bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective, randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of smart glasses on vestibular examination skills
Authors: Iversen Maura D , Kiami Sheri , Singh Karandeep , Masiello Italo , von Heideken Johan
Published: March 2016

This proof-of-concept trial explored whether using Google Glass to augment instruction of vestibular assessment and treatment skills increased student competence. In 2015, 103 physiotherapy students with no prior vestibular examination training participated in a lab for adults with vestibular dysfunction led by experienced clinicians. Half were randomised (blocked on gender and self-efficacy) to standard lab instruction and half to the experiential lab wherein the instructor used the Google Glass video function in real time, along with verbal instruction. Students completed a pretest questionnaire to establish self-reported skill level in vestibular dysfunction assessment and treatment. Another faculty member assessed students' competence in these clinical skills after 7 days. A student evaluation of teaching was completed after the teaching session. No between-group differences existed regarding change in self-efficacy scores for vestibular assessment and treatment skills preintervention and postintervention. Students in the Google Glass group scored slightly better on the clinical skills check (median score of 19 (range 16–20) versus 18 (range 16–20); p=0.03). 40 students (77%) in the Google Glass group performed the assessment satisfactorily versus 30 (59%) (p=0.049) in the standard lab group. The majority of students evaluated the video quality as unacceptable. This novel study demonstrated that using Google Glass to live stream vestibular assessment and treatment techniques in first-person view had a significant but small impact on acquisition of these clinical skills.
LRS Bianchi type-V universe with variable modified Chaplygin gas in a scalar–tensor theory of gravitation
Authors: Santhi M. Vijaya , Rao V.U.M. , Aditya Y.
Published: March 2016

The spatially homogeneous and anisotropic LRS Bianchi type-V Universe filled with variable modified Chaplygin gas in the framework of the Brans–Dicke (Brans and Dicke. Phys. Rev. 124, 925 (1961). doi:10.1103/PhysRev.124.925) scalar–tensor theory of gravitation has been studied. To obtain a determinate solution of the field equations we have used the condition that scalar field ([Formula: see text]) is a function of average scale factor. Some physical and kinematical properties of the model are discussed. We have also analyzed the stability of the solution.
Persian Handwritten Number Recognition Using Adapted Framing Feature and Support Vector Machines
Authors: Sajedi Hedieh , Bahador Mehran
Published: March 2016

In this paper, a new approach for segmentation and recognition of Persian handwritten numbers is presented. This method utilizes the framing feature technique in combination with outer profile feature that we named this the adapted framing feature. In our proposed approach, segmentation of the numbers into digits has been carried out automatically. In the classification stage of the proposed method, Support Vector Machines (SVM) and k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN) are used. Experimentations are conducted on the IFHCDB database consisting 17,740 numeral images and HODA database consisting 102,352 numeral images. In isolated digit level on IFHCDB, the recognition rate of 99.27%, is achieved by using SVM with polynomial kernel. Furthermore, in isolated digit level on HODA, the recognition rate of 99.07% is achieved by using SVM with polynomial kernel. The experiments illustrate that applying our proposed method resulted higher accuracy compared to previous researches.
Japan's Politics: Crossing the Rubicon
Authors: LAM Peng Er
Published: March 2016

In 2015, an unprecedented set of security bills was passed in Japanese parliament, permitting Tokyo to engage in collective security by aiding allies against third parties and to loosen the tight restrictions on the Self-Defence Force in United Nations Peace Keeping Operations, its rules of engagement and other multilateral deployment abroad. With these bills, Japan has crossed the Rubicon and evolved into a “normal” state in international affairs.
Network-Oblivious Algorithms
Authors: Bilardi Gianfranco , Pietracaprina Andrea , Pucci Geppino , Scquizzato Michele , Silvestri Francesco
Published: March 2016

A framework is proposed for the design and analysis of network-oblivious algorithms, namely algorithms that can run unchanged, yet efficiently, on a variety of machines characterized by different degrees of parallelism and communication capabilities. The framework prescribes that a network-oblivious algorithm be specified on a parallel model of computation where the only parameter is the problem’s input size, and then evaluated on a model with two parameters, capturing parallelism granularity and communication latency. It is shown that for a wide class of network-oblivious algorithms, optimality in the latter model implies optimality in the decomposable bulk synchronous parallel model, which is known to effectively describe a wide and significant class of parallel platforms. The proposed framework can be regarded as an attempt to port the notion of obliviousness, well established in the context of cache hierarchies, to the realm of parallel computation. Its effectiveness is illustrated by providing optimal network-oblivious algorithms for a number of key problems. Some limitations of the oblivious approach are also discussed.
STCAPLRS
Authors: Fang Quan , Xu Changsheng , Hossain M. Shamim , Muhammad G.
Published: March 2016

Newly emerging location-based social media network services (LBSMNS) provide valuable resources to understand users’ behaviors based on their location histories. The location-based behaviors of a user are generally influenced by both user intrinsic interest and the location preference, and moreover are spatial-temporal context dependent. In this article, we propose a spatial-temporal context-aware personalized location recommendation system (STCAPLRS), which offers a particular user a set of location items such as points of interest or venues (e.g., restaurants and shopping malls) within a geospatial range by considering personal interest, local preference, and spatial-temporal context influence. STCAPLRS can make accurate recommendation and facilitate people’s local visiting and new location exploration by exploiting the context information of user behavior, associations between users and location items, and the location and content information of location items. Specifically, STCAPLRS consists of two components: offline modeling and online recommendation. The core module of the offline modeling part is a context-aware regression mixture model that is designed to model the location-based user behaviors in LBSMNS to learn the interest of each individual user, the local preference of each individual location, and the context-aware influence factors. The online recommendation part takes a querying user along with the corresponding querying spatial-temporal context as input and automatically combines the learned interest of the querying user, the local preference of the querying location, and the context-aware influence factor to produce the top-
k
recommendations. We evaluate the performance of STCAPLRS on two real-world datasets: Dianping and Foursquare. The results demonstrate the superiority of STCAPLRS in recommending location items for users in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency. Moreover, the experimental analysis results also illustrate the excellent interpretability of STCAPLRS.
Incentives for Effort in Crowdsourcing Using the Peer Truth Serum
Authors: Radanovic Goran , Faltings Boi , Jurca Radu
Published: March 2016

Crowdsourcing is widely proposed as a method to solve a large variety of judgment tasks, such as classifying website content, peer grading in online courses, or collecting real-world data. As the data reported by workers cannot be verified, there is a tendency to report random data without actually solving the task. This can be countered by making the reward for an answer depend on its consistency with answers given by other workers, an approach called
peer consistency
. However, it is obvious that the best strategy in such schemes is for all workers to report the same answer without solving the task.

Dasgupta and Ghosh [2013] show that, in some cases, exerting high effort can be encouraged in the highest-paying equilibrium. In this article, we present a general mechanism that implements this idea and is applicable to most crowdsourcing settings. Furthermore, we experimentally test the novel mechanism, and validate its theoretical properties.
Rapid-onset hypoglycemia suppresses Fos expression in discrete parts of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus
Authors: Foster Nicholas N. , Azam Sana , Watts Alan G.
Published: March 2016

The consensus view of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) is that it is a key node in the rodent brain network controlling sympathoadrenal counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia. To identify the location of hypoglycemia-responsive neurons in the VMH, we performed a high spatial resolution Fos analysis in the VMH of rats made hypoglycemic with intraperitoneal injections of insulin. We examined Fos expression in the four constituent parts of VMH throughout its rostrocaudal extent and determined their relationship to blood glucose concentrations. Hypoglycemia significantly decreased Fos expression only in the dorsomedial and central parts of the VMH, but not its anterior or ventrolateral parts. Moreover, the number of Fos-expressing neurons was significantly and positively correlated in the two responsive regions with terminal blood glucose concentrations. We also measured Fos responses in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) and in several levels of the periaqueductal gray (PAG), which receives strong projections from the VMH. We found the expected and highly significant increase in Fos in the neuroendocrine PVH, which was negatively correlated to terminal blood glucose concentrations, but no significant differences were seen in any part of the PAG. Our results show that there are distinct populations of VMH neurons whose Fos expression is suppressed by hypoglycemia, and their numbers correlate with blood glucose. These findings support a clear division of glycemic control functions within the different parts of the VMH.
Obesity-prone high-fat-fed rats reduce caloric intake and adiposity and gain more fat-free mass when allowed to self-select protein from carbohydrate:fat intake
Authors: Azzout-Marniche Dalila , Chalvon-Demersay Tristan , Pimentel Grégory , Chaumontet Catherine , Nadkarni Nachiket A. , Piedcoq Julien , Fromentin Gilles , Tomé Daniel , Gaudichon Claire , Even Patrick C.
Published: March 2016

We tested the hypothesis that, for rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD), a prioritization of maintaining protein intake may increase energy consumption and hence result in obesity, particularly for individuals prone to obesity (“fat sensitive,” FS, vs. “fat resistant,” FR). Male Wistar rats ( n = 80) first received 3 wk of HFD (protein 15%, fat 42%, carbohydrate 42%), under which they were characterized as being FS ( n = 18) or FR ( n = 20) based on body weight gain. They then continued on the same HFD but in which protein (100%) was available separately from the carbohydrate:fat (50:50%) mixture. Under this second regimen, all rats maintained their previous protein intake, whereas intake of fat and carbohydrate was reduced by 50%. This increased protein intake to 26% and decreased fat intake to 37%. Adiposity gain was prevented in both FR and FS rats, and gain in fat-free mass was increased only in FS rats. At the end of the study, the rats were killed 2 h after ingestion of a protein meal, and their tissues and organs were collected for analysis of body composition and measurement of mRNA levels in the liver, adipose tissue, arcuate nucleus, and nucleus accumbens. FS rats had a higher expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in lipogenesis in the liver and white adipose tissue. These results show that FS rats strongly reduced food intake and adiposity gain through macronutrient selection, despite maintenance of a relatively high-fat intake and overexpression of genes favoring lipogenesis.
Endoscopic Management of Difficult Bile Duct Stones
Authors: Ell Christian
Published: March 2016

More than 90% of all common bile duct concrements can be removed via the endoscopic retrograde route via endoscopic sphincterotomy, stone extraction by baskets and balloon catheters, or mechanical lithotripsy. Oversized, very hard or impacted stones, however, often still resist conventional endoscopic therapy. Promising new or improved approaches for the treatment of these stones are intracorporeal or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Shockwave lithotriptors for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy are currently available worldwide. However, for the waterbath first generation devices, general anesthesia is required since shockwaves are very painful. Furthermore, an x-ray localization system is essential to visualize the stones after having filled the bile duct over a nasobiliary catheter. An average of two shockwave treatments with additional two to four endoscopic sessions are required. ln tracorporeal lithotripsy promises more comfort and less effort for the patient. Shockwaves are generated either by means of the spark gap principle (electrohydraulic probes) or by laser-induced plasma generation. Laser-induced shockwave lithotripsy appears to be more safer, since with dye and solid state lasers, athermal, well-controlled shockwaves can be generateJ without the risks for duct perfo ration (as described for the electrohydraulic system). Furthermore, a recently developed stone-tissue detection system integrated in a new dye laser system enchances the safety of laser-induced lithotripsy. ln consequence, lithotripsy without direct endoscopic control appears possible in selected cases.
Colonic Ulcerations Associated with Diclofenac Treatment
Authors: Schönberger Bernd , Nickl Stephan , Schweiger Franzjosef
Published: March 2016

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs frequently exert toxic effects on the upper gastrointestinal mucosa. However, inflammation and ulcerations in the colon secondary to these agents have been increasingly recognized in recent years. A patient presenting with abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhea while taking a slow release form of diclofenac sodium (Voltaren SR; Ciba-Geigy) is described. Extensive ulcerations in the right colon and healing upon discontinuation of the drug are documented by colonoscopy.
Localization and Treatment of Small and Large Bowel Bleeding
Authors: Hunt Richard H
Published: March 2016

Bleeding from the small or large bowel may present a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician, requiring careful consideration and multidisciplinary consultation before the problem is located. Careful selection of the appropriate investigations in the most logical order is important to minimize delay to diagnosis, inconvenience, discomfort and risk to the patient and costs to health care delivery.
Occult Celiac Disease in an Octogenarian Presenting with a Small Intestinal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Freeman Hugh James
Published: March 2016

An 85-year-old male initially presented with an obstructed upper gastrointestinal tract associated with a duodenal adenocarcinoma. Subsequent histological studies revealed occult celiac disease, an associated condition that otherwise would not have been recognized in this elderly patient. The celiac disease responded to a gluten-free diet, even in the presence of an intestinal adenocarcinoma. This report suggests that celiac disease and small bowel carcinoma may coexist more frequently than is appreciated.
Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp Causing Colocolic Intussusception in an Infant
Authors: Walton Mark , Bass Juan , Carpenter Blair
Published: March 2016

A three-month-old infant presented to the emergency department with a 24 h history of irritability and lesion prolapsing intermittently per anus. The child had a six-week history of blood and mucus per rectum. Digital rectal examination and sigmoidoscopy revealed what appeared to be a large mobile polypoid lesion arising from the rectum. Plans for excision were made. Sigmoidoscopy performed the following morning failed to demonstrate any lesion in the rectum or sigmoid. Barium enema demonstrated a sessile ‘apple core type’ lesion in the descending colon. Segmental resection of the descending colon with end-to-end anastomosis was performed. Pathological examination of the resected bowel demonstrated features consistent with an inflammatory fibroid polyp. This case appears to be unique because of the young age of the patient, its unusual location and its presentation as an intermittent colocolic intussusception.
Occult Celiac Disease Associated with Lymphocytic Sclerosing Cholangitis
Authors: Freeman Hugh J , Kwan WC Peter
Published: March 2016

A 60-year-old male with dermatitis herpetiformis and a previously treated lymphoma involving an inguinal lymph node developed abnormal liver chemistry tests. Because of intermittent diarrhea, additional studies revealed lymphocytic colitis and occult celiac disease that responded to a gluten-free diet. A liver biopsy done to explore persistently abnormal liver chemistry tests showed a portal tract-centred inflammatory process characterized by biliary ductal proliferation, epithelial lymphocytosis and concentric lamellar fibrosis. Quantitation of immunoglobulins was normal and antimitochondrial antibodies were negative. Retrograde cholangiograms showed radiological features typical of primary sclerosing cholangius. The epithelial lymphocycosis reported in gastric, small and large intestinal mucosa of some patients with celiac disease may also be present in the biliary ductal columnar epithelium. This report provides additional evidence that celiac disease may be a far more extensive pathological process.
Colitis Cystica Profunda Complicated by Complete Colorectal Obstruction
Authors: Freeman Hugh James
Published: March 2016

An unusual presentation of colitis cystica profunda was seen in a 39-year-old male with a complete colonic obstruction due to an intussception with a rectosigmoid inflammatory mass. The patient had apparent antecedent distal ulcerative colitis and management included subtotal colectomy. Removal of the rectosigmoid mass produced a satisfactory clinical result with no colonoscopic or histological evidence of recurrent disease in the subsequent decade. Although rare, this entity should be considered during the evaluation of any inflammatory process involving the distal colon, especially if an inflammatory polypoid colonic mass is present or a mucinous adenocarcinoma is suspected.
An Unusual Presentation of Metastatic Squamous Cell Cervical Carcinoma Involving the Distal Ileum Mimicking Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Yoshida Eric M , Chaun Hugh , Swenerton Kenneth D , Berean Kenneth W , McGregor Gregor I
Published: March 2016

Both primary and secondary malignant diseases may present with a clinical, radiological and/or endoscopic picture resembling Crohn’s disease. In this report, a 64-year-old woman previously treated surgically and with radiation for stage I B squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix presented with diarrhea and had endoscopic findings simulating Crohn’s disease. Biopsies and subsequent laparotomy revealed that the lesions were metastatic cervical carcinoma involving the terminal ileum.
Cholestasis in Crohn's Disease: A Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Hilzenrat Nir , Lamoureux Esther , Sherker Averell , Cohen Albert
Published: March 2016

A 24-year-old male with Crohn's disease who developed three independent episodes of cholestatic liver disease over an eight-year period is described. The first episode was related to an idiosyncratic drug reaction while on sulfasalazine. The second episode, at the time of an exacerbation of his colitis, was characterized by moderate portal inflammation on liver biopsy and resolved quickly while he was on corticosteroid therapy. The most recent episode, occurring when the bowel disease was quiescent, was due to granulomatous hepatitis and resolved clinically with no specific therapy. Because numerous potentially serious hepatobiliary complications have been associated with inflammatory bowel disease, prompt and aggressive investigation in these instances is recommended.
Increased Incidence of Second Malignancies Associated with Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ripley Dianne , Weinerman Brian H
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:Some data suggest that there is an increased incidence of second malignancies associated with small bowel adenocarcinomas, but this has not been reviewed in the context of a tumour registry.

OBJECTIVE:To review tumour registries based on population statistics to determine whether there is an increased incidence of second malignancies associated with small bowel adenocarcinomas.

METHODS:The authors reviewed the tumour registries of two Canadian provinces (British Columbia and Manitoba) for small bowel adenocarcinoma to determine whether an increase in associated malignancies existed compared with those expected in the respective populations.

RESULTS:A greater than eightfold increase in second malignancies was associated with small bowel carcinoma. The majority (73%) occurred before the diagnosis of the small bowel malignancy. Twenty-nine per cent were associated with cancers of the colon, rectum or both.

CONCLUSIONS:There is an increased association of malignancy and the diagnosis of small bowel cancer. Generally, small bowel cancer is the second malignancy to be diagnosed, and the diagnosis is most often made in the elderly. Does this represent a syndrome related to an unstable gene (or genes) or a lack of repair, which makes individuals susceptible to this malignancy as they age?
CanadianHelicobacter pyloriConsensus Conference
Authors: Hunt Richard , Thomson Alan BR
Published: March 2016

These guidelines were created to dispel confusion and provide guidance about how the isolation ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection has led to new opportunities and initiatives to improve patient care. The guidelines are designed for practical application in management decisions, but must remain flexible and amenable to change with new information. Updated versions of the recommendations are anticipated. Although it is now clear thatH pyloriis a major gastrointestinal pathogen, the extent of the clinical consequences posed by this microorganism has yet to be fully defined.
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Practice Guidelines: Evaluation of Dysphagia
Authors: Cockeram Alan W
Published: March 2016

Dysphagia may be defined as difficulty in swallowing. Dysphagia may be classified as oropharyngeal or esophageal; oropharyngeal dysphagia arises from a structural or functional abnormality in the oropharynx, and esophageal dysphagia occurs as a result of structural or functional abnormalities in the esophagus. Esophageal dysphagia may be further subclassified symptomatically as dysphagia for solids alone, which usually suggests a mechanical problem, versus dysphagia for liquids and solids, which is more suggestive of a neuromuscular problem. Dysphagia may be described by the patient as a sensation of food 'sticking' or as a sensation of food passing slowly through the esophagus. True dysphagia always indicates organic disease and always warrants investigation and consultation if no cause is found in initial studies. These symptoms should be distinguished from those of a persistent foreign body-type sensation or a sensation of a lump, which is more typical of globus sensation. Odynophagia, defined as pain with swallowing, may occur in association with esophageal dysmotility or as a result of mucosal disease in the esophagus.
Combination Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole for Active Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Greenbloom Susan L , Steinhart A Hillary , Greenberg Gordon R
Published: March 2016

Recent experimental evidence underscores the contribution of intestinal bacteria to the inflammatory process of Crohn's disease. This open study examined the efficacy and safety of combination ciprofloxacin and metronidazole for patients with active Crohn's disease of the ileum and/or colon. Seventy-two patients with active Crohn's disease of the ileum (n=27), ileocolon (n=22) or colon (n=23) were treated with ciprofloxacin 500 mg bid and metronidazole 250 mg tid for a mean of 10 weeks. Clinical remission was defined as a Harvey-Bradshaw index of three points or less; an index reduction of at least three points indicated a clinical response. Clinical remission was observed in 49 patients (68%), and 55 patients (76%) showed a clinical response. A clinical response was noted in 29 of 43 patients (67%) who were not taking concurrent prednisone treatment and in 26 of 29 patients (90%) receiving prednisone (mean dose of 15 mg/day). A clinical response also occurred in a greater proportion of patients with colonic disease, with or without ileal involvement (84%), compared with patients with ileal disease alone (64%), and in patients without resection (86%) compared with those with previous resection (61%). Five patients discontinued antibiotics because of adverse events. After a mean follow-up of nine months, clinical remission was maintained in 26 patients off treatment and in 12 patients who continued antibiotic therapy. Ciprofloxacin in combination with metronidazole is well tolerated and appears to play a beneficial role in achieving clinical remission for patients with active Crohn's disease, particularly when there is involvement of the colon.
Liver Transplantation for Neuropsychiatric Wilson Disease
Authors: Kassam Narmin , Witt Norbert , Kneteman Norman , Bain Vincent G
Published: March 2016

Although neuropsychiatric manifestations are prominent in some patients with Wilson disease, there is little published information regarding the efficacy of liver transplantation for these patients. A 22-year-old male with advanced neurological impairment and prominent psychiatric manifestations due to Wilson disease who underwent liver transplantation is presented. After transplantation, the ceruloplasmin and copper studies normalized and eventually the Kayser-Fleischer rings disappeared. Neurological recovery was very slow and incomplete, and his behavioural and personality disorder was entirely unaffected. He committed suicide 43 months post-transplantation. A review of the small number of related published cases in the English language literature shows variable neurological recovery post-transplantation, but the course of psychiatric manifestations is virtually never described. This case suggests that one must be cautious regarding liver transplantation for Wilson disease in patients with prior psychiatric manifestations. Aggressive medical management is likely to be preferable in most cases.
Postliver Transplant Allograft Reinfection with a Lamivudine‐Resistant Strain of Hepatitis B Virus: Long Term Follow‐up
Authors: Yoshida Eric M , Ma Mang M , Davis Jennifer E , Fischer Karl P , Kneteman Norman M , Erb Siegfried R , Tyrrell D Lorne , Bain Vincent G
Published: March 2016

Lamivudine is a nucleoside analogue with efficacy in the suppression of hepatitis B viral (HBV) replication. In a previously reported study, lamivudine was administered to patients with chronic, actively replicating HBV infection who subsequently underwent liver transplantation. Patients became serum HBV DNA‐negative in response to lamivudine before transplantation, which was continued in the post‐transplant period. Two of four patients surviving the immediate postoperative period developed allograft reinfection 240 and 409 days post‐transplant. The strain of the reinfecting virus was analyzed, and a mutation in the YMDD region of the viral polymerase conferring resistance to lamivudine was discovered. The long term follow‐up of these two patients is reported. The first patient developed ascites 16.5 months after allograft reinfection. A transjugular liver biopsy performed 18 months after the emergence of the lamivudine‐resistant strain revealed cirrhosis and lobular hepatitis without rejection. The gradient between hepatic vein wedged and free pressures was 13 mmHg, consistent with portal hypertension. The second patient, 16 months after allograft reinfection with the lamivudine‐resistant strain, is without clinical evidence of portal hypertension, although liver enzymes remain elevated. Both patients were given a trial of famciclovir, which did not significantly suppress HBV viremia. In conclusion, lamivudine‐resistant HBV strains with the YMDD mutation may have an aggressive clinical course with rapid progression to cirrhosis. Famciclovir did not appear to be an effective rescue agent in these two patients.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Postoperative Fracture Healing Process without Metal Artifact: A Preliminary Report of a Novel Animal Model
Authors: Jin Zhe , Guan Yuheng , Yu Guibo , Sun Yu
Published: March 2016

Background. Early radiological diagnosis and continual monitoring are of ultimate importance for timely treatment of delayed union, nonunion, and infection after bone fracture surgery. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could provide superior detailed images compared with X-ray and computed tomography (CT) without ionizing radiation, metal implants used for fracture fixation lead to abundant artifacts on MRI and thus prohibit accurate interpretation. The authors develop a novel intramedullary fixation model of rat femoral fracture using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) threaded rods and investigate its feasibility for in vivo MRI monitoring of the fracture healing process without artifact.Methods. Femoral fractures of 3 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were fixed with intramedullary PEEK threaded rods. X-ray and MRI examinations were performed at day 7 postoperatively. Radiological images were analyzed for the existence of artifact interruption and postoperative changes in bone and peripheral soft tissue.Results. Postoperative plain film revealed no loss of reduction. MRI images illustrated the whole length of femur and peripheral tissue without artifact interruption, and the cortical bone, implanted PEEK rod, and soft tissue were clearly illustrated.Conclusion. This preliminary study introduced a novel rat model for in vivo MRI monitoring of the fracture healing process without metal artifact, by using intramedullary fixation of femur with PEEK threaded rod.
Importance of Skin Changes in the Differential Diagnosis of Congenital Muscular Dystrophies
Authors: Yis Uluç , Baydan Figen , Karakaya Mert , Hız Kurul Semra , Cirak Sebahattin
Published: March 2016

Megaconial congenital muscular dystrophy (OMIM 602541) is characterized with early-onset hypotonia, muscle wasting, proximal weakness, cardiomyopathy, mildly elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, and mild-to-moderate intellectual disability. We report two siblings in a consanguineous family admitted for psychomotor delay. Physical examination revealed proximal muscle weakness, contractures in the knee of elder sibling, diffuse mild generalized muscle atrophy, and dry skin with ichthyosis together with multiple nummular eczema in both siblings. Serum CK values were elevated up to 500 U/L. For genetic work-up, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) after Nimblegen enrichment on the Illumina platform. The WES revealed a novel homozygous missense mutation in the Choline Kinase-Beta (CHKB) gene c.1031G>A (p.R344Q) in exon 9. Ichthyosis-like skin changes with intense pruritus and nummular eczema may lead to clinical diagnosis in cases with megaconial congenital muscular dystrophy.
Dendritic Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: From Pathogenic Players to Therapeutic Tools
Authors: Klarquist Jared , Zhou Zhenyuan , Shen Nan , Janssen Edith M.
Published: March 2016

System lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial systemic autoimmune disease with a wide variety of presenting features. SLE is believed to result from dysregulated immune responses, loss of tolerance of CD4 T cells and B cells to ubiquitous self-antigens, and the subsequent production of anti-nuclear and other autoreactive antibodies. Recent research has associated lupus development with changes in the dendritic cell (DC) compartment, including altered DC subset frequency and localization, overactivation of mDCs and pDCs, and functional defects in DCs. Here we discuss the current knowledge on the role of DC dysfunction in SLE pathogenesis, with the focus on DCs as targets for interventional therapies.
Fluid Structural Analysis of Urine Flow in a Stented Ureter
Authors: Gómez-Blanco J. Carlos , Martínez-Reina F. Javier , Cruz Domingo , Pagador J. Blas , Sánchez-Margallo Francisco M. , Soria Federico
Published: March 2016

Many urologists are currently studying new designs of ureteral stents to improve the quality of their operations and the subsequent recovery of the patient. In order to help during this design process, many computational models have been developed to simulate the behaviour of different biological tissues and provide a realistic computational environment to evaluate the stents. However, due to the high complexity of the involved tissues, they usually introduce simplifications to make these models less computationally demanding. In this study, the interaction between urine flow and a double-J stented ureter with a simplified geometry has been analysed. The Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) of urine and the ureteral wall was studied using three models for the solid domain: Mooney-Rivlin, Yeoh, and Ogden. The ureter was assumed to be quasi-incompressible and isotropic. Data obtained in previous studies from ex vivo and in vivo mechanical characterization of different ureters were used to fit the mentioned models. The results show that the interaction between the stented ureter and urine is negligible. Therefore, we can conclude that this type of models does not need to include the FSI and could be solved quite accurately assuming that the ureter is a rigid body and, thus, using the more simple Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach.
The Fault Feature Extraction of Rolling Bearing Based on EMD and Difference Spectrum of Singular Value
Authors: Han Te , Jiang Dongxiang , Wang Nanfei
Published: March 2016

Nowadays, the fault diagnosis of rolling bearing in aeroengines is based on the vibration signal measured on casing, instead of bearing block. However, the vibration signal of the bearing is often covered by a series of complex components caused by other structures (rotor, gears). Therefore, when bearings cause failure, it is still not certain that the fault feature can be extracted from the vibration signal on casing. In order to solve this problem, a novel fault feature extraction method for rolling bearing based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and the difference spectrum of singular value is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the vibration signal is decomposed by EMD. Next, the difference spectrum of singular value method is applied. The study finds that each peak on the difference spectrum corresponds to each component in the original signal. According to the peaks on the difference spectrum, the component signal of the bearing fault can be reconstructed. To validate the proposed method, the bearing fault data collected on the casing are analyzed. The results indicate that the proposed rolling bearing diagnosis method can accurately extract the fault feature that is submerged in other component signals and noise.
Endothelial Dysfunction and Inflammation: Immunity in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Yang XueZhi , Chang Yan , Wei Wei
Published: March 2016

Inflammation, as a feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), leads to the activation of endothelial cells (ECs). Activated ECs induce atherosclerosis through an increased expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is recognized as a failure of endothelial repair mechanisms. It is also an early preclinical marker of atherosclerosis and is commonly found in RA patients. RA is now established as an independent cardiovascular risk factor, while mechanistic determinants of ED in RA are still poorly understood. An expanding body of study has shown that EC at a site of RA is both active participant and regulator of inflammatory process. Over the last decade, a role for endothelial dysfunction in RA associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been hypothesized. At the same time, several maintenance drugs targeting this phenomenon have been tested, which has promising results. Assessment of endothelial function may be a useful tool to identify and monitor RA patients.
Novel Desorber for Online Drilling Mud Gas Logging
Authors: Lackowski Marcin , Tobiszewski Marek , Namieśnik Jacek
Published: March 2016

This work presents the construction solution and experimental results of a novel desorber for online drilling mud gas logging. The traditional desorbers use mechanical mixing of the liquid to stimulate transfer of hydrocarbons to the gaseous phase that is further analyzed. The presented approach is based on transfer of hydrocarbons from the liquid to the gas bubbles flowing through it and further gas analysis. The desorber was checked for gas logging from four different drilling muds collected from Polish boreholes. The results of optimization studies are also presented in this study. The comparison of the novel desorber with a commercial one reveals strong advantages of the novel one. It is characterized by much better hydrocarbons recovery efficiency and allows reaching lower limits of detection of the whole analytical system. The presented desorber seems to be very attractive alternative over widely used mechanical desorbers.
A Review of Fuzzy Logic and Neural Network Based Intelligent Control Design for Discrete-Time Systems
Authors: Jiang Yiming , Yang Chenguang , Ma Hongbin
Published: March 2016

Over the last few decades, the intelligent control methods such as fuzzy logic control (FLC) and neural network (NN) control have been successfully used in various applications. The rapid development of digital computer based control systems requires control signals to be calculated in a digital or discrete-time form. In this background, the intelligent control methods developed for discrete-time systems have drawn great attentions. This survey aims to present a summary of the state of the art of the design of FLC and NN-based intelligent control for discrete-time systems. For discrete-time FLC systems, numerous remarkable design approaches are introduced and a series of efficient methods to deal with the robustness, stability, and time delay of FLC discrete-time systems are recommended. Techniques for NN-based intelligent control for discrete-time systems, such as adaptive methods and adaptive dynamic programming approaches, are also reviewed. Overall, this paper is devoted to make a brief summary for recent progresses in FLC and NN-based intelligent control design for discrete-time systems as well as to present our thoughts and considerations of recent trends and potential research directions in this area.
The Identification of Microdeletion and Reciprocal Microduplication in 22q11.2 Using High-Resolution CMA Technology
Authors: Leite Ana Julia Cunha , Pinto Irene Plaza , Cunha Damiana Mirian da Cruz e , Ribeiro Cristiano Luiz , da Silva Claudio Carlos , da Cruz Aparecido Divino , Minasi Lysa Bernardes
Published: March 2016

The chromosome 22q11.2 region has long been implicated in genomic diseases. Some genomic regions exhibit numerous low copy repeats with high identity in which they provide increased genomic instability and mediate deletions and duplications in many disorders. DiGeorge Syndrome is the most common deletion syndrome and reciprocal duplications could be occurring in half of the frequency of microdeletions. We described five patients with phenotypic variability that carries deletions or reciprocal duplications at 22q11.2 detected by Chromosomal Microarray Analysis. The CytoScan HD technology was used to detect changes in the genome copy number variation of patients who had clinical indication to global developmental delay and a normal karyotype. We observed in our study three microdeletions and two microduplications in 22q11.2 region with variable intervals containing known genes and unstudied transcripts as well as the LCRs that are often flanking and within this genomic rearrangement. The identification of these variants is of particular interest because it may provide insight into genes or genomic regions that are crucial for specific phenotypic manifestations and are useful to assist in the quest for understanding the mechanisms subjacent to genomic deletions and duplications.
Neuroprotection as a Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Hernández Cristina , Dal Monte Massimo , Simó Rafael , Casini Giovanni
Published: March 2016

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a multifactorial progressive disease of the retina and a leading cause of vision loss. DR has long been regarded as a vascular disorder, although neuronal death and visual impairment appear before vascular lesions, suggesting an important role played by neurodegeneration in DR and the appropriateness of neuroprotective strategies. Upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the main target of current therapies, is likely to be one of the first responses to retinal hyperglycemic stress and VEGF may represent an important survival factor in early phases of DR. Of central importance for clinical trials is the detection of retinal neurodegeneration in the clinical setting, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography seems the most indicated technique. Many substances have been tested in animal studies for their neuroprotective properties and for possible use in humans. Perhaps, the most intriguing perspective is the use of endogenous neuroprotective substances or nutraceuticals. Together, the data point to the central role of neurodegeneration in the pathogenesis of DR and indicate neuroprotection as an effective strategy for treating this disease. However, clinical trials to determine not only the effectiveness and safety but also the compliance of a noninvasive route of drug administration are needed.
A GRP78-Directed Monoclonal Antibody Recaptures Response in Refractory Multiple Myeloma with Extramedullary Involvement
Authors: Rasche Leo , Menoret Emmanuelle , Dubljevic Valentina , Menu Eline , Vanderkerken Karin , Lapa Constantin , Steinbrunn Torsten , Chatterjee Manik , Knop Stefan , Düll Johannes , Greenwood Deanne L. , Hensel Frank , Rosenwald Andreas , Einsele Hermann , Brändlein Stephanie
Published: March 2016

Purpose: Glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78 is overexpressed in multiple myeloma, and both its surface expression and its biologic significance as key sensor of the unfolded protein response make GRP78 an ideal candidate for immunotherapeutic intervention. The monoclonal antibody PAT-SM6 targets surface GRP78 and leads to disease stabilization when used as single agent in a clinical trial. In this article, we evaluated expression of GRP78 in relapsed-refractory disease and explored PAT-SM6 therapy in combination regimens.

Experimental Design: GRP78 expression was immunohistochemically analyzed during disease progression and development of drug resistance throughout different stages of multiple myeloma. Activity of PAT-SM6 was evaluated in combination with anti–multiple myeloma agents lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone in vitro. Finally, we report on a multiple myeloma patient with relapsed-refractory disease treated with PAT-SM6 in combination with bortezomib and lenalidomide.

Results: Although sGRP78 expression was present at all stages, it increased with disease progression and was even strongly elevated in patients with drug-resistant and extramedullary disease. Pretreatment with dexamethasone as well as dual combination of PAT-SM6/lenalidomide further increased sGRP78 expression and consecutively showed synergistic anti–multiple myeloma effects with PAT-SM6 in proliferation assays. As proof of concept, a 62-year-old male with triple resistant multiple myeloma treated with PAT-SM6, bortezomib, and lenalidomide experienced partial remission of both intra- and extramedullary lesions.

Conclusions: PAT-SM6 therapy in combination regimens showed efficacy in relapsed-refractory multiple myeloma. Clin Cancer Res; 22(17); 4341–9. ©2016 AACR.
The Gut Bacteria-Driven Obesity Development
Authors: Compare Debora , Rocco Alba , Sanduzzi Zamparelli Marco , Nardone Gerardo
Published: March 2016

It is now well established that a healthy gut flora is largely responsible for the overall health of the host, while a perturbation in gut microbial communities can contribute to disease susceptibility. Obesity is a complex process involving genetic and environmental factors with an epidemiological burden that makes it a major public health issue. Studies of germ-free or gnotobiotic mice provided evidence that the diversity, as well as the presence and relative proportion of different microbes in the gut play active roles in energy homeostasis. Similarly, human studies showed that both the diversity of the microbiota and the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio are decreased in obese individuals. The ‘obese microbiota' seems to be able to increase dietary energy harvest and favor weight gain and fat deposition. Although research in this field has just started and many of the available data are still conflicting, the results are providing exciting perspectives, and gut microbiota manipulation has already become a new target for both prevention and treatment of obesity.
Probiotic Bacterial and Fungal Strains: Claims with Evidence
Authors: Szajewska Hania , Konarska Zofia , Kołodziej Maciej
Published: March 2016

Background: Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit for the host. This review summarizes current (i.e. published in the last 5 years) key evidence on probiotic efficacy and its safety in adults and children. To identify relevant data, searches of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library databases were performed in August 2015 to locate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or their meta-analyses. The focus was on commonly used, well-specified, bacterial and yeast probiotics for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The MEDLINE database was also searched for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, developed by scientific societies in the same timeframe. Data on safety of probiotics were obtained from a document developed by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Key Messages: A number of relevant RCTs and meta-analyses are available. Saccharomyces boulardii is the most studied yeast probiotic, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is the most studied bacterial probiotic. For both, the best documented fact is their efficacy for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis, especially in children, and for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, both in adults and children. There is some evidence to support the use of probiotics to prevent or treat other diseases, such as necrotizing enterocolitis, infantile colic, Helicobacter pylori infection, and irritable bowel syndrome, but further studies are needed to identify which strain(s) is/are the most effective. Data on safety, particularly long-term safety, are limited. The risk of side effects is greater in people who have severe underlying health conditions. Conclusions: The evidence on bacterial and yeast probiotics has considerably expanded during recent years. Accumulated data allow one to make informed decisions about the effectiveness of probiotics and about how to reduce the use of those without proven efficacy.