bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sympathectomy attenuates excitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons and pain behaviour in a lumbar radiculopathy model
Authors: Iwase T. , Takebayashi T. , Tanimoto K. , Terashima Y. , Miyakawa T. , Kobayashi T. , Tohse N. , Yamashita T.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

In order to elucidate the influence of sympathetic nerves on lumbar radiculopathy, we investigated whether sympathectomy attenuated pain behaviour and altered the electrical properties of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a rat model of lumbar root constriction.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three experimental groups. In the root constriction group, the left L5 spinal nerve root was ligated proximal to the DRG as a lumbar radiculopathy model. In the root constriction + sympathectomy group, sympathectomy was performed after the root constriction procedure. In the control group, no procedures were performed. In order to evaluate the pain relief effect of sympathectomy, behavioural analysis using mechanical and thermal stimulation was performed. In order to evaluate the excitability of the DRG neurons, we recorded action potentials of the isolated single DRG neuron by the whole-cell patch-clamp method.

Results

In behavioural analysis, sympathectomy attenuated the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia caused by lumbar root constriction. In electrophysiological analysis, single isolated DRG neurons with root constriction exhibited lower threshold current, more depolarised resting membrane potential, prolonged action potential duration, and more depolarisation frequency. These hyperexcitable alterations caused by root constriction were significantly attenuated in rats treated with surgical sympathectomy.

Conclusion

The present results suggest that sympathectomy attenuates lumbar radicular pain resulting from root constriction by altering the electrical property of the DRG neuron itself. Thus, the sympathetic nervous system was closely associated with lumbar radicular pain, and suppressing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system may therefore lead to pain relief.
Complications of closing wedge high tibial osteotomies for unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee
Authors: Atrey A. , Morison Z. , Tosounidis T. , Tunggal J. , Waddell J. P.
Published: July 2013

We systematically reviewed the published literature on the complications of closing wedge high tibial osteotomy for the treatment of unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. Publications were identified using the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases up to February 2012. We assessed randomised (RCTs), controlled group clinical (CCTs) trials, case series in publications associated with closing wedge osteotomy of the tibia in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and finally a Cochrane review. Many of these trials included comparative studies (opening wedge versus closing wedge) and there was heterogeneity in the studies that prevented pooling of the results.
The feasibility of performing a randomised controlled trial for femoroacetabular impingement surgery
Authors: Palmer A. J. R. , Thomas G. E. R. , Pollard T. C. B. , Rombach I. , Taylor A. , Arden N. , Beard D. J. , Andrade A. J. , Carr A. J. , Glyn-Jones S.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

The number of surgical procedures performed each year to treat femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) continues to rise. Although there is evidence that surgery can improve symptoms in the short-term, there is no evidence that it slows the development of osteoarthritis (OA). We performed a feasibility study to determine whether patient and surgeon opinion was permissive for a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing operative with non-operative treatment for FAI.

Methods

Surgeon opinion was obtained using validated questionnaires at a Specialist Hip Meeting (n = 61, 30 of whom stated that they routinely performed FAI surgery) and patient opinion was obtained from clinical patients with a new diagnosis of FAI (n = 31).

Results

Clinical equipoise was demonstrated when surgeons were given clinical scenarios and asked whether they would manage a patient operatively or non-operatively. A total of 23 surgeons (77%) who routinely perform FAI surgery were willing to recruit patients into a RCT, and 28 patients (90%) were willing to participate. 75% of responding surgeons believed it was appropriate to randomise patients to non-operative treatment for ≥ 12 months. Conversely, only eight patients (26%) felt this was acceptable, although 29 (94%) were willing to continue non-operative treatment for six months. More patients were concerned about their risk of developing OA than their current symptoms, although most patients felt that the two were of equal importance.

Conclusions

We conclude that a RCT comparing operative and non-operative management of FAI is feasible and should be considered a research priority. An important finding for orthopaedic surgical trials is that patients without life-threatening pathology appear willing to trial a treatment for six months without improvement in their symptoms.
Reducing surgical site infection in arthroplasty of the lower limb
Authors: Johnson R. , Jameson S. S. , Sanders R. D. , Sargant N. J. , Muller S. D. , Meek R. M. D. , Reed M. R.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To review the current best surgical practice and detail a multi-disciplinary approach that could further reduce joint replacement infection.

Methods

Review of relevant literature indexed in PubMed.

Results

Surgical site infection is a major complication following arthroplasty. Despite its rarity in contemporary orthopaedic practice, it remains difficult to treat and is costly in terms of both patient morbidity and long-term health care resources.

Conclusions

Emphasis on education of patients and all members of the health-care team and raising awareness in how to participate in preventative efforts is imperative.
Heterotopic ossification after central nervous system trauma
Authors: Sullivan M. P. , Torres S. J. , Mehta S. , Ahn J.
Published: July 2013

Neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO) is a disorder of aberrant bone formation affecting one in five patients sustaining a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury. Ectopic bone forms around joints in characteristic patterns, causing pain and limiting movement especially around the hip and elbow. Clinical sequelae of neurogenic heterotopic ossification include urinary tract infection, pressure injuries, pneumonia and poor hygiene, making early diagnosis and treatment clinically compelling. However, diagnosis remains difficult with more investigation needed. Our pathophysiological understanding stems from mechanisms of basic bone formation enhanced by evidence of systemic influences from circulating humor factors and perhaps neurological ones. This increasing understanding guides our implementation of current prophylaxis and treatment including the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bisphosphonates, radiation therapy and surgery and, importantly, should direct future, more effective ones.
Existence of mesenchymal stem cells in sites of atrophic nonunion
Authors: Ismail H. D. , Phedy P. , Kholinne E. , Kusnadi Y. , Sandhow L. , Merlina M.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

Nonunion is one of the most troublesome complications to treat in orthopaedics. Former authors believed that atrophic nonunion occurred as a result of lack of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We evaluated the number and viability of MSCs in site of atrophic nonunion compared with those in iliac crest.

Methods

We enrolled five patients with neglected atrophic nonunions of long bones confirmed by clinical examinations and plain radiographs into this study. As much as 10 ml bone marrow aspirate was obtained from both the nonunion site and the iliac crest and cultured for three weeks. Cell numbers were counted using a haemocytometer and vitality of the cells was determined by trypan blue staining. The cells were confirmed as MSCs by evaluating their expression marker (CD 105, CD 73, HLA-DR, CD 34, CD 45, CD 14, and CD 19). Cells number and viability were compared between the nonunion and iliac creat sites.

Results

After three weeks, numbers of 6.08×106 cells (sd 2.07) and 4.98×106 cells (sd 1.15) were obtained from the nonunion site and the iliac crest, respectively, with viability of 87.1% (81.7% to 90.8%) and 89.8% (84.7% to 94.5%), respectively. No differences was found between the two sources of MSCs regarding cells number (p = 0.347) and viability (p = 0.175).

Conclusions

Our findings showed the existence of MSCs in the site of atrophic nonunion, at a similar number and viability to those isolated from the iliac crest.
A Wallet Full of Calories: The Effect of Financial Dissatisfaction on the Desire for Food Energy
Authors: Briers Barbara , Laporte Sandra
Published: July 2013

This study shows that people experiencing financial dissatisfaction may choose and consume food for its energy value. Because money and food are closely related, exchangeable resources, financially dissatisfied people may be motivated to replenish their need for financial resources by consuming caloric resources or food energy. Five experiments provide support for this hypothesis across various measures of caloric desire and actual eating behavior. The findings have notable implications for marketing and public policy. Whereas marketing researchers have increasingly investigated the interplay of taste and health considerations in food consumption, this research demonstrates the importance of investigating food energy considerations.
Classification of Infant Cries Using Dynamics of Epoch Features
Authors: Singh Avinash Kumar , Mukhopadhyay Jayanta , Rao K. Sreenivasa , Viswanath Kapinaiah
Published: July 2013

In this article, epoch-based dynamic features such as sequence of epoch interval values and epoch strength values are explored to classify infant cries. Epoch is the instant of significant excitation of the vocal tract system during the production of speech. For voiced speech, the most significant excitation takes place around the instant of glottal closure. The different types of infant cries considered in this work are hunger, pain, and wet diaper. In this work, epoch strength and epoch interval features are used to represent infant cry-specific information from the acoustic signal. In this study, the proposed features such as epoch interval and epoch strength values are determined using zero-frequency filter-based method. Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) are used to classify the above-mentioned cries from the features proposed in this work. GMMs are developed separately for each of the cries using the proposed features. The infant cry database collected under a telemedicine project at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has been used for this study. In the first step, infant cry recognition accuracy is investigated separately using epoch interval and epoch strength features. To enhance recognition performance, GMMs developed using various features are combined through score level fusion techniques. The recognition performance using a combination of evidence is found to be superior over individual systems.
Sowing Discontent
Authors: Bronstein Jamie
Published: July 2013

In 1921 New Mexicans approved a constitutional amendment that prohibited “aliens ineligible for citizenship” from owning land in the state. Reflecting the post-World War I nationalistic fervor and its racialization of “Americanism,” the amendment targeted the state’s tiny Japanese population, partly under pressure from institutions like the Farm Bureau, the American Legion, and even the Ku Klux Klan. While some Hispanos (or Nuevomexicanos) benefited by claiming an exclusionary “Spanish American” identity, others had worked alongside and intermarried with Japanese immigrants. Yet, although some predominantly Nuevomexicano counties rejected the amendment, many Nuevomexicanos joined with their Anglo neighbors to enact this discriminatory policy, ostensibly on the grounds of protecting the state from a huge influx of foreign farmers who would displace the state’s real citizens. The discriminatory language remained in the constitution until 2006.
“Lord of a Hawaiian Island”
Authors: Syrett Nicholas L.
Published: July 2013

This case study of a white male couple (Robert and John Gregg Allerton) on Kaua‘i from the 1930s through the 1960s investigates how their colonization of the island has tended to be erased in accounts that highlight both the supposed acceptance of their homosexuality by the island’s residents and, in turn, the couple’s generous philanthropy. Set against this narrative of what Mary Louise Pratt has called “anti-conquest,” I demonstrate that the Allertons’ lives on Kaua‘i were actually more in keeping with the history of western imperialism than most accounts acknowledge, emphasizing also their own innovative strategies toward making the island their own. The article examines both the specifics of the Allertons’ colonizing of Kaua‘i and, more importantly, how imperialism can be misremembered when the colonizers were queer, connecting that narrative obfuscation to myths about acceptance of gay men in Hawai‘i that live on today.
The optimal use of cardiac imaging in the quantification of carcinoid heart disease
Authors: Dobson Rebecca , Cuthbertson Daniel J , Burgess Malcolm I
Published: July 2013

Carcinoid heart disease is a rare cause of right-sided valvular dysfunction, primarily mediated by serotonin. It is an important complication in patients with carcinoid syndrome and occurs in 20–50% of such patients. Echocardiography is the main technique used for the assessment of carcinoid heart disease, but other imaging modalities are also important, particularly in the quantification of the severity of the disease. We sought to review the role of cardiac imaging in the assessment of carcinoid heart disease.
CB1 receptor mediates the effects of glucocorticoids on AMPK activity in the hypothalamus
Authors: Scerif Miski , Füzesi Tamás , Thomas Julia D , Kola Blerina , Grossman Ashley B , Fekete Csaba , Korbonits Márta
Published: July 2013

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a regulator of cellular and systemic energy homeostasis, can be influenced by several hormones. Tissue-specific alteration of AMPK activity by glucocorticoids may explain the increase in appetite, the accumulation of lipids in adipose tissues, and the detrimental cardiac effects of Cushing's syndrome. Endocannabinoids are known to mediate the effects of various hormones and to influence AMPK activity. Cannabinoids have central orexigenic and direct peripheral metabolic effects via the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1). In our preliminary experiments, WT mice received implants of a corticosterone-containing pellet to establish a mouse model of Cushing's syndrome. Subsequently, WT andCb1(Cnr1)-knockout (CB1-KO) littermates were treated with corticosterone and AMPK activity in the hypothalamus, various adipose tissues, liver and cardiac tissue was measured. Corticosterone-treated CB1-KO mice showed a lack of weight gain and of increase in hypothalamic and hepatic AMPK activity. In adipose tissues, baseline AMPK activity was higher in CB1-KO mice, but a glucocorticoid-induced drop was observed, similar to that observed in WT mice. Cardiac AMPK levels were reduced in CB1-KO mice, but while WT mice showed significantly reduced AMPK activity following glucocorticoid treatment, CB1-KO mice showed a paradoxical increase. Our findings indicate the importance of the CB1 receptor in the central orexigenic effect of glucocorticoid-induced activation of hypothalamic AMPK activity. In the periphery adipose tissues, changes may occur independently of the CB1 receptor, but the receptor appears to alter the responsiveness of the liver and myocardial tissues to glucocorticoids. In conclusion, our data suggest that an intact cannabinoid pathway is required for the full metabolic effects of chronic glucocorticoid excess.
The roles of melanin-concentrating hormone in energy balance and reproductive function: are they connected?
Authors: Naufahu Jane , Cunliffe Adam D , Murray Joanne F
Published: July 2013

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is an anabolic neuropeptide with multiple and diverse physiological functions including a key role in energy homoeostasis. Rodent studies have shown that the ablation of functional MCH results in a lean phenotype, increased energy expenditure and resistance to diet-induced obesity. These findings have generated interest among pharmaceutical companies vigilant for potential anti-obesity agents. Nutritional status affects reproductive physiology and behaviours, thereby optimising reproductive success and the ability to meet energetic demands. This complex control system entails the integration of direct or indirect peripheral stimuli with central effector systems and involves numerous mediators. A role for MCH in the reproductive axis has emerged, giving rise to the premise that MCH may serve as an integratory mediator between those discrete systems that regulate energy balance and reproductive function. Hence, this review focuses on published evidence concerning i) the role of MCH in energy homoeostasis and ii) the regulatory role of MCH in the reproductive axis. The question as to whether the MCH system mediates the integration of energy homoeostasis with the neuroendocrine reproductive axis and, if so, by what means has received limited coverage in the literature; evidence to date and current theories are summarised herein.
Spermatogonial behavior in rats during radiation-induced arrest and recovery after hormone suppression
Authors: Albuquerque Amanda V , Almeida Fernanda R C L , Weng Connie C , Shetty Gunapala , Meistrich Marvin L , Chiarini-Garcia Hélio
Published: July 2013

Ionizing radiation has been shown to arrest spermatogenesis despite the presence of surviving stem spermatogonia, by blocking their differentiation. This block is a result of damage to the somatic environment and is reversed when gonadotropins and testosterone are suppressed, but the mechanisms are still unknown. We examined spermatogonial differentiation and Sertoli cell factors that regulate spermatogonia after irradiation, during hormone suppression, and after hormone suppression combined with Leydig cell elimination with ethane dimethane sulfonate. These results showed that the numbers and cytoplasmic structure of Sertoli cells are unaffected by irradiation, only a few type A undifferentiated (Aund) spermatogonia and even fewer type A1spermatogonia remained, and immunohistochemical analysis showed that Sertoli cells still produced KIT ligand (KITLG) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Some of these cells expressed KIT receptor, demonstrating that the failure of differentiation was not a result of the absence of the KIT system. Hormone suppression resulted in an increase in Aundspermatogonia within 3 days, a gradual increase in KIT-positive spermatogonia, and differentiation mainly to A3spermatogonia after 2 weeks. KITL (KITLG) protein expression did not change after hormone suppression, indicating that it is not a factor in the stimulation. However, GDNF increased steadily after hormone suppression, which was unexpected since GDNF is supposed to promote stem spermatogonial self-renewal and not differentiation. We conclude that the primary cause of the block in spermatogonial development is not due to Sertoli cell factors such (KITL\GDNF) or the KIT receptor. As elimination of Leydig cells in addition to hormone suppression resulted in differentiation to the A3stage within 1 week, Leydig cell factors were not necessary for spermatogonial differentiation.
Organophosphate Urinary Metabolite Levels during Pregnancy, Delivery and Postpartum in Women Living in Agricultural Areas in Thailand
Authors: Kongtip Pornpimol , Nankongnab Noppanun , Woskie Susan , Phamonphon Akkarat , Tharnpoophasiam Prapin , Wilaiwan Kitsiluck , Srasom Punnee
Published: July 2013

Organophosphate Urinary Metabolite Levels during Pregnancy, Delivery and Postpartum in Women Living in Agricultural Areas in Thailand: Pornpimol KONGTIP, et al. Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Thailand—

Objective

Prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides can lead to developmental neurotoxicity. A longitudinal birth cohort was established to investigate pesticide exposures from different agricultural activities. Maternal urinary organophosphate metabolites were measured at 28 weeks of pregnancy (n=86), delivery (n=67) and 2 months postpartum (n=51).

Method

Subjects were interviewed with questionnaires about work, home and behavioral factors potentially associated with pesticide exposures, and spot urine samples were also collected. The urine samples were analyzed for dimethyl phosphate (DMP), diethyl phosphate (DEP), diethyl thiophosphate (DETP) and diethyl dithiophosphate (DEDTP), using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry.

Results

The urinary DMP and dialkyl phosphate (DAP) concentrations at 28 weeks of pregnancy and delivery were not significantly different, but the DMP and DAP concentrations at 28 weeks of pregnancy and DAP concentrations at delivery were significantly different (p<0.05) from those at 2 months postpartum. The factors influencing the urinary DAP concentrations at 28 weeks of pregnancy included insecticide used in the home, living close to agricultural farmland, frequency of agricultural field visits during the first and second trimesters of pregnancies, occupation of subjects, pesticide used and other agricultural activities.

Conclusions

The urinary organophosphate metabolites, DMP, DEP, DETP, DEDTP, total DEP and DAPs, at 28 weeks of pregnancy, delivery and 2 months postpartum fluctuated depending on their pesticide exposures both at home and in agricultural fields.
Teaching of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness strategy in undergraduate nursing programs
Authors: Fujimori Elizabeth , Higuchi Cinthia Hiroko , Cursino Emília Gallindo , Veríssimo Maria De La Ó Ramallo , Borges Ana Luiza Vilela , Mello Débora Falleiros de , Nascimento Lucila Castanheira , Behn Verónica , Wilson Lynda Law
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the teaching of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy on Brazilian undergraduate nursing programs. METHOD: Integrating an international multicentric study, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted between May and October 2010 with 571 undergraduate nursing programs in Brazil RESULTS: Responses were received from 142 programs, 75% private and 25% public. 64% of them included the IMCI strategy in the theoretical content, and 50% of the programs included IMCI as part of the students' practical experience. The locations most used for practical teaching were primary health care units. The 'treatment' module was taught by the fewest number of programs, and few programs had access to the IMCI instructional manuals. All programs used exams for evaluation, and private institutions were more likely to include class participation as part of the evaluation. Teaching staff in public institutions were more likely to have received training in teaching IMCI. CONCLUSION: In spite of the relevance of the IMCI strategy in care of the child, its content is not addressed in all undergraduate programs in Brazil, and many programs do not have access to the IMCI teaching manuals and have not provide training in IMCI to their teaching staff.
Current status of Complementary Therapies in Spain in nursing degree
Authors: Fernández-Cervilla Ana Belén , Piris-Dorado Ana Isabel , Cabrer-Vives Maria Esperança , Barquero-González Ana
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE: Describe the current situation of complementary therapies in nursing education in schools and nursing schools in Spain. METHOD: Descriptive study. Study population all faculties andschools ascribed to Spain. Data collection through observation sheet. Analysis units Curricula. Variables (credits, course type, location, type of therapy). Descriptive analysis of relative and absolute data using Excel spreadsheet. RESULTS: Most of the faculties and schoolsofnursingscrutinized the subject of Complementary Therapies has disappeared and those that aparace is an optional subject. CONCLUSION: Complementary Therapies training in Spain is deficient because it is not collected as a core subject and / or obligatory. The absence of Complementary Therapies in the curriculum, questions such as their value in training, conceptualization which teachers, the impact on quality of care, training of teachers responsible for teaching the subject, as well as the number of credits and the course being in the degree of Grado.
Adaptation and validation of the Patient Expectations and Satisfaction with Prenatal Care instrument among Brazilian pregnant women
Authors: Prudêncio Patrícia Santos , Mamede Fabiana Villela , Dantas Rosana Aparecida Spadoti , Souza Luiz de , Mamede Marli Villela
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE: to adapt and validate the Patient Expectations and Satisfaction with Prenatal Care instrument for use in Brazil. It contains 41 items divided into two dimensions: expectations and satisfaction. The adapted version was submitted to analysis for stability, convergent construct validity, and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for distinct groups and dimensions. METHOD: 119 pregnant women receiving prenatal care were interviewed and 26 of these women answered the instrument twice (retest). Internal consistency was appropriate (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.70); test-retest presented strong correlation (r=0.82; p<0.001) for the domain expectations and moderate correlation (r=0.66; p<0.001) for the satisfaction domain. The analysis confirmed that the instrument's adapted version is valid in the studied group. RESULTS: there is strong evidence for the validity and reliability of the instrument's adaptation. CONCLUSION: the instrument needs to be tested in groups of pregnant women with different social characteristics.
Maternal mortality due to hemorrhage in Brazil
Authors: Souza Maria de Lourdes de , Laurenti Ruy , Knobel Roxana , Monticelli Marisa , Brüggemann Odaléa Maria , Drake Emily
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the rates of maternal mortality due to hemorrhage identified in Brazil from 1997 to 2009. Methods: the time series and population data from the Brazilian Health Ministry, Mortality Information System and Live Birth Information System were examined. From the Mortality Information System, we initially selected all reported deaths of women between 10 and 49 years old, which occurred from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2009 in Brazil, recorded as a "maternal death". RESULTS: during the research period, 22,281 maternal deaths were identified, among which 3,179 were due to hemorrhage, accounting for 14.26% of the total deaths. The highest rates of maternal mortality were found in the North and Northeast areas of Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: the Brazilian scenario shows regional inequalities regarding maternal mortality. It presents hemorrhaging as a symptom and not as a cause of death.
Social representations of mothers about gestational hypertension and premature birth
Authors: Souza Nilba Lima de , Araújo Ana Cristina Pinheiro Fernandes de , Costa Iris do Ceu Clara
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE: To identify the meanings attributed by mothers to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) and their consequences, such as premature birth and hospitalization of the infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHOD: A qualitative study, based on the Central Nucleus Theory, with 70 women who had hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm delivery. We used the technique of free word association (FWAT) with three stimuli: high blood pressure during pregnancy, prematurity and NICU. RESULTS: We obtained 1007 evocations, distributed as follows: high blood pressure during pregnancy (335) prematurity (333) and NICU (339). These constituted three thematic units: representation of HDPs, prematurity and the NICU. The categories death and negative aspects were inherent to the three units analyzed, followed by coping strategies and needs for care present in HDPs and prematurity. CONCLUSION: The study had death as its central nucleus, and highlighted the subjective aspects present in the high risk pregnancy and postpartum cycle. It is hoped that this research will contribute to qualifying nursing care for women confronting the problem of HDPs, so that they can cope with less impacts from the adverse effects of high risk pregnancy and birth.
The APACHE II measured on patients' discharge from the Intensive Care Unit in the prediction of mortality
Authors: Cardoso Luciana Gonzaga dos Santos , Chiavone Paulo Antonio
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the performance of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), measured based on the data from the last 24 hours of hospitalization in ICU, for patients transferred to the wards. METHOD: an observational, prospective and quantitative study using the data from 355 patients admitted to the ICU between January and July 2010, who were transferred to the wards. RESULTS: the discriminatory power of the AII-OUT prognostic index showed a statistically significant area beneath the ROC curve. The mortality observed in the sample was slightly greater than that predicted by the AII-OUT, with a Standardized Mortality Ratio of 1.12. In the calibration curve the linear regression analysis showed the R2 value to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: the AII-OUT could predict mortality after discharge from ICU, with the observed mortality being slightly greater than that predicted, which shows good discrimination and good calibration. This system was shown to be useful for stratifying the patients at greater risk of death after discharge from ICU. This fact deserves special attention from health professionals, particularly nurses, in managing human and technological resources for this group of patients.
Living with Cleft Lip and Palate: The Treatment Journey
Authors: Alansari Reem , Bedos Christophe , Allison Paul
Published: July 2013

Objective

To better understand how individuals with cleft lip and palate (CLP) perceive and experience their treatment process and how these perceptions and experiences change over the life course.

Design

Qualitative in-depth semistructured interviews with 11 adults with nonsyndromal complete CLP.

Participants/Setting

Individuals from three Canadian cities were recruited by convenience and theoretical sampling through AboutFace International. The number of participants was determined by the principle of theoretical saturation.

Results

The experience of individuals with CLP through the treatment process changes over the life course. In childhood and early adolescence, most individuals experience stigma, negative self-perception, and as a result were more prone to perceiving the treatment process not only as unbearably burdensome but also as fueling their feeling of “defectiveness.” In adulthood, participants' self-perception improved, partly because of definitive surgical correction, leading them to realize treatment benefits and reappraise the treatment process as satisfactory rather than burdensome. Subsequently, some individuals pursued further surgeries hoping for additional psychological gains, in lieu of psychosocial interventions addressing the underpinnings of residual feelings of “defectiveness.” This led to dissatisfaction and frustration when the procedures did not lead to the hoped-for psychological gains.

Conclusions

The results emphasize the importance of self-perception in determining how participants perceive several important aspects of the treatment experience throughout the life course. Further studies should focus on how to incorporate self-perception as an important variable and outcome in the treatment process.
Two Cases of Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome, Report of the Complex Pathology and Treatment
Authors: Bender Céline A. , Koudstaal Maarten J. , Van Elswijk Josephine F.A. , Prahl Charlotte , Wolvius Eppo B.
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this case report is to report the orthodontic surgical treatment and subsequent dental rehabilitation in two patients with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome. Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by ocular, dental, craniofacial, and periumbilical abnormalities. The treatment of two patients with various anomalies in Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome is described and discussed. Early recognition of the syndrome and referral during childhood to a specialized oral and maxillofacial surgery, special dental care, and orthodontic unit provide the optimal starting point for this complex treatment.
The potential of advanced textiles for fabric formwork
Authors: Brennan Julie , Pedreschi Remo , Walker Pete , Ansell Martin
Published: July 2013

A cross-discipline group funded by EPSRC Limesnet, discusses ‘Structural woven formwork’ from a textile perspective, where the adoption of more sophisticated textile construction enables manufacture of new types of flexible and embedded fabric formworks for potential use in the construction industry, including fibre systems for reinforcing building components, containment structures and layered geo-textiles. In-filled with concrete, aggregate or earth, new formwork fabrics are designed with anisotropic properties to provide enhanced structural performance, permeability and surface finish compared with commercial off-the-shelf fabrics. Dual-function fabrics are introduced that provide permanent formwork through the use of robust internal woven reinforcement and cavity systems to enhance strength. Matched with specific formwork casting and construction methods, these structures could enhance and progress the scope, scale and performance of current formwork, or enable new structures that are currently difficult to achieve. The developments provide key pointers for the progression of the discipline and automation of the process.
Managing the asset time bomb: a system dynamics approach
Authors: Thurlby Robert
Published: July 2013

For organisations responsible for managing the UK's national infrastructure, particularly those that are tightly regulated, a major challenge today is how to maintain performance of their infrastructure assets within the constraints of both limited budgets and externally set performance targets. This problem becomes more acute when significant members of an asset base approach an end-of life state at the same time. Resolving this problem has often proved difficult as it doesn't readily lend itself to exploration with traditional analytical and forecasting tools. This paper discusses how system dynamics methods and tools have been successfully used to develop a new approach to asset and infrastructure planning which builds simulation models that both give insight into the nature of the asset time bomb threat but, more importantly, enable the development of asset management polices and strategies that will eliminate the threat. The paper includes a description of system dynamics showing the detailed structure of the models developed. A case study of a leading European electricity distribution network operator who used system dynamics to understand and solve the asset time bomb threat is described including the outcome which resulting in a fundamental change in asset management strategy.
Fabric changes induced by lime addition on a compacted alluvial soil
Authors: Russo G. , Modoni G.
Published: July 2013

Experimental work on remoulded natural and lime-stabilised samples of an alluvial silty soil has been conducted. Microstructure analyses were performed by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) on stabilised soil compacted at different initial water contents and cured for different times. Some results are reported, and interpreted referring to different microstructure levels. The stabilised samples showed an aggregate fabric evolving with curing time as a function of the initial water content. From the constricted pore size distributions, investigated by means of cycles of intrusion, two main fabric changes were observed after lime addition – dimensional growth of the aggregates in the short term and the formation of stable bonding compounds in the smaller pore range for longer curing times.
Rainfall-induced differential settlements of foundations on heterogeneous unsaturated soils
Authors: LE T.M.H. , GALLIPOLI D. , SANCHEZ M. , WHEELER S.
Published: July 2013

This study stochastically investigates the rainfall-induced differential settlement of a centrally loaded, rigid strip foundation on an unsaturated soil with spatially varying values of either preconsolidation stress or porosity. The differential settlement (between the two foundation ends) is calculated at various times during rainfall by way of a coupled, hydro-mechanical, finite-element analysis. The Barcelona basic model describes the mechanical behaviour of the soil, and the van Genuchten relationships describe water retention and permeability. The variability of soil properties is modelled by means of random fields with spatial correlation in the framework of a Monte Carlo simulation. The study demonstrates that the occurrence of rainfall-induced differential settlements can be consistently analysed using concepts of unsaturated soil mechanics and random field theory. Results show that differential settlements can be vastly underpredicted (or even completely missed) if random heterogeneity and partial saturation are not simultaneously considered. The variation of differential settlements and their statistics during the rainfall depend on the magnitude of the applied load and the statistics of soil variability. Moreover, the transient phase of infiltration and a spatial correlation length equal to the width of the foundation pose the highest risk of differential settlement.
Practice of indigenous knowledge system by the farmers in maintaining ecosystem in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mostafizur
Published: July 2013

The main focus of the study was to identify the indigenous knowledge system
being used by the rural men in farming and household activities and also to
examine its extent. Data were collected from Poba upazila under Rajshahi
district and Gabtoli upazila under Bogra district in Bangladesh from 125
randomly selected rural men out of total population of 1,145 from 15
February to 14 May, 2009. The fifty potential indigenous knowledge systems
were identified through participatory rural appraisal prior to finalizing
the schedule. The findings reveal that greater proportion of rural men were
illiterate, middle aged categories, small farmer category, medium
agricultural and environmental knowledge category, high level farming
experience, medium cosmopoliteness, medium communication exposure, no
organizational participation and moderately favorable category. Among the 50
identified indigenous knowledge systems, ?Setting up bamboo sticks, branches
of trees etc., in rice fields to let the birds sit and eat away insects?
reached the highest extent of use by the farmers in agricultural practices.
?Soaking boro rice seeds in water for 1-3 days before sowing in the bed for
rapid germination?, ?Drying mature bottle gourds (Lagenaria vulgaris) in the
sun and storing the seeds inside without rupturing the fruits? and ?Keeping
rice seedlings under shed for 1-2 days before transplanting for the purpose
of increasing tolerance? took the 2nd, 3rd and 4th position regarding the
extent of use. Considering farmers? practicing category, the highest
proportion (47.2%) of the respondents belonged to the low user as compared
to 39.2% in the moderate user and 13.6% in the high user. Recommendations
were forwarded to the extension specialists, researchers and administrators
to undertake desk and experimental research concerning indigenous knowledge
systems.
Contested Frontier: Examining YouTube from a Critical Perspective
Authors: Sampson Peter
Published: July 2013

Neoliberalism has become the dominant ideology of our day. As with all ideologies, it influences without drawing attention to itself. Critical pedagogy, with its focus on the oppressed and marginalised, offers a perspective on the media and education that seeks to expose neoliberalism's hegemonic power. Traditional media has become complicit with neoliberalism, but with new media's role in the recent events of the Arab Spring and the Iranian uprisings, there is hope that it can expose and challenge unjust powers. New media, or more specifically for this article, YouTube, is a contested frontier where the power is sought: critically, the power of the imagination. To engage on YouTube is to be on that frontier, and new skills are required. This article concludes that critical media literacy is essential to successfully engage that space and provide the opportunity for users to imagine a different world.
Faculty Perceptions of Student Performance in the Online Classroom
Authors: Amro Hanan , Maxwell Gerri M. , Kupczynski Lori
Published: July 2013

With continually increasing enrollment, and colleges and universities struggling to meet the demand, leaders in education are turning to the web instruction to deliver instruction to students. In order to meet the needs of these online students, institutions of higher education need more data concerning the factors that influence students' decision to pursue online instruction. More importantly, factors that affect student performance in both traditional and online settings need to be understood in order to provide students with a more comprehensive educational experience. This study examines the factors that influence students' decision to seek online coursework over a traditional classroom setting. Additionally, this study explores faculty perceptions concerning the factors necessary to succeed in a web-enhanced environment, and similarly explores faculty perceptions as to whether online students' learning outcomes are the same as those of traditional students. This work correlates with the findings of previous studies, and contributes to the growing body of knowledge regarding the factors that affect student performance in both traditional and online settings.
Evaluation of an Automated Procedure for Detecting Frequency-Following Responses in American and Chinese Neonates
Authors: Jeng Fuh-Cherng , Peris Kevin S. , Hu Jiong , Lin Chia-Der
Published: July 2013

To date, observations of the scalp-recorded frequency-following response (FFR) to voice pitch have depended on subjective interpretation of the experimenter. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an automated procedure for detecting the presence of a response. Twenty American (9 boys, 1–3 days) and 20 Chinese (10 boys, 1–3 days) neonates were recruited. A Chinese monosyllable that mimicked the English vowel /i/ with a rising pitch (117–166 Hz) was used as the stimulus. Three objective indices (Frequency Error, Tracking Accuracy, and Pitch Strength) were computed from the recorded brain waves and the test results were compared with human judgments to calculate the sensitivity and specificity values. Results demonstrated that the automated procedure produced sensitivity values between 53–90% and specificity values between 80–100%, and could be used to assess the presence of an FFR for neonates who were born in a tonal or non-tonal language environment.
Hyperammonemia in a patient with obstructive urinary tract infection due to Corynebacterium urealyticum
Authors: Kenzaka Tsuneaki , Kumabe Ayako , Urushibara Yuka , Minami Kensuke , Ishida Takeshi
Published: July 2013

A 93-year-old woman with neurogenic bladder was admitted to our hospital because of impaired consciousness. Her urine culture revealed urease-test-positive Corynebacterium urealyticum. She was diagnosed with hyperammonemia due to an obstructive urinary tract infection that was caused by urease-producing bacteria. The patient showed rapid improvement of impaired consciousness and hyperammonemia after urine analysis. It is necessary to consider obstructive urinary tract infection as a differential diagnosis of hyperammonemia, which commonly occurs in urinary tract infections owing to the presence of urease-producing bacteria. Relief from obstruction is the most important treatment for hyperammonemia caused by this mechanism.
Combustion synthesis of Ti2SC
Authors: Li Xin , Liang Baoyan , Li Zhixin
Published: July 2013

Ti/S/C powders were used as raw material for the combustion synthesis of Ti2SC. The results showed that Ti2SC was the main phase of the product of the 2Ti/S/C powders used for the synthesis. Furthermore, certain amounts of TiC and Ti3S4were found in the product. Excess S addition improved the synthesis of Ti2SC. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that the lamellar Ti2SC grains had lengths ranging from 20 µm to 30 µm.
Development of mango flavored Soy Dahi
Authors: Rakhi TA , Islam MN , Hoque SAM , Rahman MM
Published: July 2013

The experiment was aimed to prepare mango flavored soy milk based dahi (whole cow milk : soy milk=1:1). To remove the beany flavour of soybean as well as to add the mango flavour, mango juice were added at the rate of 0, 5, 10 and 15%. Data on physical and chemical parameters were recorded and analyzed. It was observed that smell and taste, body and consistency, color and appearance as well as total score were significantly increased (p<0.01) when 5% mango juice added to soy milk based dahi. These properties could further be increased significantly (p<0.01) by increasing the level up to 10% but increasing the level of mango juice up to 15% were significantly decreased (p<0.01) the physical properties. After chemical analysis, a significant increasing (p<0.05) in acidity, total solids and carbohydrate content but a significantly decresing (p<0.05) in fat and ash content of dahi were observed due to the addition of mango juice. Compilation of physico-chemical properties it was observed that addition of 10% mango juice prepared a high quality low cost mango flavored soy milk based dahi. Considering the shortage along with high price of milk we could transfer the techniques to the manufacturer to produce and market the mango flavored soy milk based dahi. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v42i1.15779 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2013. 42 (1): 44-48
Effect of heat stress on blood parameter, carcass and meat quality of Black Bengal goat
Authors: Hashem MA , Hossain MM , Rana MS , Hossain MM , Islam MS , Saha NG
Published: July 2013

The research was conducted to study the effect of heat stress on blood parameter, carcass characteristics and meat quality of the Black Bengal goat. Nine goats were randomly and equally divided into three groups having almost same age and weight. Three groups were divided as zero hour (T0), four hours (T4) and eight hours (T8) of heat exposure. The T0 group were not exposed to heat stress, the T4 and T8 group were exposed to heat by keeping them at outside for 4 (four) hours and 8 (eight) hours from 9.00 AM to 1.00 PM and from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM, respectively. Temperaturehumidity index (THI) was calculated as 26.88 indicating all the experimental animals were in extreme severe heat stress. The blood parameter such as RBC, PCV%, Hb%, WBC was significantly (p<0.01) higher in T8 group than those of T4 and T0 groups. There was also significant (p<0.05) effect of heat stress on pH of the meat from different groups of the Black Bengal goats. By-products e.g., blood, pluck, spleen and kidney, and cooking loss were significantly (p<0.01) increased with the increase of the heat, but no significant differences were observed for pre-slaughter parameters, carcass weight, drip loss, dressing percentage, and proximate composition of the goat meat for DM, CP and Ash, while the EE significantly (p<0.05) differed among the heat treated groups. Heat stress significantly affected the blood parameter, cooking loss, pH, by-product of goats rather than non heat stressed group. It indicates that heat stress limits the qualitative and quantitative production characteristics of goat meat. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v42i1.15783 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2013. 42 (1): 57-61
Oral health condition among tobacco users and non users attending the Outpatient Department of Pioneer Dental College
Authors: Zayeed Md. Abu , Farzan Md. Sajedul Asif , Kabir Md. Arafat , Pavel Md. Shahed Rafi
Published: July 2013

Bangladesh Journal of Dental Research & Education, Vol. 01, No. 01, January 2011, Page 8-11 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjdre.v1i1.15794