bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scavenging behavior of schumannianthus dichotomus‐derived activated carbon for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous phase
Authors: Ahmaruzzaman M. , Reza Ruhul Amin , Ahmed Juned K. , Sil Asim K.
Published: November 2013

In this article, the decoloration capacity of acid‐activated Schumannianthus dichotomus (ASD) toward a model organic cation is described: methylene blue (MB) from aqueous phase. The characterization of the developed adsorbent was focused on proximate, ultimate analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, surface area, and porosity analysis to understand the adsorbent–adsorbate retention as well as interpretation of experimental results. It has been found that adsorbent is essentially microporous–mesoporous in nature with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 1199.98 m2 g−1. The effect of various operating parameters on adsorption such as pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and temperature was monitored. The suitability of Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin adsorption models to the experimental data was investigated for MB‐adsorbent system. The results showed that equilibrium data for all MB‐adsorbent system fitted the Langmuir model best (R2 = 0.99), yielding monolayer adsorption capacity of 336.70 mg g−1 at 303 K. The pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model provides best correlation (R2 = 0.999) of the experimental data with rate constant of 0.0157 g mg−1 min−1. The thermodynamics parameters ΔGº, ΔHº, and ΔSº evaluated as −9.51 (kJ mol−1), −36.16 (kJ mol−1), and −87.93 (J mol−1 K−1), respectively, revealed that adsorption process is feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic in nature. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 1148–1157, 2014
Trends in Anorexia Nervosa Research: An Analysis of the Top 100 Most Cited Works
Authors: Lipsman Nir , Woodside D. Blake , Lozano Andres M.
Published: November 2013

Analysis of highly cited papers provides unique insights into the status of research in a given field. We sought to identify the top 100 most highly cited papers in the field of anorexia nervosa (AN). A free, publically accessible software was used to conduct an online search of publications with accompanying citation data. Search terms were selected to focus on papers dealing predominantly with AN, and the results manually screened to exclude out‐of‐scope publications. Papers in bulimia nervosa, eating disorder not otherwise specified and binge‐eating disorder, were not included. The top 100 most highly cited papers in the AN field were identified. Of these, 34 garnered greater than 400 citations, classifying them as ‘citation classics’. These works were divided into five categories, those dealing with epidemiological trends, medical/psychiatric comorbidities, treatment, mechanisms of disease and measurement/classification. Publications examining the epidemiology and underlying mechanisms of AN account for the majority of the top 100 papers. Scales and measurement tools have had the greatest impact, garnering the greatest number of average citations per paper. Although reasonably diverse, the top 100 papers highlight areas still lagging behind, including the neuroscience of AN as well as research into novel treatment strategies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Evaluation of the UTRAN (HSPA) performance in different configurations in the presence of M2M and online gaming traffic
Authors: Popović Milica , Drajić Dejan , Krčo Srdjan
Published: November 2013

In this paper, performance analysis of a High Speed Packet Access network in the presence of machine‐to‐machine (M2M) and online gaming traffic is described. The evaluation was performed in a live network, using a number of mobile phones to generate additional traffic load. One Node B, with different configurations, was used throughout the experiments. The main areas of impact are identified, and similar underlying mechanisms are later recognised through deployment of a commercial large‐scale M2M application. The paper describes the key findings of the analysis of five test cases from the network performance aspect. It further associates perceived network behaviour with the end‐user experience in terms of the average delays. At the end, a comparison with the observed impacts of a live M2M application is given, and the main issues highlighted, together with a discussion on possible solutions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lack of adenovirus DNA in mediastinal adipose tissue of obese/overweight adults with cardiovascular disorders?
Authors: Bil‐Lula Iwona , Płonek Tomasz , Woźniak Mieczysław
Published: November 2013

Mediastinal adipose tissue can be found on the anterior surface of pericardial sac below the remnants of the thymus. On the basis of previous studies describing adenoviruses (AdVs) as a causative factor of obesity, the causative relation between the presence of AdVs and an increased accumulation of mediastinal adipose tissue was studied. The study included 25 obese/overweight subjects with cardiac disorders. Specimens from fat deposits from the anterior mediastinum were collected during cardiac surgery procedures. Afterwards, PCR was used to detect AdV‐DNA. No AdV‐DNA could be detected in adipose tissue. An association between an excessive accumulation of mediastinal adipose tissue and an AdV‐infection in the development of accompanying cardiac disorders was excluded. J. Med. Virol. 86:802–805, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Practicalities of using a modified version of the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool for randomised and non‐randomised study designs applied in a health technology assessment setting
Authors: Robertson Clare , Ramsay Craig , Gurung Tara , Mowatt Graham , Pickard Robert , Sharma Pawana ,   The UK Robotic Laparoscopic Prostatectomy HTA Study Group
Published: November 2013

We describe our experience of using a modified version of the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tool for randomised and non‐randomised comparative studies.

Objectives

To assess time to complete RoB assessment

To assess inter‐rater agreement

To explore the association between RoB and treatment effect size

Methods

Cochrane risk of bias assessment was performed on a sample of full text primary reports included in a systematic review comparing operative techniques for radical prostatectomy. Inter‐rater agreement was assessed using the kappa statistic.

Results

Twenty‐four studies were judged as high overall RoB, 13 were judged as low RoB and 11 were unclear. The weighted Kappa value was 0.35 indicating fair agreement. The median (range) time taken to rate each study was 30 min (10–49). The effect estimate for all studies was 0.61 (95% credible interval (CrI) 0.46–0.83) and 0.73 (95% CrI 0.29–1.75) for low risk studies.

Conclusions

Although the process was time consuming, using a modified version of the RoB tool proved useful for demonstrating conservative effect estimates. That we only achieved a fair agreement between reviewers demonstrates the urgent need for further validation to improve inter‐rater agreement. We suggest additional RoB levels could improve inter‐rater reliability. © 2013 Crown copyright.
Night milking adds value to cow's milk
Authors: Milagres Maria P , Minim Valeria P R , Minim Luis A , Simiqueli Andrea A , Moraes Liliane E S , Martino Hércia S D
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Melatonin is synthesized in greater concentration at night, and it plays an important role in sleep regulation. This study aimed to evaluate the melatonin concentration in milk collected by milking during the night and evaluates its effect, with or without tryptophan supplementation, in the sleep quality of adult Wistar rats.

RESULTS

A difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the milking times, where the milk obtained at 02:00 presented a higher melatonin concentration (39.43 pg mL−1) than that acquired at 15:00 (4.03 pg mL−1). A biological assay was also performed on 32 male adult Wistar rats distributed among four groups (n = 8): those receiving an AIN‐93M diet (control group) and three test groups [diets containing milk from milking at 02:00 (M2h), milking at 15:00 (M15h), and milking at 02:00 plus tryptophan supplementation (M2hT)] for 28 days. It was observed that the control group did not differ (P > 0.05) from the M15h group in terms of the levels of blood melatonin and urinary sulfatoxymelatonin, but differed from groups M2h and M2hT, whereas group M2hT presented higher blood melatonin and urinary sulfatoxymelatonin concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Combining the techniques of night milking with tryptophan supplementation resulted in production of milk that improves sleep quality in rats. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
The relevance of the Siewert classification in the era of multimodal therapy for adenocarcinoma of the gastro‐oesophageal junction
Authors: Curtis Nathan J. , Noble Fergus , Bailey Ian S. , Kelly Jamie J. , Byrne James P. , Underwood Timothy J.
Published: November 2013

Introduction

The Siewert classification has been used to plan treatment for tumours of the gastro‐oesophageal junction since its proposal in the 1980s. The purpose of this study was to assess its continued relevance by evaluating whether there were differences in the biology and clinical characteristics of adenocarcinomas by Siewert type, in a contemporary cohort of patients, in whom the majority had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

A prospective database was reviewed for all patients who underwent resection from 2005 to 2011 and analysed with regard to Siewert classification determined from the pathological specimen, treatment and clincopathological outcomes.

Results

Two hundred and sixteen patients underwent oesophagogastric resection: 133 for type I, 51 for type II and 33 for type III tumours. 135 Patients (62.5%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with no difference between groups. There were no significant differences in age, sex, pT stage, pN stage, pM stage, ASA, or inpatient complications between patients with adenocarcinoma based on their Siewert classification. There was a significant increase in maximum tumour diameter (P = 0.023), perineural invasion (P = 0.021) and vascular invasion (P = 0.020), associated with more distal tumours (Type III > Type II > Type I). Median overall survival was significantly shorter for more distal tumours (Type I: 4.96 years vs. Type II: 3.3 years vs. Type III: 2.64 years; P = 0.04). The surgical approach did not influence survival.

Conclusion

In the era of multi‐modal treatment pathological Siewert tumour type is of prognostic value, as patients with Type III disease are likely to have larger and more aggressive tumours that lead to worse outcomes. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014;109:202–207. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Surgical Oncology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Examination of the cutoff value of postchemotherapy increase in tumor volume as a predictor of subsequent oncologic events in stage IIB osteosarcoma
Authors: Jeon Dae‐Geun , Kong Chang‐Bae , Cho Wan Hyeong , Song Won Seok , Cho Sang Hyun , Choi Sung Woo , Lee Soo‐Yong
Published: November 2013

Background

Tumor enlargement after chemotherapy is a predictor of a poor histological response, poor survival, and local recurrence. However, the cutoff point of tumor enlargement for predicting subsequent oncologic events has not been determined.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 567 patients who were treated at our institute for stage IIB osteosarcoma. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of tumor volume increase for the prediction of subsequent metastasis or local recurrence, and calculated diagnostic indices for different cutoff values.

Results

A tumor volume increase of >15% predicted subsequent metastasis or local recurrence with a sensitivity of 64.7%, a specificity of 81.5%, a positive predictive value of 71.6%, and a negative predictive value of 76.1%. Increases in tumor volumes based on this cutoff value were able to predict subsequent oncologic events in all clinical subgroups, except in cases of rare pathologic subtypes. However, for tumors in the proximal humerus, a cutoff value of 25% had optimal predictive value.

Conclusions

This study shows that a cutoff value of 15% for tumor volume increase is useful for predicting subsequent metastasis or local recurrence. Our results suggest that tumor enlargement after chemotherapy serves as an easily assessable clinical parameter for risk‐adapted therapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:275–279. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acrylic‐Acid‐Functionalized PolyHIPE Scaffolds for Use in 3D Cell Culture
Authors: Hayward Adam S. , Sano Naoko , Przyborski Stefan A. , Cameron Neil R.
Published: November 2013

This study describes the development of a functional porous polymer for use as a scaffold to support 3D hepatocyte culture. A high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) is prepared containing the monomers styrene (STY), divinylbenzene (DVB), and 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) in the external oil phase and the monomer acrylic acid (Aa) in the internal aqueous phase. Upon thermal polymerization with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), the resulting porous polymer (polyHIPE) is found to have an open‐cell morphology and a porosity of 89%, both suitable characteristics for 3D cell scaffold applications. X‐ray photo­electron spectroscopy reveals that the polyHIPE surface contained 7.5% carboxylic acid functionality, providing a useful substrate for subsequent surface modifications and bio‐conjugations. Initial bio‐compatibility assessments with human hepatocytes show that the acid functionality does not have any detrimental effect on cell adhesion. It is therefore believed that this material can be a useful precursor scaffold towards 3D substrates that offer tailored surface functionality for enhanced cell adhesion.

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Development of a prediction formula of Parkinson disease severity by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Jiménez Beatriz , Ascaso Francisco J. , Cristóbal José A. , López del Val Javier
Published: November 2013

The aims of this study were to assess the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), to determine its correlation with disease severity, and to define a simple biomarker for predicting clinical severity. One hundred two eyes from 52 patients affected by PD were compared with 97 eyes from 50 age‐comparable controls. In all patients, peripapillary RNFL thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). We used the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) total score and measured responses in the on medication state. Eyes from patients with PD had a statistically significant decrease in average peripapillary RNFL thickness compared with control eyes (P < 0.001). This reduction was observed in every quadrant (inferior, superior, nasal [P < 0.001], and temporal [P = 0.017]) in patients with PD. Furthermore, a strong inverse correlation was found between the PD severity measured according to the UPDRS score and the average peripapillary RNFL thickness (r = −0.615; P < 0.001) and PD duration (r = −0.303; P = 0.002). From these results, we defined a regression equation that predicts the UPDRS score from the above‐mentioned variables: UPDRS = 81.6 + 29.6 * log PD duration (years) − 0.6 * RFNL thickness (μm). We observed that, as the evolution and severity of PD progress, the peripapillary RNFL layer thickness, as evaluated by OCT, gradually diminishes. These results suggest that the average peripapillary RNFL thickness measured by OCT might be useful as a biomarker to detect the early onset and progression of PD. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Two novel mutations identified in familial cases with Donohue syndrome
Authors: Falik Zaccai Tzipora C. , Kalfon Limor , Klar Aharon , Elisha Mordechai Ben , Hurvitz Haggit , Weingarten Galina , Chechik Emelia , Fleisher Sheffer Vered , Haj Yahya Raid , Meidan Gal , Gross‐Kieselstein Eva , Bauman Dvora , Hershkovitz Sylvia , Yaron Yuval , Orr‐Urtreger Avi , Wertheimer Efrat
Published: November 2013

Donohue syndrome (DS) is a rare and lethal autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the insulin receptor (INSR) gene, manifesting marked insulin resistance, severe growth retardation, hypertrichosis, and characteristic dysmorphic features. We report the clinical, molecular, and biochemical characterization of three new patients with DS, and address genotype–phenotype issues playing a role in the pathophysiology of DS. A female infant born to first‐degree cousins Muslim Arab parents and two brothers born to first‐degree cousins Druze parents presented classical features of DS with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and died in infancy. Each patient was found homozygous for one missense mutation within the extracellular domain of the INSR gene. Western blot analysis identified the proreceptor of INSR, but not its mature subunits alpha and beta. Of 95 healthy Muslims, no heterozygous was found and of 52 healthy Druze from the same village, one was heterozygous. This study presents two novel familial mutations in the alpha subunit of the INSR which appear to impair post‐translational processing of the INSR, resulting loss of its function. Both mutations cause DS with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and early death. Identification of the causative mutation enables prevention of this devastating disease.
Analysis of a thermo‐viscoplastic model with Lipschitz continuous constitutive equations
Authors: Bartczak Leszek
Published: November 2013

We study a thermo‐mechanical model, where the mechanical inelastic model with a Lipschitz–continuous constitutive relation for the plastic strain is coupled with a heat equation. The main results are the local‐in‐time existence and uniqueness of the solution to the considered model and the existence of the solution for an arbitrarily long time interval for the sufficiently small given data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Localization of compact invariant sets and global stability in analysis of one tumor growth model
Authors: Starkov Konstantin E. , Gamboa Diana
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we study some features of global behavior of the four‐dimensional superficial bladder cancer model with Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy described by Bunimovich‐Mendrazitsky et al. in 2007 with the help of localization analysis of its compact invariant sets. Its dynamics is defined by the BCG treatment and by densities of three cells populations: effector cells, tumor infected cells by BCG, and tumor uninfected cells. We find upper bounds for ultimate dynamics of the whole state vector in the positive orthant and also under condition that there are no uninfected tumor cells. Further, we prove the existence of the bounded positively invariant domain in both of these two situations. Finally, by using these assertions, we derive our main result: sufficient conditions of global asymptotic stability of the tumor‐free equilibrium point in the positive orthant. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Birds in Early Medieval Greater Poland: Consumption and Hawking
Authors: Makowiecki D. , Tomek T. , Bochenski Z. M.
Published: November 2013

The paper analyses more than 2000 avian remains from four sites that played a crucial role in the formation of the Polish State in the early Middle Ages: a stronghold and suburbium (extra‐mural settlement) at Ostrów Lednicki, a settlement at Dziekanowice and a stronghold at Grzybowo. At least 25 taxa were found at all the sites. The domestic chicken clearly dominates among all the avian remains, followed by geese of the genus Anser. Other taxa, recorded in smaller numbers, indicate a mosaic of aquatic, woodland and open habitats. The relatively high percentage of immature domestic chicken (28–38%) suggests that it was kept both for meat and eggs. Hawking at Ostrów Lednicki can be indirectly inferred from the presence of remains of female goshawks and their possible prey. Remains of the peacock, capercaillie and black grouse support the high status of the sites. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Offered to Gods, Eaten by People: Bird Bones from the Sanctuary of Jupiter Heliopolitanus in Carnuntum–Mühläcker (Austria)
Authors: Gál E. , Kunst G. K.
Published: November 2013

This paper discusses the bird bones from a large animal bone assemblage found in the largest pit located on the territory of the Sanctuary of Jupiter Heliopolitanus in Carnuntum–Mühläcker (Austria). Features of the material suggest that the bones result from ritual meals, perhaps from a single event. The bird bone assemblage is characterised by the dominance of domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus), but the number of (domestic) goose (Anser cf. domesticus) remains is outstanding. Wild species such as the greater white‐fronted goose (Anser albifrons) and the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) were represented by smaller numbers of remains. According to the distribution of bones, the birds were slaughtered in the sanctuary. The calculated minimum number of individuals is about 193 fowl. The slaughtering season is proposed to have been in early spring according to the seasonal presence of the greater white‐fronted goose and the age at death of the domestic mammals. On the basis of the measurements of sexed tarsometatarsi, two size groups of domestic chicken were identified. Similar results regarding the dimensions of this species could be recognised from a number of civic and cultic Roman localities in Central Europe. The dominance of male over female birds in domestic chicken is notable in our assemblage, and points to an Eastern origin for the feasting habits, especially in the light of the scarcity of pig remains in this context as opposed to urban Carnuntum. Unlike the assemblages unearthed from Mithraea, however, it was mostly beef that was consumed in addition to fowl in the sanctuary of Carnuntum–Mühläcker. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Distribution, Thermal Characteristics and Dynamics of Permafrost in Tröllaskagi, Northern Iceland, as Inferred from the Distribution of Rock Glaciers and Ice‐Cored Moraines
Authors: Lilleøren Karianne S. , Etzelmüller Bernd , Gärtner‐Roer Isabelle , Kääb Andreas , Westermann Sebastian , Guðmundsson Águst
Published: November 2013

Knowledge of the characteristics and spatial distribution of permafrost in Iceland is important to understanding slope stability, climate change impacts and palaeo‐glaciology. The permafrost distribution there, however, is poorly constrained. The presence of rock glaciers and stable ice‐cored moraines in mountain settings relates to permafrost, making such landforms indicators of present or past permafrost. This study combines recently published aerial photographs (2002–07), radar interferometry based on Advanced Land Observing Satellite phased array type L‐band synthetic aperture radar (ALOS PALSAR) data (2007), land surface temperatures estimated from moderate‐resolution imaging spectroradiometer satellite data (MODIS; 2003–10) and field mapping to re‐examine the permafrost distribution, thermal characteristics and dynamics on the Tröllaskagi peninsula. An inventory of 265 landforms, mostly active or inactive (intact), categorised them by genesis and activity, the latter independently investigated by PALSAR interferometry. Intact landforms are mainly glacigenic, occurring as moraine‐derived rock glaciers or ice‐cored moraines. Their dominant orientation is between north and northeast, suggesting that topography and exposure influence their present‐day formation. Permafrost landforms exist at all elevations on the Tröllaskagi peninsula, with intact landforms at high elevations and relict landforms reaching down to sea level. Rock glaciers at sea level may imply early deglaciation of northern Iceland. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robotics and Automation for “Icebreaker”
Authors: Glass B. J. , Dave A. , McKay C. P. , Paulsen G.
Published: November 2013

The proposed “Icebreaker” mission is a return to the Mars polar latitudes first visited by the Phoenix mission in 2007–2008. Exploring and interrogating the shallow subsurface of Mars from the surface will require some form of excavation and penetration, with drilling being the most mature approach. A series of 0.5–5 m automated rotary and rotary‐percussive drills developed over the past decade by NASA Ames and Honeybee Robotics provide the capability to fly on a Mars surface mission within the next decade. Surface robotics have been integrated for sample transfer to deck instruments, and the Icebreaker sample acquisition system has been tested successfully in Mars chambers and analog field sites to depths between 1 and 3 m, most recently in the Antarctic Dry Valleys in January of 2013. This paper provides a hardware and software systems overview of the Icebreaker sample acquisition system, and discusses test results of this robotic system in relevant environments. Test results from recent Arctic and Antarctic field campaigns demonstrate a hands‐off “dust to data” capability.
Specialness and Egalitarianism
Authors: Merlo Giovanni ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2013

There are two intuitions about time. The first is that there’s something special about the present that objectively differentiates it from the past and the future. Call this intuition Specialness. The second is that the time at which we happen to live is just one amongmany other times, all of which are ‘on a par’ when it comes to their forming part of reality. Call this other intuition Egalitarianism. Tradition has it that the so-called ‘A-theories of time’ fare well at addressing the first intuition, but rather badly when it comes to the second. The goal of this article is to offer advice to A-theorists about how to reconcile their view with Egalitarianism.
Safety and utility of an anesthetic protocol for the collection of biological samples from gopher tortoises
Authors: McGuire Jessica L. , Hernandez Sonia M. , Smith Lora L. , Yabsley Michael J.
Published: November 2013

Adult gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are difficult to physically restrain, particularly for examination of the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity—areas important for biological sample collection during disease surveillance studies. Collection of nasal lavage is required for determining the status of Mycoplasma infection in tortoises. Anesthesia is often necessary to provide full relaxation in order to gain access to the head and mouth for nasal lavage. Therefore, deep sedation or general anesthesia are required both for the welfare of the tortoise and to maximize the usefulness of biological samples collected. The objective of this study was to assess the utility and safety of a novel field‐anesthetic combination of dexmedetomidine–ketamine–morphine (75 mc/kg; 8 mg/kg; 1 mg/kg, respectively), followed by reversal with atipamezole (0.02 mg/kg). Between May and October 2009 at the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center in Baker County, Georgia, USA, 128 tortoises were captured and anesthetized with this protocol. Average time to first effects was 9.7 minutes, to induction was 21.6 minutes, to total recovery after administration of reversal was 92.7 minutes, and the mean time from administration of anesthesia through complete recovery for adult tortoises was 129 minutes but ranged from 40 minutes to 300 minutes. Clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease significantly reduced the induction time such that tortoises with clinical signs lost consciousness faster than healthy tortoises. Study month significantly influenced the time to induction and time to recovery, such that as the study progressed, both parameters decreased. This anesthetic protocol proved to be an effective, reliable, repeatable, and safe method to collect quality biological samples from gopher tortoises. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Prophylactic Level II Neck Dissection Guided by Frozen Section for Clinically Node‐Negative Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Is It Useful?
Authors: Hartl Dana M. , Al Ghuzlan Abir , Borget Isabelle , Leboulleux Sophie , Mirghani Haïtham , Schlumberger Martin
Published: November 2013

Background

Prophylactic lateral neck dissection (PLND) is generally not performed for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). When performed, occult metastases are found in up to 50 % of patients, although the incidence of occult level II nodes seems low. Our aim was to evaluate frozen section analysis‐oriented elective level II PLND in patients with clinically node‐negative (cN0) PTC.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with cN0 PTC treated with total thyroidectomy and prophylactic bilateral central and lateral neck dissection of ipsilateral levels III and IV. Frozen section analysis of PLND III and IV was performed. If positive, the PLND was extended to level II. We measured the accuracy of frozen section analysis, the incidence of occult level II metastasis, and oncologic outcomes.

Results

A total of 295 patients were included. For frozen section analysis, the sensitivity was 71.0 %, specificity 99.6 %, positive predictive value 97.8 %, negative predictive value 92.4 %, overall accuracy 93.2 %. Definitive analysis found lateral node metastases in 63 of the 295 (21 %) patients. Extension to level II was performed in 27 of 46 cases (59 %). Level II contained metastatic nodes in 12 of 27 (44 %) patients. There was no difference in total doses of 131I administered to patients with or without level II disease. Even when extension of PLND to level II was not performed, no cases of recurrent or persistent disease in level II occurred.

Conclusions

Frozen section analysis was highly accurate. The rate of occult metastases in level II was low. Detection of additional metastases in level II did not modify subsequent treatment or the rate of recurrence and is not useful for routine application.
Towards a unified classification of wear
Authors: Varenberg Michael
Published: November 2013

Since the beginning of the systematic study of wear, many classification schemes have been devised. However, though covering the whole field in sum, they stay only loosely connected to each other and do not build a complete general picture. To this end, here we try to combine and integrate existing approaches into a general simple scheme unifying known wear types into a consistent system. The suggested scheme is based on three classifying criterions answering the questions “why”, “how” and “where” and defining a 3-D space filled with the known wear types. The system can be used in teaching to introduce students to such complex phenomena as wear and also in engineering practice to guide wear mitigation initiatives.
Complementary Method for Deriving Concentration of Diffusing Substance in a Medium for Multi-Dimensional Diffusion
Authors: Tsai C.-L. , Lin C.-C. , Lee H.-J. , Wang C.-H.
Published: November 2013

Concentration of a diffusing substance in a medium was derived in various cases of uni-dimensional diffusion, including in a semi-infinite medium and a plate-shaped medium. Multi-dimensional diffusion involves boundary conditions in each coordinate direction. The algorithm dealing with uni-dimensional case becomes very complicated in multi-dimensional cases. This study proposes an algorithm, which is called the complementary method, that combines complementary functions of the normalized solution in uni-dimensional diffusion case by multiplication to solve those in various multi-dimensional diffusion cases with dramatically simplified mathematics. Besides, the complementary method is used to solve various kinds of boundary conditions for multi-dimensional diffusion.
The Mesh Property of the Steel Involute Cylindrical Worm with a Plastic Involute Helical Gear
Authors: Liu Z. Y. , Huang C. C. , Hao Y. H. , Lin C. C.
Published: November 2013

With the increasing use of plastic gears in substitution of conventional steel ones, a plastic involute helical gear has been introduced to engage with a steel involute worm thus forming a novel plastic-steel worm-gear pair. The geometry and kinematics of this kind of worm-gear pair has been established first to derive its meshing properties which have been further verified by the finite element simulation. And it turns out that the contact area of this worm-gear pair is a point or an ellipse instead of a line. Further, a discrete dynamic model has been applied to investigate the dynamic transmission of motion and power of this worm-gear pair through the dynamic mesh force and the driven plastic involute helical gear. And the effects of angular and distance assembling errors have also been included.
Psychiatric side effects of ketamine in hospitalized medical patients administered subanesthetic doses for pain control
Authors: Rasmussen Keith G.
Published: November 2013

Objective

To assess the psychiatric side effects of ketamine when administered in subanesthetic doses to hospitalized patients. It is hypothesized that such effects occur frequently.

Methods

In this retrospective study, the medical records of 50 patients hospitalized on medical and surgical units at our facility who had continuous intravenous infusions of ketamine for pain or mild sedation were reviewed. Patient progress in the days following the start of ketamine infusion was reviewed and response to ketamine was noted.

Results

Twenty-two percent of the patients were noted to have some type of psychiatric reaction to ketamine, including agitation, confusion, and hallucinations. These reactions were relatively short lived, namely, occurring during or shortly after the infusions. No association was found between patient response to ketamine and gender, age, or infusion rate.

Conclusion

Awareness of the psychiatric side effects of ketamine is an important consideration for clinicians administering this medication either for pain control or for depressive illness.
Rice and noodle consumption is associated with insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia in an Asian population
Authors: Zuñiga Yasmin L. M. , Rebello Salome A. , Oi Puay Leng , Zheng Huili , Lee Jeannette , Tai E. Shyong , Van Dam Rob M.
Published: November 2013

High consumption of refined grains, particularly white rice, has been reported to be associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the association between rice and noodle consumption and markers of glucose homeostasis, inflammation and dyslipidaemia in an Asian population. We carried out a population-based cross-sectional study in 2728 Singaporean Chinese men and women aged between 24 and 92 years. Rice and noodle intake was assessed using a validated FFQ and studied in relation to glycaemic (fasting glucose, glycated Hb, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and HOMA index for β-cell function (HOMA-β)), inflammatory (plasma adiponectin and C-reactive protein (CRP)) and lipid (fasting TAG and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C)) markers. We used multiple linear regression analyses with adjustment for total energy intake and sociodemographic, anthropometric (BMI and waist:hip ratio) and lifestyle factors. Higher rice consumption was found to be associated with higher fasting glucose concentrations (0·81 % higher values per portion increment; 95 % CI 0·09, 1·54) and HOMA-IR (4·62 %; 95 % CI 1·29, 8·07). Higher noodle consumption was also found to be significantly associated with higher fasting glucose concentrations (1·67 %; 95 % CI 0·44, 2·92), HOMA-IR (6·17 %; 95 % CI 0·49, 12·16) and fasting TAG concentrations (9·17 %; 95 % CI 3·44, 15·22). No significant association was observed between rice and noodle consumption and adiponectin, CRP and HDL-C concentrations or HOMA-β in the fully adjusted model. These results suggest that high consumption of rice and noodles may contribute to hyperglycaemia through greater insulin resistance and that this relationship is independent of adiposity and systemic inflammation.
Validation of bovine glycomacropeptide as an intestinal anti-inflammatory nutraceutical in the lymphocyte-transfer model of colitis
Authors: Ortega-González Mercedes , Capitán-Cañadas Fermín , Requena Pilar , Ocón Borja , Romero-Calvo Isabel , Aranda Carlos , Suárez María Dolores , Zarzuelo Antonio , Sánchez de Medina Fermín , Martínez-Augustin Olga
Published: November 2013

Milk κ-casein-derived bovine glycomacropeptide (GMP) exerts immunomodulatory effects. It exhibits intestinal anti-inflammatory activity in chemically induced models of colitis. However, to validate its clinical usefulness as a nutraceutical, it is important to assess its effects in a model with a closer pathophysiological connection with human inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, in the present study, we used the lymphocyte-transfer model of colitis in mice and compared the effects of GMP in this model with those obtained in the dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) model. GMP (15 mg/d) resulted in higher body-weight gain and a reduction of the colonic damage score and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity inRag1− / −mice with colitis induced by the transfer of naïve T cells. The colonic and ileal weight:length ratio was decreased by approximately 25 %, albeit non-significantly. GMP treatment reduced the percentage of CD4+interferon (IFN)-γ+cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). The basal production of IL-6 by MLN obtained from the GMP-treated miceex vivowas augmented. However, concanavalin A-evoked production was similar. The colonic expression of regenerating islet-derived protein 3γ, S100A8, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 and IL-1β was unaffected by GMP, while that of TNF-α and especially IFN-γ was paradoxically increased. In the DSS model, GMP also reduced the activity of colonic MPO, but it failed to alter weight gain or intestinal weight:length ratio. GMP augmented the production of IL-10 by MLN cells and was neutral towards other cytokines, except exhibiting a trend towards increasing the production of IL-6. The lower effect was attributed to the lack of the effect of GMP on epithelial cells. In conclusion, GMP exerts intestinal anti-inflammatory effects in lymphocyte-driven colitis.
CONNECTION AND COHERENCE BETWEEN AND AMONG EUROPEAN INSTRUMENTS IN THE PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW OF OBLIGATIONS
Authors: Crawford Elizabeth B , Carruthers Janeen M
Published: November 2013

This article considers points of connection and coherence between and among the Rome I Regulation, the Rome II Regulation, and Regulation 1215, and relevant predecessor instruments. The degree of consistency in aim, design and detail of conflict of laws rules is examined, vertically (between/among consecutive instruments) and horizontally (across cognate instruments). Symbiosis between instruments is explored, as is the interrelationship between choice of court and choice of law. Disadvantaged parties, and the cohesiveness of their treatment under the Regulations, receive particular attention.
Metacercarial polymorphism and genetic variation of Paragonimus heterotremus (Digenea: Paragonimidae), and a re-appraisal of the taxonomic status of Paragonimus pseudoheterotremus
Authors: Doanh P.N. , Thaenkham U. , An P.T. , Hien H.V. , Horii Y. , Nawa Y.
Published: November 2013

Paragonimus heterotremus, which is an important pathogen for human paragonimiasis in Asia, is recognized as having the smallest metacercariae (maximum diameter < 300 μm) of any previously reported Paragonimus species. Recently, P. pseudoheterotremus has been described from Thailand as a new species having metacercariae (about 200 μm) slightly smaller than those of Thai P. heterotremus. In fact, the small size of P. pseudoheterotremus metacercariae is compatible with those of P. heterotremus from India and China. In this study in Vietnam, we found variably sized small metacercariae which are expected to consist of both P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus. Contrary to expectation, the adult flukes obtained by separate infection of experimental cats with different sized metacercariae were all identified as P. heterotremus, using both morphological and molecular characteristics. The molecular analyses of an extensive collection of P. heterotremus/P. pseudoheterotremus isolates from Asian countries also indicated that genetic distances between different populations of P. heterotremus are even larger than that between P. pseudoheterotremus and P. heterotremus. The haplotype network showed that all P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus isolates formed a P. heterotremus complex consisting of three groups with strong geographical origins. In addition, the Indian P. heterotremus group is the root of the other P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus populations. Based on the observed metacercarial polymorphisms and genetic variation in P. heterotremus,P. pseudoheterotremus should be considered a geographically isolated population of the P. heterotremus complex.
Learning a generative syntax from transparent syntactic atoms in the linguistic input
Authors: NINIO ANAT
Published: November 2013

We examined parents' two-word utterances expressing core syntactic relations in order to test the hypothesis that they may enable children to derive the atoms of hierarchical syntax, namely, the asymmetrical Merge/Dependency relation between pairs of words, and, in addition, to identify variables serving generative syntactic rules. Using a large English-language parental corpus, we located all two-word utterances containing a verb and its subject, object, or indirect object. Analysis showed that parental two-word sentences contain transparent information on the binary dependency/merge relation responsible for syntactic connectivity. The syntactic atoms modelled in the two-word input contain natural variables for dependents, making generalization to other contexts an immediate possibility. In a second study, a large sample of children were found to use the same verbs in the great majority of their early sentences expressing the same core grammatical relations. The results support a learning model according to which children learn the basics of syntax from parental two-word sentences.
Crystal structure of a new HfO(OH)2 oxyhydroxide
Authors: Tarakina N.V. , Tyutyunnik A.P. , Baklanova Ya.V. , Maksimova L.G. , Denisova T.A. , Neder R.B.
Published: November 2013

The crystal structure of a new hafnium oxyhydroxide obtained by an ion-exchange reaction from a Li2HfO3 precursor has been solved by a direct method and refined using Rietveld full profile fitting based on X-ray powder diffraction data. HfO(ОН)2 crystallizes in a P21/c monoclinic unit cell (a = 5.5578(5) Å, b = 9.0701(10) Å, c = 5.7174(5) Å, β = 119.746(5)°); its structure can be described as a framework formed by edge-sharing HfO6 octahedra connected to each other via vertices. In addition, an analysis of the atomic pair distribution function obtained using synchrotron radiation was used to confirm the model and to describe fine-structure features.
Structure Re-determination of LASSBio-294 – a cardioactive compound of the N-acylhydrazone class – using X-ray powder diffraction data
Authors: Costa Fanny N. , Ferreira Fabio Furlan , da Silva Tiago F. , Barreiro Eliezer J. , Lima Lídia M. , Braz Delson , Barroso Regina C.
Published: November 2013

Many N-acylhydrazone derivatives synthetized in LASSBio® cannot be prepared as single crystals of sufficient size and/or quality for structure determination to be carried out using single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. This article highlights the opportunity for determining crystal structures of this class of compounds directly from powder diffraction data. For this task, the crystal structure of LASSBio-294 was re-determined by means of conventional X-ray powder diffraction data and so, compared with the crystal structure already determined for single crystal data. LASSBio-294 is a cardioactive compound of the N-acylhydrazone class, which can become part of the therapeutic interventions designed to decrease exertional fatigue, and, consequently, improve the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic heart failure. Its final crystal structure was refined by means of the Rietveld method (Rietveld, 1967; 1969). This drug crystallizes in a monoclinic (P21/c) space group, with unit cell parameters a = 11.3413(3) Å, b = 12.3573(4) Å, c = 9.0158(3) Å, β = 89.821(2)°, V = 1263.55(7) Å3, Z = 4, Ź = 1 and ρcalc = 1.4419(1) g cm−3. The goodness-of-fit indicator and R-factors were, respectively: χ2 = 1.203, RBragg = 0.696%, Rwp = 5.59%, Rexp = 4.65% and Rp = 4.18%. The molecules in LASSBio-294 are H-bonded along the c-axis involving the atoms N(3)–H(8)···O(4).
Crystal structure solution of an elusive polymorph of Dibenzylsquaramide
Authors: Portell Anna , Alcobé Xavier , Lawson Daku Latévi M. , Černý Radovan , Prohens Rafel
Published: November 2013

The crystal structure of the third polymorph of dibenzylsquaramide (Portell, A. et al., 2009), (fig. 1) has been determined from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data by means of direct space methods using the computing program FOX. (Favre-Nicolin and Černý, 2002) The structure resolution has not been straightforward due to several difficulties on the indexing process and in the space group assignment. The asymmetric unit contains two different conformers, which has implied an additional difficulty during the Rietveld (Rietveld, 1969) refinement. All these issues together with particular structural features of disquaramides are discussed.
Monitoring protein precipitates by in-house X-ray powder diffraction
Authors: Ståhl Kenny , Frankær Christian G. , Petersen Jakob , Harris Pernille
Published: November 2013

Powder diffraction from protein powders using in-house diffractometers is an effective tool for identification and monitoring of protein crystal forms and artifacts. As an alternative to conventional powder diffractometers a single crystal diffractometer equipped with an X-ray micro-source can be used to collect powder patterns from 1 µl samples. Using a small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) camera it is possible to collect data within minutes. A streamlined program has been developed for the calculation of powder patterns from pdb-coordinates, and includes correction for bulk-solvent. A number of such calculated powder patterns from insulin and lysozyme have been included in the powder diffraction database and successfully used for search-match identification. However, the fit could be much improved if peak asymmetry and multiple bulk-solvent corrections were included. When including a large number of protein data sets in the database some problems can be foreseen due to the large number of overlapping peaks in the low-angle region, and small differences in unit cell parameters between pdb-data and powder data. It is suggested that protein entries are supplied with more searchable keywords as protein name, protein type, molecular weight, source organism etc. in order to limit possible hits.
Rietveld structural refinement of «A» type phosphostrontium carbonate hydroxyapatites
Authors: Jebri Sonia , Boughzala Habib , Bechrifa Ali , Jemal Mohamed
Published: November 2013

Phosphostrontium carbonate hydroxyapatites having the general formula Sr10(PO4)6(OH)(2-2x)(CO3)x were prepared by solid gas reaction at different temperatures in the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. Infrared spectroscopy investigation reveals a carbonate groups substituting hydroxyl ions. Intensity bands increasing with the carbonate amount introduced in the lattice, while the one corresponding to hydroxyl decreases until disappearance. The Rietveld refinement of the structural model using X-ray powder diffraction patterns is used to determine the substitution rate. It was quantified by the refinement of the occupancy sites affected by the substitution. The crystallographic study shows the evolution of the atomic coordinate in the apatite due to the carbonate incorporation. The variation of the main interatomic distances and the bond angles was also discussed.