bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebral Hypoperfusion and Hypometabolism Detected by Arterial Spin Labeling MRI and FDG‐PET in Early‐Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Verclytte Sebastien , Lopes Renaud , Lenfant Pierre , Rollin Adeline , Semah Franck , Leclerc Xavier , Pasquier Florence , Delmaire Christine
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) is frequently associated with atypical clinical presentations and its early detection remains a challenging issue. In this study, we used arterial spin labeling (ASL), a noninvasive perfusion MRI sequence, and [18F]‐FDG‐PET to detect the perfusion and metabolic features in patients with EOAD.

METHODS

All patients were investigated in the French reference center for young‐onset dementia and were assessed by MRI, including a pseudo‐continuous ASL (pCASL) sequence, and [18F]‐FDG‐PET. Quantitative analyses and intermodality comparison with correlation analysis were made after data processing including correction of partial volume effects, cortical projection, and specific intensity normalization.

RESULTS

We prospectively included 37 patients with EOAD with a mean age of 58.3 years. The areas of most severe hypoperfusion detected with ASL were located in the parietal lobes, the precuneus, the right posterior cingulate cortex, and the frontal lobes (P < .05). The areas of lowest glucose metabolism detected by [18F]‐FDG‐PET were identified in the temporoparietal cortex and the precuneus (P < .05). Hypometabolic regions were more extensive than hypoperfused regions on ASL maps whereas ASL highlighted alterations in the frontal lobes without apparent hypometabolism on [18F]‐FDG‐PET maps.

CONCLUSIONS

ASL and [18F]‐FDG‐PET detected pathological areas of similar distribution mainly located in the inferior parietal lobules and local zones in the temporal cortex in patients with EOAD. Our preliminary study showed that ASL and [18F]‐FDG‐PET may have a complementary role in combination with structural MRI for the assessment of suspected EOAD.
Validity of Medical Student Questionnaire Data in Prediction of Rural Practice Choice and Its Association With Service Orientation
Authors: Shannon C. Ken , Jackson Jodie
Published: May 2015

Purpose

The validity of medical student projection of, and predictors for, rural practice and the association of a measure of service orientation, projected practice accessibility to the indigent, were investigated.

Methods

West Virginia (WV) medical student online pre‐ and postrural rotation questionnaire data were collected during the time period 2001‐2009. Of the 1,517 respondent students, submissions by 1,271 met the time interval criterion for inclusion in analyses. Subsequent WV licensing data were available for 461 in 2013. These 2 databases were used to assess for validity of projection of rural practice, for predictors of rural practice, and for student projected accessibility of the future practice to indigent patients.

Findings

There were statistically significant associations between both pre‐ and postrotation projections of rural practice and subsequent rural practice. The most significant independent predictors of rural practice were student rural background, reported primary care intent, prediction of rural practice and projection of greater accessibility of the future practice to indigent patients. For scoring of practice access, there were trends for higher scoring by rural students and rural practitioners, with greater pre‐post increases for those with urban hometowns.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the utility of medical student questionnaires for projections of numbers of future rural physicians. It suggests that students with a rural background, rural practice intent, or greater service orientation are more likely to enter rural practice. It also suggests that students, particularly those with urban hometowns, are influenced by rural rotation experiences in forecasting greater practice accessibility and in entering rural practice.
Antifungal stewardship in daily practice and health economic implications
Authors: Muñoz Patricia , Valerio Maricela , Vena Antonio , Bouza Emilio
Published: May 2015

During recent years, inappropriate antifungal use has contributed to the global increase in antifungal resistance and has played a role in the shift in the aetiology of invasive fungal infections. Moreover, overuse of antifungals may also lead to higher toxicity associated with unnecessary medication exposure and to increased healthcare costs. Antifungal stewardship (AFS) programmes consist of multidisciplinary interventions, led by specialists in infectious disease, microbiology and pharmacy that cooperate and communicate with the major prescribing departments in order to optimise antifungal therapies evaluating the indication, dose, streamlining and duration. Herein, we review the available evidence for the use of AFS and their impact on health economics. We also describe our AFS program, the successive steps we followed and the main difficulties we found.
The PAUL Suit©: an experience of ageing
Authors: Bennett Paul , Moore Malcolm , Wenham John
Published: May 2015

Background

An ageing population worldwide makes it increasingly important that health students understand issues that elderly people face and can provide empathic care to them.

Context

This teaching department in an isolated rural setting developed an interprofessional learning session to assist health students to understand issues of functional loss and social isolation that can affect elderly people.

Innovation

The Premature Ageing Unisex Leisure (PAUL) Suit© was developed as part of a 1‐day learning session for undergraduate health students – including students of medicine, nursing and allied health – attending clinical placement in far‐west New South Wales. The suit was developed locally and can be adjusted to simulate a wide range of functional losses in the wearer. Students undertake a range of daily tasks in the community while wearing the suit in the company of a student ‘carer’. Over the past 4 years, approximately 140 students have participated in the simulation. Post‐simulation evaluations report that students gain a greater understanding of some functional issues associated with ageing, and of the social isolation that can be associated with these. The experiential nature of the activity leads to some powerful insights.

This activity is an innovative, experiential tool to deepen students understanding of issues related to ageing

Implications

This activity is an innovative, experiential tool to deepen students understanding of issues relating to ageing. The interprofessional nature of the activity is an important factor in the success of the day, and produces a wide range of shared insights. The activity also enhances the partnerships between the university, the health service and the local community. Our experience supports the value of simulation in providing a deep learning opportunity in the area of ageing and disability.
Uptake of community‐based, self‐collected HPV testing vs. visual inspection with acetic acid for cervical cancer screening in Kampala, Uganda: preliminary results of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Moses Erin , Pedersen Heather N. , Mitchell Sheona M. , Sekikubo Musa , Mwesigwa David , Singer Joel , Biryabarema Christine , Byamugisha Josaphat K. , Money Deborah M. , Ogilvie Gina S.
Published: May 2015

Objectives

To compare two cervical cancer screening methods: community‐based self‐collection of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) testing and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).

Methods

Pilot randomised controlled trial of 500 women aged 30–65 in the community of Kisenyi, Uganda. Women randomised to self‐collection‐based HR‐HPV testing provided a cervico‐vaginal swab for HR‐HPV, and results were provided by phone after laboratory testing. Women who tested HPV positive were referred for VIA at the local health unit. Women randomised to VIA underwent screening at the local health unit, where women who tested positive with VIA were provided cryotherapy at time of screening, as per local standard of care. Women were referred for colposcopy when indicated. Outcome measures were uptake of screening, HR‐HPV prevalence, VIA result and treatment rates.

Results

In the HR‐HPV arm, 248 of 250 (p < 0.01) women provided samples, while in the VIA arm, 121 of 250 (48.4%) women attended screening. Among the 73 of 248 HR‐HPV‐positive women, 45.2% (N = 33) attended VIA screening for follow‐up, 21.2% (N = 7) of whom screened positive; five received treatment and two were missing clinical follow‐up records. Of the 121 women in the VIA arm who attended screening, 13.2% (N = 16) screened positive; seven received cryotherapy, three refused treatment, five were referred to colposcopy; and one woman had suspected cervical cancer and received treatment after confirmatory testing.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrated trial feasibility and willingness of the women to participate and be randomised successfully into the two arms. Self‐collection‐based cervical cancer screening had a higher uptake than VIA.
Unusual serological response to hepatitis E virus in plasma donors consistent with re‐infection
Authors: Baylis S. A. , Crossan C. , Corman V. M. , Blümel J. , Scobie L. , Dalton H. R.
Published: May 2015

Hepatitis E virus (HEV)‐positive plasma donations, identified by a plasma mini‐pool screening approach, were analysed using serological methods for the presence of anti‐HEV IgM and IgG. Avidity testing was performed on the IgG‐reactive donations. Anti‐HEV IgG with high avidity was observed in two donors together with high viral loads, but with the absence of anti‐HEV IgM. These data are suggestive of re‐infection in a small proportion of plasma donors, which has not previously been reported.
Interpretation of pretransfusion testing in obstetrical patients who have received antepartum Rh immunoglobulin prophylaxis
Authors: Szkotak A. J. , Lunty B. , Nahirniak S. , Clarke G.
Published: May 2015

Background and Objectives

Determining whether anti‐D represents active or passive alloimmunization after RhIg administration is challenging. The objectives were to use antibody reaction strength to differentiate patients who may have become RhD alloimmunized during pregnancy from those manifesting passive anti‐D and to investigate which methods work best for this determination.

Materials and Methods

Data were collected from patients residing in the Edmonton region of Canada, ≥18 years old, undergoing antibody screening in late pregnancy, who received 300 μg (1500 IU) of RhIg in the preceding 120 days. A total of 1106 tests were performed on 1050 blood samples from 963 patients: 640 by PEG, 156 by gel‐card and 310 by solid‐phase methodology.

Results

PEG was the least sensitive to passive anti‐D, with significantly fewer positive results at ≥8 weeks after RhIg compared to the other methods. Strength of reactivity and time since RhIg injection could be used to identify patients at high risk using PEG as a 4+ reaction at any time, ≥3+ at >2 weeks, ≥2+ at >6 weeks and ≥1+ at >14 weeks. Similarly, the gel‐card method thresholds were 4+ at >5 weeks, ≥3+ at >10 weeks and ≥2+ at >15 weeks. Reaction strength by solid‐phase was too variable to establish useful thresholds by this method. Infant RhD status did not significantly affect results.

Conclusion

Patients can be risk stratified for alloimmunization by anti‐D reaction strength and time after RhIg administration. The PEG method was the best of those investigated, but the gel‐card method can also be used.
Food Safety Hazards and Microbiological Zoonoses in European Meat Imports Detected in Border Inspection in the Period 2008–2013
Authors: Jansen W. , Grabowski N. , Gerulat B. , Klein G.
Published: May 2015

Microbiological contaminations and other food safety hazards are omnipresent within the European Union (EU) and a considerable risk for consumers, particularly in imported meat and meat products. The number of rejections at external EU borders has been increasing in recent years. Official authorities in each member state are therefore obliged to notify border rejections of food and animal feed due to a direct or indirect risk to human or animal health. This study explored the trends and temporal and spatial distribution of notifications on food safety hazards between January 2008 and December 2013 with a special emphasis on microbiological zoonoses in meat and meat products including poultry at border checks resulting from the rapid alert system for food and feed (RASFF). Results indicated that border rejection notifications are increasing exponentially, frequently due to Salmonella in poultry and shiga‐toxin‐producing E. coli in meat and meat products.
Steady-State Performance of a Rectangular Natural Circulation Loop With Differentially Heated Parallel Channels
Authors: Chakraborty Shubhankar , Das Prasanta Kr.
Published: May 2015

Natural circulation loop (NCL) transfers thermal energy without using any external power. As with phase change, one can expect a higher rate of heat transfer and a greater change in density, NCL with a phase change of the circulating fluid is a more effective energy transfer device. Though in many of the practical NCLs there are multiple heating risers, the characteristics of NCLs with parallel boiling risers have not been investigated in detail. In the present work, the steady-state behavior of a two-phase NCL with two parallel boiling risers for water as the working fluid has been investigated. Emphasis has been given to the performance of the loop when the risers are differentially heated. Effect of different parameters on the loop circulation rate and energy transport for both equally and differentially heated conditions has been thoroughly examined and compared to the performance of a single-riser loop under equivalent working condition.
Minimizing Tissue Surface Overheating Using Convective Cooling During Laser-Induced Thermal Therapy: A Numerical Study
Authors: Singh Rupesh , Das Koushik , Mishra Subhash C. , Okajima Junnosuke , Maruyama Shigenao
Published: May 2015

Laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT) is a noninvasive medical procedure for treatment of tumors and small lesion. Skin surface overheating and thermal damage to the undesired areas of tissue are two major concerns during thermal therapy. To determine the efficacy of forced convection surface cooling, the present study demonstrates the numerical simulation for minimizing undesired thermal damage. A two-dimensional (2D) axisymmetric cylindrical model is considered with irradiation of continuous wave (cw) laser beam. Bioheat transfer equation in conjunction with radiative transfer equation (RTE) is solved using the finite volume method (FVM) and the discrete ordinate method (DOM). Effect of variation in surface cooling on tissue temperature distribution is studied.
Modeling Nonequilibrium Combustion Chemistry Using Constrained Equilibrium Flamelet Model for Kerosene Spray Flame
Authors: Ghose Prakash , Datta Amitava , Mukhopadhyay Achintya
Published: May 2015

Numerical simulation employing different models is popularly used to predict spray combustion of liquid fuels. In the present work, we have compared the effects of three different combustion models, viz., eddy dissipation model, laminar flamelet model with detailed chemical reaction mechanism, and constrained equilibrium flamelet model, on the temperature, soot, and NOx distributions in an axisymmetric combustor burning kerosene spray. Experiments have also been performed in a combustor of the same geometry to validate some predictions from the models. The constraint condition for the equilibrium flamelet model has been adopted by suitably accounting the effects of scalar dissipation rate on the prediction of scalar variables in a laminar flamelet and by considering the mixture fraction and scalar dissipation rate distributions in the combustor under test. It is found that the results predicted by the two flamelet models agree closely between them and also with the experiments. On the other hand, the eddy dissipation model predicts a much higher flame temperature, soot, and NOx concentrations in the combustor. The results suggest the importance of chemistry in the prediction of the turbulent spray flame. It also suggests that with a proper choice of the constraint condition, the equilibrium flamelet model can address the nonequilibrium chemistry in the flame due to the high value of scalar dissipation rate.
Radiative Heat Transfer and Fluorescence Measurements in Laminar Prevaporized Canola Methyl Ester/Diesel Blend Flames
Authors: Singh V. , Parthasarathy R. N. , Gollahalli S. R.
Published: May 2015

Biofuels, such as canola methyl ester (CME), continue to receive considerable attention for their potential use as alternatives to petroleum diesel fuel. The studies on the application of biofuels in internal combustion engines, in general, have shown a considerable reduction in carbon monoxide (CO), soot, and radiative heat emissions, and a small increase in NOx emissions. Radiative heat transfer from flames, which is important in applications such as gas turbines and glass-manufacturing furnaces, has received little attention. The objective of this investigation was to document radiative heat transfer and radical and gas concentration measurements to understand the dominant mechanism of heat transfer in CME/diesel blend flames. In order to isolate the fuel chemical effects on the combustion characteristics of fuels, laminar flames of prevaporized liquid fuels were studied at injector-exit equivalence ratios of 1.2, 2, 3, and 7. Measurements of radiative heat transfer and flame structure including OH and CH radical concentration field were completed. While the peak temperatures in the various blend flames were comparable at the same equivalence ratio, the total flame radiation decreased with the increase in CME concentration in the fuel. Estimates of radiation from gaseous species and soot indicated that about 27–30% of the radiation was from gases, and the rest from soot. The gaseous species contribution to the flame radiation increased slightly with the biofuel content in the blend.
Effect of Tilt Angle on Subcritical/Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Based Natural Circulation Loop With Isothermal Source and Sink
Authors: Kumar Yadav Ajay , Ram Gopal M. , Bhattacharyya Souvik
Published: May 2015

In recent years, a growing popularity of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a secondary fluid has been witnessed in both forced as well as in natural circulation loops (NCLs). This may be attributed to the favorable thermophysical properties of CO2 in addition to the environmental benignity of the fluid. However, an extensive literature review shows that studies on CO2-based NCLs are very limited. Also, most of the studies on NCLs do not consider the three-dimensional variation of the field variables. In the present work, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of a NCL with isothermal source and sink have been developed to study the effect of tilt angle in different planes. Studies have been carried out employing subcritical (liquid and vapor) as well as supercritical phase of CO2 as loop fluid at different operating pressures and temperatures. Results are obtained for a range of tilt angles of the loop, and a significant effect is observed on heat transfer, mass flow rate, and stability of the loop. It was also found that changing the orientation of the loop could be an elegant and effective solution to the flow instability problem of NCLs.
Draft Genome Sequence of 24570, the Type Strain of Shigella flexneri
Authors: Baker Kate S. , Parkhill Julian , Thomson Nicholas R.
Published: May 2015

Shigella flexneri
is a diarrheal pathogen that causes a large disease burden worldwide. We sequenced the genome of the publicly available type strain (
S. flexneri
2a strain 24570) of this bacterial species to increase its utility as a reference. We present genome assembly results and comparisons with other reference strains.
Whole-Genome Sequence of a Novel Hantavirus Isolated from the European Mole (
Talpa europaea
)
Authors: Gu Se Hun , Hejduk Janusz , Markowski Janusz , Markowski Marcin , Liberski Paweł P. , Yanagihara Richard
Published: May 2015

The complete genome sequence of Nova virus, a novel hantavirus isolated from a European mole (
Talpa europaea
) captured in central Poland, was determined. The availability of this sequence will facilitate the search for other mole-borne hantaviruses and will accelerate the acquisition of new knowledge about their phylogeography and evolutionary origin.
Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium chelonae Type Strain ATCC 35752
Authors: Hasan Nabeeh A. , Davidson Rebecca M. , de Moura Vinicius Calado Nogueira , Garcia Benjamin J. , Reynolds Paul R. , Epperson L. Elaine , Farias-Hesson Eveline , DeGroote Mary Ann , Jackson Mary , Strong Michael
Published: May 2015

Mycobacterium chelonae
is a rapidly growing opportunistic nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) species that causes infections in humans and other hosts. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Mycobacterium chelonae
type strain ATCC 35752, consisting of 4.89 Mbp, 63.96% G+C content, 4,489 protein-coding genes, 48 tRNAs, and 3 rRNA genes.
Genome Anatomy of Streptococcus parasanguinis Strain C1A, Isolated from a Patient with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Reveals Unusual Genomic Features
Authors: Chan Kok-Gan , Ng Kim Tien , Pang Yong Kek , Chong Teik Min , Kamarulzaman Adeeba , Yin Wai-Fong , Tee Kok Keng
Published: May 2015

Streptococcus parasanguinis
causes invasive diseases. However, the mechanism by which it causes disease remains unclear. Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of
S. parasanguinis
C1A, isolated from a patient diagnosed with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Several genes that might be associated with pathogenesis are also described.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Evolved Thermotoga maritima Isolate
Authors: Singh Raghuveer , Gradnigo Julien , White Derrick , Lipzen Anna , Martin Joel , Schackwitz Wendy , Moriyama Etsuko , Blum Paul
Published: May 2015

Thermotoga maritima
is a hyperthermophilic bacterium with a small genome (1.86 Mbp). Genome resequencing of Tma200, a derivative produced by experimental microbial evolution, revealed the occurrence of deletions and substitution mutations. Their identification contributes to a better understanding of genome instability in this organism.
Pandoraea
sp. Strain E26: Discovery of Its Quorum-Sensing Properties via Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis
Authors: Chan Kok-Gan , Yin Wai-Fong , Tee Kok Keng , Chang Chien-Yi , Priya Kumutha
Published: May 2015

We report the draft genome sequence of
Pandoraea
sp. strain E26 isolated from a former landfill site, sequenced by the Illumina MiSeq platform. This genome sequence will be useful to further understand the quorum-sensing system of this isolate.
Systemic aspergilloma post aortic root surgery following coronary artery stenting: diagnostic and management dilemma
Authors: Hussein Nabil , Qamar Sombul , Abid Qamar
Published: May 2015

Aspergillusinfections such asAspergillus endocarditiswere once relatively rare occurrences, however, due to the increased use of intracardiac devices, the incidence has grown. With mortality rates close to 100%, in medically treated cases, it is paramount that early diagnosis and treatment are performed. An immunocompetent aviculturist presented 8 months post aortic root replacement for severe aortic regurgitation with a composite graft, with central crushing chest pain. Investigations confirmed ST elevation inferior myocardial infarction due to stenosis of the origin of the right coronary artery, which was stented. Echocardiogram demonstrated a mobile mass posterior to the left ventricular outflow tract. Following referral to our cardiothoracic surgeons, a polypoidal mass covering the right ostial button was noted along with systemic complications of the disease. Emergency redo aortic valve replacement with a homograft and coronary artery bypass was performed. Histological analysis confirmedA.fumigatusand the patient was started on intravenous voriconazole.
Adynamic ileus and diarrhoea: a rare adverse effect of antidepressants
Authors: Carreiro Filipa T , Coelho Susana Carvalho , Bayão Horta Alexandra , Sá João
Published: May 2015

Antidepressants can cause a variety of gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, dyspepsia, anorexia, constipation, and, rarely, diarrhoea and adynamic ileus. There is a lack of cases associating antidepressants to adynamic ileus and diarrhoea. We report a case of an elderly woman in whom the use of several antidepressants apparently induced adynamic ileus with diarrhoea.
Surgical repair of a giant idiopathic macular hole by inverted internal limiting membrane flap
Authors: Deshpande Riddhima , Narayanan Raja
Published: May 2015

A 22-year-old male patient presented with gradual outward deviation of the right eye following corneal tear repair in that eye 8 years prior. He was asymptomatic in the left eye. On examination, his best corrected visual acuity was counting fingers at 2 m in the right eye and 20/80 in the left eye. The left eye showed a large macular hole, 2845 µm in diameter, with a retinal detachment at the posterior pole. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling with inverted ILM flap technique and silicone oil injection. At the 1-week follow-up visit, there was growth of retinal tissue under the ILM flap. At 2-month follow-up, there was a complete closure of the macular hole and visual acuity was 20/100. At this time, the patient underwent removal of the silicone oil, following which visual acuity was maintained at 20/100.
Assessment of tumour viability in human lung cancer xenografts with texture-based image analysis
Authors: Turkki Riku , Linder Nina , Holopainen Tanja , Wang Yinhai , Grote Anne , Lundin Mikael , Alitalo Kari , Lundin Johan
Published: May 2015

Aims

To build and evaluate an automated method for assessing tumour viability in histological tissue samples using texture features and supervised learning.

Methods

H&E-stained sections (n=56) of human non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma xenografts were digitised with a whole-slide scanner. A novel image analysis method based on local binary patterns and a support vector machine classifier was trained with a set of sample regions (n=177) extracted from the whole-slide images and tested with another set of images (n=494). The extracted regions, or single-tissue entity images, were chosen to represent as pure as possible examples of three morphological tissue entities: viable tumour tissue, non-viable tumour tissue and mouse host tissue.

Results

An agreement of 94.5% (area under the curve=0.995, kappa=0.90) was achieved to classify the single-tissue entity images in the test set (n=494) into the viable tumour and non-viable tumour tissue categories. The algorithm assigned 250 of the 252 non-viable and 219 of the 242 of viable sample regions to the correct categories, respectively. This corresponds to a sensitivity of 90.5% and specificity of 99.2%.

Conclusions

The proposed image analysis-based tumour viability assessment resulted in a high agreement with expert annotations. By providing extraction of detailed information of the tumour microenvironment, the automated method can be used in preclinical research settings. The method could also have implications in cancer diagnostics, cancer outcome prognostics and prediction.
Bilateral femoral arterial dirofilariasis caused byDirofilaria immitisin a dog
Authors: Upchurch David A , Ogden Daniel M , Baker David G
Published: May 2015

A two‐year‐old intact male Anatolian shepherd dog presented with a one‐month history of bilateral hindlimb lameness and digital necrosis. Supportive evidence of systemic arterial parasitism included ultrasonographic findings of parallel hyperechoic thrombi in the femoral arteries consistent with the presence of nematodes. Worms retrieved during arteriotomy were identified as adultDirofilaria immitisusing light and scanning electron microscopy. Treatment included adulticidal therapy, bilateral femoral arteriotomies and finally, bilateral amputation at the level of the tarsocrural joints followed by external coaptation with walking bars. This is the 10th reported case of femoral arterial dirofilariasis causing clinical disease in a dog, and the first in which bilateral amputation was performed. Systemic arterial dirofilariasis should be on the list of differential diagnoses for any animal in a heartworm endemic area that presents with hindlimb lameness or necrosis, especially if the animal has weak femoral pulses.
Acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome in dogs: 108 cases
Authors: Mortier F. , Strohmeyer K. , Hartmann K. , Unterer S.
Published: May 2015

No prospective studies including large numbers of dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS) are published so far. The aim of this case–control study was to describe signalment, history, clinical signs, laboratory values and course of disease in dogs with AHDS. Dogs (108) with idiopathic acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea (<3 days) were prospectively enrolled. Clinical assessment was performed by calculation of the ‘AHDS index’ (0–18). The hospital population and 21 healthy dogs served as control groups. Dogs with AHDS had a significantly lower body weight (median 9.8 kg) and age (median five years) than other dogs of the hospital population (20 kg; 10 years) (P<0.001). Predisposed breeds were Yorkshire terrier, miniature pinscher, miniature schnauzer and Maltese. The syndrome was more likely to occur during winter. Vomiting preceded the onset of bloody diarrhoea in 80 per cent of dogs and haematemesis was observed in half of those cases. Median AHDS index at presentation was 12 (range 3–17). Haematocrit was generally high (median 57.1 per cent; range 33–76 per cent), but exceeded 60 per cent only in 31.4 per cent of dogs. Haematocrit of 48.1 per cent of dogs was above reference range, as was monocyte (50.0 per cent), segmented (59.6 per cent) and band neutrophil count (45.2 per cent). A rapid clinical improvement occurred during the first 48 hours.
Large eddy simulation of the turbulent multiphase flow on sandstone wastewater of hydropower stations in a vortex-type grit chamber
Authors: Ao Xuefei , Wang Xiaoling , Qiao Bin , Li Ruijin , Sun Ruirui
Published: May 2015

Vortex-type grit chambers are commonly used for the treatment of high-turbidity sandstone wastewater in hydropower stations. Current researches on vortex-type grit chambers mainly focus on the optimization of the engineering operation parameters. Although there have been many studies on sandstone wastewater simulations in stirred tanks or hydrocyclones predicted by Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes, there are few reports on the large eddy simulation (LES) based prediction of the multiphase flows in a vortex-type grit chamber. The rigid-lid approximation is commonly used for free surface movement. The LES can reveal more detailed pulsation features. The volume of fluid (VOF) method can describe the interfacial turbulence characteristics for free surface movement. Thus, the VOF method was used as a surface tracking technique along with LES–Lagrangian model to study the characteristics of gas–liquid–solid multiphase flows. The flow field distributions were analyzed and the micro movement regularities of particles were discussed.
Behaviour and vulnerability of target and non-target species at drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the tropical tuna purse seine fishery determined by acoustic telemetry
Authors: Forget Fabien G. , Capello Manuela , Filmalter John D. , Govinden Rodney , Soria Marc , Cowley Paul D. , Dagorn Laurent
Published: May 2015

Characterizing the vulnerability of both target and non-target (bycatch) species to a fishing gear is a key step towards an ecosystem-based fisheries management approach. This study addresses this issue for the tropical tuna purse seine fishery that uses fish aggregating devices (FADs). We used passive acoustic telemetry to characterize, on a 24 h scale, the associative patterns and the vertical distribution of skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) (target species), as well as silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), oceanic triggerfish (Canthidermis maculata), and rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata) (major non-target species). Distinct diel associative patterns were observed; the tunas and the silky sharks were more closely associated with FADs during daytime, while the rainbow runner and the oceanic triggerfish were more closely associated during the night. Minor changes in bycatch to catch ratio of rainbow runner and oceanic triggerfish could possibly be achieved by fishing at FADs after sunrise. However, as silky sharks display a similar associative pattern as tunas, no specific change in fishing time could mitigate the vulnerability of this more sensitive species. For the vertical distribution, there was no particular time of the day when any species occurred beyond the depth of a typical purse seine net. While this study does not provide an immediate solution to reduce the bycatch to catch ratios of the FAD-based fishery in the western Indian Ocean, the method described here could be applied to other regions where similar fisheries exist so as to evaluate potential solutions to reducing fishing mortality of non-target species.
World-line geometry probed by fast spinning particle
Authors: Deriglazov Alexei A. , Guzmán Ramírez Walberto
Published: May 2015

Interaction of spin with electromagnetic field yields an effective metric along the world-line of spinning particle with anomalous magnetic moment. If we insist to preserve the usual special relativity definitions of time and distance, critical speed which the particle cannot overcome during its evolution in electromagnetic field differs from the speed of light. Instead, we can follow the general relativity prescription to define time and distance. With these definitions, critical speed coincides with the speed of light. But intervals of time and distance probed by the particle in the presence of electromagnetic field slightly differ from those in empty space. Effective metric arises also when spin interacts with gravitational field.
Black holes: Their large interiors
Authors: Bengtsson Ingemar , Jakobsson Emma
Published: May 2015

Christodoulou and Rovelli (CR) have remarked on the large interiors possessed by static black holes. We amplify their remarks, and extend them to the spinning case.
Numerical analysis for relativistic stars with nonlinear equation of state in AdS
Authors: Li Zhonghua , Zhang Limei
Published: May 2015

It is known that for self-gravitating radiation stars in anti-de Sitter (AdS) spacetime, there is a critical dimension, larger than it, the stars always maintain stability with any central energy density [Formula: see text]; smaller than it, there is a maximal mass for the [Formula: see text] and when the [Formula: see text] continues to increase, the total mass of stars becomes a function of the [Formula: see text], and the function appears as an oscillation behavior and therefore the stars become unstable. In this paper we extend this study to the nonlinear case, in this case the equation of state is [Formula: see text], in AdS spacetime, where a and b are two constant parameters. For the nonlinear case,the equations of gravitational field are more complicated, so the relation of total mass to the central energy density is numerically investigated. In particular, the effect of the two parameters a and b and the relation between spacetime dimension d, mass and [Formula: see text] are analyzed. We find that the critical dimension changes when the parameters a and b vary, namely the equation of state. In particular, the critical dimension decreases when b decreases.
First principles study of oxygen vacancies in (Mo + C)-doped anatase TiO2
Authors: Cui Jie , Liang Shuhua , Wang Xianhui , Zhang Jianmin
Published: May 2015

The structural and electronic properties of neutral oxygen vacancies in ( Mo + C )-doped anatase TiO 2 were investigated using frozen-core projector-augmented wave (PAW) method within GGA +U approximation. Six possible oxygen vacancy sites were considered in the present work. The results show that the octahedral vertex adjacent to Mo and opposite from C is the most stable position for oxygen vacancy based on the results of the formation energy. The Fermi level is located at above the bottom of the conduction band and a typical n-type metallic behavior occurs as a result of the oxygen vacancy appeared in ( Mo + C ) doped TiO 2.
Proposal of an RF CMOS Integrated Circuit Topology for Spatial Multiplexing of Local Elements (SMILE)
Authors: Capovilla C. E. , Casella I. R. S. , Sguarezi Filho A. J. , Araujo H. X.
Published: May 2015

Spatial multiplexing of local elements (SMILE) is a front-end architecture which uses one radio frequency (RF) channel to carry multiplexed information from multiple ones. For this scheme, this paper proposes a fully multiplexing 0.35-μm RF CMOS integrated circuit (IC). The one uses an low noise amplifier (LNA) with four inputs to accomplish the multiplexing. To translate the frequency to the base-band, a double-balanced mixer and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) are used. The presented results are satisfactory, validating the proposed compact design, and showing the viability of this topology for SMILE applications.
A 2/3 Dual-Modulus Prescaler Using Complementary Clocking NMOS-Like Blocks
Authors: Wan Meilin , Zhang Zhenzhen , Liao Wang , Dai Kui , Zou Xuecheng
Published: May 2015

A dual-modulus prescaler (divide-by-2/3) using complementary clocking NMOS-like blocks is presented in this paper. The prescaler can work properly for both differential and single phase input clocks. For differential input clocks, the prescaler achieves not only high operating frequency but also low power consumption since it consists of only five NMOS-like blocks. For single phase input clock, the operating frequency range is further expanded by utilizing a complementary clocks generator. Simulation results show that, in 180-nm standard CMOS technology, the proposed prescaler achieves operating frequency range of 1.7–9.0 GHz for differential input clocks and 0.5–10.2 GHz for single phase input clock. And the maximum power consumption from 1.8 V power supply is 0.92 mW and 1.32 mW for differential and single phase input clocks respectively.
Calculation of α half-lives for Z ≥ 94 nuclei by proximity potential with a new universal function
Authors: Guo C. L. , Zhang G. L. , Li M.
Published: May 2015

The half-lives of even–even nuclei with proton number Z ≥ 94 are calculated by proximity potential with a new universal function, especially for superheavy nuclei. The calculation results are compared to the experimental data. It is shown that from the presently obtained universal function, the calculated half-lives of α decay can basically keep agreement with the experimental data for most of even–even nuclei. Those of superheavy nuclei are also calculated and discussed.
FINITE ELEMENT MODEL TO STUDY EFFECT OF Na+−Ca2+ EXCHANGERS AND SOURCE GEOMETRY ON CALCIUM DYNAMICS IN A NEURON CELL
Authors: JHA AMRITA , ADLAKHA NEERU , JHA BRAJESH KUMAR
Published: May 2015

The study of calcium diffusion in neuron cells has gained interest among research workers during the last two decades, due to its wide variety of roles in human body like muscle contraction, secretion, metabolism, signal transduction etc. Na[Formula: see text] is the first ion that comes in the hierarchy of ions affecting cytosolic Ca[Formula: see text] concentration. This Na[Formula: see text] ion helps in intracellular Ca[Formula: see text] regulation in cytosol via Na[Formula: see text]/Ca[Formula: see text] exchanger protein (NCX protein). Most of the theoretical investigations on calcium diffusion in neuron cells have been carried out for one and two dimensional cases by various research workers and that too by incorporating a point source of influx. In order to have more realistic study the more details of geometry, microstructure and physiological parameters need to be incorporated in the models. In view of above a three dimensional unsteady state model of Calcium dynamics in a neuron cell has been developed. Apart from the point source, the line and surface sources of an influx of Ca[Formula: see text]as well as the Na[Formula: see text]/Ca[Formula: see text] exchanger, have been incorporated in the model. Appropriate initial and boundary conditions have been framed. The region is discretized using three dimensional circular sectoral elements. Variational finite element method has been employed to obtain the solution. The numerical results have been computed to study effect of Na[Formula: see text]/Ca[Formula: see text] exchanger, point source, line source and surface source of an influx on Ca[Formula: see text] distribution in a neuron cell.
Physical aspects of 0-3 dielectric composites
Authors: Zhang Lin , Bass Patrick , Cheng Z.-Y.
Published: May 2015

0-3 dielectric composites with high dielectric constants have received great interest for various technological applications. Great achievements have been made in the development of high performance of 0-3 composites, which can be classified into dielectric–dielectric (DDCs) and conductor–dielectric composites (CDCs). However, predicting the dielectric properties of a composite is still a challenging problem of both theoretical and practical importance. Here, the physical aspects of 0-3 dielectric composites are reviewed. The limitation of current understanding and new developments in the physics of dielectric properties for dielectric composites are discussed. It is indicated that the current models cannot explain well the physical aspects for the dielectric properties of 0-3 dielectric composites. For the CDCs, experimental results show that there is a need to find new equations/models to predict the percolative behavior incorporating more parameters to describe the behavior of these materials. For the DDCs, it is indicated that the dielectric loss of each constituent has to be considered, and that it plays a critical role in the determination of the dielectric response of these types of composites. The differences in the loss of the constituents can result in a higher dielectric constant than both of the constituents combined, which breaks the Wiener limits.
Apoptotic lymphocytes induce progenitor cell mobilization after exercise
Authors: Mooren Frank C. , Krüger Karsten
Published: May 2015

There is evidence that apoptotic cells and their components have immunmodulatory properties and signaling function. The present study investigated first whether exercise-induced apoptosis and exercise-induced mobilization of progenitor cells are similarly affected by subjects' training status and, second, whether the appearance of dying cells in the circulation might mobilize progenitor cells. CD1 SWISS mice were subjected to a 10-wk endurance training using free wheel running or served as untrained controls. Mice of both groups performed an intensive exercise test after the training period at a velocity corresponding to 80% maximal oxygen uptake for 30 min. Cells from blood and bone marrow were analyzed, and apoptosis and number of progenitor cells determined via flow cytometry. In a second experiment, apoptotic cells were transferred into recipient mice, and mobilization of progenitor cells was analyzed while vital cells served as controls. In untrained animals, the exhaustive exercise was followed by an enhanced rate of annexin V positive CD3+ cells in blood and bone marrow ( P < 0.05), whereas no increase was found in trained mice. Similarly, exercise mobilized Sca-1+/c-kit+ and Sca-1+/Flk+ cells in untrained ( P < 0.05) but not trained mice. Furthermore, application of apoptotic cells and their supernatant mobilized Sca-1+/c-kit+ cells into the blood ( P < 0.05), whereas Sca-1+/Flk+ cells were not affected. The present study demonstrated that both lymphocyte apoptosis, as well as mobilization of progenitor cells are similarly related to training status. Furthermore, apoptotic cells seem to induce signals that effectively mobilize hematopoietic progenitor cells. The relevance of this effect for the adaptation to exercise stimuli remains to be shown.
β-Cryptoxanthin Synergistically Enhances the Antitumoral Activity of Oxaliplatin through ΔNP73 Negative Regulation in Colon Cancer
Authors: San Millán Coral , Soldevilla Beatriz , Martín Paloma , Gil-Calderón Beatriz , Compte Marta , Pérez-Sacristán Belén , Donoso Encarnación , Peña Cristina , Romero Jesús , Granado-Lorencio Fernando , Bonilla Félix , Domínguez Gemma
Published: May 2015

Background: The acquired resistance to chemotherapy represents the major limitation in the treatment of cancer. New strategies to solve this failure and improve patients' outcomes are necessary. The cancer preventive effect of β-cryptoxanthin has been widely described in population studies. Few reports support its putative use as an antitumoral compound. Here we focus on the therapeutic potential of β-cryptoxanthin individually or in combination with oxaliplatin in colon cancer and try to decipher the molecular basis underlying its effect.

Methods: Apoptosis, viability and proliferation assays, mouse models, and an intervention study in 20 healthy subjects were performed. A PCR array was carried out to unravel the molecular putative basis of the β-cryptoxanthin effect, and further signaling experiments were conducted. Comet Assay was completed to evaluate the genotoxicity of the treatments.

Results: β-Cryptoxanthin differentially regulates the expression of the P73 variants in vitro, in vivo, and in a human intervention study. This carotenoid decreases the proliferation of cancer cells and cooperates with oxaliplatin to induce apoptosis through the negative regulation of ΔNP73. The antitumoral concentrations of oxaliplatin decrease in the presence of β-cryptoxanthin to achieve same percentage of growth inhibition. The genotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of mice decreased in the combined treatment.

Conclusions: We propose a putative novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colon cancer based on the combination of β-cryptoxanthin and oxaliplatin. The combined regimen produced more benefit than either individual modality without increasing side effects. In addition, the concentration-limiting toxicity of oxaliplatin is reduced in the presence of the carotenoid. Clin Cancer Res; 21(19); 4398–409. ©2015 AACR.
Efficacy and Safety of Tacrolimus versus Pimecrolimus for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Children: A Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Huang Xia , Xu Bo
Published: May 2015

Objective: Using a network meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus and pimecrolimus as treatment options for children with atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods: Randomized controlled studies with a modified Jadad score >3 using tacrolimus or pimecrolimus in pediatric patients with AD were studied. Results: Out of 163 articles, 19 studies enrolling a total of 6,413 pediatric patients were selected. Pooled analysis revealed that tacrolimus 0.03% or 0.1% and pimecrolimus 1% were better at reducing eczema compared with vehicles. No significance was found between tacrolimus and pimecrolimus in improving the severity of eczema. More patients tended to withdraw in the vehicle groups compared to the tacrolimus and pimecrolimus groups. No significant difference existed between total adverse events and withdrawals in the tacrolimus and pimecrolimus groups. Conclusions: Pimecrolimus was similar to tacrolimus in both efficacy and safety for AD in children, but both were better than vehicles.