriuretic peptides in solid organ transplantation settings. Two reviewers independently assessed the studies for eligibility and extracted the relevant data. The pooled estimate showed that natriuretic peptide administration is associated with a reduction in AKI requiring dialysis (odds ratio = 0.50 [0.26–0.97]), a statistically nonsignificant trend toward improvement in posttransplant creatinine clearance (weighted mean difference = 5.5 mL/min, [−1.3 to 12.2 mL/min]), and reduction in renal replacement requirement duration (weighted mean difference −44.0 hours, [−60.5 to −27.5 hours]). There were no mortality events and no adverse events related to natriuretic peptides. In conclusion, administration of natriuretic peptides in solid organ transplantation may be associated with significant improvements in renal outcomes. These observations need to be confirmed in an adequately powered, prospective multicenter study.
Pneumocystis pneumoniaduring Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Authors: Shinohara Tsuyoshi , Yasui Makito , Yamada Hiroyuki , Fujimori Yoshiro , Yamagishi Kiyofumi
Published: May 2013

A 72-year-old woman underwent a mastectomy with one-stage breast reconstruction using silicone implant for right breast cancer. Postoperatively, she had received adjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC regimen). She was admitted for febrile neutropenia after the third course of chemotherapy. She remained febrile for a week, and she complained of dyspnea on hospital day 8. Computed tomography scan demonstrated widespread patchy ground glass changes in both lungs and serum (1→3)-β-D-glucan was elevated to 20 pg/mL. Oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was started on the strong clinical suspicion of PCP, and the patient subsequently made a rapid recovery from fever and dyspnea.
Stabilization and Controller Design of 2D Discrete Switched Systems with State Delays under Asynchronous Switching
Authors: Huang Shipei , Xiang Zhengrong , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: May 2013

This paper is concerned with the problem of robust stabilization for a class of uncertain two-dimensional (2D) discrete switched systems with state delays under asynchronous switching. The asynchronous switching here means that the switching instants of the controller experience delays with respect to those of the system. The parameter uncertainties are assumed to be norm-bounded. A state feedback controller is proposed to guarantee the exponential stability. The dwell time approach is utilized for the stability analysis and controller design. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Plasma Levels of Nitrate and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Study
Authors: Wu Tianying , Wang Yushan , Ho Shuk-Mei , Giovannucci Edward
Published: May 2013

Background: Nitrate and nitrite supplements have recently been shown to improve cardiovascular health, but there is concern that these supplements could contribute to the development of cancer. Previous small, cross-sectional studies reported positive associations between circulating nitrate/nitrite levels and cancer. Prospective studies examining the association between plasma nitrate and cancer, especially prostate cancer, are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a nested case–control study within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Baseline blood samples were collected in 1994, and incident cases of prostate cancer were identified from 1997 to 2005. Baseline plasma levels of nitrate were measured in the 630 cases and 630 matched controls.

Results: We have found that baseline levels of plasma nitrate were not associated with risk of prostate cancer. Compared to quintile 1, the relative risk from quintiles 2 to 5 were 1.13 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.78–1.63], 0.93 (95% CI, 0.63–1.38), 0.95 (95% CI, 0.65–1.39), and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.68–1.48); Ptrend was 0.9 after adjustment of multivariate risk factors. When analyses were restricted to men fasting more than 6 hours, the trend was similar. Furthermore, plasma nitrate seemed to be inversely associated with advanced-stage prostate cancer. The relative risk across extreme quartiles was 0.44 (95% CI, 0.17–1.12; Ptrend = 0.07) for the whole dataset and 0.30 (95% CI, 0.09–0.99; Ptrend = 0.05) for the fasting dataset.

Conclusions: In summary, we did not find an increased risk of prostate cancer associated with higher plasma nitrate levels. A potential protective association between nitrate and aggressive forms of prostate cancer requires confirmation.

Impact: Nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide pathway has emerged as a new therapeutic pathway for chronic diseases. The results of this study certainly merit replications in other prospective studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(7); 1210–8. ©2013 AACR.
Folic Acid Prevents the Initial Occurrence of Sporadic Colorectal Adenoma in Chinese Older than 50 Years of Age: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Gao Qin-Yan , Chen Hui-Min , Chen Ying-Xuan , Wang Ying-Chao , Wang Zheng-Hua , Tang Jie-Ting , Ge Zhi-Zheng , Chen Xiao-Yu , Sheng Jian-Qiu , Fang Dian-Chun , Yu Cheng-Gong , Zheng Ping , Fang Jing-Yuan
Published: May 2013

Colorectal adenoma (CRA) is the precursor lesion of colorectal cancer (CRC). Several agents have been shown to be effective in the chemoprevention of CRA recurrence, but there has been little research on its primary prevention. Participants older than 50 years with no adenomas were recruited for our study and randomized to receive either 1 mg/day folic acid supplement or treatment without folic acid. After 3 years of follow-up, plasma folate and colonoscopy were evaluated. Seven hundred ninety-one participants (91.98%) completed the study. CRA occurred in 64 (14.88%) participants in the folic acid group and 132 (30.70%) in the control group [unadjusted risk ratio (RR), 0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.37–0.63; P < 0.01]; left-sided adenoma (unadjusted RR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.38–0.76; P = 0.001) and advanced CRA (unadjusted RR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.16–0.81; P = 0.01) were most common. There was no significance difference in the occurrence of three or more adenomas (unadjusted RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.36–1.77; P = 0.38) or right-sided adenoma (unadjusted RR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.30–1.00; P = 0.07) between the two groups. Participants with low plasma folate may have a high risk of CRA. In conclusion, primary prevention with 1 mg/day folic acid supplementation could reduce the incidence of CRA, especially left-sided and advanced disease in those with no previous adenomas. People with differing baseline plasma folate levels should be given individualized treatment. Those with low plasma folate should be encouraged to take adequate supplements; plasma folate should be elevated to an effective therapeutic level, which may reduce the incidence of CRA. Cancer Prev Res; 6(7); 744–52. ©2013 AACR.