bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Vestibular Function in Patients with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media
Authors: Mostafa Badr Eldin , Shafik Amr Gouda , El Makhzangy Aly M.N. , Taha Hesham , Mageed Heba Mahmoud Abdel
Published: January 2014

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess vestibular functions in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) with and without sensorineural hearing loss. Study Design: This was a prospective case study performed at a tertiary referral university hospital. Sixty patients with CSOM were included, and patients with a history of head trauma, diabetes, hypertension, previous ear surgery, use of ototoxic drugs, neurological deficits and suspected fistulae were excluded. Patients and Methods: The patients underwent basic audiological evaluation, and clinical and instrumental vestibular evaluation. The incidence and extent of vestibular dysfunction in patients with CSOM were analyzed. Results: A total of 42 males and 16 females with a mean age of 29.5 years were included in this study. Forty ears had tubotympanic disease and 19 had cholesteatoma. There were 14 ears with sensorineural hearing loss. A positive history of vertigo was reported in 53.5% of the cases. Rotatory chair abnormalities were found in 70% of the cases, caloric hypofunction was found in 61.6%, and vestibular myogenic evoked potentials were abnormal in 25%. The only positive correlation with vestibular dysfunction was the duration of disease. Conclusions: The vestibular system is significantly affected in cases with CSOM. Both semicircular canals and the saccule are affected. All patients with long-standing CSOM should be evaluated for vestibular dysfunction irrespective of their hearing levels.
The Phenomenology of Emotion Experience in First-Episode Psychosis
Authors: Vodušek V.V. , Parnas J. , Tomori M. , Škodlar B.
Published: January 2014

Background: Although it has been suggested that disturbances in emotion experience and regulation play a central role in the aetiology and psychopathology of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, the phenomenology of emotion experience in schizophrenia remains under-researched. Sampling and Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted twice with each of the 20 participants (firstly at admission and secondly 6 months later). Data collection and analysis were guided by the principles of phenomenological study of lived experience. Results: The emotion experiences described by our participants vary greatly in both quality and intensity, but appear to have a common phenomenology. Anxiety is reported as the basic emotion which buffers, transforms and sometimes supplants all others. Emotions in general are experienced as foreign, unstable and perturbing, thereby contributing greatly to feelings of ambivalence, perplexity and an unstable sense of self in general. Conclusions: The findings of this study have important therapeutic and theoretical implications because they suggest that emotion experiences in schizophrenia spectrum disorders may underlie a wide range of psychopathological phenomena in both the cognitive and social functioning domains. Due to the relatively small sample size and its selection from psychotherapeutic units, the results may not be generalizable to all schizophrenia patients.
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor in an Ovarian Cystic Teratoma: Natural Killer and Neuroblastoma Cell Analysis
Authors: Tabellini Giovanna , Benassi Marzia , Marcenaro Emanuela , Coltrini Daniela , Patrizi Ornella , Ricotta Doris , Rampinelli Fabio , Moretta Alessandro , Parolini Silvia
Published: January 2014

In the present study, we report an extremely rare case of a 31-year-old woman with neuroblastoma arising in an ovarian cystic teratoma. We analyzed the expression of activating receptors on natural killer (NK) cells derived from the patient's peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid. In addition, we investigated the presence of specific ligands recognized by different NK cell receptors on tumor cells. We show that NK cells isolated from peritoneal fluid expressed certain triggering receptors including DNAM-1 (CD226) and CD16 with lower intensity as compared to peripheral blood NK cells. Remarkably, at variance with most cases of childhood neuroblastoma, the tumor cells from this patient expressed substantial amounts of HLA class-I molecules. These molecules are known to be protective against NK cell-mediated lysis. In addition, neuroblastoma cells expressed B7-H3 (CD276), another surface molecule that inhibits NK cell function. Finally, this tumor did not express the PVR (CD155) and nectin-2 (CD112) ligands for the DNAM-1 activating NK receptor, which plays a crucial role in NK/neuroblastoma interactions. Altogether, these findings indicate that the neuroblastoma cells of this patient express an NK-resistant surface phenotype, which is at least in part similar to that previously described in a fraction of childhood neuroblastoma.
Assessment of Pregestational Insulin Resistance as a Risk Factor of Preeclampsia
Authors: Valdés Enrique , Sepúlveda-Martínez Álvaro , Manukián Bárbara , Parra-Cordero Mauro
Published: January 2014

Aim: To assess the impact that pregestational insulin resistance (PIR) has as a risk factor for preeclampsia (PE). Methods: Nested case-control study that included patients with PIR and a control group that was randomly selected from pregnancies admitted to the Fetal Medicine Unit between January 2005 and May 2011. Clinical and hemodynamic variables were analyzed by a multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 13,124 patients admitted during the study period, 119 had a diagnosis of PIR (0.9%). Patients with PIR were older and had a higher body mass index (BMI). PIR was also related to a significantly higher frequency of chronic hypertension (CrHT; 10.1 vs. 2.2%, p < 0.05) and hypothyroidism (5.0 vs. 1.6%, p < 0.05) than in the control group. Moreover, women with PIR were more likely to develop PE (8.4 vs. 4.2%, p < 0.05) and gestational diabetes mellitus (9.2 vs. 2.9%) than the control group. Multivariate analysis showed that maternal age, CrHT and altered uterine artery Doppler sonography during the first and second trimesters were good predictors of PE and that PIR was not. Conclusion: Although PIR correlates with PE, conditions related to the latter (CrHT, higher maternal age and increased BMI) may be predominant as risk factors for PE.
Portal Cytokine Response and Metabolic Markers in the Early Stages of Abdominal Sepsis in Pigs
Authors: Haugen O. , Øvrebø K.K. , Elvevoll B. , Skutlaberg D.H. , Syre H. , Husby P.
Published: January 2014

Background: The portal vein could play a major role in disseminating the local inflammation of acute bacterial peritonitis since it is responsible for the venous drainage of the gastrointestinal tract. We hypothesized that after peritoneal exposure to Escherichia coli, a gradient between the portal and systemic levels of cytokines would be expected. Methods: Acute peritonitis was induced by depositing 200 ml of broth with live E. coli in the peritoneal cavity of the animals in the B-group (n = 7). They were then observed for 4 h and compared with a control group (C-group, n = 7). Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor were measured repeatedly in the portal vein and the femoral artery. Portal vein metabolic markers (microdialysis), haemodynamics, biochemistry, plasma volume (PV), fluid shifts and total tissue water content were recorded or calculated. Results: The intervention led to PV contraction, increased fluid extravasation, increased pulmonary vascular resistance and reduced urinary output in the B-group as compared with the C-group. The levels of glucose in the portal vein were reduced in both study groups with no between-group differences. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 increased markedly in the portal vein as well as in the systemic circulation of the B-group, but no gradient was seen between them. The corresponding levels of TNF-α and IL-6 remained low and stable in the C-group. Conclusion: The portal vein appears to play a minor role in supplying TNF-α and IL-6 to the systemic circulation after peritoneal exposure to a substantial dose of E. coli.
Malignant Melanoma with Probable Smooth Muscle Differentiation
Authors: Morimoto Aya , Asai Jun , Wakabayashi Yusuke , Komori Satoshi , Hanada Keiji , Takenaka Hideya , Konishi Eiichi , Katoh Norito
Published: January 2014

Malignant melanomas occasionally exhibit various divergent differentiation types. Of these, smooth muscle differentiation is extremely rare; only 1 case has been reported in the literature until recently. We report an extremely rare case of malignant melanoma with smooth muscle differentiation, which appeared as an amelanotic reddish nodule on the left toe.
Aerobic Exercise Attenuates the Loss of Skeletal Muscle during Energy Restriction in Adults with Visceral Adiposity
Authors: Yoshimura Eiichi , Kumahara Hideaki , Tobina Takuro , Matsuda Takuro , Watabe Kiwa , Matono Sakiko , Ayabe Makoto , Kiyonaga Akira , Anzai Keizo , Higaki Yasuki , Tanaka Hiroaki
Published: January 2014

Objective: To evaluate the effects of energy restriction with or without aerobic exercise on thigh muscle mass and quality in adults with visceral adiposity. Methods: 75 males and females were randomly assigned to the groups ‘diet only' (DO; n = 42) or ‘diet plus aerobic exercise' (D/Ex; n = 33) for 12 weeks. The target energy intake in both groups was 25 kcal/kg of ideal body weight. Subjects in the D/Ex group were instructed to exercise for ≥300 min/week at lactate threshold. Computed tomography was used to measure thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), normal-density muscle area (NDMA), and visceral fat area. Results: Total body weight (DO: -6.6 ± 3.6%; D/Ex: -7.3 ± 4.6%) and visceral fat (DO: -16.0 ± 13.8%; D/Ex: -23.1 ± 14.7%) decreased significantly in both groups; however, the changes were not significantly different between the two groups. The decrease in muscle CSA was significantly greater in the DO group (-5.1 ± 4.5%) compared with the D/Ex group (-2.5 ± 5.0%). NDMA decreased significantly in the DO (-4.9 ± 4.9%) but not in the D/Ex group (-1.4 ± 5.0%). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise attenuated the loss of skeletal muscle during energy restriction in adults with visceral adiposity.
North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones and U.S. Flooding
Authors: Villarini Gabriele , Goska Radoslaw , Smith James A. , Vecchi Gabriel A.
Published: January 2014

Riverine flooding associated with North Atlantic tropical cyclones (TCs) is responsible for large societal and economic impacts. The effects of TC flooding are not limited to the coastal regions, but affect large areas away from the coast, and often away from the center of the storm. Despite these important repercussions, inland TC flooding has received relatively little attention in the scientific literature, although there has been growing media attention following Hurricanes Irene (2011) and Sandy (2012). Based on discharge data from 1981 to 2011, the authors provide a climatological view of inland flooding associated with TCs, leveraging the wealth of discharge measurements collected, archived, and disseminated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Florida and the eastern seaboard of the United States (from South Carolina to Maine and Vermont) are the areas that are the most susceptible to TC flooding, with typical TC flood peaks that are 2 to 6 times larger than the local 10-yr flood peak, causing major flooding. A secondary swath of extensive TC-induced flooding in the central United States is also identified. These results indicate that flooding from TCs is not solely a coastal phenomenon but affects much larger areas of the United States, as far inland as Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Moreover, the authors highlight the dependence of the frequency and magnitude of TC flood peaks on large-scale climate indices, and the role played by the North Atlantic Oscillation and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation phenomenon (ENSO), suggesting potential sources of extended-range predictability.
Numerical Simulations of Sheared Conditionally Unstable Flows over a Mountain Ridge
Authors: Miglietta Mario Marcello , Rotunno Richard
Published: January 2014

In two recent papers, the authors performed numerical simulations with a three-dimensional, explicitly cloud-resolving model for a uniform wind flowing past a bell-shaped ridge and using an idealized unstable (Weisman–Klemp) sounding with prescribed values of the relevant parameters. More recently, some observed cases of orographically forced wind profiles were analyzed, showing that, in order to reproduce larger rainfall rates, it was necessary to initialize the sounding with low-level flow toward the mountain with weak flow aloft (as observed). Additional experiments using the Weisman–Klemp sounding, but with nonuniform wind profiles, are performed here to identify the conditions in which the presence of a low-level cross-mountain flow together with calm flow aloft may increase the rain rates in conditionally unstable flows over the orography. The sensitivity of the solutions to the wind speed at the bottom and the top of a shear layer and the effect of different mountain widths and heights are systematically analyzed herein.

Large rainfall rates are obtained when the cold pool, caused by the evaporative cooling of rain from precipitating convective clouds, remains quasi stationary upstream of the mountain peak. This condition occurs when the cold-pool propagation is approximately countered by the environmental wind. The large precipitation amounts can be attributed to weak upper-level flow, which favors stronger updrafts and upright convective cells, and to the ground-relative stationarity of the cells. This solution feature is produced with ambient wind shear within a narrow region of the parameter space explored here and does not occur in the numerical solutions obtained in the authors’ previous studies with uniform wind profiles.
How Variable Is the Uncertainty in ENSO Sea Surface Temperature Prediction?
Authors: Kumar Arun , Hu Zeng-Zhen
Published: January 2014

The magnitude of seasonal predictability for a variable depends on departure of its probability density function (PDF) for a particular season from the corresponding climatological PDF. Differences in the PDF can be due to differences in various moments of the PDF (e.g., mean or the spread) from their corresponding values for the climatological PDF. Year-to-year changes in which moments of the PDF systematically contribute to seasonal predictability are an area of particular interest. Previous analyses for seasonal atmospheric variability have indicated that most of atmospheric predictability is (i) due to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and (ii) primarily due to change in the mean of the PDF for the atmospheric variability with changes in the spread of the PDF playing a secondary role. Present analysis extends to the assessment of seasonal predictability of ENSO SSTs themselves. Based on analysis of seasonal hindcasts, the results indicate that the spread (or the uncertainty) in the prediction of ENSO SSTs does not have a systematic dependence on the mean of the amplitude of predicted ENSO SST anomalies, and further, year-to-year changes in uncertainty are small. Therefore, similar to the atmospheric predictability, predictability of ENSO SSTs may also reside in the prediction of its mean amplitude; spread being almost constant does not have a systematic impact on the predictability.
Predictability of an Advection Fog Event over North China. Part I: Sensitivity to Initial Condition Differences
Authors: Hu Huiqin , Zhang Qinghong , Xie Baoguo , Ying Yue , Zhang Jiping , Wang Xin
Published: January 2014

The predictability of a dense advection fog event on 21 February 2007 over north China (NC) is investigated with ensemble simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF). Members with the best and worst simulation are selected from the ensemble, and their initial condition (IC) differences are explored. To test the sensitivity of fog simulation to those differences, the model is initialized with ICs that change linearly from the worst member to the best member, and the changes in simulated results are examined. The improvement in simulations due to the linear improvement of ICs is found to be monotonic. The IC differences at lower levels are of more influence to the simulation than IC differences at higher levels. By removing the IC differences of each meteorological variable individually, it is found that improvements in potential temperature and horizontal wind are more important than that of water vapor mixing ratio in this case. Additionally, the linear improvement in each meteorological variable also contributes monotonically to the simulated results. The budget analyses of the tendency of potential temperature and water vapor mixing ratio show that turbulence mixing and advection are the major factors contributing to the formation of fog. The correct initial temperature field ensures the formation and maintenance of an inversion, and the correct initial wind field ensures the correct transport of temperature and moisture in this case. Further discussion examines the reasons for the monotonic behavior in the simulation improvement.
A Study of Competencies in the Information Technology Sector in Kolkata in the Era of Global HR Management
Authors: Chakraberty Shampa
Published: January 2014

Competency enhancement is undertaken for business needs, aligning behaviours with business strategies and for integration of HR systems based on competencies. Managers of organizations face the globalization of business, rapid technological change, continual reorganizing and competence-based competition. These developments challenge the skills, competencies and capabilities of managers in organizations. In the light of these dynamic changes, managers’ competencies also need to be renewed and reviewed on a regular basis in order to improve their performance.

This article has tried to analyze whether there is a high conformity between the rating patterns, in respect of performance, of individuals and their reporting heads based on competencies specified; it also tried to find out whether: non-core technical competencies can significantly predict the performance level of the individual.
Process evaluation of a community-based intervention program: Healthy Youth Healthy Communities, an adolescent obesity prevention project in Fiji
Authors: Waqa Gade , Moodie Marj , Schultz Jimaima , Swinburn Boyd
Published: January 2014

Nearly one-half of the adult population in Fiji between the ages of 15–64 years is either overweight or obese; and rates amongst school children have, on average, doubled during the last decade. There is an urgent need to scale up the promotion of healthy behaviors and environments using a multi-sectoral approach. The Healthy Youth Healthy Community (HYHC) project in Fiji used a settings approach in secondary schools and faith-based organizations to increase the capacity of the whole community, including churches, mosques and temples, to promote healthy eating and regular physical activity, and to prevent unhealthy weight gain in adolescents aged 13–18 years. The team consisted of a study manager, project coordinator and four research assistants (RAs) committed to planning, designing and facilitating the implementation of intervention programs in collaboration with other stakeholders, such as the wider school communities, government and non-governmental organizations and business partners. Process data were collected on all intervention activities and analyzed by dose, frequency and reach for each specific strategy. The Fiji Action Plan included nine objectives for the school settings; four were based on nutrition and two on physical activity in schools, plus three general objectives, namely capacity building, social marketing and evaluation. Long-term change in nutritional behavior was difficult to achieve; a key contributor to this was the unhealthy food served in the school canteens. Whilst capacity-building proved to be one of the best mechanisms for intervening, it is important to consider the cultural and social factors influencing health behaviors and affecting specific groups.
Temperature evolution in magnesium alloy during static and cyclic loading
Authors: Yan Z. F. , Zhang H. X. , Wang W. X. , He X. L. , Liu X. Q.
Published: January 2014

The temperature evolution in an AZ31B magnesium alloy plate was measured during static and cyclic loading via infrared thermography. The relationship between loading process and temperature evolution was established. The yield limits during static and cyclic loading were predicted. The temperature variation on the specimen surface was closely related with the applied load. The initial decrease in temperature during tension was caused by the thermoelastic effect, and the minimum temperature corresponded to the yield limit. During cyclic loading, the thermoelastic effect, viscous effect and plastic work had an effect on the temperature evolution. The cyclic yield limit was <1/6 of the yield limit obtained in the tension test.
Process optimisation of cold spray Al coating on AZ91 alloy
Authors: Wang Q. , Birbilis N. , Zhang M.-X.
Published: January 2014

Cold spray technology continues to attract increasing attention in surface modification of light metals due to its low temperature operation. A method for selecting optimum process parameters is presented for cold spraying of aluminium coatings upon magnesium alloy AZ91. In the present study, particle deposition behaviour is investigated via modifying spraying parameters. Subsequently, based on the relationship between bonding ratio and particle velocity, the critical particle velocity for successful adhesion is determined. Finally, the influence of particle velocity on key coating characteristics is examined, including coating porosity, hardness, deposition efficiency and bond strength.
Chlorine based hot corrosion study of cold sprayed NiCrAlY coating
Authors: Kalsi S. B. S. , Sidhu T. S. , Singh H.
Published: January 2014

In this work, the NiCrAlY coating was deposited by cold spray deposition technique on Fe based Superfer 800H superalloy. The cold sprayed coating was found to be dense and hard and adhered strongly to the substrate superalloy. In the present investigation, the cyclic hot corrosion behaviour of the coated and bare specimens under the Na2SO4–10%NaCl environment at 900°C is described. It is found that unlike bare superalloy, uniform, dense and adhered scale layer formed on top of the coated specimen. The various characterisation techniques X-ray diffraction, SEM/EDAX and elemental X-ray mapping were used to analyse the corrosion products. It was found that the coating deposited by this coating technique successfully provided protection to the substrate against the hot corrosion degradation by reducing the weight gain of the superalloy.
ATF3 is a novel regulator of mouse neutrophil migration
Authors: Boespflug Nicholas D. , Kumar Sachin , McAlees Jaclyn W. , Phelan James D. , Grimes H. Leighton , Hoebe Kasper , Hai Tsonwin , Filippi Marie-Dominique , Karp Christopher L.
Published: January 2014

Key Points

ATF3 inhibits lipopolysaccharide-driven CXCL1 production by airway epithelia. ATF3 controls neutrophil recruitment to the wild-type lung and chemotaxis in vitro via TIAM2 expression.
Forming-free bipolar resistive switching in nonstoichiometric ceria films
Authors: Ismail Muhammad , Huang Chun-Yang , Panda Debashis , Hung Chung-Jung , Tsai Tsung-Ling , Jieng Jheng-Hong , Lin Chun-An , Chand Umesh , Rana Anwar Manzoor , Ahmed Ejaz , Talib Ijaz , Nadeem Muhammad Younus , Tseng Tseung-Yuen
Published: January 2014

The mechanism of forming-free bipolar resistive switching in a Zr/CeO
x
/Pt device was investigated. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis indicated the formation of a ZrO
y
layer at the Zr/CeO
x
interface. X-ray diffraction studies of CeO
x
films revealed that they consist of nano-polycrystals embedded in a disordered lattice. The observed resistive switching was suggested to be linked with the formation and rupture of conductive filaments constituted by oxygen vacancies in the CeO
x
film and in the nonstoichiometric ZrO
y
interfacial layer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study confirmed the presence of oxygen vacancies in both of the said regions. In the low-resistance ON state, the electrical conduction was found to be of ohmic nature, while the high-resistance OFF state was governed by trap-controlled space charge-limited mechanism. The stable resistive switching behavior and long retention times with an acceptable resistance ratio enable the device for its application in future nonvolatile resistive random access memory (RRAM).
Factors affecting ethnobotanical knowledge in a mestizo community of the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
Authors: Beltrán-Rodríguez Leonardo , Ortiz-Sánchez Amanda , Mariano Nestor A , Maldonado-Almanza Belinda , Reyes-García Victoria
Published: January 2014

Background

Worldwide, mestizo communities’s ethnobotanical knowledge has been poorly studied. Based on a mestizo group in Mexico, this study assesses a) the use value (UV) of the local flora, b) gendered differences in plant species, and c) the association between socio-economic variables and ethnobotanical knowledge.

Methods

To assess the degree of knowledge of plant resources, we conducted 41 interviews collecting information on knowledge of local plant resources and the socio-economic situation of the informant. We also collected free listings of useful plants by category of use to identify the UV of each species. With the support of key informants, we photographed and collected the plant material recorded during the interviews and free listings on five different habitats. Paired t-tests and a Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to determine differences in the number of species known by men and women. Differences in distribution were analyzed by means of the Shapiro–Wilk’s W normality tests. To determine the association of socio-economic factors and ethnobotanical knowledge, we used a non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS).

Results

Informants listed 185 species. Medicinal plants constituted the most diverse group (90 species). Tropical deciduous forest is the habitat that concentrates the highest proportion of plant resources (80 species). The use-values were classified into three groups: A (4–6 UV; three species), B (0.35-1.37 UV; 39 species) and C (0–0.29 UV; 143 species). High-quality wood species and those associated to religious ceremonies had the highest UV. Women’s and men’s knowledge of plant species showed statistically significant differences at the interspecific and the intracategorical levels (Student’s test, T15 = 4.8, p < 0.001). Occupation, gender and age were statistically significant associated to ethnobotanical knowledge (p < 0.05), whereas income, education level, and place of origin were not.

Conclusion

This research improves our understanding of the socio-economic activities associated with the intracultural distribution of ethnobotanical knowledge among mestizo Mexican communities. It also provides information on plant resources and habitats and how local peasants value them. This information could help in the development of proposals to improve biocultural conservation and strengthen traditional knowledge systems for effective forest management.
Timing and intensity of changes in FDG uptake with symptomatic esophagitis during radiotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy
Authors: Yuan Shuanghu Tiger , Brown Richard KJ , Zhao Lujun , Ten Haken Randall K , Gross Milton , Cease Kemp B , Schipper Matt , Stanton Paul , Yu Jinming , Kong Feng-Ming Spring
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To study whether esophageal FDG activity changes by time of mid-course of fractionated radiotherapy (RT), and whether these changes are associated with radiation esophagitis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Fifty patients with stage I-III NSCLC were enrolled prospectively and, all received ≥60 Gy RT. FDG-PET/CT scans were acquired prior to, and during-RT after delivery of 45 Gy. Normalized standardized uptake values (NSUV), defined by the esophageal maximum SUV relative to intravascular background level in the aortic arch, were sampled in the esophagus at the level of the primary tumor, sternal notch, aortic arch, carina, and gastro-esophageal junction. Symptomatic radiation esophagitis was defined as an event.

Results

Compared to baseline, esophageal NSUV increased significantly during-RT at the level of the primary tumor (1.09 ± 0.05 vs.1.28 ± 0.06, p = 0.001), but did not change at other levels in the esophagus. 16 patients had radiation esophagitis events and these patients had significantly higher during-RT to baseline NSUV ratios than those without esophagitis (1.46 ± 0.12, 95% CI 1.20-1.71; vs. 1.11 ± 0.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.21, p = 0.002). Maximum esophageal dose (p = 0.029), concurrent chemotherapy (p = 0.022) and esophageal FDG PET NSUV ratio (during-RT to baseline, p = 0.007), were independent factors associated with esophagitis and area under curves (AUC) were 0.76, 0.70 and 0.78, respectively. Combining esophageal maximum dose and FDG PET NSUV Ratio at the tumor level increased AUC to 0.85 (p = 0.016).

Conclusion

FDG uptake increased in esophagus during-RT and this increase may predict radiation esphagitis during later course of treatment.
Comparative evaluation of open source software for mapping between metabolite identifiers in metabolic network reconstructions: application to Recon 2
Authors: Haraldsdóttir Hulda S , Thiele Ines , Fleming Ronan MT
Published: January 2014

Background

An important step in the reconstruction of a metabolic network is annotation of metabolites. Metabolites are generally annotated with various database or structure based identifiers. Metabolite annotations in metabolic reconstructions may be incorrect or incomplete and thus need to be updated prior to their use. Genome-scale metabolic reconstructions generally include hundreds of metabolites. Manually updating annotations is therefore highly laborious. This prompted us to look for open-source software applications that could facilitate automatic updating of annotations by mapping between available metabolite identifiers. We identified three applications developed for the metabolomics and chemical informatics communities as potential solutions. The applications were MetMask, the Chemical Translation System, and UniChem. The first implements a “metabolite masking” strategy for mapping between identifiers whereas the latter two implement different versions of an InChI based strategy. Here we evaluated the suitability of these applications for the task of mapping between metabolite identifiers in genome-scale metabolic reconstructions. We applied the best suited application to updating identifiers in Recon 2, the latest reconstruction of human metabolism.

Results

All three applications enabled partially automatic updating of metabolite identifiers, but significant manual effort was still required to fully update identifiers. We were able to reduce this manual effort by searching for new identifiers using multiple types of information about metabolites. When multiple types of information were combined, the Chemical Translation System enabled us to update over 3,500 metabolite identifiers in Recon 2. All but approximately 200 identifiers were updated automatically.

Conclusions

We found that an InChI based application such as the Chemical Translation System was better suited to the task of mapping between metabolite identifiers in genome-scale metabolic reconstructions. We identified several features, however, that could be added to such an application in order to tailor it to this task.
To be or not to be a piRNA: genomic origin and processing of piRNAs
Authors: Le Thomas Adrien , Tóth Katalin Fejes , Aravin Alexei A
Published: January 2014

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) originate from genomic regions dubbed piRNA clusters. How cluster transcripts are selected for processing into piRNAs is not understood. We discuss evidence for the involvement of chromatin structure and maternally inherited piRNAs in determining their fate.
Craniopharyngioma
Authors: Müller Hermann L.
Published: January 2014

This report is a review of findings on the diagnosis, treatment, clinical course, and prognosis of craniopharyngioma patients. Craniopharyngiomas are rare, partly cystic and calcified embryonic malformations of the sellar/parasellar region with low histological grade (WHO I°). A bimodal age distribution has been shown, with peak incidence rates in childhood-onset at 5–14 years and adult-onset craniopharyngioma at 50–74 years. Clinical manifestations are related to hypothalamic/pituitary deficiencies, visual impairment, and increased intracranial pressure. If the tumor is favorably localized, the therapy of choice is complete resection, with care taken to preserve optical and hypothalamic functions. In patients with unfavorable tumor localization (ie, hypothalamic involvement), recommended therapy is a limited hypothalamus-sparing surgical strategy followed by local irradiation. Although overall survival rates are high (92%), recurrences and progressions are frequent. Irradiation has proven effective in reducing recurrences and progression, and timing of postsurgical irradiation in childhood-onset cases is currently under investigation in a randomized multinational trial (KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007). Anatomical involvement and/or surgical lesions of posterior hypothalamic areas can result in serious quality of life-compromising sequelae such as hypothalamic obesity, psychopathological symptoms, and/or cognitive problems. It is crucial that craniopharyngioma be managed as a frequently chronic disease, providing ongoing care of pediatric and adult patients' clinical and quality of life consequences by experienced multidisciplinary teams.
At Least Do No Harm: The Use of Scarce Data
Authors: Sandroni Alvaro
Published: January 2014

When data is scarce, it is difficult to screen the opinions of informed and uninformed experts. In spite of this difficulty it is possible to deliver incentives for informed experts to honestly reveal their views, and for uninformed experts to do no harm to a principal in the sense that uninformed experts report the view the principal held originally (i.e., without the expert's report). This follows even if there is only a single data point to evaluate the expert's opinions and the expert's preferences over risk are unknown. (JEL D82, D86)
Optimal Tax and Expenditure Policy with Aggregate Uncertainty
Authors: Bierbrauer Felix J.
Published: January 2014

We study optimal income taxation and public-goods provision under the assumption that the cross-section distributions of productive abilities or public-goods preferences are not known a priori. A conventional Mirrleesian treatment is shown to provoke manipulations of the policy mechanism by individuals with similar interests. The analysis therefore incorporates a requirement of coalition-proofness. The main result is that increased public-goods provision is associated with a more distortionary and a more redistributive tax system. With a conventional Mirrleesian treatment, the level of public-goods provision is not related to how distortionary or redistributive the tax system is. (JEL D82, H21, H23, H41)
Pooling with Essential and Nonessential Patents
Authors: Quint Daniel
Published: January 2014

Several recent technological standards were accompanied by patent pools—arrangements to license relevant intellectual property as a package. A key distinction made by regulators—between patents essential to a standard and patents with substitutes—has not been addressed in the theoretical literature. I show that pools of essential patents are always welfare increasing, while pools which include nonessential patents can be welfare reducing—even pools limited to complementary patents and stable under compulsory individual licensing. If pools gain commitment power and price as Stackelberg leaders, this reduces, and can reverse, the gains from welfare-increasing pools. (JEL D43, D45, K21, L13, L24, O34)
The Coordination Value of Monetary Exchange: Experimental Evidence
Authors: Camera Gabriele , Casari Marco
Published: January 2014

What institutions can sustain cooperation in groups of strangers? Here we study the role of monetary systems. In an experiment, subjects sometimes needed help and sometimes could incur a cost to help an anonymous counterpart. In the absence of money, the intertemporal exchange of help, which could be supported by a norm of community punishment of defectors, did not emerge. Introducing intrinsically worthless tokens substantially altered patterns of behavior. Monetary trade emerged, which increased predictability of play and promoted cooperation when strangers could trade help for a token. (JEL C71, C73, D40, E42)
Risk-Taking and Risk-Sharing Incentives under Moral Hazard
Authors: Belhaj Mohamed , Bourlès Renaud , Deroïan Frédéric
Published: January 2014

This paper explores the effect of moral hazard on both risk-taking and informal risk-sharing incentives. Two agents invest in their own project, each choosing a level of risk and effort, and share risk through transfers. This can correspond to farmers in developing countries, who share risk and decide individually upon the adoption of a risky technology. The paper mainly shows that the impact of moral hazard on risk crucially depends on the observability of investment risk, whereas the impact on transfers is much more utility dependent. (JEL D81, D82, D86, G22)
Τυποποίηση HLA γονιδίων τάξης ΙΙ με αλυσιδωτή αντίδραση πολυμεράσης (PCR) σε έλληνες ασθενείς με ψωρίαση και ψωριασική αρθρίτιδα
Authors: Γιαννόπουλος Γεώργιος
Published: January 2014

Το εκλυτικό αίτιο για την εμφάνιση της ψωρίασης και της ψωριασικής αρθρίτιδας παραμένει άγνωστο.Από πολλούς πιστεύεται ότι οι γενετικοί παράγοντες διαδραματίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην προδιάθεση για την εμφάνιση των νοσημάτων αυτών.Η περιοχή του γονιδιώματος,που μέχρι σήμερα φαίνεται να εμπλέκεται περισσότερο στην αιτιοπαθογένεια της ψωριασικής αρθρίτιδας και της ψωρίασης,είναι αυτή στην οποία χαρτογραφείται το μείζον σύμπλεγμα ιστοσυμβατότητας. Ο σκοπός της μελέτης μας ήταν να διερευνηθεί η πιθανή συσχέτιση των γονιδίων που κωδικοποιούν τα HLA DR μόρια του μείζονος συστήματος ιστοσυμβατότητας,με την προδιάθεση για εμφάνιση ψωρίασης και ψωριασικής αρθρίτιδας σε Έλληνες ασθενείς.Μελετήσαμε επίσης την συσχέτιση των γονιδίων αυτών με την κλινική έκφραση της ψωριασικής αρθρίτιδας,την βαρύτητα της σκελετικής προσβολής καθώς και με την ηλικία εμφάνισης του εξανθήματος και την ύπαρξη θετικού οικογενειακού ιστορικού. Ασθενείς-μέθοδος. Μελετήσαμε ταυτόχρονα τρείς ομάδες Ελληνικού πληθυσμού.Μία ομάδα 60 ασθενών με ψωριασική αρθρίτιδα(ΨΑ),μία ομάδα 59 ασθενών με ψωρίαση χωρίς αρθρίτιδα και μία ομάδα 78 υγιών μαρτύρων.Με την μέθοδο της αλυσιδωτής αντίδρασης πολυμεράσης(PCR) ταυτοποιήσαμε τα HLA DR γονίδια σε κάθε ομάδα ασθενών και στην ομάδα των μαρτύρων και αξιολογήσαμε την σημαντικότητα των συσχετίσεων με τις δοκιμασίες … και t-test. Aποτελέσματα.Η συχνότητα του HLADRB1*14 βρέθηκε σημαντικά αυξημένη στην ομάδα των ασθενών με ΨΑ(22%) σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα των ασθενών με ψωρίαση(12%) και την ομάδα των μαρτύρων(7,7%)(p<0,05, RR 3,39).Η συχνότητα του HLADRB1*08 βρέθηκε σημαντικά αυξημένη στην ομάδα των ασθενών με ψωρίαση(8,6%) σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα των ασθενών με ΨΑ(0%)και την ομάδα των μαρτύρων(1,3%)(p<0,05 , RR 7,26).Η συχνότητα του HLADRB1*07 βρέθηκε σημαντικά αυξημένη στην κλινική υποκατηγορία των ασθενών με μονο-ολιγοαρθρική προσβολή σε σύγκριση με τις άλλες κλινικές υποκατηγορίες της ΨΑ(p<0,001 ),ενώ αντίθετα η συχνότητα του HLADRB1*11 βρέθηκε σημαντικά ελαττωμένη στην ίδια κλινική υποκατηγορία των ασθενών με ΨΑ.Δεν διαπιστώθηκε κάποια στατιστικά σημαντική συσχέτιση των HLA DR γονιδίων με την βαρύτητα της αρθρικής προσβολής,την ηλικία εμφάνισης της δερματικής νόσου καθώς και με την ύπαρξη θετικού οικογενειακού ιστορικού. Συμπεράσματα. Επιβεβαιώνεται και από την μελέτη σε Ελληνικό πληθυσμό,ότι τα γονίδια του μείζονος συμπλέγματος ιστοσυμβατότητας εμπλέκονται στην παθογένεια της ψωρίασης και της ψωριασικής αρθρίτιδας. Συγκεκριμένα,το HLADRB1*14 φαίνεται να προδιαθέτει στην εμφάνιση ψωριασικής αρθρίτιδας,το HLADRB1*08 στην εμφάνιση ψωρίασης χωρίς αρθρίτιδα, ενώ τα HLADRB1*07 και το ΗLADRB1*11 φαίνεται να επηρεάζουν σημαντικά την κλινική έκφραση της ΨΑ.
Μεταβολές στην ευαισθησία των τασεοϋποδοχέων του ΑΝΣ σε ασθενείς μετά από ενδαρτηρεκτομή των καρωτίδων και συσχέτιση των ευρημάτων με την υπερηχογραφική εικόνα και τα χαρακτηριστικά της αθηρωσκληρωτικής πλάκας
Authors: Τσεκούρας Νικόλαος
Published: January 2014

Background: The net effect of unilateral carotid endarterectomy (CEA), on baroreflex sensitivity, depends on the counteraction of various suggested mechanisms. Aim: To investigate if the morphology of carotid plaque is another factor that can affect baroreflex function. Methods: Forty-two patients (27 male; mean age 69.09 years) were evaluated. Patients were classified into 2 groups, preoperatively, according to the echogenicity of the plaque, (Gray-Waele classification). Plaques of grades 1 and 2 were defined as echolucent plaques and those of grades 3 and 4 were defined as echogenic. All patients were subjected to elective CEA, using ultraluminal carotid shunt and vein patch. Spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (sBRS), as a reliable index of responsiveness of the baroreflex, was calculated with the sequence method. Preoperative patient characteristics were compared using the x2 test, Fisher’s exact test, or the independent samples t test. We evaluated hemodynamic parameters, without taking into account the echogenicity of the plaque, using Friedman and Wilcoxon tests. Hemodynamic parameters between the 2 groups of plaques were calculated with multiple and simple analysis of covariance. Results: Patients with echolucent plaques had diabetes mellitus and symptomatic plaques at a significantly greater incidence ( 2=8.077, p=0.004, #ι 2=8.576, p=0.003 respectively). There was an overall reducing of sBRS after CEA, ( 2=32.605, p<0,001). Before endarterectomy, sBRS was greater in patients with echolucent plaques, compared to patients with echogenic plaques (F=10.065, p=0.003). Postoperatively this difference was eliminated. Conclusions: Only preoperatively echogenicity can affect baroreflex function in patients with carotid artery disease. This finding has a special clinical impact in these patients.
Ιός του ανθρώπινου θηλώματος και πολυεστιακή ενδοεπιθηλιακή νεοπλασία του κατώτερου γεννητικού συστήματος στη γυναίκα
Authors: Γεωργαντοπούλου Αικατερίνη
Published: January 2014

Η έρευνα αυτή είχε σκοπό να βρεθεί εάν υπάρχουν κολποσκοπικά ορατές βλάβες στο κατώτερο γεννητικό σύστημα και τον πρωκτό σε γυναίκες που προσέρχονται για κολποσκόπηση και να διατυπωθούν συμπεράσματα, όσον αφορά τον ελληνικό πληθυσμό, σχετικά με την ανάγκη η κολποσκοπική εξέταση να περιλαμβάνει όλο το κατώτερο γεννητικό σύστημα σε αυτές τις γυναίκες. Να βρεθεί εάν υπάρχουν υποκλινικές ιστολογικές βλάβες που να σχετίζονται με τους ιούς του Ανθρωπίνου Θηλώματος στο αιδοίο και τον πρωκτό σε αυτές τις γυναίκες και να προσδιοριστεί η ιστολογική ταυτότητα των βλαβών αυτών και να εξεταστεί η μοριακή τους βιολογια. Καθώς και να αναλυθούν τα αποτελέσματα σε σχέση με τα στοιχεία από το πρόσφατο εμβόλιο κατά του ιού του Ανθρωπίνου Θηλώματος. Τα υλικά που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ήταν κλινικά στοιχεία (ιστορικό), κυτταρολογία (ΠΑΠ Τεστ), κολποσκοπικά ευρήματα, ανατομοπαθολογικά στοιχεία (από τις ιστολογικές εξετάσεις των βιοψιών) καθώς και τα πορίσματα εξετάσεων μοριακής βιολογίας (in situ υβριδισμός). Οι μέθοδοι που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ήταν κυτταρολογική εξέταση, κολποσκοπική εξέταση, ιστολογική εξέταση και in situ υβριδισμός. Εβδομήντα πέντε ασθενείς συμπεριλήφθησαν στην έρευνα αυτή. Σε ένα ποσοστό 5.3% των ασθενών βρέθηκαν να συνυπάρχουν προκαρκινικές βλάβες στο αιδοίο αλλά σε καμία ασθενή δεν βρέθηκαν προκαρκινικές βλάβες στον πρωκτό. Στην πλειονότητα των ασθενών (περίπου 94%) βρέθηκαν υποκλινικές βλάβες (επίπεδα κονδυλώματα) τόσο στο αιδοίο όσο και στον πρωκτό των ασθενών αυτών. Η παρουσία των προκαρκινικών και αλλά ιδιαιτέρως η σχεδόν καθολική συνύπαρξη υποκλινικών, καλοηθών βλαβών ήταν τέτοια που να οδηγήσει στο συμπέρασμα ότι πρέπει να μιλάμε για Πολυεστιακή Νόσο του κατωτέρου Γεννητικού Συστήματος και όχι μόνο για Πολυεστιακή Ενδοεπιθηλιακή Νεοπλασία. Αυτή η Πολυεστιακή Νόσος μπορεί να έχει επιπτώσεις στην φυσική πορεία της λοίμωξης στις ασθενείς κυρίως όσον άφορα την πιθανή εξελίξει της σε εστίες ενδοεπιθηλιακών νεοπλασιών. Ακόμη μπορεί να έχει επιπτώσεις στην σεξουαλική υγεία των ασθενών αυτών καθώς και των συντρόφων τους. Η σχεδόν καθολική παρουσία των καλοηθών βλαβών (επίπεδων κονδυλωμάτων) έχει επίσης σημασία για την σεξουαλική υγεία του πληθυσμού και την δημόσια υγεία γενικότερα.
Βιοχημικοί και ηχωκαρδιογραφικοί δείκτες σε ασθενείς με σκληρόδερμα και πνευμονική υπέρταση
Authors: Δημητρούλας Θεόδωρος
Published: January 2014

Σκοπός της μελέτης: Η διερεύνηση του ρόλου και της σημασίας του Εγκεφαλικού Νατριουρητικού Πεπτιδίου (ΝΤ-proBNP) και της Ασύμμετρης Διμεθυλαργινίνης (ΑDΜΑ) για την εκτίμηση του κινδύνου εμφάνισης, τη διάγνωση και την παρακολούθηση της Πνευμονικής Αρτηριακής Υπέρτασης σε ασθενείς με Συστηματική Σκλήρυνση (ΣΣΠΑΥ). Μέθοδοι: Στη μελέτη συμμετείχαν 66 ασθενείς με ΣΣ, οι οποίοι υποβλήθηκαν σε ηχωκαρδιογράφημα καρδιάς και ιστικό DOPPLER, εργαστηριακό έλεγχο ρουτίνας και εξάλεπτη δοκιμασία βάδισης (6ΜWΤ). Ο προσδιορισμός των επιπέδων ΝΤ-proBNP και της ΑDΜΑ έγινε με ELISA. Αποτελέσματα: Η διάγνωση της ΣΣΠΑΥ (συστολική πίεση πνευμονικής αρτηρίας -SPAP>40 mmHg) τέθηκε σε 24 ασθενείς. Οι ασθενείς με ΣΣΠΑΥ εμφάνισαν αυξημένη διάμετρο του αριστερού κόλπου, αυξημένο δείκτη μυοκαρδιακής απόδοσης της δεξιάς κοιλίας (ΔΚ), αυξημένο λόγο του κύματος της πρώιμης διαστολικής πλήρωσης στους διαμιτροειδικής ροής (κύμα Ε), προς τη μέγιστη πρώιμη διαστολική ταχύτητα κίνησης Ε/Εm της αριστερής κοιλίας (ΑΚ) στο ιστικό DOPPLER και μείωση της τιμής του κύματος Εm της ΔΚ. Στην ίδια ομάδα ασθενών η συγκέντρωση στο πλάσμα του ΝΤ-proBNP και της ADMA ήταν στατιστικά σημαντικά υψηλότερες σε σχέση με τους σκληροδερμικούς ασθενείς χωρίς ΠΑΥ. Τα επίπεδα του ΝΤ-proBNP συσχετίσθηκαν θετικά με τη SPAP και το λόγο των ταχυτήτων Ε/Εm της (ΑΚ) και αρνητικά με την απόσταση που διανύουν οι ασθενείς κατά το 6MWT. Τα επίπεδα της ADMA εμφάνισαν επίσης αρνητική συσχέτιση με την απόσταση του 6MWT. Τα επίπεδα του ΝΤ-proBNP και η διάμετρος του αριστερού κόλπου βρέθηκαν να αποτελούν ανεξάρτητους προγνωστικούς δείκτες για την πιθανότητα διάγνωσης ΣΣΠΑΥ στους ασθενείς της μελέτης. Συμπέρασμα: Οι βιοχημικοί και ηχωκαρδιογραφικοί δείκτες μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν συνδυαστικά για την παρακολούθηση ομάδων ασθενών υψηλού κινδύνου για την εμφάνιση Πνευμονικής Υπέρτασης, όπως οι ασθενείς με σκληρόδερμα.
Αξιολόγηση νεώτερων ινότροπων φαρμάκων στην αιμοδυναμική ανταπόκριση της οξείας καρδιακής ανεπάρκειας
Authors: Αηδονίδης Γεώργιος
Published: January 2014

Σκοπός: Η σύγκριση της κλινικής έκβασης, της αιμοδυναμικής αποτελεσματικότητας, και της νευροορμονικής απόκρισης μεταξύ λεβοσιμενδάνης και μιλρινόνης στην μη αντιρροπούμενη χρόνια καρδιακή ανεπάρκεια με δοσολογικό σχήμα παρατεταμένης χορήγησης χωρίς δόση εφόδου. Μέθοδος: 50 ασθενείς προσκομιζόμενοι στα επείγοντα για οξεία ή μη αντιρροπούμενη χρόνια καρδιακή ανεπάρκεια, εντάχθηκαν στην μελέτη. Χωρίστηκαν σε δύο ισοδύναμες ομάδες λαμβάνουσες ενδοφλεβίως είτε λεβοσιμενδάνη είτε μιλρινόνη μέχρι και 72 ώρες χωρίς δόση εφόδου. Πρωτεύον τελικό σημείο ορίστηκε η αιμοδυναμική ανταπόκριση. Δευτερεύον τελικό σημείο αποτέλεσε η νευροορμονική και αρρυθμιογενετική ανταπόκριση των δύο φαρμάκων ανάλογα με το ΒΝΡ και τη διάρκεια του διηθημένου διαστήματος QRS αντίστοιχα, στις 48 και 72 ώρες. Κατεγράφησαν επιπλοκές και κλινική έκβαση στις 180 ημέρες. Αποτελέσματα: Αμφότερα τα φάρμακα παρουσίασαν καλή αιμοδυναμική ανταπόκριση, μείωση του ΒΝΡ και σταθερότητα του διηθημένου διαστήματος QRS. Η λεβοσιμενδάνη παρουσίασε παρατεταμένη ευεργετική νευροορμονική δράση με λιγότερες επαναεισαγωγές. Συμπεράσματα: Η παρατεταμένη χορήγηση λεβοσιμενδάνης ή μιλρινόνης χωρίς δόση εφόδου σε οξεία καρδιακή ανεπάρκεια αποτελεί αποτελεσματική στρατηγική.