bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an ethidium monoazide–enhanced 16S rDNA real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay for bacterial screening of platelet concentrates and comparison with automated culture
Authors: Garson Jeremy A. , Patel Poorvi , McDonald Carl , Ball Joanne , Rosenberg Gillian , Tettmar Kate I. , Brailsford Susan R. , Pitt Tyrone , Tedder Richard S.
Published: May 2013

Background

Culture‐based systems are currently the preferred means for bacterial screening of platelet (PLT) concentrates. Alternative bacterial detection techniques based on nucleic acid amplification have also been developed but these have yet to be fully evaluated. In this study we evaluate a novel 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and compare its performance with automated culture.

Study Design and Methods

A total of 2050 time‐expired, 176 fresh, and 400 initial‐reactive PLT packs were tested by real‐time PCR using broadly reactive 16S primers and a “universal” probe (TaqMan, Invitrogen). PLTs were also tested using a microbial detection system (BacT/ALERT, bioMérieux) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Results

Seven of 2050 (0.34%) time‐expired PLTs were found repeat reactive by PCR on the initial nucleic acid extract but none of these was confirmed positive on testing frozen second aliquots. BacT/ALERT testing also failed to confirm any time‐expired PLTs positive on repeat testing, although 0.24% were reactive on the first test. Three of the 400 “initial‐reactive” PLT packs were found by both PCR and BacT/ALERT to be contaminated (Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Streptococcus vestibularis identified) and 14 additional packs were confirmed positive by BacT/ALERT only. In 13 of these cases the contaminating organisms were identified as anaerobic skin or oral commensals and the remaining pack was contaminated with Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that the 16S PCR assay is less sensitive than BacT/ALERT and inappropriate for early testing of concentrates. However, rapid PCR assays such as this may be suitable for a strategy of late or prerelease testing.
Genetic diversity within and between sulfonylurea‐resistant and susceptible populations of Schoenoplectus juncoides in Japan
Authors: Imaizumi T , Kataoka Y , Ogata S , Uchino A
Published: May 2013

To reveal the effects of herbicide selection on genetic diversity in the outcrossing weed species Schoenoplectus juncoides, six sulfonylurea‐resistant (SU‐R) and eight sulfonylurea‐susceptible (SU‐S) populations were analysed using 40 polymorphic inter‐simple sequence repeat loci. The plants were collected from three widely separated regions: the Tohoku, Kanto and Kyushu districts of Japan. Genetic diversity values (Nei's gene diversity, h) within each SU‐S population ranged from h = 0.125 to h = 0.235. The average genetic diversity within the SU‐S populations was HS = 0.161, and the total genetic diversity was HT = 0.271. Although the HS of the SU‐R populations (0.051) was lower than that of the SU‐S populations, the HT of the SU‐R populations (0.202) was comparable with that of the SU‐S populations. Most of the genetic variation was found within the region for both the SU‐S and SU‐R populations (88% of the genetic variation respectively). Two of the SU‐R populations showed relatively high genetic diversity (h = 0.117 and 0.161), which were comparable with those of the SU‐S populations. In contrast, the genetic diversity within four SU‐R populations was much lower (from h = 0 to 0.018) than in the SU‐S populations. The results suggest that selection by sulfonylurea herbicides has decreased genetic diversity within some SU‐R populations of S. juncoides. The different level of genetic diversity in the SU‐R populations is most likely due to different levels of inbreeding in the populations.
Modeling of Viscoelastic Cable-Conduit Actuation for MRI Compatible Systems
Authors: Agrawal Varun , Yao Bin , Peine William J.
Published: May 2013

Cable transmission has significant advantages in the development of a surgical robot which is fully magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible and can work dexterously in the very limited space inside MRI core. However, apart from the nonlinearities due to friction and cable compliance present in the traditional steel cables, the MRI compatible polymeric cables also suffer from the significant viscoelastic behavior. Previous work in cable-conduit actuation modeling only addresses the transmission in elastic cables and ignores complex direction and time dependent nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of cable-conduits. These effects need to be characterized for system design and nonlinearity compensation. In this paper, an analytical model using standard linear solid model and Coulomb friction is developed to study the transmission characteristics of such a system. The model has been validated by experiments using dyneema cables passing through PEEK conduits, predicting motion and torque transmission with error levels of 3.38% and 16.16%, respectively. The effect of cable viscoelasticity is studied utilizing the model, and corresponding results are compared with that of an elastic cable.
Coprecipitated Transition Metal Ferrites Investigated by XPS
Authors: Diodati Stefano , Gross Silvia
Published: May 2013

In the present contribution, four transition metal ferrites, namely the manganese perovskite MnFeO3 and the nickel, cobalt and zinc spinels NiFe2O4, CoFe2O4, and ZnFe2O4, were investigated through XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy). The synthesis route for the analyzed materials involved the precipitation of metal oxalates from an aqueous solution of metallic salts and oxalic acid. The precipitate was then isolated and calcined at 900 °C in order to obtain the crystalline ferrite powders. Along with survey scans of the analyzed samples, detailed spectra of the O 1s, C 1s, Fe 2p and M 2p (where M = Mn, Ni, Co, Zn depending on the compound in question) regions were collected. The data resulting from these analyses is discussed.
Silicone breast phantoms for elastographic imaging evaluation
Authors: Kashif Amer S. , Lotz Thomas F. , McGarry Matthew D. , Pattison Adam J. , Chase James G.
Published: May 2013

Purpose:

Breast cancer is a major public health issue for women, and early detection significantly increases survival rate. Currently, there is increased research interest in elastographic soft‐tissue imaging techniques based on the correlation between pathology and mechanical stiffness. Anthropomorphic breast phantoms are critical forex vivo validation of emerging elastographic technologies. This research develops heterogeneous breast phantoms for use in testing elastographic imaging modalities.

Methods:

Mechanical property estimation of eight different elastomers is performed to determine storage moduli (E′) and damping ratios (ζ) using a dynamic mechanical analyzer. Dynamic compression testing was carried out isothermally at room temperature over a range of 4–50 Hz. Silicone compositions with physiologically realistic storage modulus were chosen for mimicking skin adipose, cancerous tumors, and pectoral muscles and 13 anthropomorphic breast phantoms were constructed forex vivo trials of digital image elastotomography (DIET) breast cancer screening system. A simpler fabrication was used to assess the possibility of multiple tumor detection using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE).

Results:

Silicone materials with ranges of storage moduli (E′) from 2 to 570 kPa and damping ratios (ζ) from 0.03 to 0.56 were identified. The resulting phantoms were tested in two different elastographic breast cancer diagnostic modalities. A significant contrast was successfully identified between healthy tissues and cancerous tumors both in MRE and DIET.

Conclusions:

The phantoms presented promise aid to researchers in elastographic imaging modalities for breast cancer detection and provide a foundation for silicone based phantom materials for mimicking soft tissues of other human organs.
Tetrahydrobiopterin Biosynthesis as an Off-Target of Sulfa Drugs
Authors: Haruki Hirohito , Pedersen Miriam Grønlund , Gorska Katarzyna Irena , Pojer Florence , Johnsson Kai
Published: May 2013

Going Off-Target

Sulfamethoxazole is a widely used sulfa-drug often used at high doses in the treatment of Pneumocytis pneumonia (PCP) in immunocompromised individuals.

Haruki
et al.

(p.
987
) show that sulfamethoxazole and certain other sulfa drugs inhibit the enzyme septiapterin reductase that catalyzes the final step in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). BH4 is a cofactor in the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. In cell culture, sulfamethoxazole lowered neurotransmitter levels through depletion of BH4, which may explain central nervous system side effects associated with PCP treatment.
Cytomegalovirus Vectors Violate CD8
+
T Cell Epitope Recognition Paradigms
Authors: Hansen Scott G. , Sacha Jonah B. , Hughes Colette M. , Ford Julia C. , Burwitz Benjamin J. , Scholz Isabel , Gilbride Roxanne M. , Lewis Matthew S. , Gilliam Awbrey N. , Ventura Abigail B. , Malouli Daniel , Xu Guangwu , Richards Rebecca , Whizin Nathan , Reed Jason S. , Hammond Katherine B. , Fischer Miranda , Turner John M. , Legasse Alfred W. , Axthelm Michael K. , Edlefsen Paul T. , Nelson Jay A. , Lifson Jeffrey D. , Früh Klaus , Picker Louis J.
Published: May 2013

CMV Breaks All the Rules

One vaccine strategy being pursued against HIV is to generate protection that is dependent on cell-mediated, rather than humoral, immune responses. A cytomegalovirus (CMV)–vectored vaccine that expresses simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) antigens exhibits stringent and durable viral control upon SIV challenge in approximately half of vaccinated rhesus macaques.

Hansen
et al.

(
10.1126/science.1237874
, see the Perspective by

Goonetilleke and McMichael

) sought to determine the basis for the protection and discovered that the CD8
+
T cell response in vaccinated monkeys does not target canonical SIV epitopes, which SIV is known to escape, but rather generates a broad, promiscuous response.
NSF Says No to Legislator Seeking Reviewer Comments
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: May 2013

The National Science Foundation rebuffed a request from the chairman of the House of Representatives science committee for reviewer comments that helped the agency decide to fund five projects in the social sciences.
Biogeography of Burkholderia pseudomallei in the Torres Strait Islands of Northern Australia
Authors: Baker Anthony , Mayo Mark , Owens Leigh , Burgess Graham , Norton Robert , McBride William John Hannan , Currie Bart J. , Warner Jeffrey
Published: May 2013

It has been hypothesized that biogeographical boundaries are a feature of
Burkholderia pseudomallei
ecology, and they impact the epidemiology of melioidosis on a global scale. This study examined the relatedness of
B. pseudomallei
sourced from islands in the Torres Strait of Northern Australia to determine if the geography of isolated island communities is a determinant of the organisms' dispersal. Environmental sampling on Badu Island in the Near Western Island cluster recovered a single clone. An additional 32 clinical isolates from the region were sourced. Isolates were characterized using multilocus sequence typing and a multiplex PCR targeting the flagellum gene cluster. Gene cluster analysis determined that 69% of the isolates from the region encoded the ancestral
Burkholderia thailandensis
-like flagellum and chemotaxis gene cluster, a proportion significantly lower than that reported from mainland Australia and consistent with observations of isolates from southern Papua New Guinea. A goodness-of-fit test indicated that there was geographic localization of sequence types throughout the archipelago, with the exception of Thursday Island, the economic and cultural hub of the region. Sequence types common to mainland Australia and Papua New Guinea were identified. These findings demonstrate for the first time an environmental reservoir for
B. pseudomallei
in the Torres Strait, and multilocus sequence typing suggests that the organism is not randomly distributed throughout this region and that seawater may provide a barrier to dispersal of the organism. Moreover, these findings support an anthropogenic dispersal hypothesis for the spread of
B. pseudomallei
throughout this region.
Development of Poliovirus Extraction Method from Stool Extracts by Using Magnetic Nanoparticles Sensitized with Soluble Poliovirus Receptor
Authors: Arita Minetaro
Published: May 2013

A method for extracting poliovirus (PV) from stool extracts was developed. Magnetic nanoparticles sensitized with soluble PV receptor efficiently extracted PV pseudovirus (>99% extraction) or endogenous infectious PVs (>90% extraction) from stool extracts. This method would be useful for extraction of PV from crude biological samples.
Capnocytophaga sputigena Empyema
Authors: Li Andrew , Tambyah Paul , Chan Douglas , Leong Khoo Kay
Published: May 2013

Empyema is a problem faced by clinicians worldwide. Most cases are caused by Gram-positive organisms, such as streptococci and staphylococci. Empyema caused by
Capnocytophaga
spp. is extremely uncommon (H. Bonatti et al., Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 9:380–387, 2003). We present a unique case of a polymicrobial empyema, with a predominance of
Capnocytophaga sputigena
, in an older patient with no history of animal bite or splenectomy.
Dissemination of Acinetobacter nosocomialis Clone among Critically Ill Patients and the Environment
Authors: Girão Valéria Brígido de Carvalho , Martins Natacha , Cacci Luciana Camila , Coelho-Souza Talita , Nouér Simone Aranha , Riley Lee W. , Moreira Beatriz Meurer
Published: May 2013

We examined the environmental dissemination of
Acinetobacter nosocomialis
multilocus sequence typing clonal complex 260/71 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including water from a dam and food samples. The increasing use of sequence based methods has demonstrated a large, previously unpredicted, dissemination of bacteria that may serve as opportunistic pathogens.
Evaluation of Five Susceptibility Test Methods for Detection of Tobramycin Resistance in a Cluster of Epidemiologically Related Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates
Authors: Moodley V. Mischka , Oliver Stephen P. , Shankland Iva , Elisha B. Gay
Published: May 2013

Acinetobacter baumannii
is a major nosocomial pathogen causing infections in critically ill patients. This organism has acquired the propensity to rapidly develop resistance to most antibiotics. At several hospitals within Cape Town, South Africa, tobramycin and colistin are frequently the only therapeutic options. Vitek2 automated susceptibility testing (AST) is used in the clinical laboratory to determine selected susceptibility profiles. The suspicion of a possible AST-related technical error when testing for susceptibility to tobramycin in
A. baumannii
precipitated this study. Thirty-nine
A. baumannii
strains isolated from clinical specimens (June to December 2006) were included in this prospective study. Tobramycin susceptibility testing results obtained by AST, disc diffusion, the epsilometer test (Etest), and agar dilution were compared to those for broth microdilution (BMD), the reference method. The tobramycin susceptibility results revealed errors in 25/39 (64%) isolates (10 very major and 15 minor errors) when AST was compared to BMD, 12/39 (31%) (2 very major and 10 minor errors) when Etest was compared to BMD, 16/39 (41%) (3 very major and 13 minor errors) when disc diffusion was compared to BMD, and 21/39 (54%) (10 very major and 11 minor errors) when agar dilution was compared to BMD. Using PCR, we detected
aac(3)-IIa
, which is associated with tobramycin resistance, in 21/25 of the discrepant isolates. Molecular typing (using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and repetitive sequence-based PCR [rep-PCR]) showed that these isolates were genetically related. Clinical laboratories that routinely use the Vitek2 system should consider an alternative testing method for determining susceptibility to tobramycin.
The Structure of the NTPase That Powers DNA Packaging into Sulfolobus Turreted Icosahedral Virus 2
Authors: Happonen Lotta J. , Oksanen Esko , Liljeroos Lassi , Goldman Adrian , Kajander Tommi , Butcher Sarah J.
Published: May 2013

Biochemical reactions powered by ATP hydrolysis are fundamental for the movement of molecules and cellular structures. One such reaction is the encapsidation of the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome of an icosahedrally symmetric virus into a preformed procapsid with the help of a genome-translocating NTPase. Such NTPases have been characterized in detail from both RNA and tailed DNA viruses. We present four crystal structures and the biochemical activity of a thermophilic NTPase, B204, from the nontailed, membrane-containing, hyperthermoacidophilic archaeal dsDNA virus
Sulfolobus
turreted icosahedral virus 2. These are the first structures of a genome-packaging NTPase from a nontailed, dsDNA virus with an archaeal host. The four structures highlight the catalytic cycle of B204, pinpointing the molecular movement between substrate-bound (open) and empty (closed) active sites. The protein is shown to bind both single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acids and to have an optimum activity at 80°C and pH 4.5. The overall fold of B204 places it in the FtsK-HerA superfamily of P-loop ATPases, whose cellular and viral members have been suggested to share a DNA-translocating mechanism.
Identification of Recombination in the Envelope Gene of Simian Foamy Virus Serotype 2 Isolated from Macaca cyclopis
Authors: Galvin Teresa A. , Ahmed Imran A. , Shahabuddin Muhammad , Bryan Theodore , Khan Arifa S.
Published: May 2013

The full-length sequence of simian foamy virus serotype 2 (SFVmcy-2), isolated from a Taiwanese macaque, was determined. SFVmcy-2 was highly related to SFV serotype 1 (SFVmcy-1), an isolate from the same species, except in the putative receptor binding domain (RBD) inenv, which contained novel sequences related to SFV serotype 3 (SFVagm-3), isolated from an African green monkey. The results identify a potential region of neutralization in SFVs and demonstrate recombination between genetically divergent foamy viruses.
Central pontine myelinolysis associated with Wilson disease in a 7-year-old child
Authors: Verma Rajesh , Rai Dheeraj
Published: May 2013

Wilson disease is a rare heredodegenerative inborn error of copper metabolism with varied neuropsychiatric, hepatic and other manifestations. Here we report a case of Wilson disease with neurological manifestations in a 7-year-old girl with concurrent asymptomatic liver involvement and characteristic radiological findings of signal intensity alterations in bilateral striata and thalami along with changes in central pons too like central pontine myelinolysis (CPM), which is of rare occurrence.
Visual hallucinations in photographs in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Vaou Okeanis , Saint-Hilaire Marie , Friedman Joseph
Published: May 2013

Visual hallucinations are reported in 16–37% of drug-treated patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and are the most common hallucinations in PD. We report two patients with PD with symptoms that uniquely integrate visual hallucinations and delusions. We report two cases of patients with PD with visual hallucinations who saw the persistence of these hallucinations in photographs. These pictures were taken to prove the absence of these hallucinations. We believe this is the first description of this peculiar phenomenon, in which hallucinations or illusions could be replicated in photographs. Both patients had delusions associated with the images and we speculate that the images they saw in the photographs represent a further delusion, hence a ‘delusional hallucination’ or ‘delusional illusion.’ We believe that delusions fostering hallucinations are rare.
Extramedullary haematopoiesis in axillary lymph nodes following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: Takhar Arunjit Singh , Ney Alex , Patel Meera , Sharma Anup
Published: May 2013

We report the case of a 53-year-old lady who presented with a lump in her left breast. Her initial investigations demonstrated a grade III invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast that was tethered to the pectoralis major; imaging and cytology also revealed metastatic nodes in the left axilla. After undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy with evidence of clinical and radiological tumour response, a wire-guided wide local excision and axillary node clearance was performed. When a histological analysis of the specimen was performed, there was no evidence of a viable metastatic tumour in the axillary lymph nodes, but there were several areas of extramedullary haematopoiesis. There are only two other reports in the literature of this finding. This could represent a potential source of false-positive diagnosis of axillary metastasis from breast cancer. It would be prudent to consider biopsy prior to clearance if there are megakaryocytes in axillary node cytology.
Cogan's syndrome: achievement of complete resolution of auditory deficit with steroids
Authors: Singh Pritam , Gupta Monica , Lehl S S , Singh Kamal
Published: May 2013

Cogan's syndrome is a rare inflammatory disorder predominantly affecting ocular and audiovestibular apparatus. The typical ocular picture is that of a non-syphilitic interstitial keratitis, while audiovestibular features resemble Meniere's disease. The hearing deficit often does not adequately respond to systemic steroids, which are the mainstay of therapy. Cochlear implants may ameliorate this deficit, but may not be readily available because of financial constraints in the Indian subcontinent. A high index of suspicion and multispecialty coordination will help in the early initiation of therapy and reduce long-term morbidity. We report a case of this rare entity where the recovery of deficits was dramatic on initiation of high-dose steroids.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome masked by cerebral malaria
Authors: Rajesh Kumar Muniandy , Sinnathamby Vellan , Sakthi Arul N
Published: May 2013

A 38-year-old man with an underlying psychiatric illness presented with altered sensorium and abnormal behaviour. He was febrile at 38°C and weak looking; otherwise no other abnormalities were detected. A blood film conducted for malarial parasite (BFMP) revealedPlasmodium falciparum; hence a diagnosis of cerebral malaria was made. He was treated with antimalarial drugs for 2 days prior to being transferred out to the ward following clinical improvement. He subsequently developed episodes of stupor and refusal of feeding. Following an evaluation by the psychiatrist, a diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia was made and he was started on oral sulpiride and benhexol. Unfortunately, he developed high-grade fever at 40°C with muscle rigidity and fasciculation. The diagnosis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) was clinched and the antipsychotics were discontinued. However he succumbed to NMS several days later due to multiorgan failure.
Hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome: a mimicker of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Roy Krishnendu , Talukdar Arunansu , Kumar Bappaditya , Sarkar Sumanta
Published: May 2013

A middle aged female patient presented with generalised palpable purpura associated with intense pruritus along with subconjunctival haemorrhage and orbital inflammation. There was extensive dermographism. Other systemic examinations were within normal limits. Haematological profile was normal except raised D-dimer. Skin biopsy revealed the presence of leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Antinuclear antibody was positive in a titre of 1 : 160, but antidouble-stranded DNA was negative. Urine examination revealed haematuria and proteinuria. Complement C3,C4and C1qlevels were decreased with the presence of anti-C1qantibody. There was a diagnostic dilemma between systemic lupus erythematosus and hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome. However, as the patient did not fulfil the American College of Rheumatology criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus, but fulfilled all the criteria for hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome, the case was finally diagnosed as hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome and treated accordingly with favourable outcome.
Neonatal sacrococcygeal teratoma with acute renal failure
Authors: Ahmad Mehtab , Arora Mudit , Ullah Ekram , Malik Azharuddin Mohammed
Published: May 2013

Teratomas are germ cell tumours composed of multiple types of cells derived from more than a single germ cell layer. The most common site of an extragonadal teratoma is the sacrococcygeal region. We report a case of a 16-day-old female child with a large swelling in the sacrococcygeal region extending laterally into the buttocks with severely deranged renal functions. Ultrasonography and CT helped in making the diagnosis and, more importantly, to delineate the extent of the tumour and the involvement of adjacent organs and tissues: in our case, lower bilateral ureters. Imaging findings and clinical presentation led to the diagnosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma with renal failure.
Bilateral multifocal Warthin tumours
Authors: Deveer Mehmet , Sahan Murat , Sivrioglu Ali Kemal , İlhan Celik Özgür
Published: May 2013

Warthin tumour, also known as papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum, is the second most frequent benign tumour of the parotid gland after pleomorphic adenoma. A 57-year-old man was referred to our hospital with bilateral buccal masses without pain. He presented with a 1-year history of the condition and stated that growth of the mass has accelerated during the last 6 months. Ultrasonography examination showed two heterogeneous solid masses. Axial contrast-enhanced CT image revealed bilateral heterogeneous solid masses. The masses showed enhancement after contrast administration (95 HU). Fine needle aspiration cytology was recommended for further analysis and typical benign features of Warthin tumour was obtained. Right parotid gland including the masses was resected completely. 5 weeks later superficial parotidectomy was performed to the left parotid gland. Histological examination revealed cystic tumour in the parenchyma of parotid gland, composed of prominent lymphoid stroma and large epithelial cells with oncocytic features covering it consistent with Warthin tumour.
Persistent hyperlactacidaemia: about a clinical case
Authors: Oliveira Ana Rita Saraiva , Valente Rosalina , Ramos José , Ventura Lurdes
Published: May 2013

Lactate is the endogenous end product of the anaerobic glycolysis, whose production is favoured in situations of hypoperfusion or mitochondrial dysfunction. Leigh syndrome is a rare, progressive encephalomyopathy that represents a spectrum of mitochondrial genetic diseases phenotypically distinct, but with neuroradiological and pathological uniform presentation. We present the case of a 7-month-old infant, with a history of prematurity, psychomotor retardation and epilepsy, admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) due to cardio-respiratory arrest because of respiratory infection. Hyperlactacidaemia was detected and was persistent. The study of redox potential was normal but MRI with spectroscopy identified bilateral and symmetrical lesions involving thalamic and basal ganglia, with small lactate peaks at T2 flair, findings that were suggestive of Leigh syndrome. Subsequent enzymatic study identified lack of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Persistent hyperlactacidaemia, in the appropriate clinical context, should lead to the screening of mitochondrial diseases.
Fatal cerebral air embolism following endoscopic evaluation of rectal stump
Authors: Baban Chwanrow Karim , Murphy Michael , Hennessy Tony , O'Hanlon Deirdre
Published: May 2013

A 63-year-old man underwent endoscopic evaluation of the rectal stump for rectal bleeding and suffered a massive cerebral air embolism with severe neurological impairment and subsequent death. The patient underwent a Hartmann's procedure 9 month previously for ischaemic bowel and was noted to have portal hypertension at laparotomy. We hypothesise that air entered the venous plexus around rectum and entered the azygos vein via a porto-systemic shunt and travelled retrogradely via the superior vena cava to the venous sinuses of the brain.
Iris coloboma in one eye and pigment dispersion syndrome in the fellow eye
Authors: Galvis Virgilio , Tello Alejandro , Valarezo Paul , Prada Angélica M
Published: May 2013

We report a case of a 43-year-old patient with coloboma of the iris, zonule, ciliary body, choroid and retina in the right eye and pigment dispersion syndrome in the left eye. Considering the hypothesis of the pigment dispersion syndrome pathogenesis in which a difference of pressures in the anterior and posterior chambers creates a posterior convexity of the iris leading to reverse pupillary block, iris touch and consequently causing pigment dispersion, we suggest that the presence of an iris coloboma, by equalising the pressures in the two chambers, prevented the onset of syndrome in that eye.
Accura balloon rupture during percutaneous trans-septal mitral commissurotomy: a rare and potentially fatal complication
Authors: Singla Vivek , Patra Soumya , Patil Shivanand , Ramalingam Rangaraj
Published: May 2013

Percutaneous transseptal mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) is the treatment of choice in rheumatic mitral stenosis. The reuse of sterilised PTMC balloon catheters is widely practised to bring down the procedure cost and have proven safety and efficacy. The reused balloons may deform and are prone to rupture causing fatal complications like embolism either of the torn balloon material or air. We report a first case of Accura balloon rupture during PTMC to the best of our knowledge. Fortunately, there was no complication in our patient. Thus, during the balloon preparation it should be examined for any deformity or tear and air should be removed completely to prevent fatal outcome. The repeated use of the hardware should be limited and an informed consent regarding the possible complications of the reused hardware should be taken.
Management of unusual case of Crocker and Hartzell's disease in a young patient with a 1 year follow-up
Authors: Bafna Yash , Kambalimath H V , Khandelwal Vishal , Nayak Prathibha Anand
Published: May 2013

Soft tissue enlargements of the oral cavity often present a diagnostic challenge because a diverse group of pathological processes can produce such lesions. Crocker and Hartzell's disease is one of the most common entities responsible for causing soft tissue enlargements. It is a relatively common benign mucocutaneous lesion. Crocker and Hartzell's disease has been referred to by other names such as pregnancy tumour, pyogenic granuloma, granuloma pediculatum benignum, benign vascular tumour and vascular epulis. The incidence is 26.8–32% of all reactive lesions. It is seen mostly in second or third decade of life and commonly seen in women. The most frequently involved site is the maxillary gingiva; other sites are lip, tongue, buccal mucosa and palate. This paper presents a rare case of Crocker and Hartzell's disease found on mandibular anterior gingiva of an 8-year-old male patient.
Subcutaneous emphysema of periorbital region after stainless steel crown preparation in a young child
Authors: Khandelwal Vishal , Agrawal Piyush , Agrawal Deepak , Nayak Prathibha Anand
Published: May 2013

Subcutaneous emphysema occurs when air is forced beneath the tissue, leading to swelling, crepitus on palpation and has the potential to spread along the fascial planes. This report describes the youngest case of subcutaneous emphysema related to dental treatment that has been documented to date. In addition to the patient's age, the case is of interest because periorbital subcutaneous emphysema is a rarest complication of stainless steel crown procedure.
Timing and frequency of chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing in a cross-sectional study of HIV postexposure prophylaxis recipients
Authors: Jamani S , Gulholm T , Poynten I M , Templeton D J
Published: May 2013

Objectives

Australian HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) guidelines recommendChlamydia trachomatis(CT) andNeisseria gonorrheae(NG) testing at both baseline and 2-week postexposure visits. We aimed to determine the diagnostic yield of testing at one or more visits, and predictors of infection.

Methods

Data were collected from patients prescribed PEP at RPA Sexual Health over a 4-year period from January 2008 to December 2011. Predictors of CT/NG were assessed by logistic regression.

Results

282 individuals presented for PEP on 319 occasions during the study period. The majority (94.3%) were male and over 90% of presentations followed unprotected anal sexual exposures. Most (279, 87.5%) had CT/NG testing at least once. Almost half (153, 48.0%) of baseline presentations, two-thirds (214, 67.1%) of 2-week presentations and over a quarter (88, 27.6%) of both presentations included CT/NG testing. CT/NG was diagnosed at baseline in eight (5.2%, 95% CI 2.3% to 10.0%) presentations. A new CT/NG diagnosis occurred at the 2-week visit in 18 (8.4%, 95% CI 5.1% to 13.0%) presentations, of whom 7 tested negative and 11 were not tested at baseline. Over one-quarter (28.1%) of PEP recipients reported sexual contact between baseline and 2-week visits. Independent predictors of CT/NG at baseline were recent sex work (OR 48.0, 95% CI 3.77 to 611.94); and at 2 weeks a known HIV-positive PEP exposure source (OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.04 to 12.06) and sex between baseline and 2-week visits (OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.10 to 11.96).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that screening PEP recipients for CT/NG at both baseline and 2 weeks may be warranted.
A thermally robust ruthenium phosphonium alkylidene catalyst — the effect of more bulky N-heterocyclic carbene ligands on catalyst performance in olefin metathesis reactions
Authors: Leitao Erin M. , Piers Warren E. , Parvez Masood
Published: May 2013

Three new ruthenium phosphonium alkylidene complexes incorporating N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with bulky N-aryl groups (2,6-diethyl, L = 1,3-bis(2,6-diethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (H2IDEP) and 2,6-diisopropyl, L = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (H2ID-i-PP)) were synthesized and characterized. The H2ID-i-PP supported complex was found to exhibit excellent thermal stabilities relative to the parent N-mesityl (N-Mes) complexes as well as the H2IDEP supported complexes. All three phosphonium alkylidenes were evaluated in comparison to the N-Mes derivative and Grubbs second generation catalyst using standard olefin metathesis reactions and conditions. The complex containing the bulky H2ID-i-PP ligand was found to have excellent activity and longevity in comparison to the other catalysts. Although initiation rates were slow for this sterically bulky precatalyst, its superior activity led to the best overall efficiency in test reactions.
Identification of two novel waxy alleles and development of their molecular markers in sorghum
Authors: Lu Yuangen , Zhao Ganlin , Li Yan , Fan Jing , Ding Guoxiang , Zhao Jiqun , Ni Xianlin , Xu Yongju , Wang Wenming
Published: May 2013

High amylopectin grains of waxy sorghum have a high economic value in the food and bioenergy industries because of their increased starch digestibility and higher ethanol conversion rate compared with wild-type sorghum grains. Mutation in the granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS) gene contributes to the waxy phenotype. Two classes of waxy alleles, wxa and wxb, have been characterized previously. In the present work, we identified two novel types of waxy mutations in the sorghum GBSS gene, designated as wxc and wxd. The wxc allele has a G deletion at the 5′ splicing site of the ninth intron, causing a shift of the 5′ cleavage site; in turn, a reading frame shift occurred and resulted in an early translation termination. The wxd allele contained a mutation at the 3′ splicing site of the 10th intron, which led to a splicing site shift and resulted in the deletion of five amino acids (GTGKK) in the predicted translation product. Furthermore, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers were developed to detect the wxc and wxd alleles. With these markers, classification of waxy alleles was performed in nearly 100 sorghum accessions from our breeding program. Most waxy sorghum cultivars in China were either wxa or wxc, implying that these two mutations are preferentially maintained during domestic selection in glutinous sorghum production.
PSEUDO BUCHSBAUMNESS FOR IDEALIZATIONS OF NOETHERIAN MODULES OVER LOCAL RINGS
Authors: LOAN NGUYEN THI HONG
Published: May 2013

Let (R, 𝔪) be a Noetherian local ring with dim R = d and M an R-module with dim M < d. We prove in this paper that the idealization R ⋉ M of M over R is a pseudo Buchsbaum ring if and only if so is R.
High-Level Mission Specification and Planning for Collaborative Unmanned Aircraft Systems Using Delegation
Authors: Doherty Patrick , Heintz Fredrik , Kvarnström Jonas
Published: May 2013

Automated specification, generation and execution of high level missions involving one or more heterogeneous unmanned aircraft systems is in its infancy. Much previous effort has been focused on the development of air vehicle platforms themselves together with the avionics and sensor subsystems that implement basic navigational skills. In order to increase the degree of autonomy in such systems so they can successfully participate in more complex mission scenarios such as those considered in emergency rescue that also include ongoing interactions with human operators, new architectural components and functionalities will be required to aid not only human operators in mission planning, but also the unmanned aircraft systems themselves in the automatic generation, execution and partial verification of mission plans to achieve mission goals. This article proposes a formal framework and architecture based on the unifying concept of delegation that can be used for the automated specification, generation and execution of high-level collaborative missions involving one or more air vehicles platforms and human operators. We describe an agent-based software architecture, a temporal logic-based mission specification language, a distributed temporal planner and a task specification language that when integrated provide a basis for the generation, instantiation and execution of complex collaborative missions on heterogeneous air vehicle systems. A prototype of the framework is operational in a number of autonomous unmanned aircraft systems developed in our research lab.
The future is flexible displays
Authors: Mone Gregory
Published: May 2013

Manufacturers hint that bendable screens are coming soon, but academics argue that many engineering challenges remain.
Software project management tools
Authors: Mishra Alok , Mishra Deepti
Published: May 2013

The task of managing a software project can be an extremely complex one, drawing on many personal, team, and organizational resources. The quality of a software product is dependent on the process in which the project is completed. Time delays in software development project and low productivity tend to fall right to the bottom line. Recently, the evolution of project management tools for both software and non-software applications has been accelerating at a rapid pace, and the number of available products have grown significantly. There are many project management tools and software being developed everyday to help managers to automate the administration of individual projects or groups of projects during their life-cycle. This article presents a short comparison of popular software project management tools.
Aging increases the oxidation of dichlorohydrofluorescein in single isolated skeletal muscle fibers at rest, but not during contractions
Authors: Palomero Jesus , Vasilaki Aphrodite , Pye Deborah , McArdle Anne , Jackson Malcolm J.
Published: May 2013

An increase in the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the mechanisms of loss of skeletal muscle that occurs during aging, but few studies have attempted to directly assess activities in intact muscle fibers. The current project used the nonspecific fluorescent probe for ROS and reactive nitrogen species, 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (CM-DCFH), in single, isolated, mature skeletal muscle fibers from adult and old mice in addition to biochemical measurements of key regulatory proteins for ROS in muscles of these animals. Data confirmed the changes in key regulatory processes for ROS (increased glutathione peroxidase 1 and catalase activities and reduced total glutathione content) previously reported in muscle from old mice and showed increased CM-DCFH oxidation in muscle fibers from old mice at rest and indicate that these changes are likely due to an increase in generation of oxidants rather than a lack of scavenging capacity. The increased CM-DCFH oxidation persisted even when cellular defenses against oxidants were increased by loading fibers from young and old mice with glutathione. During contractile activity, and in contrast to the increase observed in fibers from young mice, there was no further increase in CM-DCFH oxidation in muscle fibers from old mice. These data also suggest that the defect in short-term adaptations to contractions that occurs in old mice may be related to a diminished, or absent, increase in the muscle generation of ROS and/or reactive nitrogen species that normally accompanies contractile activity in young mice.
Growth and Characterization of CuO Nanostructures on Si for the Fabrication of CuO/p‐Si Schottky Diodes
Authors: Çetinkaya S. , Çetinkara H. A. , Bayansal F. , Kahraman S.
Published: May 2013

CuO interlayers in the CuO/p‐Si Schottky diodes were fabricated by using CBD and sol‐gel methods. Deposited CuO layers were characterized by SEM and XRD techniques. From the SEM images, it was seen that the film grown by CBD method is denser than the film grown by sol‐gel method. This result is compatible with XRD results which show that the crystallization in CBD method is higher than it is in sol‐gel method. For the electrical investigations, current‐voltage characteristics of the diodes have been studied at room temperature. Conventional I‐V and Norde’s methods were used in order to determine the ideality factor, barrier height, and series resistance values. It was seen that the morphological and structural analysis are compatible with the results of electrical investigations.
Investigation of Innervation Zone Shift with Continuous Dynamic Muscle Contraction
Authors: Nishihara Ken , Kawai Hisashi , Chiba Yu , Kanemura Naohiko , Gomi Toshiaki
Published: May 2013

Innervation zone (IZ) has been identified as the origin of action potential propagation in isometric contraction. However, IZ shifts with changes in muscle length during muscle activity. The IZ shift has been estimated using raw EMG signals. This study aimed to investigate the movement of IZ location during continuous dynamic muscle contraction, using a computer program. Subjects flexed their elbow joint as repetitive dynamic muscle contractions. EMG signals were recorded from the biceps brachii muscle using an eight-channel surface electrode array. Approximately 100 peaks from EMG signals were detected for each channel and summed to estimate the IZ location. For each subject, the estimated IZ locations were subtracted from the IZ location during isometric contractions with the elbow flexed at 90°. The results showed that the IZ moved significantly with elbow joint movement from 45° to 135°. However, IZ movement was biased with only a 3.9 mm IZ shift on average when the elbow angle was acute but a 16 mm IZ shift on average when it was obtuse. The movement of IZ location during continuous dynamic muscle contraction can be investigated using this signal processing procedure without subjective judgment.
An Upper Bound for the Tensor Rank
Authors: Ballico E.
Published: May 2013

Let T be a tensor of format m1+1×⋯×ms+1, m1≥⋯≥ms>0, over ℂ. We prove that T has tensor rank at most ∏i≠2mi+1.
Otic Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis in an Adult: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Gungadeen Anil , Kullar Peter , Yates Philip
Published: May 2013

Objective. To present a case of otic Langerhans' cell histiocytosis in an adult. Also included the diagnosis and management of the condition and a review of the relevant literature.Case Report. We report a case of a 41-year-old man with a history of persistent unilateral ear discharge associated with an aural polyp. Radiological imaging showed bony lesions of the skull and a soft-tissue mass within the middle ear. Histological analysis of the polyp demonstrated Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. His otological symptoms were completely resolved with the systemic therapy.Conclusions. Otic Langerhans' cell histiocytosis can present in adults. Persistent ear symptoms along with evidence of soft-tissue masses within the ear and bony lesions of the skull or elsewhere should prompt the otolaryngologists to include Langerhans' cell histiocytosis in their differential diagnosis. Management should be with systemic therapy rather than local surgical treatment.
Neoadjuvant Treatment in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Sevcikova Katarina , Vertakova-Krakovska Bibiana , Spanik Stanislav
Published: May 2013

Approximately 20%–25% of patients with breast cancer demonstrate amplification of the human epidermal receptor type 2 (HER2) gene, resulting in an overexpression of the HER2 receptor. This overexpression is associated with aggressive disease, relatively poor prognosis, and worse clinical outcomes. Neoadjuvant therapy is the standard treatment in patients with locally advanced, inflammatory, or inoperable primary breast cancer. It is generally used to downstage the tumors and therefore to improve surgical options including breast-conserving surgery rather than mastectomy. It has been confirmed that patients with pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant treatment have better disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Neoadjuvant treatment can also serve as in vivo test of sensitivity to the used therapeutic regimen. The preferred neoadjuvant approach to patients with HER2-positive breast cancer is a sequential anthracycline-taxane-based chemotherapy in combination with trastuzumab. Addition of other anti-HER2 agents has increased pCR rate up to 75% and will probably become a new therapeutic direction. In the first part of this paper, we summarize the information about HER2-positive breast cancer, the various treatment possibilities, and the results of the major neoadjuvant trials. The second part focuses on the data concerning the importance of pCR and the potential risk of cardiotoxicity associated with this treatment.
Affect and Mindfulness as Predictors of Change in Mood Disturbance, Stress Symptoms, and Quality of Life in a Community-Based Yoga Program for Cancer Survivors
Authors: Mackenzie Michael J. , Carlson Linda E. , Ekkekakis Panteleimon , Paskevich David M. , Culos-Reed S. Nicole
Published: May 2013

Little attention has been paid to the psychological determinants by which benefits are accrued via yoga practice in cancer-related clinical settings. Using a longitudinal multilevel modeling approach, associations between affect, mindfulness, and patient-reported mental health outcomes, including mood disturbance, stress symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQL), were examined in an existing seven-week yoga program for cancer survivors. Participants(N=66)were assessed before and after the yoga program and at three- and six-month follow-ups. Decreases in mood disturbance and stress symptoms and improvements in HRQL were observed upon program completion. Improvements in mood disturbance and stress symptoms were maintained at the three- and six-month follow-ups. HRQL exhibited further improvement at the three-month follow-up, which was maintained at the six-month follow-up. Improvements in measures of well-being were predicted by initial positive yoga beliefs and concurrently assessed affective and mindfulness predictor variables. Previous yoga experience, affect, mindfulness, and HRQL were related to yoga practice maintenance over the course of the study.