bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of cerebral embolization during infant cardiac surgery on neurodevelopmental outcomes at intermediate follow-up
Authors: Naik RJ , Wagner JB , Chowdhury D , Barnes ML , Wagner DS , Burson KC , Eslinger PJ , Clark JB
Published: February 2014

Cerebral embolization during pediatric cardiac surgery may be an underappreciated source of subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound is a neuromonitoring tool that can provide intraoperative surveillance for cerebral embolization. We hypothesized that increased cerebral embolic signals detected during infant cardiac surgery would be associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes at follow-up. A study group of 24 children who underwent infant cardiac surgery with transcranial Doppler detection of cerebral embolic signals returned at intermediate follow-up for standardized neurodevelopmental assessment. The children were evaluated using two neurocognitive tests and the parents completed two questionnaires regarding observed behavior. Statistical analysis assessed for correlation between the number of cerebral embolic signals at surgery and the results of the neurodevelopmental assessment. Of the 67 test parameters analyzed, five showed a significant association with the number of embolic signals, yet, all in the contrary direction of the clinical hypothesis, likely representing a Type I error. Thus, in this small cohort of patients, the number of cerebral embolic signals detected during infant cardiac surgery was not shown to be associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes at intermediate follow-up. A larger study is probably necessary to ascertain the potential influence of cerebral embolic signals on eventual neurologic outcomes in children. The clinical relevance of cerebral embolic signals during pediatric cardiac surgery remains undetermined and deserves further investigation.
Exercise for depressive symptoms in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Eng Janice J , Reime Birgit
Published: February 2014

Objective:

The objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that examined the effects of structured exercise on depressive symptoms in stroke patients.

Methods:

We searched for published randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of structured exercise programs (e.g. functional, resistance, or aerobic training) on depressive symptoms. The mean effect size, a 95% confidence interval (CI) and I-squared (I2) for heterogeneity were estimated. Sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Results:

Thirteen studies ( n = 1022) were included in the meta-analysis. Exercise resulted in less depressive symptoms immediately after the exercise program ended, standardized mean difference = −0.13 [95% CI = −0.26, −0.01], I2 = 6%, p = 0.03, but these effects were not retained with longer term follow-up. Exercise appeared to have a positive effect on depressive symptoms across both the subacute (≤6 months post stroke) and chronic stage of recovery (>6 months). There was a significant effect of exercise on depressive symptoms when higher intensity studies were pooled, but not for lower intensity exercise protocols. Antidepressant medication use was not documented in the majority of studies and thus, its potential confounding interaction with exercise could not be assessed.

Conclusions:

Exercise may be a potential treatment to prevent or reduce depressive symptoms in individuals with subacute and chronic stroke.
Family justice centres
Authors: Hoyle Carolyn , Palmer Nicola
Published: February 2014

The London Borough of Croydon, in the south of England, established, in December 2005, a Family Justice Centre (FJC) to respond in a flexible way to meet the varied needs of those abused in intimate relationships. The FJC brings together some 33 agencies under one roof. This article draws on a small, grounded pilot study of the Croydon FJC – the first study of a FJC in the UK − to consider if the co-location and cooperation of services to victims of domestic abuse has the potential to empower victims to make informed choices about their futures.
Learning hierarchical sparse features for RGB-(D) object recognition
Authors: Bo Liefeng , Ren Xiaofeng , Fox Dieter
Published: February 2014

Recently introduced RGB-D cameras are capable of providing high quality synchronized videos of both color and depth. With its advanced sensing capabilities, this technology represents an opportunity to significantly increase the capabilities of object recognition. It also raises the problem of developing expressive features for the color and depth channels of these sensors. In this paper we introduce hierarchical matching pursuit (HMP) for RGB-D data. As a multi-layer sparse coding network, HMP builds feature hierarchies layer by layer with an increasing receptive field size to capture abstract representations from raw RGB-D data. HMP uses sparse coding to learn codebooks at each layer in an unsupervised way and builds hierarchical feature representations from the learned codebooks in conjunction with orthogonal matching pursuit, spatial pooling and contrast normalization. Extensive experiments on various datasets indicate that the features learned with our approach enable superior object recognition results using linear support vector machines.
No table necessary? Foreign policy crisis management techniques in non-state actor-triggered crises
Authors: Andersen-Rodgers David R.
Published: February 2014

This article examines how states manage foreign policy crises that are triggered by non-state actors. This research argues that crises triggered by non-state actors are particularly prone to informational and commitment problems, as well as audience costs. As a consequence, a state experiencing a non-state-triggered crisis will be more likely to adopt violent crisis management techniques and less likely to seek a negotiated solution. This assertion is tested using data from the International Crisis Behavior project. The findings suggest that these crises are indeed more prone to violent crisis management techniques when compared with crises triggered by other states. The implications of these findings for both our understanding of crisis decision-making and the study of non-state actors in international relations are discussed.
Adaptive nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode control for aircraft with center of gravity variations
Authors: Han Chan , Yang Lingyu , Zhang Jing
Published: February 2014

The center of gravity variations have a direct impact on the dynamic and the quality characteristics of the aircraft, which makes the control of the aircraft more difficult after center of gravity shifting. In order to solve this problem, an aircraft model that can simulate both the instantaneous and gradual center of gravity shift has been built as research object. Based on this model, an adaptive nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode controller is proposed to control the research object. Fast nonsingular terminal sliding mode has been combined with adaptive control method in the controller, in which the improved attractor can eliminate the chattering phenomenon and the nonlinear adaptive law can compensate the system disturbance caused by the center of gravity variation. The stability of closed loop is proved by using Lyapunov stability theory. The simulation results show that the proposed controller can realize the fast and precise track of the command.
Long-term follow-up of HIV-infected patients once diagnosed with acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus infection
Authors: Seang Sophie , Boutolleau David , Burrel Sonia , Regnier Stephanie , Epelboin Loic , Voujon Delphine , Valantin Marc-Antoine , Katlama Christine , Agut Henri , Caumes Eric
Published: February 2014

Summary

Acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is common in immunocompromised patients, but the course of such infection is little known. We describe the long-term follow-up of HIV-infected patients diagnosed once with acyclovir-resistant HSV infections. We retrospectively studied all HIV-infected patients between 2000 and 2010 diagnosed with virologically confirmed acyclovir-resistant HSV infection. Patients' socio-demographic and immunovirological characteristics were described. Response to foscarnet or cidofovir and recurrences were reported. Among 5295 HIV-infected patients, 13 (0.2%) were once diagnosed with an acyclovir-resistant HSV infection. Twelve patients were men, nine patients were of African origin. All patients reported previous acyclovir exposure and median CD4 count was 183 cells/mm3. Ten patients presented exclusively with cutaneous lesions. Initially, 11 patients were treated with foscarnet and two with cidofovir. The median follow-up was 67 months (6–145). All patients recurred, 10 presenting at least one acyclovir-resistant HSV recurrence. The median number of acyclovir-resistant HSV recurrences per patient was 2 (0 − 5). Regarding the first and second recurrences, 7/13 (54%) and 5/11 (45%) HSV clinical isolates exhibited resistance to acyclovir, respectively. Acyclovir-resistant HSV infection prevalence was low in our cohort. The rate of acyclovir-resistant HSV episodes averaged 50% during the two first recurrences.
Bayesian analysis of transformation latent variable models with multivariate censored data
Authors: Song Xin-Yuan , Pan Deng , Liu Peng-Fei , Cai Jing-Heng
Published: February 2014

Transformation latent variable models are proposed in this study to analyze multivariate censored data. The proposed models generalize conventional linear transformation models to semiparametric transformation models that accommodate latent variables. The characteristics of the latent variables were assessed based on several correlated observed indicators through measurement equations. A Bayesian approach was developed with Bayesian P-splines technique and the Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to estimate the unknown parameters and transformation functions. Simulation shows that the performance of the proposed methodology is satisfactory. The proposed method was applied to analyze a cardiovascular disease data set.
Piezoelectric two-layer plate for position stabilization
Authors: Krause Martin , Steinert Daniel , Starke Eric , Marschner Uwe , Pfeifer Günther , Fischer Wolf-Joachim
Published: February 2014

Numerous vibrating electromechanical systems lack a rigid connection to the inertial frame. An artificial inertial frame can be generated by a shaker, which compensates for vibrations. In this article, we present an encapsulated and perforated unimorph bending plate for this purpose. Vibrations can be compensated up to the first eigenfrequency of the system. As basis for an efficient system simulation and optimization, a new three-port multi-domain network model was developed. An extension qualifies the network for the simulation of the acoustical behavior inside the capsule. Network parameters are determined using finite element simulations. The dynamic behavior of the network model agrees with the finite element simulation results up to the first resonance of the system. The network model was verified by measurements on a laboratory setup, too. Furthermore, the network model could be simplified and was applied to determine the influence of various parameters on the stabilization performance of the plate transducer. The performance of the piezoelectric bending plate for position stabilization had been in addition investigated experimentally by measurements on a macroscopic capsule.
Lamb wave frequency–wavenumber analysis and decomposition
Authors: Tian Zhenhua , Yu Lingyu
Published: February 2014

Lamb waves have shown great potentials in damage detection of thin-walled structures due to their long propagation capability and sensitivity to a variety of damage types. However, their practical adoption has been hindered due to the complexity caused by their multimodal nature. Various wave modes that propagate at various velocities in the structure make the interpretation of Lamb wave signals very difficult. It is desired that the modes can be separated for independent analysis or further employment. In this article, we present our studies on the multimodal Lamb wave propagation and wave mode decomposition using frequency–wavenumber analysis. Wave representation in the frequency–wavenumber domain is obtained using multidimensional Fourier transform, where various Lamb wave modes can be easily discerned. This allows for separating them or extracting a desired wave mode through a filtering process, thus making it possible to use a single-mode Lamb wave for the detection of a certain type of damage in structural health monitoring applications. To retain the temporal and spatial information that is lost during Fourier transformation, a novel wavenumber analysis is also presented. These concepts are illustrated through experimental testing where high spatial resolution wavefields are measured by a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer.
The fight over representation and rights: Defending gendered rights through the UN Economic and Social Council, 1948–1950
Authors: Jensen Jill
Published: February 2014

A century after release of the ‘Declaration of Sentiments,’ a feminist statement countering laws that defined citizenship rights for women differently than those of men, representatives of the US Women’s Bureau offered a new post-WWII testimonial, now before the United Nations General Assembly. It defended civic and political rights for women, including eligibility to hold public office and to serve as international delegates in the UN itself, asserting, ‘A modern nation cannot afford to waste half of its adult populations in a state of second-class citizenship.’ The women who stood behind this and other propositions in the years that followed the war used the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – the body producing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – to press for global action with a gendered social purpose. From the basic premise of the right to representation they developed a discourse on a realm of additional rights: towards equal treatment, family welfare, justice for refugees and other migrants, and true social inclusion. This article focuses on the ways in which US women fought for representation and access within ECOSOC institutions in order to elicit policy change in the name of justice and international humanitarian reform.
COPD exacerbations: impact and prevention
Authors: Wedzicha Jadwiga.A. , Mackay Alex.J. , Singh Richa.
Published: February 2014

Educational aims

To describe the impact of COPD exacerbations and the importance of the frequent exacerbator phenotype.

To describe the spectrum of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions that reduce exacerbation frequency and severity.

To discuss the role of novel interventions, such as long term macrolide use and dual bronchodilatation, in COPD exacerbation prevention.

Exacerbations are key events for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exacerbations drive health status and contribute to disease progression and exacerbation prevention is a key goal of therapy in COPD. The majority of COPD exacerbations are triggered by respiratory viral infections and/or bacterial infections. Some patients are especially susceptible to frequent exacerbations and these patients need to be targeted for preventative therapy.

A number of pharmacological therapies exist that can prevent COPD exacerbations and reduce hospital admissions. Non-pharmacological interventions for exacerbation prevention include pulmonary rehabilitation, long-term oxygen therapy and home noninvasive ventilator support, though the evidence base for these is less well developed. Improved management of the acute exacerbation will also prolong the time to the next exacerbation event.
The Global Lung Function Initiative: dispelling some myths of lung function test interpretation
Authors: Stanojevic Sanja , Quanjer Philip , Miller Martin R. , Stocks Janet
Published: February 2014

Educational Aims

To summarise limitations and implications associated with using outdated spirometry reference equations to interpret lung function.

To describe the Quanjeret al., 2012 “Global Lung Function Initiative” (GLI) spirometry equations and the advantages of using these in both clinical practice and research studies.

To discuss the necessary steps and challenges when switching to the GLI, including adjustment for ethnicity, re-calculation of previous results for accurate trend reports and education of both patients and professionals.

Lung function results can help with establishing a diagnosis, with assessment of treatment effects and with making a prognosis. However, arbitrary differences in the way lung function is expressed and interpreted may result in mismanagement of patients as well as hindering our understanding of the global burden of lung disease. In this article, we summarise the Global Lung Function Initiative spirometry reference equations and dispel some common myths related to the use and interpretation of spirometry results.
Adeno-associated viral serotypes produce differing titers and differentially transduce neurons within the rat basal and lateral amygdala
Authors: Holehonnur Roopashri , Luong Jonathan A , Chaturvedi Dushyant , Ho Anthony , Lella Srihari K , Hosek Matthew P , Ploski Jonathan E
Published: February 2014

Background

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in using recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAV) to make localized genetic manipulations within the rodent brain. Differing serotypes of AAV possess divergent capsid protein sequences and these variations greatly influence each serotype’s ability to transduce particular cell types and brain regions. We therefore aimed to determine the AAV serotype that is optimal for targeting neurons within the Basal and Lateral Amygdala (BLA) since the transduction efficiency of AAV has not been previously examined within the BLA. This region is desirable to genetically manipulate due to its role in emotion, learning & memory, and numerous psychiatric disorders. We accomplished this by screening 9 different AAV serotypes (AAV2/1, AAV2/2, AAV2/5, AAV2/7, AAV2/8, AAV2/9, AAV2/rh10, AAV2/DJ and AAV2/DJ8) designed to express red fluorescent protein (RFP) under the regulation of an alpha Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II promoter (αCaMKII).

Results

We determined that these serotypes produce differing amounts of virus under standard laboratory production. Notably AAV2/2 consistently produced the lowest titers compared to the other serotypes examined. These nine serotypes were bilaterally infused into the rat BLA at the highest titers achieved for each serotype and at a normalized titer of 7.8E + 11 GC/ml. Twenty one days following viral infusion the degree of transduction was quantitated throughout the amygdala. These viruses exhibited differential transduction of neurons within the BLA. AAV2/7 exhibited a trend toward having the highest efficiency of transduction and AAV2/5 exhibited significantly lower transduction efficiency as compared to the serotypes examined. AAV2/5′s decreased ability to transduce BLA neurons correlates with its significantly different capsid protein sequences as compared to the other serotypes examined.

Conclusions

For laboratories producing their own recombinant adeno-associated viruses, the use of AAV2/2 is likely less desirable since AAV2/2 produces significantly lower titers than many other serotypes of AAV. Numerous AAV serotypes appear to efficiently transduce BLA neurons, with the exception of AAV2/5. Taking into consideration the ability of certain serotypes to achieve high titers and transduce BLA neurons well, in our hands AAV2/DJ8 and AAV2/9 appear to be ideal serotypes to use when targeting neurons within the BLA.
A genetic fuzzy system for unstable angina risk assessment
Authors: Dong Wei , Huang Zhengxing , Ji Lei , Duan Huilong
Published: February 2014

Background

Unstable Angina (UA) is widely accepted as a critical phase of coronary heart disease with patients exhibiting widely varying risks. Early risk assessment of UA is at the center of the management program, which allows physicians to categorize patients according to the clinical characteristics and stratification of risk and different prognosis. Although many prognostic models have been widely used for UA risk assessment in clinical practice, a number of studies have highlighted possible shortcomings. One serious drawback is that existing models lack the ability to deal with the intrinsic uncertainty about the variables utilized.

Methods

In order to help physicians refine knowledge for the stratification of UA risk with respect to vagueness in information, this paper develops an intelligent system combining genetic algorithm and fuzzy association rule mining. In detail, it models the input information’s vagueness through fuzzy sets, and then applies a genetic fuzzy system on the acquired fuzzy sets to extract the fuzzy rule set for the problem of UA risk assessment.

Results

The proposed system is evaluated using a real data-set collected from the cardiology department of a Chinese hospital, which consists of 54 patient cases. 9 numerical patient features and 17 categorical patient features that appear in the data-set are selected in the experiments. The proposed system made the same decisions as the physician in 46 (out of a total of 54) tested cases (85.2%).

Conclusions

By comparing the results that are obtained through the proposed system with those resulting from the physician’s decision, it has been found that the developed model is highly reflective of reality. The proposed system could be used for educational purposes, and with further improvements, could assist and guide young physicians in their daily work.
Seed/catalyst-free growth of zinc oxide nanostructures on multilayer graphene by thermal evaporation
Authors: Ahmad Nurul Fariha , Rusli Nurul Izni , Mahmood Mohamad Rusop , Yasui Kanji , Hashim Abdul Manaf
Published: February 2014

We report the seed/catalyst-free growth of ZnO on multilayer graphene by thermal evaporation of Zn in the presence of O2 gas. The effects of substrate temperatures were studied. The changes of morphologies were very significant where the grown ZnO structures show three different structures, i.e., nanoclusters, nanorods, and thin films at 600°C, 800°C, and 1,000°C, respectively. High-density vertically aligned ZnO nanorods comparable to other methods were obtained. A growth mechanism was proposed based on the obtained results. The ZnO/graphene hybrid structure provides several potential applications in electronics and optoelectronics.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectra of medicines with large-scale self-assembled silver nanoparticle films based on the modified coffee ring effect
Authors: Zhou Weiping , Hu Anming , Bai Shi , Ma Ying , Su Quanshuang
Published: February 2014

We report here a simple and innovative method to prepare large-scale silver nanoparticle films based on the controlled coffee ring effect. It is demonstrated that the films can be used as surface-enhanced Raman scattering probes to detect low-concentration medicines. Silver nanoparticles with the average size about 70 nm were prepared by reduction of silver nitride. In our experiment, the coffee ring effect was controlled by tilting the substrates during the deposition of silver nanoparticle films. Silver nanoparticle films were spontaneously formed on the surface of silicon substrates at the temperatures about 50°C based on the solvent evaporation and the coffee ring effect. The microstructure of the films was investigated using the scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The surface roughness of the films is found as small as 20 nm. Then, the films were exposed to aqueous solutions of medicine at different concentrations. A comparison with a Raman spectra measured with a conventional Raman spectrometer showed that the Raman signal can be detected in the solution with concentrations as low as 1 × 10−5 M, and the enhancement factor achieved by the silver nanoparticle film can at least reach to 1.08 × 104. Our experimental results indicate that this technique is promising in the production of large-scale silver nanoparticle films for the surface-enhanced Raman scattering. These may be utilized in biochemical and trace analytical applications.
Cell competition: how to eliminate your neighbours
Authors: Amoyel Marc , Bach Erika A.
Published: February 2014

A conventional view of development is that cells cooperate to build an organism. However, based on studies of Drosophila, it has been known for years that viable cells can be eliminated by their neighbours through a process termed cell competition. New studies in mammals have revealed that this process is universal and that many factors and mechanisms are conserved. During cell competition, cells with lower translation rates or those with lower levels of proteins involved in signal transduction, polarity and cellular growth can survive in a homogenous environment but are killed when surrounded by cells of higher fitness. Here, we discuss recent advances in the field as well as the mechanistic steps involved in this phenomenon, which have shed light on how and why cell competition exists in developing and adult organisms.
Guidelines for teeth fluoridation with respect to fl uoride concentration in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
Authors: Bakarčić Danko , Jokić Nataša Ivančić , Vranić Dubravka Negovetić , Majstorović Martina , Lušić Darija Vukić , Blečić Emili , Gržić Renata
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate fluoride concentration in drinking water in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and to provide guidelines for teeth fl uoridation in the area. Data on fl uoride concentration in drinking water in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County were analyzed at Department of Environmental Health, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Teaching Public Health Institute. Fluoride concentration in drinking water was measured by the ion chromatography technique. Public water supply in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County is organized through 9 particular water supply systems. A high percentage of 96% of the population are connected to the public water supply, which is considerably higher than the mean estimate of 74% for the country as a whole. The mean concentration of fl uoride in the main Primorje-Gorski Kotar County water sources assessed for a 5-year period (2007-2011) was as follows: Rijeka 0.010 mg F-/L, Opatija 0.020 mg F-/L, Crikvenica-Novi Vinodolski 0.007 mg F-/L, Delnice 0.029 mg F-/L, Vrbovsko 0.038 mg F-/L, Čabar 0.031 mg F-/L, Krk 0.044 mg F-/L, Cres-Lošinj 0.054 mg F-/L, and Rab 0.090 mg F-/L. The Primorje-Gorski Kotar County public water supply systems do not include artifi cial fl uoridation of drinking water. Fluoride concentration in drinking water was found to be low, ranging from the detected limit of <0.002 mg F-/L in Opatija to 0.220 mg F-/L in Rab, yielding the overall mean of 0.034 mg F-/L. In conclusion, considering the amount of fl uorides in drinking water, teeth fl uoridation can be safely accomplished by individually adjusted doses of other fl uoride agents.
Cultivating Convergence: The First Islamic Cemetery in Vorarlberg, Austria
Authors: Akšamija Azra
Published: February 2014

The Altach Islamic cemetery, winner of the 2013 Aga Khan Award, exemplifies how Islamic funerary architecture can contribute to nurturing pluralism in Western Europe. This newly opened cemetery is part of a wider trend in European funerary architecture; the increasing number of Islamic cemeteries reveals the contemporary dynamics of Europe’s cultural and religious diversification. While this new trend provides an opportunity to broaden the scope of representation for Islam in the West, most of the new Islamic cemeteries have been designed mainly to fulfil functional necessities, neglecting an opportunity to shape an intercultural dialogue from an architectural standpoint. In this context, the Altach Islamic cemetery demonstrates a new approach to creating Islamic architecture in non-Islamic environments that fosters cultural convergence. By emphasizing the dialogic dimensions of architecture through design, implementation and public mediation, this approach allows for an understanding of architecture as a medium for community-making and as a bridge between cultures.
Influence of Interfacial Oxides Formed During Dry Sliding Wear of NiCrBSiCFe Plasma Coating on AISI 316 Steel Substrates
Authors: Parthasarathi N. L. , Borah Utpal , Albert Shaju K.
Published: February 2014

Recent thermal spray processes such as plasma spraying are usually employed to deposit Nickel–Chromium coatings onto the AISI 316 steel substrates to improve the wear resistance. Ni-base alloys, which are widely used to obtain wear resistant coatings, are usually heat treated after thermal spraying to improve their tribological properties. The dry sling wear experiments were carried out in pin on disc tribometer at room temperature 35 °C (308 K), 150 °C (423 K), 250 °C (523 K) and 350 °C (623 K) against medium carbon steel (EN8). The worn surfaces were examined by X-ray diffraction and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) with EDS (Energy dispersive spectroscopy). The applied load was 40 N and sliding speed was 2 m/s. In 350 °C, the wear rate was marginally lesser than the rest of the temperatures due to the initiation of oxide layer formation, which was also substantiated by SEM and EDS. Fe peaks and O peaks were found scarcely. Few Fe peaks were also predominantly noticed by EDS analysis. The presence of Fe3O4 in the tribolayers formed during sliding wear acted as a protective film to retard the wear rate in terms of mass loss.
On existence and properties of plutonium(VIII) derivatives
Authors: Kiselev Yu. M. , Nikonov M. V. , Dolzhenko V. D. , Ermilov A. Yu. , Tananaev I. G. , Myasoedov B. F.
Published: February 2014

The existence of Pu(VIII) was shown in alkaline solutions and in nonpolar solvents (CCl4 and CHCl3) on the ground of
such experimental facts like extraction of plutonium species, obtained by means of ozonization of Pu(VI) alkaline solutions
into CCl4 and CHCl3; volatility of Pu compounds out of aqueous alkaline solutions, and the mentioned solvents. The
product of interaction between PuO3 · 0.8H2O and XeF2 in CCl4 and CHCl3 was of the same chemical
form for both cases and identical with the form of the product of volatility of Pu out of these organic solutions. The
electronic absorbance spectra of these products in CCl4 and CHCl3 were fairly similar to the ones for OsO4 and
RuO4. The band of absorption in these spectra with the maximum at 332 nm corresponds to the charge transfer of
metal-ligand type [π(O)→Pu], as the value of molar extinction coefficient ε was found to be higher than
2 · 103 L/mole cm. A satisfactory agreement between the energies for the transitions of PuO4 molecule designed by
X
α
-SW method and experimental data was observed. A similar accordance was observed for the designed vibration
frequency (DFT-method) with the one found as result of analysis of the vibration structure of the experimental spectra.
The diagnostic value of first-voided urinary LH compared with GNRH-stimulated gonadotropins in differentiating slowly progressive from rapidly progressive precocious puberty in girls
Authors: Zung Amnon , Burundukov Ella , Ulman Mira , Glaser Tamar , Rosenberg Moshe , Chen Malka , Zadik Zvi
Published: February 2014

Objective

Characterization of pubertal progression is required to prevent unnecessary intervention in unsustained or slowly progressive (SP) precocious puberty (PP), while delivering hormonal suppression in rapidly progressive (RP) PP. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of first-voided urinary LH (ULH) compared with GNRH-stimulated gonadotropins in differentiating these forms of PP.

Methods

A total of 62 girls with PP underwent both GNRH stimulation and ULH assay. Fifteen girls with peak LH ≥10 IU/l started treatment immediately, whereas the other 47 girls were evaluated after 6 months for pubertal advancement, height acceleration, and bone-age maturation. Based on these criteria, the participants were assigned to five subgroups: pubertal regression, no progression or progression by one, two or three criteria. The first three subgroups were defined as SP-PP (n=29), while the other two subgroups were defined as RP-PP (n=18). An additional 23 prepubertal girls were evaluated for ULH.

Results

ULH but not serum gonadotropins could distinguish girls with two and three criteria from less progressive subgroups. By comparison with SP-PP (i.e. regression group and groups 0 and 1), those with RP-PP (group 2+3) had lower peak FSH (9.28±2.51 vs 12.57±4.30;P=0.007) and higher peak LH:FSH ratio (0.42±0.30 vs 0.22±0.12;P=0.022) and ULH (1.63±0.65 vs 1.05±0.26 IU/l;P<0.001). Based on receiver operating characteristics analysis, a ULH cutoff of 1.16 IU/l had a better sensitivity (83%) and positive and negative predictive values (65 and 88% respectively) than the other two parameters, with a specificity of 72%.

Conclusions

ULH assay is a noninvasive, reliable method that can assist in the distinction between SP- and RP-PP.
In vivo visualization of uterine mast cells by two-photon microscopy
Authors: Schmerse Franziska , Woidacki Katja , Riek-Burchardt Monika , Reichardt Peter , Roers Axel , Tadokoro Carlos , Zenclussen Ana Claudia
Published: February 2014

Transgenic mice expressing fluorescent proteins in specific cell populations are widely used for the study ofin vivobehavior of these cells. We have recently reported that uterine mast cells (uMCs) are important for implantation and placentation. However, theirin vivolocalization in uterus before and during pregnancy is unknown. Herein, we report the direct observation of uMCsin vivousing double-transgenic C57BL/6JMcpt5-Cre ROSA26-EYFPmice with high expression of enhanced yellow fluorescent protein in MC protease 5 (Cma1(Mcpt5))-expressing cells by intravital two-photon microscopy. We were able to monitor MCs livein uteroduring the murine estrous cycle and at different days of pregnancy. We demonstrated that uMCs accumulated during the receptive phase of the female (estrus) and persisted in large numbers at early pregnancy stages and around mid-gestation and declined in number in non-pregnant animals at diestrus. This intravital microscopy technique, including a custom-made microscope stage and the adaption of the surgical procedure, allowed the access of the uterus and implantations for imaging. The introduced application of intravital microscopy to C57BL/6J-Mcpt5-Cre ROSA26-EYFPmice offers a novel and powerfulin vivoapproach to further address the evident relevance of uMCs to reproductive processes with obvious clinical implications.
EMS Mutagenesis in the Pea AphidAcyrthosiphon pisum
Authors: Tagu Denis , Le Trionnaire Gaël , Tanguy Sylvie , Gauthier Jean-Pierre , Huynh Jean-René
Published: February 2014

In aphids, clonal individuals can show distinct morphologic traits in response to environmental cues. Such phenotypic plasticity cannot be studied with classical genetic model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans or Drosophila melanogaster. The genetic basis of this biological process remain unknown, as mutations affecting this process are not available in aphids. Here, we describe a protocol to treat third-stage larvae with an alkylating mutagen, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), to generate random mutations within the Acyrthosiphon pisum genome. We found that even low concentrations of EMS were toxic for two genotypes of A. pisum. Mutagenesis efficiency was nevertheless assessed by estimating the occurrence of mutational events on the X chromosome. Indeed, any lethal mutation on the X-chromosome would kill males that are haploid on the X so that we used the proportion of males as an estimation of mutagenesis efficacy. We could assess a putative mutation rate of 0.4 per X-chromosome at 10 mM of EMS. We then applied this protocol to perform a small-scale mutagenesis on parthenogenetic individuals, which were screened for defects in their ability to produce sexual individuals in response to photoperiod shortening. We found one mutant line showing a reproducible altered photoperiodic response with a reduced production of males and the appearance of aberrant winged males (wing atrophy, alteration of legs morphology). This mutation appeared to be stable because it could be transmitted over several generations of parthenogenetic individuals. To our knowledge, this study represents the first example of an EMS-generated aphid mutant.
Two Offset Printing Workers with Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Kumagai Shinji
Published: February 2014

Two Offset Printing Workers with Cholangiocarcinoma: Shinji KUMAGAI. Department of Management of Occupational Safety and Health, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan—

Objectives

Previously, the author reported a cluster of 11 cholangiocarcinoma cases exposed to 1,2‐dichloropropane (1,2‐DCP) and/or dichloromethane (DCM) in an offset proof‐printing company. Before that report, the association between the two chemicals and cholangiocarcinoma had not been known. The current study describes two cholangiocarcinoma patients exposed to 1,2‐DCP or DCM in different offset printing companies.

Methods

The author obtained medical records for the patients, and interviewed the surviving patient and a relative of the deceased patient about their occupational history.

Results

Case 1 was a man born in 1950. He worked in the printing section in a proof‐printing company for 26 years. He was diagnosed as cholangiocarcinoma in 1998 and died in 2000. In proof‐printing operations, he used gasoline for 14 years and 1,2‐DCP for 11 years to remove ink from a rubber transcription roller (blanket). The exposure concentration of 1,2‐DCP was estimated to be between 72 and 5,200 ppm. Case 2 was a man born in 1963. He worked in the printing section in a general offset printing company for 11 years. He was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in 2007. In printing operations, he used both kerosene and a mixture of 50% DCM and 50% 1,1,1‐trichloroethane (1,1,1‐TCE) for 11 years to remove ink from a blanket. The exposure concentration of DCM was estimated to be between 240 and 6,100 ppm. He was simultaneously exposed to similar levels of 1,1,1‐TCE.

Conclusions

Because the offset printing process may cause cholangiocarcinoma, occupational history should be examined for patients with this cancer.
Combined Occurrence of Alström Syndrome and Bronchiectasis
Authors: Kaya Avni , Orbak Zerrin , Çayır Atilla , Döneray Hakan , Taşdemir Şener , Ozantürk Ayşegül , Bingöl Fatih
Published: February 2014

Alström syndrome (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man ALMS #203800) is a rare hereditary disorder caused by mutations in the gene ALMS1. This rare disorder’s characteristics are cone-rod dystrophy resulting in blindness in childhood, insulin-resistant type 2 diabetes mellitus, truncal obesity, progressive sensorineural hearing loss, dilated cardiomyopathy, craniofacial features, hypothyroidism, elevation in liver transaminases, renal insufficiency, gonadal dysfunction, and menstrual irregularities. A 13.5-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital for complaints of excessive water consumption and urination over the previous 2 years. The patient’s parents were third-degree relatives. At physical examination, hyperpigmentation was present over the areola and acanthosis nigricans under the arms and on the neck. Audiologic examination revealed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and bilateral cataract was determined at ocular examination. The patient was monitored by the chest diseases department due to bronchiectasis. HbA1c was 13.1%. In mutation screening study, 2 novel mutations c.5586T>G; p.Tyr1862* and c.2905insT; p.L968fs*4 were detected in the ALMS1 gene. Saccharin test was positive. We emphasize that Alström syndrome may be complicated by bronchiectasis.
Dental Caries and Growth in School-Age Children
Authors: Alkarimi Heba A. , Watt Richard G. , Pikhart Hynek , Sheiham Aubrey , Tsakos Georgios
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Dental caries in young children is commonly untreated and represents a public health problem. Dental caries in children is reported to affect their anthropometric outcomes, but the evidence is conflicting. Some studies found no association, whereas others found that caries was associated with underweight or overweight. The objective was to assess the relationship between dental caries status and height and weight in 6- to 8-year-old Saudi children with high caries prevalence.

METHODS:

This study was a cross-sectional survey in schoolchildren aged 6 to 8 years attending military primary schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Caries status was assessed by using the dmft (decayed, missing, filled, teeth [primary teeth]) index. Height and weight were assessed by using z scores of height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), and BMI-for-age (BAZ) calculated by World Health Organization standardized procedures. Relationships between caries and HAZ, WAZ, and BAZ were assessed by using regression models.

RESULTS:

A total of 417 of the 436 eligible schoolchildren with complete data were included, with a response rate of 95.6%. Their mean dmft index was 5.7 ± 4.2. There was an inverse linear relationship between caries status and children’s HAZ, WAZ, and BAZ and significantly lower anthropometric outcomes for children at each consecutive group with higher levels of caries. The associations remained significant after adjusting for dental, social, and demographic variables.

CONCLUSIONS:

The inverse linear association between dental caries and all anthropometric outcomes suggests that higher levels of untreated caries are associated with poorer growth in Saudi schoolchildren.
Invasive Procedures in Preterm Children: Brain and Cognitive Development at School Age
Authors: Vinall Jillian , Miller Steven P. , Bjornson Bruce H. , Fitzpatrick Kevin P.V. , Poskitt Kenneth J. , Brant Rollin , Synnes Anne R. , Cepeda Ivan L. , Grunau Ruth E.
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND:

Very preterm infants (born 24–32 weeks’ gestation) undergo numerous invasive procedures during neonatal care. Repeated skin-breaking procedures in rodents cause neuronal cell death, and in human preterm neonates higher numbers of invasive procedures from birth to term-equivalent age are associated with abnormal brain development, even after controlling for other clinical risk factors. It is unknown whether higher numbers of invasive procedures are associated with long-term alterations in brain microstructure and cognitive outcome at school age in children born very preterm.

METHODS:

Fifty children born very preterm underwent MRI and cognitive testing at median age 7.6 years (interquartile range, 7.5–7.7). T1- and T2-weighted images were assessed for the severity of brain injury. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor sequences were used to measure fractional anisotropy (FA), an index of white matter (WM) maturation, from 7 anatomically defined WM regions. Child cognition was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–IV. Multivariate modeling was used to examine relationships between invasive procedures, brain microstructure, and cognition, adjusting for clinical confounders (eg, infection, ventilation, brain injury).

RESULTS:

Greater numbers of invasive procedures were associated with lower FA values of the WM at age 7 years (P = .01). The interaction between the number of procedures and FA was associated with IQ (P = .02), such that greater numbers of invasive procedures and lower FA of the superior WM were related to lower IQ.

CONCLUSIONS:

Invasive procedures during neonatal care contribute to long-term abnormalities in WM microstructure and lower IQ.
Need and Unmet Need for Care Coordination Among Children With Mental Health Conditions
Authors: Brown Nicole M. , Green Jeremy C. , Desai Mayur M. , Weitzman Carol C. , Rosenthal Marjorie S.
Published: February 2014

OBJECTIVE:

To determine prevalence and correlates of need and unmet need for care coordination in a national sample of children with mental health conditions.

METHODS:

Using data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health, we identified children aged 2 to 17 years with ≥1 mental health condition (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, or depression) who had received ≥2 types of preventive or subspecialty health services in the past year. We defined 2 outcome measures of interest: (1) prevalence of need for care coordination; and (2) prevalence of unmet need for care coordination in those with a need. Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations of clinical, sociodemographic, parent psychosocial, and health care characteristics with the outcome measures.

RESULTS:

In our sample (N = 7501, representing an estimated 5 750 000 children), the prevalence of having any need for care coordination was 43.2%. Among parents reporting a need for care coordination, the prevalence of unmet need was 41.2%. Higher risk of unmet need for care coordination was associated with child anxiety disorder, parenting stress, lower income, and public or no insurance. Parents reporting social support and receipt of family-centered care had a lower risk of unmet need for care coordination.

CONCLUSIONS:

Approximately 40% of parents of children with mental health conditions who reported a need for care coordination also reported that their need was unmet. Delivery of family-centered care and enhancing family supports may help to reduce unmet need for care coordination in this vulnerable population.
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in childhood
Authors: Stréhn Anita , Szőnyi László , Kriván Gergely , Kovács Lajos , Reusz György , Szabó Attila , Rényi Imre , Kovács Gábor , Dezsőfi Antal
Published: February 2014

Introduction: Among possible complications of transplantation the post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease due to immunosuppressive therapy is of paramount importance. In most cases the direct modulating effect of Epstein–Barr virus on immune cells can be documented. Aim: The aim of the authors was to evaluate the incidence os post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases in pediatric transplant patients in Hungary. Method: The study group included kidney, liver and lung transplant children followed up at the 1st Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest and stem cell transplant children at Szent László Hospital, Budapest. Data were collected from 78 kidney, 109 liver and 17 lung transplant children as well as from 243 children who underwent allogenic stem cell transplantation. Results: Between 1998 and 2012, 13 children developed post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (8 solid organ transplanted and 5 stem cell transplanted children). The diagnosis was based on histological findings in all cases. Mortality was 3 out of the 8 solid organ transplant children and 4 out of the 5 stem cell transplant children. The highest incidence was observed among lung transplant children (17.6%). Conclusions: These data indicate that post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease is a rare but devastating complication of transplantation in children. The most important therapeutic approaches are reduction of immunosuppressive therapy, chemotherapy and rituximab. Early diagnosis may improve clinical outcome and, therefore, routine polymerase chain reaction screening for Epstein–Barr virus of high risk patients is recommended. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(8), 313–318.