bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bowel perforation secondary to illegally induced abortion: a tertiary hospital experience in Tanzania
Authors: Mabula Joseph B , Chalya Phillipo L , Mchembe Mabula D , Kihunrwa Albert , Massinde Anthony , Chandika Alphonce B , Gilyoma Japhet M
Published: September 2012

Background

Bowel perforation though rarely reported is a serious complication of induced abortion, which is often performed illegally by persons without any medical training in developing countries. A sudden increase in the number of patients in our centre in recent years prompted the authors to analyze this problem. The study was conducted to describe our own experiences in the surgical management of these patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective study involving patients who were jointly managed by the surgical and gynecological teams at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) for bowel perforation secondary to illegally induced abortion from January 2002 to December 2011. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.0.

Results

A total of 68 patients (representing 4.2% of cases) were enrolled in the study. Their ages ranged from 14 to 45 years with a median age of 21 years. Majority of patients were, secondary school students/leavers (70.6%), unmarried (88.2%), nulliparous (80.9%), unemployed (82.4%) and most of them were dependent member of the family. Previous history of contraceptive use was reported in only 14.7% of cases. The majority of patients (79.4%) had procured the abortion in the 2ndtrimester. Dilatation and curettage (82.4%) was the most common reported method used in procuring abortion. The interval from termination of pregnancy to presentation in hospital ranged from 1 to 14 days (median 6 days ). The ileum (51.5%) and sigmoid colon (22.1%) was the most common portions of the bowel affected. Resection and anastomosis with uterine repair was the most common (86.8%) surgical procedure performed. Complication and mortality rates were 47.1% and 10.3% respectively. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, gestational age at termination of pregnancy, delayed presentation, delayed surgical treatment and presence of complications were significantly associated with mortality (P<0.001). The overall median length of hospital stay (LOS) was 18 days (1day to 128 days ). Patients who developed complications stayed longer in the hospital, and this was statistically significant (P=0.012).

Conclusion

Bowel perforation following illegally induced abortion is still rampant in our environment and constitutes significantly to high maternal morbidity and mortality. Early recognition of the diagnosis, aggressive resuscitation and early institution of surgical management is of paramount importance if morbidity and mortality associated with bowel perforation are to be avoided.
Rescue of nonsense mutations by amlexanox in human cells
Authors: Gonzalez-Hilarion Sara , Beghyn Terence , Jia Jieshuang , Debreuck Nadège , Berte Gonzague , Mamchaoui Kamel , Mouly Vincent , Gruenert Dieter C , Déprez Benoit , Lejeune Fabrice
Published: September 2012

Background

Nonsense mutations are at the origin of many cancers and inherited genetic diseases. The consequence of nonsense mutations is often the absence of mutant gene expression due to the activation of an mRNA surveillance mechanism called nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Strategies to rescue the expression of nonsense-containing mRNAs have been developed such as NMD inhibition or nonsense mutation readthrough.

Methods

Using a dedicated screening system, we sought molecules capable to block NMD. Additionally, 3 cell lines derived from patient cells and harboring a nonsense mutation were used to study the effect of the selected molecule on the level of nonsense-containing mRNAs and the synthesis of proteins from these mutant mRNAs.

Results

We demonstrate here that amlexanox, a drug used for decades, not only induces an increase in nonsense-containing mRNAs amount in treated cells, but also leads to the synthesis of the full-length protein in an efficient manner. We also demonstrated that these full length proteins are functional.

Conclusions

As a result of this dual activity, amlexanox may be useful as a therapeutic approach for diseases caused by nonsense mutations.
Neuromuscular effects of G93A-SOD1 expression in zebrafish
Authors: Sakowski Stacey A , Lunn J Simon , Busta Angela S , Oh Sang Su , Zamora-Berridi Grettel , Palmer Madeline , Rosenberg Andrew A , Philip Stephen G , Dowling James J , Feldman Eva L
Published: September 2012

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disorder involving the degeneration and loss of motor neurons. The mechanisms of motor neuron loss in ALS are unknown and there are no effective treatments. Defects in the distal axon and at the neuromuscular junction are early events in the disease course, and zebrafish provide a promising in vivo system to examine cellular mechanisms and treatments for these events in ALS pathogenesis.

Results

We demonstrate that transient genetic manipulation of zebrafish to express G93A-SOD1, a mutation associated with familial ALS, results in early defects in motor neuron outgrowth and axonal branching. This is consistent with previous reports on motor neuron axonal defects associated with familial ALS genes following knockdown or mutant protein overexpression. We also demonstrate that upregulation of growth factor signaling is capable of rescuing these early defects, validating the potential of the model for therapeutic discovery. We generated stable transgenic zebrafish lines expressing G93A-SOD1 to further characterize the consequences of G93A-SOD1 expression on neuromuscular pathology and disease progression. Behavioral monitoring reveals evidence of motor dysfunction and decreased activity in transgenic ALS zebrafish. Examination of neuromuscular and neuronal pathology throughout the disease course reveals a loss of neuromuscular junctions and alterations in motor neuron innervations patterns with disease progression. Finally, motor neuron cell loss is evident later in the disease.

Conclusions

This sequence of events reflects the stepwise mechanisms of degeneration in ALS, and provides a novel model for mechanistic discovery and therapeutic development for neuromuscular degeneration in ALS.
Scrotal cutaneous verruciform xanthoma with monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 immunohistochemical study: a case report
Authors: Ito Chihiro , Kitazawac Riko , Makita Kenji , Watanabe Takafumi , Toda Akihiro , Haraguchi Ryuma , Tanaka Shinji , Kitazawa Sohei
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Verruciform xanthoma is a rare, benign lesion characterized by hyperkeratosis and aggregates of foam cell macrophages. Here, we describe a case of verruciform xanthoma on the scrotum, in which the immunohistochemical localization of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, a chemokine of the C-C or beta family that has been shown to induce the recruitment of monocytes for injured tissue, was analyzed to determine which cells release chemoattractants for macrophages.

Case presentation

A 75-year-old Japanese man with a well-defined nodule on the left scrotum was admitted to the hospital. An excision biopsy revealed epidermal papillary proliferation with parakeratosis, hyperkeratosis, and infiltration of foam cell macrophages, whereby a pathological diagnosis of benign cutaneous verruciform xanthoma was made. Immunohistochemically, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was observed predominantly on cytokeratin AE1/AE3-positive differentiating keratinocytes in the prickle cell layer. However, while infiltrating macrophages were densely stained for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, keratinocytes in the basal and parabasal layers were almost negative.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that keratinocyte-derived monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 plays an important role in the establishment of particular histological features of verruciform xanthoma. However, in the present case, unlike in previous reports, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 immunostaining in keratinocytes in the basal and parabasal layers was not prominent. We speculate that in the active phase of verruciform xanthoma, when continuous stimuli that release monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 from keratinocytes to the surrounding stromal area are present, the apparent immunostaining of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 can be underestimated because of the void created by accelerated keratinocyte release from the cytoplasmic fraction.
Non-invasive prenatal diagnostic test accuracy for fetal sex using cell-free DNA a review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wright Caroline F , Wei Yinghui , Higgins Julian PT , Sagoo Gurdeep S
Published: September 2012

Background

Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) can be detected in maternal blood during pregnancy, opening the possibility of early non-invasive prenatal diagnosis for a variety of genetic conditions. Since 1997, many studies have examined the accuracy of prenatal fetal sex determination using cffDNA, particularly for pregnancies at risk of an X-linked condition. Here we report a review and meta-analysis of the published literature to evaluate the use of cffDNA for prenatal determination (diagnosis) of fetal sex. We applied a sensitive search of multiple bibliographic databases including PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, the Cochrane library and Web of Science.

Results

Ninety studies, incorporating 9,965 pregnancies and 10,587 fetal sex results met our inclusion criteria. Overall mean sensitivity was 96.6% (95% credible interval 95.2% to 97.7%) and mean specificity was 98.9% (95% CI = 98.1% to 99.4%). These results vary very little with trimester or week of testing, indicating that the performance of the test is reliably high.

Conclusions

Based on this review and meta-analysis we conclude that fetal sex can be determined with a high level of accuracy by analyzing cffDNA. Using cffDNA in prenatal diagnosis to replace or complement existing invasive methods can remove or reduce the risk of miscarriage. Future work should concentrate on the economic and ethical considerations of implementing an early non-invasive test for fetal sex.
Load-distributing band improves ventilation and hemodynamics during resuscitation in a porcine model of prolonged cardiac arrest
Authors: Wang Shuo , Wu Jun-Yuan , Li Chun-Sheng
Published: September 2012

Background

The use of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has great potential for the clinical setting. The purpose of present study is to compare the hemodynamics and ventilation during and after the load-distributing band CPR, versus the manual CPR in a porcine model of prolonged cardiac arrest, and to investigate the influence of rescue breathing in different CPR protocols.

Methods

Sixty-four male pigs (n = 16/group), weighing 30 ± 2 kg, were induced ventricular fibrillation and randomized into four resuscitation groups: continuous load-distributing band CPR without rescue ventilation (C-CPR), load-distributing band 30:2 CPR (A-CPR), load-distributing band CPR with continuous rescue breathing (10/min) (V-CPR) or manual 30:2 CPR (M-CPR). Respiratory variables and hemodynamics were recorded continuously; blood gas was analyzed.

Results

Tidal volume produced by compressions in the A-, C- and V-CPR groups were significantly higher compared with the M-CPR group (all p < 0.05). Coronary perfusion pressure of the V-CPR group was significantly lower than the C-CPR group (p < 0.01), but higher than the M-CPR group. The increasing of lung dead space after restoration of spontaneous circulation was significantly greater in the M-CPR group compared with the A-, C- and V-CPR groups (p < 0.01). Blood pH gradually decreased and was lower in the M-CPR group than that in the A-, C- and V-CPR groups (p < 0.01). PaO2 of the A-, C- and V-CPR groups were significantly higher and PaCO2 were significantly lower compared with the M-CPR (both p < 0.05). Cerebral performance categories were better in the A-, C- and V-CPR groups compared with the M-CPR group (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The load-distributing band CPR significantly improved respiratory parameters during resuscitation by augmenting passive ventilation, and significantly improved coronary perfusion pressure. The volume of ventilation produced by the load-distributing band CPR was adequate to maintain sufficient gas exchange independent of rescue breathing.
Is the lag screw sliding effective in the intramedullary nailing in A1 and A2 AO-OTA intertrochanteric fractures? A prospective study of Sliding and None-sliding lag screw in Gamma-III nail
Authors: Zhu Yi , Meili Severin , Zhang Changqing , Luo Congfeng , Zeng Bing-fang
Published: September 2012

Object

To compare the Sliding with Non-sliding lag screw of a gamma nail in the treatment of A1 and A2 AO-OTA intertrochanteric fractures.

Materials and methods

80 patients were prospectively collected. In each group, AO/OTA 31-A were classified into group A. AO/OTA 31-A2.1 was classified as group B. We classified the A2.2 and A2.3 as group C. According to the set-screw locking formation of Gamma-III, the cases were randomly allocated to Sliding subgroup and Non-sliding subgroup in A, B and C groups. Follow-ups were performed 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively.

Results

In the Sliding group, the bone healing rate 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively reached 85.00%, 97.50%, 100% in group A, B and C. Meanwhile, in Non-sliding group, postoperatively, bone healing rate were 90.00%, 95.00% and 97.50% in group A, B and C, respectively. Both differences were not significant. Lower limb discrepancy between Sliding and Non-sliding pattern was significantly different in group C which represent fracture types of AO/OTA 31-A2.2 and A2.3 (0.573 ± 0.019 mm in Non-sliding group, 0.955 mm ± 0.024 mm in Sliding group, P < 0.001 ). Difference of sliding distance among the three groups was significant among group A, B and C: 0.48 mm ± 0.04 mm, 0.62 mm ± 0.07 mm and 0.92 mm ± 0.04 mm (P < 0.001). Differences in average healing time and Harris scores also presented no significance in the three groups.

Conclusions

As a result, we can conclude that the sliding distance is minimal in Gamma nails and it is related to the comminuted extent of the intertrochanteric area in A1 and A2 AO-OTA intertrochanteric fractures. For treating these kinds of fractures, the sliding of the lag screw of an Gamma nail does not improve any clinical results and in certain cases, such as highly comminuted A1 and A2 fractures, can therefore even benefit from a locked lag screw by tightening the set-screw.
Challenges and opportunities in patient‐specific, motion‐managed and PET/CT‐guided radiation therapy of lung cancer: review and perspective
Authors: Bowen Stephen R , Nyflot Matthew J , Gensheimer Michael , Hendrickson Kristi R G , Kinahan Paul E , Sandison George A , Patel Shilpen A
Published: September 2012

The increasing interest in combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) to guide lung cancer radiation therapy planning has been well documented. Motion management strategies during treatment simulation PET/CT imaging and treatment delivery have been proposed to improve the precision and accuracy of radiotherapy. In light of these research advances, why has translation of motion‐managed PET/CT to clinical radiotherapy been slow and infrequent? Solutions to this problem are as complex as they are numerous, driven by large inter‐patient variability in tumor motion trajectories across a highly heterogeneous population. Such variation dictates a comprehensive and patient‐specific incorporation of motion management strategies into PET/CT‐guided radiotherapy rather than a one‐size‐fits‐all tactic. This review summarizes challenges and opportunities for clinical translation of advances in PET/CT‐guided radiotherapy, as well as in respiratory motion‐managed radiotherapy of lung cancer. These two concepts are then integrated into proposed patient‐specific workflows that span classification schemes, PET/CT image formation, treatment planning, and adaptive image‐guided radiotherapy delivery techniques.
Introducing the Forensic Research/Reference on Genetics knowledge base, FROG-kb
Authors: Rajeevan Haseena , Soundararajan Usha , Pakstis Andrew J , Kidd Kenneth K
Published: September 2012

Background

Online tools and databases based on multi-allelic short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs) are actively used in forensic teaching, research, and investigations. The Fst value of each CODIS marker tends to be low across the populations of the world and most populations typically have all the common STRP alleles present diminishing the ability of these systems to discriminate ethnicity. Recently, considerable research is being conducted on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to be considered for human identification and description. However, online tools and databases that can be used for forensic research and investigation are limited.

Methods

The back end DBMS (Database Management System) for FROG-kb is Oracle version 10. The front end is implemented with specific code using technologies such as Java, Java Servlet, JSP, JQuery, and GoogleCharts.

Results

We present an open access web application, FROG-kb (Forensic Research/Reference on Genetics-knowledge base, http://frog.med.yale.edu), that is useful for teaching and research relevant to forensics and can serve as a tool facilitating forensic practice. The underlying data for FROG-kb are provided by the already extensively used and referenced ALlele FREquency Database, ALFRED (http://alfred.med.yale.edu). In addition to displaying data in an organized manner, computational tools that use the underlying allele frequencies with user-provided data are implemented in FROG-kb. These tools are organized by the different published SNP/marker panels available. This web tool currently has implemented general functions possible for two types of SNP panels, individual identification and ancestry inference, and a prediction function specific to a phenotype informative panel for eye color.

Conclusion

The current online version of FROG-kb already provides new and useful functionality. We expect FROG-kb to grow and expand in capabilities and welcome input from the forensic community in identifying datasets and functionalities that will be most helpful and useful. Thus, the structure and functionality of FROG-kb will be revised in an ongoing process of improvement. This paper describes the state as of early June 2012.
Comparison of five equations for estimating resting energy expenditure in Chinese young, normal weight healthy adults
Authors: Rao Zhi-yong , Wu Xiao-ting , Liang Bin-miao , Wang Mao-yun , Hu Wen
Published: September 2012

Background

Most resting energy expenditure (REE) predictive equations for adults were derived from research conducted in western populations; whether they can also be used in Chinese young people is still unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine the best REE predictive equation in Chinese normal weight young adults.

Methods

Forty-three (21 male, 22 female) healthy college students between the age of 18 and 25 years were recruited. REE was measured by the indirect calorimetry (IC) method. Harris-Benedict, World Health Organization (WHO), Owen, Mifflin and Liu’s equations were used to predictREE (REEe). REEe that was within 10% of measured REE (REEm) was defined as accurate. Student’s ttest, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, McNemar Test and the Bland-Altman method were used for data analysis.

Results

REEm was significantly lower (P < 0.05 orP < 0.01) than REEe from equations, except for Liu’s, Liu’s-s, Owen, Owen-s and Mifflin in men and Liu’s and Owen in women. REEe calculated by ideal body weight was significantly higher than REEe calculated by current body weight (P < 0.01), the only exception being Harris-Benedict equation in men. Bland-Altman analysis showed that the Owen equation with current body weight generated the least bias. The biases of REEe from Owen with ideal body weight and Mifflin with both current and ideal weights were also lower.

Conclusions

Liu’s, Owen, and Mifflin equations are appropriate for the prediction of REE in young Chinese adults. However, the use of ideal body weight did not increase the accuracy of REEe.
Immature murine NKT cells pass through a stage of developmentally programmed innate IL-4 secretion
Authors: Dickgreber Nina , Farrand Kathryn J , van Panhuys Nicholas , Knight Deborah A , McKee Sara J , Chong Mei L , Miranda-Hernandez Socorro , Baxter Alan G , Locksley Richard M , Le Gros Graham , Hermans Ian F
Published: September 2012

NKT cells undergo a phase of IL-4 secretion as they mature, with the potential to condition surrounding cells as they develop in the thymus.

We assessed the production of the canonical Th2 cytokine IL-4 by NKT cells directly in vivo using IL-4-substituting strains of reporter mice that provide faithful and sensitive readouts of cytokine production without the confounding effects of in vitro stimulation. Analysis in naïve animals revealed an “innate” phase of IL-4 secretion that did not need to be triggered by administration of a known NKT cell ligand. This secretion was by immature NKT cells spanning Stage 1 of the maturation process in the thymus (CD4+ CD44lo NK1.1− cells) and Stage 2 (CD4+ CD44hi NK1.1− cells) in the spleen. Like ligand-induced IL-4 production by mature cells, this innate activity was independent of an initial source of IL-4 protein and did not require STAT6 signaling. A more sustained level of innate IL-4 production was observed in animals on a BALB/c background compared with a C57BL/6 background, suggesting a level of genetic regulation that may contribute to the “Th2-prone” phenotype in BALB/c animals. These observations indicate a regulated pattern of IL-4 expression by maturing NKT cells, which may endow these cells with a capacity to influence the development of surrounding cells in the thymus.
Motor planning modulates sensory-motor control of collision avoidance behavior in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana
Authors: Nakagawa Hideki , Nishida Yuuya
Published: September 2012

In this study, we examined the collision avoidance behavior of the frog, Rana catesbeiana to an approaching object in the upper visual field. The angular velocity of the frog's escape turn showed a significant positive correlation with the turn angle (r2 = 0.5741, P<0.05). A similar mechanism of velocity control has been known in head movements of the owl and in human saccades. By analogy, this suggests that the frog planned its escape velocity in advance of executing the turn, to make the duration of the escape behavior relatively constant. For escape turns less than 60°, the positive correlation was very strong (r2 = 0.7097, P<0.05). Thus, the frog controlled the angular velocity of small escape turns very accurately and completed the behavior within a constant time. On the other hand, for escape turns greater than 60°, the same correlation was not significant (r2 = 0.065, P>0.05). Thus, the frog was not able to control the velocity of the large escape turns accurately and did not complete the behavior within a constant time. In the latter case, there was a small but significant positive correlation between the threshold angular size and the angular velocity (r2 = 0.1459, P<0.05). This suggests that the threshold is controlled to compensate for the insufficient escape velocity achieved during large turn angles, and could explain a significant negative correlation between the turn angle and the threshold angular size (r2 = 0.1145, P<0.05). Thus, it is likely that the threshold angular size is also controlled by the turn angle and is modulated by motor planning.
Cortactin depletion results in short tubulobulbar complexes and spermiation failure in rat testes
Authors: Young J'Nelle S. , De Asis Marc , Guttman Julian , Vogl A. Wayne
Published: September 2012

Tubulobulbar complexes are actin-related endocytic structures that form at sites of intercellular attachment in the seminiferous epithelium and are proposed to internalize intact junctions. In this study, we test the prediction that altering the structure/function of tubulobulbar complexes results in failure to release mature spermatids from Sertoli cells. We used an in vivo knockdown strategy to target cortactin, a component of tubulobulbar complexes, in Sprague Dawley rats. In each animal, one testis was surgically injected with cortactin siRNA reagents and the other testis was injected with non-targeting siRNA. After three days, experimental and control testes were processed for immunoblotting, electron microscopy or immunofluorescence microscopy. In testis sections immunostained for cortactin or labeled for filamentous actin, fluorescence microscopy revealed that tubulobulbar complexes were shorter in siRNA-treated testes relative to controls. Significantly, in the knockdown testes, spermiation was delayed in some tubules and had failed in others. When evaluated by electron microscopy, adhesion complexes (ectoplasmic specializations) remained associated with mature spermatids that failed to be released from Sertoli cells. Immunoblots both of whole testis lysates and of isolated seminiferous epithelial lysates confirmed that cortactin expression was knocked-down in experimental testes and in the seminiferous epithelium respectively, relative to controls. Moreover, in testes injected with siRNA reagents with a dye modification on one of the four targeting siRNA sequences, dye clusters were detected at the base of the epithelium confirming that the reagents entered Sertoli cells. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that tubulobulbar complexes internalize intercellular junctions and that they are a significant component of the sperm release mechanism.
Specific Amino Acid Sensing Using a Single Acridone-labeled DNA Aptamer
Authors: Ozaki Hiroaki , Hagiwara Yasuhisa , Kuwahara Masayasu
Published: September 2012

Acridone is an attractive fluorescent molecule for use in DNA probes. Sensing molecule, which has acridone as a signaling moiety and DNA aptamer as a recognition moiety, was prepared by postsynthetic modification method. The fluorescence of this sensing molecule changed depending on the DNA structure and l-argininamide could be detected by this molecule. This strategy could provide a quencher-free aptamer beacon.
Combined Thiourea Dioxide–Water: An Effective Reusable Catalyst for the Synthesis of Polyhydroquinolines via Hantzsch Multicomponent Coupling
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Verma Sanny , Jain Suman L
Published: September 2012

Thiourea dioxide in water was found to be an efficient and reusable organocatalytic system for the one-pot synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives via the Hantzsch-type coupling of aldehyde, dimedone, acetoacetate, and ammonium acetate under mild reaction conditions. Operational simplicity, the use of an economically affordable catalyst, environmentally benign conditions, high product yields, and reusability of the catalyst system were the advantageous features of the developed method.
Chiral Glutathione-protected Ag Triangular Nanoplates Synthesized by Protectant-substitution Reaction: Chiroptical and Surface Structure Analysis
Authors: Nishida Naoki , Kojima Yasuhiro , Tanaka Hideki
Published: September 2012

Chiral Ag:SG (glutathione) triangular nanoplates were synthesized by substitution reaction of achiral Ag:poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) nanoplates with glutathione free GSH molecules. Analysis of the chiroptical properties of the synthesized nanoplates using a circular dichroism spectrometer revealed characteristic Cotton effects with wavelengths that corresponded well to those of plasmon resonances for Ag nanoplates. X-ray photoelectron spectrometry analysis of their chemical compositions revealed that complete substitution of PVP molecules with GSH molecules proceeds on the nanoplates.
Discrimination between Ascorbic Acid from Acerola and of Synthetic Origin by Measuring 13C and 18O Stable Isotope Ratios
Authors: Hanamura Takayuki , Uchida Eriko , Ishiguro Yutaka , Koizumi Takeshi , Sekiguchi Michie , Kobe Ryo
Published: September 2012

We examined the 13C/12C and 18O/16O stable isotope ratios (δ13C, δ18O) of ascorbic acid from acerola and of synthetic origin. Although the obtained δ13C values were partially overlapping for the two species, δ18O values were higher for ascorbic acid from acerola, than values obtained for synthetic ascorbic acid. From this study, it was demonstrated that carbon and oxygen isotopic composition analysis can discriminate ascorbic acid from acerola from that of synthetic origin.
Liquid Carbazole Substituted with a Poly(ethylene oxide) Group and Its Application for Liquid Organic Light-emitting Diodes
Authors: Kubota Korefumi , Hirata Shuzo , Shibano Yuki , Hirata Osamu , Yahiro Masayuki , Adachi Chihaya
Published: September 2012

We report efficient carrier injection characteristics in liquid organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The use of a liquid carbazole substituted with a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chain provided a substantial improvement in carrier injection compared to devices constructed with carbazoles without PEO units. The external electroluminescence quantum efficiency (ΦEL) of an OLED with the liquid carbazole as an emitting layer resulted in ΦEL = 0.75%, 25 times higher ΦEL than that of our previous liquid OLED without electrolyte.
A Superior New Route to Methyl Phosphonate-based Ionic Liquids
Authors: Froschauer Carmen , Sixta Herbert , Weber Hedda K , Laus Gerhard , Kahlenberg Volker , Schottenberger Herwig
Published: September 2012

In the search for new ionic liquids (ILs) for biomass processing, analytical chemistry, or modern nonvolatile fire retarding agents, alkyl phosphonate-based ILs represent very promising candidates. A very practical synthesis of such ILs, which is superior to the conventional quaternization of 1-alkylimidazoles by dimethyl phosphite (DMP), was developed. 1,3-Dialkylimidazolium halide salts serve as convenient starting materials, and various 1,3-dialkylimidazolium methyl phosphonates are thus accessible by simple, fast, and solvent-free procedures with DMP, where the anion is methylated.
Self-assembling Property of 6,6′-Di-O-octyltrehalose under Aqueous Conditions
Authors: Kanemaru Manami , Yamamoto Kazuya , Kadokawa Jun-ichi
Published: September 2012

In this study, we synthesized a new trehalose-based amphiphile, 6,6′-di-O-octyltrehalose, from trehalose by five reaction steps. The SEM and TEM images of the sample prepared by drying its aqueous dispersion showed the formation of morphologically controlled hollow rod nanoaggregates.
Low-dose radiation with 80-kVp computed tomography to diagnose pulmonary embolism: a feasibility study
Authors: Nyman Ulf , Björkdahl Peter , Olsson Marie-Louise , Gunnarsson Mikael , Goldman Bitte
Published: September 2012

Background

Mounting collective radiation doses from computed tomography (CT) implies an increased risk of radiation-induced cancer in exposed populations, especially in the young.

Purpose

To evaluate radiation dose and image quality at 80-kVp CT to diagnose acute pulmonary embolism (PE) compared with a previous study at 100 and 120 kVp with all other scanning parameters unchanged.

Material and Methods

A custom-made chest phantom with a 12 mg I/mL-syringe was scanned at 80/100/ 120 kVp to evaluate relative changes in computed tomographic dose index (CTDIvol), attenuation, image noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Fifty patients underwent 80 kVp 16-row detector CT at 100 ‘Quality reference’ mAs. A total of 350 mg I/kg were injected to compensate for increased CNR at 80 kVp, while 300 mg I/kg had been used at 100/120 kVp. CTDIvol, dose-length product (DLP), and estimated effective dose were evaluated including Monte Carlo simulations. Pulmonary artery attenuation and noise were measured and CNR calculated. Two radiologists evaluated subjective image quality using a four-grade scale.

Results

Switching from 120 to 80 kVp in the phantom study decreased radiation dose by 67% while attenuation and noise increased 1.6 and 2.0 times, respectively, and CNR decreased by 16%. Switching from 120 to 80 kVp in the patient studies decreased estimated effective dose from 4.0 to 1.2 mSv (70% decrease) in median while pulmonary artery attenuation and noise roughly doubled from 332 to 653 HU and from 22 to 49 HU, respectively, resulting in similar CNR (13 vs. 12). At 80 kVp all examinations were regarded as adequate (8%) or excellent (92%).

Conclusion

Switching from 120 to 80 kVp CT without increased mAs but slightly increased iodine dose may be of special benefit to diagnose PE in younger individuals with preserved renal function where the primary aim is to minimize radiation dose and reaching levels below that of scintigraphy.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt stent-graft placement: mean optimal portal venous projection view determined by three-dimensional portography
Authors: Maleux Geert , Jiang X , Heye S , Mariën I , Nevens F , Grünhagen T
Published: September 2012

Background

Suboptimal stent-graft placement at the lower anastomosis during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) may result in early shunt stenosis and occlusion owing to incomplete covering of the parenchymal tract by the covered part of the stent-graft.

Purpose

To determine the optimal portal venous projection view for stent-graft placement during TIPS and the potential influence of the portal vein anatomy.

Material and Methods

On 76 cirrhotic patients (48 men and 28 women) selected for TIPS, rotational, three-dimensional (3D), catheter-directed angiography of the portal vein was performed. The 3D portograms were reviewed by two independent interventional radiologists to determine the optimal angiographic projection views for stent-graft placement. Intra-observer and inter-observer reliabilities were tested and subgroups of patient portal vein anatomy were categorized.

Results

Among all patients, the optimal portal venous projection views for stent-graft placement during TIPS centered around 27° (±14°) right oblique and 3° (±7°) craniocaudal. Of these, 56% were within the standard deviations. Intra-observer reliabilities were 0.60 and 0.62 for the two radiologists, respectively. Inter-observer reliability was 0.48. Anatomical variations in the patient population were: normal portal vein (67%), trifurcation at main portal vein (16%), right posterior portal vein as the first branch of main portal vein (3%), no right posterior portal vein (1%), and other variations (13%). Anatomical subgroups did not influence the best angiographic projection view significantly (F4,295 = 0.91, P = 0.457).

Conclusion

The mean optimal angiographic projection view for TIPS stent-graft placement was 27° right oblique and 3° craniocaudal. Patient anatomic variations do not play a significant role in determining the optimal angiographic view for TIPS stent-graft placement.
Improved access to mental health evaluation for patients with developmental disabilities using telepsychiatry
Authors: Szeftel Roxy , Federico Christina , Hakak Rashelle , Szeftel Zara , Jacobson Miriam
Published: September 2012

The Cedars-Sinai Telepsychiatry Clinic uses a collaborative-care model to treat patients with developmental disabilities. We examined its practice in four areas: patient characteristics, clinical care, symptom severity and diagnostic outcomes to describe the care provided and the population seen in the telepsychiatry clinic. In a chart review, 45 out of 126 cases were selected and evaluated at three times: initial evaluation, year one and year three. Most of the patients (84%) had an intellectual disability, 55% had a pervasive developmental disorder and 71% spoke approximately 50 words or less. Prior to the initial assessment, none of the patients were diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders, while almost one-third of patients received one of these diagnoses in the telepsychiatry clinic. Patients were seen six times on average in the first year and three times in the second and third years. The telepsychiatrist recommended a change in the patient's medication for 82% of patients at initial assessment, 41% at year one and 46% at year three. The review suggests that telepsychiatry evaluations can be valuable for patients with developmental disabilities, providing diagnostic clarity and specific recommendations that can be implemented by the primary care physician.
Remote monitoring of nursing home residents using a humanoid robot
Authors: Bäck Iivari , Kallio Jouko , Perälä Sami , Mäkelä Kari
Published: September 2012

We studied the feasibility of using a humanoid robot as an assistant in the monitoring of nursing home residents. The robot can receive alarms via its wireless Internet connection and navigate independently to the room where the alarm originated. Once it has entered the room, the robot can transmit near real time images to the staff and also open a voice connection between the resident and the remote caregivers. This way the remote caregiver is able to check the situation in the room, and take appropriate actions. We tested the prototype robot in three private nursing homes in the Finnish county of South Ostrobothnia. During the testing, 2–4 alarms were produced by each participant and there were 29 alarms in total. The robot was able to navigate correctly to the room from which the alarm was sent and open the speech connection, as well as transmit images via the wireless Internet connection. The experiments provided evidence of the feasibility of using autonomous robots as assistants to nursing home staff in remote monitoring. The response from the nursing home residents was uniformly positive.
Efficacy of a programme for workers with metabolic syndrome based on an e-health system in the workplace: a pilot study
Authors: Jung Hyesun , Lee Bokim , Lee Jong-Eun , Kwon Young-Hyun , Song Heejung
Published: September 2012

We tested the efficacy of the Healthy Workplace programme for metabolic syndrome. A total of 226 workers with metabolic syndrome from 12 companies enrolled in the study and completed baseline and 6-month follow-up. The Healthy Workplace programme consisted of a 4-week structured education module, telephone counselling, mobile phone messages (SMS) and email messages in the ensuing 6 months. The main outcome measures of the pre-post study were waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure (BP) and glucose levels. At follow-up, waist circumference and diastolic BP were significantly reduced compared to baseline. Triglyceride and fasting glucose levels improved significantly 6 months after the study. At 6-month follow-up, manifest risk factors for metabolic syndrome had disappeared in 9% of the participants. The integrated Healthy Workplace programme encouraged workers to improve self-care behaviours.
Telemonitoring for infants at risk of apnoea, bradycardia and hypoxaemia: transmission of data improves the family compliance during home monitoring
Authors: Piumelli Raffaele , Nassi Niccolò , Liccioli Giulia , Ernst Carola M , Donzelli Giampaolo
Published: September 2012

We evaluated the compliance of families using telemonitoring and families using conventional home monitoring in infants at risk of apnoea, bradycardia and hypoxaemia. Families who used the telemedicine system could perform the remote data transmission from their home. Families who used the conventional system had to come to the regional centre to download the cardiorespiratory traces captured by the monitor. A total of 175 patients examined at the Regional Centre for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in Florence were included in the 5-year study. Good compliance was defined as an average daily use of 10 hours or more; insufficient compliance was defined as an average daily use of less than 10 hours. The Centre analysed 612 data downloads, 339 from the telemedicine system and 273 from the conventional system. This represented a total of 105,061 hours of data during 12,862 days of home monitoring. The compliance of families who used the telemedicine system was significantly higher than that of families who used the conventional system. Of the 105 families who used the conventional system, 50 (48%) were good compliers. Of the 70 families who used the telemedicine system, 49 (70%) were good compliers. Telemedicine was associated with a significant improvement in the compliance of families using cardiorespiratory monitors.
Comparison of extractable DNA from bone following six-month exposure to outdoor conditions, garden loam, mold contamination or room storage
Authors: Startari Loïc , Benoit Jean-Noël , Quatrehomme Gérald , Carle Georges , Pognonec Philippe
Published: September 2012

Femur bone sections from a single donor were exposed for six months to (i) outdoor conditions (exposure to sun, rain, etc.); (ii) water-vapour saturated environment favourable to mould proliferation and (iii) humic-garden soil. Following these treatments, DNA was extracted and yields were compared with that of a control bone fragment kept under optimal laboratory storage conditions. Our results demonstrate that both mould and soil are very detrimental to bone DNA conservation since more than 97% of the bone DNA was lost in these samples as compared with the control condition. Outdoor exposure gives an intermediate result with 30% of the DNA still present in the bone. Thus, environments favourable to microorganisms proliferation appear detrimental to bone DNA conservation and are a bad prognostic should bone remains be used for genetic identification purpose. Comparatively, open-air exposure is much more favourable to bone DNA analysis.
Lethal Bochdalek hernia in a three-year-old: pathological findings and medicolegal investigation in accusation of malpractice
Authors: Mobilia Francesca , Andreola Salvatore , Gentile Guendalina , Palazzo Elisa , Rancati Alessandra , Zoja Riccardo
Published: September 2012

Diaphragmatic hernias can be a pitfall for paediatric diagnostics, especially in the cases of late presentation, which can also have medico-legal ramifications as exposed. A three-year-old boy was taken to a children's hospital after an episode of abdominal pain and vomiting of food. A physical examination proved normal, with mild ketonuria being found and he was discharged. Three months later for the same signs and symptoms, he was taken once more to hospital, where he arrived in a state of cardiac arrest and died. A lawsuit was begun against the doctors who had examined him three months earlier. The autopsy found herniation of the abdominal organs into the left pleural cavity through a defect in the left hemidiaphragm. The cause of death was identified as cardiac tamponade caused by mechanical compression of multiple herniated abdominal organs. The histopathological examination revealed marked atelectasis of the left lung, with non-expansion of 60-90% of the alveoli which suggested an acute mechanism that proved fatal, and the doctors were acquitted. The features of this disease and the possible difficulties in its diagnosis highlight the need for the utmost attention in differential diagnosis, even at an age where the discovery of a diaphragmatic hernia is exceedingly rare.
An autoerotic death in Korea
Authors: Jung Sung-Kook
Published: September 2012

Accidental autoerotic asphyxia occurring during autoerotic activity is usually considered the unanticipated failure of a sexual stimulation device to induce hypoxia during solitary sexual arousal. Here, we provide the first reported case of autoerotic death in Korea. In the present case, a young man died from asphyxiation as a result of being suspended with his head in a plastic bag. The death was considered accidental and not suicidal. The diagnosis of autoerotic death may be difficult when typical features are absent.
The Latino Culturescape in Japan
Authors: Reyes-Ruiz Rafael
Published: September 2012

Reyes-Ruiz discusses the community-building strategies of Spanish-speaking Latin American immigrants in Japan, arguing that a combination of processes—social exclusion; the pragmatic demands of socializing and survival in a multinational context; and the availability of transnational Latin American cultural products, images, and spaces in Japan—have led these immigrants to (re-)create a transnational Latino culture. Inspired by Arjun Appadurai’s conceptualizations of globalization and the different transnational flows integral to it, Reyes-Ruiz names this phenomenon the Latino Culturescape. The concept of the culturescape, he argues, “overcomes the limitations of traditional immigration research that focuses only on population flows. By paying attention to the impact of the transnational media and of transnational discourses, it also moves beyond the questions of nationality and ethnicity that have so far characterized the study of immigrants in Japan.”
On the Politics of the Sikh Diaspora
Authors: Singh Sunit
Published: September 2012

Singh examines the complex links that connect the history of the Sikhs in colonial India both to the Khalistani movement and to diasporic politics in multicultural Britain and the United States today. He reviews two books, The Nation’s Tortured Body: Violence, Representation, and the Formation of the Sikh Diaspora by Brian Axel (Duke UP, 2001) and Tony Ballantyne’s Between Colonialism and Diaspora: Sikh Cultural Formations in an Imperial World (Duke UP, 2006). Singh praises these texts for breaking “with the trend of producing case studies of individual or highly localized collective experiences in an attempt to grapple with the cultural interconnections that are foundational to the Sikh diaspora” and for highlighting “the effects of the performative enunciation of cultural claims.” But he also argues that the sociohistorical structures that allow for such articulation are less of a concern in these analyses than they should have been. In the course of his rich analysis, Singh argues that both Axel and Ballantyne anachronistically project the current identity concerns of the Sikh diaspora, embodied in the ambivalent figure of Maharajah Duleep Singh, backward onto the history of the colonialism in Punjab as well as onto the subsequent rise of Indian nationalism, to ill effect. He joins Axel in asking what constitutes a diaspora, and he examines the usefulness of Ballantyne’s claim that the continued emphasis on Khalistan in Sikh studies effaces the “politics of the everyday,” the more mundane but equally important cross-cultural dilemmas that confront diasporic Sikhs—an observation that has a more general application in diaspora studies as a whole.