bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moringa oleifera Hydroethanolic Extracts Effectively Alleviate Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Experimental Rats through Their Antioxidant Nature
Authors: Fakurazi Sharida , Sharifudin Syazana Akmal , Arulselvan Palanisamy
Published: July 2012

The aim of the study was to investigate the in vitro antioxidant properties Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO) extracts and its curative role in acetaminophen (APAP)- induced toxic liver injury in rats caused by oxidative damage. The total phenolic content and antioxidant properties of hydroethanolic extracts of different MO edible parts were investigated by employing an established in vitro biological assay. In the antihepatotoxic study, either flowers or leaves extract (200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg, i.p) were administered an hour after APAP administration, respectively. N-Acetylcysteine was used as the positive control against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The levels of liver markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the levels of oxidative damage markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) protein adduct, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were analysed and compared between experimental groups. Among MO edible parts the flower extracts contain the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, followed by leaves extract. The oxidative marker MDA, as well as 4-HNE protein adduct levels were elevated and GSH, SOD and CAT were significantly decreased in groups treated with hepatotoxin. The biochemical liver tissue oxidative markers measured in the rats treated with MO flowers and leaves hydroethanolic extracts showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the severity of the liver damage. The results of this study strongly indicate the therapeutic properties of MO hydroethanolic extracts against acute liver injury and thereby scientifically support its traditional use.
Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Highly Reactive Glycosyl Halides
Authors: Bokros Attila , Bánfi Annamária , Kupihár Zoltán , Kele Zoltán , Illyés Tünde Zita , Szolomájer János , Kovács Lajos
Published: July 2012

Highly reactive glycosyl chlorides and bromides have been analysed by a routine mass spectrometric method using electrospray ionization and lithium salt adduct-forming agents in anhydrous acetonitrile solution, providing salient lithiated molecular ions [M+Li]+, [2M+Li]+ etc. The role of other adduct-forming salts has also been evaluated. The lithium salt method is useful for accurate mass determination of these highly sensitive compounds.
Selected Vitamins and Essential Elements in Meat from Semi-Domesticated Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) in Mid- and Northern Norway: Geographical Variations and Effect of Animal Population Density
Authors: Ali Hassan Ammar , Sandanger Torkjel M. , Brustad Magritt
Published: July 2012

Meat samples (n = 100) were collected from semi-domesticated reindeer originating from 10 grazing districts in Norway. We aimed at studying concentrations, correlations, geographical variations and the effect of animal population density on vitamins A, B3, B7, B12 and E, and calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, chromium and cobalt. Mean concentrations of vitamins A, B3, B7; B12 and E were < 5 µg, 6.6 mg, < 0.5 µg, 4.7 µg and 0.5 mg/100 g wet weight, respectively. Concentrations of calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, chromium and cobalt were 4.7 mg, 2.8 mg, 6.4 mg, 19.4 µg, 1.7 µg and 0.5 µg/100 g wet weight, respectively. Vitamin E and selenium were the nutrients that exhibited the largest geographical variations (p < 0.05), although no geographical gradient was observed for any of the studied nutrients. Age had a significant effect on zinc and selenium concentrations. Iron was significantly positive correlated with calcium (r = 0.3416, p < 0.01) and vitamin B12 with zinc (r = 0.35, p < 0.05). Reindeer from districts with low animal population density had significantly higher selenium concentration than those from districts with medium and high population densities (p < 0.01). Reindeer meat contained higher vitamin B12, iron, zinc and selenium concentrations when compared to Norwegian beef, lamb, mutton, pork and chicken meat.
Exercise and Amino Acid Anabolic Cell Signaling and the Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Mass
Authors: Pasiakos Stefan M.
Published: July 2012

A series of complex intracellular networks influence the regulation of skeletal muscle protein turnover. In recent years, studies have examined how cellular regulators of muscle protein turnover modulate metabolic mechanisms contributing to the loss, gain, or conservation of skeletal muscle mass. Exercise and amino acids both stimulate anabolic signaling potentially through several intracellular pathways including the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 and the mitogen activated protein kinase cell signaling cascades. As novel molecular regulators of muscle integrity continue to be explored, a contemporary analysis of the literature is required to understand the metabolic mechanisms by which contractile forces and amino acids affect cellular process that contribute to long-term adaptations and preservation of muscle mass. This article reviews the literature related to how exercise and amino acid availability affect cellular regulators of skeletal muscle mass, especially highlighting recent investigations that have identified mechanisms by which contractile forces and amino acids modulate muscle health. Furthermore, this review will explore integrated exercise and nutrition strategies that promote the maintenance of muscle health by optimizing exercise, and amino acid-induced cell signaling in aging adults susceptible to muscle loss.
Sustainable Urban Regeneration Based on Energy Balance
Authors: Van Timmeren Arjan , Zwetsloot Jonna , Brezet Han , Silvester Sacha
Published: July 2012

In this paper, results are reported of a technology assessment of the use and integration of decentralized energy systems and storage devices in an urban renewal area. First the general context of a different approach based on 'rethinking' and the incorporation of ongoing integration of coming economical and environmental interests on infrastructure, in relation to the sustainable urban development and regeneration from the perspective of the tripod people, technology and design is elaborated. However, this is at different scales, starting mainly from the perspective of the urban dynamics. This approach includes a renewed look at the ‘urban metabolism’ and the role of environmental technology, urban ecology and environment behavior focus. Second, the potential benefits of strategic and balanced introduction and use of decentralized devices and electric vehicles (EVs), and attached generation based on renewables are investigated in more detail in the case study of the ‘Merwe-Vierhaven’ area (MW4) in the Rotterdam city port in the Netherlands. In order to optimize the energy balance of this urban renewal area, it is found to be impossible to do this by tuning the energy consumption. It is more effective to change the energy mix and related infrastructures. However, the problem in existing urban areas is that often these areas are restricted to a few energy sources due to lack of available space for integration. Besides this, energy consumption in most cases is relatively concentrated in (existing) urban areas. This limits the potential of sustainable urban regeneration based on decentralized systems, because there is no balanced choice regarding the energy mix based on renewables and system optimization. Possible solutions to obtain a balanced energy profile can come from either the choice to not provide all energy locally, or by adding different types of storage devices to the systems. The use of energy balance based on renewables as a guiding principle, as elaborated in the MW4 case study, is a new approach in the field. It may enhance existing communities, and in some cases result in both the saving and demolition of parts of neighborhoods, which were not foreseen, while at the same time direct introduction of flexible appliances within the energy system for (temporary) storage. It is concluded that the best achievable energy balance in the MW4 area consists of an elaboration in which a smart grid is able to shift the load of flexible devices and charge EVs via smart charging while energy generation is based upon the renewables biomass, wind, tides and the sun. The introduction of new sustainable technologies makes a protected environment for development evident. As for system configuration, the choices arise mainly from technical and social optimisation. In fact, the social, or user-related criteria will be decisive for enduring sustainability.
Bacillus anthracis Factors for Phagosomal Escape
Authors: Tonello Fiorella , Zornetta Irene
Published: July 2012

The mechanism of phagosome escape by intracellular pathogens is an important step in the infectious cycle. During the establishment of anthrax, Bacillus anthracis undergoes a transient intracellular phase in which spores are engulfed by local phagocytes. Spores germinate inside phagosomes and grow to vegetative bacilli, which emerge from their resident intracellular compartments, replicate and eventually exit from the plasma membrane. During germination, B. anthracis secretes multiple factors that can help its resistance to the phagocytes. Here the possible role of B. anthracis toxins, phospholipases, antioxidant enzymes and capsules in the phagosomal escape and survival, is analyzed and compared with that of factors of other microbial pathogens involved in the same type of process.
Human Menstrual Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Cells as a Cell Source of Rapid and Efficient Nuclear Reprogramming
Authors: De Carvalho Rodrigues Deivid , Asensi Karina Dutra , Vairo Leandro , Azevedo-Pereira Ricardo Luiz , Silva Rosane , Rondinelli Edson , Goldenberg Regina Coeli , De Carvalho Antonio Carlos Campos , Ürményi Turán Péter
Published: July 2012

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were originally generated by forced ectopic expression of four transcription factors genes—OCT4, KLF4, SOX2, and c-MYC—in fibroblasts. However, the efficiency of iPSCs obtention is extremely low, and reprogramming takes about 20 days. We reasoned that adult cells showing basal expression of core embryonic stem (ES) cell regulator genes could be a better cell source for reprogramming. Menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal cells (MBMCs) are multipotent cells that show detectable levels of some of the core ES cells regulators. The aim of this study was to determine whether reprogramming efficiency could be increased by using MBMCs as a cell source to generate iPSCs. MBMCs were transduced with recombinant retroviruses expressing the coding regions of OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4 genes. Cells with high nucleus/cytoplasm ratio can be detected about 5 days of posttransduction, and colonies of typical ES-like cells begun to appear after 7 days. At day 15, colonies were picked up and expanded for characterization. Most of the clones were morphologically identical to ES cells and positive at the mRNA and protein levels for all pluripotency markers tested. The clones are capable of forming embryoid bodies and to differentiate in vitro into cells of the three germ cell layers. Our results show that the reprogramming was faster and with efficiency around 2–5%, even in the absence of ectopic expression of c-MYC. To date, this is the first study showing MBMCs as a cell source for nuclear reprogramming.
Un entrepreneur de réforme de l'État : Henri Fayol (1841-1925)
Authors: Henry Odile
Published: July 2012

Résumé Cet article analyse la trajectoire globale d’Henri Fayol, entrepreneur de réforme de l’État lors de la Première Guerre mondiale, mais aussi concepteur d’outils de gestion industrielle, théoricien du commandement et de l’autorité et enfin promoteur infatigable des activités de conseil auprès des directions administratives des entreprises privées et de l’État. Il met en évidence les causes structurales du caractère limité des applications de la doctrine d’Henri Fayol à l’État et identifie les conditions qui permettent, vingt ans plus tard, aux ingénieurs et patrons spécialistes de rationalisation d’être admis en tant que conseils en réforme de l’État. L’individualisme libéral partagé par Fayol et ses disciples est une des dimensions explicatives de l’effacement, à la fin des années 1920, de ce courant. La dé-liaison entre critique libérale et critique gestionnaire de l’État apparaît ainsi comme une des conditions de l’intervention, au sein de l’État, d’experts issus de l’État et ensuite placés au service des intérêts privés.
Du militant au manager
Authors: Thine Sylvain
Published: July 2012

Résumé Dans le rapport qu’il consacre, en 1994, à la France de l’an 2000, Alain Minc défend l’idée de rationalisation des entreprises publiques non seulement pour maximiser leur productivité mais aussi pour contrôler les flux financiers liés au processus de privatisation. L’analyse de la trajectoire de Bernard D., ancien syndicaliste et élu local, cadre dans une entreprise publique, montre que si le rôle des agents externes à l’entreprise tels que les consultants – vecteurs de rationalisation –, est déterminant dans ces transformations, celui des agents locaux peut être tout aussi significatif. Ainsi, l’action des consultants doit notamment son efficacité et sa légitimité à l’aide d’agents qui incarnent la culture technique « maison ». Faisant carrière, Bernard D., qui réactive d’anciennes dispositions acquises lors de ses activités militantes et de ses mandats d’élu local, participe à la diffusion des préceptes techniques rationnalisant et de leurs conséquences sur l’organisation du travail dans l’entreprise.
L'économie symbolique du capital social
Authors: Cousin Bruno , Chauvin Sébastien
Published: July 2012

Résumé À partir de plusieurs exemples portant sur la sociabilité des classes supérieures (notamment une étude sur les grands cercles milanais, dont les Rotary clubs), cet article développe une analyse relationnelle du capital social, attentive à la valeur distinctive de sa forme. En effet, les conditions inégales d’accumulation du capital social sont au principe d’une relation de domination symbolique entre les diverses manières de le mettre en œuvre, de l’entretenir et de se le représenter. Après avoir passé en revue les principales théories du capital social – qu’elles relèvent de la network analysis , d’une sociologie du « culturel », ou de tentatives d’articulation entre les deux – et montré comment elles ont négligé cette dimension relationnelle de leur objet, nous présentons les avantages heuristiques d’une approche sensible au fait que les manières de décrire (et de légitimer) le lien social sont elles-mêmes des armes symboliques dans l’accumulation et l’entretien du capital social.
Asidini marroquíes VI. Descripción de tres nuevas especies pertenecientes al género Alphasida Escalera, 1905 y de una subespecie nueva del género Asida Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Pérez-Vera F. , Ávila J. M.
Published: July 2012

Se describen cuatro taxones nuevos, pertenecientes a la fauna de Marruecos, que han sido estudiados en las colecciones de Tenebriónidos del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid (MNCN) y del Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) de París. De los ejemplares examinados en el MNCN, tres de ellos portaban etiquetas de identificación correspondientes a un nomen in litteris y en una ocasión a una denominación errónea. Los ejemplares del MNHN estaban sin identificar. Entre los taxones descritos, tres son de categoría específica y forman parte del género Alphasida Escalera, 1905 y del subgénero Glabrasida Escalera, 1910. Se trata de Alphasida (Glabrasida) cobosi n. sp., Alphasida (Glabrasida) dendriticosta n. sp. y Alphasida (Glabrasida) sefrouensis n. sp. El taxón restante pertenece al género Asida Latreille, 1802 y es una Planasida Escalera, 1907 próxima de Asida (Planasida) bereai Escalera, 1907, que por presentar diferencias con la forma nominal y con sus restantes subespecies, se describe como Asida (Planasida) bereai espagnoli n. subsp.
Especies ibéricas de los géneros Lithurgus Berthold, 1827, Creightonella Cockerell, 1908 y Chalicodoma Lepeletier, 1841 (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae): claves de identificación y nuevos datos de distribución
Authors: Ortiz-Sánchez F. J. , Ornosa C. , Torres F.
Published: July 2012

El presente trabajo, dentro de la revisión que se está realizando sobre la familia Megachilidae en la fauna ibérica, incluye las claves de identificación y aporta nuevos datos de distribución para las especies de tres géneros: Lithurgus (tres especies), Creightonella (una) y Chalicodoma (ocho). Las claves se acompañan de dibujos y fotografías ilustrativos que permiten el reconocimiento tanto de las especies como de las subespecies.
Trachodema paolae nom. nov. (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Cyclominae) and a correction to Morrone’s list of Listroderini
Authors: Alonso-Zarazaga M. A.
Published: July 2012

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Human TOLLIP Regulates TLR2 and TLR4 Signaling and Its Polymorphisms Are Associated with Susceptibility to Tuberculosis
Authors: Shah Javeed A. , Vary Jay C. , Chau Tran T. H. , Bang Nguyen D. , Yen Nguyen T. B. , Farrar Jeremy J. , Dunstan Sarah J. , Hawn Thomas R.
Published: July 2012

Tuberculosis, one of the leading causes of death worldwide, stimulates inflammatory responses with beneficial and pathologic consequences. The regulation and nature of an optimal inflammatory response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains poorly understood in humans. Insight into mechanisms of negative regulation of the TLR-mediated innate immune response to M. tuberculosis could provide significant breakthroughs in the design of new vaccines and drugs. We hypothesized that TOLLIP and its common variants negatively regulate TLR signaling in human monocytes and are associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis. Using short hairpin RNA knockdown of TOLLIP in peripheral blood human monocytes, we found that TOLLIP suppresses TNF and IL-6 production after stimulation with TLR2 and TLR4 ligands. In contrast, secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was induced by TOLLIP. We also discovered two common polymorphisms that are associated with either decreased levels of mRNA expression (rs3750920) or increased IL-6 production (rs5743899) in a sample of 56 healthy volunteers. Furthermore, in a case-population study in Vietnam with 760 cord blood samples and 671 TB case patients, we found that SNPs rs3750920 and rs5743899 were associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis (p = 7.03 × 10−16 and 6.97 × 10−7, respectively). These data demonstrate that TOLLIP has an anti-inflammatory effect on TLR signaling in humans and that TOLLIP deficiency is associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis. To our knowledge, these data also show the first associations of TOLLIP polymorphisms with any infectious disease. These data also implicate an unexpected mechanism of negative regulation of TLR signaling in human tuberculosis pathogenesis.
Spontaneous Autoimmunity in the Absence of IL-2 Is Driven by Uncontrolled Dendritic Cells
Authors: Isakson Sara H. , Katzman Shoshana D. , Hoyer Katrina K.
Published: July 2012

BALB/c IL-2–deficient (IL-2–KO) mice develop systemic autoimmunity, dying within 3 to 5 wk from complications of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Disease in these mice is Th1 mediated, and IFN-γ production is required for early autoimmunity. In this study, we show that dendritic cells (DCs) are required for optimal IFN-γ production by T cells in the IL-2–KO mouse. Disease is marked by DC accumulation, activation, and elevated production of Th1-inducing cytokines. IL-2–KO DCs induce heightened proliferation and cytokine production by naive T cells compared with wild-type DCs. The depletion of either conventional or plasmacytoid DCs significantly prolongs the survival of IL-2–KO mice, demonstrating that DCs contribute to the progression of autoimmunity. Elimination of Th1-inducing cytokine signals (type 1 IFN and IL-12) reduces RBC-specific Ab production and augments survival, indicating that cytokines derived from both plasmacytoid DCs and conventional DCs contribute to disease severity. DC activation likely precedes T cell activation because DCs are functionally activated even in an environment lacking overt T cell activation. These data indicate that both conventional and plasmacytoid DCs are critical regulators in the development of this systemic Ab-mediated autoimmune disease, in large part through the production of IL-12 and type 1 IFNs.
Magnetic resonance imaging: Clinical experience with an open low-field-strength scanner in a resource challenged African state
Authors: Ogbole G I , Adeleye A O , Adeyinka A O , Ogunseyinde O A
Published: July 2012

Introduction: Despite the fact that an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been in clinical use for over 20 years, its use and availability in Nigeria, a West African state, is still extremely low. Hence, only few publications are available on the clinical experience with MRI from Nigeria. We set out to evaluate our initial clinical experience with a low-field-strength MRI in a Nigeria’s foremost university hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all studies, performed with an open 0.2 Tesla MAGNETOM Concerto (Siemens Medical) MRI scanner over a 5-year period (2006 - 2010) was conducted. All patients with complete records were evaluated for their clinical and demographic characteristics. Results: The records of 799 MRI studies were available. Patients’ ages ranged from 1 day to 90 years, with a mean of 40.1 years (± 20.7 SD). There were 463 (57.9%) males and 336 (42.1%) females. Over 90% of the studies were requested to evaluate brain or spine lesions. Low back pain represented the commonest (161/799, 20.7%) clinical indication for MRI. The largest number of patients was referred by physicians from surgical specialties (65.6%). Conclusion: The awareness and competence for proper use of MRI in Nigeria appears high. Low back pain is the commonest indication for MRI in our institution, and surgeons make a greater use of the facility. The provision of high-signal strength MRI may be beneficial in making a wider range of applications available to clinicians.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy
Authors: Yadav Yad Ram , Parihar Vijay , Pande Sonjjay , Namdev Hemant , Agarwal Moneet
Published: July 2012

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is considered as a treatment of choice for obstructive hydrocephalus. It is indicated in hydrocephalus secondary to congenital aqueductal stenosis, posterior third ventricle tumor, cerebellar infarct, Dandy-Walker malformation, vein of Galen aneurism, syringomyelia with or without Chiari malformation type I, intraventricular hematoma, post infective, normal pressure hydrocephalus, myelomeningocele, multiloculated hydrocephalus, encephalocele, posterior fossa tumor and craniosynostosis. It is also indicated in block shunt or slit ventricle syndrome. Proper Pre-operative imaging for detailed assessment of the posterior communicating arteries distance from mid line, presence or absence of Liliequist membrane or other membranes, located in the prepontine cistern is useful. Measurement of lumbar elastance and resistance can predict patency of cranial subarachnoid space and complex hydrocephalus, which decides an ultimate outcome. Water jet dissection is an effective technique of ETV in thick floor. Ultrasonic contact probe can be useful in selected patients. Intraoperative ventriculo-stomography could help in confirming the adequacy of endoscopic procedure, thereby facilitating the need for shunt. Intraoperative observations of the patent aqueduct and prepontine cistern scarring are predictors of the risk of ETV failure. Such patients may be considered for shunt surgery. Magnetic resonance ventriculography and cine phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging are effective in assessing subarachnoid space and stoma patency after ETV. Proper case selection, post-operative care including monitoring of ICP and need for external ventricular drain, repeated lumbar puncture and CSF drainage, Ommaya reservoir in selected patients could help to increase success rate and reduce complications. Most of the complications develop in an early post–operative, but fatal complications can develop late which indicate an importance of long term follow up.
Pediatric multifocal glioblastoma multiforme with fulminant course
Authors: Cugati Goutham , Jain Pradeep Kumar , Pande Anil , Symss Nigel Peter , Chakravarthy Vasudevan , Ramamurthi Ravi
Published: July 2012

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor. GBM in children is less common than in adults and has a better prognosis. Pediatric GBM is a rare entity, and a multifocal development in a pediatric GBM is much rarer. We report to you one such rare case of pediatric multifocal GBM in a 5-year-old child who developed rapidly increasing multiple lesions after radiotherapy. More studies are required to study the genetic analysis, tumor behavior, management and outcome of these rare tumors.
Transorbital orbitocranial penetrating injury caused by a metal bar
Authors: Arslan Mehmet , Eseoğlu Metehan , Güdü Burhan Oral
Published: July 2012

Transorbital intracranial injury is uncommon, representing 0.04% of penetrating head trauma with a high mortality rate. Orbital penetrating injuries may cause severe brain injury if the cranium is entered, typically via the orbital roof, the superior orbital fissure, or the optic canal. A 13-year-old male sustained a severe brain injury due to penetration of the right orbit with an iron bar. The bar entered the inferiomedial aspect of the orbit and emerged from the left occipital bone. Neurological examination revealed deep coma (GCS: E1M2V1) with fixed, dilated, and non-reactive pupils. The bar followed an intracranial trajectory, through the third ventricle and suprasellar cistern. The patient underwent an immediate exploration with removal of the bar. Unfortunately, he died 10 days postoperatively due to severe diencephalic injury with brainstem herniation. In this case report, we discuss the radiologic diagnosis and surgical management of transorbital orbitocranial injury by foreign body penetration.
A rare concomitant tubercular and Fonsecaea pedrosoi fungal infection of the skull base
Authors: Suchanda B , Alugolu Rajesh , Purohit A K , Lakshmi V , Sundaram C
Published: July 2012

Tuberculosis of the skull base and middle ear cavity is very rare. Infection with neurotropic fungi Fonsecaea pedrosoi is rare, which usually presents as brain abscess. We herein present an unusual case of concomitant tuberculosis and fungal (Fonsecaea pedrosoi) infections involving the middle ear cleft extending and destroying the craniovertebral junction.
Lumbar disk herniation presented with cauda equina syndrome in a pregnant woman
Authors: Hakan Tayfun
Published: July 2012

Despite low back pain being common in pregnancy, cauda equina syndrome is rare. Misdiagnosis and delay in treatment may cause neurological sequelae including urinary and fecal incontinence, sexual dysfunction in patients. A case of cauda equina syndrome in a pregnant woman at 25-week gestation is presented here. The patient underwent an emergency, standard lumbar microdiscectomy under general anesthesia on prone position. Neither the patient nor the baby had any complication related to surgery.
Cerebellopontine angle ependymoma in a 2-year-old child
Authors: Salunke Pravin , Sharma Manish , Gupta Kirti , Kovai Priyamvadha , Aggarwal Ashish
Published: July 2012

The management of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) ependymoma in children below 3 years of age is challenging. In addition to the rare occurrence of disease, the difficulty also lies in achieving gross total resection and providing radiotherapy in this subset of patients. We describe a case of CPA ependymoma in a 2-year-old child. Gross total excision was achieved followed by administration of radiotherapy. In this article, a review of literature for this rare entity and the difficulties faced in the surgery and adjuvant treatment has been discussed.
Cerebrogenic tachyarrhythmia in acute stroke
Authors: Praveen Kumar A S , Babu E , Subrahmanyam D K
Published: July 2012

The electrocardiac abnormalities following acute stroke are frequent and seen in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. The changes seen in electrocardiogram (ECG) consist of repolarization abnormalities such as ST elevation, ST depression, negative T waves, and QT prolongation. Among tachyarrhythmias, atrial fibrillation is the most common and occurrence of focal atrial tachycardia is very rare though any cardiac arrhythmias can follow acute stroke. We report a case of focal atrial tachycardia following acute ischemic stroke in 50-year-old female without structural heart disease, and their mechanisms and clinical implications.
Carcinomatous meningitis: Yet another cause for rapidly progressive dementia and triphasic waves in electroencephalograph!
Authors: Jadav R , Sinha S , Nagarathna S , Bindu P S , Mahadevan A , Bharath R S , Shankar S K , Taly A B
Published: July 2012

We report a 65-year-old woman who manifested with progressive cognitive impairment, abnormal behavior, slurred speech, inability to carry out activities with right upper limb, gait disturbances, emotional liability, and double incontinence that evolved progressively over the last 8 months. A clinical syndrome of ‘‘rapidly progressive dementia’’ was considered. The MRI of brain was unremarkable except for small para third ventricular enhancing lesion was detected in the left thalamic region. There was bi/tri-phasic sharp waves in the routine scalp EEG occurring at periodically 1.5–2.0 Hz, mimicking Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD). She was later diagnosed to have carcinomatous meningitis based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology. This case is being discussed for rarity and interesting EEG observations in patients with carcinomatous meningitis and to highlight the importance of CSF cytology in an appropriate clinical setting. One needs to be careful in concluding CJD as possible diagnosis in such scenario.
Levofloxacin-induced acute anxiety and insomnia
Authors: Kandasamy Arun , Srinath D
Published: July 2012

Fluoroquinolones can cause adverse neuropsychiatric side effects, which are more common in older age. We present three cases of levofloxacin-induced acute anxiety and insomnia in young adults. In all the cases, discontinuation of levofloxacin immediately lead to remission.
Higher sensory processing sensitivity, introversion and ectomorphism: New biomarkers for human creativity in developing rural areas
Authors: Rizzo-Sierra Carlos V , Leon-S Martha E , Leon-Sarmiento Fidias E
Published: July 2012

The highly sensitive trait present in animals, has also been proposed as a human neurobiological trait. People having such trait can process larger amounts of sensory information than usual, making it an excellent attribute that allows to pick up subtle environmental details and cues. Furthermore, this trait correlates to some sort of giftedness such as higher perception, inventiveness, imagination and creativity. We present evidences that support the existance of key neural connectivity between the mentioned trait, higher sensory processing sensitivity, introversion, ectomorphism and creativity. The neurobiological and behavioral implications that these biomarkers have in people living in developing rural areas are discussed as well.
Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer Enters Its Golden Age
Authors: Boikos Sosipatros A. , Antonarakis Emmanuel S.
Published: July 2012

In the United States, prostate cancer is the most frequent malignancy in men and ranks second in terms of mortality. Although recurrent or metastatic disease can be managed initially with androgen ablation, most patients eventually develop castration-resistant disease within a number of years, for which conventional treatments (eg, chemotherapy) provide only modest benefits. In the last few years, immunotherapy has emerged as an exciting therapeutic modality for advanced prostate cancer, and this field is evolving rapidly. Encouragingly, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved two novel immunotherapy agents for patients with advanced cancer: the antigen presenting cell-based product sipuleucel-T and the anti-CTLA4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4) antibody ipilimumab, based on improvements in overall survival in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and metastatic melanoma, respectively. Currently, a number of trials are investigating the role of various immunological approaches for the treatment of prostate cancer, many of them with early indications of success. As immunotherapy for prostate cancer enters its golden age, the challenge of the future will be to design rational combinations of immunotherapy agents with each other or with other standard prostate cancer treatments in an effort to improve patient outcomes further.
Imaging in Common Anterior and Sellar/Perisellar Skull Base Lesions
Authors: Patel Zena M , Gupta Santosh S
Published: July 2012

Skull base surgery is an advanced surgical subspeciality. A wide range of pathologies can primarily or secondarily involve the skull base. Due to its complex anatomy, cross-sectional imaging is an important part in the multidisciplinary approach for skull base lesions.
Endoscopic-assisted Craniofacial Resection
Authors: Moiyadi Aliasgar , Nair Deepa , Pai Prathamesh S
Published: July 2012

Management of anterior skull base tumors has progressed steadily since AS Ketcham popularized the craniofacial surgical technique in the seventies with good results. In the past two decades, endoscopic sinonasal tumor resection has been established as an additional treatment option. For tumors that cross the anterior skull base, a cranial access is vital to encompass the tumor all around. For a select group of these transcranial lesions, the sinonasal component is suitable for an endoscopic endonasal oncologically safe resection along with a traditional transcranial access to complete the resection. This article endeavors to describe the endoscopicassisted craniofacial combining the advantages of a transnasal minimal access to reduce facial morbidity and the transcranial access for superior control of tumors with adequate margins.
Anterior Craniofacial (Transcranial) Resection for Tumors of Nose and Paranasal Sinuses: Surgical Technique
Authors: Varshney Saurabh , Bist SS , Mishra Sarita , Gupta Charitesh , Bhagat Sanjiv , Agarwal Vinish
Published: July 2012

Background

Management of nose and paranasal sinus tumors involving the cribriform plate with or without invasion of anterior cranial fossa is complex due to the anatomic detail of the region and the variety of tumors that occur in this area. Anterior craniofacial resection is recognized as the best treatment for nose and paranasal sinus, tumors involving the cribriform plate with or without invasion of anterior cranial fossa. Craniofacial resection allows wide exposure of the complex anatomical structures at the base of skull permitting monobloc tumor resection.

Methods

Twenty-one patients underwent anterior craniofacial resection for nose and paranasal sinus tumors involving the cribriform plate with or without invasion of anterior cranial fossa at Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun between 2000 and 2011 by a team of head-neck surgeons and neurosurgeons.

Results

The series included 16 malignant tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses and five extensive benign lesions. The mean age was 47.4 years (range, 12 to 68 years). There were 16 men and five women (M:F- 3.2:1.0). Four patients had a recurrence after previous treatments (surgery and/or radiotherapy). The histological subdivision was as follows: Seven cases of squamous cell carcinoma, four cases of adenocarcinoma, three cases of esthesioneuroblastoma, and two cases of undifferentiated tumors. All tumors were resected by a combined bifrontal craniotomy and rhinotomy. The skull base was closed with a pediculated pericranial flap and a split-thickness free skin graft underneath. There were no postoperative problems of CSF-leakage or meningitis, two patients had wound infection. Recurrent tumor growth or systemic metastasis occurred in three (18.75%) out of 16 patients with malignant tumors, 6 months to 2 years postoperatively. The mean follow-up was 16 months.

Conclusion

An anterior craniofacial resection should be performed in cases of nose and paranasal sinus tumors involving the cribriform plate with or without invasion of anterior cranial fossa.
Biased Cognition in Psychosis
Authors: Savulich George , Shergill Sukhwinder , Yiend Jenny
Published: July 2012

The cognitive biases associated with affective disorders have been well documented and provide extensive evidence of selective abnormalities in information processing of pathology congruent information. However in psychosis, research to date has been narrower. There is ample evidence of a ‘jumping to conclusions' reasoning bias but relatively little work on pathology congruent effects on cognitive processes such as attention and interpretation, which may be the most aetiologically important biases. In contrast in emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression, the selective processing of pathology congruent information is now clearly implicated in the cause and maintenance of the psychopathology. In this review we focus specifically on paranoia and paranoid psychosis and ask how strongly does the evidence to date support a causal or maintaining role for belief congruent information processing biases? We review the literature across three cognitive domains: attention, reasoning, and interpretation. The evidence suggests that paranoia and paranoid psychosis is associated with selective avoidance of threat, generally reduced ‘data gathering’ and negative interpretations of hallucinations that elicit distress. To date there is little evidence specifically examining selective information processing biases of the sort that might support or exacerbate the paranoid beliefs themselves. Given the potential aetiological importance of these belief congruent biases, we call for further research to investigate pathology congruent information processing in paranoia and paranoid psychosis.
Repressive Coping Style and Mnemic Neglect
Authors: Saunders Jo , Worth Rhian , Fernandes Marcelle
Published: July 2012

Previous research has suggested that we tend to exhibit selective forgetting for information which is self threatening – an effect known as mnemic neglect. Three experiments are reported which examine mnemic neglect in repressors, low anxiety, high anxiety and defensive high anxious participants. In Experiment 1, repressors were found to forget more self threatening information than low anxious participants while high anxious and defensive high anxious remembered more. In Experiments 2 and 3 boundary conditions to the mnemic neglect effects were found to be present with repressors forgetting more self threatening information than low anxious participants for information that was unmodifiable (Experiment 2) and when this information was highly diagnostic (Experiment 3). High anxious and defensive high anxious participants, conversely, recalled more of this information. The findings indicate that repressors show enhanced mnemic neglect effects while high anxious and defensive high anxious participants show reversed effects.
Aqueous phase processing of secondary organic aerosol from isoprene photooxidation
Authors: Liu Y. , Monod A. , Tritscher T. , Praplan A. P. , DeCarlo P. F. , Temime-Roussel B. , Quivet E. , Marchand N. , Dommen J. , Baltensperger U.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Transport of reactive air masses into humid and wet areas is highly frequent in the atmosphere, making the study of aqueous phase processing of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) very relevant. We have investigated the aqueous phase processing of SOA generated from gas-phase photooxidation of isoprene using a smog chamber. The SOA collected on filters was extracted by water and subsequently oxidized in the aqueous phase either by H2O2 under dark conditions or by OH radicals in the presence of light, using a photochemical reactor. Online and offline analytical techniques including SMPS, HR-AMS, H-TDMA, TD-API-AMS, were employed for physical and chemical characterization of the chamber SOA and nebulized filter extracts. After aqueous phase processing, the particles were significantly more hygroscopic, and HR-AMS data showed higher signal intensity at m/z 44 and a lower signal intensity at m/z 43, thus showing the impact of aqueous phase processing on SOA aging, in good agreement with a few previous studies. Additional offline measurement techniques (IC-MS, APCI-MS2 and HPLC-APCI-MS) permitted the identification and quantification of sixteen individual chemical compounds before and after aqueous phase processing. Among these compounds, small organic acids (including formic, glyoxylic, glycolic, butyric, oxalic and 2,3-dihydroxymethacrylic acid (i.e. 2-methylglyceric acid)) were detected, and their concentrations significantly increased after aqueous phase processing. In particular, the aqueous phase formation of 2-methylglyceric acid and trihydroxy-3-methylbutanal was correlated with the consumption of 2,3-dihydroxy-2-methyl-propanal, and 2-methylbutane-1,2,3,4-tetrol, respectively, and an aqueous phase mechanism was proposed accordingly. Overall, the aging effect observed here was rather small compared to previous studies, and this limited effect could possibly be explained by the lower liquid phase OH concentrations employed here, and/or the development of oligomers observed during aqueous phase processing.
Areal-averaged trace gas emission rates from long-range open-path measurements in stable boundary layer conditions
Authors: Schäfer K. , Grant R. H. , Emeis S. , Raabe A. , von der Heide C. , Schmid H. P.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Measurements of land-surface emission rates of greenhouse and other gases at large spatial scales (10 000 m2) are needed to assess the spatial distribution of emissions. This can be readily done using spatial-integrating micro-meteorological methods like flux-gradient methods which were evaluated for determining land-surface emission rates of trace gases under stable boundary layers. Non-intrusive path-integrating measurements are utilized. Successful application of a flux-gradient method requires confidence in the gradients of trace gas concentration and wind, and in the applicability of boundary-layer turbulence theory; consequently the procedures to qualify measurements that can be used to determine the flux is critical. While there is relatively high confidence in flux measurements made under unstable atmospheres with mean winds greater than 1 m s−1, there is greater uncertainty in flux measurements made under free convective or stable conditions. The study of N2O emissions of flat grassland and NH3 emissions from a cattle lagoon involves quality-assured determinations of fluxes under low wind, stable or night-time atmospheric conditions when the continuous "steady-state" turbulence of the surface boundary layer breaks down and the layer has intermittent turbulence. Results indicate that following the Monin-Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) flux-gradient methods that assume a log-linear profile of the wind speed and concentration gradient incorrectly determine vertical profiles and thus flux in the stable boundary layer. An alternative approach is considered on the basis of turbulent diffusivity, i.e. the measured friction velocity as well as height gradients of horizontal wind speeds and concentrations without MOST correction for stability. It is shown that this is the most accurate of the flux-gradient methods under stable conditions.
Measuring gross and net calcification of a reef coral under ocean acidification conditions: methodological considerations
Authors: Cohen S. , Fine M.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Ongoing ocean acidification (OA) is rapidly altering carbonate chemistry in the oceans. The projected changes will likely have deleterious consequences for coral reefs by negatively affecting their growth. Nonetheless, diverse responses of reef-building corals calcification to OA hinder our ability to decipher reef susceptibility to elevated pCO2. Some of the inconsistencies between studies originate in measuring net calcification (NC), which does not always consider the proportions of the "real" (gross) calcification (GC) and gross dissolution in the observed response. Here we show that microcolonies of Stylophora pistillata (entirely covered by tissue), incubated under normal (8.2) and reduced (7.6) pH conditions for 16 months, survived and added new skeletal CaCO3, despite low (1.25) Ωarg conditions. Moreover, corals maintained their NC and GC rates under reduced (7.6) pH conditions and displayed positive NC rates at the low-end (7.3) pH treatment while bare coral skeleton underwent marked dissolution. Our findings suggest that S. pistillata may fall into the "low sensitivity" group with respect to OA and that their overlying tissue may be a key determinant in setting their tolerance to reduced pH by limiting dissolution and allowing them to calcify. This study is the first to measure GC and NC rates for a tropical scleractinian corals under OA conditions. We provide a detailed, realistic assessment of the problematic nature of previously accepted methods for measuring calcification (total alkalinity and 45Ca).
Effect of biostimulation on biodegradation of dissolved organic carbon in biological filters
Authors: Tihomirova K. , Briedis A. , Rubulis J. , Juhna T.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. The addition of labile organic carbon (LOC) to enhance the biodegradation rate of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in biological columns was studied. Acetate standard solution (NaAc) and Luria Bertrani (LB) medium were used as LOC as biostimulants in glass column system used for measurements of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC). The addition of LOC related with the increase of total DOC in sample. The concentration of BDOC increased up to 7 and 5 times and was utilized after 24 min. contact time. The biodegradation rate constant was increased at least 26 times during adaptation-biostimulation period. There was a strong positive correlation between the biodegradation rate constant and the concentration of BDOC. Biostimulation period ranged from 24 to 53 h for NaAc biostimulant and from 20 to 168 h for LB. The study has shown that LOC could be used as stimulator to enhance the biodegradation rate of DOC during biofiltration.