bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Online discussion forums for young people who self-harm: user views
Authors: Jones Ray , Sharkey Siobhan , Ford Tamsin , Emmens Tobit , Hewis Elaine , Smithson Janet , Sheaves Bryony , Owens Christabel
Published: September 2011

Aims and method

To explore what young people who self-harm think about online self-harm discussion forums. SharpTalk was set up to facilitate shared learning between health professionals and young people who self-harm. We extracted themes and illustrative statements from the online discussion and asked participants to rate statements.

Results

Of 77 young people who participated in the forum, 47 completed the questionnaire. They said they learned more about mental health issues from online discussion forums than from information sites, found it easier to talk about self-harm to strangers than to family or friends, and preferred to talk online than face-to-face or on the telephone. They valued the anonymity the forums provided and reported feeling more able to disclose and less likely to be judged online than in ‘real life’.

Clinical implications

Mental health professionals should be aware of the value of anonymous online discussion forums for some young people who self-harm, so that they can talk about them and assess their use with their patients.
Angiogenic morphogenesis driven by dynamic and heterogeneous collective endothelial cell movement
Authors: Arima Satoshi , Nishiyama Koichi , Ko Toshiyuki , Arima Yuichiro , Hakozaki Yuji , Sugihara Kei , Koseki Hiroaki , Uchijima Yasunobu , Kurihara Yukiko , Kurihara Hiroki
Published: September 2011

Angiogenesis is a complex process, which is accomplished by reiteration of modules such as sprouting, elongation and bifurcation, that configures branching vascular networks. However, details of the individual and collective behaviors of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) during angiogenic morphogenesis remain largely unknown. Herein, we established a time-lapse imaging and computer-assisted analysis system that quantitatively characterizes behaviors in sprouting angiogenesis. Surprisingly, ECs moved backwards and forwards, overtaking each other even at the tip, showing an unknown mode of collective cell movement with dynamic ‘cell-mixing’. Mosaic analysis, which enabled us to monitor the behavior of individual cells in a multicellular structure, confirmed the ‘cell-mixing’ phenomenon of ECs that occurs at the whole-cell level. Furthermore, an in vivo EC-tracking analysis revealed evidence of cell-mixing and overtaking at the tip in developing murine retinal vessels. In parametrical analysis, VEGF enhanced tip cell behavior and directed EC migration at the stalk during branch elongation. These movements were counter-regulated by EC-EC interplay via γ-secretase-dependent Dll4-Notch signaling, and might be promoted by EC-mural cell interplay. Finally, multiple regression analysis showed that these molecule-mediated tip cell behaviors and directed EC migration contributed to effective branch elongation. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the individual and collective EC movements driving angiogenic morphogenesis. The methodology used for this analysis might serve to bridge the gap in our understanding between individual cell behavior and branching morphogenesis.
Impact of socioeconomic factors on in-patient length of stay and their consequences in per case hospital payment systems
Authors: Perelman Julian , Closon Marie-Christine
Published: September 2011

Objectives:

The number of countries adopting per case hospital payment systems has been continuously increasing in recent years. Nonetheless, debates persist regarding their consequences for equity of access to services. This concern relates to the failure of diagnostic classifications properly to take into account patients’ care requirements, raising the threat of case selection (‘cream skimming’). We examine the heterogeneity of costs within diagnostic categories related to socioeconomic (SE) factors using length of stay (LOS) as a proxy measure of care needs and costs. We evaluate its consequences in terms of fairness in resource allocation between hospitals.

Methods:

We employ data on all discharges in 2002-03 from a sample of 60 Belgian hospitals (617,275 observations), measuring the association between LOS and SE factors using generalized linear models. We design a resource allocation formula based on the Belgian financing scheme, where non-medical activity is paid based on a normative number of in-patient days, and measure financial penalties and rewards according to whether payment is adjusted for the SE characteristics of patients or not.

Results:

Both patients’ SE status and hospitals’ area SE profile have a significant impact on LOS, which persists after controlling for detailed diagnostic and hospital characteristics. Hospitals treating low income patients are financially penalized as a result.

Conclusion:

SE factors are a predictor of in-patient LOS and should be taken into account in per case resource allocation among hospitals.
Early stent fracture and collapse of a Zenith TX2 thoracic stent graft used for traumatic aortic rupture
Authors: Falkenberg Mårten , Cronqvist Jonas , Malina Martin
Published: September 2011

Structural failure and collapse of thoracic stent grafts may cause fatal complications that are easily overlooked on follow-up imaging. A young man with multiple injuries from a motorcycle crash was treated with endografting for an aortic transection. The clinical course was initially satisfactory but deteriorated one week after the injury and the patient died two weeks later. Autopsy and retrospective assessment of chest X-rays revealed early fractures and collapse of the stent graft that had been overlooked and may have contributed to the lethal outcome. The design of thoracic stent grafts needs to be improved for treatment of traumatic aortic transection. Careful follow-up of these patients is warranted.
Inferior vena cava bypass for the treatment of obliterative hepatocavopathy with five-year follow-up
Authors: Anaya-Ayala Javier E , Johnson Brett A , Smolock Christopher J , Davies Mark G , Peden Eric K
Published: September 2011

Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis at its hepatic portion (also known as obliterative hepatocavopathy [OH]), in the absence of systemic or local diseases such as vasculitis, coagulopathy, infection and malignancy, is a rare event. We report the case of a 25-year-old woman with progressive abdominal pain and leg edema after exercise. Imaging showed congestive liver and IVC occlusion at the intrahepatic portion. A liver biopsy demonstrated portal congestion without evidence of fibrosis; after unsuccessful percutaneous attempts for recanalization, consideration was given to liver transplantation with IVC reconstruction versus IVC bypass. Due to the presence of preserved liver function, an externally supported 16-mm ringed polytetrafluoroethylene graft was used to bypass from the suprarenal IVC to the suprahepatic IVC. At five years, she remains symptom-free, with normal liver function and a patent graft on systemic anticoagulation. This report highlights the successful surgical management of a patient with OH with a thick membrane. It supports other published proposals that this entity differs significantly from classic Budd–Chiari syndrome with thrombosis that affects only the hepatic veins and, thus, OH should be approached and managed differently.
Endovascular treatment of two aortoduodenal fistulae
Authors: Pérez Susana Cancer , Galán Fernando Criado , Mallagray Enrique Puras , Grau Juan B , Marco Carmen Fiuza
Published: September 2011

We report the endovascular treatment of two patients presenting with aortoduodenal fistulae. The first patient was a 66-year-old man admitted with hematemesis. He was on clopidogrel and had received a cryopreserved aortic graft for a mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm five years earlier. Computed tomography (CT) showed aortic pseudoaneurysms in close contact with the duodenum. Endovascular repair was carried out. Twenty-seven months after the procedure the patient remains asymptomatic. The second patient was a 78-year-old man admitted with abdominal pain and nausea. CT revealed an abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysm and aortoduodenal fistula. He suffered from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that greatly increased his surgical morbidity and mortality. An endovascular repair was performed under epidural anesthesia. The patient died of a postoperative pneumonia 38 days after surgery. These two cases illustrate the importance of endovascular aortic repair especially when an open surgical procedure is either difficult or impossible.
Synthesis of unsymmetrical organic carbonates catalyzed by a sulfonic acid-functionalized zirconium phosphonate
Authors: Song Jinliang , Zhang Binbin , Wu Suxiang , Wang Qian , Fan Honglei , Zhang Zhaofu , Han Buxing
Published: September 2011

Synthesis of unsymmetrical organic carbonates by transesterification of various alcohols with diethyl carbonate (DEC) is an interesting topic in green chemistry. In this work, we synthesized a kind of zirconium phosphonate functionalized with pendent N-SO3H group by the reaction of ZrOCl2·8H2O with N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl)-sulfamic acid, which was formed from sulfamic acid through a Mannich-type reaction. The functionalized zirconium phosphonate was characterized by Fourier transform/infrared (FT/IR), N2 adsorption and desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, and was used as the heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of unsymmetrical organic carbonates by transesterification of various alcohols with DEC. It was demonstrated that the catalyst is very active and selective for the reactions, and very high yields of the desired products could be obtained. In addition, the catalyst could be easily recovered and the decrease in catalytic activity and selectivity was minor after three-fold usage. The mechanism for the transesterification reactions is discussed.
Morphological responses of Betula protoplasts in fiber spinning
Authors: Seyama Tomoko , Kondo Tetsuo
Published: September 2011

In a previous article, it was reported that, under stress conditions caused by Ca2+ ions, isolated protoplasts of Betula platyphylla leaves release a bundle of hollow fibrils as a stress-induced response. In the present article, details of this phenomenon have been investigated. As a special method, light microscopy combined with a ‘through focus variation’ technique was applied. In a regular culture medium, protoplasts could regenerate the cell walls, whereas protoplasts submitted to Ca2+ stress could not. Under stress conditions, the protoplasts inflated and formed a huge vacuole and, after 28 days, secreted the peculiar gigantic fibril with a diameter of 150 μm. The giant fibril is composed of (1→3)-β-glucan chains, i.e., the material of callose tissue.
Sperm surface changes and physiological consequences induced by sperm handling and storage
Authors: Leahy Tamara , Gadella Bart M
Published: September 2011

Spermatozoa interact with their immediate environment and this contact remodels the sperm surface in preparation for fertilisation. These fundamental membrane changes will be critically covered in this review with special emphasis on the very specific surface destabilisation event, capacitation. This process involves very subtle and intricate modifications of the sperm membrane including removal of suppression (decapacitation) factors and changes in the lateral organisation of the proteins and lipids of the sperm surface. Processing of sperm for assisted reproduction (storage, sex-sorting, etc.) subjects spermatozoa to numerous stressors, and it is possible that this processing overrides such delicate processes resulting in sperm instability and cell damage. To improve sperm quality, novel mechanisms must be used to stabilise the sperm surface during handling. In this review, different types of membrane stress are considered, as well as novel surface manipulation methods to improve sperm stability.
How to apply emotions to real life intergroup conflicts? Group-related emotions are historically anchored
Authors: Fülöp Éva , László János
Published: September 2011

A kutatásban a magyar nemzeti történelem segítségével vizsgáltuk a történelmi kontextus és a történelemhez kapcsolódó érzelmek szerepét a valós csoportközi konfliktusban. A vizsgálat során alkalmazott kísérleti elrendezésben hat külső csoport jelent meg (törökök, oroszok, horvátok, szerbek, szlovákok, románok). Magyar kísérleti személyeknek (N = 71) tizenkét rövid történelmi elbeszélést mutattunk be, melyek minden külső csoporttal kapcsolatban két eseményt tartalmaztak: az egyikben a külső csoportok voltak valamilyen atrocitás elkövetői, a másikban ők voltak az áldozatok. A függő változók az egyes történetekben a saját csoportnak, a külső csoportnak és a saját maguknak tulajdonított érzelmek voltak. Az eredmények támogatják hipotézisünket, miszerint a saját csoport történelmi pályája (a pozitív és negatív események, győzelmek és kudarcok szekvenciája) miként az a kollektív emlékezetben megőrzésre kerül, a csoportközi érzelmek jellegzetes készletét gerjeszti. Az a hipotézisünk, hogy a történelmi pálya érzelmek bejósolhatják a jelen korban élő kísérleti személyek által érzett kollektív érzelmeket, szintén megerősítést nyert.
Testing hypotheses in evolutionary ecology with imperfect detection: capture–recapture structural equation modeling
Authors: Cubaynes Sarah , Doutrelant Claire , Grégoire Arnaud , Perret Philippe , Faivre Bruno , Gimenez Olivier
Published: September 2011

Studying evolutionary mechanisms in natural populations often requires testing multifactorial scenarios of causality involving direct and indirect relationships among individual and environmental variables. It is also essential to account for the imperfect detection of individuals to provide unbiased demographic parameter estimates. To cope with these issues, we developed a new approach combining structural equation models with capture–recapture models (CR–SEM) that allows the investigation of competing hypotheses about individual and environmental variability observed in demographic parameters. We employ Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling in a Bayesian framework to (1) estimate model parameters, (2) implement a model selection procedure to evaluate competing hypotheses about causal mechanisms, and (3) assess the fit of models to data using posterior predictive checks. We illustrate the value of our approach using two case studies on wild bird populations. We first show that CR–SEM can be useful to quantify the action of selection on a set of phenotypic traits with an analysis of selection gradients on morphological traits in Common Blackbirds (Turdus merula). In a second case study on Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), we illustrate the use of CR–SEM to study evolutionary trade‐offs in the wild, while accounting for varying environmental conditions.
Joint water supply projects in rural Cameroon: partnership or profiteering? Lessons from the Mautu–Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) project
Authors: Folifac Fidelis , Gaskin Susan
Published: September 2011

The Government of Cameroon's lack of priority for rural water supply has motivated rural communities to harness their internal capacity and networks for self-help community water supply projects. The emerging paradigm of joint water supply projects between communities in rural Cameroon and large corporations, with both parties as principal beneficiaries (unlike self-help projects where the principal beneficiary is the community), is examined. Our findings, based on the Mautu community and the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) joint project, suggest that this paradigm can be an attractive alternative for rural communities to gain access to piped water systems. However, to ensure long term performance of the rural community's distribution network, the more experienced corporate partner should negotiate a fair agreement, integrate capacity building for operation and maintenance, and include future growth and increased demand in the design of the community's network. Significant inequity during design of the supply to the two partners can lead to the dysfunction of the community system and trigger the perception of profiteering by the corporate partner resulting in subsequent vandalism. It is recommended that such joint partnerships be regulated and that local institutions working with rural communities should educate them on available support services.
Deterioration in water quality from supply chain to household and appropriate storage in the context of intermittent water supplies
Authors: Elala Daniel , Labhasetwar Pawan , Tyrrel Sean F.
Published: September 2011

Many water providers in urban developing country contexts have to supply the water intermittently due to the disparity between rapidly growing demand and investment in supply infrastructure. This can lead to water quality risks such as ingress of polluted groundwater and unsafe household storage. This study has investigated the common risks and possible alternative solutions down the supply chain in the Nagpur municipal piped network through quantitative and qualitative data collection. The water quality testing indicated a significant reduction in water quality between tap and point-of-use. Interviews and a sanitary survey indicated storage design, inappropriate extraction practice and children's access as the most frequent household storage risks. The people with socio-economically lower status were found to be in greatest need of interventions. The study leads to the following recommendations: there is a need for the evolution of a Water Safety Plan to enable supportive structures for good risk assessment which includes all stakeholders from source to point-of-use; community awareness of water quality risks needs to be raised; low cost ‘improved’ water storage at household level should be promoted; and the levels of residual chlorine should be investigated and adjustments made to assure potable water at point-of-use.
Monitoring, environmental emergencies management and water treatment improvement of freshwater lakes in China: the Chao Lake case study
Authors: Mezzanotte V. , Bresciani M. , Canobbio S. , Giardino C. , Antonelli M. , Bortoluzzi A. , Foltran F. , Panizza A. , Pietrosanti A. , Ren Y. M. , De Biase L. , Nurizzo C.
Published: September 2011

Severe eutrophication of freshwater lakes, with the subsequent risk of algal blooms, has a critical effect on the safety of drinking water supplies in China and is one of the main environmental emergencies in the country. This paper focuses on Chao Lake, a large, shallow eutrophic lake used as a source of drinking water. The study considers the possibilities of improving the lake monitoring system and developing a SCADA system to manage the emergencies relating to water quality in order to meet the need of ensuring safe drinking water to the population of Chaohu City. The paper is presented in sub-sections that reflect the multitasking nature of the study, which focused on: (a) upgrading the monitoring system at lake and water treatment plant levels and also applying remote sensing, to develop a SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system using neural networks to support prompt and effective management of emergency situations; (b) upgrading water collection and treatment technologies.
Influence of organic fouling and operating conditions on nanofiltration membranes to reduce phenol concentration in natural waters
Authors: Marín N. García-Vaquero , López-Ramírez J. A.
Published: September 2011

Phenol is a product widely used in manufacturing and as a disinfectant for industrial and medical applications. The treatment of aqueous effluents polluted with phenol and phenolic species has deserved much attention in the last years due to the toxicity and low biodegradability of those organic compounds. Nanofiltration (NF) has a great potential to remove these contaminants. The main objective of this work is to study the influence on the rejection of phenol by a NF90 2540 NF membrane of various operating conditions: pressure (0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 × 106 N/m2); phenol feed concentration (from 0.025 kg/m3 up to 0.150 kg/m3) and pH (from 5.9 to 11.5). The influence of organic fouling is also investigated. Results showed that when different phenol concentrations were compared at the same pressure, permeate fluxes decreased as phenol concentrations increased (from 20% for the highest phenol feed concentration tested to 10% for the lowest); when phenol concentration increased, phenol was probably adsorbed onto the membrane, which led to lower rejection values (from 78 to 59% rejection). Changes in the pH of the solution altered the phenol dissociation equilibrium and membrane rejection characteristics. The reduction in phenol rejection by organic fouling (maximum of 35%) was a consequence of the materials deposited onto the membrane, which led to the formation of a cake layer.
Predictability of fouling-potential of raw water for ultrafiltration membranes
Authors: Krause S. , Obermayer A.
Published: September 2011

The public drinking water supply of southern Germany is characterized by a rather decentralized network. Due to the hydrogeological setting in these parts of Germany many of the small water works with an average capacity of 50 m3/h have to treat raw water extracted from karstic or cliffy aquifers. These raw waters tend to be contaminated with particles and pathogens acquired during snowmelt or after strong rainfalls. In the last decade ultrafiltration has become the technology of choice for the removal of the aforementioned contaminants. Flux decline caused by unanticipated membrane fouling is the main limitation for the application of ultrafiltration membranes. This paper describes how membrane fouling phenomena can be predicted by using a statistical approach based on data from large scale filtration systems in combination with field and lab experiments on raw water quality and membrane performance. The data defines water quality and respective fouling phenomena both in technical scale filtration plants and in lab experiments of eleven different raw waters. The method described here is more economically feasible for small water works when compared to typical pilot experiments that are used for high capacity water works.
Continuous Production of Biodiesel with Supercritical Methanol: a Simple Compressible Flow Model for Tubular Reactors
Authors: Sawangkeaw Ruengwit , Satayanon Witsanee , Bunyakiat Kunchana , Camy Séverine , Condoret Jean-Stéphane , Ngamprasertsith Somkiat
Published: September 2011

From an industrial point of view, the continuous process for biodiesel production with supercritical methanol (SCM) is more appropriate than the batch process. However, lab-scale studies on the continuous process have shown that the maximum conversion always remains slightly lower than that obtained in the batch process. This work proposes a simple compressible flow model to predict the conversion of methanol and oils into methyl esters (ME) along the length of a tubular reactor and further demonstrates the effect of the development of the compressibility factor of the reaction mixture upon the conversion efficiency to ME. The governing equation was derived from a general molar balance in the tubular reactor using transesterification kinetics of refined-bleached-deodorized (RBD) palm oil in SCM coupled with a suitable thermodynamic model with adjusted binary interaction parameters. Vapor-liquid equilibrium data for triolein + methanol, methyl oleate + methanol and glycerol + methanol mixtures were obtained from the literature and then refitted with the thermodynamic model consisting of the Peng-Robinson equation of state and MHV2 mixing rules to find the set of adequate interaction parameters. In order to check the validity of the proposed model, the predicted ME contents were compared with observed values in a lab-scale continuous reactor at various operating temperatures, pressures and methanol to oil molar ratios. The proposed model proved to be adequate for predicting the final conversion to ME for operating temperatures below 320°C, when the thermal degradation reactions of unsaturated fatty acids did not interfere. Our results also illustrate the importance of taking into account the development of the compressibility factor with time and reactor length, since this was shown to be the cause of the lower transesterification reaction rate in the tubular SCM process. The findings in this work could be employed as a knowledgebase to further develop a better model for continuous production of biodiesel with SCM in a tubular reactor.
Avoiding pitfalls in anterior screw fixation for Type II odontoid fractures
Authors: Mazur Marcus D. , Mumert Michael L. , Bisson Erica F. , Schmidt Meic H.
Published: September 2011

Anterior screw fixation of Type II odontoid fractures provides immediate stabilization of the cervical spine while preserving C1–2 motion. This technique has a high fusion rate, but can be technically challenging. The authors identify key points that should be taken into account to maximize the chance for a favorable outcome. Keys to success include proper patient and fracture selection, identification of suitable screw entry point and correct screw trajectory, achieving bicortical purchase, and placing 2 screws when feasible and applicable. The authors review the operative technique and present guidance on appropriate patient selection and common pitfalls in anterior screw fixation, with strategies for avoiding complications.
Clinically relevant complications related to pedicle screw placement in thoracolumbar surgery and their management: a literature review of 35,630 pedicle screws
Authors: Gautschi Oliver P. , Schatlo Bawarjan , Schaller Karl , Tessitore Enrico
Published: September 2011

Object

The technique of pedicle screw insertion is a mainstay of spinal instrumentation. Some of its potential complications are clinically relevant and may require reoperation or further postoperative care.

Methods

A literature search was performed using MEDLINE (between 1999 and June 2011) for studies on pedicle screw placement in thoracolumbar surgery. The authors included randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, and case series (≥ 20 patients) from the English-, German-, and French-language literature. The authors assessed study type, the number of patients, the anatomical area, the number of pedicle screws, duration of follow-up, type of pedicle screw placement, incidence of complications, and type of complication. The management of specific complications is discussed.

Results

Thirty-nine articles with 46 patient groups were reviewed with a total of 35,630 pedicle screws. One study was a randomized controlled trial, 8 were case-control studies, and the remaining articles were case series. Dural lesions and irritation of nerve roots were reported in a mean of 0.18% and 0.19% per pedicle screws, respectively. Thirty-two patients in 10 studies (of 5654 patients from all 39 studies) required further revision surgeries for misplaced pedicle screws causing neurological problems. None of the analyzed studies reported vascular complications, and only 2 studies reported visceral complications of clinical significance.

Conclusions

Pedicle screw placement in the thoracolumbar region is a safe procedure with an overall high accuracy and a very low rate of clinically relevant complications.
Comparison of Hydrocephalus Outcome Questionnaire scores to neuropsychological test performance in school-aged children
Authors: Kulkarni Abhaya V. , Donnelly Ruth , Shams Iffat
Published: September 2011

Object

The Hydrocephalus Outcome Questionnaire (HOQ) is an established means of measuring quality of life, but the cognitive component of this questionnaire has never been formally compared with gold-standard neuropsychological test scores. The authors hypothesized that the HOQ Cognitive Health score would demonstrate a relatively strong correlation with neuropsychological test scores, whereas much weaker correlations would be seen for HOQ Physical and Social-Emotional Health scores.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of children with long-standing hydrocephalus presenting to The Hospital for Sick Children's Neurosurgery Clinic was performed between July 2006 and September 2008. Participating children and families completed the HOQ and a battery of 21 standard neuropsychological tests and questionnaires. Pearson correlation analysis was then performed.

Results

A total of 83 patients (81% participation) was accrued; the mean age was 11.5 ± 3.4 years (mean ± SD) at the time of assessment. The mean age at hydrocephalus treatment was 1.3 ± 2.6 years. The mean overall HOQ score was 0.69 ± 0.21. The HOQ Cognitive score had a moderate or strong correlation with 19 (90%) of 21 neuropsychological test scores, much more so than the HOQ Social-Emotional score (5 moderate or strong correlations, 24%) and the HOQ Physical score (1 moderate correlation, 5%). For 19 neuropsychological tests (90%), the HOQ Cognitive score had a stronger correlation than the other scores. The HOQ Cognitive score had particularly strong correlations with the Verbal IQ, List Learning, Behavior Problems, and Metacognitive Abilities components.

Conclusions

Data from a wide-ranging representative sample of children with long-standing hydrocephalus provide added evidence of the validity of the HOQ Cognitive score and the overall domain structure of the HOQ itself.
Abdominal complications following posterior spinal fusion in patients with previous abdominal surgeries
Authors: Shih Patrick , Slimack Nicholas P. , Roy Anil , Fessler Richard G. , Koski Tyler R.
Published: September 2011

Perioperative abdominal complications associated with spine surgery are rare. Although most known abdominal complications occur in conjunction with anterior spinal fusions, there is a paucity of reports reviewing abdominal complications occurring with posterior spinal fusions. The authors review 4 patients who experienced a perioperative abdominal complication following a posterior spinal fusion. In each of these patients, a history of abdominal surgery is present. Given the physiological changes that occur with surgery in the prone position, patients with previous abdominal surgeries are at risk for developing abdominal complications in the perioperative period.
Improvement in executive function after unilateral carotid artery stenting for severe asymptomatic stenosis
Authors: Mendiz Oscar A. , Sposato Luciano A. , Fabbro Nicolás , Lev Gustavo A. , Calle Analía , Valdivieso León R. , Fava Carlos M. , Klein Francisco R. , Torralva Teresa , Gleichgerrcht Ezequiel , Manes Facundo
Published: September 2011

Object

Executive functions are crucial for organizing and integrating cognitive processes. While some studies have assessed the effect of carotid artery stenting (CAS) on cognitive functioning, results have been conflicting. The object of this study was to assess the effect of CAS on cognitive status, with special interest on executive functions, among patients with severe asymptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis.

Methods

The authors prospectively assessed the neuropsychological status of 20 patients with unilateral asymptomatic extracranial ICA stenosis of 60% or more by using a comprehensive assessment battery focused on executive functions before and after CAS. Individual raw scores on neuropsychological tests were converted into z scores by normalizing for age, sex, and years of education. The authors compared baseline and 3-month postoperative neuropsychological scores by using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

Results

The mean preoperative cognitive performance was within normal ranges on all variables. All patients underwent a successful CAS procedure. Executive function scores improved after CAS, relative to baseline performance as follows: set shifting (Trail-Making Test Part B: −0.75 ± 1.43 vs −1.2 ± 1.48, p = 0.003) and processing speed (digit symbol coding: −0.66 ± 0.85 vs −0.97 ± 0.82, p = 0.035; and symbol search: −0.24 ± 1.32 vs −0.56 ± 0.77, p = 0.049). The benefit of CAS for working memory was marginally significant (digit span backward: −0.41 ± 0.61 vs −0.58 ± 0.76, p = 0.052). Both verbal (immediate Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test: 0.35 ± 1.04 vs −0.22 ± 0.82, p = 0.011) and visual (delayed Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure: 0.27 ± 1.26 vs −0.22 ± 1.01, p = 0.024) memory improved after CAS.

Conclusions

The authors found a beneficial effect on executive function and memory 3 months after CAS among their prospective cohort of consecutive patients with unilateral and asymptomatic ICA stenosis of 60% or more.
Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer Epidemiology
Authors: Verma Mukesh , Patel Payal , Verma Mudit
Published: September 2011

Understanding the etiology of a disease such as prostate cancer may help in identifying populations at high risk, timely intervention of the disease, and proper treatment. Biomarkers, along with exposure history and clinical data, are useful tools to achieve these goals. Individual risk and population incidence of prostate cancer result from the intervention of genetic susceptibility and exposure. Biochemical, epigenetic, genetic, and imaging biomarkers are used to identify people at high risk for developing prostate cancer. In cancer epidemiology, epigenetic biomarkers offer advantages over other types of biomarkers because they are expressed against a person’s genetic background and environmental exposure, and because abnormal events occur early in cancer development, which includes several epigenetic alterations in cancer cells. This article describes different biomarkers that have potential use in studying the epidemiology of prostate cancer. We also discuss the characteristics of an ideal biomarker for prostate cancer, and technologies utilized for biomarker assays. Among epigenetic biomarkers, most reports indicate GSTP1 hypermethylation as the diagnostic marker for prostate cancer; however, NKX2-5, CLSTN1, SPOCK2, SLC16A12, DPYS, and NSE1 also have been reported to be regulated by methylation mechanisms in prostate cancer. Current challenges in utilization of biomarkers in prostate cancer diagnosis and epidemiologic studies and potential solutions also are discussed.
Monitoring Coral Health to Determine Coral Bleaching Response at High Latitude Eastern Australian Reefs: An Applied Model for A Changing Climate
Authors: Dalton Steven J. , Carroll Andrew G.
Published: September 2011

Limited information is available on the bleaching susceptibility of coral species that dominate high latitude reefs along the eastern seaboard of Australia. The main aims of this study were to: (i) monitor coral health and spatial patterns of coral bleaching response at the Solitary Islands Marine Park (SIMP) and Lord Howe Island Marine Park (LHIMP), to determine variability of bleaching susceptibility among coral taxa; (ii) predict coral bleaching thresholds at 30 °S and 31.5 °S, extrapolated from published bleaching threshold data; and (iii) propose a subtropical northern New South Wales coral bleaching model from biological and physical data. Between 2005 and 2007 minor bleaching was observed in dominant coral families including Pocilloporidae, Poritidae and Dendrophylliidae in the SIMP and Pocilloporidae, Poritidae and Acroporidae (Isopora and Montipora spp.) in the LHIMP, with a clear difference in bleaching susceptibility found between sites, both within and between locations. Bleaching susceptibility was highest in Porites spp. at the most offshore island site within the SIMP during summer 2005. Patterns of subtropical family bleaching susceptibility within the SIMP and LHIMP differed to those previously reported for the central Great Barrier Reef (GBR). These differences may be due to a number of factors, including temperature history and/or the coral hosts association with different zooxanthellae clades, which may have lower thermal tolerances. An analysis of published estimates of coral bleaching thresholds from the Caribbean, South Africa, GBR and central and northern Pacific regions suggests that the bleaching threshold at 30–31.5 °S ranges between 26.5–26.8 °C. This predicted threshold was confirmed by an extensive coral bleaching event on the world’s southernmost coral reef at Lord Howe Island, during the 2010 austral summer season. These results imply that dominant coral taxa at subtropical reefs along the eastern Australian seaboard are highly susceptible to thermal stress; which, in turn, could lead to a future decline in total live coral cover if predicted rising seawater temperatures lead to more frequent coral bleaching events in future.
Microfluidic Devices: Useful Tools for Bioprocess Intensification
Authors: Marques Marco P.C. , Fernandes Pedro
Published: September 2011

The dawn of the new millennium saw a trend towards the dedicated use of microfluidic devices for process intensification in biotechnology. As the last decade went by, it became evident that this pattern was not a short-lived fad, since the deliverables related to this field of research have been consistently piling-up. The application of process intensification in biotechnology is therefore seemingly catching up with the trend already observed in the chemical engineering area, where the use of microfluidic devices has already been upgraded to production scale. The goal of the present work is therefore to provide an updated overview of the developments centered on the use of microfluidic devices for process intensification in biotechnology. Within such scope, particular focus will be given to different designs, configurations and modes of operation of microreactors, but reference to similar features regarding microfluidic devices in downstream processing will not be overlooked. Engineering considerations and fluid dynamics issues, namely related to the characterization of flow in microchannels, promotion of micromixing and predictive tools, will also be addressed, as well as reflection on the analytics required to take full advantage of the possibilities provided by microfluidic devices in process intensification. Strategies developed to ease the implementation of experimental set-ups anchored in the use of microfluidic devices will be briefly tackled. Finally, realistic considerations on the current advantages and limitation on the use of microfluidic devices for process intensification, as well as prospective near future developments in the field, will be presented.
Islam and Roman Catholicism as Transnational Political Phenomena: Notes for a Comparative Research Agenda
Authors: Jelen Ted G. , Tamadonfar Mehran
Published: September 2011

In this paper, we offer some preliminary insights into a comparison of Islam and Roman Catholicism as transnational or “transcivilizational” political phenomena. We note that both traditions are monotheistic, offer universalist theologies, and have played important political roles both historically and in contemporary national and international politics. The comparison provides some additional insights into the role of ‘the sacred’ in politics at various levels, and presents the possibility of an intermediate level of analysis in comparative politics.
Migrations, environnement et conflits fonciers en Afrique de l'Ouest
Authors: Ghisalberti Alessandra
Published: September 2011

Résumé Les migrations internes à l’Afrique de l’Ouest sahélienne ne sont pas nouvelles, mais leur intensification à la suite de sécheresses répétées et des mutations territoriales plus ou moins liées ont conduit à ce qui pourrait être qualifié de conflits environnementaux. Les réserves d’espace mises en place à l’époque coloniale, comme le Parc du W autour de la frontière fluviale du Niger, du Burkina et du Bénin observé ici, concentrent les visées divergentes de populations sédentaires installées en périphérie et de populations mobiles qui les rejoignent dans la concurrence pour l’accès à la terre. La déqualification progressive de la réserve amplifie le conflit autour du droit foncier. Gestion traditionnelle et collective des anciens sédentaires ou enregistrement individuel des nouveaux arrivants d’origine nomade, le statut de la terre est au cœur des conflits les plus ordinaires.
Nasofacial Cutaneous Cancer at High Altitude: Patients Awareness and Surgical Outcome
Authors: Mohindroo NK , Sharma DR , Thakur JS , Diwana VK , Chauhan DC
Published: September 2011

introduction

Nose has anatomical variation from other facial units. Nasal skin surgery needs experience due to limited skin mobility for postsurgical defect. MMS is the preferred method for facial skin cancers but it is available in only few advanced centers of the country. We performed retrospective study to evaluate the results of traditional surgery and reconstruction in our hospital lacking frozen section facility.

Results

A total of 129 lesions of the face were excised in 87 patients. Thirty-six skin cancers were found in 31 patients. 21 postoperative defects were repaired with full thickness skin graft and seven cases needed local or distant flap. The recurrence occurred in two patients (one lesion each) in 1 year follow-up.

Conclusion

Nasal cutaneous cancers need utmost surgical expertise and experience in reconstruction. Health awareness campaign is needed to avoid skin cancers, especially people living at higher altitude.
Comparison of Endoscopic-Assisted Adenoidectomy with Conventional Method
Authors: Bradoo Renuka A , Modi Rahul R , Wahane Vikas
Published: September 2011

Objective

To evaluate and compare the efficacy of endoscopic-assisted (EA) adenoidectomy with the conventional adenoidectomy (CA) with an aim to reduce rates of residual adenoid tissue after adenoidectomy.

Methods

A prospective randomized study involving 32 patients in which 16 underwent EA and 16 underwent CA. The outcomes compared were residual adenoid tissue after 3 months of surgery, operative blood loss, operative time and complications.

Setting

A tertiary care teaching hospital.

Results

EA was significantly better in terms of residual tissue left behind as compared to CA (p < 0.05), similar operative blood loss and operative time with no difference in complications.

Conclusion

EA makes for a safe and efficacious way to do an adenoidectomy which has a significant advantage over CA.
Bilateral Choanal Atresia in a Teenager: Transnasal Endoscopic Approach
Authors: Hazra TK , Das Saumik , Majumder Aniruddha , Chakraborty Amit , Singh Mukesh Kumar , Das Chiranjib
Published: September 2011

Congenital choanal atresia has been recognized for over 200 years, first described by Roederer in 1775. Choanal atresia is an uncommon congenital anomaly. Choanal atresia is strongly suspected on the clinical sign and symptoms and confirmed with radiographs. CA repair in teenagers is not as common as it is in babies, but it still takes place and with good result. Transnasal endoscopic repair of CA is a safe and successful technique.
Broadband Omnidirectional Diversion of Light in Hybrid Plasmonic‐Photonic Heterocrystals
Authors: Ding Boyang , Bardosova Maria , Pemble Martyn E. , Korovin Alexander V. , Peschel Ulf , Romanov Sergei G.
Published: September 2011

Broadband, omnidirectional, and polarization‐independent diversion has been achieved of more than 90% of the light flow intensity off its incidence direction using hybrid metal–dielectric plasmonic‐photonic heterocrystals. These architectures were prepared by depositing metal film on the interface between two photonic crystals of different parameters. The magnitude of light losses was extracted from angle‐resolved measurements of transmission and reflectance spectra. Comparing these data for different stages of constructing the complex architecture, the diffraction in colloidal crystals, the excitation and radiative decay of short‐living surface plasmon polaritons in a corrugated metal film and the eigenmode mismatch at the interface between two different photonic crystals were identified as corroborating physical mechanisms behind the light diversion.
Charge Modified Cowpea Mosaic Virus Particles for Templated Mineralization
Authors: Aljabali Alaa A. A. , Barclay J. Elaine , Cespedes Oscar , Rashid Abdul , Staniland Sarah S. , Lomonossoff George P. , Evans David J.
Published: September 2011

Surface charge modification of wild‐type Cowpea mosaic virus, a plant virus, is sufficient to promote the templated mineralization of metal and metal oxide. Surface negative charge is increased by the chemical introduction of succinamate on surface lysine groups. The cobalt and iron oxide templated nanoparticles subsequently obtained are monodisperse with a diameter of ca. 32 nm. Further, the iron oxide‐CPMV nanoparticles can be readily decorated with thiol‐containing molecules.
Carbon Materials for Chemical Capacitive Energy Storage
Authors: Zhai Yunpu , Dou Yuqian , Zhao Dongyuan , Fulvio Pasquale F. , Mayes Richard T. , Dai Sheng
Published: September 2011

Carbon materials have attracted intense interests as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors, because of their high surface area, electrical conductivity, chemical stability and low cost. Activated carbons produced by different activation processes from various precursors are the most widely used electrodes. Recently, with the rapid growth of nanotechnology, nanostructured electrode materials, such as carbon nanotubes and template‐synthesized porous carbons have been developed. Their unique electrical properties and well controlled pore sizes and structures facilitate fast ion and electron transportation. In order to further improve the power and energy densities of the capacitors, carbon‐based composites combining electrical double layer capacitors (EDLC)‐capacitance and pseudo‐capacitance have been explored. They show not only enhanced capacitance, but as well good cyclability. In this review, recent progresses on carbon‐based electrode materials are summarized, including activated carbons, carbon nanotubes, and template‐synthesized porous carbons, in particular mesoporous carbons. Their advantages and disadvantages as electrochemical capacitors are discussed. At the end of this review, the future trends of electrochemical capacitors with high energy and power are proposed.
Non‐transferrin bound iron in Thalassemia: Differential detection of redox active forms in children and older patients
Authors: Breuer William , Ghoti Hussam , Shattat Ahmmad , Goldfarb Ada , Koren Ariel , Levin Carina , Rachmilewitz Eliezer , Cabantchik Z. Ioav
Published: September 2011

Non‐transferrin bound iron (NTBI) is commonly detected in patients with systemic iron overload whose serum iron‐binding capacity has been surpassed. It has been perceived as an indicator of iron overload, impending organ damage and a chelation target in poly‐transfused thalassemia patients. However, NTBI is a heterogeneous entity comprising various iron complexes, including a significant redox‐active and readily chelatable fraction, which we have designated as “labile plasma iron” (LPI). We found that LPI levels can be affected by plasma components such as citrate, uric acid, and albumin. However, the inclusion of a mild metal mobilizing agent in the LPI assay (designated here as “eLPI”), at concentrations that do not affect transferrin‐bound iron, largely overcomes such effects and provides a measure of the full NTBI content. We analyzed three distinct groups of poly‐transfused, iron overloaded thalassemia patients: non‐chelated children (3–13 yrs, Gaza, Palestine), chelated adolescents‐young adults (13–28 yrs, Israel), and chelated adults (27–61 yrs, Israel) for LPI and eLPI. The eLPI levels in all three groups were roughly commensurate (r2 = 0.61–0.75) with deferrioxamine‐detectable NTBI, i.e., DCI. In older chelated patients, eLPI levels approximated those of LPI, but in poly‐transfused unchelated children eLPI was notably higher than LPI, a difference attributed to plasma properties affected by labile iron due to lack of chelation, possibly reflecting age‐dependent attrition of plasma components. We propose that the two formats of NTBI measurement presented here are complementary and used together could provide more comprehensive information on the forms of NTBI in patients and their response to chelation. Am. J. Hematol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.