bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Monster… -omics’: on segmentation, re-segmentation, and vertebrae formation in amphibians and other vertebrates
Authors: Buckley David , Molnár Viktor , Németh Gábor , Petneházy Örs , Vörös Judit
Published: April 2013

Background

The axial skeleton is one of the defining evolutionary landmarks of vertebrates. How this structure develops and how it has evolved in the different vertebrate lineages is, however, a matter of debate. Vertebrae and vertebral structures are derived from the embryonic somites, although the mechanisms of development are different between lineages.

Discussion

Using the anecdotal description of a teratological newt (Triturus dobrogicus) with an unusual malformation in its axial skeleton, we review, compare, and discuss the development of vertebral structures and, in particular, the development of centra from somitic cellular domains in different vertebrate groups. Vertebrae development through re-segmentation of the somitic sclerotomal cells is considered the general mechanism among vertebrates, which has been generalized from studies in amniotic model organisms. The prevalence of this mechanism among anamniotes is, however, controversial. We propose alternative developmental mechanisms for vertebrae formation that should be experimentally tested.

Research in model organisms, especially amniotes, is laying the foundations for a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of development of the axial skeleton in vertebrates, foundations that should expand the extent of future comparative studies. Although immersed in the ‘-omics’ era, we emphasize the need for an integrative and organismal approach in evolutionary developmental biology for a better understanding of the causal role of development in the evolution of morphological diversity in nature.
Serum paraoxonase-1 as biomarker for improved diagnosis of fatty liver in dairy cows
Authors: Farid Ayman Samir , Honkawa Kazuyuki , Fath Eman Mohamed , Nonaka Nariaki , Horii Yoichiro
Published: April 2013

Background

Fatty liver is a major metabolic disorder in dairy cows and is believed to result in major economic losses in dairy farming due to decreased health status, reproductive performance and fertility. Currently, the definitive means for diagnosing fatty liver is determining the fat content of hepatic tissue by liver biopsy, which is an invasive and costly procedure, making it poorly suited to dairy farms. Therefore, the key aim of this study was to investigate the measurement of serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1), an enzyme exclusively synthesized by the liver, as a sensitive noninvasive biomarker for diagnosis of fatty liver in dairy cows.

Results

A comparative cohort study using serum specimens from Holstein–Friesian dairy cows (46 healthy and 46 fatty liver cases) was conducted. Serum PON1 (paraoxonase, lactonase and arylesterase) activity and other biochemical and hematological parameters were measured. We found that serum PON1 activity was lower (P<0.001) in cows suffering from fatty liver. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of PON1 activity for diagnosis of fatty liver was 0.973–0.989 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.941, 1.000] which was higher than the AUC-ROC of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). We found that adding serum PON1 measurement to different batteries of serum diagnostic panels showed a combination of high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (+LR), negative likelihood ratio (−LR), diagnostic odd ratio (DOR) and overall diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing fatty liver.

Conclusions

The present results indicate that addition of serum PON1 activity measurement to the biochemical profile could improve the diagnosis of fatty liver in dairy cows, which would have a considerable clinical impact and lead to greater profitability in the dairy industry.
The novel BTB-kelch protein, KBTBD8, is located in the Golgi apparatus and translocates to the spindle apparatus during mitosis
Authors: Lührig Sandra , Kolb Susanne , Mellies Nadine , Nolte Jessica
Published: April 2013

Proteins of the BTB-kelch family are known to be involved in multiple biological processes such as migration, cytoskeleton arrangement, regulation of cell morphology, protein ubiquitination and gene expression. KBTBD8 is a new member of this family. The gene was found in a comparative transcriptome analysis of pluripotent stem cells and was therefore suggested to play a role in the regulation of pluripotency. Comparative analysis of the gene and protein sequences revealed a high conservation throughout evolution especially in the characteristic domains of BTB, BACK and kelch. We identified the Golgi apparatus as the subcellular localization of the KBTBD8 protein in non-dividing cells and could show that KBTBD8 co-localizes with α-tubulin on the spindle apparatus of mitotic cells suggesting a role in cell proliferation. In conclusion, KBTBD8 is a new member of the BTB-kelch superfamily that is located in the Golgi apparatus and translocates to the spindle apparatus during mitosis.
Correlation between nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumor volume and the 2002 International Union Against Cancer tumor classification system
Authors: Wu Zheng , Gu Mo-Fa , Zeng Rui-Fang , Su Yong , Huang Shao-Min
Published: April 2013

Background

The correlation between primary tumor volume and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) UICC 2002 T classification, N classification and distant metastasis after radiation therapy was discussed to provide further evidence for the inclusion of tumor volume into the TNM classification staging system.

Methods

Between February 2001 and December 2008, 666 patients with NPC treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were analyzed retrospectively. Primary gross tumor volume was calculated from treatment planning computed tomography scans. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests were used for comparison of continuous variables and the chi-square test was used for categorical variables. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis.

Results

Median primary tumor volume of the 666 patients was 20.35 ml (range, 0.44 − 192.63 ml), and it gradually increased with T classification. Statistically significant differences in tumor volume were observed between patients with different T classifications (p < 0.001). The cervical lymph node metastasis rate was 64.7% (430/666); the differences in primary tumor volume between patients with or without lymph node metastasis were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Posttreatment distant metastasis occurred in 100 NPC patients, and the five-year distant metastasis-free survival was 84.2%. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that N classification (p < 0.001) and tumor volume (p = 0.007) were the main factors influencing distant metastasis.

Conclusion

Tumor volume was correlated with T classification, cervical lymph node mestastasis and distant metastasis after radiation therapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, suggesting that tumor volume should be included into the TNM staging system.
Neurosurgery and prognosis in patients with radiation-induced brain injury after nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy: a follow-up study
Authors: Li Yi , Shi Xiaolei , Rong Xiaoming , Peng Ying , Tang Yamei
Published: April 2013

Background

Radiotherapy is the standard radical treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and may cause radiation-induced brain injury (RI). Treatment for RI remains a challenge. We conducted this study to investigate the indications of neurosurgery, operation time and prognosis of patients with RI after NPC radiotherapy who underwent neurosurgical management.

Methods

This was a follow-up study between January 2005 and July 2011. Fifteen NPC cases of RI who underwent neurosurgery were collected. Brain Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), surgery and histology were studied. The outcome was assessed by LENT/SOMA scales and modified Rankin scale.

Results

Brain lesion resection (86.7%) was more common than decompressive craniotomy (13.3%). According to LENT/SOMA scale before and six months after surgery, 13 of 15, 12 of 15, 14 of 15, and 14 of 15 cases showed improvement at subjective, objective, management and analytic domains, respectively. 12 of 15 patients showed improvement of modified Rankin scale after surgery. Three patients who underwent emergency surgery showed significant improvement (average score increment of 2, 2.7, 2.7, 3 and 2 at LENT/SOMA scale subjective, objective, management, analytic, and modified Rankin scale, respectively), as compared with 12 cases underwent elective surgery (average score increment of 1, 1, 1.4, 1.8 and 1 at LENT SOMA scale subjective, objective, management, analytic, and modified Rankin scale, respectively).

Conclusions

Neurosurgery, including brain necrotic tissue resection and decompressive craniotomy, improves the prognosis for RI patients, especially for those with indications of emergency surgery.
Inhibition of attachment of oral bacteria to immortalized human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) by tea extracts and tea components
Authors: Wang Yi , Chung Felicia FL , Lee Sui M , Dykes Gary A
Published: April 2013

Background

Tea has been suggested to promote oral health by inhibiting bacterial attachment to the oral cavity. Most studies have focused on prevention of bacterial attachment to hard surfaces such as enamel.

Findings

This study investigated the effect of five commercial tea (green, oolong, black, pu-erh and chrysanthemum) extracts and tea components (epigallocatechin gallate and gallic acid) on the attachment of five oral pathogens (Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35668, Streptococcus mitis ATCC 49456, Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 13419 and Actinomyces naeslundii ATCC 51655) to the HGF-1 gingival cell line. Extracts of two of the teas (pu-erh and chrysanthemum) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced attachment of all the Streptococcus strains by up to 4 log CFU/well but effects of other teas and components were small.

Conclusions

Pu-erh and chrysanthemum tea may have the potential to reduce attachment of oral pathogens to gingival tissue and improve the health of oral soft tissues.
ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase confers cisplatin resistance in ovarian tumor cells
Authors: Schultz Matthew J , Swindall Amanda F , Wright John W , Sztul Elizabeth S , Landen Charles N , Bellis Susan L
Published: April 2013

Background

Platinum drugs, including cisplatin, are a frontline therapeutic in ovarian cancer treatment and acquired resistance to these agents is a major contributor to ovarian cancer morbidity and mortality. In this study a novel glycosylation-dependent mechanism for cisplatin resistance is described. Specifically, cisplatin-induced cell death is blocked by the activity of the ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase. ST6Gal-I modifies specific receptors by adding a negatively charged sialic acid sugar which influences diverse receptor functions. Overexpression of ST6Gal-I is a hallmark of ovarian and other cancers and its expression has been correlated to metastasis and poor prognosis.

Methods

Tumor cell viability and apoptotic induction were determined in cell lines with ST6Gal-I overexpression and knockdown. In addition, cell populations with acquired resistance to cisplatin were assayed for endogenous ST6Gal-I expression.

Results

We show that forced expression of ST6Gal-I in OV4 ovarian cancer cells that lack endogenous ST6Gal-I causes reduced activation of caspase 3 and increased cell viability following cisplatin treatment. Conversely, forced ST6Gal-I knockdown in Pa-1 cells with high endogenous ST6Gal-I increases cisplatin-induced caspase activation and cell death. A2780 ovarian cancer cells selected for stable cisplatin resistance display upregulated endogenous ST6Gal-I when compared with parental, cisplatin-sensitive, A2780 cells. Similarly, extended low dose cisplatin treatment of a Pa-1 polyclonal ST6Gal-I shRNA knockdown population led to selection for subclones with elevated ST6Gal-I expression.

Conclusions

Receptor sialylation by ST6Gal-I confers a survival advantage for tumor cells in the presence of cisplatin. These collective findings support a role for ST6Gal-I in chemoresistance and highlight ST6Gal-I as a potential therapeutic target for platinum resistant tumors.
Effect of antimicrobial growth promoter administration on the intestinal microbiota of beef cattle
Authors: Reti Kristen L , Thomas Matthew C , Yanke L Jay , Selinger L Brent , Inglis G Douglas
Published: April 2013

Background

Antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) are antimicrobial agents administered to livestock in feed for prolonged periods to enhance feed efficiency. Beef cattle are primarily finished in confined feeding operations in Canada and the USA, and the administration of AGPs such as chlortetracycline and sulfamethazine (Aureo S-700 G) is the standard. The impacts of AGPs on the intestinal microbiota of beef cattle are currently uncertain; it is documented that AGPs administered to beef cattle pass through the rumen and enter the intestine. To ascertain the impacts of Aureo S-700 G on the small and large intestinal microbiota of beef cattle (mucosa-associated and within digesta), terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for total bacteria were applied. Beef cattle were maintained in an experimental feedlot (five replicate pens per treatment), and AGP treatment cattle were administered Aureo S-700 G in feed, whereas control cattle were administered no antimicrobials. As the intestinal microbiota of beef cattle has not been extensively examined, clone library analysis was applied to ascertain the primary bacterial constituents of the intestinal microbiota.

Results

Comparative T-RFLP and qPCR analysis (n = 122 samples) revealed that bacterial community fingerprints and bacterial load within digesta differed from those associated with mucosa. However, the administration of Aureo S-700 G did not affect bacterial community fingerprints or bacterial load within the small and large intestine relative to control cattle. Analysis of >1500 near full length 16S rDNA clones revealed considerably greater bacterial diversity in the large relative to the small intestine of beef cattle. Mucosa-associated bacterial communities in the jejunum were dominated by Proteobacteria, and differed conspicuously from those in the ileum and large intestine. Although the ileum contained bacterial clones that were common to the jejunum as well as the cecum, Firmicutes clones associated with mucosa dominated in the ileum, cecum, and descending colon. In the descending colon, clone library analysis did not reveal a difference in the richness or diversity of bacterial communities within digesta relative to those associated with mucosa. However, T-RFLP analysis indicated a significant difference in T-RF relative abundance (i.e. difference in relative taxon abundance) between mucosa-associated and digesta communities attributed in part to the differential abundance of Bacteriodes, Alistipes, Oscillibacter, and unclassified Clostridiales.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that there was no significant difference in the composition of the predominant intestinal bacteria constituents within animals administered Aureo S-700 G and those not administered AGPs after a 28 day withdrawal period.
The impact of clinical versus pathological staging in oral cavity carcinoma–a multi-institutional analysis of survival
Authors: Biron Vincent L , O'Connell Daniel A , Seikaly Hadi
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To evaluate any disparity in clinical versus pathological TNM staging in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) patients and any impact of this on survival.

Design

Demographic, survival, staging, and pathologic data on all patients undergoing surgical treatment for OCSCC in Alberta between 1998 and 2006 was collected. Clinical and pathological TNM staging data were compared. Patients were stratified as pathologically downstaged, upstaged or unchanged.

Setting

Tertiary care centers in Alberta, Canada.

Main outcome measures

Survival differences between groups were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models.

Results

Patients with clinically early stage tumors were pathologically upstaged in 21.9% of cases and unchanged in 78.1% of cases. Patients with clinically advanced stage tumors were pathologically downstaged in 7.9% of cases and unchanged in 92.1% of cases. Univariate and multivariate estimates of disease-specific survival showed no statistically significant differences in survival when patients were either upstaged or downstaged.

Conclusions

Some disparity exists in clinical versus pathological staging in OCSCC, however, this does not have any significant impact on disease specific survival.
Rethinking Definitions and Expectations: Civil Rights and Civil Rights Leadership in Ernest Gaines’sThe Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
Authors: Patterson Robert J.
Published: April 2013

In this essay, I argue that Ernest Gaines’s (1971) The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman deploys black freedom struggles as points of departure to elucidate the shortcomings of what I theorize as exodus politics. I employ the phrase “exodus politics” to articulate the political strategy African Americans have invoked to argue for civil and political rights, including defining civil rights as pertaining only or primarily to “racial rights” and idealizing black men as the necessary “leaders” for civil rights attainment. Situating Gaines within the context of his contemporaries, I deploy civil rights historian Belinda Robnett’s notions of bridge and formal leadership to demonstrate how Gaines’s historical fiction serves as an early corrective to the masculinization of civil rights, civil rights leadership, and even the civil rights movement. While Gaines rightfully invokes the explicit and implicit measures white people took to abrogate black people’s civil rights, his text might be better understood as challenging black people to eschew their long-standing tradition of exodus politics because adhering to such a tradition has been counterproductive to civil rights attainment for black men and black women. By emphasizing male formal leadership, African American communities not only have failed to recognize the importance, necessity, and complexity of female bridge leadership, but also have bound the civil rights movement’s longevity to a small cadre of male leaders. Shifting the gaze from formal leadership to bridge leadership and conceptualizing civil rights as always already intertwined with issues of race and gender (and class and sexuality), The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman rightfully helps readers to conceptualize models of black politics and leadership that consider the varying political interests that exist within African American communities.
Long-lasting alterations to DNA methylation and ncRNAs could underlie the effects of fetal alcohol exposure in mice
Authors: Laufer Benjamin I. , Mantha Katarzyna , Kleiber Morgan L. , Diehl Eric J. , Addison Sean M. F. , Singh Shiva M.
Published: April 2013

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are characterized by life-long changes in gene expression, neurodevelopment and behavior. What mechanisms initiate and maintain these changes are not known, but current research suggests a role for alcohol-induced epigenetic changes. In this study we assessed alterations to adult mouse brain tissue by assaying DNA cytosine methylation and small noncoding RNA (ncRNA) expression, specifically the microRNA (miRNA) and small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) subtypes. We found long-lasting alterations in DNA methylation as a result of fetal alcohol exposure, specifically in the imprinted regions of the genome harboring ncRNAs and sequences interacting with regulatory proteins. A large number of major nodes from the identified networks, such as Pten signaling, contained transcriptional repressor CTCF-binding sites in their promoters, illustrating the functional consequences of alcohol-induced changes to DNA methylation. Next, we assessed ncRNA expression using two independent array platforms and quantitative PCR. The results identified 34 genes that are targeted by the deregulated miRNAs. Of these, four (Pten, Nmnat1, Slitrk2 and Otx2) were viewed as being crucial in the context of FASDs given their roles in the brain. Furthermore, ~20% of the altered ncRNAs mapped to three imprinted regions (Snrpn-Ube3a, Dlk1-Dio3 and Sfmbt2) that showed differential methylation and have been previously implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. The findings of this study help to expand on the mechanisms behind the long-lasting changes in the brain transcriptome of FASD individuals. The observed changes could contribute to the initiation and maintenance of the long-lasting effect of alcohol.
Acute Myocardial Infarct Detection with Dual Energy CT: Correlation with Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Myocardial Scintigraphy in a Canine Model
Authors: Peng Jin , Zhang Long Jiang , Schoepf U Joseph , Gibbs Kevin P , Ji Heng Shan , Yang Gui Fen , Zhu Hong , Lu Guang Ming
Published: April 2013

Background

Dual-energy CT (DECT) has been used to detect myocardial infarct. However, few comparable studies with histopathological findings as gold standard have been published.

Purpose

To investigate the accuracy of DECT iodine maps for detecting acute myocardial infarction compared with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in a canine model using histopathological findings as the reference standard.

Material and Methods

A model of myocardial ischemia was created by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery after thoracotomy in six dogs, while another three dogs undergoing thoracotomy without LAD ligature served as a control group. Contrast-enhanced DECT scans of the heart were performed, followed by resting 99mTc-MIBI SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in all nine dogs before and 3 h after the procedure. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed and analyzed. In the short axis of the left ventricle, the wall surface was divided into 17 segments, which were assessed for infarcted myocardium on conventional CT from average-weighted data, DECT myocardial iodine maps, conventional CT plus DECT, SPECT, and histopathology. Inter-observer and inter-modality agreement for conventional CT, DECT myocardial iodine maps, and SPECT were calculated. CT value of infracted and non-infracted areas was measured.

Results

With the histopathological results as the reference standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were 75.0% (30/40), 92.0% (104/113), 76.9% (30/39), 91.2% (104/114), 87.6% (134/153) for conventional CT, 85.0% (34/40), 84.1% (95/113), 65.4% (34/52), 94.1% (95/101), 84.3% (129/153) for DECT myocardial iodine maps; 87.5% (35/40), 92.9% (105/113), 81.4% (35/43), 95.5% (105/110), 91.5% (140/153) for conventional CT plus DECT; 82.5% (33/40), 90.3% (102/113), 75.0% (33/44), and 93.6% (102/109), 88.2% (135/153) for SPECT, respectively. Excellent inter-observer agreement (Kappa value .0.8) and good inter-modality agreement (Kappa value >0.6) for each modality were found. CT values of infarcted myocardium (26±22 HU, 36±33 HU, 34±16 HU) were lower than those of non-infarcted myocardium (115±16 HU, 121±28 HU, 123±11 HU) on images of 140 kVp, 80 kVp, and average-weighted 120 kVp images (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

With histopathology as the reference standard, DECT myocardial iodine maps can detect acute myocardial infarction with diagnostic accuracy comparable to resting SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in a canine model. DECT plus conventional CT had a potential to improve the detection of acute myocardial infarction.
Effects of Magnetically Labeled Exogenous Endothelial Progenitor Cells on Cerebral Blood Perfusion and Microvasculature Alterations after Traumatic Brain Injury in Rat Model
Authors: Chen Xiao , Yin Jun , Wu Xiaoning , Li Ran , Fang Jingqin , Chen Rong , Zhang Bo , Zhang Weiguo
Published: April 2013

Background

Increasing evidence suggests that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), a subgroup of bone marrow hematopoietic stromal cells, play a critical role in neovascularization and tissue repair.

Purpose

To explore the effect of exogenous EPCs on the cerebral blood perfusion and microvessels in the injured region in rat model with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Material and Methods: EPCs were collected from the spleens of healthy Sprague-Dawley rats. Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups. The controlled cortical impact TBI was performed. Spleen-derived exogenous EPCs labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) (SPIO-EPCs) were transplanted into the blood by tail vein of rats at 6 and 12 h after TBI, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography perfusion imaging were performed at various time points. Microvascular density was determined by immunohistochemistry.

Results

In SPIO-EPCs group, patchlike hypointensities were detected in the injured region at 24 h after transplantation, and the range of hypointensities tended to expand gradually over time on MRI, which was confirmed by Prussian blue staining. Computed tomography perfusion imaging parameters were gradually developed from hyperperfusion to normal, while, microvascular density was gradually increased during 72 to 168 h after injury. The values of these indices in SPIO-EPCs group were significantly lower than those in SPIO-alone group at the same time point, but no significant differences were found in different time groups.

Conclusion

The intravenously transplanted EPCs diminish the brain injury through restoring cerebral blood perfusion and increasing the cerebral microvasculature in the injured region in rat model with TBI.
Usefulness of a Guiding Sheath for Fluoroscopic Stent Placement in Patients with Malignant Gastroduodenal Obstruction
Authors: Park Jung-Hoon , Song Ho-Young , Kim Myoung Sun , Chung Rosa , Kim Jin Hyoung , Na Han Kyu , Nam Deok Ho
Published: April 2013

Background

Self-expandable metallic stent placement is widely used to manage malignant gastroduodenal obstructions. However, there are difficulties in negotiating a guidewire (GW) and a stent delivery system (SDS).

Purpose

To investigate feasibility, usefulness, and safety of a guiding sheath for fluoroscopic stent placement in patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstructions.

Material and Methods

In July 2001 to August 2011, 726 patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstructions underwent stent placement. Guiding sheath was used in patients in whom a GW could not be passed through the obstruction and a SDS failed to reach the obstruction. Sheath usefulness was evaluated based on the ability of the sheath to successfully assist. The technical success rate and the most frequent reasons for the use of a sheath were evaluated.

Results

The guiding sheath was needed in 148 of 726 patients (20%). The overall technical success rate was 98% with the guiding sheath. In two of 148 patients, stent placement failed because, the GW could not be passed through the obstruction, in the other, the SDS could not be passed. A minority of patients reported mild discomfort. Patients with pancreatic cancer and duodenal obstruction were significantly more likely to require the use of guiding sheaths (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Using a guiding sheath for fluoroscopic stent placement appears to be feasible, useful and safe in patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstructions.
Changes in Renal Doppler Ultrasonographic Parameters in Patients Managed with Rigid Ureteroscopy
Authors: Tokgöz Özlem , Tokgöz Hüsnü , Ünal İLker , Voyvoda Nuray , ŞErifo&Gbrave;Lu İSmail
Published: April 2013

Background

There has been no study evaluating the intrarenal hemodynamic changes after ureteroscopy in the published literature.

Purpose

To determine preoperative and postoperative intrarenal vascular parameters such as resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), measure changes on these values (ΔRI, ΔPI, ΔPSV, ΔEDV) after ureteroscopy (URS) and compare the outcomes with the results of normal contralateral kidneys, and finally investigate possible parameters that would affect renal vascular resistance changes.

Material and Methods

We prospectively studied 47 patients who underwent rigid URS. Preoperative grayscale and Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) measurements were obtained 24 h before URS. Similarly, postoperative CDUS measurements were done 24 h after the operation. The degree of hydronephrosis and location of stones in the obstructed kidneys, diameters of both kidneys, and thickness of renal parenchyma were evaluated with gray-scale US followed by CDUS with calculation of the intrarenal RI, PI, PSV, and EDV values for each kidney.

Results

For the operated kidneys, statistically significant P values were noticed when RI and PI values were considered (P < 0.001). ΔRI and ΔPI of the operated kidneys were also significantly greater than the values for non-operated kidneys (P < 0.001).However, it was not the case for ΔPSV and ΔEDV values. In Spearman correlation coefficient analysis, ΔRI was found to be correlated with the parameters: “operative time” and “irrigation fluid volume”. No significant relation was documented between ΔRI and the other parameters: age, gender, side of ureteroscopy, stone location, and degree of hydronephrosis.

Conclusion

Significant changes in RI and PI values in patients treated with URS reveal that URS can cause a significant increase in renal vascular resistance. With the increase in operative time and irrigation fluid volume used during the operation, RI seems to be significantly increased.
Enhancement Characteristics of Retroperitoneal Lymphomatous LYMPH Nodes
Authors: Hagtvedt Trond , Aaløkken Trond Mogens , Smith Hans-Jørgen , Graff Bjørn Anton , Holte Harald , Kolbenstvedt Alf
Published: April 2013

Background

Previous studies of CT enhancement of lymphomatous lymph nodes (LLN) of the neck and the mediastinum showed that the LLN had lower enhancement values than normal lymph nodes.

Purpose

To elucidate the contrast medium enhancement curves of LLN in the retroperitoneum by comparing the curves of LLN with those of normal lymph nodes, to test whether differences between these curves could be of diagnostic value, and to compare the present enhancement curves of LLN of the retroperitoneum with the curves of LLN of the neck and the mediastinum from previous similar investigations.

Material and Methods

Twenty-eight consecutive patients with LLN of the retroperitoneum (three with Hodgkin's lymphoma [HL]) and 21 control patients with sarcomas and thus presumably normal retroperitoneal nodes underwent dynamic CT examinations. The previous, similar investigation of lymph nodes of the neck comprised 28 patients with LLN and the investigation of mediastinal lymph nodes comprised 24 patients with LLN.

Results

The enhancement curves of the retroperitoneal LLN had significantly lower attenuation than those of the retroperitoneal control nodes. A combination of peak contrast value and time to peak adjusted to total body weight yielded a diagnostic accuracy which at the best showed a sensitivity of 90.5% with a specificity of 82.6%. The LLN of the retroperitoneum had higher attenuation values than corresponding nodes of the mediastinum but no significant difference was found between LLN of the retroperitoneum and LLN of the neck in previous similar investigations.

Conclusion

The comparison of enhancement curves of retroperitoneal LLN with retroperitoneal control nodes showed a marked similarity with and substantiates our previous findings in lymph nodes of the neck and of the mediastinum. The best diagnostic accuracy was achieved by combining the parameters peak contrast value and time to peak and adjusting these values to the body weight. Peak enhancement of the retroperitoneal LLN was higher and arrived earlier than that of the mediastinal nodes from the previous investigation.
A practical guide to monitoring for adverse drug reactions during antihypertensive drug therapy
Authors: Mcdowell Sarah E , Thomas Sarah K , Coleman Jamie J , Aronson Jeffrey K , Ferner Robin E
Published: April 2013

Monitoring of patients taking antihypertensive treatment can identify potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, published guidelines give divergent or incomplete recommendations on monitoring for ADRs. Using a predetermined strategy, we undertook a systematic review to identify hypertension guidelines published from January 2001 to October 2011 with recommendations for monitoring for ADRs. We screened 88 abstracts and 187 web-based guidelines, and identified 19 published guidelines on monitoring the biochemical effects of antihypertensive drug therapy. We then produced a set of practical clinical guidelines, synthesized from those recommendations. Our recommendations are designed to provide efficient monitoring. They reduce the number of tests to a minimum consistent with safe practice and align monitoring schedules, so that creatinine, potassium and sodium concentrations are measured at the same times in all cases. The instructions for biochemical monitoring in current guidelines differ greatly, both in the extent of advice and in the detail provided. The current lack of consistent and workable instructions poses serious difficulties for practitioners. The recommendations distilled from this systematic review should help practitioners when they monitor therapy with antihypertensive drugs.
Enhancing the h index for the objective assessment of healthcare researcher performance and impact
Authors: Patel Vanash M , Ashrafian Hutan , Bornmann Lutz , Mutz RÜDiger , Makanjuola Jonathan , Skapinakis Petros , Darzi Ara , Athanasiou Thanos
Published: April 2013

Summary

Objective

To investigate whether the h index (a bibliometric tool which is increasingly used to assess and appraise an individual's research performance) could be improved to better measure the academic performance and citation profile for individual healthcare researchers.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.

Participants

Publication lists from 1 January 2000 until 31 December 2009 for 501 academic healthcare researchers from the Faculty of Medicine.

Main outcome measures

The h index for each researcher was calculated over a nine-year period. The citation count for each researcher was differentiated into high ( h2 upper), core ( h2 centre) and low ( h2 lower) visibility areas. Segmented regression model (sRM) was used to statistically estimate number of high visibility publications (sRM value). Validity of the h index and other proposed adjuncts were analysed against academic rank and conventional bibliometric indicators.

Results

Construct validity was demonstrated for h index, h2 upper, h2 centre, h2 lower and sRM value (all P < 0.05). Convergent validity of the h index and sRM value was shown by significant correlations with total number of publications ( r =0.89 and 0.86 respectively, P<0.05) and total number of citations ( r = 0.96 and 0.65, respectively, P<0.05). Significant differences in h index and sRM value existed between non-physician and physician researchers ( P < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study supports the construct validity of the h index as a measure of healthcare researcher academic rank. It also identifies the assessment value of our developed indices of h2 upper, h2 centre, h2 lower and sRM. These can be applied in combination with the h index to provide additional objective evidence to appraise the performance and impact of an academic healthcare researcher.
The Effects of Physical Factors on Bacterial Cell Proliferation
Authors: Martirosyan Varsik
Published: April 2013

In the present work there have been studied the frequency-dependent effects of mechanical vibration (MV) and extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) on bacterial cell proliferation. It was suggested that the aqua medium can serve as a target through which the biological effect of MV and ELF EMF on microbes could be realized. To check this hypothesis the frequency-dependent effect (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 Hz) of both MV (8 mm displacement) and EMF (0.4 mT intensity) on the bacterial cell proliferation were studied in both cases where the microbes were in the culture media during the exposure and when culture media was preliminarily exposed to the ELF EMF and MV prior to the addition of bacteria. For investigating the cell proliferation a tritiated thymidine ([3H]dT) assay was used. This study demonstrated that 4 and 8 Hz EMF and MV have different biological effects on bacterial cell proliferation.
Utilization of Third-Stage Waste from a Rice Production for Removal of H2S, NO2 and SO2 from Air
Authors: Bandosz Teresa J. , Ardesi Rosario , Bosio Alberto , Gianoncelli Alessandra , Depero Laura
Published: April 2013

Materials derived from rice husk fly ash were tested as adsorbents of hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Breakthrough experiments were carried out at ambient temperature either in dry or moist air. The second-stage waste obtained in the extraction of silica from fly ash using sodium hydroxide exhibits the better adsorption capacity compared with that of caustic-modified activated carbons. The high performance is related to the presence of residual sodium hydroxide and other metals such as calcium, which react with acidic gases forming corresponding salts. Moreover, a high dispersion of the alkali and alkaline earth metal sites in the mesopores renders the pH of the solution basic, aiding in the dissociation of hydrogen sulphide, thereby facilitating its oxidation. The oxidation of species is also catalyzed by the carbonaceous surface. While in the case of hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide, water helps in acid–base reactions, the opposite effect is found for NO2. Because its reactivity with water is limited, reactive metal species present in small pores are likely screened by water adsorbed at pore entrances, and therefore the adsorption of NO2 on the surface is limited.
State Budget Independent, Market-Based Instruments to Finance Renewable Heat Strategies
Authors: Steinbach Jan , Seefeldt Friedrich , Brandt Edmund , Bürger Veit , Jacobshagen Ulf , Kachel Markus , Nast Michael , Ragwitz Mario
Published: April 2013

At present, expanding the use of renewable energy sources for heating (RES-H) relies predominantly on publicly funded support instruments. As these are subject to subsidy cuts and suspensions, these instruments do not provide long-term security for investors and technology suppliers. Although feed-in tariffs and quota-based systems are the major support schemes for renewable energy sources in the electricity sector, similar policy designs have not been applied to RES-H. This paper presents and evaluates three different policy instruments which have the potential to finance RES-H without using public funds: A physical quota system for biomass, a technology-based quota system ( Portfolio Model) and a remuneration-based system ( Premium model). The assessment suggests that while the Portfolio Model and the Premium Model are both promising policies to enhance RES-H deployment, there is greater acceptance among stakeholders for the Premium Model.
A Novel Signal Processing Technique for Separating Tonal and Broadband Noise Components from Counter-Rotating Open-Rotor Acoustic Data
Authors: Sree Dave
Published: April 2013

Renewed interest in counter-rotating open-rotor technology for aircraft propulsion application has prompted the development of advanced diagnostic tools to enable improved design and improved acoustical performance of open rotors. In particular, the determination of tonal and broadband components of open-rotor noise spectra is essential for properly assessing the noise control parameters and for validating noise prediction codes. Techniques that have been successfully used for processing acoustic data from single rotors (fans, propellers, etc.) do not work well for counter-rotating open-rotor systems in that the tonal and broadband noise components cannot be separated from raw acoustic data properly, particularly when the two rotors are driven independently without synchronization. The need for a new signal processing tool for counter-rotating open rotors was thus envisioned and is presented in this work. The new technique has been verified to perform well against simulated data as well as real acoustic data available from scale-model open-rotor tests at NASA-Glenn Research Center. Based on the results, the applicability and limitations of the technique are discussed in the paper.
Broadband Scattering of the Turbulence-Interaction Noise of a Stationary Airfoil: Experimental Validation of a Semi-Analytical Model
Authors: Kucukcoskun Korcan , Christophe Julien , Schram Christophe , Tournour Michel
Published: April 2013

A novel semi-analytical model based on Amiet's theory is proposed to predict the scattered acoustic field related to turbulence-interaction noise. The simulated scattered acoustic field is compared to the corresponding measurements of a stationary airfoil in a turbulent stream for validation purposes. The paper is composed of three main parts, where improvements and extensions of this semi-analytical model are presented. In the first part of the paper, a new formulation taking an intermediate level of geometrical near-field correction into account is derived. The second part provides an implementation of a strip method accounting for spanwise varying incoming flow conditions. The acoustic free-field response of the airfoil is computed using the geometrical near-field formulation with the strip method. In the third part, an innovative Boundary Element Method (BEM) approach is proposed in order to compute the scattered acoustic field of the airfoil by an obstacle. Finally, the scattered acoustic field resulting from the presence of a flat screen is computed by the semi-analytical method combined with the new BEM approach. A good agreement is obtained comparing with the measurements performed in an anechoic room.
Review Film
Authors: Anundson Abigail
Published: April 2013

The Woman in Black (2012) USA
Exhibition 3: Rare Film and Audio Art
Authors: Eamon Christopher
Published: April 2013

PUBLIC 46: Prime Mover is a selection of five essays corresponding to five hypothetical exhibitions of works from an influential private collection with which Eamon was professionally involved for more than ten years. The collection, one of the first in private hands to focus almost
exclusively on time-based media, has been the subject of a number of graduate theses and museum catalogues, but this publication aims to bolster these efforts towards better understanding of a collection that has altered the field of media art. In a sense, these essays constitute a history
of moving-image art starting from around 1900 that is meant to be a resource for students of film and video art, on the one hand, and for scholars investigating the history of collections on the other. Although the five exhibitions imagined here evolved separately, they can be read as chapters
of a continuous story, or, alternatively, they can be read as different lenses through which one can look at the history of media art itself, as a necessarily fragmentary history. The different formats and different approaches in this publication all come from the curator’s toolbox,
where one is able to place works of art in a variety of contexts, grouping them in ways that both illuminate the works and, hopefully, the history of art as well.
Analysis of the Machine Repair Models With Multi-Threshold Synchronous Vacations
Authors: Wu Chia-Huang , Ke Jau-Chuan , Choudhury Gautam
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we present an analysis of a machine repair problem with M operating machines and S standbys, in which c repairmen are responsible for supervising these machines and follow a multi-threshold, synchronous vacation policy. With such a policy, at a repair completion instant, if the number of the failed machines in the system is less than a preset threshold value, partial idle servers together take a single vacation (or leave for a random amount of time doing other secondary job). At the end of a vacation, they return to repair the failed machines (or waits for the arrival). The steady-state probabilities are solved by using the matrix-analytic method, and formulae of system performance measures are thereby obtained. A cost model is then developed to formulate an optimization problem to find the minimum cost. The direct search and quasi-Newton methods are implemented to determine the optimal number of servers, the optimal threshold policy and the optimal repair rate.
Applying Hybrid Grey Models in Analyzing Tonnage Growth Trends in Bulk Shipping Among China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
Authors: Chung Cheng-Chi
Published: April 2013

The development of bulk shipping is deeply affected by global economic prosperity or adversity. China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (CH&T) are not only the main suppliers of bulk carriers (bulkers), but also the major trading countries or areas in the world. The development of deadweight tonnages (DWTs) in these areas will significantly influence global trade. This paper begins with the supply side, using the latest 15 years of statistics from the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics to analyze the current development status of the bulk shipping market among CH&T. Further, four GM(1,1) models of grey theory are adopted to analyze the developmental trends of bulkers. The results show that, not only has the DWTs of the world been increasing, but also that in CH&T in the past few years. Second, after China and Taiwan became members of the World Trade Organization, the number of flagging-out vessels has been increasing more rapidly than the number of national vessels. Moreover, it can be said that DWTs will increase in China and Taiwan, but decrease in Hong Kong in the coming three years in terms of the growth trend. These findings will assist bulk shipping companies in making operational strategies, and government authorities in formulating supportive shipping policies.
Pressure Distribution of Dynamic Water Penetration Tests for Curtain Walls
Authors: Lee Tai-Kuang , Kuo Chien-Yuan , Pan Austin D. E. , Li Yi-Chao
Published: April 2013

A wind generator is used for producing a wind stream equivalent to the required wind velocity pressure for dynamic water penetration tests for curtain walls. A two-phase experimental program was carried out. In the first stage, the calibration of the wind generator was conducted following AAMA 501.1-05 procedures. In the second stage, the dynamic pressure distribution on the surface of the test chamber for curtain walls was studied. Discussions of the experimental results are presented, as well as new design aids for curtain wall design. Some of the experimental results and conclusions could be useful in the future for comparisons between laboratories having similar electric-fan-based test systems.