bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recommendations for the Use of Leeches in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Authors: Mumcuoglu Kosta Y.
Published: February 2014

A written informed consent should be obtained from the patient before hirudotherapy is initiated. The patients should be treated each day of leech therapy with anti‐Aeromonas antibiotics. Leeches should be applied on the darker spots of the reattached body parts or flaps. Usually 1–10 leeches are used for each treatment, while at the beginning, the patient might need two or more treatments per day. Leech therapy is used until venous capillary return is established across the wound border by angiogenesis. Usually the treatment with leeches lasts for 2–6 days. Hematologic evaluations should be performed every 4 hrs and the patient has to receive blood transfusions when the hemoglobin level is lower than 8 g/dL. Signs of regional lymphadenitis, slight swelling, and pain of regional lymph nodes on the side of leech application and subfebrile temperature can occur. Contraindications related to hirudotherapy include arterial insufficiency, hemophilia, hemorrhagic diathesis, hematological malignancies, anemia, hypotension, and sepsis. Leech therapy is not recommended in pregnancy and lactation and in patients with an unstable medical status, history of allergy to leeches or severe allergic diathesis, and disposition to keloid scar formation, as well as in those using anticoagulants and immunosuppressants.
Note on the Invariance Properties of Operator Products Involving Generalized Inverses
Authors: Liu Xiaoji , Zhang Miao , Yu Yaoming
Published: February 2014

We investigate further the invariance properties of the bounded linear operator productAC1 B1 Dand its range with respect to the choice of the generalized inversesXandYof bounded linear operators. Also, we discuss the range inclusion invariance properties of the operator product involving generalized inverses.
Thermodynamics of Cadmium Sorption on Different Soils of West Bengal, India
Authors: Karak Tanmoy , Paul Ranjit Kumar , Das D. K. , Boruah Romesh K. , Sonar Indira
Published: February 2014

A sorption study was conducted on different soils collected from five agroecological zones of West Bengal, India, to understand the soil environmental behavior and fate of cadmium. For this purpose batch adsorption experiments were carried out at the native soil pH and at three different temperatures (25°C, 35°C, and 45°C). The adsorption data fitted by a linear least squares technique to the different sorption isotherms. Most data obtained give the good fit to both Freundlich and modified Langmuir isotherms, but they are not consistent with the linear Langmuir adsorption model. Thermodynamic parameters, namely, thermodynamics equilibrium constant at a particular temperatureT  (KT0), Gibbs free energy at a particular temperatureT  (ΔGT0), and change of enthalpy(ΔH0)and change of entropy at temperatureT  (ΔST0), were also determined by applying sorption value and concentrations of Cd in equilibrium solution within the temperature range. The thermodynamic parameters revealed that Cd sorption increases as the values ofKT0,ΔGT0,ΔH0, andΔST0were increased on reaction temperatures. The spontaneous sorption reaction can be concluded due to high values ofΔGT0. The positive values ofΔH0indicated that the Cd sorption is an endothermic one. Under these present conditions, the soil and its components possibly supply a number of sites having different adsorption energies for cadmium sorption.
A New Approach for Provenance Studies of Archaeological Finds: Inferences from Trace Elements in Carbonate Minerals of Alpine White Marbles by a Bench-to-Top μ-XRF Spectrometer
Authors: Vaggelli Gloria , Serra Margherita , Cossio Roberto , Borghi Alessandro
Published: February 2014

The metamorphic rocks outcropping in the Western Alps are characterised by a great variety of white marbles which have been used since the antiquity. This variety mostly includes nine historical Piedmont white marbles (Ornavasso, Candoglia, Crevola, Pont Canavese, Foresto, Chianocco, Prali, Brossasco, and Garessio marbles) coming from well-known quarry sites and belonging to different metamorphic geological units of the Western Alps. The petrographical, minerochemical, and C–O isotopic data of these white marbles have been integrated with CaO and trace element (Fe, Mn, and Sr) concentration determined on single crystals of carbonate minerals (i.e., calcite and/or dolomite) by means of a bench-to-top µ-XRF spectrometer. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were performed on a data set of 178 observations containing CaO, Fe, Mn, and Sr concentration as well as the maximum grain size (MGS), δ18O and δ13C. The use of only five selected variables (CaO, Fe, Mn, Sr, and δ18O) has provided the correct allocation of each individual observation to its relevant class. Therefore, this approach based mostly on a noninvasive µ-XRF determination will be useful to define the provenance of unknown marbles of alpine origin used in antiquity for cultural heritage.
CAPNet: An Enhanced Load Balancing Clustering Algorithm for Prolonging Network Lifetime in WSNs
Authors: Kim Mucheol , Kim Sunhong , Seo Jiwan , Choi Kiseok , Han Sangyong
Published: February 2014

A wireless sensor network consisting of resources, size, and cost-limited sensors is used in many military and civil applications. This paper proposes an energy-efficient clustering algorithm that extends the lifetime of sensor networks. The proposed clustering algorithm is an extended hierarchical clustering protocol that minimizes the overall amount of consumed energy in the network. The proposed approach dynamically updates clusters and distributes the load on the heavily loaded cluster heads among different nodes. It also balances the remaining energy on nodes in the network, which leads to prolonged network lifetime. The performance is evaluated in terms of network lifetime, average energy consumption, and standard deviation of residual energy.
Preliminary Study on the Expression and the Clinical Significance of CD133 in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wu Ju-gang , Yu Ji-wei , Lu Rui-qi , Wang Shou-lian , Ni Xiao-chun , Zheng Lin-hai , Jiang Bo-jian
Published: February 2014

Background. Significances of CD133 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of gastric adenocarcinoma (GC) patients were investigated. Methods. Correlations of CD133 mRNA expression in PBMCs on clinicopathological parameters or CD133 protein expression were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curve according to bright scale value (BSV) of CD133 mRNA was used to group patients for prognosis analysis. Results. BSV of preoperative CD133 mRNA in PBMCs in GC was significantly higher than that in volunteers or in GU. Invasive depth or metastatic lymph node number for higher BSV of preoperative CD133 mRNA and invasive depth or lymphatic vessel invasion for higher BSV of postoperative CD133 mRNA in the PBMCs were identified. Patients with CD133+ expression in primary lesion had a significantly higher expression of preoperative CD133 mRNA in the PBMCs. The expression of preoperative or postoperative CD133 mRNA in PBMCs related positively to CD133 mRNA expression in primary lesion. Patients with higher expression of preoperative or postoperative CD133 mRNA shared significantly shorter survival compared with that in lower expression group. Conclusion. Higher levels of preoperative or postoperative CD133 mRNA in PBMCs of GC correlated positively to the lymphatic metastasis and the BSV of CD133 mRNA in primary lesion, indicating the poorer survival.
Validation of the Friedewald Formula in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Knopfholz José , Disserol Caio César Diniz , Pierin Andressa Jardim , Schirr Fernanda Letícia , Streisky Larissa , Takito Lilian Lumi , Massucheto Ledesma Patrícia , Faria-Neto José Rocha , Olandoski Marcia , da Cunha Claudio Leinig Pereira , Bandeira Antonio Milton
Published: February 2014

Currently, the Friedewald formula (FF) is the main method for evaluating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). Recently, many limitations have emerged regarding its use, including patients with triglyceride levels ≥400 mg/dL, diabetes mellitus, and kidney or hepatic chronic diseases. We analyzed the use of the FF in patients with metabolic syndrome. We selected patients with known metabolic syndrome that fulfilled the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) Final Report and excluded patients with triglyceride levels ≥400 mg/dL and chronic liver and/or kidney disease. Using direct assays, we measured total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-c. Then, LDL-c was estimated using the FF and compared with the LDL-c by direct assay. The sample size was 135 patients. Using the FF, the mean LDL-c value was 124.4±42.1 mg/dL; it was 125.1±38.5 mg/dL by direct assay. The correlation coefficient between these two methods was 0.89, with statistical significance (P  value<0.001). There were no significant differences between the patients with triglyceride levels >150 mg/dL (P=0.618). In conclusion, FF is a good method for estimating LDL-c in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Effective Multifocus Image Fusion Based on HVS and BP Neural Network
Authors: Yang Yong , Zheng Wenjuan , Huang Shuying
Published: February 2014

The aim of multifocus image fusion is to fuse the images taken from the same scene with different focuses to obtain a resultant image with all objects in focus. In this paper, a novel multifocus image fusion method based on human visual system (HVS) and back propagation (BP) neural network is presented. Three features which reflect the clarity of a pixel are firstly extracted and used to train a BP neural network to determine which pixel is clearer. The clearer pixels are then used to construct the initial fused image. Thirdly, the focused regions are detected by measuring the similarity between the source images and the initial fused image followed by morphological opening and closing operations. Finally, the final fused image is obtained by a fusion rule for those focused regions. Experimental results show that the proposed method can provide better performance and outperform several existing popular fusion methods in terms of both objective and subjective evaluations.
Alternative Paradigm of Selective Vagus Nerve Stimulation Tested on an Isolated Porcine Vagus Nerve
Authors: Pečlin Polona , Rozman Janez
Published: February 2014

Alternative paradigm for spatial and fibre-type selective vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) was developed using realistic structural topography and tested in an isolated segment of a porcine cervical left vagus nerve (LVN). A spiral cuff (cuff) containing a matrix of ninety-nine electrodes was developed for selective VNS. A quasitrapezoidal stimulating pulse (stimulus) was applied to the LVN via an appointed group of three electrodes (triplet). The triplet and stimulus were configured to predominantly stimulate the B-fibres, minimizing stimulation of the A-fibres and by-passing the stimulation of the C-fibres. To assess which fibres made the most probable contribution to the neural response (NR) during selective VNS, the distribution of conduction velocity (CV) within the LVN was considered. Experimental testing of the paradigm showed the existence of certain parameters and waveforms of the stimulus, for which the contribution of the A-fibres to the NR was slightly reduced and that of the B-fibres was slightly enlarged. The cuff provided satisfactory fascicle discrimination in selective VNS as well as satisfactory fascicle discrimination during NR recording. However, in the present stage of development, fibre-type VNS remained rather limited.
Efficient LED‐SAC Sparse Estimator Using Fast Sequential Adaptive Coordinate‐Wise Optimization (LED‐2SAC)
Authors: Yousefi Rezaii T. , Beheshti S. , Tinati M. A.
Published: February 2014

Solving the underdetermined system of linear equations is of great interest in signal processing application, particularly when the underlying signal to be estimated is sparse. Recently, a new sparsity encouraging penalty function is introduced as Linearized Exponentially Decaying penalty, LED, which results in the sparsest solution for an underdetermined system of equations subject to the minimization of the least squares loss function. A sequential solution is available for LED‐based objective function, which is denoted by LED‐SAC algorithm. This solution, which aims to sequentially solve the LED‐based objective function, ignores the sparsity of the solution. In this paper, we present a new sparse solution. The new method benefits from the sparsity of the signal both in the optimization criterion (LED) and its solution path, denoted by Sparse SAC (2SAC). The new reconstruction method denoted by LED‐2SAC (LED‐Sparse SAC) is consequently more efficient and considerably fast compared to the LED‐SAC algorithm, in terms of adaptability and convergence rate. In addition, the computational complexity of both LED‐SAC and LED‐2SAC is shown to be of order 𝒪(d2), which is better than the other batch solutions like LARS. LARS algorithm has complexity of order 𝒪(d3 + nd2), where d is the dimension of the sparse signal and n is the number of observations.
Serology of Lupus Erythematosus: Correlation between Immunopathological Features and Clinical Aspects
Authors: Cozzani Emanuele , Drosera Massimo , Gasparini Giulia , Parodi Aurora
Published: February 2014

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the aberrant production of a broad and heterogenous group of autoantibodies. Even though the presence of autoantibodies in SLE has been known, for more than 60 years, still nowadays a great effort is being made to understand the pathogenetic, diagnostic, and prognostic meaning of such autoantibodies. Antibodies to ds-DNA are useful for the diagnosis of SLE, to monitor the disease activity, and correlate with renal and central nervous involvements. Anti-Sm antibodies are highly specific for SLE. Anti-nucleosome antibodies are an excellent marker for SLE and good predictors of flares in quiescent lupus. Anti-histone antibodies characterize drug-induced lupus, while anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies are associated with neonatal lupus erythematosus and photosensitivity. Anti-ribosomal P antibodies play a role in neuropsychiatric lupus, but their association with clinical manifestations is still unclear. Anti-phospholipid antibodies are associated with the anti-phospholipid syndrome, cerebral vascular disease, and neuropsychiatric lupus. Anti-C1q antibodies amplify glomerular injury, and the elevation of their titers may predict renal flares. Anti-RNP antibodies are a marker of Sharp’s syndrome but can be found in SLE as well. Anti-PCNA antibodies are present in 5–10% of SLE patients especially those with arthritis and hypocomplementemia.
Seroprevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiInfection in Sows in Hunan Province, China
Authors: Xu Ying , Li Run-Cheng , Liu Guo-Hua , Cong Wei , Zhang Xiao-Xuan , Yu Xing-Long , Zhu Xing-Quan
Published: February 2014

Toxoplasma gondiiinfections are prevalent in animals and humans worldwide. Although the prevalence ofT. gondiihas been reported in many animals in China, little is known ofT. gondiiinfection in sows. Antibodies toT. gondiiin sows in Hunan province, subtropical China, were examined using indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT). Overall, 31.3% (373/1191) of the examined sows were seropositive forT. gondii. Among 11 representative regions of Hunan province, the seroprevalence ranged from 14.8% to 45.1%. In addition, theT. gondiiseroprevalence was higher in summer (37.4%) and autumn (34.9%) than in spring (24.6%) and winter (23.9%). Regarding different antibody titers, the seroprevalence ranged from 1.8% (titer ≥ 1 : 1024) to 17.4% (titer = 1 : 64). The findings of the present investigation revealed the high seroprevalence ofT. gondiiin sows in Hunan province, China, which poses a potential risk forT. gondiiinfection in humans and animals in this province. Therefore, effective measures should be taken to prevent and control toxoplasmosis of pigs in this province. This is the first report of the comprehensive survey ofT. gondiiseroprevalence in sows in Hunan Province, subtropical China.
Improvement with Infliximab of a Disseminated Sarcoidosis in a Patient with Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Chebib Nader , Piégay Fabrice , Traclet Julie , Mion François , Mornex Jean-François
Published: February 2014

Sarcoidosis and Crohn’s disease are systemic granulomatous disorders affecting the lung and the intestine, respectively, with variable involvement of other organs and are seldom associated. While anti-TNFαis a recognized treatment of Crohn’s disease, its usage is discussed in sarcoidosis. A 42-year-old man presented with an 11-year-long history of Crohn’s disease; upon discovery of an abnormal chest CT scan the diagnosis of multivisceral sarcoidosis was made and, later, a treatment with an anti-TNFαagent, infliximab, was started, because of worsening Crohn’s disease recurrences. CT scan demonstrated net regression of pulmonary opacities and hepatosplenic lesions. Pathologies obtained from the intestinal tract and the bronchi of the patient were, respectively, characteristic of Crohn’s disease and sarcoidosis leading to the diagnosis of both diseases. We report a rare case of steroid resistant Crohn’s disease associated with multivisceral sarcoidosis, treated successfully by an anti-TNFαagent, infliximab.
Evaluation of Three-Dimensional Porous Iron-Cross-Linked Alginate as a Scaffold for Cell Culture
Authors: Machida-Sano Ikuko , Ogawa Sakito , Hirakawa Makoto , Namiki Hideo
Published: February 2014

We investigated the efficacy of three-dimensional porous ferric-ion-cross-linked alginate (Fe-alginate) gels as cell scaffolds, in comparison with calcium-ion-cross-linked alginate (Ca-alginate) gels. In a previous study, we had demonstrated that two-dimensional Fe-alginate film was an efficient material for use as a scaffold, allowing good cell adhesion and proliferation, unlike Ca-alginate film. In the present study, we fabricated three-dimensional porous Fe- and Ca-alginate gels by freeze-drying and evaluated their effects on cultured cells. The Fe-alginate gels showed higher protein adsorption ability than Ca-alginate gels. Cells formed multicellular spheroids in both types of alginate scaffold, but the number of cultured cells increased with culture time on Fe-alginate porous gels, whereas those on Ca-alginate gels did not. Moreover, it was revealed that the cells on Fe-alginate scaffolds were still viable inside the multicellular spheroids even after cultivation for 14 days. These results suggest that Fe-alginate provides a superior porous scaffold suitable for three-dimensional culture of cells. Our findings may be useful for extending the application of Fe-alginate to diverse biomedical fields.
Aerodynamic Characteristics of the Ventilated Design for Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle
Authors: Zhang G. Q. , Yu S. C. M.
Published: February 2014

Inspired by superior flight performance of natural flight masters like birds and insects and based on the ventilating flaps that can be opened and closed by the changing air pressure around the wing, a new flapping wing type has been proposed. It is known that the net lift force generated by a solid wing in a flapping cycle is nearly zero. However, for the case of the ventilated wing, results for the net lift force are positive which is due to the effect created by the “ventilation” in reducing negative lift force during the upstroke. The presence of moving flaps can serve as the variable in which, through careful control of the areas, a correlation with the decrease in negative lift can be generated. The corresponding aerodynamic characteristics have been investigated numerically by using different flapping frequencies and forward flight speeds.
Preliminary Study of the Influence of Red Blood Cells Size on the Determinism of the Breed in Cattle
Authors: Adili Nezar , Melizi Mohamed , Belabbas Hadj , Achouri Abdelhamid
Published: February 2014

This study was carried out on five cattle groups, local, cross, Prim’Holstein, Montbeliard, and Brown of the Alps, in order to study the influence of breed on erythrocytes diameter. For each breed, blood samples were taken from 15 adult females by jugular venipuncture; blood smears were made on slides immediately after the blood collection and stained according to the method of May-Gründwald Giemsa. Morphometric study was realized using the OPTIKA Pro Vision software. The statistical analysis was assessed by using the descriptive boxplots test and ANOVA. The size of red blood cells is greater in the imported Brown of the Alps breed (5,32 ± 0,19) and also in our local breed (5,23 ± 0,10), whereas they were smaller in the Montbeliard breed (4,79 ± 0,21). This investigation allowed us to show that from a drop of blood we can have an idea of the bovine breeds, taking into account the size of the erythrocytes.
Wave Propagation in Unbounded Domains under a Dirac Delta Function with FPM
Authors: Moazam S. , Boroomand B. , Naimi S. , Celikag M.
Published: February 2014

Wave propagation in unbounded domains is one of the important engineering problems. There have been many attempts by researchers to solve this problem. This paper intends to shed a light on the finite point method, which is considered as one of the best methods to be used for solving problems of wave propagation in unbounded domains. To ensure the reliability of finite point method, wave propagation in unbounded domain is compared with the sinusoidal unit point stimulation. Results indicate that, in the case of applying stimulation along one direction of a Cartesian coordinate, the results of finite point method parallel to the stimulation have less error in comparison with the results of finite element method along the same direction with the same stimulation.
Antimicrobial Effect ofLippia sidoidesand Thymol onEnterococcus faecalisBiofilm of the Bacterium Isolated from Root Canals
Authors: Veras H. N. H. , Rodrigues F. F. G. , Botelho M. A. , Menezes I. R. A. , Coutinho H. D. M. , da Costa J. G. M.
Published: February 2014

The speciesLippia sidoidesCham. (Verbenaceae) is utilized in popular medicine as a local antiseptic on the skin and mucosal tissues.Enterococcus faecalisis the bacterium isolated from root canals of teeth with persistent periapical lesions and has the ability to form biofilm, where it is responsible for the failure of endodontic treatments. Essential oil ofL. sidoides(EOLS) and its major component, thymol, were evaluated for reducing the CFU in biofilms ofE. faecalis in vitro. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and examined with respect to the chemical composition, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis has led to the identification of thymol (84.9%) and p-cymene (5.33%). EOLS and thymol reduced CFU in biofilms ofE. faecalis in vitro(time of maturation, 72 h), with an exposure time of 30 and 60 min at concentrations of 2.5 and 10%. There was no statistical difference in effect between EOLS and thymol, demonstrating that this phenolic monoterpene was the possible compound responsible for the antimicrobial activity of EOLS. This study provides a basis for the possible utilization of EOLS as an adjuvant in the treatment of root canals that show colonization byE. faecalis.
Dominant Mode Wave Impedance of Regular Polygonal Waveguides
Authors: Komarov Vyacheslav V.
Published: February 2014

Polygonal metal waveguides are analyzed analytically and numerically. Classical equation for the wave impedance of arbitrary shaped waveguides is completed with approximate expression for the cutoff wavelength of the dominant mode. Proposed approach is tested with the help of 3D finite difference time domain models of microwave waveguides junctions. Obtained data are used for computer-aided design of microwave transition from coaxial line to cylindrical waveguide.
Design and Optimization of Polarization Splitting and Rotating Devices in Silicon-on-Insulator Technology
Authors: Troia Benedetto , De Leonardis Francesco , Lanzafame Mauro , Muciaccia Tommaso , Grasso Giuseppe , Giannoccaro Giovanni , Campanella Carlo Edoardo , Passaro Vittorio M. N.
Published: February 2014

We review polarization splitting and rotating photonic devices based on silicon-on-insulator technology platform, focusing on their performance and design criteria. In addition, we present a theoretical investigation and optimization of some rotator and splitter architectures to be employed for polarization diversity circuits. In this context, fabrication tolerances and their influences on device performance are theoretically estimated by rigorous simulations too.
Emeraldine Base Form of Polyaniline Nanofibers as New, Economical, Green, and Efficient Catalyst for Synthesis of Z-Aldoximes
Authors: Boddula Rajender , Srinivasan Palaniappan
Published: February 2014

A facile, clean, economical, efficient, and green process was developed for the preparation of Z-aldoximes at room temperature under solvent-free condition using emeraldine base form of polyaniline as novel catalyst. In this methodology, PANI base absorbed the by-product of HCl (polluting chemical) from hydroxylamine hydrochloride and converted to polyaniline-hydrochloride salt (PANI-HCl salt). This PANI-HCl salt could be easily recovered and used in new attempts without any purification in many areas such as catalyst, electrical and electronics applications meant for conducting polymers. As far as our knowledge is concerned, emeraldine base as catalyst in organic synthesis for the first time.
Development of a Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method for the Rapid Detection of Subtype H7N9 Avian Influenza Virus
Authors: Bao Hongmei , Zhao Yuhui , Wang Yunhe , Xu Xiaolong , Shi Jianzhong , Zeng Xianying , Wang Xiurong , Chen Hualan
Published: February 2014

A novel influenza A (H7N9) virus has emerged in China. To rapidly detect this virus from clinical samples, we developed a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method for the detection of the H7N9 virus. The minimum detection limit of the RT-LAMP assay was 0.01 PFU H7N9 virus, making this method 100-fold more sensitive to the detection of the H7N9 virus than conventional RT-PCR. The H7N9 virus RT-LAMP assays can efficiently detect different sources of H7N9 influenza virus RNA (from chickens, pigeons, the environment, and humans). No cross-reactive amplification with the RNA of other subtype influenza viruses or of other avian respiratory viruses was observed. The assays can effectively detect H7N9 influenza virus RNA in drinking water, soil, cloacal swab, and tracheal swab samples that were collected from live poultry markets, as well as human H7N9 virus, in less than 30 min. These results suggest that the H7N9 virus RT-LAMP assays were efficient, practical, and rapid diagnostic methods for the epidemiological surveillance and diagnosis of influenza A (H7N9) virus from different resource samples.
Modifiable Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Indigenous Populations
Authors: Lucero Adam A. , Lambrick Danielle M. , Faulkner James A. , Fryer Simon , Tarrant Michael A. , Poudevigne Melanie , Williams Michelle A. , Stoner Lee
Published: February 2014

Objective. To identify modifiable cardio-metabolic and lifestyle risk factors among indigenous populations from Australia (Aboriginal Australians/Torres Strait Islanders), New Zealand (Māori), and the United States (American Indians and Alaska Natives) that contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD).Methods. National health surveys were identified where available. Electronic databases identified sources for filling missing data. The most relevant data were identified, organized, and synthesized.Results. Compared to their non-indigenous counterparts, indigenous populations exhibit lower life expectancies and a greater prevalence of CVD. All indigenous populations have higher rates of obesity and diabetes, hypertension is greater for Māori and Aboriginal Australians, and high cholesterol is greater only among American Indians/Alaska Natives. In turn, all indigenous groups exhibit higher rates of smoking and dangerous alcohol behaviour as well as consuming less fruits and vegetables. Aboriginal Australians and American Indians/Alaska Natives also exhibit greater rates of sedentary behaviour.Conclusion. Indigenous groups from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States have a lower life expectancy then their respective non-indigenous counterparts. A higher prevalence of CVD is a major driving force behind this discrepancy. A cluster of modifiable cardio-metabolic risk factors precede CVD, which, in turn, is linked to modifiable lifestyle risk factors.
Numerical Analysis of the Relationship between Nasal Structure and Its Function
Authors: Yu Shen , Sun Xiu-zhen , Liu Ying-xi
Published: February 2014

The functions of the nasal cavity are closely related to its structure. In this study the three-dimensional finite element models were established based on the clinical data of twenty-four volunteers to study the influence of nasal structure on nasal functions of heating the inhaled airflow. Numerical simulations mainly concerning the airflow distribution and the airflow temperature are performed. The character of airflow heating process in these models is gained from the simulation results of these nasal cavities. The parameters describing the geometry of nasal cavity, such as the surface area of nasal airway and the volume of nasal cavity, are considered to be related to the nasal function of heating the inhaled airflow. The approximate function describing the relationship between the geometric parameters of the nasal airway and the nasal functions is gotten. This study can provide a numerical platform for studying some clinical problems and will contribute to the further research on the relationship between nasal structure and nasal functions.
Stochasticθ-Methods for a Class of Jump-Diffusion Stochastic Pantograph Equations with Random Magnitude
Authors: Yang Hua , Jiang Feng
Published: February 2014

This paper is concerned with the convergence of stochasticθ-methods for stochastic pantograph equations with Poisson-driven jumps of random magnitude. The strong order of the convergence of the numerical method is given, and the convergence of the numerical method is obtained. Some earlier results are generalized and improved.
Nonparametric Regression with Subfractional Brownian Motion via Malliavin Calculus
Authors: Cang Yuquan , Liu Junfeng , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2014

We study the asymptotic behavior of the sequenceSn=∑i=0n-1K(nαSiH1)(Si+1H2-SiH2),asntends to infinity, whereSH1andSH2are two independent subfractional Brownian motions with indicesH1andH2, respectively.Kis a kernel function and the bandwidth parameterαsatisfies some hypotheses in terms ofH1andH2. Its limiting distribution is a mixed normal law involving the local time of the sub-fractional Brownian motionSH1. We mainly use the techniques of Malliavin calculus with respect to sub-fractional Brownian motion.
Occurrence of Pre- and Postoperative Stress Urinary Incontinence in 105 Patients Who Underwent Tension-Free Vaginal Mesh Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kanasaki Haruhiko , Oride Aki , Mitsuo Tomomi , Miyazaki Kohji
Published: February 2014

Objective. To examine retrospectively the occurrence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in patients who underwent transvaginal mesh repair (TVM) for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods. The presence of preoperative SUI and postoperative changes in SUI was retrospectively analyzed for 105 patients who underwent TVM for POP between September 2009 and September 2012. Results. Preoperative SUI was observed in almost half of the patients (n=50) who underwent TVM surgery. No significant differences were seen in patient age, pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) stage, or primary POP complaint between those with and without preoperative SUI. Of the 50 patients with preoperative SUI, SUI was resolved in 14 (28%) following TVM surgery. Of the 55 patients without preoperative SUI, de novo postoperative SUI appeared in 26 (47.3%), of whom approximately half experienced resolution or improvement of SUI within 6 months postoperatively. There was no relationship between preoperative residual urine volume and occurrence of postoperative SUI. Conclusion. TVM surgery is a useful surgical method that can replace traditional methods for treating POP, but sufficient informed consent with regards to the onset of postoperative SUI is required.
Elevated Heparin-Induced Antibodies Are More Common in Diabetic Patients with Vascular Disease
Authors: Naoum Joseph J. , Chamoun Nibal R. , Patel Mitul S. , Street Tiffany K. , Haydar Mazen , Bismuth Jean , El-Sayed Hosam F. , Davies Mark G. , Lumsden Alan B. , Peden Eric K.
Published: February 2014

Background. Hypercoagulable disorders can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), arterial thrombosis or embolization, and early or recurrent bypass graft failure. The purpose of this study was to identify whether diabetes increased the likelihood of heparin-induced platelet factor 4 antibodies in at risk vascular patients.
Methods. We reviewed clinical data on 300 consecutive patients. A hypercoagulable workup was performed if patients presented with (1) early bypass/graft thrombosis (<30 days), (2) multiple bypass/graft thrombosis, and (3) a history of DVT, pulmonary embolus (PE), or native vessel thrombosis. Relevant clinical variables were analyzed and compared between patients with diabetes (DM) and without diabetes (nDM).
Results. 85 patients (47 women; age 53 ± 16 years, range 16–82 years) had one of the defined conditions and underwent a hypercoagulable evaluation. Screening was done in 4.7% of patients with early bypass graft thrombosis, 60% of patients were screened because of multiple bypass or graft thrombosis, and 35.3% had a previous history of DVT, PE, or native vessel thrombosis. Of the 43 patients with DM and 42 nDM evaluated, 59 patients (69%) had an abnormal hypercoagulable profile. An elevated heparin antibody level was present in 30% of DM and 12% of nDM patients (chi-squared test P<0.04). Additionally, DM was associated with a higher likelihood of arterial complications while nDM was associated with a higher rate of venous adverse events (chi-squared test P<0.003).
Conclusions. Diabetes is associated with a higher likelihood of developing heparin-induced antibodies and an increased combined incidence of arterial complications that include early or multiple bypass/graft thrombosis. This finding may influence the choice of anticoagulation in diabetic patients at risk with vascular disease.
Morphological Variability of Wild Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. sylvestris) Populations in North of Tunisia
Authors: Ben Ammar Imen , Harzallah-Skhiri Fethia , Al Mohandes Dridi Bouthaina
Published: February 2014

In north of Tunisia, wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. sylvestris (Lamk) Fiori) is called “khurshef.” It is consumed mainly for its fleshy stems and leafstalks in some traditional dishes. In some regions, heads were used to prepare cheese. North Tunisian germplasm has been currently damaged by severe genetic erosion, pollution, urbanization, and bad farming practices. In order to preserve this species and to assess morphological relationship between accessions, the present study aims to prospect and to characterize individuals in several areas of the north of Tunisia. Six populations were collected and then 20 individuals per population were evaluated using UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plant) descriptors related to leaves, leafstalks, and heads. Multivariate analyses were used to elucidate relationship among the studied populations. Principal components analysis revealed more diversity within each population. Cluster study reveals large variability among populations. This analysis allows classifying the germplasm of wild cardoon into five groups. Similarities observed between ecotypes despite their distinctiveness of geographic origin suggest a narrow genetic base. These analyses are very useful for the management and the use of wild cardoon in future breeding programs for Cynara germplasm.
Skeletal Muscle Mass Indices in Healthy Young Mexican Adults Aged 20–40 Years: Implications for Diagnoses of Sarcopenia in the Elderly Population
Authors: Alemán-Mateo H. , Ruiz Valenzuela Roxana E.
Published: February 2014

Background and Objectives. Skeletal muscle and skeletal muscle indices in young adults from developing countries are sparse. Indices and the corresponding cut-off points can be a reference for diagnoses of sarcopenia. This study assessed skeletal muscle using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in healthy male and female subjects aged 20–40 years and compared their appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and total-body skeletal muscle (TBSM) indices using certain cut-off points published in the literature.Methods. A sample of 216 healthy adults men and women from northwest Mexico was included. Body composition was assessed by DXA and several published DXA-derived skeletal muscle indices were compared.Results. Both, ASM and TBSM were higher in men compared to the women group (23.0 ± 3.4 versus 15.9 ± 1.6 kg;P<0.05and 26.5 ± 4.1 versus 16.9 ± 1.9 kg;P<0.05, resp.). These differences were also valid for both indices. When derived cut-off points were compared with the most reported indices, significant differences were found.Interpretation and Conclusion. Published cut-off points from Caucasians are higher than cut-off point derived in this sample of Mexican subjects. The new DXA-derived cut-off points for ASM proposed herein may improve diagnoses of sarcopenia in the geriatric Mexican population.
Application of Nursing Process and Its Affecting Factors among Nurses Working in Mekelle Zone Hospitals, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Hagos Fisseha , Alemseged Fessehaye , Balcha Fikadu , Berhe Semarya , Aregay Alemseged
Published: February 2014

Background.Nursing process is considered as appropriate method to explain the nursing essence, its scientific bases, technologies and humanist assumptions that encourage critical thinking and creativity, and permits solving problems in professional practice.Objective.To assess the application of nursing process and it’s affecting factors in Mekelle Zone Hospitals.Methods.A cross sectional design employing quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted in Mekelle zone hospitals March 2011. Qualitative data was collected from14 head nurses of six hospitals and quantitative was collected from 200 nurses selected by simple random sampling technique from the six hospitals proportional to their size. SPSS version 16.1 and thematic analysis was used for quantitative and qualitative data respectively.Results.Majority 180 (90%) of the respondents have poor knowledge and 99.5% of the respondents have a positive attitude towards the nursing process. All of the respondents said that they did not use the nursing process during provision of care to their patients at the time of the study. Majority (75%) of the respondent said that the nurse to patient ratio was not optimal to apply the nursing process.Conclusion and Recommendation.The nursing process is not yet applied in all of the six hospitals. The finding revealed that the knowledge of nurses on the nursing process is not adequate to put it in to practice and high patient nurse ratio affects its application. The studied hospitals should consider the application of the nursing process critically by motivating nurses and monitor and evaluate its progress.
Masquelet Technique for Treatment of Posttraumatic Bone Defects
Authors: Wong Tak Man , Lau Tak Wing , Li Xin , Fang Christian , Yeung Kelvin , Leung Frankie
Published: February 2014

Masquelet technique, which is the use of a temporary cement spacer followed by staged bone grafting, is a recent treatment strategy to manage a posttraumatic bone defect. This paper describes a series of 9 patients treated with this technique of staged bone grafting following placement of an antibiotic spacer to successfully manage osseous long bone defects. The injured limbs were stabilized and aligned at the time of initial spacer placement. In our series, osseous consolidation was successfully achieved in all cases. This technique gives promising result in the management of posttraumatic bone defects.
Statin Treatment Is Associated with Reduction in Serum Levels of Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand and Neutrophil Activation in Patients with Severe Carotid Stenosis
Authors: Lenglet Sébastien , Quercioli Alessandra , Fabre Mathias , Galan Katia , Pelli Graziano , Nencioni Alessio , Bauer Inga , Pende Aldo , Python Magaly , Bertolotto Maria , Spinella Giovanni , Pane Bianca , Palombo Domenico , Dallegri Franco , Mach François , Vuilleumier Nicolas , Montecucco Fabrizio
Published: February 2014

Systemic and intraplaque biomarkers have been widely investigated in clinical cohorts as promising surrogate parameters of cardiovascular vulnerability. In this pilot study, we investigated if systemic and intraplaque levels of calcification biomarkers were affected by treatment with a statin in a cohort of patients with severe carotid stenosis and being asymptomatic for ischemic stroke. Patients on statin therapy had reduced serum osteopontin (OPN), RANKL/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio, and MMP-9/pro-MMP-9 activity as compared to untreated patients. Statin-treated patients exhibited increased levels of collagen and reduced neutrophil infiltration in downstream portions of carotid plaques as compared to untreated controls. In upstream plaque portions, OPG content was increased in statin-treated patients as compared to controls. Other histological parameters (such as lipid, macrophage, smooth muscle cell, and MMP-9 content) as well as RANKL, RANK, and OPG mRNA levels did not differ between the two patient groups. Serum RANKL/OPG ratio positively correlated with serum levels of neutrophilic products, intraplaque neutrophil, and MMP-9 content within downstream portions of carotid plaques. In conclusion, statin treatment was associated with improvement in serum RANKL levels and reduced neutrophil activity both systemically and in atherosclerotic plaques.
Mitochondrial Morphofunctional Alterations in Smooth Muscle Cells of Aorta in Rats
Authors: Baez María del Carmen , Tarán Mariana , Llorens Candelaria , Balceda Ariel , Scribano María de La Paz , Pons Patricia , Moya Mónica
Published: February 2014

In an experimental model of atherogenesis induced by hyperfibrinogenemia (HF), the pharmacological response of vitamin E was studied in order to assess its antioxidant effect on the mitochondrial morphofunctional alterations in aortic smooth muscle cells. Three groups of male rats were used: (Ctr) control, (AI) atherogenesis induced for 120 days, and (AIE) atherogenesis induced for 120 days and treated with vitamin E. HF was induced by adrenalin injection (0.1 mg/day/rat) for 120 days. AIE group was treated with the administration of 3.42 mg/day/rat of vitamin E for 105 days after the first induction. Mitochondria morphology was analyzed by electronic microscopy (EM) and mitochondrial complexes (MC) by spectrophotometry. In group AI the total and mean number of mitochondria reduced significantly, the intermembranous matrix increased, and swelling was observed with respect to Ctr and AIE (P<0.01). These damages were related to a significant decrease in the activity of citrate synthase and complexes I, II, III, and IV in group AI in comparison to Ctr (P<0.001). Similar behavior was presented by group AI compared to AIE (P<0.001). These results show that vitamin E produces a significative regression of inflammatory and oxidative stress process and it resolved the morphofunctional mitochondrial alterations in this experimental model of atherogenic disease.
New Improved Fractional Order Differentiator Models Based on Optimized Digital Differentiators
Authors: Gupta Maneesha , Yadav Richa
Published: February 2014

Different evolutionary algorithms (EAs), namely, particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), and PSO-GA hybrid optimization, have been used to optimize digital differential operators so that these can be better fitted to exemplify their new improved fractional order differentiator counterparts. First, the paper aims to provide efficient 2nd and 3rd order operators in connection with process of minimization of error fitness function by registering mean, median, and standard deviation values in different random iterations to ascertain the best results among them, using all the abovementioned EAs. Later, these optimized operators are discretized for half differentiator models for utilizing their restored qualities inhibited from their optimization. Simulation results present the comparisons of the proposed half differentiators with the existing and amongst different models based on 2nd and 3rd order optimized operators. Proposed half differentiators have been observed to approximate the ideal half differentiator and also outperform the existing ones reasonably well in complete range of Nyquist frequency.
Reliability Prediction of Ontology-Based Service Compositions Using Petri Net and Time Series Models
Authors: Li Jia , Xia Yunni , Luo Xin
Published: February 2014

OWL-S, one of the most important Semantic Web service ontologies proposed to date, provides a core ontological framework and guidelines for describing the properties and capabilities of their web services in an unambiguous, computer interpretable form. Predicting the reliability of composite service processes specified in OWL-S allows service users to decide whether the process meets the quantitative quality requirement. In this study, we consider the runtime quality of services to be fluctuating and introduce a dynamic framework to predict the runtime reliability of services specified in OWL-S, employing the Non-Markovian stochastic Petri net (NMSPN) and the time series model. The framework includes the following steps: obtaining the historical response times series of individual service components; fitting these series with a autoregressive-moving-average-model (ARMA for short) and predicting the future firing rates of service components; mapping the OWL-S process into a NMSPN model; employing the predicted firing rates as the model input of NMSPN and calculating the normal completion probability as the reliability estimate. In the case study, a comparison between the static model and our approach based on experimental data is presented and it is shown that our approach achieves higher prediction accuracy.
NovelCastellaniella denitrificansSA13P as a Potent Malachite Green Decolorizing Strain
Authors: Chawla Ankita , Singh Saharan Baljeet
Published: February 2014

Triphenylmethane dyes represent a major group of dyes causing serious environmental hazards. Malachite Green is one of the commonly and extensively used triphenylmethane dyes although it is carcinogenic and mutagenic in nature. Various physicochemical methods have been employed for its elimination but are highly expensive, coupled with the formation of huge amount of sludge. Hence, biological methods being ecofriendly are good alternatives. In the present study, the novel bacterial isolate SA13P was isolated from UASB tank of tannery effluent treatment plant. Phylogenetic characterization of 1470 bp fragment of SA13P has revealed its similarity withCastellaniella denitrificans. This strain has been found to decolorize the dye (malachite green) at a concentration of 100 mg L−1(80.29%). Decolorization was done by living bacterial cells rather than adsorption. Growth conditions have also been optimized for the decolorization. Maximum decolorization was observed at a temperature of 37°C and pH 8.0. Also, it has been found that bacterization of seeds ofVigna radiatawithCastellaniella denitrificansSA13P increases germination rate. We have reported for the first time thatCastellaniella denitrificansSA13P may be used as a novel strain for dye decolorization (malachite green) and biological treatment of tannery effluent.