bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parametric Analysis of Magnetorheologically Damped Pendulum Vibration Absorber
Authors: Kecik Krzysztof , Kapitaniak Marcin
Published: July 2014

This paper presents numerical and experimental study of an autoparametric pendulum absorber attached to a vertically moving Duffing oscillator. The absorber can be highly efficient for slightly damped systems, when correctly tuned. In the suspension of pendulum absorber, the magnetorheological damper (MR) is installed to allow control. The influence of system parameters: Viscous and magnetorheological damping, stiffness of the spring, parameter which couples both systems on the suppression effectiveness are studied. Additionally, the influence of system parameters on periodic solutions and stability are analyzed using continuation techniques.
A mineral system approach to iron ore in Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic BIF of Western Australia
Authors: Angerer Thomas , Duuring Paul , Hagemann Steffen G. , Thorne Warren , McCuaig T. Campbell
Published: July 2014

This review paper examines banded iron formation-hosted higher-grade (>58 wt% Fe) iron ore types present in the two main metallogenic districts of Western Australia, the Yilgarn Craton and the Hamersley Province. The principal iron ore deposits from both districts exhibit variation in ore properties and genesis within and across districts, but also striking similarities. There are five critical elements involved in iron ore formation and preservation: (a) BIF iron fertility defined by stratigraphic and geodynamic setting; (b) Si-dissolving fluid flow; (c) high permeability at a range of scales; (d) exhumation and supergene modification; and (e) preservation of BIF-hosted iron ore bodies by surficial modification, cover or structures (downdrop, overthrust). Several subsidiary or constituent processes are important for the formation of distinct iron ore types and have expressions as (mappable) targeting elements. Deposits in the Hamersley Province record the presence of basinal brines and meteoric fluids, whereas deposits in the Yilgarn Craton, while less well constrained, suggest the influence of metamorphic/magmatic and meteoric fluids. A scheme for BIF alteration related to ore formation in a crustal depth continuum is presented, which integrates pressure-/temperature-dependency of assemblages, fluid–rock ratios and Si-dissolution capability and is a conceptual guide to prospective zones for iron ore.
MLF
Authors: Le Botlan Didier , Rémy Didier
Published: July 2014

We propose a type system MLF that generalizes ML with first-class polymorphism as in System F. Expressions may contain secondorder type annotations. Every typable expression admits a principal type, which however depends on type annotations. Principal types capture all other types that can be obtained by implicit type instantiation and they can be inferred. All expressions of ML are welltyped without any annotations. All expressions of System F can be mechanically encoded into MLF by dropping all type abstractions and type applications, and injecting types of lambda-abstractions into MLF types. Moreover, only parameters of lambda-abstractions that are used polymorphically need to remain annotated.
Viral Manipulation of Plant Host Membranes
Authors: Laliberté Jean-François , Zheng Huanquan
Published: July 2014

Plant viruses, like animal viruses, induce the formation of novel intracellular membranous structures that provide an optimum environment for coordinating diverse viral processes such as viral RNA synthesis and virus egress. Membrane reshaping is accomplished by the expression of specific membrane-associated viral proteins that interact with host proteins involved in membrane trafficking processes. Plant virus–induced membranous structures are motile, and this intracellular motility is required for the transport of viral RNA from sites of synthesis to plasmodesmata, which are used to move viral RNA from cell to cell. Cellular movement of these virus-induced bodies requires myosin motor activity and is dependent on the secretory pathway. The coupling of membrane-associated replication complexes with virus intra- and intercellular trafficking may explain why viral infection of neighboring cells is established rapidly and efficiently.
IFITM-Family Proteins: The Cell's First Line of Antiviral Defense
Authors: Bailey Charles C. , Zhong Guocai , Huang I-Chueh , Farzan Michael
Published: July 2014

Animal cells use a wide variety of mechanisms to slow or prevent replication of viruses. These mechanisms are usually mediated by antiviral proteins whose expression and activities can be constitutive but are frequently amplified by interferon induction. Among these interferon-stimulated proteins, members of the IFITM (interferon-induced transmembrane) family are unique because they prevent infection before a virus can traverse the lipid bilayer of the cell. At least three human IFITM proteins—IFITM1, IFITM2, and IFITM3—have antiviral activities. These activities limit infection in cultured cells by many viruses, including dengue virus, Ebola virus, influenza A virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and West Nile virus. Murine Ifitm3 controls influenza A virus infection in vivo, and polymorphisms in human IFITM3 correlate with the severity of both seasonal and highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Here we review the discovery and characterization of the IFITM proteins, describe the spectrum of their antiviral activities, and discuss potential mechanisms underlying these effects.
Disseminated Abdominal Hydatidosis: A Rare Presentation of Common Infectious Disease
Authors: Almalik Abdulrahman , Alsharidi Aynaa , Al-Sheef Mohammed , Enani Mushirah
Published: July 2014

Hydatid disease is one of the most geographically widespread zoonoses with substantial disease burden. In this report we are discussing an unusual case of intra-abdominal HD that was ongoing for 22 years despite two surgical interventions. Significant symptomatic relief was achieved within the first two months of combination therapy with albendazole and praziquantel. HD is still of public health concern in the Middle East that needs optimized care.
Robust Predictive Control of Water Level in an Experimental Pilot Plant with Uncertain Input Delay
Authors: Rossi Fernanda Quelho , Galvão Roberto Kawakami Harrop
Published: July 2014

This paper is concerned with the predictive control of water level in an experimental pilot plant, in the presence of input constraints and uncertain time delays. Robustness is achieved by casting the delay uncertainty into a polytopic form and using a predictive control formulation based on linear matrix inequalities. Integral action is introduced into the controller to ensure offset‐free tracking of step changes in the setpoint. Moreover, an integrator resetting procedure based on the concept of regions of guaranteed cost is proposed to improve the resulting transient response. The results show that the introduction of robustness into the predictive control formulation is indeed of value to avoid closed‐loop instability in the presence of time delays. In addition, the integrator resetting procedure was found to provide substantial performance improvements in terms of overshoot and settling time.
Identification of Differentially Expressed Gene after Femoral Fracture via Microarray Profiling
Authors: Zhong Donggen
Published: July 2014

We aimed to investigate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in different stages after femoral fracture based on rat models, providing the basis for the treatment of sport-related fractures. Gene expression data GSE3298 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), including 16 chips. All femoral fracture samples were classified into earlier fracture stage and later fracture stage. Total 87 DEGs simultaneously occurred in two stages, of which 4 genes showed opposite expression tendency. Out of the 4 genes,RestandCst8were hub nodes in protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The GO (Gene Ontology) function enrichment analysis verified that nutrition supply related genes were enriched in the earlier stage and neuron growth related genes were enriched in the later stage. Calcium signaling pathway was the most significant pathway in earlier stage; in later stage, DEGs were enriched into 2 neurodevelopment-related pathways. Analysis of Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that a total of 3,300 genes were significantly associated with fracture time, none of which was overlapped with identified DEGs. This study suggested thatRestandCst8might act as potential indicators for fracture healing. Calcium signaling pathway and neurodevelopment-related pathways might be deeply involved in bone healing after femoral fracture.
Structure and Identification of Solenin: A Novel Fibrous Protein from Bivalve Solen grandis Ligament
Authors: Meng Jun , Zhang Gang-Sheng , Huang Zeng-Qiong
Published: July 2014

Fibrous proteins, which derived from natural sources, have been acting as templates for the production of new materials for decades, and most of them have been modified to improve mechanical performance. Insight into the structures of fibrous proteins is a key step for fabricating of bioinspired materials. Here, we revealed the microstructure of a novel fibrous protein: solenin from Solen grandis ligament and identified the protein by MALDI‐TOF‐TOF‐MS and LC‐MS‐MS analyses. We found that the protein fiber has no hierarchical structure and is homologous to keratin type II cytoskeletal 1 and type I cytoskeletal 9‐like, containing “SGGG,” “SYGSGGG,” “GS,” and “GSS” repeat sequences. Secondary structure analysis by FTIR shows that solenin is composed of 41.8% β‐sheet, 16.2% β‐turn, 26.5% α‐helix, and 9.8% disordered structure. We believe that the β‐sheet structure and those repeat sequences which form “glycine loops” may give solenin excellence elastic and flexible properties to withstand tensile stress caused by repeating opening and closing of the shell valves in vivo. This paper contributes a novel fibrous protein for the protein materials world.
The Incidence of Impacted Maxillary Canines in a Kosovar Population
Authors: Gashi Ali , Kamberi Blerim , Ademi-Abdyli Resmije , Perjuci Ferijale , Sahatçiu-Gashi Arjeta
Published: July 2014

Aim. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of impacted maxillary canines in a Kosovar population. Materials and Methods. The study consisted of a retrospective analysis of the records of 8101 patients treated in the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo between August 2001 and February 2004. The chi-squared test was used to examine potential differences in the distribution of impacted maxillary canines stratified by gender, age, location (left or right), and position. P<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results. It was found that the incidence of impacted maxillary canines was 1.62%. Of the 131 impacted maxillary canines, 101 were in female patients and 30 were in male patients, a statistically significant difference. Ages were in the range of 9 to >20 years, with a mean age of 24.38±8.09 years. Of these subjects, 99 (75.57%) had unilaterally impacted maxillary canines, while 32 (24.43%) had bilateral impactions, a statistically significant difference (P<0.00002). Impacted canines in 92 subjects (70.2%) were palatally placed, and 18 (13.7%) were labially placed. This difference was also statistically significant (P<0.00001). Conclusion. The incidence of impacted maxillary canines in the sample Kosovar population was 1.62%, which is comparable to the findings from previous studies.
The Bacterial Contamination of Allogeneic Bone and Emergence of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Tissue Bank
Authors: Binte Atique Fahmida , Rahman Khalil Md. Masudur
Published: July 2014

Present study was carried out for the microbiological evaluation of allogeneic bone processed from femoral heads. A total 60 bacterial isolates comprising five different species includingStreptococcusspp.,Staphylococcusspp.,Klebsiellaspp.,Bacillusspp., andPseudomonasspp. were characterized based on their cultural and biochemical characteristics. Average bioburden was ranged from5.7×101to3.9×104 cfu/gm. The majority (81.7%) of the microbial contaminants were detected as Gram positive with the predominant organism being skin commensal coagulase negative Staphylococci (43.3%). Antimicrobial resistance was evaluated by the activities of 14 broad and narrow spectrum antibiotic discs. Comparing the overall pattern, marked resistance was noted against Penicillin and Amoxicillin 100% (60/60). The most effective single antibiotics were Gentamicin, Tobramycin, and Ofloxacin which were bactericidal against 100% (60/60) isolates. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was confirmed in 70% (42/60) of the samples. Among them, the most prevalent antibiotypes were Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Oxacillin, Polymyxin, and Cefpodoxime (80% of total MDR). The study results revealed higher contamination rate on bone allografts and recommend the implementation of good tissue banking practices during tissue procurement, processing, and storage in order to minimize the chances of contamination.
Void Shapes Controlled by Using Interruption-Free Epitaxial Lateral Overgrowth of GaN Films on Patterned SiO2AlN/Sapphire Template
Authors: Chen Yu-An , Kuo Cheng-Huang , Chang Li-Chuan , Wu Ji-Pu
Published: July 2014

GaN epitaxial layers with embedded air voids grown on patterned SiO2AlN/sapphire templates were proposed. Using interruption-free epitaxial lateral overgrowth technology, we realized uninterrupted growth and controlled the shape of embedded air voids. These layers showed improved crystal quality using X-ray diffraction and measurement of etching pits density. Compared with conventional undoped-GaN film, the full width at half-maximum of the GaN (0 0 2) and (1 0 2) peaks decreased from 485 arcsec to 376 arcsec and from 600 arcsec to 322 arcsec, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that the coalesced GaN growth led to bending threading dislocation. We also proposed a growth model based on results of scanning electron microscopy.
Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Treatment Is Effective in Advanced Anal Cancer
Authors: Kim Richard , Byer Jennifer , Fulp William J. , Mahipal Amit , Dinwoodie William , Shibata David
Published: July 2014

Background: The development of distant metastases of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) is rare but has a poor prognosis. A combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel is commonly used for treating squamous cell cancer in different organs, but its efficacy in advanced SCCA is unclear. The objective of this study is to determine the tolerability and outcome of patients with advanced SCCA on carboplatin plus paclitaxel treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted by looking at records from the Moffitt Cancer Center Tumor Registry from January 2007 to January 2012. Eligible patients had to have a diagnosis of SCCA and have received carboplatin plus paclitaxel every 3 weeks as part of the treatment plan. Results: Eighteen patients fulfilled the criteria; 14 were initially diagnosed with early-stage disease and received concurrent chemoradiation, but then relapsed. Median age was 56 years. Upon diagnosis of metastatic disease, 12 patients received carboplatin plus paclitaxel as a first-line treatment. Five patients had received prior systemic chemotherapy regimens and 1 had received prior local regional therapy. The response rate was high at 53% including 3 patients who achieved a complete response. Median overall survival was 12.19 months. Conclusions: Carboplatin and paclitaxel treatment shows encouraging activity in advanced SCCA.
Low-Flow Oxygen for Positive Pressure Ventilation of Preterm Infants in the Delivery Room
Authors: Swatesutipan Buranee , Nuntnarumit Pracha
Published: July 2014

Background: The recent newborn resuscitation guidelines have recommended that a pulse oximeter and oxygen blender be used to keep oxygen saturation (SpO2) within the target range. However, an oxygen blender and compressed air are not generally available in delivery rooms. Objectives: To determine whether using low-flow oxygen at 0.5-1 liters/min for positive pressure ventilation (PPV) via a self-inflating bag (SIB) without a reservoir is effective and able to maintain SpO2 within the target range. Methods: Infants with a gestational age (GA) ≤32 weeks who initially required PPV after birth were enrolled. PPV was performed with low-flow oxygen at 0.5-1 liters/min via an SIB without a reservoir, and the flow was adjusted in a stepwise manner (from 0.5 to 0.8 to 1 liters/min) to keep SpO2 in the target range. If the heart rate was still <100/min or SpO2 was <70% at 3 min or chest compression was needed, then 100% oxygen was provided. Results: Forty-seven infants were enrolled in the study with a median (interquartile range) GA and birth weight of 28 (27-30) weeks and 1,060 (770-1,360) g, respectively. Twelve infants were initially intubated and switched to 100% oxygen (n = 12) due to ineffective ventilation, which occurred predominately in lower GA infants with intrapartum fetal distress. Thirty infants were successfully resuscitated with low-flow oxygen PPV (success rate 85.7%, 30/35), and >80% of their SpO2 distribution during PPV was between the 3rd and 97th percentiles of the reference range. Conclusion: Low-flow oxygen for PPV via an SIB used in this study should be sufficient for providing oxygen in resuscitation of preterm infants as long as adequate ventilation is evident. This technique is simple and could be useful in a resource-limited setting.
Sleuthing the Mind: Curator’s Introduction
Authors: Levy Ellen K.
Published: July 2014

The subset of art presented in this Leonardo Gallery has counterparts within the recent history of neuroscience, but with notable differences, involving emotion and political content. The gallery curator raises the question whether the varied and original presentations of situated context in such art could be valuable to neuroscientists.
What’s Wrong with an Art Fake? Cognitive and Emotional Variables Influenced by Authenticity Status of Artworks
Authors: Wolz Stefanie H. , Carbon Claus-Christian
Published: July 2014

What’s wrong with art fakes? The authors tested effects of art “forgery” on aesthetic appreciation and the perceived quality of paintings in a multidimensional manner comprising cognitive and emotional variables: When naïve participants were exposed to replicas of works by renowned artists, information about the alleged authenticity status had a major effect on the perceived quality of the painting, and even on artist-associated values such as the artist’s talent. All these variables were negatively influenced when depictions were labeled as copies compared to identical ones labeled as originals. The authors’ findings show the importance of symbolic and personal values as modulators in art appreciation.
Improving social functioning and reducing social isolation and loneliness among people with enduring mental illness: Report of a randomised controlled trial of supported socialisation
Authors: Sheridan Ann J , Drennan Jonathan , Coughlan Barbara , O’Keeffe Donal , Frazer Kate , Kemple Mary , Alexander Denise , Howlin Frances , Fahy Anne , Kow Veronica , O’Callaghan Eadbhard
Published: July 2014

Background:

This randomised controlled trial examined if for people with enduring mental illness, being supported to socialise leads to improved social functioning, increased self-esteem and extended social networks; a reduction in social isolation, social, emotional and family loneliness and a reduction in illness symptoms, namely depression.

Methods:

A prospective randomised controlled trial was undertaken from November 2007 to September 2011. Service users with a diagnosis of enduring mental illness (>18 years) were invited to participate. Participants were randomly allocated to intervention or control group conditions in a 1:1 ratio. Intervention group participants were matched with a volunteer partner, asked to engage in social/leisure activities for 2 hours weekly over a 9-month period, and received a €20 stipend monthly. Control group participants received a €20 monthly stipend and were asked to engage in a weekly social/leisure activity. Social functioning, the primary outcome, was measured using the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) at three time points (baseline, midpoint and endpoint).

Findings:

In all, 107 people completed this study. There were no significant differences between control and intervention groups at the commencement of the intervention on demographic characteristics or the main outcome measures of interest. Overall social functioning positively changed throughout the three time points from a mean of 99·7 (standard deviation ( SD) = 15.1) at baseline, to a mean of 106.0 ( SD = 27.0) at the endpoint for the control group, and from a mean of 100·4 ( SD = 15.0) at Time 1 for the intervention group, to a mean of 104.1 ( SD = 23.4) at the endpoint for the intervention group.

Conclusions:

The intervention showed no statistical differences between the control and intervention groups on primary or secondary outcome measures. The stipend and the stipend plus volunteer partner led to an increase in recreational social functioning; a decrease in levels of social loneliness, in depression and in the proportion living within a vulnerable social network.
Neighborhood Governments and Their Role in Property Values
Authors: Scheller Daniel S.
Published: July 2014

More U.S. citizens live in neighborhoods governed by homeowners (HOAs) or neighborhood associations (NAs) than in any period of American history. Property values are typical association goals. Research fails to consider all types of associations in the examination of the effects of neighborhood governance on property values. In this article, I study the effects of HOAs and NAs on property values. I find that HOAs increase property values, while NAs exert no influence on property values.
Networked erasure
Authors: Harris Sarah K
Published: July 2014

The essay analyses two cases of digital activism in Turkey, which visualize ‘networked erasure’ to illustrate how censorship is a systematic process. The first case, an interactive online database called Blocked Web, launched in 2007, collects and organizes data on state-classified web site bans, and represents cyber censorship as grounded in legal and media infrastructures. The second example, the Interactive Mass Grave Map, produced by the Human Rights Association of Turkey, marks the locations of hundreds of unmarked graves in which disappeared citizens are thought buried and connects historical human erasure to contemporary censorship. Through visual analysis and personal fieldwork interviews, I explore the ways that these projects extend theoretical approaches to control in the digital age and hack into ‘switching power’ (Castells, 2009). Foregoing the sensationalism that can accompany close-ups on a victim or banned web site, the examples employ a distanced approach that visualizes and points to state-media cronyism, institutionalized discrimination, and widespread apathy.
Understanding relationships in culturally complex evaluation contexts
Authors: Chouinard Jill Anne
Published: July 2014

Cross-cultural evaluation is an explicit approach to evaluation that considers culture a key consideration in the evaluation of programs, leading to the search for methodological practices that are commensurate with the culture, context and values of the program community. Through the exploration of three ‘problematics’, this article explores what it means to understand others and ourselves within the research context, problematizing the nature of identity and self-identity, as we begin to make sense of the multiple and often conflicting identities and categories of being that we confront both within ourselves and among our research participants in the field. How we represent our findings and how we understand the voices of others and ourselves in the text, while posing fundamental questions in any qualitative social science inquiry, becomes even more critical in cross-cultural research and evaluation.
Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on erythropoiesis in patients on haemodialysis
Authors: Kiss Zoltán , Ambrus Csaba , Kulcsár Imre , Szegedi János , Kiss István ,   on behalf of the ACEGENE-BB_HU workgroup, Benke Attila , Borbás Béla , Ferenczi Sándor , Hengsperger Mária , Kazup Szilvia , Nagy Lajos , Németh József , Rozinka Antal , Szabó Tamás , Szelestei Tamás , Tóth Eszter , Varga Gábor , Wágner Gyula , Zakar Gábor
Published: July 2014

Background:

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) improve survival; however, their effect on erythropoiesis remains a matter of debate in this population. Since insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene largely influences serum ACE activity, its effect on erythropoiesis is also anticipated.

Method:

In this multicentre, cross-sectional study of 660 patients on maintenance haemodialysis, we analysed the effect of ACEi use and ACE gene I/D polymorphism on haemoglobin levels and erythropoietin resistance. Patients were allocated in groups based on genotype and ACEi therapy. We identified 128 matched pairs with I/I and D/D genotypes.

Result:

There was no difference in haemoglobin levels between genotype groups. Haemoglobin levels were lower in patients on ACEi therapy in the entire cohort (95.5±12.1 g/l vs 97.4±13.4 g/l, p=0.02) and patients with I/D (95.2±11 g/l vs 98.2±11.9 g/l, p=0.04) and D/D (93.3±13.2 g/l vs 97.4±14.2 g/l, p=0.02) genotypes. In patient pairs treated with ACEi therapy, subjects with D/D genotype had lower Haemoglobin level (93.0±12.8 g/l vs 98.2±11.9 g/l, p=0.006) and higher erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) (199.1 vs 175.0, p=0.046) than individuals with I/I genotype.

Conclusion:

These results indicate that ACEi therapy may increase erythropoietin resistance and worsen erythropoiesis in haemodialysis patients with the D allele.
Association of insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene among Malay male hypertensive subjects in response to ACE inhibitors
Authors: Heidari Farzad , Vasudevan Ramachandran , Mohd Ali Siti Zubaidah , Ismail Patimah , Etemad Ali , Pishva Seyyed Reza , Othman Fauziah , Bakar Suhaili Abu
Published: July 2014

Introduction:

Several studies show that the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with hypertension in various populations. The present study sought to determine the association of the I/D gene polymorphism among Malay male essential hypertensive subjects in response to ACE inhibitors (enalapril and lisinopril).

Materials and methods:

A total of 72 patients with newly diagnosed hypertension and 72 healthy subjects were recruited in this study. Blood pressure was recorded from 0 to 24 weeks of treatment with enalapril or lisinopril. Genotyping of the I/D polymorphism was carried out using a standard PCR method.

Results:

Statistically significant association of the D allele of the ACE gene was observed between the case and control subjects ( p < 0.01). There was a decrease in blood pressure in the patients carrying the DD genotype (SBP=18.5±8.1 mmHg, DBP=15.29±7.1 mmHg) rather than the ID (SBP=4.1±3.3 mmHg, DBP=9.1±3.5 mmHg) and II genotypes (SBP= 3.0±0.2 mmHg, DBP 0.11±6.1 mmHg) of the ACE gene.

Conclusion:

Patients carrying the DD genotype had higher blood pressure-lowering response when treated with ACE inhibitors enalapril or lisinopril than those carrying ID and II genotypes, suggesting that the D allele may be a possible genetic marker for essential hypertension among Malay male subjects.
Effect of Multiple Chronic Diseases on Health Care Expenditures in Childhood
Authors: Zhong Wenjun , Finnie Dawn M. , Shah Nilay D. , Wagie Amy E. , St. Sauver Jennifer L. , Jacobson Debra J. , Naessens James M.
Published: July 2014

Objectives: To examine multiple chronic conditions and related health care expenditures in children. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all dependents of Mayo Clinic employees aged 0-17 on Jan 1, 2004 with continuous health benefits coverage for 4 years (N=14,727). Chronic conditions, health care utilization, and associated expenditures were obtained from medical and pharmacy claims. Results: The most prevalent chronic conditions were asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (12%), allergic rhinitis (11%), and behavior problems (9%). The most costly conditions were congenital anomalies, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and behavior problems ($9602, $4335, and $5378 annual cost per child, respectively). Annual health care expenditures increased substantially with the number of chronic conditions, and a small proportion of children with multiple chronic conditions accounted for a large proportion of health care costs. In addition, those with multiple chronic conditions were more likely to persist in the top 10th percentile spender group in year-to-year spending. Conclusion: Children with multiple chronic conditions accounted for a large proportion of health care expenditures. These children were also likely to persist as high spenders in the 4-year time frame. Further research into effective ways to manage the health care delivery for children with multiple chronic conditions is needed.
Southwest Oncology Group S0802: A Randomized, Phase II Trial of Weekly Topotecan With and Without Ziv-Aflibercept in Patients With Platinum-Treated Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Allen Jeffrey W. , Moon James , Redman Mary , Gadgeel Shirish M. , Kelly Karen , Mack Philip C. , Saba Hanna M. , Mohamed Mohamed K. , Jahanzeb Mohammad , Gandara David R.
Published: July 2014

Purpose

Development of new therapies for previously treated small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a major unmet need. Here, we describe a randomized, phase II trial of weekly topotecan with or without ziv-aflibercept (VEGF-trap) in this clinical setting.

Patients and Methods

Patients with previously treated SCLC (one line of platinum-based chemotherapy), performance status of 0 to 1, adequate organ function, treated brain metastases, and no recent vascular events or bleeding diatheses were eligible. Eligible patients were stratified as platinum-sensitive or platinum-refractory and randomly assigned to receive weekly topotecan 4 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) with or without ziv-aflibercept 6 mg/kg IV every 21 days. Progression-free survival (PFS) at 3 months was the primary end point.

Results

In 189 randomly assigned patients, treatment arms were well balanced with regard to clinical characteristics. The 3-month PFS was significantly improved with the addition of ziv-aflibercept in patients who had platinum-refractory disease (27% v 10%; P = .02) but not in patients with platinum-sensitive disease (24% v 15%; P = .22). Although response rate was low, disease control rate was higher with combination therapy than with topotecan alone in patients who had platinum-sensitive disease (37% v 18%; P = .05) and in those who had platinum-refractory disease (25% v 15%; P = .14). Overall survival (OS) was not significantly improved in either strata. Grades 3 to 5 toxicities were more common with the addition of ziv-aflibercept.

Conclusion

Ziv-aflibercept improved the 3-month PFS in patients who had platinum-refractory SCLC, but its addition increased toxicity. OS was similar with combined ziv-aflibercept and topotecan compared with topotecan in both strata.
Dimeric combinations of MafB, cFos and cJun control the apoptosis-survival balance in limb morphogenesis
Authors: Suda Natsuno , Itoh Takehiko , Nakato Ryuichiro , Shirakawa Daisuke , Bando Masashige , Katou Yuki , Kataoka Kohsuke , Shirahige Katsuhiko , Tickle Cheryll , Tanaka Mikiko
Published: July 2014

Apoptosis is an important mechanism for sculpting morphology. However, the molecular cascades that control apoptosis in developing limb buds remain largely unclear. Here, we show that MafB was specifically expressed in apoptotic regions of chick limb buds, and MafB/cFos heterodimers repressed apoptosis, whereas MafB/cJun heterodimers promoted apoptosis for sculpting the shape of the limbs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing in chick limb buds identified potential target genes and regulatory elements controlled by Maf and Jun. Functional analyses revealed that expression of p63 and p73, key components known to arrest the cell cycle, was directly activated by MafB and cJun. Our data suggest that dimeric combinations of MafB, cFos and cJun in developing chick limb buds control the number of apoptotic cells, and that MafB/cJun heterodimers lead to apoptosis via activation of p63 and p73.
Prickle/spiny-legs isoforms control the polarity of the apical microtubule network in planar cell polarity
Authors: Olofsson Jessica , Sharp Katherine A. , Matis Maja , Cho Bomsoo , Axelrod Jeffrey D.
Published: July 2014

Microtubules (MTs) are substrates upon which plus- and minus-end directed motors control the directional movement of cargos that are essential for generating cell polarity. Although centrosomal MTs are organized with plus-ends away from the MT organizing center, the regulation of non-centrosomal MT polarity is poorly understood. Increasing evidence supports the model that directional information for planar polarization is derived from the alignment of a parallel apical network of MTs and the directional MT-dependent trafficking of downstream signaling components. The Fat/Dachsous/Four-jointed (Ft/Ds/Fj) signaling system contributes to orienting those MTs. In addition to previously defined functions in promoting asymmetric subcellular localization of ‘core’ planar cell polarity (PCP) proteins, we find that alternative Prickle (Pk-Sple) protein isoforms control the polarity of this MT network. This function allows the isoforms of Pk-Sple to differentially determine the direction in which asymmetry is established and therefore, ultimately, the direction of tissue polarity. Oppositely oriented signals that are encoded by oppositely oriented Fj and Ds gradients produce the same polarity outcome in different tissues or compartments, and the tissue-specific activity of alternative Pk-Sple protein isoforms has been observed to rectify the interpretation of opposite upstream directional signals. The control of MT polarity, and thus the directionality of apical vesicle traffic, by Pk-Sple provides a mechanism for this rectification.
Μέθοδος πρόβλεψης της αντιληπτικής ποιότητας ψηφιακού βίντεο συναρτήσει του ρυθμού κωδικοποίησης και της δυναμικής του περιεχομένου
Authors: Κουμαράς Χαρίλαος
Published: July 2014

Ερευνητικά η διατριβή εστιάζεται στο χώρο της ψηφιακής κωδικοποίησης βίντεο καιειδικότερα στην εκτίμηση του επιπέδου της αντιληπτής ποιότητας κωδικοποιημένου βίντεοσύμφωνα με το πρότυπο MPEG-4/Η.264.Σε αυτά τα πλαίσια διερευνώνται αρχικά οι στατιστικές ιδιότητες ενός σήματοςκωδικοποιημένου σύμφωνα με το πρότυπο MPEG-4/H.264, όπου παρουσιάζονται οιυψηλές συσχετίσεις μεταξύ διαδοχικών καρέ, βάση των οποίων επιτυγχάνεται η συμπίεσητων δεδομένων κατά τη διαδικασία κωδικοποίησης.Το κυρίως μέρος της διατριβής πραγματεύεται την εκτίμηση του επιπέδου της αντιληπτήςποιότητας ενός ψηφιακά κωδικοποιημένου βίντεο, προτείνοντας πρωτότυπη μέθοδοπρόβλεψης του επιπέδου της αντιληπτής ποιότητας συναρτήσει του ρυθμούκωδικοποίησης και της χωρικής και χρονικής δυναμικής του περιεχομένου. Η προτεινόμενημέθοδος εφαρμόζεται αρχικά στα πλαίσια βίντεο μικρής διάρκειας με ομοιογενές καιετερογενές περιεχόμενο. Η αξιοπιστία της μεθόδου εξετάζεται εκτενώς και αποδεικνύεται ότιπαρέχει αξιόπιστα αποτελέσματα στα βίντεο βραχείας διαρκείας.Εν συνεχεία, η προτεινόμενη μέθοδος πρόβλεψης επεκτείνεται σε βίντεο μακράς διαρκείας,τα οποία χαρακτηρίζονται εν γένει ως ετερογενή λόγω της έντονης μεταβολής τηςδυναμικής του περιεχομένου τους με τη πάροδο του χρόνου. Για τις ανάγκες της επέκτασηςαναπτύσσεται και προτείνεται πρωτότυπη μέθοδος κατάτμησης ενός βίντεο μεγάληςδιάρκειας στις στοιχειώδεις σκηνές του, μέσω ανιχνεύσεως των ορίων των σκηνών του.Επιπλέον, διερευνάται η σχέση της απόδοσης σε όρους αντιληπτής ποιότητας, πουεπιτυγχάνεται μέσω κωδικοποίησης σταθερού και μεταβλητού ρυθμού. Σύμφωνα με τηδιεθνή βιβλιογραφία, η μέθοδος κωδικοποίησης μεταβλητού ρυθμού παρέχει ποιοτικότερηκωδικοποίηση, εξαιτίας του γεγονότος ότι διατηρεί σταθερούς τους συντελεστές κβάντισης.Η διατριβή, εν προκειμένω, πρωτοτυπεί επειδή διερευνά με ποσοτικό τρόπο την υπεροχήαυτή για ποικίλους ρυθμούς κωδικοποίησης και μεγέθη χωρικής ανάλυσης.Επίσης, διερευνάται η επίδραση των σφαλμάτων του δίκτυο μεταφοράς και ειδικότερα τηςαπώλειας πακέτων δεδομένων στο επίπεδο της αντιληπτής ποιότητας μιας ροής βίντεοπραγματικού χρόνου. Το προτεινόμενο θεωρητικό μοντέλο πρωτοτυπεί συγκριτικά με τησχετική βιβλιογραφία, διότι η ισχύς του δεν περιορίζεται από το πρότυπο κωδικοποίησηςούτε από τη δυναμική του περιεχομένου της υπηρεσίας. Αντιθέτως, πρόκειται για έναγενικευμένο μοντέλο απεικόνισης του ρυθμού απώλειας πακέτων δεδομένων στηναντιληπτή ποιότητα της μεταδιδόμενης υπηρεσίας.Εν κατακλείδι, η διατριβή θέτει προς συζήτηση τις δυνατότητες συνδυασμού τηςπροτεινόμενης μεθόδου πρόβλεψης και του μοντέλου απεικόνισης του ρυθμού απώλειαςπακέτων στο επίπεδο της αντιληπτής ποιότητας, ώστε να προκύψει το θεωρητικόυπόβαθρο για τη διατερματική εκτίμηση της ποιότητας ενός ψηφιακά κωδικοποιημένου βίντεο σύμφωνα με το πρότυπο MPEG.
Ανατομική μελέτη της συσχέτισης συμπαθητικής νεύρωσης και του βαθμού αθηρωμάτωσης της κοιλιακής αορτής
Authors: Γονέος Ιωάννης
Published: July 2014

In this study we examined the relationship of sympathetic neurosis with atherosclerosis in the abdominal aorta. The material of study was received from the laboratory of Anatomy of Medical School of Athens University, from the Evangelismos hospital and from the Henry Dunant hospital. The specimens maintained in formaldehyde 10% and then were dyed with 5-flouorescin. Optical microscope was used in histological study, with an optical magnification of 1 / 100 and 1 / 1000. Twelve specimens of abdominal aorta from human cadavers, and fourteen specimens of patients of abdominal aneurysms were studied. The specimens were classified by sex and age. The histological study show that the healthy segments of the blood vessels has an extensive network of sympathetic nerve fibers. The vessels that have atherosclerotic lesions had a significant reduction or disappearance of sympathetic neurosis. It is obvious that the sympathetic nervous system is a shield in the vessels. The factors, which induce the atherosclerosis, affect first the endings of the sympathetic nervous system vessels. Undoubtedly, more studies are necessary to confirm our observations. More survey, might change the whole theory of atherogenesis.
Η διαγνωστική αξία των υπερήχων στις φλεγμονώδεις παθήσεις του εντέρου
Authors: Κοπανάκης Νικόλαος
Published: July 2014

Σκοπός: Οι ιδιοπαθείς φλεγμονώδεις νόσοι του εντέρου, είναι η ελκώδης κολίτιδα και η νόσος του Crohn.. Ο ενδοσκοπικός έλεγχος αποτελεί μέχρι σήμερα την καλύτε-ρη διαγνωστική μέθοδο, διότι συνδυάζει τον άμεσο οπτικό έλεγχο με τη δυνατότητα λήψης βιοψιών. Με την εξέλιξη όμως της τεχνολογίας των υπερήχων, η τεχνική αυτή αποδεικνύεται αξιόπιστη στην διάγνωση των νοσημάτων αυτών, όπως διαφαίνεται από την βιβλιογραφία που τα τελευταία χρόνια αρχίζει να κάνει την εμφάνιση της. Σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής είναι να τεκμηριώσουμε την διαγνωστική αξία των υπερήχων στον χειρισμό των φλεγμονωδών παθήσεων του εντέρου. Θα μελετήσου-με επίσης την συσχέτιση των αγγειογενετικών παραγόντων VEGF και bFGF με τη νόσο Crohn και ελκώδη κολίτιδα.Υλικό και μέθοδοι: Μελετήσαμε 40 ασθενείς από την Γαστρεντερολογική κλινική του νοσοκομείου, οι οποίοι είτε προσέρχονταν με έξαρση γνωστής νόσου, είτε εισήχθη-σαν στο νοσοκομείο με κλινικά συμπτώματα ύποπτα για φλεγμονώδη πάθηση του εντέρου, η οποία επιβεβαιώθηκε κατά την διάρκεια της νοσηλείας. Σε όλους τους α-σθενείς της σειράς μας, έγινε ενδοσκοπικός και υπερηχογραφικός έλεγχος του εντέ-ρου. Επιλέξαμε έναν εξεταστή για όλους του ασθενείς, ο οποίος ενημερώθηκε για το πρωτόκολλο της μελέτης. Έγινε στατιστική ανάλυση των αποτελεσμάτων και σύγκρι-σή τους με αυτά της ενδοσκόπησης. Μετρήσαμε επίσης στον ορό του αίματος των ασθενών τους παράγοντες VEGF και bFGF και τους συγκρίναμε με μια ομάδα υγιών μαρτύρων.Αποτελέσματα: Συνολικά η ευαισθησία των υπερήχων υπολογίστηκε στο 94,9%. Η μέθοδος αποδείχθηκε πιο ευαίσθητη στην ανίχνευση βλαβών στο σιγμοειδές, ενώ στο ορθό η ευαισθησία της μεθόδου, έπεφτε στο 43,5%. Για την νόσο του Crohn, η συνολική ευαισθησία ήταν 90,5% και η θετική προγνωστική αξία της μεθόδου ήταν 100%. Για την ελκώδη κολίτιδα, υπολογίσαμε την ευαισθησία της μεθόδου στο 100%, ενώ το ορθό παραμένει το πιο δύσκολο ανατομικό τμήμα του εντέρου προς έλεγχο. Ο παράγοντας VEGF συνδέεται άμεσα με τις φλεγμονώδεις παθήσεις του εντέρου αφού οι τιμές του, ήταν σημαντικά αυξημένες στους ασθενείς της σειράς μας. Δεν ε-παληθεύτηκε όμως το ίδιο για τον παράγοντα bFGF.Συμπέρασμα: Οι υπέρηχοι είναι μια αξιόπιστη μέθοδος για τη διάγνωση των φλεγ-μονωδών παθήσεων του εντέρου. Οι υψηλή ευαισθησία και ειδικότητα της τεχνικής την καθιστά κατάλληλη για την αρχική διερεύνηση ασθενών με ύποπτη κλινική εικό-να, αλλά και για τον έλεγχο ασθενών με γνωστή νόσο, που παρουσιάζουν έξαρση της κλινικής τους συμπτωματολογίας. Ο παράγοντας VEGF είναι στενά συνδεδεμέ-νος με την ενεργό φάση των φλεγμονωδών παθήσεων του εντέρου και την αγγειογέ-νεση.
Η επίδραση της διάρκειας βαδίσματος στην ελαστικότητα των μεγάλων αρτηριών καθώς και στην αντιοξειδωτική ικανότητα του οργανισμού σε ασθενείς με στεφανιαία νόσο
Authors: Σούλης Δημήτριος
Published: July 2014

ΔΕΔΟΜΕΝΑ: Η άσκηση βελτιώνει την πρόγνωση των ασθενών με στεφανιαίανόσο. Εντούτοις η ιδανική διάρκεια άσκησης για τον κάθε ασθενή παραμένει ασα-φής.ΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΣ: Να διερευνηθεί η επίδραση της διάρκειας άσκησης στις ε-λαστικές ιδιότητες αρτηριών, καθώς και στο οξειδωτικό στρες/αντιοξειδωτικούς μη-χανισμούς σε πάσχοντες από σταθερή στεφανιαία νόσο.ΣΧΕΔΙΑΣΜΟΣ, ΥΛΙΚΟ, ΜΕΘΟΔΟΙ: Εξήντα άνδρες με στεφανιαία νόσο τυχαιο-ποιήθηκαν σε δύο ομάδες και υποβλήθηκαν με τυχαιοποιημένο και διασταυρούμε-νο τρόπο σε βάδισμα σε κυλιόμενο τάπητα για 30 και 60 λεπτά με μεσοδιάστημα 2-3εβδομάδων. Σε όλους τους συμμετέχοντες εκτιμήθηκαν, μη-επεμβατικά, προ τηςάσκησης και 24 ώρες μετά την άσκηση η αορτική και η κερκιδική πίεση όπως και πα-ράμετροι αρτηριακής ελαστικότητας (δείκτης ενίσχυσης– AIx και ταχύτητα σφυγμι-κού κύματος– PWV). Αντίστοιχα, πριν από κάθε άσκηση και 24 ώρες μετά έγινε αι-μοληψία για μέτρηση επιπέδων μαλονδιαλδεΰδης (MDA) πλάσματος και ισομορφώνυπεροξειδικής δισμουτάσης (SOD1 και SOD2.)ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΑ: Η αορτική και κερκιδική αρτηριακή πίεση (ΑΠ) δεν επηρεά-στηκαν 24 ώρες μετά την άσκηση (p=ΜΣ και για τις 2). Το βάδισμα διάρκειας 30 λε-πτών βελτίωσε το δείκτη AIx (από 33,79 ± 0,91% σε 31,73 ± 0,86%, p<0,001) και τηνPWV (από 9,26 ± 0,95 m/s σε 9,06 ± 0,21 m/s, p<0,001), ενώ η άσκηση επί 60 λεπτάείχε επιβαρυντικές επιπτώσεις στην αγγειακή ελαστικότητα (ως προς τον AIx: από33,37 ± 0,93% σε 33,73 ± 1,05%, p=ΜΣ και ως προς την PWV: από 9.25 ± 0,19 m/s σε9,37 ± 0,21 m/s, p < 0,05 κυρίως στους μεγαλύτερους σε ηλικία ασθενείς). Το βάδι-σμα επί 60 λεπτά συσχετίσθηκε και με μια σημαντική κατά 20% αύξηση των επιπέ-δων της MDA (p=0,016). Η άσκηση δεν είχε καμία επίδραση στα επίπεδα της SOD1, εντούτοις συσχετίσθηκε με αυξημένα επίπεδα της SOD2 μετά από βάδισμα 30 λε-πτών (από 2.26 ± 0.22 ng/mL σε 2.36 ± 0.18 ng/mL, p < 0.05), αλλά όχι μετά από βά-δισμα 60 λεπτών (p=ΜΣ).ΣΥΜΠΕΡΑΣΜΑΤΑ: Η βραχύτερη διάρκεια άσκησης (30 λεπτά βαδίσματος) συ-σχετίσθηκε με βελτιωμένη αγγειακή λειτουργία και αντιοξειδωτική ικανότητα τουοργανισμού, ενώ με την παράταση της άσκησης στα 60 λεπτά χάνονται αυτά τα ευ-εργετικά φαινόμενα ενώ αντιθέτως, ιδίως στους μεγαλύτερους σε ηλικία στεφανιαί-ους ασθενείς, ακολουθείται από επιβαρυμένη αγγειακή λειτουργία. Οι ενδείξεις αυ-τές υποδεικνύουν την ανάγκη να διερευνηθεί με περισσότερες μελέτες το πιθανόόφελος από μια πιο εξατομικευμένη προσέγγιση στον καθορισμό του προγράμματοςάσκησης, στην αντιμετώπιση του πάσχοντος από στεφανιαία νόσο.
Ηπατική αναγέννηση
Authors: Κανδύλης Απόστολος
Published: July 2014

Σκοπός: Σκοπός της διατριβής ήταν η μελέτη της ενδογενούς ηπατικής νεύρωσης και η πιθανή ανάδειξη της νευρικής εκβλάστησης (neural sprouting) στο αναγεννώμενο ήπαρ μετά από μερική ηπατεκτομή (partial hepatectomy, ΡΗ) σε επίμυες.Υλικό/Μέθοδος: Για την εκτέλεση του πειραματικού μέρους της διατριβής χρησιμοποιήθηκαν 56 αρσενικοί λευκοί αρουραίοι, ηλικίας 9-13 εβδομάδων (w) και βάρους 204-356g. Μετά από τυχαία επιλογή, 4 από τους επίμυες αποτέλεσαν την ομάδα ελέγχου και οι υπόλοιποι υποβλήθηκαν σε 2/3 ΡΗ και έπειτα σε ευθανασία κατά τις ημέρες (d) 1, 3, 5, στις 2w και 4w και στους μήνες (m) 1, 3, 6 μετεγχειρητικά (6-7 επίμυες/ομάδα). Ακολούθησε ανοσοίστοχημική χρώση τομών, που ελήφθησαν από το δεξιό πρόσθιο (R1) λοβό του αναγεννώμενου ήπατος, προς τους νευρικούς δείκτες PGP9.5 (protein gene product 9.5) και GAP-43 (growth-associated protein 43), εκ των οποίων ο τελευταίος είναι δείκτης αναγεννώμενων νευραξόνων. Ο αριθμός των πυλαίων διαστημάτων (portal tracts, PTs) με θετική ανοσοχρώση μετρήθηκε σε κάθε τομή και τα PTs εξετάστηκαν περαιτέρω με τη χρήση του μορφομετρικού λογισμικού Image Pro Plus, το οποίο εκτιμά αριθμό των νευρικών ινών ανά mm² (πυκνότητα, NUMarea) (μεγέθυνση 40x).Αποτελέσματα: α) Η ανοσοδραστικότητα για το PGP9.5 ήταν θετική σε όλες τις χρονικές στιγμές μετά από ΡΗ. β) Παρατηρήθηκε παροδική μείωση του αριθμού των PGP9.5 (+) νευρικών ινών ανά mm² 1d μετά τη ΡΗ (0.18 +/- 0.09) σε σχέση με την ομάδα ελέγχου (0.32 +/- 0.12) (p=0,05) και σταδιακή επάνοδος στα επίπεδα της ομάδας ελέγχου με την πάροδο του χρόνου, ώστε στους 6m η τιμή ήταν 0.3 (+/- 0.01). γ) Η έκφραση του δείκτη GAP-43 ήταν θετική σε νευρικές ίνες 3/7 επιμύων στις 5d μετά την επέμβαση, κορυφώθηκε στους 3m, ενώ στους 6m δεν παρατηρήθηκε πλέον έκφραση του GAP-43. Συγκεκριμένα, ο αριθμός των GAP-43(+) νευρικών ινών ανά mm² αυξήθηκε σταδιακά από 0.05 (+/-0.06) 5d μετά τη ΡΗ και έφτασε στη μέγιστη τιμή (0.21+/-0.027) στους 3m μετεγχειρητικά.Συμπεράσματα: Μετά από μερική ηπατεκτομή σε επίμυες παρατηρούνται στο αναγεννώμενο ήπαρ: 1) παροδική μείωση της πυκνότητας των νευρικών ινών, 2) νευρική εκβλάστηση, η οποία, λόγω της απουσίας ενδολοβιακής νεύρωσης στους επίμυες, φαίνεται ότι συντελείται στα πυλαία διαστήματα του ήπατος, 3) ανάπτυξη νέων πυλαίων διαστημάτων, που υποδέχονται τις επιμηκυνόμενες νευρικές ίνες, γεγονός που υποστηρίζει τη δημιουργία νέων ηπατικών λοβίων.