bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperreactio luteinalis: An often mistaken diagnosis
Authors: Skandhan Avni KP , Ravi Vandana
Published: April 2014

Hyperreactio luteinalis is a rare entity in which there is bilateral, benign, functional multicystic ovarian enlargement during pregnancy, which is most commonly seen in third trimester. This condition is usually innocuous and does not need any specific treatment. However, many a times, it is mistaken for ovarian malignancy and inadvertently operated upon. This is a case report of a 24-year-old female with a partial molar pregnancy associated with hyperreactio luteinalis who was followed up for regression of the same and normalization of beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels.
Reappraisal of the Etiology of Extracorpuscular Non-Autoimmune Acquired Hemolytic Anemia in 2657 Hospitalized Patients with Non-Neoplastic Disease
Authors: Kok Victor C. , Lee Chien-Kuan , Horng Jorng-Tzong , Lin Che-Chen , Sung Fung-Chang
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Unlike autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), literature on the etiological study of non-autoimmune hemolytic anemia (non-AIHA) is scarce. The incidence and prevalence of non-AIHA in different geographic regions are largely unknown perhaps owing to the lack of perspective investigation and different profiles of etiologies from different geographic regions. We aimed to examine the real-world etiology or mechanisms of the non-hereditary non-AIHA from a nationwide population-based administrative claim database in Taiwan.

Patients and Methods

The National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan was adopted for this research. The studied population was total inpatient claim records including both pediatric and adult patients, contributed by a population of 23 million insured individuals in Taiwan. From 2002 to 2008, we retrieved 3,903 patients having no pre-existing malignancy discharged after inpatient management for acquired hemolytic anemia, which was defined as coding in discharge diagnoses containing ICD-9-CM code 283. By contrast, ICD-9-CM code 282 and all of the sub-codes are for hereditary hemolytic anemias.

Results

AIHA accounted for 32% of the total cases. Among 2,657 patients with non-AIHA, mechanical or microangiopathic mechanism accounted for 19% of cases; hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) 4%, hemoglobinuria because of hemolysis from external causes such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and march hemoglobinuria 7%, and chronic idiopathic hemolytic anemia or other unspecified non-AIHA 69%. We looked further for specific etiology or mechanism for this group of patients with non-hereditary extrinsic non-AIHA (n = 2,657). The explanatory disease states or conditions were splenomegaly; alcohol use disorder (spur cell hemolysis); heart-valve prosthesis; malignant hypertension; disseminated intravascular coagulation; transfusion reaction; dengue fever-induced hemolytic anemia; direct parasitization; snake, lizard, or spider bite; and Wilson's disease with internal toxin mechanism. All these cases can explain up to 34.6% of all the non-hereditary extrinsic non-AIHA cases. Fragmentation hemolysis (HUS, heart-valve prosthesis, malignant hypertension, and disseminated intravascular coagulation) accounted for 7.4% of non-AIHA hospitalized patients with non-neoplastic disease.

Conclusions

This article is the first one to clearly demonstrate that the non-neoplastic-induced HUS requiring hospitalization cases in Taiwan, which has a population of over 23 million were 110 over a span of seven years, 16 cases per year. Although the etiologies of non-AIHA are well known and described in the literature, this work added the statistical percentages of the various etiologies of non-AIHA in Taiwan.
Contrasting Rhizobium inoculation requirements of zero-tannin faba bean and narrow-leafed lupin in western Canada
Authors: Lopetinsky Ken J. , Lupwayi Newton Z. , Olson Mark A. , Akter Zafrin , Clayton George W.
Published: April 2014

Lopetinsky, K. J., Lupwayi, N. Z., Olson, M. A., Akter, Z. and Clayton, G. W. 2014. Contrasting Rhizobium inoculation requirements of zero-tannin faba bean and narrow-leafed lupin in western Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1117–1123. Zero-tannin faba bean (Vicia faba minor) and narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) have shown potential as new pulse crops in Alberta cropping systems, but their inoculation requirements to maximize biological N2 fixation (BNF) are unknown. We conducted a 6 site-year study to compare the effects of several commercial rhizobial inoculant products (eight for faba bean and three for lupin) in different formulations (granular, peat and liquid) on nodulation, N accumulation, grain yield and grain protein of the two crops. The liquid and peat formulations were applied to the seed, while the granular inoculant was applied to the soil. Inoculation had no significant effects on nodulation, grain yield and seed weight of faba bean in all site-years. Un-inoculated and inoculated plants nodulated equally well, suggesting the presence of adequate populations of effective indigenous Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae for nodulation of untreated plants. The indingenous rhizobia could have originated from previous field pea (Pisum sativum L.) crops or leguminous native plants/weeds. By contrast, narrow-leafed lupin responded to inoculation in all site-years, and poor nodulation of un-inoculated plants indicated inadequate populations of indigenous R. lupini for nodulation in the soils. The seed-applied peat inoculant Nitragin Lupin and the soil-applied granular inoculant Soil Implant Lupin were equally effective in increasing nodulation relative to the un-inoculated control in 3 of 5 site-years (nodulation was not assessed in 1 site-year). However, relative to the un-inoculated control, Nitragin Lupin increased grain yields in 4 of 6 site-years compared with 1 of 5 for Soil Implant Lupin (and 2 of 6 for seed-applied TagTeam Lupin). These results show that faba bean probably does not require inoculation in these soils, although periodic checking is required to ensure that its high BNF potential is always realized, but narrow-leafed lupin needs to be inoculated with suitable inoculant products to increase BNF.
Heterogeneities in the Ecoepidemiology of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Rural Communities of the Argentinean Chaco
Authors: Cardinal M. Victoria , Orozco M. Marcela , Enriquez Gustavo F. , Ceballos Leonardo A. , Gaspe María Sol , Alvarado-Otegui Julián A. , Gurevitz Juan M. , Kitron Uriel , Gürtler Ricardo E.
Published: April 2014

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Trypanosoma cruzi infection of Triatoma infestans as well as dogs and cats in 327 households from a well-defined rural area in northeastern Argentina to test whether the household distribution of infection differed between local ethnic groups (Tobas and Creoles) and identify risk factors for host infection. Overall prevalence of infection of bugs (27.2%; 95% confidence interval = 25.3–29.3%), dogs (26.0%; 95% confidence interval = 23.3–30.1%), and cats examined (28.7%; 95% confidence interval = 20.2–39.0%) was similar. A multimodel inference approach showed that infection in dogs was associated strongly with the intensity and duration of local exposure to infected bugs and moderately with household ethnic background. Overall, Toba households were at a substantially greater risk of infection than Creole households. The strong heterogeneities in the distribution of bug, dog, and cat infections at household, village, and ethnic group levels may be used for targeted vector and disease control.
A Cross-Sectional Survey of Plasmodium falciparum pfcrt Mutant Haplotypes in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Antonia Alejandro L. , Taylor Steve M. , Janko Mark , Emch Michael , Tshefu Antoinette K. , Meshnick Steven R.
Published: April 2014

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), artesunate-amodiaquine is first-line therapy for falciparum malaria; little is known about the prevalence of molecular markers of parasite drug resistance. Across the DRC, we genotyped 166 parasites in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Of these parasites, 73 (44%) parasites were pure wild-type CVMNK, 55 (31%) parasites were chloroquine-resistant CVIET, 35 (21.1%) parasites were mixed CVMNK and CVIET, and 3 parasites were other genotypes. Ninety-two infections (55.4%) harbored the pfcrt K76T substitution that is highly correlated with chloroquine failure. The amodiaquine-resistant SVMNT haplotype was absent. Geographically, pfcrt haplotypes were not clearly clustered. Chloroquine accounted for 19.4% of antimalarial use, and amodiaquine accounted for 15.3% of antimalarial use; there were no associations between drug use and mutant haplotype prevalence. In the DRC, our molecular survey indicates that resistance to chloroquine is substantial but that resistance to amodiaquine is absent. These contrasting findings highlight the need for molecular surveillance of drug resistance to inform malaria control policies.
Reactivation of Mucosal and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in a Renal Transplanted Patient
Authors: Tuon Felipe F. , Bombonatto Giovana Marina , Battaglin Eveline Roesler , Sakumoto Marcus Henrique , Amato Valdir Sabbaga , de Camargo Raphael Abegão , Nicodemo Antônio Carlos
Published: April 2014

Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a chronic form of tegumentary leishmaniasis, which causes destructive lesions of nasal, pharyngeal, and laryngeal mucosa. We describe a case of leishmaniasis reactivation with simultaneous cutaneous and mucosal forms in a renal transplanted patient with no history of prior leishmaniasis. Reactivation after renal transplantation was not reported in Brazil. A 67-year-old woman receiving prednisone 20 mg/day, tacrolimus 1 mg/day, and mycophenolic acid 360 mg/day presented with nose edema with erythema and cutaneous lesions. Amastigotes were identified on biopsies and the polymerase chain reaction confirmed Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin B but died 3 weeks after as a result of bacterial septic shock. In conclusion, tegumentary leishmaniasis can reactivate with simultaneous cutaneous and mucosal forms in a renal transplanted patient during the immunosuppressant therapy.
Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections in United States-Bound Refugees from Asia and Africa
Authors: Mixson-Hayden Tonya , Lee Deborah , Ganova-Raeva Lilia , Drobeniuc Jan , Stauffer William M. , Teshale Eyasu , Kamili Saleem
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of active hepatitis B and C virus infections among refugees from various countries in Africa and Asia. Pre-admission serum samples collected during 2002–2007 from refugees originating from Bhutan (N = 755), Myanmar (N = 1076), Iraq (N = 1137), Laos (N = 593), Thailand (N = 622), and Somalia (N = 707) were tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. The HBV DNA (genotypes A, B, C, and G) was detected in 12.1% of samples negative for anti-HBs. Highest HBV prevalence was found among Hmong; lowest among Bhutanese. The HCV RNA (genotypes 1a, 1b, 1c, 3b, 6n, and 6m) was detected in 1.3% of the samples. Highest HCV prevalence was found among Hmong from Thailand; lowest among Iraqis. Screening specific refugee groups at high risk for viral hepatitis infections will identify infected individuals who could benefit from referral to care and treatment and prevent further transmissions.
Treatment of Pharmaceutical Wastewaters by Hydrogen Peroxide and Zerovalent Iron
Authors: Jeon Byeong-Cheol , Nam Se-Yong , Kim Young-Kwon
Published: April 2014

Fenton reaction with zerovalent iron (ZVI) and Fe2+ ions was studied to treat pharmaceutical wastewaters (PhWW) including antibiotics and non-biodegradable organics. Incremental biodegradability was assessed by monitoring biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) changes during Fenton reaction. Original undiluted wastewater samples were used as collected from the pharmaceutical factory. Experiments were carried out to obtain optimal conditions for Fenton reaction under different H2O2 and ion salts (ZVI and Fe2+) concentrations. The optimal ratio and dosage of H2O2/ZVI were 5 and 25/5 g/L (mass basis), respectively. Also, the optimal ratio and dosage of H2O2/Fe2+ ions were 5 and 35/7 g/L (mass basis), respectively. Under optimized conditions, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency by ZVI was 23% better than the treatment with Fe2+ ion. The reaction time was 45 min for ZVI and shorter than 60 min for Fe2+ ion. The COD and total organic carbon (TOC) were decreased, but BOD was increased under the optimal conditions of H2O2/ZVI = 25/5 g/L, because organic compounds were converted into biodegradable intermediates in the early steps of the reaction. The BOD/TOC ratio was increased, but reverse-wise, the COD/TOC was decreased because of generated intermediates. The biodegradability was increased about 9.8 times (BOD/TOC basis), after treatment with ZVI. The combination of chemical and biological processes seems an interesting combination for treating PhWW.
A Study on the Influence of a Sewage Treatment Plant’s Operational Parameters using the Multiple Regression Analysis Model
Authors: Lee Seung-Pil , Min Sang-Yun , Kim Jin-Sik , Park Jong-Un , Kim Man-Soo
Published: April 2014

In this study, the influence of the control and operational parameters within a sewage treatment plant were reviewed by performing multiple regression analysis on the effluent quality of the sewage treatment. The data used for this review are based on the actual data from a sewage treatment plant using the media process within the year 2012. The prediction models of chemical oxygen demand (CODMn) and total nitrogen (T-N) within the effluent of the 2nd settling tank based on the multiple regression analysis yielded the prediction accuracy measurements of 0.93 and 0.84, respectively; and it was concluded that the model was accurately predicting the variances of the actual observed values. If the data on the energy spent on each operating condition can be collected, then the operating parameter that conserves energy without violating the effluent quality standards of COD and T-N can be determined using the regression model and the standardized regression coefficients. These results can provide appropriate operation guidelines to conserve energy to the operators at sewage treatment plants that consume a lot of energy.
Feasibility of Composting Combinations of Sewage Sludge, Cattle Manure, and Sawdust in a Rotary Drum Reactor
Authors: Nayak Ashish Kumar , Kalamdhad Ajay S.
Published: April 2014

The aim of this paper was to study the effect of five different waste combinations (C/N 15, C/N 20, C/N 25, C/N 30, and control) of sewage sludge coupled with sawdust and cattle manure in a pilot scale rotary drum reactor, during 20 days of the composting process. Our results showed that C/N 30 possesses a higher temperature regime with higher % reduction in moisture content, total organic carbon, soluble biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand; and higher % gain in total nitrogen and phosphorus at the end of the composting period implying the total amount of biodegradable organic material is stabilized. In addition, CO2 evolution and oxygen uptake rate decreased during the process, reflecting the stable behavior of the final compost. A Solvita maturity index of 8 indicated that the compost was stable and ready for usage as a soil conditioner. The results indicated that composting can be an alternate technology for the management of sewage sludge disposal.
Immobilized Small Sized Manganese Dioxide Sand in the Remediation of Arsenic Contaminated Water
Authors: Tiwari Diwakar , Laldawngliana C. , Lee Seung-Mok
Published: April 2014

Small sized manganese dioxide particles are immobilized onto the surface of sand by the wet impregnation process. The surface morphology of the solid, i.e., immobilized manganese dioxide natural sand (IMNS) is performed by taking scanning electron microscope images and characterized by the X-ray diffraction data. The specific surface area of the solid is obtained, which shows a significant increase in the specific surface area obtained by the immobilization of manganese dioxide. The pHPZC (point of zero charge) is found to be 6.28. Further, the IMNS is assessed in the removal of As(III) and As(V) pollutants from aqueous solutions under the batch and column operations. Batch reactor experiments are conducted for various physicochemical parametric studies, viz. the effect of sorptive pH (pH 2.0–10.0), concentration (1.0–25.0 mg/L), and background electrolyte concentrations (0.0001–0.1 mol/L NaNO3). Further, column experiments are conducted to obtain the efficiency of IMNS under dynamic conditions. The breakthrough data obtained by the column experiments are employed in non-linear fitting to the Thomas equation, so as to estimate the loading capacity of the column for As(III) and As(V).
Technical Note: The horizontal scale-dependence of the cloud overlap parameter alpha
Authors: Astin I. , Di Girolamo L.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The cloud overlap parameter alpha relates the combined cloud fraction between two altitude levels in a grid box to the cloud fraction as derived under the maximum and random overlap assumptions. In a number of published studies in this and other journals it is found that alpha tends to increase with increasing scale. In this technical note, we investigate this analytically by considering what happens to alpha when two grid boxes are merged to give a grid box with twice the area. Assuming that alpha depends only on scale then, between any two fixed altitudes, there will be a linear relationship between the values of alpha at the two scales. We illustrate this by finding the relationship when cloud cover fractions are assumed to be uniformly distributed, but with varying degrees of horizontal and vertical correlation. Based on this, we conclude that alpha increases with scale if its value is less than the vertical correlation coefficient in cloud fraction between the two altitude levels. This occurs when the cloud are deeper than would be expected at random (i.e. for exponentially distributed cloud depths). However, the degree of scale-dependence is controlled by the horizontal correlation coefficient in the cloud fraction between adjacent grid boxes, being greatest when this correlation is zero. Trivially, there is no scale-dependence when this correlation is one. The observed, generally strong, scale-dependence would thus indicate that the horizontal correlation is small.
On the role of non-electrified clouds in the Global Electric Circuit
Authors: Baumgaertner A. J. G. , Lucas G. M. , Thayer J. P. , Mallios S. A.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Non-electrified clouds in the fair-weather part of the Global Electric Circuit (GEC) reduce conductivity because of the limited mobility of charge due to attachment to cloud water droplets, effectively leading to a loss of ions. A high-resolution GEC model, which numerically solves the Poisson equation, is used to show that in the fair-weather region currents partially flow around non-electrified clouds, with current divergence above the cloud, and convergence below the cloud. An analysis of this effect is presented for various types of non-electrified clouds, i.e. for different altitude extents, and for different horizontal dimensions, finding that the effect is most pronounced for high clouds with a diameter below 100 km. Based on these results, a method to calculate column and global resistance is developed that can account for all cloud sizes and altitudes. The CESM1(WACCM) Earth System Model as well as ISCCP cloud data are used to calculate the effect of this phenomenon on global resistance. From CESM1(WACCM), it is found that when including non-electrified clouds in the fair-weather estimate of resistance the global resistance increases by up to 73%, depending on the parameters used. Using ISCCP cloud cover leads to an even larger increase, which is likely to be overestimated because of time-averaging of cloud cover. Neglecting current divergence/convergence around small clouds overestimates global resistance by up to 20%, whereas the method introduced by previous studies underestimates global resistance by up to 40%. For global GEC models, a conductivity parametrization is developed to account for the current divergence/convergence phenomenon around non-electrified clouds. Conductivity simulations from CESM1(WACCM) using this parametrization are presented.
A novel method for online analysis of gas and particle composition: description and evaluation of a Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols (FIGAERO)
Authors: Lopez-Hilfiker F. D. , Mohr C. , Ehn M. , Rubach F. , Kleist E. , Wildt J. , Mentel Th. F. , Lutz A. , Hallquist M. , Worsnop D. , Thornton J. A.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. We describe a novel inlet that allows measurement of both gas and particle molecular composition when coupled to mass spectrometric, chromatographic, or optical sensors: the Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols (FIGAERO). The design goals for the FIGAERO are to allow unperturbed observation of ambient air while simultaneously analyzing gases and collecting particulate matter on a Teflon® (hereafter Teflon) filter via an entirely separate sampling port. The filter is analyzed periodically by the same sensor on hourly or faster timescales using temperature-programmed thermal desorption. We assess the performance of the FIGAERO by coupling it to a high-resolution time-of-flight chemical-ionization mass spectrometer (HRToF-CIMS) in laboratory chamber studies of α-pinene oxidation and field measurements at a boreal forest location. Low instrument backgrounds give detection limits of ppt or lower for compounds in the gas-phase and in the picogram m−3 range for particle phase compounds. The FIGAERO-HRToF-CIMS provides molecular information about both gases and particle composition on the 1 Hz and hourly timescales, respectively for hundreds of compounds. The FIGAERO thermal desorptions are highly reproducible (better than 10%), allowing a calibrated assessment of the effective volatility of desorbing compounds and the role of thermal decomposition during the desorption process. We show that the often multi-modal desorption thermograms arising from secondary organic aerosol (SOA) provide additional insights into molecular composition and/or particle morphology, and exhibit changes with changes in SOA formation or aging pathways.
Specific features of eddy turbulence in the turbopause region
Authors: Vlasov M. N. , Kelley M. C.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The turbopause region is characterized by transition from the mean molecular mass (constant with altitude) to the mean mass (dependent on altitude). The former is provided by eddy turbulence, and the latter is induced by molecular diffusion. Competition between these processes provides the transition from the homosphere to the heterosphere. The turbopause altitude can be defined by equalizing the eddy and molecular diffusion coefficients and can be located in the upper mesosphere or the lower thermosphere. The height distributions of chemical inert gases very clearly demonstrate the transition from turbulent mixing to the diffusive separation of these gases. Using the height distributions of the chemical inert constituents He, Ar, and N2 given by the MSIS-E-90 model and the continuity equations, the height distribution of the eddy diffusion coefficient in the turbopause region can be inferred. The eddy diffusion coefficient always strongly reduces in the turbopause region. According to our results, eddy turbulence above its peak always cools the atmosphere. However, the cooling rates calculated with the eddy heat transport coefficient equaled to the eddy diffusion coefficient were found to be much larger than the cooling rates corresponding to the neutral temperatures given by the MSIS-E-90 model. The same results were obtained for the eddy diffusion coefficients inferred from different experimental data. The main cause of this large cooling is the very steep negative gradient of the eddy heat transport coefficient, which is equal to the eddy diffusion coefficient if uniform turbulence takes place in the turbopause region. Analysis of wind shear shows that localized turbulence can develop in the turbopause region. In this case, eddy heat transport is not so effective and the strong discrepancy between cooling induced by eddy turbulence and cooling corresponding to the temperature given by the MSIS-E-90 model can be removed.
Long-term changes in the North–South asymmetry of solar activity: a nonlinear dynamics characterization using visibility graphs
Authors: Zou Y. , Donner R. V. , Marwan N. , Small M. , Kurths J.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Solar activity is characterized by complex dynamics superimposed to an almost periodic, about 11 years cycle. One of its main features is the presence of a marked, time-varying hemispheric asymmetry, the deeper reasons of which have not yet been completely uncovered. Traditionally, this asymmetry has been studied by considering amplitude and phase differences. Here, we use visibility graphs, a novel tool of nonlinear time series analysis, to obtain complementary information on hemispheric asymmetries in dynamical properties. Our analysis provides deep insights into the potentials and limitations of this method, revealing a complex interplay between factors relating to statistical and dynamical properties, i.e., effects due to the probability distribution and the regularity of observed fluctuations. We demonstrate that temporal changes in the hemispheric predominance of the graph properties lag those directly associated with the total hemispheric sunspot areas. Our findings open a new dynamical perspective on studying the North–South sunspot asymmetry, which is to be further explored in future work.
Railroad impacts on wetland habitat: GIS and modeling approach
Authors: Mitra Subhro , Bezbaruah Achintya N.
Published: April 2014

Deepor Beel is one of the most important wetlands in the Brahmaputra Valley of lower Assam in India and is representative of the wetlands found within the Burma Monsoon Forest biogeography region. Deepor Beel is a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention and is contiguous with Rani and Garbhanga reserved forests. These forests house endangered Asiatic elephants (Elephas maximus) in addition to other birds and animals. The elephants depend on the wetland for water and food. Indian Railways con-structed Assam state’s southern railroad through the wetland in 2001. The railroad has fragmented the wetland into at least two subsystems and has segregated the wetland-forest ecosystem. Accelerated degradation of elephant habitat has been observed in the wetland since the railroad was constructed. Further, a number of elephants have died because of collisions with rail traffic. This study quantifies the impacts of the present railroad on the Deepor Beel ecosystem with special reference to Asiatic elephants. Geographic information systems (GIS) and mathematical models are used in impact quantification. The tools developed in this study can be used in analyses of similar ecosys-tems around the world.
Hard to digest-bowel perforation due to a swallowed toothpick
Authors: Atac Gokce Kaan , Ozıs Salih Erpulat
Published: April 2014

Acute right lower quadrant pain is one of the most frequent reasons for emergency calls. Acute appendicitis is also the most abundant surgical intervention due to acute abdominal pain. Foreign body ingestion is another but rare cause of acute abdominal pain especially in adult patients. We describe the clinical, surgical and multidetector computed tomography imaging findings of large bowel perforation due to unintentionally ingested wooden toothpick.
Normal black kidney
Authors: Yarmohamadi Aliasghar , Akhavan Rezayat Ali Reza , Memar Bahram , Rahimi Hamid Reza
Published: April 2014

A black kidney has 3 major differential diagnoses: hemosiderosis, lipofuscin pigment and melanotic renal cell carcinoma. Excluding lipofuscin, the other 2 are accompanied by an abnormal renal function. We report on a 25-year-old man who intended to donate a kidney to his cousin. On the operating room table when we incised the left flank region and exposed the kidney, we found a firm and black kidney so the operation was cancelled due to potential vascular injuries. Days after the incomplete procedure, we reviewed the donor’s biochemistry and imaging to reassess his renal function, but the results showed quite normal renal function again. The result of the Ham test was also negative. Two weeks later, we began the operation, removed the same left kidney and found that it was in the same condition as it was before. We took the opportunity to send needle biopsies of the kidney for histopathologic analysis. The analysis showed a melanotic kidney without pathological changes in glomeruli and interstitium and vessels. A black kidney may result in hemosiderin, lipofuscin or melanin deposits in the kidney, which can confirm the diagnosis; however, special tests for underlying disease and renal function should be considered. Some causes of black kidney lead to abnormal function, but our patients’s kidney returned to normal.
Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: The role in the treatment of type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease
Authors: Jiang Alex Tianxiang , Rowe Neal , Sener Alp , Luke Patrick
Published: April 2014

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common and debilitating diseases to affect the world. Many patients are afflicted by microvascular and macrovascular complications, and succumb to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although dialysis and insulin therapy provides better glycemic control, it nonetheless significantly decreases a patient’s quality of life. Moreover, they cannot reverse ESRD or alleviate complications. Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation has revolutionized the way we manage type 1 DM; it provides a physiological means of achieving normoglycemia while rendering patients free of dialysis. Understanding this procedure is important because it is becoming a more common management strategy for patients with type 1 DM. In this review, we will begin with a brief summary of type 1 DM, followed by a comprehensive description of SPK procedure, including the history and technique. We will then present the outcomes of transplantation.
Pure malignant rhabdoid tumour of the bladder
Authors: Warren Katherine Sarah , Oxley Jon , Koupparis Anthony
Published: April 2014

We present the case of a 17-year-old girl with pure malignant rhabdoid tumour of the bladder treated with a multimodal approach. She is recurrence-free at her 1-year follow-up.
Urethral caruncle: Case report of a rare acute urinary retension cause
Authors: Coban Soner , Biyik Ismail
Published: April 2014

A urethral caruncle is a benign vascular tumour usually originating from the rear lip of the external urethral mea and often observed in postmenopausal women. Urethral caruncle is not included within the list of bladder overdistension causes in women. We present urethral caruncle as a rare cause of acute urinary obstruction in a 41-year-old woman. The case was evaluated with physical examination and the bladder was evacuated with a 12-Fr urethral catheter. A pressure flow study was performed. The caruncle was excised under spinal anesthesia. There were no complications. The urethral catheter was withdrawn on the sixth day and she was discharged with local estrogen.
Clinico-pathological analysis of renal cell carcinoma demonstrates decreasing tumour grade over a 17-year period
Authors: Nason Gregory J. , McGuire Barry B. , Kelly Michael E. , Murphy Theodore M. , Looney Aisling T. , Byrne Damien P. , Kelly Daniel G. , Mulvin David W. , Galvin David J. , Quinlan David M. , Lennon Gerald M.
Published: April 2014

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents about 3% of adult malignancies in Ireland. Worldwide there is a reported increasing incidence and recent studies report a stage migration towards smaller tumours. We assess the clinico-pathological features and survival of patients with RCC in a surgically treated cohort.Methods: A retrospective analysis of all nephrectomies carried out between 1995 and 2012 was carried out in an Irish tertiary referral university hospital. Data recorded included patient demographics, size of tumour, tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) classification, operative details and final pathology. The data were divided into 3 equal consecutive time periods for comparison purposes: Group1 (1995-2000), Group 2 (2001-2006) and Group 3 (2007-2012). Survival data were verified with the National Cancer Registry of Ireland.Results: In total, 507 patients underwent nephrectomies in the study period. The median tumour size was 5.8 cm (range: 1.2-20 cm) and there was no statistical reduction in size observed overtime (p = 0.477). A total of 142 (28%) RCCs were classified as pT1a, 111 (21.9%) were pT1b, 67 (13.2%) were pT2, 103 (20.3%) were pT3a, 75 (14.8%) were pT3b and 9 (1.8%) were pT4. There was no statistical T-stage migration observed (p = 0.213). There was a significant grade reduction over time (p = 0.017). There was significant differences noted in overall survival between the T-stages (p < 0.001), nuclear grades (p < 0.001) and histological subtypes (p = 0.022).Conclusion: There was a rising incidence in the number of nephrectomies over the study period. Despite previous reports, a stage migration was not evident; however, a grade reduction was apparent in this Irish surgical series. We can demonstrate that tumour stage, nuclear grade and histological subtype are significant prognosticators of relative survival in RCC.
Late renal vein aneurysm following living related renal transplant
Authors: Dale Robert Thomas , Bidnur Samir , Nguan Christopher YC
Published: April 2014

Renal vein aneurysms are rare; there are less than 10 reported cases. As of yet there have been no reported cases of renal vein aneurysm following renal transplantation. We present a case of an incidentally discovered renal vein aneurysm following uncomplicated living related renal transplant. The lesion was discovered 4 years after the transplant through abdominal ultrasound investigation of new right lower quadrant discomfort. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a 2.3-cm thrombosed renal vein aneurysm of the main renal vein. This case report highlights the rare nature of these events, the diagnostic challenges and the lack of satisfactory management guidelines in these cases.
Renal primitive neuroectodermal tumour: Case series and brief review
Authors: Kroczak Tadeusz , Sharda Rajan , Drachenberg Darrel , Al-Essawi Turki
Published: April 2014

Renal primitive neuroectodermal tumor is a rare malignancy. These tumours rarely present with caval involvement. We report 2 cases of primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs) with inferior vena cava involvement. The initial presentation and outcomes differed significantly. The diagnosis was confirmed using histologic and pathologic analysis. We present a brief literature review and an outline of typical clinical and pathologic features of renal PNETs.
Intrascrotal extratesticular schwannoma: A first pediatric case
Authors: Bergeron Michelle , Bolduc Stéphane , Labonté Sébastien , Moore Katherine
Published: April 2014

Scrotal nerve sheath tumours unassociated with neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis are extremely rare. Very few cases of benign intrascrotal and extratesticular schwannomas have been reported, but none of them occurred in childhood. This current report describes for the first time a case of benign intrascrotal extratesticular solitary schwannoma in a 16-year-old male.
What’s new in renal cell cancer research? Highlights of GU-ASCO 2014
Authors: Editorial CUAJ
Published: April 2014

One of the major areas of research presented at the 2014 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (GU-ASCO 2014) pertained to the management of renal cell cancer (RCC). The following pages provide a summary of some of the most important presentations and posters presented during the three-day symposium.
Canadian content at GU-ASCO 2014: Highlights of research involving Canadian researchers
Authors: Editorial CUAJ
Published: April 2014

The 2014 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (GU-ASCO 2014) provided an opportunity for researchers from around the world to present their research in a variety of fields, including prostate, renal cell, penile, urethral and testicular cancers. Over the symposium’s three days, Canadian researchers were well represented, with a number of oral abstract podium presentations and many more research posters. The following section provides brief summaries of some of the most interesting work involving Canadians presented at GU-ASCO 2014 and a listing of all the studies that included contributions from Canadian researchers.
É Possível Segmentar pelo Valor Percebido? Uma Aplicação em Consumidores do Ensino de Música Erudita
Authors: Monteiro Thel Augusto , Spers Eduardo Eugênio , Giuliani Antonio Carlos , Pizzinatto Nadia Kassouf
Published: April 2014

Este trabalho verifica a possibilidade de diferenciar consumidores pelos valores percebidos. Uma amostra de 240 consumidores de msica erudita foi submetida a entrevistas baseado no modelo de Cadeias Meios-Fim. Verificou-se relaes associativas entre valores pessoais dos consumidores, benefcios e atributos percebidos segundo a Tcnica Padro de Associao, resultando em dois grupos: Os sensitivos, com baixa identificao com msica erudita e os introspectivos, com alta identificao com o estilo. Os resultados desta aplicao emprica sugerem que o estudo da segmentao pelo valor percebido possa ser validado por outras pesquisas e abre caminho para aes mais especficas de marketing.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v12i3.2311
Anticonsumo no Brasil: Investigando a Percepção dos Anticonsumidores de Carne Vermelha
Authors: Santos Liana Ribeiro dos , Silva Renata Céli Moreira da , Chauvel Marie Agnes
Published: April 2014

A sociedade contempornea foi chamada de Sociedade do Consumo ou Sociedade dos Consumidores (Baudrillard, 1995; Bauman, 2008; Rochefort, 1995). Uma das premissas dessa cultura do consumo o acmulo de bens materiais como fonte de realizao e felicidade. Vrios estudos apontam, porm, que, uma vez atendidas as necessidades essenciais, o sentimento de ser feliz no cresce com a elevao dos nveis de consumo (Bauman, 2008; Shankar et al, 2006). Uma das reaes insatisfao com as promessas no alcanadas da cultura do consumo a resistncia ao consumo. O objetivo deste trabalho contribuir para os estudos sobre anticonsumo, buscando aprofundar o conhecimento sobre um grupo resistente a um determinado tipo de consumo: o de carne vermelha. Realizou-se uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa baseada em entrevistas em profundidade com pessoas que no consomem carne vermelha. Os resultados permitiram identificar dois subgrupos de anticonsumidores. O primeiro obedece a motivaes pessoais, como rejeio ao sabor da carne ou preservao da sade. So pessoas que simplesmente no consomem por uma questo de escolha individual ou necessidade mdica. J as pessoas que pertencem ao segundo grupo obedecem a motivaes variadas, que compreendem desde questes de sade at aspectos filosficos e religiosos, bem como preocupaes sociais e ambientais. Vrias relataram adotar outras prticas de restrio de consumo voltadas para o respeito ao planeta e aos animais. Esse resultado sugere que h um parentesco entre a resistncia ao consumo de carne e o anticonsumo voltado para a preservao do planeta.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v12i3.2335
Diversidade no Varejo: Impactos de Acessibilidade e Inclusão na Intenção de Compra
Authors: Faria Marina Dias , Siqueira Rodrigo Pereira , Carvalho José Luis Felicio
Published: April 2014

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo principal avaliar o efeito da acessibilidade da loja e da incluso de funcionrios com deficincias nas intenes de compra por parte de consumidores no deficientes em um ambiente de varejo. Dois objetivos intermedirios foram estabelecidos e traduzidos em hipteses a serem verificadas na fase emprica da pesquisa: (1) investigar se as informaes sobre acessibilidade da loja e incluso de funcionrios deficientes, em comparao com a ausncia dessas informaes, teriam efeitos positivos nas intenes de compra por consumidores no deficientes; e (2) comparar as intenes de compra por parte de consumidores no deficientes com relao a lojas acessveis no varejo e lojas em que o pessoal de contato formado por funcionrios com deficincias, com lojas em que se sobressaem os benefcios do desconto no preo e da localizao do varejista. Para atingir tais objetivos, utilizou-se como estratgia metodolgica na fase emprica da pesquisa o estudo experimental com suporte de cenrios. Tomados em conjunto, os resultados levam a crer que, aparentemente, h pouca disposio por parte dos consumidores no deficientes em serem atendidos por funcionrios deficientes em situaes de compra no varejo, e esses consumidores parecem no valorizar um ambiente acessvel.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v12i3.2343
Impacto do Marketing de Relacionamento sobre a Recomendação: Evidência do Varejo de Materiais de Construção Brasileiro
Authors: Da Rocha Lucas , Claro Danny Pimentel
Published: April 2014

Este trabalho aborda o impacto de iniciativas do marketing de relacionamento, tais como dependncia, expertise e benefcios do relacionamento, sobre a recomendao de uma categoria de produtos. Para testar as hipteses foram coletadas informaes de 1925 lojas de material de construo (LMC). Observou-se que a dependncia da LMC com o seu fornecedor tem um impacto positivo sobre a recomendao e que os benefcios oferecidos pelo fabricante aumentam a recomendao. Conclui-se que estar presente no ponto de venda condio importante, mas no suficiente para garantir a recomendao.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v12i3.2380
Mulheres e Corpo: uma Investigação Acerca dos Valores de Consumo do Corpo Feminino
Authors: Tonini Karla Andrea Dulce , Sauerbronn João Felipe Rammelt
Published: April 2014

O objetivo desse trabalho investigar e descrever como mulheres percebem o valor de consumo de seus corpos. Para tanto, os autores caracterizam o corpo feminino como objeto de valor e procuram entender os valores associados ao seu consumo. O desenvolvimento dessa proposta envolve duas opes de carter ontolgico: 1) a perspectiva de objetificao do corpo, baseada na relao dualstica entre um sujeito (o individuo) e um objeto (o corpo); e 2) a adoo da perspectiva de corpo transformado em capital e alvo de investimentos de Goldenberg e Ramos (2007). Esses dois movimentos ontolgicos permitiram a utilizao de teoria advinda dos estudos de consumo. Assim, a tipologia de Holbrook (1999) foi utilizada para auxiliar o levantamento das categorias de valor de consumo do corpo feminino e orientar as anlises a respeito de seu valor de consumo. O corpus de dados constitudo por quinze entrevistas em profundidade (McCracken, 1988), feitas exclusivamente com mulheres. As entrevistas foram transcritas e analisadas a partir de anlise de contedo proposta por Bardin (1977). Ao fim, os autores apresentam sete tipos de valor de consumo do corpo, dentre os oito propostos por Holbrook (1999). Alm disso, so apresentadas questes relevantes com relao ao corpo feminino: a configurao miditica de corpos virtuais como fonte de significados para o corpo feminino; o prazer e o sacrifcio experimentados pelas mulheres quando investem no corpo; e uma descrio particular a respeito do corpo como capital e lcus de potencial competitivo da mulher.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v12i3.2428
Determinação de Preços no Varejo de Serviços Públicos: Uma Abordagem Experimental para a Previdência Social Brasileira
Authors: Melo Willian Maximiliano , Rossi George Bedinelli , Gervasoni Viviane Chunques , Silva Dirceu Da
Published: April 2014

Esta pesquisa investiga a influncia da Gesto de Preos para atrair clientes aos servios pblicos. O objeto em estudo o Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social INSS. Neste servio pblico, os clientes-cidado devem efetuar contribuies mensais para acessarem os benefcios previdencirios. Entre os diversos segmentos atendidos pelo Instituto, encontra-se o pblico universitrio, para o qual a contribuio previdenciria facultativa, mas necessria para que este pblico participe da Previdncia Social. Assim, tem-se o seguinte problema de pesquisa: Qual o preo ideal para que o pblico universitrio contribua com o INSS? E, o objetivo identificar uma faixa de preo para que o pblico universitrio se disponha a pagar para contribuir aos servios prestados pelo INSS. Para tanto, realizou-se um estudo tipo experimento fatorial para verificar os efeitos das variveis: Disponibilidade de Informaes e Preo de Referncia sobre a varivel dependente: Pr-disposio Mdia a Pagar do pblico-alvo. Analisaram-se os efeitos principais e de interao das variveis. A pesquisa foi realizada com quatro grupos amostrais aleatorizados sob as condies de tratamento do experimento. Os resultados fornecem fortes evidncias de que a Disponibilidade de Informao capaz de ampliar a acessibilidade aos servios do INSS e a Pr-disposio Mdia a Pagar do pblico universitrio. O uso do Preo de Referncia mostrou reduzir a Pr-disposio Mdia a Pagar, mas capaz de ampliar a acessibilidade dos clientes-cidados.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v12i3.2524
Editorial – Revista Educação Especial
Authors: Naujorks Maria Inês
Published: April 2014

Editorial Revista Educação Especial http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X13496
Suporte social de cuidadores de crianças com Síndrome de Down
Authors: Rezende Luciana Krauss , Assis Silvana Maria Blascovi , Barca Luiz Fernando
Published: April 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X5928 O objetivo desse estudo foi conhecer a percepção do suporte social de cuidadores de crianças com síndrome de Down (SD) em relação ao grau de satisfação e ao número de pessoas suportivas na região sul do estado de Minas Gerais e estabelecer a relação entre os mesmos. Este é um estudo, de análise quantitativa, de caráter clínico, exploratório e descritivo do tipo corte transversal. A população estudada foi composta por 50 pessoas de ambos os gêneros, em sua maioria as mães (92%), cuidadoras de crianças com SD, com idade entre 6 meses e 7 anos e meio, frequentadores regulares de instituições especializadas. Para o grupo estudado, a grande maioria das respostas indicativas de pessoas suportivas apontou a falta de uma pessoa de referência, sendo assinalada a resposta “ninguém”. Em seguida, aparecem o marido, filho, pais, irmãos, amigos, esposa e médico da criança. A análise da correlação entre o número de pessoas tidas como suportivas e a satisfação com o suporte social mostrou uma satisfação entre fraca e moderada denotando que esses cuidadores não puderam contar com uma rede de suporte social eficiente no cuidado dos filhos com SD. Considera-se pertinente o incremento de ações e incentivos governamentais e não-governamentais para o desenvolvimento de equipes profissionais e de instituições especializadas, voltadas ao atendimento, à reabilitação e a inclusão de crianças com SD e suas famílias na sociedade. As famílias precisam de programas de apoio apropriados para potencializarem ao máximo suas próprias capacidades. Palavras-chave: Suporte social; Cuidadores; Síndrome de Down