bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Hippocampal Cognitive Impairment and XIAP on Glucose and Lipids Metabolism in Rats
Authors: Xia Chunbo , Zhu Lin , Shao Wenhua , Mi Sisi , Du Sen , Ye Lin , Liu Manjun , Pang YongJun , Nong Linlin , Jiang Changwen , Zhao Hailu , Qi Guangying
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: To investigate the effect of cognitive impairment and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) on glucolipid metabolism. Materials and Methods: β-amyloid (Aβ 1-42) was injected into the hippocampus of rats to establish a cognitive impairment model. Trans-activator of transcription (TAT)-XIAP fusion protein (the TAT-XIAP group), PBS (the model group), or XIAP antisense oligonucleotides (the ASODN group) was injected into the lateral ventricles of the rats to increase and decrease the activity of XIAP in the hippocampus. To determine the level of blood glucose and lipids, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) expression of liver and hipppocamual neuronal apoptosis. Results: The levels of FPG, TG, TC and LDL were significantly higher in the TAT-XIAP group, the model group and the ASODN group than in the blank group (P < 0.05); however, the HDL level showed no significant change in all groups of rats. The apoptosis indexes of the rat hippocampal CA1 neuron were 68.44 ± 4.31%, 13.21 ± 2.30%, 56.68 ± 4.771%, and 87.51 ± 6.63% in the model group, the blank group, the TAT-XIAP group and the ASODN group, respectively. Gastrointestinal motility was less frequent (per time unit) in the model group, the ASODN group and the TAT-XIAP group than in the blank group. Compared with the model group, gastrointestinal motility was significantly less frequent in the ASODN group and was significantly more frequent in the TAT-XIAP group. Compared with the blank group, the model group had a significantly lower gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsive rate. Compared with the model group, the gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsive rate were significantly lower in the ASODN group and were significantly higher in the TAT-XIAP group. Compared with the blank group, the expressions of AMPK mRNA, and AMPK protein were significantly reduced in the model group, the TAT-XIAP group, and the ASODN group. AMPK expression was significantly increased in the TAT-XIAP group and was significantly decreased in the ASODN group than in the model group. Conclusion: Cognitive impairment and hippocampal neuron apoptosis can cause glucose and lipids metabolic abnormalities, possibly by regulating gastrointestinal motility and AMPK expression in the liver. The changes in the function of XIAP, which is an anti-apoptotic protein in the hippocampus, may affect the metabolism of glucose and lipids.
Measuring Stuttering in Preschool-Aged Children across Different Languages: An International Study
Authors: Bosshardt Hans-Georg , Packman Ann , Blomgren Michael , Kretschmann Jens
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: Many speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are working in linguistically diverse communities and have to identify and measure stuttering in a language other than their own. The aim of the present study was to extend our understanding of how well SLPs can measure stuttering in other languages and to encourage collaboration between SLPs across cultures. Methods: Speech samples consisted of seven preschool-aged children each speaking one of the following languages: Danish, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, and Persian (Farsi). The judges were classified in seven groups of SLPs (n = 170) each speaking one of the seven languages of the children and two more English-speaking groups. Each judge rated the severity of stuttering in each child using a 10-point scale. The study was conducted over the Internet. Results: Overall, the judges' proficiency in a child's language was not systematically related to the variability and agreement of the severity ratings, accounting for maximally 4.6% of the variance. Conclusion: SLPs should not be overly concerned about the appropriateness of their severity ratings if they feel less proficient in the native language of the stuttering children. It may also be encouraging for beginning clinicians that the severity ratings were not systematically related to professional experience.
Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915) and His Contributions to the Foundation and Birth of Translational Medicine
Authors: Valent Peter , Groner Bernd , Schumacher Udo , Superti-Furga Giulio , Busslinger Meinrad , Kralovics Robert , Zielinski Christoph , Penninger Josef M. , Kerjaschki Dontscho , Stingl Georg , Smolen Josef S. , Valenta Rudolf , Lassmann Hans , Kovar Heinrich , Jäger Ulrich , Kornek Gabriela , Müller Markus , Sörgel Fritz
Published: February 2016

Translational research and precision medicine are based on a profound knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms contributing to various physiologic processes and pathologic reactions in diverse organs. Whereas specific molecular interactions and mechanisms have been identified during the past 5 decades, the underlying principles were defined much earlier and originate from to the seminal observations made by outstanding researchers between 1850 and 1915. One of the most outstanding exponents of these scientists is Paul Ehrlich. His work resulted not only in the foundation and birth of modern hematology and immunology, but also led to the development of chemotherapy and specific targeted treatment concepts. In 2015, the Medical University of Vienna organized a memorial meeting, with the aim of honoring Paul Ehrlich's contributions to science, and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his death. The authors of the current review served as faculty members and dedicate this paper to Paul Ehrlich and his remarkable contributions to medicine.
Publication Rate of Abstracts Presented at the Annual Congress of the European Society for Surgical Research during 2008-2011
Authors: Meral Ulvi Mehmet , Alakus Umit , Urkan Murat , Ureyen Orhan , Oren Nisa Cem , Ozturk Meral Aylin , Çağıltay Eylem , Can Mehmet Fatih
Published: February 2016

Background/Purpose: The presentation of scientific studies at major meetings serves to rapidly share study results with the scientific community. On the other hand, full-text publication of abstracts in peer-reviewed journals ensures the dissemination of science. This study examines the publication rate (PR) of meeting abstracts presented at the European Society for Surgical Research (ESSR) congresses and determines/compares the factors affecting the PRs. Methods: All presentations at the ESSR congresses held during 2008-2011 were retrospectively assessed. Manuscripts indexed in PubMed were included. The meeting year, journal impact factor (IF) in the publication year, study type, presentation type, time to publication and geographic origin of studies were assessed. Results: Among a total of 1,368 oral and poster abstracts, 48.7% (n = 391) of the oral presentations (OPs) and 29.7% (n = 168) of the poster presentations (PPs) were published in medical journals indexed in PubMed. The mean IF of the journals was 2.696 (0.17-14.95). The journals that published OPs had a higher IF than the journals in which PPs were published (2.944 vs. 2.118; p < 0.001). The PR was also higher in the OP group than in the PP group of journals (p < 0.001). The time to publication was 17.5 months (−166 to 82) and was shorter for PPs than for OPs (14.02 vs. 19.09 months; p = 0.01). According to the study type, experimental studies had a significantly higher PR (53.7%; p < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference in PR in terms of the prospective or retrospective nature of clinical studies. The clinical studies were also compared according to the IF values of the journals in terms of the prospective or retrospective nature of the study, and no significant difference was found (p = 0.62). Conclusion: The ESSR congress is an efficient meeting for researchers from varied surgical disciplines and has a PR equivalent to that of similar scientific meetings. The congress has achieved a PR of 40.9% over 4 years with an average IF of 2.696 and a mean time to publication of 17.5 months, which is equivalent to that of similar scientific meetings. OPs have a higher PR in journals with greater IF values as compared with PPs.
Semaphorins and Plexins in Kidney Disease
Authors: Xia Jingjing , Worzfeld Thomas
Published: February 2016

Semaphorins are soluble or membrane-bound cues, which control multiple aspects of cell-cell communication, differentiation, morphology and function. Most of their effects are mediated by a family of transmembrane receptors called plexins. Semaphorins and plexins have emerged as central regulators of diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes in various organs. This review summarizes the role of semaphorins and plexins in renal pathophysiology and their potential use as biomarkers of kidney disease.
The Evaluation and Management of Tall Stature
Authors: Hannema Sabine E. , Sävendahl Lars
Published: February 2016

Tall stature is a common reason for consultation of a paediatric endocrinologist. It is important to always consider underlying pathology. We propose a diagnostic flowchart based on five questions. (1) Does the child have tall stature? (2) Is there evidence of a syndrome? (3) Has there been growth acceleration? (4) Are there signs of puberty? (5) Does the child grow within the target height range? Diagnostic tests can then be ordered targeted to the suspected disorder. The Bayley-Pinneau and Tanner-Whitehouse methods are reasonably accurate in predicting adult height based on bone age in girls, but neither method performs well in boys. Tall stature is not a pathological condition and generally does not need treatment. However, adolescents with a strong treatment wish and their parents should be counselled on the effectivity and safety of available treatments including surgery and high-dose sex steroids. Surgical epiphysiodesis has the advantage that a reasonable height reduction can be achieved at a more advanced bone age, allowing a more accurate adult height prediction to base any treatment decision on. We feel that high-dose oestrogen treatment should no longer be used because of its association with reduced fecundity and imminent ovarian failure.
Urethral Balloon Dilatation: Factors Affecting Outcomes
Authors: Chhabra Jaspreet S. , Balaji Sudharsan S. , Singh Abhishek , Mishra Shashikant , Ganpule Arvind P. , Sabnis Ravindra B. , Desai Mahesh R.
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims/Objectives: The study aims to review our experience with balloon dilatation of urethral strictures and retrospectively analyze predictors of improved success rates. Methods: One hundred and forty-four cases were analyzed from January 2011 to December 2012. Patients underwent balloon dilatation using 6-Fr Balloon dilator set (Cook Urological, Spencer, Ind., USA). Patients analyzed with respect to demography, uroflowmetry (Qmax) and need for auxiliary procedures in the immediate postoperative period, at 6 months and at 1 year. Comparisons were made between those who performed self-calibration against those who did not. Results: Overall success rate of balloon dilatation in our study was 84.4%. Procedural failure was observed with 3 patients (2.1%). Auxiliary procedure was required in 21 cases (15.6%) during follow-up. The mean Qmax (ml/s) in those who regularly performed self-calibration (n = 73) and in those who did not perform self-calibration (n = 39) in the immediate postoperative period, at 6 months and at 1 year were 24.2 ± 10.5, 16.5 ± 7.5, 14.4 ± 6.3 and 21.2 ± 10.6, 14.5 ± 7, 10.8 ± 5.6, respectively. Statistical significance was noted at 1 year (p = 0.003). Lesser re-treatments were required in those who performed self-calibration (12.3 vs. 20.5%). Improved success rates were noted with focal and bulbar strictures. Iatrogenic strictures and pan-anterior urethral strictures had poor outcomes despite self-calibration. Conclusions: Balloon dilation with self-calibration significantly improves flow rates at 1 year and lessens auxiliary procedures required. It is simple, easy to perform under local anesthesia and repeatable in case of re-strictures.
Intracavernosal Prostaglandin Injection Prior to Circumcision Allows More Precise Removal of Foreskin
Authors: Sharma Nitin , Cordon Billy Hamilton , Eid Jean Francois
Published: February 2016

Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the outcomes of adult circumcision with the use of intracavernosal injection (ICI) of prostaglandin to induce an erection at time of operation. Methods: Twenty patients undergoing circumcision received ICI with prostaglandin prior to surgery. Demographics of all patients along with outcomes and complications at 2-week and 3-month follow-up were recorded. Results: No complications were evident at 2-week and 3-month follow-up. All 20 patients were satisfied with cosmetic result. Conclusions: Circumcisions performed with ICI is a novel technique that allows accurate removal of foreskin and can be safely applied to current surgical technique for improved cosmetic results.
PreImplantation factor prevents atherosclerosis via its immunomodulatory effects without affecting serum lipids
Authors: Chih Chen Yung , Rivera Jennifer , Fitzgerald Melissa , Hausding Christian , Ying Ya-Lan , Wang Xiaowei , Todorova Krassimira , Hayrabedyan Soren , Barnea Eytan R. , Peter Karlheinz
Published: February 2016

PreImplantation factor (PIF) is a 15-amino acid peptide endogenously secreted by viable embryos, regulating/enabling maternal (host) acceptance/tolerance to the “invading” embryo (allograft) all-while preserving maternal immunity to fight infections. Such attributes make PIF a potential therapeutic agent for chronic inflammatory diseases. We investigated whether PIF’s immunomodulatory properties prevent progression of atherosclerosis in the hyper-cholesterolaemic ApoEdeficient murine model. Male, high-fat diet fed, ApoE-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice were administered either PBS, scrambled PIF (0.3–3 mg/kg) or PIF (0.3–3 mg/kg) for seven weeks. After treatment, PIF (3 mg/kg)-treated ApoE-/- mice displayed significantly reduced atherosclerosis lesion burden in the aortic sinus and aortic arch, without any effect on lipid profile. PIF also caused a significant reduction in infiltration of macrophages, decreased expression of pro-inflammatory adhesion molecules, cytokines and chemokines in the plaque, and reduced circulating IFN-γ levels. PIF preferentially binds to monocytes/neutrophils. In vitro, PIF attenuated monocyte migration (MCP-1-induced chemotaxis assay) and in vivo in LPS peritonitis model. Also PIF prevented leukocyte extravasation (peritonitis thioglycollate-induced model), demonstrating that PIF exerts its effect in part by modulation of monocyte function. Inhibition of the potassium channel KCNAB3 (Kv1.3) and of the insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) was demonstrated as potential mechanism of PIF’s immunomodulatory effects. In conclusion, PIF regulates/lowers inflammation and prevents atherosclerosis development without affecting circulating lipids. Overall our findings establish PIF as a strong immunomodulatory drug candidate for atherosclerosis therapy.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Integration of flow studies for robust selection of mechanoresponsive genes
Authors: Maimari Nataly , Pedrigi Ryan M. , Russo Alessandra , Broda Krysia , Krams Rob
Published: February 2016

Blood flow is an essential contributor to plaque growth, composition and initiation. It is sensed by endothelial cells, which react to blood flow by expressing > 1000 genes. The sheer number of genes implies that one needs genomic techniques to unravel their response in disease. Individual genomic studies have been performed but lack sufficient power to identify subtle changes in gene expression. In this study, we investigated whether a systematic meta-analysis of available microarray studies can improve their consistency. We identified 17 studies using microarrays, of which six were performed in vivo and 11 in vitro. The in vivo studies were disregarded due to the lack of the shear profile. Of the in vitro studies, a cross-platform integration of human studies (HUVECs in flow cells) showed high concordance (> 90 %). The human data set identified > 1600 genes to be shear responsive, more than any other study and in this gene set all known mechanosensitive genes and pathways were present. A detailed network analysis indicated a power distribution (e. g. the presence of hubs), without a hierarchical organisation. The average cluster coefficient was high and further analysis indicated an aggregation of 3 and 4 element motifs, indicating a high prevalence of feedback and feed forward loops, similar to prokaryotic cells. In conclusion, this initial study presented a novel method to integrate human-based mechanosensitive studies to increase its power. The robust network was large, contained all known mechanosensitive pathways and its structure revealed hubs, and a large aggregate of feedback and feed forward loops.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Counting the platelets: a robust and sensitive quantification method for thrombus formation
Authors: Lindahl Tomas , Faxälv Lars , Claesson Kjersti
Published: February 2016

Flow chambers are common tools used for studying thrombus formation in vitro. However, the use of such devices is not standardised and there is a large diversity among the flow chamber systems currently used, and also in the methods used for quantifying the thrombus development. It was the study objective to evaluate a new method for analysis and quantification of platelet thrombus formation that can facilitate comparison of results between research groups. Whole blood was drawn over a collagen patch in commercial Ibid or in-house constructed PDMS flow chambers. Five percent of the platelets were fluorescently labelled and z-stack time-lapse images were captured during thrombus formation. Images were processed in a Python script in which the number of platelets and their respective x-, yand z-positions were obtained. For comparison with existing methods the platelets were also labelled and quantified using fluorescence intensity and thrombus volume estimations by confocal microscopy. The presented method was found less sensitive to microscope and image adjustments and provides more details on thrombus development dynamics than the methods for measuring fluorescence intensity and thrombus volume estimation. The platelet count method produced comparable results with commercial and PDMS flow chambers, and could also obtain information regarding the stability of each detected platelet in the thrombus. In conclusion, quantification of thrombus formation by platelet count is a sensitive and robust method that enables measurement of platelet accumulation and platelet stability in an absolute scale that could be used for comparisons between research groups.
Statistical Methods for Cardiovascular Researchers
Authors: Moyé Lem
Published: February 2016

Rationale:

Biostatistics continues to play an essential role in contemporary cardiovascular investigations, but successful implementation of biostatistical methods can be complex.

Objective:

To present the rationale behind statistical applications and to review useful tools for cardiology research.

Methods and Results:

Prospective declaration of the research question, clear methodology, and study execution that adheres to the protocol together and serve as the critical foundation of a research endeavor. Both parametric and distribution-free measures of central tendency and dispersion are presented.
T
testing, ANOVA, and regression analyses are reviewed. Survival analysis, logistic regression, and interim monitoring are also discussed. Finally, common weaknesses in statistical analyses are considered.

Conclusions:

Biostatistics can be productively applied to cardiovascular research if investigators (1) develop and rely on a well-written protocol and analysis plan, (2) consult with a biostatistician when necessary, and (3) write results clearly, differentiating confirmatory from exploratory findings.
Lymphatic System in Cardiovascular Medicine
Authors: Aspelund Aleksanteri , Robciuc Marius R. , Karaman Sinem , Makinen Taija , Alitalo Kari
Published: February 2016

The mammalian circulatory system comprises both the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system. In contrast to the blood vascular circulation, the lymphatic system forms a unidirectional transit pathway from the extracellular space to the venous system. It actively regulates tissue fluid homeostasis, absorption of gastrointestinal lipids, and trafficking of antigen-presenting cells and lymphocytes to lymphoid organs and on to the systemic circulation. The cardinal manifestation of lymphatic malfunction is lymphedema. Recent research has implicated the lymphatic system in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases including obesity and metabolic disease, dyslipidemia, inflammation, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. Here, we review the most recent advances in the field of lymphatic vascular biology, with a focus on cardiovascular disease.
Murine Models Demonstrate Distinct Vasculogenic and Cardiomyogenic cKit
+
Lineages in the Heart
Authors: Hatzistergos Konstantinos E. , Hare Joshua M.
Published: February 2016

After 2 recent genetic studies in mice addressing the developmental origins

1

and regenerative activity of cardiac cKit
+
cells,

2

2 additional reports by Sultana et al

3

and Liu et al

4

provide further information on the expression of
cKit
in the embryonic and adult hearts. Here, we synthesize the findings from the 4 distinct cKit models to gain insights into the biology of this important cell type.
The Artist and Politics (1954)
Authors: Ecevit Bülent
Published: February 2016

This essay analyzes three polemic newspaper articles written in the early 1950s by the art critic, gallerist, and future Turkish prime minister Bülent Ecevit (1925–2006), “Artistic Awakening in Ankara” (1953), “The Artist and Politics” (1954), and “The Burden of the Intellectual” (1956). It argues that Ecevit's articles document a local intelligentsia's efforts to theorize the role of art in Turkish society at a crucial moment of political transformation. As Turkey abandoned its authoritarian past in order to conduct its inaugural experiment with multi-party democracy, Ecevit's columns took up two of the period's most pressing questions: the extent to which the state should control the local art world, and in what ways Turkey's newly enfranchised citizens might enact their individual rights within the realm of culture. The essay also demonstrates the importance of these three articles to Ecevit's subsequent political and intellectual trajectory: they were central to his lifelong efforts to continue the progressive social and political modernization project of the early Turkish Republic, while developing new forums for its critique, reinterpretation, and reinvigoration.
The Burden of the Intellectual (1956)
Authors: Ecevit Bülent
Published: February 2016

This essay analyzes three polemic newspaper articles written in the early 1950s by the art critic, gallerist, and future Turkish prime minister Bülent Ecevit (1925–2006), “Artistic Awakening in Ankara” (1953), “The Artist and Politics” (1954), and “The Burden of the Intellectual” (1956). It argues that Ecevit's articles document a local intelligentsia's efforts to theorize the role of art in Turkish society at a crucial moment of political transformation. As Turkey abandoned its authoritarian past in order to conduct its inaugural experiment with multi-party democracy, Ecevit's columns took up two of the period's most pressing questions: the extent to which the state should control the local art world, and in what ways Turkey's newly enfranchised citizens might enact their individual rights within the realm of culture. The essay also demonstrates the importance of these three articles to Ecevit's subsequent political and intellectual trajectory: they were central to his lifelong efforts to continue the progressive social and political modernization project of the early Turkish Republic, while developing new forums for its critique, reinterpretation, and reinvigoration.
On some loci uexati in Apuleius’ Florida
Authors: Piccioni Francesca
Published: February 2016

The present contribution forms part of wider editorial work on Apuleius’FloridaandDe magia; it is based on an extensive study of the manuscript tradition that has basically confirmed Laur. Plut. 68.2 (= F), saec.xi, as the likely ancestor of all the extant tradition. The paper discusses most of theloci uexatiinFlorida, where the text I intend to propose diverges from that found in all current editions. This sometimes involves restoration of hitherto needlessly altered readings of the best manuscripts, while at other times conjectural adjustments, previously neglected or unknown to other modern editors, are adopted.
Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Sciadophycus stellatus (Rhodymeniales, Rhodophyta) supports its placement in the family Rhodymeniaceae
Authors: Hughey Jeffery R , Miller Kathy Ann
Published: February 2016

The marine red alga Sciadophycus stellatus E.Y.Dawson (1945) (Figure 1) was described from specimens dredged at 40–50 meters from the Kellett Channel, south shore of Cerros Island (also known as Cedros Island), Baja California, Mexico (Dawson 1945).  This uncommon subtidal species occurs in southern California, Baja California, Mexico and Isla Floreana, Galapagos Islands (as Fauchea rhizophylla Taylor) (Dawson 1945, Abbott and Hollenberg 1976, Millar 2001, Aguilar-Rosas et al. 2010).  In California, S. stellatus has been collected in San Diego County (UC2003699) and Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles County (UC1882843), on the mainland coast of southern California and, more commonly, offshore from Santa Catalina (UC1471598), Santa Barbara (UC2034301), Anacapa (WTU-A-012879) and Santa Cruz Islands (UC1965240).  In Mexico, in addition to the type locality, it has been collected from Isla Los Coronados (UC1574390), La Bufadora (Aguilar-Rosas et al. 2010), Isla Natividad (UC1882846), Punta Eugenia (US13095) and Bahia Tortugas (US42090), Baja California (distribution records, unless otherwise cited, are based on specimens in herbaria at the University of California at Berkeley [UC], University of Washington [WTU-A], and the Smithsonian Institution [US]).
Open-Ocean Submesoscale Motions: A Full Seasonal Cycle of Mixed Layer Instabilities from Gliders
Authors: Thompson Andrew F. , Lazar Ayah , Buckingham Christian , Naveira Garabato Alberto C. , Damerell Gillian M. , Heywood Karen J.
Published: February 2016

The importance of submesoscale instabilities, particularly mixed layer baroclinic instability and symmetric instability, on upper-ocean mixing and energetics is well documented in regions of strong, persistent fronts such as the Kuroshio and the Gulf Stream. Less attention has been devoted to studying submesoscale flows in the open ocean, far from long-term, mean geostrophic fronts, characteristic of a large proportion of the global ocean. This study presents a year-long, submesoscale-resolving time series of near-surface buoyancy gradients, potential vorticity, and instability characteristics, collected by ocean gliders, that provides insight into open-ocean submesoscale dynamics over a full annual cycle. The gliders continuously sampled a 225 km2 region in the subtropical northeast Atlantic, measuring temperature, salinity, and pressure along 292 short (~20 km) hydrographic sections. Glider observations show a seasonal cycle in near-surface stratification. Throughout the fall (September–November), the mixed layer deepens, predominantly through gravitational instability, indicating that surface cooling dominates submesoscale restratification processes. During winter (December–March), mixed layer depths are more variable, and estimates of the balanced Richardson number, which measures the relative importance of lateral and vertical buoyancy gradients, depict conditions favorable to symmetric instability. The importance of mixed layer instabilities on the restratification of the mixed layer, as compared with surface heating and cooling, shows that submesoscale processes can reverse the sign of an equivalent heat flux up to 25% of the time during winter. These results demonstrate that the open-ocean mixed layer hosts various forced and unforced instabilities, which become more prevalent during winter, and emphasize that accurate parameterizations of submesoscale processes are needed throughout the ocean.
Hydrography, Circulation, and Mixing at the Calypso Deep (the Deepest Mediterranean Trough) during 2006–09
Authors: Kontoyiannis H. , Lykousis V. , Papadopoulos V. , Stavrakakis S. , Anassontzis E. G. , Belias A. , Koutsoukos S. , Resvanis L. K.
Published: February 2016

The mass and flow fields from June 2006 to May 2009 in the Calypso Deep (bottom depth ~5.2 km) are investigated using eddy-resolving surface-to-bottom hydrography (station grid spacing ~0.2°) and two tall moorings yielding current-meter records at depths from 700 m to near bottom. A salty warm lens (excess core salinity and temperature are ~0.01 and 0.025°C relative to the surrounding water) of Cretan Deep Water with a core at ~3000 m and a horizontal (vertical) scale of ~50 km (1.5 km) is identified in June 2006 to be locked over the trough. The lens coincides with local maxima in dissolved oxygen. In October 2006 the salinity content of the lens and of all deeper layers is increased; the oxygen maxima are shifted to the bottom layers, indicating an episodic intrusion of higher-density ventilated Adriatic water. The circulation changes from anticyclonic at all depths in June 2006 to cyclonic below ~2.5 km in October 2006, whereas after January 2007 it is cyclonic at all instrumented depths. The measured currents are weak (mean speeds < 5 cm s−1) and persistent in direction, being mostly along the bottom topography at all current-meter depths. After October 2006, the lens erodes due to salt/heat loss caused predominantly by lateral (intrusive) mixing, which works from the outside toward the lens center. The horizontal diffusivity is on the order of ~10 m2 s−1, near the center of the lens, and ~102 to 103 m2 s−1, at its periphery, with an average error ~15 times the diffusivity value. In the deepest part of the trough and in periods of predominance of vertical mixing the vertical diffusivity at 4400 m is ~(4 ± 3) × 10−3 m2 s−1.
Role of E-selectin for diagnosing myocardial injury in paediatric patients with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
Authors: Deng Ming-Hong , Lin Chun-Wang , Sun Yan-Na , Zeng Xiang-Lin , Wen Fang
Published: February 2016

Backgrounds

Effects of myocardial injury on E-selectin remain unclear. Thus, we investigated the diagnostic value of E-selectin for myocardial injury in paediatric patients with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Methods

In this prospective and blinded clinical study, plasma E-selectin, cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase isoenzyme MB, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha concentrations were measured in paediatric patients with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP group, n = 138). The control group comprised 120 healthy children. The definition of cardiac injury was based on cardiac troponin I or CK-MB (with or possibly without abnormal electrocardiogram evidence). Diagnostic value of E-selectin for myocardial injury was determined by analysing receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Among the 138 mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia patients, 40 patients were identified with myocardial injury, while 98 patients were identified without myocardial injury. Plasma E-selectin concentrations were: 40.22 ± 4.80 ng/mL, in patients with myocardial injury; 18.55 ± 2.16 ng/mL, in patients without myocardial injury and 12.39 ± 3.27 ng/mL, in healthy children. For the 40 patients identified with myocardial injury, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value for plasma E-selectin concentrations was 0.945 (95% CI: 0.899–0.991), and optimal diagnostic cut-off value was 29.93 ng/mL (positive likelihood ratio = 72.5).

Conclusion

E-selectin was shown to be an effective index for myocardial injury in paediatric patients with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, and its role in other causes of myocardial injury warrants further investigation.
Ādivāsīs, tribes and other neologisms for erasing precolonial pasts: An example from Northeast India
Authors: Chatterjee Indrani
Published: February 2016

This essay engages Dipesh Chakrabarty, Sumit Guha and James C. Scott by arguing that all of them overlook a historically well-evidenced set of subject positions and concepts of space. This was monastic governmentality. Lay and ordained populations attached to monastic teachers and lineages moved and interacted across a vast network of societies till the eighteenth century. The arrival of colonial European armies in the terrain marked by monastic geographicity led to the creation of sites set apart as ‘Nepal’, ‘colonial Assam’, ‘Burma’ and so on. Hitherto pastoralist but Bon-Buddhist monastic subjects were separated from their ‘brothers’ in monastic subjecthood. Such physical separation was reinforced by historical writing as well. In the twentieth century, colonially educated native scribes embraced both geographical and epistemic projects enthusiastically. Bhuyan, the foremost practitioner of this mode of history writing, thus failed to recognise the Buddhist and Bon Tantric cohabitants of the Brahmaputra river valley.

In order to establish what was known of these people before Bhuyan’s time of writing, this essay has been organised in three parts. The first contains a short discussion of monastic governmentality and subjecthood. A second provides a truncated narrative of events that brought Mughal armies in the seventeenth century to the same terrain. The third surveys moments from the Company and British military accounts of 1794–1928 to explain the modern postcolonial Indian historian’s aporia towards Buddhist and Bon Tantric populations living alongside Muslim and Hindu groups in the Brahmaputra valley and plains.
The Scientific and Historical Value of Annotations on Astronomical Photographic Plates
Authors: Schechner Sara J. , Sliski David
Published: February 2016

The application of photography to astronomy was a critical step in the development of astrophysics at the end of the nineteenth century. Using custom-built photographic telescopes and objective prisms, astronomers took images of the sky on glass plates during a 100-year period from many observing stations around the globe. After each plate was developed, astronomers and their assistants studied and annotated the plates as they made astrometric, photometric, and spectroscopic measurements, counted galaxies, observed stellar variability, tracked meteors, and calculated the ephemerides of asteroids and comets. In this paper, the authors assess the importance of the plate annotations for future scientific, historical, and educational programmes. Unfortunately, many of these interesting annotations are now being erased when grime is removed from the plates before they are digitized to make the photometric data available for time-domain astrophysics. To see what professional astronomers and historians think about this situation, the authors conducted a survey. This paper captures the lively discussion on the pros and cons of the removal of plate markings, how best to document them if they must be cleaned off, and what to do with plates whose annotations are deemed too valuable to be erased. Three appendices (please visit Supplementary Material, available online) offer professional guidance on the best practices for handling and cleaning the plates, photographing any annotations, and rehousing them.
Equality against hierarchy
Authors: Roy Indrajit
Published: February 2016

How do subalterns imagine their membership in India’s political community? Many scholars argue that they imbibe the egalitarian ideals in India’s political–economic sphere. Others suggest that subalterns identify the modernising impulses of the political–economic sphere as a greater threat to their ways of life.

 Intervening in this debate, recent research enlivens analysts to the perspective that the political–economic sphere of the state cannot be unambiguously mapped onto modernity. Nor, for that matter, can the socio-cultural sphere be regarded as singular realm of uninterrupted tradition. This article is offered as a contribution to this strand of the scholarship. By exploring endogenous egalitarian impulses among subaltern groups in India, I seek to interrogate the widely prevailing notion that ideas associated with modernity are the preserve of and emanate from elites in the political–economic sphere of the Indian state. Subalterns eschew notions of hierarchy and value ideas of equality and social justice without necessarily drawing on statist vocabularies in their assertions.
Literacy discussions in low-income families: The effect of parent questions on fourth graders’ retellings
Authors: Capotosto Lauren , Kim James S.
Published: February 2016

This study examines the effects of four types of reading comprehension questions – immediate, non-immediate, summary, and unanswerable questions – that linguistically diverse and predominantly low-income parents asked their fourth graders on children’s text retellings. One-hundred-twenty ( N = 120) parent and child dyads participated in a home visit study in which they talked about narrative and informational texts. Moderation analyses indicated that immediate questions and non-immediate questions had a more positive effect on student retellings of an informational text and a narrative text, respectively, for less proficient than more proficient readers. These findings suggest that parents may be able to help their children, particularly less proficient readers, with text memory and text comprehension by asking specific types of questions.
Modelling of solar irradiance and daylight duration for solar-powered UAV sizing
Authors: Rajendran Parvathy , Smith Howard
Published: February 2016

Solar energy from the sun is the largest available renewable energy that enhances the endurance of a solar powered unmanned aerial vehicle. However, harnessing this solar power is a great challenge. This is due to having solar module system’s power output efficiency of only about 15–30%. However, a solar powered unmanned aerial vehicle has the potential to outperform a battery only operated unmanned aerial vehicle, especially when task being a pseudo satellite which requires long operating hours. The atmospheric conditions and geological locations undoubtedly the main cause for poor performance of these solar modules. In spite of its prolific improvement in solar cell efficiency over the years, the overall solar module system barely converts half of sun’s power into electricity. Therefore, this situation makes the current system unattractive to be widely used for energy harvesting. Recent attention has been focused not only on type of solar cells but on its positioning system. However, there were lack of understanding and research on the solar irradiance intensity and daylight duration’s effect on the power output. Therefore, a comprehensive model was developed to study on how the sun movement affects the solar module system’s performance. This simulation model has identified the daylight duration is more important in comparison to the available solar irradiance. Moreover, the higher the solar irradiance and daylight duration, the solar module system gives the most power output. The daylight duration also depends on the latitude where the higher the latitude gets, the longer the daylight duration. Besides, the longitudinal coordinates and elevation have minor effect on the daylight duration estimation. In other words, in summer, the northern hemisphere has more advantage compared to the southern hemisphere locations and vice versa.
Sibling Violence and Children Hospitalized for Serious Mental and Behavioral Health Problems
Authors: Phillips Debby A. , Bowie Bonnie H. , Wan Dorothy C. , Yukevich Kelly W.
Published: February 2016

Violence between siblings is prevalent, can have long-lasting negative effects, and yet it is often dismissed as normal. This study explores sibling violence (SV) documented in medical records of children hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. Retrospective chart review was conducted of all medical records of children ages 5 years to 12 years, living with a sibling in the home, admitted during the 2007 calendar year to a northwestern psychiatric hospital that serves a five state area ( N = 135). Using a data collection tool, quantitative and qualitative data were extracted from the charts, and descriptive statistical analysis was used to identify patterns and trends. The records showed that 103 (76%) of the 135 patients perpetrated SV and 30 (22%) were victims of SV. Many of the patients perpetrating SV were also violent toward themselves and toward peers, mothers, and teachers. The majority of patients did not have a psychiatric diagnosis that included violent behavior as a criterion and most of the patients had one or more past adverse experiences. Findings suggest that children hospitalized with psychiatric problems should be screened for SV perpetration and victimization, that health care staff and parents should be educated about SV, and that further research is needed to better understand what constitutes SV, the context within which it occurs, and effects of non-protection by parents.
Lesser Toe PIP Joint Resection Versus PIP Joint Fusion
Authors: Schrier Joost C. , Keijsers Noel L. , Matricali Giovanni A. , Louwerens Jan Willem K. , Verheyen Cees C. P. M.
Published: February 2016

Background:

It is unclear whether proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) resection or fusion leads to superior clinical outcome in patients undergoing hammertoe surgery. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate a series of patients undergoing this surgery.

Methods:

Patients with one or more toes with rigid PIP flexion deformity were prospectively enrolled. These patients were randomly assigned to undergo either PIPJ resection or PIPJ fusion. In addition to the PIPJ procedure, a metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) release was performed if deemed necessary. Follow-up was up to 1 year postoperatively. Twenty-six patients (39 toes) were included in the PIPJ resection group and 29 (50 toes) in the PIPJ fusion group.

Results:

Thirty-four underwent an MTPJ release. No significant difference in foot outcome scores (American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society scale, the Foot Function Index, and visual analog scale pain) could be detected after 1-year follow-up. A statistically significant difference was found regarding the toe alignment in the sagittal plane in favor of PIPJ fusion.

Conclusions:

Our randomized controlled study did not show any clinical outcome difference between PIPJ fusion and PIPJ resection. Both procedures resulted in good to excellent outcome in pain and activity scores.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, lesser quality RCT or prospective comparative study.
Role of telerehabilitation in patients following total knee arthroplasty: Evidence from a systematic literature review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shukla H , Nair SR , Thakker D
Published: February 2016

Introduction

Increased physical activity and functional ability are the goals of total knee replacement surgery. Therefore, adequate rehabilitation is required for the recovery of patients after discharge from hospital following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This systematic literature review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of home telerehabilitation in patients who underwent TKA.

Methods

Studies published in the English language between 2000 and 2014 were retrieved from Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases using relevant search strategies. Two researchers independently reviewed the studies as per the Cochrane methodology for systematic literature review. We considered telerehabilitation sessions as those that were conducted by experienced physiotherapists, using videoconferencing to patients’ homes via an internet connection. The outcomes assessed included: knee movement (knee extension and flexion); quadriceps muscle strength; functional assessment (the timed up-and-go test); and assessment of pain, stiffness, and functional capacity using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and visual analogue scale for pain.

Results

In total, 160 potentially relevant studies were screened. Following the screening of studies as abstracts and full-text publications, six primary publications (four randomized controlled trials, one non-randomized controlled trial, and one single-arm trial) were included in the review. Patients experienced high levels of satisfaction with the use of telerehabilitation alone. There was no significant difference in change in active knee extension and flexion in the home telerehabilitation group as compared to the control group (mean difference (MD) −0.52, 95% CI −1.39 to 0.35, p = 0.24 and MD 1.14, 95% CI −0.61 to 2.89, p = 0.20, respectively). The patients in the home telerehabilitation group showed improvement in physical activity and functional status similar to patients in the conventional therapy group.

Discussion

The evidence from this systematic literature review demonstrated that telerehabilitation is a practical alternative to conventional face-to-face rehabilitation therapy in patients who underwent TKA.
Thermo-economic optimization of synthesis, design and operation of a marine organic Rankine cycle system
Authors: Kalikatzarakis Miltiadis , Frangopoulos Christos A
Published: February 2016

The recovery of high temperature thermal energy released by propulsion engines in order to cover thermal loads is commonplace in contemporary ships. However, the medium- and low-temperature thermal energy is only partially exploited or not exploited at all. In the present work, an organic Rankine cycle system driving an electric generator is considered, in addition to the exhaust gas boiler, in order to recover available heat and produce electrical energy. The specifications of the system are determined by an optimization procedure taking economic criteria into consideration, apart from the technical criteria usually used in this kind of studies. More specifically, with the net present value as the objective function and by application of optimization algorithms, the optimal synthesis, design and operation of the organic Rankine cycle system are determined. For the particular vessel considered, the installation of the organic Rankine cycle is technically feasible and economically profitable, with a dynamic payback period of 4 years. The solution of the optimization problem is supplemented with a sensitivity analysis with respect to important parameters.
Histopathological findings following pipeline embolization in a human cerebral aneurysm at the basilar tip
Authors: Dai Daying , Ding Yong-Hong , Kelly Michael , Kadirvel Ramanathan , Kallmes David
Published: February 2016

We report histopathological findings from a human cerebral aneurysm following treatment with a flow diverter. A 75-year-old male underwent flow diversion treatment (Pipeline Embolization Device (PED)) and coil embolization for treatment of an aneurysm at the basilar tip. At four months, angiography showed complete aneurysm occlusion; at 12 months angiography demonstrated that the aneurysm had reopened. The patient expired from brainstem compression. The aneurysm cavity was primarily filled with unorganized thrombus. Thick, interrupted neointima crossed the neck interface indicating blood flow into aneurysm through small channels. Along the parent artery the PED was covered by neointima having a measured thickness of 0.19 ± 0.01 mm; the maximal stenosis of the proximal parent artery was 27%. The perforating arteries that were crossed by the PED remained patent. Findings in this human case are similar to those in the elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits.