bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
E-008 Packing Volume Densities by Coated vs Non-coated Coils in Endovascular treatment of Cerebral Aneurysms
Authors: Darwish M , Ku A , Aziz K , Williams R
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Hydrogel coils have been introduced to efficiently increase the aneurysmal packing volumes which may, in turn, decreases the recurrence rate of the endovasularly treated cerebral aneurysms. There is no definite evidence for this at present, however.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of our interventionally coiled aneurysms. We have divided these aneurysms into Ruptured and Unruptured aneurysms and each group has been further subdivided into those treated with either Hydrogel or bare platinum coils. Volume fill is based on use of the Angiocalc program.

Results

In 301 patients, we have treated 354 aneurysms, 180 ruptured and 174 unruptured. We used the platinum coils in 95 ruptured and 87 unruptured aneurysms. The hydrocoated coils were used in 85 ruptured and 87 unruptured aneurysms. The average packing volumes resulted from the platinum coils were 46.37% and 52.36% in the ruptured and unruptured aneurysms respectively while the average packing volumes with hydrogel coils in the corresponding groups were 80.64% and 83.72% respectively. Total occlusion (packing volume = 100%) was achieved in 5 (5.26%) ruptured and 6 (6.9%) unruptured aneurysms treated with non-coated coils while it was achieved in 26 (30.59%) ruptured and 30 (34.48%) unruptured aneurysms treated with hydrocoated coils. Good packing volume (60%) was achieved in 29 (30.53%) ruptured and 31 (35.63%) unruptured aneurysms treated with non-coated coils while it was achieved in 71 (83.53%) ruptured and 80 (91.95%) unruptured aneurysms treated with hydrocoated coils. The overall average volume of aneurysms treated with non-coated coils was 156.75 mm3with an average packing volume of 49.2% while the overall average volume of the aneurysms treated with coated coils was 349.55 mm3with an average packing volume of 89.2%.

Conclusion

Regarding the aneurysmal packing volume, hydrocoils are proved to be more efficient than the conventional bare platinum coils in achieving higher packing densities at our institution. We currently use hydrogel coils for treatment of all coiled patients.

Disclosures

M. Darwish: None. A. Ku: None. K. Aziz: None. R. Williams: None.
E-013 Effect of Procedural Time Required to Achieve Recanalisation with Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischaemic Stroke on Outcome: The Golden Hour of Stroke Intervention
Authors: Spiotta A , Vargas J , Turner R , Chaudry I , Battenhouse H , Turk A
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Outcome studies in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) have focused on time from symptom onset to treatment. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether time to achieve vessel recanalisation from groin puncture affects outcomes.

Methods

We studied all AIS cases that underwent intra-arterial therapy between May 2008 and October 2012 at a high volume centre. Candidacy for thrombectomy is determined by CT perfusion imaging, irrespective of time of onset. Patients were then dichotomised into two groups; “Early Recan” assigned in which recanalisation was achieved in sixty minutes or under from groin puncture and “Delayed Recan” in which procedures extended beyond sixty minutes. Time to recanalise was also studied as a continuous variable.

Results

180 patients (51.7% female, mean age 66.1 ± 15.1 years) were identified. Among the “Early Recan” patients, recanalisation was achieved in 41.4 ± 13.6 minutes as opposed to 101.5 ± 32.4 minutes in the “Delayed Recan” patients. Patients in the “Early Recan” group were twice as likely to achieve a TICI 3 (47% vs 24.6%; p=0.002) and a TICI of 2B or 3 (89.4% vs 72.8%; p=0.009). The intraprocedural complication rate was higher among the “Delayed Recan” patients (11.4%) compared to the “Early Recan” patients (3%; p=0.05). The likelihood of achieving a good outcome (mRS 0 - 2) was higher in the “Early Recan” group (54%) compared to the “Late Recan” group (29.8%; p=0.002). On logistic regression analysis, time to recanalise from groin puncture was found to significantly impact mRS at ninety days in addition to age, baseline NIHSS, achieving revascularisation, and postprocedure haemorrhage.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that extending mechanical thrombectomy procedure times beyond sixty minutes increases complications and postprocedure haemorrhage rates while worsening outcomes. These findings can serve as a timeframe of when it is prudent to abort a failed thrombectomy case.

Disclosures

A. Spiotta: None. J. Vargas: None. R. Turner: None. I. Chaudry: None. H. Battenhouse: None. A. Turk: None.
E-014 Surpass Flow Diverter: Early Outcome
Authors: Derakhshani S
Published: July 2013

We present our experience and early outcome in a group of patients with recurrent or un-ruptured aneurysm who underwent endovascular treatment by using Surpass Neuroendovascular Flow Diverter System.

Disclosures

S. Derakhshani: None.
E-021 Acute Interventional Treatment of Atherosclerotic Carotid Occlusion and Intracranial Thromboembolism
Authors: Heck D , Brown M
Published: July 2013

The patient presenting with acute carotid occlusion and intracranial embolism poses additional challenges compared with the patient with intracranial embolism and no cervical carotid obstruction. There are technical challenges of gaining access to the intracranial circulation for thrombolysis or embolectomy and decisions regarding pharmacologic management after placing a stent in an acutely occluded vessel, all of which may lead to additional complications. We report 18 consecutive cases of acute carotid occlusion or near occlusion treated in the last two years. Outcomes and procedural details were collected prospectively in our interventional stroke database. No patients have been lost to follow up. The mean age is 68 (median 65, range48–86). The mean NIHSS is 19 (median 19, range 9–26). Guidewire access was gained across the occlusion in all patients. In one patient stenting was not technically possible (only angioplasty) due to heavy calcification of the vessel, and in one patient the carotid terminus could not be opened after stenting of the cervical carotid occlusion. Normal flow was reestablished in the other 16 extracranial carotid arteries after stenting (89%). The 90 day mortality was 33%, with 3 cases of fatal haemorrhage (17%), all of which occurred in the first 24 hours. Favourable outcomes at 90 days (MRS 0–2) were obtained in 10 patients (55%), two of whom had favourable outcomes despite failed revascularisation of the middle cerebral artery after successful carotid stenting to improve inflow to pial collaterals. Overall, TICI 2B or greater flow was obtained in the middle cerebral artery in 14 patients (78%), TICI 2A or greater in 15 (83%). There was no embolisation to previously uninvolved territories (anterior cerebral artery or opthalmic artery). There were no delayed occlusions of carotid stents in patients who survived the initial stroke (n=12), and just one case of moderate restenosis at 6 months. In summary, favourable clinical outcomes and mortality in this cohort of patients treated with extracranial carotid stenting combined with intracranial embolectomy or thrombolysis for extracranial carotid occlusion and large vesse intracranial occlusion are similar to our patients who did not have extracranial carotid obstruction. However, the incidence of symptomatic haemorrhage is higher. We will compare the above results with our overall results and discuss technical aspects and strategies for anti-platelet therapy in this situation.

Disclosures

D. Heck: None. M. Brown: None.
E-026 Predictive Factors of Outcome and Haemorrhage After Acute Ischaemic Stroke Treated by Mechanical Thrombectomy
Authors: Pierot L , Soize S , Barbe C , HKadziolka K , Estrade L , Serre I
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The study attempts to identify notable factors predicting poor outcome, death and intracranial-haemorrhage in patients with acute ischaemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy with stent-retriever. This data could be useful to improve the selection of patients for thrombectomy.

Material and Methods

Patients with acute ischaemic stroke treated with the Solitaire FR device were retrospectively analysed from a prospectively collected database. We assessed the effect of selected demographic characteristics, clinical and imaging factors on poor outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin score 3–6), mortality at 3 months and haemorrhage at day 1 (symptomatic and asymptomatic).

Results

From May 2010 to April 2012, 59 consecutive patients with an acute ischaemic stroke underwent mechanical thrombectomy. At 3 months, 57.6% of the patients were functionally independent (mRS 0–2) and mortality was 20.4%. Multivariate analyses revealed that a thrombus length>14mm (p=0.02; OR 7.55; CI 95% 1.35-42.31) and longer endovascular procedure duration (p=0.01; OR 1.04; CI 95% 1.01-1.07) were independently associated with poor outcome. A higher baseline ASPECT score (p=0.04; OR 0.79 per point; CI 95% 0.63-0.99) and successful recanalisation (p=0.02; OR 0.07; CI 95% 0.01-0.72) were independent predictors of good functional outcome. Baseline ASPECT score (p<0.01; OR 0.65; CI 95% 0.54-0.78) independently predicted symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage at day1.

Conclusion

A thrombus length >14mm is an independent predictor of poor functional outcome at 3 months after thrombectomy. Absolute baseline ASPECT score reflects early symptomatic haemorrhage risk and functional outcome at 3 months. Further analyses are needed to determine the importance of the thrombus length in the selection of patients for mechanical thrombectomy.

Disclosures

L. Pierot: 2; C; Covidien/EV3. S. Soize: None. C. Barbe: None. K. HKadziolka: None. L. Estrade: None. I. Serre: None.
E-036 Utilisation of the Navien Distal Intracranial Catheter During 78 Cases of Anterior Circulation Aneurysm Treatment with the Pipeline Embolisation Device
Authors: Colby G , Lin L , Huang J , Tamargo R , Coon A
Published: July 2013

Background

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms relies on coaxial catheter support systems to provide safe and stable access. Large bore distal intracranial catheters have become necessary for aneurysm treatment with flow diverting devices, including the Pipeline embolisation device (PED). These catheters must accommodate 0.027″ microcatheters, be supple enough to track distally, and be able to provide sufficient support for manipulations required for PED deployment.

Methods

A single-centre aneurysm database was reviewed to identify patients who underwent anterior circulation aneurysm embolisation with the PED while utilising the Navien distal intracranial catheter. Data were collected regarding the equipment used, cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) tortuosity, intra-procedural Navien positions, and peri-procedural complications.

Results

The Navien catheter (5F, 0.070″ OD, 0.058″ID, 115 cm) was used in 78 anterior circulation PED cases. The Navien was tracked into position over a Marksman in 76/78 cases (97%). The final catheter tip position was in the cervical ICA (1/78, 1%), petrous ICA (23/78, 30%), proximal cavernous ICA (48/78, 62%), distal cavernous/clinoidal ICA (3/78, 4%), supraclinoid ICA (2/78, 2%), and the M1 segment (1/78, 2%). In each case, the catheter was tracked to its desired position (100% clinical success) despite significant proximal vessel tortuosity in 34 cases (44%). No clinically significant catheter related complications occurred.

Conclusion

The Navien intracranial catheter is an important component of the tri-axial system for embolisation of cerebral aneurysms with the PED. This catheter is highly trackable to distal positions, atraumatic, and provides sufficient support for the microcatheter manipulations used during typical PED deployments.

Disclosures

G. Colby: None. L. Lin: None. J. Huang: None. R. Tamargo: None. A. Coon: 2; C; Covidien.
E-038 Stenting for Pseudotumor: The Conduit Technique
Authors: Chaudry I , Spiotta A , Hawk H , Miranpuri A , Turner R , Turk A
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Carefully selected pseudotumor cerebri patients with dural sinus stenosis and pressure gradients can be considered for sinus stenting. The tortuous sigmoid sinus-jugular bulb junction and transverse-sigmoid sinus stenosis can contribute to the complexity of stent delivery.

Materials and Results

Distal access guide catheters as 6Fr 070 Neuron guide catheters and 6Fr 088 Neuron Max sheaths (Penumbra, Inc., Alameda, CA), 6Fr Shuttle sheaths (Cook Medical, Inc., Bloomington, IN), 6Fr Chaperon guide catheters (Microvention-Terumo, Irvine, CA), over a diagnostic insert catheter can provide distal support during delivery of Cordis Precise stents (Cordis Corporation, Bridgewater, NJ). We report nineteen cases where the guide catheter was able to achieve access beyond the jugular bulb and in all cases the stent was successfully deployed across the target lesion. No guide catheter or stent complications were encountered in our series.

Conclusion

We outline our “conduit” approach in sinus stenting using distal access guide catheters which allows for superior navigability and trackability of the guide catheters across the tortuous and stenotic sinus system, and successful deployment of the stent.

Disclosures

I. Chaudry: 2; C; Penumbra, Microvention. A. Spiotta: None. H. Hawk: None. A. Miranpuri: None. R. Turner: 2; C; Microvention, Penumbra. A. Turk: 2; C; Penumbra, Microvention.
Numerical modeling of progressive failure and its implications for spreads in sensitive clays
Authors: Locat Ariane , Jostad Hans Petter , Leroueil Serge
Published: July 2013

Spreads are a type of large landslide occurring in sensitive clays. Stability analyses using the limit equilibrium method give factors of safety that are too large and are therefore not applicable to this type of landslide. The progressive failure mechanism is believed to explain the initiation and propagation of the failure surface and the dislocation of the soil mass in horsts and grabens, typical of spreads. A numerical method is presented to identify the parameters influencing progressive failure and to validate the application of this mechanism to spreads. The method evaluates the stresses acting in the slope before failure and models the initiation and propagation of the progressive failure. It is demonstrated that high, steep slopes, with a large earth pressure ratio at rest, are more susceptible to progressive failure and the failure surface propagates over a large distance. Failure is more likely to occur when soil with high brittleness is involved. Soil with low strength at large deformation induces failure propagation over a larger distance. Eastern Canadian clays can exhibit high sensitivity and large brittleness during shear and are susceptible to progressive failure, which explains the occurrence of spreads in these soils.
A PSEUDO-RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR EMPLOYING MULTIPLE RÉNYI MAPS
Authors: LUI OI-YAN , YUEN CHING-HUNG , WONG KWOK-WO
Published: July 2013

The increasing risk along with the drastic development of multimedia data transmission has raised a big concern on data security. A good pseudo-random number generator is an essential tool in cryptography. In this paper, we propose a novel pseudo-random number generator based on the controlled combination of the outputs of several digitized chaotic Rényi maps. The generated pseudo-random sequences have passed both the NIST 800-22 Revision 1a and the DIEHARD tests. Moreover, simulation results show that the proposed pseudo-random number generator requires less operation time than existing generators and is highly sensitive to the seed.
THE STUDY OF QCD PHASE TRANSITION AT FINITE TEMPERATURE AND CHIRAL CHEMICAL POTENTIAL IN A DYSON–SCHWINGER EQUATION MODEL
Authors: LUO LIU-JUN , SHI SONG , ZONG HONG-SHI
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we use a separable gluon propagator model to study the Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) phase transition at finite temperature and chiral chemical potential. Using this model, we calculate the quark condensate and the chiral susceptibility at finite temperature and chiral chemical potential both in the chiral limit and at finite current quark mass. Based on these, we obtain the QCD phase diagram in the μ5-T plane.
THE INVESTIGATION OF THE ELECTRON BEHAVIOR OF SnO2 BY THE SIMULATION METHODS GGA AND mBJ ASSOCIATED WITH THE EELS EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE
Authors: CHIKR Z. CHELAHI , MOKADEM A. , BOUSLAMA M. , BESAHRAOUI F. , GHAFFOUR M. , OUERDANE A. , BOULENOUAR K. , CHAUVIN N. , BENRABAH B.
Published: July 2013

The semiconductor SnO 2 is an important material to be used in different fields as the monitoring of air pollution, toxic gas and other applications as solar cells, optoelectronic devices, etc. The simulation method such as the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) of SnO 2 is very interesting in determining its lattice parameters with accuracy in comparison with the experimental data. The GGA simulation method and the one established by Becke and Johnson mBJ are useful for predicting the electronic properties related to the charge distribution of SnO 2 compound. The calculated density of states and the charge density are well confirmed owing to the experimental results related to the electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) technique, very sensitive to the characterization of materials.
Synthesis of three novel imidazolyl-appended porphyrins and their cytostatic and phototoxic activity on A431 cells
Authors: Yao Guiping , Zhang Zengqi , Li Jun , Su Xiaoqin , Sun Wanjun , Zhang Fengxing
Published: July 2013

Three imidazolyl-appended porphyrins were synthesized and characterized by 1 H NMR, elemental analyses, MS and UV-vis spectra. Anticancer activities of porphyrins have been evaluated against cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (A431 cells) in vitro. The results indicate that the porphyrins have high selective cytotoxicity towards A431 cells in the absence of light and improved phototoxic activity upon exposure to UV light. The yield of singlet oxygen generated by porphyrins were also evaluated by measuring the absorption decay of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) in DMF. The phototoxicities of porphyrins against A431 cells were enhanced along with the increase of singlet oxygen.
Laser induced protonation of free base porphyrin in chloroform results in the enhancement of positive nonlinear absorption due to conformational distortion
Authors: Zawadzka Monika , Wang Jun , Blau Werner J. , Senge Mathias O.
Published: July 2013

Free base porphyrin in chloroform solution irradiated with focused laser beam, in an open Z-scan set-up, changed color from purple to green, which was associated with protonation of the porphyrin with protonic species from photodegradation of the solvent. Protonation is demonstrated as a simple means to improve the optical limiting performance of free base porphyrin nonlinear optical (NLO) materials.
Absorption of Hazardous Pollutants by a Medicinal FernBlechnum orientaleL.
Authors: Zhu Xiao-min , Kuang Yuan-wen , Xi Dan , Li Jiong , Wang Fa-guo
Published: July 2013

A Chinese medicinal fernBlechnum orientale(Linn) was separately collected from polluted and unpolluted sites to determine whether it could accumulate hazardous pollutants or not. Metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cr, As, and Hg) both in the fronds and roots and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the fronds of this fern were quantified. At both sites, roots ofB. orientalehad significantly higher heavy metals than the fronds. Concentrations of Pb, As, Hg, Cd, and Cu in the fronds at the polluted site were more than 2, 6, 7, 14, 5, and 13 times of those at the unpolluted site. Translocation factor and bioaccumulation factor implied thatB. orientaledid not have a good ability to transport heavy metals from the roots to the fronds. Total PAHs in the fronds at the polluted site were significantly higher than those at the unpolluted site, indicating the physiological PAHs absorption byB. orientalegrowing at polluted sites. Uptake of pollutants via stomata might be the main reason causing the significant accumulation of hazardous pollutants in the fronds ofB. orientale. Large-scale systematical survey and intensive monitoring on pollutants in this medicinal fern should be necessarily strengthened.
Identification of Interconnected Markers for T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Guven Maiorov Emine , Keskin Ozlem , Hatirnaz Ng Ozden , Ozbek Ugur , Gursoy Attila
Published: July 2013

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a complex disease, resulting from proliferation of differentially arrested immature T cells. The molecular mechanisms and the genes involved in the generation of T-ALL remain largely undefined. In this study, we propose a set of genes to differentiate individuals with T-ALL from the nonleukemia/healthy ones and genes that are not differential themselves but interconnected with highly differentially expressed ones. We provide new suggestions for pathways involved in the cause of T-ALL and show that network-based classification techniques produce fewer genes with more meaningful and successful results than expression-based approaches. We have identified 19 significant subnetworks, containing 102 genes. The classification/prediction accuracies of subnetworks are considerably high, as high as 98%. Subnetworks contain 6 nondifferentially expressed genes, which could potentially participate in pathogenesis of T-ALL. Although these genes are not differential, they may serve as biomarkers if their loss/gain of function contributes to generation of T-ALL via SNPs. We conclude that transcription factors, zinc-ion-binding proteins, and tyrosine kinases are the important protein families to trigger T-ALL. These potential disease-causing genes in our subnetworks may serve as biomarkers, alternative to the traditional ones used for the diagnosis of T-ALL, and help understand the pathogenesis of the disease.
Color Image Quantization Algorithm Based on Self-Adaptive Differential Evolution
Authors: Su Qinghua , Hu Zhongbo
Published: July 2013

Differential evolution algorithm (DE) is one of the novel stochastic optimization methods. It has a better performance in the problem of the color image quantization, but it is difficult to set the parameters of DE for users. This paper proposes a color image quantization algorithm based on self-adaptive DE. In the proposed algorithm, a self-adaptive mechanic is used to automatically adjust the parameters of DE during the evolution, and a mixed mechanic of DE andK-means is applied to strengthen the local search. The numerical experimental results, on a set of commonly used test images, show that the proposed algorithm is a practicable quantization method and is more competitive thanK-means and particle swarm algorithm (PSO) for the color image quantization.
The Coronary Microcirculation in Health and Disease
Authors: Muller-Delp Judy M.
Published: July 2013

Coronary blood flow is closely regulated to meet the changing metabolic demands of the working myocardium. Resistance of the coronary vasculature is determined by metabolic, myogenic, endothelial, and neural mechanisms. The influence of these control mechanisms varies throughout the coronary circulation, as they have dominant sites of action in vessels of different caliber. Coronary vascular resistance depends upon the coordinated response to these influences. Within a segment of the coronary circulation, resistance may be determined, for example, by competitive interaction between neural vasoconstriction and metabolic vasodilation. Such a system in which control occurs through multiple mechanisms with varying effects allows for precise control of coronary blood flow. This system also provides protection against dysfunction of a single control mechanism. If one fails, other control mechanisms can compensate for that loss of function. Thus, adequate delivery of oxygen and nutrients can be maintained despite potential dysfunction and large fluctuations in metabolic demands of the myocardium. In disease states, these regulatory mechanisms may also fail, and endothelial dysfunction is commonly seen in the setting of cardiac disease. Optimal cardioprotective therapies must target the coronary microcirculation and cardiac myocytes in tandem. Similarly, reversal of cardiac dysfunction requires concomitant amelioration of coronary microvascular dysfunction.
A New Developed Airlift Reactor Integrated Settling Process and Its Application for Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification Nitrogen Removal
Authors: Zhang Tao , Wei Chaohai
Published: July 2013

This study presented the performance of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) process using a new developed hybrid airlift reactor which integrated the activated sludge reaction process in the airlift reactor and the sludge settling separation process in the clarifier. The proposed reactor was started up successfully after 76 days within which the COD and total nitrogen removal rate can reach over 90% and 76.3%, respectively. The effects of different COD/N and DO concentrations on the performance of reactor were investigated. It was found that the influent COD/N maintained at 10 was sufficient for SND and the optimum DO concentration for SND was in the range of 0.5 to 0.8 mg L−1. Batch test demonstrated that both macroscopic environment caused by the spatial DO concentration difference and microscopic environment caused by the stratification of activated sludge may be responsible for the SND process in the reactor. The hybrid airlift reactor can accomplish SND process in a single reactor and in situ automatic separation of sludge; therefore, it may serve as a promising reactor in COD and nitrogen removal fields.
Plasma Clusterin Concentrations May Predict Resistance to Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Patients with Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Ou-Yang Mei-Chen , Kuo Ho-Chang , Lin I-Chun , Sheen Jiunn-Ming , Huang Fu-Chen , Chen Chih-Cheng , Huang Ying-Hsien , Lin Ying-Jui , Yu Hong-Ren
Published: July 2013

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile vasculitic syndrome of early childhood often complicated by coronary artery lesion that drastically reduces the quality of life. The study aimed to identify a reliable marker for predicting nonresponsiveness to the first course of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in KD patients. A total of 63 patients with KD were enrolled in the study (IVIG response, 58; IVIG resistance, 5). Plasma samples were collected before and after IVIG infusion for measurement of biomarkers. Patients’ clinical characteristics and laboratory data were also analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic curve was generated to identify a cut‐off value for predicting IVIG resistance. Among the biomarkers, the difference in plasma clusterin concentrations before and after IVIG infusion (CLUSTER 12) was significantly related to IVIG resistance (P = 0.040; 95% confidence interval (CI): −25.8% to −6.0%). Using a CLUSTER 12 cut‐off value of <8.52 mg/L, the odds ratio for IVIG resistance was 11.467 (95% CI: 1.186 to 110.853). Patients with plasma CLUSTER 12 concentrations >8.52 mg/L had a much higher risk of IVIG resistance than those with CLUSTER 12 concentrations <8.52 mg/L. Plasma clusterin concentration shows promise as a candidate biomarker for predicting IVIG resistance in patients with KD.
Physiological Striae Atrophicae of Adolescence with Involvement of the Upper Back
Authors: Leung Alexander K. C. , Barankin Benjamin
Published: July 2013

We report a 13-year-old boy with multiple purplish, atrophic, horizontal linear striae in the thoracic area. He reported a growth spurt in the preceding 12 months. His past health was unremarkable, and he took no medications. To our knowledge, physiological striae atrophicae of adolescence where idiopathic striae were restricted to the upper back have rarely been reported. Physiological striae atrophicae of adolescence may, on occasions, be mistaken for child abuse. It is important that child care professionals recognize this condition so that false accusations of child abuse will not be made.
Noninvasive Monitoring of Training Induced Muscle Adaptation with -MRS: Fibre Type Shifts Correlate with Metabolic Changes
Authors: Hoff Eike , Brechtel Lars , Strube Patrick , Konstanczak Paul , Stoltenburg-Didinger Gisela , Perka Carsten , Putzier Michael
Published: July 2013

Purpose. To evaluate training induced metabolic changes noninvasively with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (-MRS) for measuring muscle fibre type adaptation.Methods. Eleven volunteers underwent a 24-week training, consisting of speed-strength, endurance, and detraining (each 8 weeks). Prior to and following each training period, needle biopsies and -MRS of the resting gastrocnemius muscle were performed. Fibre type distribution was analyzed histologically and tested for correlation with the ratios of high energy phosphates ([PCr]/[], [PCr]/[βATP] and [PCr + ]/[βATP]). The correlation between the changes of the -MRS parameters during training and the resulting changes in fibre composition were also analysed.Results. We observed an increased type-II-fibre proportion after speed-strength and detraining. After endurance training the percentage of fast-twitch fibres was reduced. The progression of the [PCr]/[]-ratio was similar to that of the fast-twitch fibres during the training. We found a correlation between the type-II-fibre proportion and [PCr]/[] (, ) or [PCr]/[βATP] (, ); the correlations between its changes (delta) and the fibre-shift were significant as well (delta[PCr]/[] , delta[PCr]/[βATP] , ).Conclusion. Shifts in fibre type composition and high energy phosphate metabolite content covary in human gastrocnemius muscle. Therefore -MRS might be a feasible method for noninvasive monitoring of exercise-induced fibre type transformation.
Structure-Based Mechanism for Early PLP-Mediated Steps of Rabbit Cytosolic Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase Reaction
Authors: Di Salvo Martino L. , Scarsdale J. Neel , Kazanina Galina , Contestabile Roberto , Schirch Verne , Wright H. Tonie
Published: July 2013

Serine hydroxymethyltransferase catalyzes the reversible interconversion of L-serine and glycine with transfer of one-carbon groups to and from tetrahydrofolate. Active site residue Thr254 is known to be involved in the transaldimination reaction, a crucial step in the catalytic mechanism of all pyridoxal 5′-phosphate- (PLP-) dependent enzymes, which determines binding of substrates and release of products. In order to better understand the role of Thr254, we have expressed, characterized, and determined the crystal structures of rabbit cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase T254A and T254C mutant forms, in the absence and presence of substrates. These mutants accumulate a kinetically stablegem-diamine intermediate, and their crystal structures show differences in the active site with respect to wild type. The kinetic and crystallographic data acquired with mutant enzymes permit us to infer that conversion ofgem-diamine to external aldimine is significantly slowed because intermediates are trapped into an anomalous position by a misorientation of the PLP ring, and a new energy barrier hampers the transaldimination reaction. This barrier likely arises from the loss of the stabilizing hydrogen bond between the hydroxymethyl group of Thr254 and theε-amino group of active site Lys257, which stabilizes the external aldimine intermediate in wild type SHMTs.
Hydroquinone: Environmental Pollution, Toxicity, and Microbial Answers
Authors: Enguita Francisco J. , Leitão Ana Lúcia
Published: July 2013

Hydroquinone is a major benzene metabolite, which is a well-known haematotoxic and carcinogenic agent associated with malignancy in occupational environments. Human exposure to hydroquinone can occur by dietary, occupational, and environmental sources. In the environment, hydroquinone showed increased toxicity for aquatic organisms, being less harmful for bacteria and fungi. Recent pieces of evidence showed that hydroquinone is able to enhance carcinogenic risk by generating DNA damage and also to compromise the general immune responses which may contribute to the impaired triggering of the host immune reaction. Hydroquinone bioremediation from natural and contaminated sources can be achieved by the use of a diverse group of microorganisms, ranging from bacteria to fungi, which harbor very complex enzymatic systems able to metabolize hydroquinone either under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Due to the recent research development on hydroquinone, this review underscores not only the mechanisms of hydroquinone biotransformation and the role of microorganisms and their enzymes in this process, but also its toxicity.
Agent-Based Modeling of Harvest Decisions by Small Scale Forest Landowners in Maine, USA
Authors: Leahy Jessica E. , Reeves Erika Gorczyca , Bell Kathleen P. , Straub Crista L. , Wilson Jeremy S.
Published: July 2013

Small-scale forests are an excellent example of coupled social-ecological systems, which involve human and biophysical subsystems with complex two-way feedback interactions. The multifaceted nature of landowner decisions drives a significant need to better understand decision-making processes, reactions to policy, and combined impacts on ecosystems in a comprehensive manner. Small-scale forests require an integrated approach to modeling the social and biophysical components comprehensively. Agent-based modeling involves modeling individualistic behavior and interpreting patterns that emerge. The interaction between agents and their environments makes this a valuable tool to assess repeated decisions of individual landowners responding to changing environmental conditions. Agent-based models can be used to determine potential ecological, economic, and social outcomes of landowner decisions and reactions to changing conditions. A forest landowner agent-based model experiment was developed to model timber harvesting in Maine, USA. We present baseline simulation results and compare the effect of a social change (an increased tax rate) and a biophysical change (a pest outbreak resulting in increased tree mortality) on the system. These three scenarios were analyzed using ANOVA and MANOVA tests on harvested hectares and landowner goal scores to assess landowner behavior and priorities by action. We conclude by reviewing implications for future modeling efforts.
Supraorbital Blowin Fracture Presenting as an Ocular Dystopia in a Nine-Year-Old Girl
Authors: Nallamothu Ranganadh , Kallam Shanmukha Reddy , Gunturu Srikanth , Singh Sukumar , Rachalapally Vijay Kumar
Published: July 2013

A 9-year-old girl was referred to a trauma centre with severe head injury. 3D CT scan revealed depressed fracture involving the frontal bone on the right side, right parietal bone, and right superior orbital margin, right lamina papyracea. The frontal table was managed conservatively and open reduction and internal fixation was done for the supraorbital blow in to correct the ocular dystopia. The clinical course, possible mechanism, and management of the patient are discussed.
Synthesis of Silica‐Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles and Application in the Detection of Pathogenic Viruses
Authors: Quy Dao Van , Hieu Nguyen Minh , Tra Pham Thi , Nam Nguyen Hoang , Hai Nguyen Hoang , Thai Son Nguyen , Nghia Phan Tuan , Anh Nguyen Thi Van , Hong Tran Thi , Luong Nguyen Hoang
Published: July 2013

Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation and then coated with silica. These Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles consisted of a 10–15 nm magnetic core and a silica shell of 2–5 nm thickness. The superparamagnetic property of the Fe3O4/SiO2 particles with the magnetization of 42.5 emu/g was confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). We further optimized buffers with these Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles to isolate genomic DNA of hepatitis virus type B (HBV) and of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) for detection of the viruses based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a 434 bp fragment of S gene specific for HBV and 250 bp fragment of nuclear antigen encoding gene specific for EBV. The purification efficiency of DNA of both HBV and EBV using obtained Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles was superior to that obtained with commercialized Fe3O4/SiO2 microparticles, as indicated by (i) brighter PCR‐amplified bands for both HBV and EBV and (ii) higher sensitivity in PCR‐based detection of EBV load (copies/mL). The time required for DNA isolation using Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles was significantly reduced as the particles were attracted to magnets more quickly (15–20 s) than the commercialized microparticles (2‐3 min).
Peak Oxygen Uptake Responses to Training in Obese Adolescents: A Multilevel Allometric Framework to Partition the Influence of Body Size and Maturity Status
Authors: Carvalho Humberto M. , Milano Gerusa E. , Lopes Wendell A. , Figueiredo António J. , Radominski Rosana B. , Leite Neiva
Published: July 2013

The influence of body size and maturation on the responses in peak oxygen uptake (VO2) to a 12-week aerobic training and nutritional intervention in obese boys (; 10–16 years) was examined using multilevel allometric regressions. Anthropometry, sexual maturity status, peak VO2, and body composition were measured pre- and postintervention. Significant decrements for body mass, body mass indexz-score, and waist circumference and increments for stature, fat-free mass, and peak oxygen uptake were observed after intervention. Partitioning body size on peak VO2, the responses of the individuals to training were positive (11.8% to 12.7% for body mass; 7.6% to 8.1% for fat-free mass). Body mass and fat-free mass were found as significant explanatory variables, with an additional positive effect for chronological. The allometric coefficients () in the initial models were and for body mass and fat-free mass, respectively. The coefficients decreased when age was considered ( for body mass; for fat-free mass). Including maturity indicator in the models was not significant, thus the influence of variability in sexual maturity status in responses to exercise-based intervention in peak VO2may be mediated by the changes in body dimensions.
Optimal Guaranteed Cost Control of a Class of Discrete-Time Nonlinear Systems with Markovian Switching and Mode-Dependent Mixed Time Delays
Authors: Liu Yurong , Karimi Hamid Reza , Liu Xiaohui
Published: July 2013

The guaranteed cost control problem is investigated for a class of nonlinear discrete-time systems with Markovian jumping parameters and mixed time delays. The mixed time delays involved consist of both the mode-dependent discrete delay and the distributed delay with mode-dependent lower bound. The associated cost function is of a quadratic summation form over the infinite horizon. The nonlinear functions are assumed to satisfy sector-bounded conditions. By introducing new Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals and developing some new analysis techniques, sufficient conditions for the existence of guaranteed cost controllers are derived with respect to the given cost function. Moreover, a convex optimization approach is applied to search for the optimal guaranteed cost controller by minimizing the guaranteed cost of the closed-loop system. Numerical simulation is further carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
The Almost Sure Local Central Limit Theorem for the Negatively Associated Sequences
Authors: Jiang Yuanying , Wu Qunying
Published: July 2013

In this paper, the almost sure central limit theorem is established for sequences of negatively associated random variables:limn→∞(1/logn)∑k=1n(I(ak≤Sk<bk)/k)P(ak≤Sk<bk)=1, almost surely. This is the local almost sure central limit theorem for negatively associated sequences similar to results by Csáki et al. (1993). The results extend those on almost sure local central limit theorems from the i.i.d. case to the stationary negatively associated sequences.
Formulation Development and Evaluation of Fast Disintegrating Tablets of Salbutamol Sulphate for Respiratory Disorders
Authors: Sharma Deepak
Published: July 2013

Recent developments in fast disintegrating tablets have brought convenience in dosing to pediatric and elderly patients who have trouble in swallowing tablets. The objective of the present study was to prepare the fast disintegrating tablet of salbutamol sulphate for respiratory disorders for pediatrics. As precision of dosing and patient's compliance become important prerequisites for a long-term treatment, there is a need to develop a formulation for this drug which overcomes problems such as difficulty in swallowing, inconvenience in administration while travelling, and patient’s acceptability. Hence, the present investigation were undertaken with a view to develop a fast disintegrating tablet of salbutamol sulphate which offers a new range of products having desired characteristics and intended benefits. Superdisintegrants such as sodium starch glycolate was optimized. Different binders were optimized along with optimized superdisintegrant concentration. The tablets were prepared by direct compression technique. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight variation, wetting time, disintegration time, and uniformity of content. Optimized formulation was evaluated by in vitro dissolution test, drug-excipient compatibility, and accelerated stability study. It was concluded that fast disintegrating tablets of salbutamol sulphate were formulated successfully with desired characteristics which disintegrated rapidly; provided rapid onset of action; and enhanced the patient convenience and compliance.
MRI-Based Multiscale Model for Electromagnetic Analysis in the Human Head with Implanted DBS
Authors: Iacono Maria Ida , Makris Nikos , Mainardi Luca , Angelone Leonardo M. , Bonmassar Giorgio
Published: July 2013

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established procedure for the treatment of movement and affective disorders. Patients with DBS may benefit from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate injuries or comorbidities. However, the MRI radio-frequency (RF) energy may cause excessive tissue heating particularly near the electrode. This paper studies how the accuracy of numerical modeling of the RF field inside a DBS patient varies with spatial resolution and corresponding anatomical detail of the volume surrounding the electrodes. A multiscale model (MS) was created by an atlas-based segmentation using a 1 mm3head model (mRes) refined in the basal ganglia by a 200 μm2ex-vivo dataset. Four DBS electrodes targeting the left globus pallidus internus were modeled. Electromagnetic simulations at 128 MHz showed that the peak of the electric field of the MS doubled (18.7 kV/m versus 9.33 kV/m) and shifted 6.4 mm compared to the mRes model. Additionally, the MS had a sixfold increase over the mRes model in peak-specific absorption rate (SAR of 43.9 kW/kg versus 7 kW/kg). The results suggest that submillimetric resolution and improved anatomical detail in the model may increase the accuracy of computed electric field and local SAR around the tip of the implant.
Evaluation of 10-Year Experience of Wegener’s Granulomatosis in Iranian Children
Authors: Tahghighi Fatemeh , Moradinejad Mohamad-Hassan , Aghighi Yahya , Shiari Reza , Raeeskarami Seyed-Reza , Salehzadeh Farhad , Javadi Vadood , Ziaee Vahid
Published: July 2013

Wegener’s granulomatosis or granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) is an uncommon chronic systemic vasculitis in children. The aim of this study was to describe pediatric patients with GPA in Iran. We studied records of all patients with GPA diagnosis who were referred to all Iranian Pediatric Rheumatology Division from 2002 to 2011. A total of 11 patients (5 females and 6 males) enrolled in this study. In children less than 15 years old, the prevalence of GPA is 0.6 per million. The mean age of GPA diagnosis was 11 years and average delay diagnosis was 20 months. Mortality rate was 18.1% due to pulmonary vasculitis and infection. The most common organ system involvement was upper and lower respiratory tract involvement (81.8% and 63.9%, resp.). Other common manifestations were renal (36.3), skin (27.2%), and eye involvement (18.2%).
A C-Terminal Transmembrane Anchor Targets the Nuage-Localized Spermatogenic Protein Gasz to the Mitochondrial Surface
Authors: Altshuller Yelena , Gao Qun , Frohman Michael A.
Published: July 2013

Mitochondria, normally tubular and distributed throughout the cell, are instead found in spermatocytes in perinuclear clusters in close association with nuage, an amorphous organelle composed of RNA and RNA-processing proteins that generate piRNAs. piRNAs are a form of RNAi required for transposon suppression and ultimately fertility. MitoPLD, another protein required for piRNA production, is anchored to the mitochondrial surface, suggesting that the nuage, also known as intermitochondrial cement, needs to be juxtaposed there to bring MitoPLD into proximity with the remainder of the piRNA-generating machinery. However, the mechanism underlying the juxtaposition is unknown. Gasz, a multidomain protein of known function found in the nuage in vertebrates, is required for piRNA production and interacts with other nuage proteins involved in this pathway. Unexpectedly, we observed that Gasz, in nonspermatogenic mammalian cells lines, localizes to mitochondria and does so through a previously unrecognized conserved C-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence. Moreover, in this setting, Gasz is able to recruit some of the normally nuage-localized proteins to the mitochondrial surface. Taken together, these findings suggest that Gasz is a nuage-localized protein in spermatocytes that facilitates anchoring of the nuage to the mitochondrial surface where piRNA generation takes place as a collaboration between nuage and mitochondrial-surface proteins.
Efficient Model Selection for Sparse Least-Square SVMs
Authors: Xia Xiao-Lei , Qian Suxiang , Liu Xueqin , Xing Huanlai
Published: July 2013

The Forward Least-Squares Approximation (FLSA) SVM is a newly-emerged Least-Square SVM (LS-SVM) whose solution is extremely sparse. The algorithm uses the number of support vectors as the regularization parameter and ensures the linear independency of the support vectors which span the solution. This paper proposed a variant of the FLSA-SVM, namely, Reduced FLSA-SVM which is of reduced computational complexity and memory requirements. The strategy of “contexts inheritance” is introduced to improve the efficiency of tuning the regularization parameter for both the FLSA-SVM and the RFLSA-SVM algorithms. Experimental results on benchmark datasets showed that, compared to the SVM and a number of its variants, the RFLSA-SVM solutions contain a reduced number of support vectors, while maintaining competitive generalization abilities. With respect to the time cost for tuning of the regularize parameter, the RFLSA-SVM algorithm was empirically demonstrated fastest compared to FLSA-SVM, the LS-SVM, and the SVM algorithms.
Spin Structures in Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Mørup Steen , Brok Erik , Frandsen Cathrine
Published: July 2013

Spin structures in nanoparticles of ferrimagnetic materials may deviate locally in a nontrivial way from ideal collinear spin structures. For instance, magnetic frustration due to the reduced numbers of magnetic neighbors at the particle surface or around defects in the interior can lead to spin canting and hence a reduced magnetization. Moreover, relaxation between almost degenerate canted spin states can lead to anomalous temperature dependences of the magnetization at low temperatures. In ensembles of nanoparticles, interparticle exchange interactions can also result in spin reorientation. Here, we give a short review of anomalous spin structures in nanoparticles.