bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bayesian Analysis of Multilevel Probit Models for Data With Friendship Dependencies
Authors: Koskinen Johan , Stenberg Sten-Åke
Published: August 2011

When studying educational aspirations of adolescents, it is unrealistic to assume that the aspirations of pupils are independent of those of their friends. Considerable attention has also been given to the study of peer influence in the educational and behavioral literature. Typically, in empirical studies, the friendship networks have either been reduced to some summary measure or, when the complexity of the social structure has been used to its full extent, the studies have been limited to single networks, thereby effectively neglecting the context of the studied network. The authors propose a multilevel probit model with correlated responses and a Markov chain Monte Carlo–based inference scheme for analyzing multilevel data where there may be dependencies not only within levels but also between peers that are directly relationally tied. The authors describe the procedures in the context of the illustrative case of the Stockholm Birth Cohort, and the decision to proceed to higher secondary education for 12,660 pupils in 619 school classes in Stockholm.
Society of Centaurs
Authors: Sloterdijk Peter
Published: August 2011

It is characteristic for philosophical speech to keep its distance from
problem-solving thinking. It seems to be important, in the modern day
climate of worry that surrounds discussions about transport and
society, to keep this in mind—the possibility of an unrestrained and
indeed celebratory mode of thought, one that today goes under the name
“philosophy.” Thought can only be unrestrained if it can shake off the
agitation caused by current concerns, becoming then, in a literal sense,
luxurious.
Road Runners, March 7 to May 30, 2009
Authors: Jean Marie-Josée
Published: August 2011

This exhibition brought together works and documents by over fifteen Canadian and international artists who have focused on the same subject: the road. Presenting works from the 1920s to the present day, the exhibition included works by Ant Farm, Robert Barry, Michel de Broin, Chris Burden, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Peter Gnass, Rodney Graham, Abbas Kiarostami, Margaret Lawther, John Massey, Simon Morris, Ian Baxter, Edward Ruscha, Jon Sasaki, Roman Signer, Stephen Shore, Kerry Tribe, Bill Vazan, Jeff Wall, and Ian Wallace
The New Porsche Museum
Authors: Möser Kurt
Published: August 2011

The Porsche museum, opened in January 2009, was a “fast second” in the wave of new museums of German car companies.
Epilepsy after subarachnoid hemorrhage: the frequency of seizures after clip occlusion or coil embolization of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm
Authors: Hart Yvonne , Sneade Mary , Birks Jacqueline , Rischmiller Joan , Kerr Richard , Molyneux Andrew
Published: August 2011

Object

The aim of this study was to determine the probability of seizures after treatment of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm by clip occlusion and coil embolization, and to identify the risks and predictors of seizures over the shortand long-term follow-up period.

Methods

The study population included 2143 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms who were enrolled in 43 centers and randomly assigned to clip application or coil placement. Those patients suffering a seizure were identified prospectively at various time points after randomization, as follows: before treatment; after treatment and before discharge; after discharge to 1 year; and annually thereafter.

Results

Two hundred thirty-five (10.9%) of the 2143 patients suffered a seizure after randomization; 89 (8.3%) of 1073 and 146 (13.6%) of 1070 in the endovascular and neurosurgical allocations, respectively (p = 0.014). In 19 patients the seizure was associated with a rehemorrhage. Of those patients who underwent coil placement alone, without additional procedures, 52 suffered a seizure, and in the group with clip occlusion alone, 91 patients suffered a seizure.

The risk of a seizure after discharge in the endovascular group was 3.3% at 1 year and 6.4% at 5 years. In the neurosurgical group it was 5.2% at 1 year and 9.6% at 5 years. The risk of seizure was significantly greater in the neurosurgical group at both 2 years and at up to 14 years (p = 0.005 and p = 0.013, respectively). The significant predictors of increased risk were as follows: neurosurgical treatment allocation, hazard ratio (HR) 1.64 (95% CI 1.19–2.26); younger age, HR 1.54 (95% CI 1.14–2.13); Fisher grade > 1 on CT scans, HR 1.34 (95% CI 0.62–2.87); delayed ischemic neurological deficit due to vasospasm, HR 2.10 (95% CI 1.49–2.94); and thromboembolic complication, HR 5.08 (95% CI 3.00–8.61). A middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm location was also a significant predictor of increased risk in both groups; the HR was 2.23 (95% CI 1.57–3.17), with the probability of seizure at 6.1% and 11.5% at 1 year in the endovascular and neurosurgery groups, respectively.

Conclusions

The risk of seizures after coil embolization is significantly lower than that after clip occlusion. An MCA aneurysm location increased the risk of seizures in both groups.
Hospital costs, incidence, and inhospital mortality rates of traumatic subdural hematoma in the United States
Authors: Kalanithi Paul , Schubert Ryan D. , Lad Shivanand P. , Harris Odette A. , Boakye Maxwell
Published: August 2011

Object

This study provides the first US national data regarding frequency, cost, and mortality rate of traumatic subdural hematoma (SDH), and identifies demographic factors affecting morbidity and death in patients with traumatic SDH undergoing surgical drainage.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted by querying the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, the largest all-payer database of nonfederal community hospitals. All cases of traumatic SDH were identified using ICD-9 codes. The study consisted of 2 parts: 1) trends data, which were abstracted from the years 1993–2006, and 2) univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression of demographic variables on inhospital complications and deaths for the years 1993–2002.

Results

Admissions for traumatic SDH increased 154% from 17,328 in 1993 to 43,996 in 2006. Inhospital deaths decreased from 16.4% to 11.6% for traumatic SDH. Average costs increased 67% to $47,315 per admission. For the multivariate regression analysis, between 1993 and 2002, 67,864 patients with traumatic SDH underwent operative treatment. The inhospital mortality rate was 14.9% for traumatic SDH drainage, with an 18% inhospital complication rate. Factors affecting inhospital deaths included presence of coma (OR = 2.45) and more than 2 comorbidities (OR = 1.60). Increased age did not worsen the inhospital mortality rate.

Conclusions

Nationally, frequency and cost of traumatic SDH cases are increasing rapidly.
Fibromatosis: a potential sequela of neuromuscular choristoma
Authors: Hébert-Blouin Marie-Noëlle , Scheithauer Bernd W. , Amrami Kimberly K. , Durham Susan R. , Spinner Robert J.
Published: August 2011

Object

Neuromuscular choristoma (NMC) is a rare peripheral nerve lesion in which mature skeletal muscle fibers lie within the nerve and its fascicles. Given limited follow-up, its natural history is poorly understood. The occurrence of aggressive fibromatosis in one of the authors' patients and its occurrence in reported cases suggests an etiological relationship between the 2 lesions. This study attempts to explain the association and its frequency.

Methods

All cases of NMCs seen in consultation or treated at the Mayo Clinic were identified. Demographic and clinical data were reviewed in cases with coexistent aggressive fibromatosis. Pathology and neuroimaging studies were reexamined. In addition, an extensive literature review was performed to explore the association of NMC with aggressive fibromatosis, with special attention given to pathological and imaging characteristics and the development of aggressive fibromatosis.

Results

The authors identified 10 patients with a diagnosis of NMC who were treated at the Mayo Clinic between 1992 and 2010. Four of 5 with adequate follow-up had developed a definite or suspected aggressive fibromatosis. A review of the initial pathological specimens in these cases revealed no evidence of fibromatosis, but all of the lesions exhibited accompanying hypocellular collagenous tissue. On MR images, all cases showed areas of low signal intensity, which significantly differed from muscle, nerve, and NMC components. On available serial MR imaging studies, aggressive fibromatosis seemed to originate in such lower-intensity regions. In the 18 previously reported cases of NMC, 5 patients developed recurrent masses diagnosed as either definite (2 cases) or possible (3 cases) fibromatosis. Review of the published imaging studies in these cases suggests the presence of lower intensity areas similar to those observed in the 10 patients treated at the Mayo Clinic.

Conclusions

This study confirms that the development of aggressive fibromatosis in patients with NMC has been underreported. A direct relationship between the NMC and the development of aggressive fibromatosis is suggested by pathological and neuroimaging evidence.
Emergency department predictors of tracheostomy in patients with isolated traumatic brain injury requiring emergency cranial decompression
Authors: Shamim Muhammad Shahzad , Qadeer Mohsin , Murtaza Ghulam , Enam S. Ather , Farooqi Najiha B.
Published: August 2011

Object

Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently require a tracheostomy for prolonged mechanical ventilation and/or pulmonary toilet. It is now proven that the earlier the procedure is done, the more beneficial it is to the patient. The present study was carried out to determine if the requirement of a tracheostomy can be predicted on arrival of a patient to the emergency department. The prediction can potentially aid in combining the procedure with cranial decompression. In this study, the authors' aim was to determine the emergency department predictors of tracheostomy in patients with isolated TBI requiring emergency cranial decompression.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent surgery for isolated TBI and required more than 4 days of mechanical ventilation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for predictive indicators.

Results

In patients with isolated severe TBI, a patient age of 31–50 years, the presence of preexisting medical comorbid conditions, a delay in emergency department arrival exceeding 1.5 hours, an abnormal pupil response on arrival, and a preoperative neurological worsening during hospital stay were independent predictors of the requirement for tracheostomy. These findings were validated in a small cohort of patients and were found to be significant.

Conclusions

Requirement of a tracheostomy can be predicted in patients with severe TBI on arrival to the emergency department. These results were validated in a small cohort of patients, and it was found that the positive predictive value of requirement of tracheostomy was directly proportional to the number of predictors present. Larger prospective studies with appropriate control groups are further recommended to validate the authors' findings.
Current comprehensive management of cranial base chordomas: 10-year meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Di Maio Salvatore , Temkin Nancy , Ramanathan Dinesh , Sekhar Laligam N.
Published: August 2011

Object

The role of surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy for cranial base chordomas is not well established. This meta-analysis measures the relationship of complete resection and type of adjuvant radiation therapy to 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of cranial base chordomas.

Methods

A systematic MEDLINE search (1999–present) yielded 23 observational studies and 807 patients who fit inclusion criteria. The following analyses were performed: 1) Kaplan-Meier 5-year PFS and OS compared based on the extent of resection and type of adjuvant radiation therapy using the log-rank method; 2) a random-effects model comparing 5-year PFS with complete or incomplete resection; and 3) paired z-test comparisons of weighted average 5-year OS and PFS grouped by type of adjuvant radiation therapy.

Results

The weighted average follow-up was 53.6 months. The weighted average 5-year PFS and OS were 50.8% and 78.4%, respectively. Complete resection conferred a higher 5-year PFS than incomplete resection from the random effects model (mean difference in PFS 20.7%; 95% CI 6.57%–34.91%). Patients with incomplete resection were 3.83 times more likely to experience a recurrence (95% CI 1.63–9.00) and 5.85 times more likely to die (95% CI 1.40–24.5) at 5 years versus patients with complete resection. There was no difference in 5-year OS by type of adjuvant radiation, although 5-year PFS was lower in patients receiving Gamma Knife surgery relative to carbon ion radiotherapy (p = 0.042) on paired z-test. No survival difference occurred between radiation therapy techniques on Kaplan-Meier analysis of compiled patient data.

Conclusions

Patients with complete resection of cranial base chordomas have a prolonged 5-year PFS and OS. Adjuvant proton-beam, carbon ion, and modern fractionated photon radiation therapy techniques offered a similar rate of PFS and OS at 5 years.
Predictors of seizure freedom in the surgical treatment of supratentorial cavernous malformations
Authors: Englot Dario J. , Han Seunggu J. , Lawton Michael T. , Chang Edward F.
Published: August 2011

Object

Seizures are the most common presenting symptom of supratentorial cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) and progress to medically refractory epilepsy in 40% of patients. Predictors of seizure freedom in the resection of CCMs are incompletely understood.

Methods

The authors systematically reviewed the published literature on seizure freedom following the resection of supratentorial CCMs in patients presenting with seizures. Seizure outcomes were stratified across 12 potential prognostic variables. A total of 1226 patients with supratentorial CCMs causing seizures were identified across 31 predominantly retrospective studies; 361 patients had medically refractory epilepsy.

Results

Seventy-five percent of the patients were seizure free after microsurgical lesion removal, whereas 25% continued to have seizures. All patients had had preoperative seizures and > 6 months of postoperative follow-up. Modifiable predictors of postoperative seizure freedom included gross-total resection (OR 36.6, 95% CI 8.5–157.5) and surgery within 1 year of symptom onset (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.30–2.58). Additional prognostic indicators of a favorable outcome were a CCM size < 1.5 cm (OR 15.4, 95% CI 5.2–45.4), the absence of multiple CCMs (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.13–3.60), medically controlled seizures (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.29–4.39), and the lack of secondarily generalized seizures (OR 3.33, 95% CI 2.09–5.30). Other factors, including extended resection of the hemosiderin ring, were not significantly predictive.

Conclusions

In the surgical treatment of supratentorial CCMs, gross-total resection and early operative intervention may improve seizure outcome. While surgery should not be considered the first-line treatment for CCM-related epilepsy, it is important to understand the variables associated with seizure freedom in CCM resection given the considerable morbidity and diminished quality of life associated with epilepsy.
Interobserver variability in the interpretation of computed tomography following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Ibrahim George M. , Weidauer Stefan , Macdonald R. Loch
Published: August 2011

Object

Numerous abnormal findings may be evident on CT scans after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Here, the authors assess the interobserver variability in the radiological interpretation of the initial CT scan following SAH.

Methods

Two experienced reviewers, a neurosurgeon and a neuroradiologist, independently prospectively reviewed the initial CT scans of 413 patients enrolled in the CONSCIOUS-1 trial. Measured variables included SAH, intraventricular hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, chronic infarction, midline shift, and hydrocephalus. To assess interobserver variability, weighted kappa values and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated and Bland-Altman analysis was performed.

Results

Moderate to substantial agreement was found for most of the CT scanning findings. There was fair to moderate interobserver agreement between reviewers when determining the extent of SAH based on a descriptive categorical classification (kappa 0.41; 95% CI 0.33–0.49), and better agreement when a semiquantitative scale was used (ICC 0.56; 95% CI 0.49–0.62). There was poor agreement between reviewers for the presence of hydrocephalus (kappa 0.34; 95% CI 0.20–0.48), but substantial to near perfect agreement on ventriculocranial ratio measurements (ICC 0.77; 95% CI 0.72–0.81).

Conclusions

The authors' findings suggest that there is considerable interobserver variability in the interpretation of CT scans after SAH. Quantitative measures may reduce interobserver variability in comparison with qualitative or categorical scales. Variability in interpretation of CT scans has implications for patient care and conduct of clinical trials. It may be beneficial to develop standardized assessments to ensure consistent evaluation of measured variables.
Correlation Between Endoscopic and Histological Findings in Different Gastroduodenal Lesion and its Association with Helicobacter Pylori
Authors: Sultana A , Badruddoza SM , Rahman F
Published: August 2011

This study had been planned to see the histomorphological pattern of gastric mucosal biopsy, demonstrate the organism H .Pylori and correlate with endoscopic findings. The study was carried out in the department of the Pathology Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi, Bangladesh, during the period from January 2006 to December 2007. Endoscopic biopsy specimens were obtained from 105 cases of gastro duodenal lesions. According to endoscopic findings out of 105 cases 69(65.7%) had gastric carcinoma, 06 (5.71%) had gastric ulcer, 05 (4.76%) had duodenal ulcer, 05 (476%) had gastritis and 20 (19.04%) had normal mucosa, reported as non-ulcer dyspepsia. Of the 69 endoscopically gastric carcinoma 59 (85.50%) were diagnosed histologically as adenocarcinoma and 10 (14.50%) were diagnosed histologically as chronic gastritis in which H.Pylori was positive in 27.5% and 14.50% positive in chronic gastritis. Of 06 gastric ulcer 03 (50%) was diagnosed histologically as gastritis and 03 (50%) were diagnosed histologically as gastric carcinoma. H. Pylori was positive in cent percent of gastritis. Of 05 duodenal ulcer 03 (60%) were diagnosed histologically as gastritis and 02 (40%) were diagnosed histologically as intestinal metaplasia H. Pylori was positive in 66.6% of duodenal ulcer. Of 05 gastritis were diagnosed histologically as gastritis 60% were postive for H.Pylori. Of 20 NUD 18 (90%) were diagnosed histologically as gastritis, 01 (05%) was diagnosed histologically as ulcer and 01 (05%) was diagnosed histologically as normal mucosa, all these cases no H. Pylori was found. Key Words: Helicobacter Pylori; Gastroduodenal Lesion; Association DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/akmmcj.v2i2.8164 AKMMC J 2011; 2(2): 06-10
Diagnosing Acute Appendicitis in Children Using Alvarado Score
Authors: Arif Abdus Salam , Amin Shahidul , Quamruzzaman SM , Rahman M Anisur
Published: August 2011

Diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children with equivocal signs is often difficult requiring admission for observation, many of whom are finally discharged because they do not have appendicitis. This study was designed to see whether Alvarado score can aid in diagnosis of acute appendicitis. 71 children with age in between 5-15 were scored. The decision of surgery was made independent of the score. Appendicitis was confirmed in operated cases on operative and on histopathological findings. It was found that patients with low score have little chance to suffer from acute appendicitis. Therefore Alvarado scoring system can be used in taking decision in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. Key Words: Acute Appendicitis; Alvarado Score DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/akmmcj.v2i2.8165 AKMMC J 2011; 2(2): 11-13
Friedewalds Formula is Applicable up to Serum Triacylglycerol to Total Cholesterol Ratio of Two in Bangladeshi Population
Authors: Saiedullah Muhammad , Sarkar Aradhan , Kamaluddin Syed Muhammad , Begum Shahnaj , Hayat Shoma , Rahman Muhammad Rezwanur , Khan Md Aminul Haque
Published: August 2011

Friedewald’s formula is the most frequently used formula for the calculation of serum lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol from serum total cholesterol, serum triacylglycerol and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Most laboratories use serum triacylglycerol concentration of 400 mg/dl as upper cut-off limit for the calculation of LDL cholesterol, but a combination of serum triacylglycerol to total cholesterol ratio and serum triacylglycerol may have more advantages than serum triacylglycerol concentration alone to use Friedewald’s formula effectively. The aim of this study was to determine the upper cut-off limit of serum triacylglycerol concentration and serum triacylglycerol to total cholesterol ratio to calculate LDL cholesterol using Friedewald’s formula in Bangladeshi population. Serum total cholesterol, serum triacylglycerol, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol were measured by direct method on 644 sera obtained from adult Bangladeshi study subjects after 12 hours of fasting. Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was also calculated by using Friedewald formula. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol obtained by Friedewald’s formula in this study was compared with that obtained by direct method in different level of triacylglycerol and also in different triacylglycerol to total cholesterol ratio. Friedewald’s formula underestimates low-density lipoprotein cholesterol when serum triacylglycerol concentration >300 mg/dL. But when direct serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was compared with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol calculated using Friedewald’s formula up to serum triacylglycerol to total cholesterol ratio of 2, underestimation subsides, and the serum triacylglycerol level up to 700 mg/dl could be confidently included for the calculation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by Friedewald’s formula. Friedewald’s calculation formula can be confidently used up to serum triacylglycerol concentration of 700 mg/dl in Bangladeshi population, provided the serum triacylglycerol to total cholesterol ratio is two or less. Key Words: Friedewald Formula; Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
Prevention of Thalassaemia by Genetic Counseling
Authors: Amin Syed Khairul
Published: August 2011

Thalassaemia is the most common inherited disorder in the world with a wide geographical variation in incidence. According to World Health Organization (WHO) at last 30% of Bangladesh population are carrions of Beta thalassaemia and 4.0% are carriers of Hb-E in Bangladesh. It is presumed that approximately 6000 thalassaemic children are born each year in Bangladesh. A recent study showed that carrier state of Hb-E is 6.1% and as high as 40% in Tribal children in Bangladesh. Early genetic, diagnosis, proper counseling, Health Education Community based prevention are necessary for the improvement of this inherited disorder in Bangladesh. Key Words: Thalassaemia; Bangladesh; Early Diagnosis; Counselings; Community Based Prevention; Health Education DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/akmmcj.v2i2.8169 AKMMC J 2011; 2(2): 26-28
Diarrhoea in Bangladeshi infants and its association with postnatal depression
Authors: Gausia Kaniz , Ali Mohammed , Ryder David
Published: August 2011

Online: 19 July 2010 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v36i1.1924 Bangladesh J Med Res Counc Bull 2010; 36: 32-34
Diagnostic value of fingerprint patterns: An explorative study on beta-thalassemia diagnosis
Authors: Solhi Hasan , Hashemieh Mojgan , Lorgard Dezfuli Nejad Mohammad , Khoddami Vishteh Hamid Reza , Rahmati Nejad Maryam
Published: August 2011

Rapid diagnosis of major ? thalassemia along with certain preventive measures is of utmost significance. The present study aims to compare the fingerprints in Major ? thalassemic patients (67) and in their parents (76 with minor thalassemia) with the normal fingerprints of control group (144). A forensic medical examiner determined fingerprint types of arch, loop, whorl and other types. Like normal individuals, loop fingerprint pattern was found to be the most common fingerprint type among thalassemic patients. However, the number of whorl fingerprints in all fingers in thalassemic patients was greater than that of normal individuals and the number of loop fingerprints was smaller (p<0.05). Arch type fingerprint pattern was less frequent in major thalassemic patients compared to minor thalassemic ones (p<0.05). The findings show that the number of whorl fingerprint patterns in thalassemic patients was greater than that of normal individuals, while the number of loop fingerprint patterns being smaller and the frequency of arch fingerprint pattern in patients with major thalassemia was lower than that of minor thalassemic patients. Therefore, one may choose fingerprint pattern as a simple, affordable and appropriate screening method to help detect the afflicted patients and prevent severe cases of thalassemia. Online: 18 July 2010 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v36i1.4631 Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2010; 36: 27-31
Cardiac troponins and oxidative stress markers in non-pregnant, pregnant and preeclampsia women
Authors: Pasupathi Palanisamy , Manivannan Uma , Manivannan Perisamy , Deepa Mathiyalagan
Published: August 2011

Free radicals play an important role in the pathogenesis of tissue damage in many clinical disorders, including atherosclerosis. This study was to investigate lipids and oxidative stress markers among women with 50 healthy non-pregnant compare with 50 healthy pregnant and 50 pregnancy-induced hypertensive subjects and correlate with cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and troponin T (cTnT). The level of plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), cTnI and cTnT levels significantly increase in pregnancy-induced hypertension compare with other groups. The level of lipids significantly altered in pregnancy-induced hypertension. Conversely, the activities of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were significantly decreased in pregnancy-induced hypertension compared to non-pregnant and healthy pregnant. Our data suggest that there is an imbalance between lipoperoxidation and antioxidants levels during pregnancy and preeclampsia. Serum cTnI and cTnT are elevated in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension indicating some degree of cardiac myofibrillar damage and cardiac dysfunction.Online: 11 July 2010DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v36i1.4806Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2010; 36: 4-9
Seroprevalence of HBs antibody among the newly admitted medical students in Bangladesh and seroconversion one year after vaccination
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad Shamsher , Chowdhury Osul Ahmed , Chowdhury Ahmed Riad , Khatoon Mohsina
Published: August 2011

Online: 20 July 2010DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v36i1.5264 Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2010; 36: 41-42
Prevalence of anticardiolipin antibody in Bangladeshi patients with recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Giasuddin A.S.M. , Mazhar Ishrat , Haq A.M. Mujibul
Published: August 2011

The objective of the present study was to see the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) in Bangladeshi patients (35) with recurrent pregnancy loss. Thirty-seven women with normal pregnancy were included as control. Serum levels (mean ± SD) of ACA (u/mL) was significantly higher, whereas ANA (Ab-index) and anti-dsDNA (Ab-index) were similar in cases compared to controls (Cases vs Controls g ACA: 31.8 ± 24.3 vs 10.5 ± 3.4, p<0.001; ANA: 1.07 ± 0.34 vs 0.92 ± 0.15, p>0.5; A-dsDNA: 0.53 ± 0.16 vs 0.52 ± 0.18, p>0.5). The cases positive for ACA, ANA and anti-dsDNA were 37.1% (p<0.001), 20% (p>0.05) and 2.8% (p>0.1) respectively. Among the seropositive cases 4/35 (11.4%) and 4/13 (30.8%) were positive for both ACA and ANA. In controls only 2/37 (5.4%) and 2/37 (5.4%) were positive for ACA and ANA respectively and none were positive for both ACA and ANA together simultaneously. Significantly high proportion of cases had O positive blood group (23/35: 65.7%, 10/13: 76.9%) (p<0.01). The prevalence of ACA varies according to population being 37.1% (13/35) in our patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and 5.4% in controls.Online: 13 July 2010DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v36i1.5446Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2010; 36: 10-13
Effects of isometric quadriceps muscle strengthening exercise on chronic osteoarthritis of the knee
Authors: Shakoor Md. A. , Rahman Md. Shahidur , Azad Abul Kalam , Islam Md. Sadrul
Published: August 2011

A total of 64 patients of osteoarthritis of the knee joints were studied to observe the effects of isometric quadriceps muscle strengthening exercise plus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on osteoarthritis of knee joints. Another 75 patients were treated with NSAIDs as control. They were assessed by visual analogue scale, OMAC scale and range of motion of the knee joints and followed-up weekly for six weeks. Improvement was found in both groups (p= 0.001) after treatment. In comparison, more improvement was found in the exercise group after four weeks (p= 009). Then improvement was gradually increased day by day and finally there was highly significant improvement (p=0.001). This study suggests that isometric quadriceps muscle strengthening exercise has its beneficial role to reduce symptoms in osteoarthritis knee.Online: 18 July 2010DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v36i1.5502Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2010; 36: 20-22
Angiographic profile in patients with congenital anomalous origin of the coronary arteries
Authors: Rahman Fazlur , Bannerjee S.K. , Subedi Bikash , Anam Khairul , Haque K.H.S Shirajul
Published: August 2011

Online: 20 July 2010 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v36i1.5540 Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2010; 36: 39-41
Entropy-Based Bagging for Fault Prediction of Transformers Using Oil-Dissolved Gas Data
Authors: Zheng Yuanbing , Sun Caixin , Li Jian , Yang Qing , Chen Weigen
Published: August 2011

The development of the smart grid has resulted in new requirements for fault prediction of power transformers. This paper presents an entropy-based Bagging (E-Bagging) method for prediction of characteristic parameters related to power transformers faults. A parameter of comprehensive information entropy of sample data is brought forward to improve the resampling process of the E-Bagging method. The generalization ability of the E-Bagging is enhanced significantly by the comprehensive information entropy. A total of sets of 1200 oil-dissolved gas data of transformers are used as examples of fault prediction. The comparisons between the E-Bagging and the traditional Bagging and individual prediction approaches are presented. The results show that the E-Bagging possesses higher accuracy and greater stability of prediction than the traditional Bagging and individual prediction approaches.
Reassessing Domain Architecture Evolution of Metazoan Proteins: The Contribution of Different Evolutionary Mechanisms
Authors: Nagy Alinda , Patthy Laszlo
Published: August 2011

In the accompanying papers we have shown that sequence errors of public databases and confusion of paralogs and epaktologs (proteins that are related only through the independent acquisition of the same domain types) significantly distort the picture that emerges from comparison of the domain architecture (DA) of multidomain Metazoan proteins since they introduce a strong bias in favor of terminal over internal DA change. The issue of whether terminal or internal DA changes occur with greater probability has very important implications for the DA evolution of multidomain proteins since gene fusion can add domains only at terminal positions, whereas domain-shuffling is capable of inserting domains both at internal and terminal positions. As a corollary, overestimation of terminal DA changes may be misinterpreted as evidence for a dominant role of gene fusion in DA evolution. In this manuscript we show that in several recent studies of DA evolution of Metazoa the authors used databases that are significantly contaminated with incomplete, abnormal and mispredicted sequences (e.g., UniProtKB/TrEMBL, EnsEMBL) and/or the authors failed to separate paralogs and epaktologs, explaining why these studies concluded that the major mechanism for gains of new domains in metazoan proteins is gene fusion. In contrast with the latter conclusion, our studies on high quality orthologous and paralogous Swiss-Prot sequences confirm that shuffling of mobile domains had a major role in the evolution of multidomain proteins of Metazoa and especially those formed in early vertebrates.
Interaction of Human Serum Album and C60 Aggregates in Solution
Authors: Song Maoyong , Liu Shufang , Yin Junfa , Wang Hailin
Published: August 2011

An important property of C60 in aquatic ecotoxicology is that it can form stable aggregates with nanoscale dimensions, namely nC60. Aggregation allows fullerenes to remain suspended for a long time, and the reactivity of individual C60 is substantially altered in this aggregate form. Herein, we investigated the interaction of nC60 and human serum album (HSA) using the methods of fluorescence, fluorescence dynamics, circular dichroism (CD), and site marker competitive experiments. We proposed a binding model consistent with the available experimental results for the interactions of nC60 with HSA. During the interaction process, the structure and conformation of HSA were affected, leading to functional changes of drug binding sites of HSA.
Transient Co-Expression of Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing Suppressors for Increased in Planta Expression of a Recombinant Anthrax Receptor Fusion Protein
Authors: Arzola Lucas , Chen Junxing , Rattanaporn Kittipong , Maclean James M. , McDonald Karen A.
Published: August 2011

Potential epidemics of infectious diseases and the constant threat of bioterrorism demand rapid, scalable, and cost-efficient manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. Molecular farming of tobacco plants provides an alternative for the recombinant production of therapeutics. We have developed a transient production platform that uses Agrobacterium infiltration of Nicotiana benthamiana plants to express a novel anthrax receptor decoy protein (immunoadhesin), CMG2-Fc. This chimeric fusion protein, designed to protect against the deadly anthrax toxins, is composed of the von Willebrand factor A (VWA) domain of human capillary morphogenesis 2 (CMG2), an effective anthrax toxin receptor, and the Fc region of human immunoglobulin G (IgG). We evaluated, in N. benthamiana intact plants and detached leaves, the expression of CMG2-Fc under the control of the constitutive CaMV 35S promoter, and the co-expression of CMG2-Fc with nine different viral suppressors of post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS): p1, p10, p19, p21, p24, p25, p38, 2b, and HCPro. Overall, transient CMG2-Fc expression was higher on intact plants than detached leaves. Maximum expression was observed with p1 co-expression at 3.5 days post-infiltration (DPI), with a level of 0.56 g CMG2-Fc per kg of leaf fresh weight and 1.5% of the total soluble protein, a ten-fold increase in expression when compared to absence of suppression. Co-expression with the p25 PTGS suppressor also significantly increased the CMG2-Fc expression level after just 3.5 DPI.
Resveratrol Protects against 2-Bromopropane-Induced Apoptosis and Disruption of Embryonic Development in Blastocysts
Authors: Chan Wen-Hsiung
Published: August 2011

2-Bromopropane (2-BP) is used as an alternative to ozone-depleting cleaning solvents. Previously, we reported that 2-BP has cytotoxic effects on mouse blastocysts and is associated with defects in subsequent development. In the present work, we show that 2-BP induces apoptosis in the inner cell mass of mouse blastocysts, and inhibits cell proliferation. Both effects are suppressed by resveratrol, a grape-derived phytoalexin with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 2-BP-treated blastocysts displayed lower levels of implantation (compared to controls) when plated on culture dishes in vitro, and a reduced ability to proceed to later stages of embryonic development. Pretreatment with resveratrol prevented 2-BP-induced disruption of embryonic development, both in vitro and in vivo. Further investigation of these processes revealed that 2-BP directly promotes ROS generation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and activation of caspase-3, whereas resveratrol effectively blocks 2-BP-induced ROS production and the accompanying apoptotic biochemical changes. Our results collectively imply that 2-BP triggers the mitochondrion-dependent apoptotic pathway via ROS generation, and the antioxidant activity of resveratrol prevents 2-BP-induced toxicity.
Controlled Positioning of Cells in Biomaterials—Approaches Towards 3D Tissue Printing
Authors: Wüst Silke , Müller Ralph , Hofmann Sandra
Published: August 2011

Current tissue engineering techniques have various drawbacks: they often incorporate uncontrolled and imprecise scaffold geometries, whereas the current conventional cell seeding techniques result mostly in random cell placement rather than uniform cell distribution. For the successful reconstruction of deficient tissue, new material engineering approaches have to be considered to overcome current limitations. An emerging method to produce complex biological products including cells or extracellular matrices in a controlled manner is a process called bioprinting or biofabrication, which effectively uses principles of rapid prototyping combined with cell-loaded biomaterials, typically hydrogels. 3D tissue printing is an approach to manufacture functional tissue layer-by-layer that could be transplanted in vivo after production. This method is especially advantageous for stem cells since a controlled environment can be created to influence cell growth and differentiation. Using printed tissue for biotechnological and pharmacological needs like in vitro drug-testing may lead to a revolution in the pharmaceutical industry since animal models could be partially replaced by biofabricated tissues mimicking human physiology and pathology. This would not only be a major advancement concerning rising ethical issues but would also have a measureable impact on economical aspects in this industry of today, where animal studies are very labor-intensive and therefore costly. In this review, current controlled material and cell positioning techniques are introduced highlighting approaches towards 3D tissue printing.
Perfluoro Allyl Fluorosulfate (FAFS): A Versatile Building Block for New Fluoroallylic Compounds
Authors: Wlassics Ivan , Tortelli Vito , Carella Serena , Monzani Cristiano , Marchionni Giuseppe
Published: August 2011

In this study we will present and discuss both the synthesis of CF2=CFCF2OSO2F (perfluoroallyl fluorosulfate, FAFS), focusing in particular on the important role of C3F6/SO3 ratio, reaction temperature and boron catalyst/SO3 ratio on FAFS’ yield and selectivity, as well as a wide variety of ionic and radical reactions possible with FAFS. We focused our attention on reactions of FAFS with aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, acyl halides, halides, H2O2, ketones and radicals whose synthesis and reaction mechanisms will be presented and discussed. Particular attention will be devoted to the novel diallyl-fluoroalkyl peroxide obtained. Factors such as pKa and Lowry and Pearson’s Hard/Soft Acid-Base Theory which determine the selectivity between Addition/Elimination vs. Nucleophilic Substitution reaction mechanisms on FAFS will also be presented and discussed.
Rauniticine-allo-Oxindole B and Rauniticinic-allo Acid B, New Heteroyohimbine-Type Oxindole Alkaloids from the Stems of Malaysian Uncaria longiflora var. pteropoda
Authors: Salim Fatimah , Ismail Nor Hadiani , Awang Khalijah , Ahmad Rohaya
Published: August 2011

Two new heteroyohimbine-type oxindole alkaloids, rauniticine-allo-oxindole B and rauniticinic-allo acid B, have been successfully isolated from the stems extract of Malaysian Uncaria longiflora var. pteropoda. The structures of the two new alkaloids were determined by spectroscopic analysis.
Metabolism Study of Notoginsenoside R1, Ginsenoside Rg1 and Ginsenoside Rb1 of Radix Panax Notoginseng in Zebrafish
Authors: Wei Yingjie , Li Ping , Fan Hongwei , Peng Yunru , Liu Wei , Wang Changmei , Shu Luan , Jia Xiaobin
Published: August 2011

Zebrafish, a common model organism for studies of vertebrate development and gene function, has been used in pharmaceutical research as a new and powerful tool in recent years. In the present study, we applied zebrafish for the first time in a metabolic study of notoginsenoside (R1), ginsenoside (Rg1) and ginsenoside (Rb1), which are saponins isolated from Panax notoginseng. Metabolites of these three saponin compounds in zebrafish after exposure for 24 h were identified by high performance liquid chromatography - electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) with a Zorbax C-18 column for separation using a binary gradient elution of 0.05% formic acid acetonitrile - 0.05% formic acid water. The quasi-molecular ions of compounds were detected in negative mode. Step-wise deglycosylation metabolites and hydroxylation metabolites of the three saponins were found, which were coincide with regular methods for metabolic analysis. Our study demonstrated that the zebrafish model can successfully imitate the current metabolic model with advantages of lower cost, far less amount of compound needed, easy set up and high performance. Our data suggests that the zebrafish metabolic model has the potential for developing a novel method for quickly predicting the metabolism of Chinese herb components, including those of trace compounds.
Enzymatic Synthesis of Fatty Hydroxamic Acid Derivatives Based on Palm Kernel Oil
Authors: Jahangirian Hossein , Haron Md Jelas , Yusof Nor Azah , Silong Sidik , Kassim Anuar , Rafiee-Moghaddam Roshanak , Peyda Mazyar , Gharayebi Yadollah
Published: August 2011

Fatty hydroxamic acid derivatives were synthesized using Lipozyme TL IM catalyst at biphasic medium as the palm kernel oil was dissolved in hexane and hydroxylamine derivatives were dissolved in water: (1) N-methyl fatty hydroxamic acids (MFHAs); (2) N-isopropyl fatty hydroxamic acids (IPFHAs) and (3) N-benzyl fatty hydroxamic acids (BFHAs) were synthesized by reaction of palm kernel oil and N-methyl hydroxylamine (N-MHA), N-isopropyl hydroxylamine (N-IPHA) and N-benzyl hydroxylamine (N-BHA), respectively. Finally, after separation the products were characterized by color testing, elemental analysis, FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. For achieving the highest conversion percentage of product the optimum molar ratio of reactants was obtained by changing the ratio of reactants while other reaction parameters were kept constant. For synthesis of MFHAs the optimum mol ratio of N-MHA/palm kernel oil = 6/1 and the highest conversion was 77.8%, for synthesis of IPFHAs the optimum mol ratio of N-IPHA/palm kernel oil = 7/1 and the highest conversion was 65.4% and for synthesis of BFHAs the optimum mol ratio of N-BHA/palm kernel oil = 7/1 and the highest conversion was 61.7%.
Beta-Blockers and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Nakamura Kazufumi , Murakami Masato , Miura Daiji , Yunoki Kei , Enko Kenki , Tanaka Masamichi , Saito Yukihiro , Nishii Nobuhiro , Miyoshi Toru , Yoshida Masashi , Oe Hiroki , Toh Norihisa , Nagase Satoshi , Kohno Kunihisa , Morita Hiroshi , Matsubara Hiromi , Kusano Kengo F , Ohe Tohru , Ito Hiroshi
Published: August 2011

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in the failing myocardium, and ROS cause hypertrophy, apoptosis/cell death and intracellular Ca2+ overload in cardiac myocytes. ROS also cause damage to lipid cell membranes in the process of lipid peroxidation. In this process, several aldehydes, including 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), are generated and the amount of HNE is increased in the human failing myocardium. HNE exacerbates the formation of ROS, especially H2O2 and ·OH, in cardiomyocytes and subsequently ROS cause intracellular Ca2+ overload. Treatment with beta-blockers such as metoprolol, carvedilol and bisoprolol reduces the levels of oxidative stress, together with amelioration of heart failure. This reduction could be caused by several possible mechanisms. First, the beta-blocking effect is important, because catecholamines such as isoproterenol and norepinephrine induce oxidative stress in the myocardium. Second, anti-ischemic effects and negative chronotropic effects are also important. Furthermore, direct antioxidative effects of carvedilol contribute to the reduction of oxidative stress. Carvedilol inhibited HNE-induced intracellular Ca2+ overload. Beta-blocker therapy is a useful antioxidative therapy in patients with heart failure.
SnO2/Pt Thin Film Laser Ablated Gas Sensor Array
Authors: Abadi Mohammad Hadi Shahrokh , Hamidon Mohd Nizar , Shaari Abdul Halim , Abdullah Norhafizah , Wagiran Rahman
Published: August 2011

A gas sensor array was developed in a 10 × 10 mm2 space using Screen Printing and Pulse Laser Ablation Deposition (PLAD) techniques. Heater, electrode, and an insulator interlayer were printed using the screen printing method on an alumina substrate, while tin oxide and platinum films, as sensing and catalyst layers, were deposited on the electrode at room temperature using the PLAD method, respectively. To ablate SnO2 and Pt targets, depositions were achieved by using a 1,064 nm Nd-YAG laser, with a power of 0.7 J/s, at different deposition times of 2, 5 and 10 min, in an atmosphere containing 0.04 mbar (4 kPa) of O2. A range of spectroscopic diffraction and real space imaging techniques, SEM, EDX, XRD, and AFM were used in order to characterize the surface morphology, structure, and composition of the films. Measurement on the array shows sensitivity to some solvent and wood smoke can be achieved with short response and recovery times.