bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relevance of PTEN loss in brain metastasis formation in breast cancer patients
Authors: Wikman Harriet , Lamszus Katrin , Detels Niclas , Uslar Liubov , Wrage Michaela , Benner Christian , Hohensee Ina , Ylstra Bauke , Eylmann Kathrin , Zapatka Marc , Sauter Guido , Kemming Dirk , Glatzel Markus , Müller Volkmar , Westphal Manfred , Pantel Klaus
Published: March 2012

Introduction

With the improvement of therapeutic options for the treatment of breast cancer, the development of brain metastases has become a major limitation to life expectancy in many patients. Therefore, our aim was to identify molecular markers associated with the development of brain metastases in breast cancer.

Methods

Patterns of chromosomal aberrations in primary breast tumors and brain metastases were compared with array-comparative genetic hybridization (CGH). The most significant region was further characterized in more detail by microsatellite and gene-expression analysis, and finally, the possible target gene was screened for mutations.

Results

The array CGH results showed that brain metastases, in general, display similar chromosomal aberrations as do primary tumors, but with a notably higher frequency. Statistically significant differences were found at nine different chromosomal loci, with a gain and amplification of EGFR (7p11.2) and a loss of 10q22.3-qter being among the most significant aberrations in brain metastases (P < 0.01; false discovery rate (fdr) < 0.04). Allelic imbalance (AI) patterns at 10q were further verified in 77 unmatched primary tumors and 21 brain metastases. AI at PTEN loci was found significantly more often in brain metastases (52%) and primary tumors with a brain relapse (59%) compared with primary tumors from patients without relapse (18%; P = 0.003) or relapse other than brain tumors (12%; P = 0.006). Loss of PTEN was especially frequent in HER2-negative brain metastases (64%). Furthermore, PTEN mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in brain metastases compared with primary tumors, and PTEN mutations were frequently found in brain metastases.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that brain metastases often show very complex genomic-aberration patterns, suggesting a potential role of PTEN and EGFR in brain metastasis formation.
Hyperferritinemia in the critically ill child with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/sepsis/multiple organ dysfunction syndrome/macrophage activation syndrome: what is the treatment?
Authors: Demirkol Demet , Yildizdas Dincer , Bayrakci Benan , Karapinar Bulent , Kendirli Tanil , Koroglu Tolga F , Dursun Oguz , Erkek Nilgün , Gedik Hakan , Citak Agop , Kesici Selman , Karabocuoglu Metin , Carcillo Joseph A ,   Turkish Secondary HLH/MAS Critical Care Study Group
Published: March 2012

Introduction

Hyperferritinemia is associated with increased mortality in pediatric sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and critical illness. The International Histiocyte Society has recommended that children with hyperferritinemia and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) should be treated with the same immunosuppressant/cytotoxic therapies used to treat primary HLH. We hypothesized that patients with hyperferritinemia associated secondary HLH/sepsis/MODS/MAS can be successfully treated with a less immunosuppressant approach than is recommended for primary HLH.

Methods

We conducted a multi-center cohort study of children in Turkish Pediatric Intensive Care units with hyperferritinemia associated secondary HLH/sepsis/MODS/MAS treated with less immunosuppression (plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin or methyl prednisolone) or with the primary HLH protocol (plasma exchange and dexamethasone or cyclosporine A and/or etoposide). The primary outcome assessed was hospital survival.

Results

Twenty-three children with hyperferritinemia and secondary HLH/sepsis/MODS/MAS were enrolled (median ferritin = 6341 μg/dL, median number of organ failures = 5). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that use of plasma exchange and methyl prednisolone or intravenous immunoglobulin (n = 17, survival 100%) was associated with improved survival compared to plasma exchange and dexamethasone and/or cyclosporine and/or etoposide (n = 6, survival 50%) (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Children with hyperferritinemia and secondary HLH/sepsis/MODS/MAS can be successfully treated with plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulin, and methylprednisone. Randomized trials are required to evaluate if the HLH-94 protocol is helpful or harmful compared to this less immune suppressive and cytotoxic approach in this specific population.
Resets, Russia, and Iranian Proliferation
Authors: Blank Stephen
Published: March 2012

The Obama administration touts the reset policy with Russia as one of its signal achievements in foreign policy. One of the key elements of its argument is Russia’s help with Iran. Upon closer inspection it appears, however, that this support is tenuous and limited. Indeed, we may have reached the end of the line in terms of Russian support for the United States regarding Iranian proliferation of nuclear weapons. Though Russia clearly opposes Iranian nuclearization, it does not regard this as nearly as great a threat as does the United States, and the evidence is quite compelling that Russia sees Iran as a partner against the United States and that the US concessions made to Russia to elicit support against Iran appear to have been excessive.
Determinants of Political Confidence in a Time of Political Realignment: Religion, Economy, and Politics in Turkey
Authors: Kakizaki Masaki
Published: March 2012

Turkish politics experienced a major political realignment in 2002, when the Justice and Development Party came to power. This essay investigates the levels of trust in political institutions at this turning point of Turkish political life and by using the 2001 World Values Survey assesses the relative impacts of religion, economics, and political performance on that trust. Empirical results show that Turkish citizens lost a great deal of confidence in political institutions during the 1990s. Statistical analysis indicates that people’s evaluation of political performance has the largest impact on political confidence, whereas religiosity has the least impact.
Profile of hospital admissions following acute poisoning from a major teaching hospital in North India
Authors: Raizada Alpana , Kalra Om Prakash , Khaira Ambar , Yadav Anil
Published: March 2012

A retrospective analysis of 584 cases of acute poisoning admitted with a medical emergency to the Department of Medicine, GTB Hospital, Delhi, over a three-year period. The patients were analysed with respect to the age, sex, mode of poisoning, type of poison consumed and mortality. Of these, 42.63% were aged 20–30 years. Poisoning was used as a suicidal agent by 63.8% of the patients. The nature of the poison could not be ascertained in 15.92% of patients. Sedatives were involved in 13.36%. Aluminium phosphide poisoning was found in 11.82%. The overall mortality was estimated to be 13.18% with 53.2% being caused by the consumption of aluminium phosphide. There has been a change in the nature of poisons consumed and the number of cases of aluminium phosphide poisoning is declining. However, aluminium phosphide poisoning still remains a major threat as it carries a high mortality rate.
transportMYpatient: an initiative to overcome the barrier of transport costs for patients accessing treatment for obstetric fistulae and cleft lip in Tanzania
Authors: Fiander Alison Nina , Vanneste Tom
Published: March 2012

Those with disabilities are often among the poorest and most vulnerable. Even when health care is provided free, transport costs may pose an insurmountable barrier to accessing treatment. This report outlines a new initiative in Tanzania which utilizes mobile phone technology to transfer funds covering transport costs for patients with obstetric fistulae or cleft lip and/or palate. The transport MYpatient initiative surpassed the set targets and saw a 65% increase in the number of fistulae repairs performed in 2010 compared with the year before and almost triple the number of cleft lip/palate repairs. Using mobile phone technology to transfer funds is an innovative way of overcoming a significant barrier to health-care access for patients in developing countries.
The decision-to-delivery interval in emergency Caesarean sections and its correlation with perinatal outcome: evidence from 204 deliveries in a developing country
Authors: Singh Renu , Deo Sujata , Pradeep Yashodhara
Published: March 2012

The international standard decision-to-delivery interval (DDI) for emergency Caesarean sections (CSs) is ≤30 minutes but there is little evidence to support this recommendation. The aim of this study was to evaluate DDI for emergency CS and its relationship to perinatal outcome. We undertook a prospective observational study of consecutive cases of emergency CS. Perinatal outcomes were recorded as: Apgar score; neonates requiring admission; and perinatal deaths. The relation between DDI and perinatal outcome was analysed using chi-square and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Of 204 pregnancies observed, 19% of deliveries were achieved in ≤30 minutes. The mean DDI was 42.5 ± 19.4 minutes. There was no difference between the perinatal outcome for babies with DDI of ≤30 versus 31–60 minutes. There was a significantly higher risk of poor perinatal outcome for babies with DDI > 60 minutes. The perinatal outcome between DDI of ≤30 and 31–60 minutes was statistically not different. However, the ≤30 minutes DDI should remain the gold standard.
Pathology Consultation on the Laboratory Evaluation of Thrombophilia
Authors: Ballard Riley B. , Marques Marisa B.
Published: March 2012

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) results from the interaction of the Virchow triad (venous stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability). Risk factors for increased hypercoagulability, or thrombophilia, include activated protein C resistance/factor V Leiden, the prothrombin G20210A mutation, deficiencies of the natural anticoagulants (antithrombin, proteins C and S), antiphospholipid antibodies, hyperhomocysteinemia, and increased factor VIII activity. Not all patients with VTE need to be tested for such risk factors, but patients with thrombophilia should be evaluated for all possibilities to better estimate risk. At the same time, testing should be patient-specific because assay results are affected by preanalytic variables, including thrombosis and anticoagulant therapy.
Monoallelic and Biallelic Deletions of 13q14.3 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Smonskey Matthew T. , Block AnneMarie W. , Deeb George , Chanan-Khan Asher A. , Bernstein Zale P. , Miller Kena C. , Wallace Paul K. , Starostik Petr
Published: March 2012

Deletion of 13q14.3 (del(13q)) is the most common cytogenetic abnormality in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and implies a favorable prognosis. We explored the feasibility of detecting del(13q) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for miR-15a and miR-16-1, whose loci are located in the deleted region. We analyzed 23 cases of B-CLL with monoallelic (10 cases) or biallelic del(13q) (5 cases) and used trisomy 12–positive CLL samples (n = 8) as control samples. As expected, miR-15a was expressed at significantly lower levels in monoallelic del(13qx1) samples compared with trisomy 12 control samples (P = .001). Biallelic del(13q) (del(13qx2)) samples showed further reduction of miR-15a levels compared with monoallelic del(13q) (del(13qx1)) (P = .009). In contrast, miR-16-1 expression levels were generally much lower and variable, with the highest levels detected in del(13qx1). Analyzed retrospectively, miR-15a levels differ among the del(13q) groups. However, only del(13qx2) miR-15a levels are reduced enough to determine the allelic status of an individual sample prospectively by real-time quantitative PCR.
Enhanced Detection of Cardiovascular Biomarker Proteins: A Detailed Study of Nanoconfinement in Nanoporous Membrane
Authors: Brandigampala Savindra , Feikert Paige , Vattipalli Krishna , Prasad Shalini
Published: March 2012

The goal of this work is to understand the role of nano-confinement in designing an inexpensive and user friendly ‘point- of- care’ (POC) protein biosensor. We used printed circuit board based gold chips and integrated them with nanoporous alumina membranes in generating high density arrays of nano scale confined spaces. We initially tested the role of a nanomembrane in achieving signal enhancement through size based confinement of proteins. As a later part of the experiment, we studied the role of pore size on achieving signal enhancement by using membranes of two different pore sizes of 100 and 200 nm. It is critical that ultralow detection of biomolecules be achieved as they have significant impact in designing diagnostics platforms for early disease diagnosis. Commercially available nano-porous membranes made out of anodized alumina were evaluated for their role in nano-confinement and enhancing sensitivity of detection. In this biosensor configuration sandwich assay, an electrical double layer is formed between a test protein (C-reactive protein) and the gold surface underneath the porous membrane. Using electrical impedance spectroscopy, the capacitance/impedance changes in the electrical double layer, was analyzed which translated to identifying the sensitivity and the linear dose response of the sensor for two specific conditions (a) with nano confinement and (b) for varying size of confined spaces
Ruthenium Thermodynamics in Nuclear Waste Glasses
Authors: Gossé S. , Schuller S. , Guéneau C. , Boucetta H.
Published: March 2012

In high level radioactive glasses, the low solubility platinoids (Pd, Ru, Rh) precipitate to form (Pd-Rh-Te, Ru-Rh, Ru) metallic particles and (RuO2, Rh2O3) oxides during the vitrification process. The composition and microstructures of these phases can significantly modify the physico-chemical properties and the electrical or thermal conductivities during melting.

Several studies are undertaken at CEA in order to point out the reactions and the chemical interactions in the liquid and viscous states between the glass matrix and the platinoids present in the calcinated waste. Among these studies, a thermodynamic fission products database is being developed on the metallic (Pd-Rh-Ru-Te) and oxide (O-Pd-Rh-Ru-Te) systems. In this work, based on the Calphad method, the Gibbs free energies of each phase are modelled to provide an overall thermodynamic description of the platinoid phases in nuclear waste glasses. The objective of the database is to facilitate calculations of phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties. This flexible tool also enables calculations of the relative stability between metallic and oxide phases in function of the oxygen potential (RedOx equilibrium).

For example, some solidification routes are calculated for typical Pd-Rh-Ru-Te compositions of LWR spent fuels. The calculated Pd-Rh-Ru-Te solidification paths are compared with the phases analysed in simplified laboratory scale glass samples. Using these results, the compositions of the Pd-Rh-Ru-Te inclusions are predicted. Furthermore, possible consideration of the RedOx equilibria for some ruthenium based phases makes it possible to explain the speciation between oxide and metallic phases partly due to the Pd-Te interaction.
Tooth Lengths of the Permanent Upper Incisors in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate Determined with Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Zhou Weihua , Li Weiran , Lin Jiuxiang , Liu Denggao , Xie Xiaoyan , Zhang Zuyan
Published: March 2012

Objective

To measure the tooth lengths of fully developed permanent upper incisors and to qualitatively evaluate the root shapes of the incisors in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP).

Design

Cross-sectional, noninterventional, case-control imaging study.

Setting

Hospital and Stomatology Unit of Peking University, Beijing, China (institutional tertiary care).

Participants

Sixty consecutive nonsyndromic CLP patients (including 40 unilateral [UCLP] and 20 bilateral [BCLP]), and 53 age- and sex-matched controls were selected for this study.

Main Outcome Measure

Crown heights and root lengths of permanent upper incisors were measured from cone beam computed tomography scans, and the root shapes of upper incisors were evaluated.

Results

Compared with controls, the crown heights of upper incisors in CLP patients were reduced by 9.7% to 22.5% ( p < .05), and the root lengths were reduced by 15.8% to 31.7% ( p < .05). BCLP patients had greater reductions than the UCLP cases ( p < .05). There were no significant differences between incisors and their antimeres in controls and BCLP patients. However, measurements on the cleft side in UCLP patients were lower than those of the noncleft side ( p < .05). The prevalence of atypical root shape was higher in CLP than in the control group ( p = .002); of these, 83.3% (30/36) occurred in central incisors near the cleft.

Conclusion

The permanent upper incisors in nonsyndromic CLP patients are underdeveloped. Incisor developmental deficiency was greater in teeth adjacent to the cleft.
Mesio-Distal and Buccal-Lingual Tooth Dimensions are Part of the Cleft Spectrum: A Pilot for Future Genetic Studies
Authors: De Sabóia Ticiana Medeiros , Küchler Erika Calvano , Tannure Patricia Nivoloni , Rey Ana Cristina , Granjeiro Jose Mauro , De Castro Costa Marcelo , Vieira Alexandre Rezende
Published: March 2012

Objective

Considering that oral clefts and tooth dimensions may be part of the same phenotypic spectrum, the aim of this study was to investigate tooth dimensions in permanent dentition and dental malformations, including tooth size discrepancies, of subjects born with clefts compared with individuals without clefts.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Participants

The cleft group was composed of 66 subjects, and the noncleft group consisted of 66 healthy unrelated subjects.

Main Outcome Measures

The mesio-distal and buccal-lingual crown diameter of fully erupted permanent teeth outside the cleft area was measured using a digital caliber. Clinical records and radiographs were used to evaluate the type of clefts and dental anomalies.

Results

The lower second premolar was significantly reduced in the CLP and CP groups. The upper lateral incisor was found to be significantly smaller in the CP group, only for mesio-distal dimensions ( P < .05). Dental agenesis was found in eight (12%) cleft subjects and supernumerary teeth in two (3%).

Conclusions

Subjects born with oral clefts presented size reduction in specific dental groups.
Bat‐cave catchment areas: using stable isotopes (δD) to determine the probable origins of hibernating bats
Authors: Sullivan Alexis R. , Bump Joseph K. , Kruger Laura A. , Peterson Rolf O.
Published: March 2012

The application of stable hydrogen isotope (δD) techniques has swiftly advanced our understanding of animal movements, but this progression is dominated by studies of birds and relatively long‐distance, north–south migrants. This dominance reflects the challenge of incorporating multiple sources of error into geographic assignments and the nature of spatially explicit δD models, which possess greater latitudinal than longitudinal resolution. However, recent progress in likelihood‐based assignments that incorporate multiple sources of isotopic error and Bayesian approaches that include additional sources of information may advance finer‐scale understanding of animal movements. We develop a stable‐isotope method for determining probable origins of bats within hibernacula and show that this method produces spatially explicit, continuous assignments with regional resolution. We outline how these assignments can be used to infer hibernacula connectivity, an application that could inform spatial modeling of white‐nose syndrome. Additionally, estimates of seasonal and annual flight distances for many cave‐dwelling bat species can be derived from this approach. We also discuss how this application can be used in general to provide insights into variable migratory and foraging strategies within bat populations.
A 200‐year perspective on alternative stable state theory and lake management from a biomanipulated shallow lake
Authors: Hobbs William O. , Hobbs Joy M. Ramstack , LaFrançois Toben , Zimmer Kyle D. , Theissen Kevin M. , Edlund Mark B. , Michelutti Neal , Butler Malcolm G. , Hanson Mark A. , Carlson Thomas J.
Published: March 2012

Multiple stressors to a shallow lake ecosystem have the ability to control the relative stability of alternative states (clear, macrophyte‐dominated or turbid, algal‐dominated). As a consequence, the use of remedial biomanipulations to induce trophic cascades and shift a turbid lake to a clear state is often only a temporary solution. Here we show the instability of short‐term manipulations in the shallow Lake Christina (Minnesota, USA) is governed by the long‐term state following a regime shift in the lake. During the modern, managed period of the lake, three top‐down manipulations (fish kills) were undertaken inducing temporary (5–10 years) unstable clear‐water states. Paleoecological remains of diatoms, along with proxies of primary production (total chlorophyll a and total organic carbon accumulation rate) and trophic state (total P) from sediment records clearly show a single regime shift in the lake during the early 1950s; following this shift, the functioning of the lake ecosystem is dominated by a persistent turbid state. We find that multiple stressors contributed to the regime shift. First, the lake began to eutrophy (from agricultural land use and/or increased waterfowl populations), leading to a dramatic increase in primary production. Soon after, the construction of a dam in 1936 effectively doubled the depth of the lake, compounded by increases in regional humidity; this resulted in an increase in planktivorous and benthivorous fish reducing phytoplankton grazers. These factors further conspired to increase the stability of a turbid regime during the modern managed period, such that switches to a clear‐water state were inherently unstable and the lake consistently returned to a turbid state. We conclude that while top‐down manipulations have had measurable impacts on the lake state, they have not been effective in providing a return to an ecosystem similar to the stable historical period. Our work offers an example of a well‐studied ecosystem forced by multiple stressors into a new long‐term managed period, where manipulated clear‐water states are temporary, managed features.
Assessing Readiness to Change of a High Fall Risk Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Lee Alexandra , Neily Julia , Mills Peter , Coutermarsh Cheryl , Gates-Cantrell Melissa
Published: March 2012

The case report discusses a patient with an extensive history of falls living in the community. The patient’s medical record was analyzed, and an informal interview was conducted with the patient to provide an overview of his care provided by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) program from June 2008 to February 2011. The report will also apply the transtheoretical model of behavioral change to discuss the behavior change process of a high fall risk patient. Applying this model to the high fall risk population may assist with decreasing the frustration of clinicians and caregivers, as it acknowledges the “smaller gains” with fall prevention.
Relationships Between Working Memory and Academic Skills: Are There Differences Between Children With Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children?
Authors: Poloczek Sebastian , Büttner Gerhard , Hasselhorn Marcus
Published: March 2012

In typically developing children, working memory is linked to academic skills. However, little is known about the role working memory plays for learning in children with intellectual disabilities (ID). Therefore, the aims of this study were to examine whether different working memory functions are related to reading, spelling, and calculating in children with ID of nonspecific etiology and whether these relationships are different from the ones found in typically developing children. Forty-seven children with mild-to-borderline ID and 47 children matched for mental age were tested. Although in typically developing children, only phonological short-term memory tasks were predictive for literacy, for children with ID, visuospatial working memory tasks also accounted for variance. In typically developing children, calculation skills were predicted by phonological working memory tasks, whereas visuospatial working memory resources were crucial for children with ID. Several possible explanations are discussed for discrepancies in prediction patterns.
French influence in Serbia 1835-1914 four generations of “Parisians”
Authors: Batakovic Dusan
Published: March 2012

The members of four generations of the national elite known as ?Parisians?
played a prominent role in the political development of modern Serbia.
Liberals, Progressives, Radicals and Independent Radicals profoundly shaped
the process of espousing and pursuing modern political principles and values
in nineteenth-century Serbia. Implementing and creatively adapting French
models and doctrines, the ?Parisians? largely contributed to the
democratization and Europeanization of Serbia and the eminent place the
French influence had in her politics and culture before the First World War.
Liberal and conservative political thought in nineteenth-century Serbia Vladimir Jovanovic and Slobodan Jovanovic
Authors: Milosavljevic Boris
Published: March 2012

Two very influential political philosophers and politicians, Vladimir
Jovanovic and Slobodan Jovanovic, differed considerably in political theory.
The father, Vladimir, offered an Enlightenment-inspired rationalist critique
of the traditional values underpinning his upbringing. The son, Slobodan,
having had a non-traditional, liberal upbringing, gradually-through
analyzing and criticizing the epoch?s prevail?ing ideas, scientism,
positivism and materialism-came up with his own synthesis of traditional
and liberal, state and liberty, general and individual. Unlike Vladimir
Jovanovic, who advocated popular sovereignty, central to the political
thought of his son Slobodan was the concept of the state. On the other hand,
Slobodan shared his father?s conviction that a bicameral system was a
prerequisite for the protection of individual liberties and for good
governance. Political views based on different political philosophies
decisively influenced different understandings of parliamentarianism in
nineteenth-century Serbia, which in turn had a direct impact on the domestic
political scene and the manner of government.
The role of cytological evaluation of pleural fluid in diagnosing malignant mesothelioma
Authors: Lovrenski Aleksandra , Panjkovic Milana , Tegeltija Dragana , Tadic-Latinovic Ljiljana , Krcedinac Jelena
Published: March 2012

Malignant mesothelioma is the most significant pleural tumour and it can be
divided into three types: epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.
The most significant clinical manifestation of this tumour is pleural
effusion. This paper was aimed at determining the role of cytological
evaluation of pleural fluid in the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. This
retrospective study included 33 medical records of patients with pleural
malignant mesothelioma referred to the Institute for Lung Diseases of
Vojvodina, in Sremska Kamenica in the period from 2004 to 2009. In 24 out of
33 patients, x-rays confirmed pleural effusion, thoracentesis was performed
and specimens of effusion were cytologically examined at the Department of
Pathology of the Institute for Lung Diseases of Vojvodina. Forty-nine
cytological examinations were done. Only 2 of the first specimens were
positive for malignant cells and 6 were suspicious. In repeated cytological
examinations, 5 out of 6 initially suspicious specimens were positive for
malignant cells, and the remaining 1 was negative. To sum up, 7 of 49
cytological examinations were positive and the sensitivity of our cytological
study for the diagnosis of malignancy was 29%. Due to the low sensitivity of
the cytological examinations, it has been recommended to perform biopsy of
the pleura for definitive diagnosis in every patient with clinical symptoms
and suspicious radiography.
Effect of a tight necktie on intraocular pressure
Authors: Bozic Marija , Hentova-Sencanin Paraskeva , Brankovic Aleksandra , Marjanovic Ivan , Jocic Djordjevic , Sencanin Ivan
Published: March 2012

Introduction. Any factor causing constriction of the neck may lead to an
increase in intraocular pressure. A tight necktie may result in increasing
intraocular pressure, which could lead to an erroneous diagnosis and
treatment of ocular hypertension or even glaucoma. This study was aimed at
evaluating the effect of a tight necktie on intraocular pressure measurement
using Goldmann applanation tonometry. Material and Methods. This study
included forty eyes of 20 patients with primary open angle glaucoma and 20
healthy controls (all male). Intraocular pressure was measured without a
necktie, 3 minutes after placing a tight necktie and 3 minutes after
loosening it. Student?s t-test was used to analyze the data between two
groups. The intraocular pressure measurements were subjected to paired t -
test. The value p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A possible
correlation between the age of subjects and intraocular pressure values was
analyzed using linear regression (Pearson?). Results. A statistically
significant difference was found in intraocular pressure readings in all
three measurements between two tested groups (p<0.05). When analyzed within
groups, statistical significance in intraocular pressure readings was found
after loosening the necktie (<0.05). No correlation between the age of
subjects and increased intraocular pressure was found in either tested group
of subjects after the necktie had been tightened (r2=0.006, p=0.70 for
primary open angle patients, r2=0.07, p=0.22 for healthy controls).
Conclusion. Wearing a tight necktie for a limited period of time during the
day could be considered as a possible risk factor for glaucoma development.
Institutional regimes, long wave systemic risk and great international crisis of 2008-2012
Authors: O’Hara Anthony
Published: March 2012

This paper studies the relationship between long-term growth of GDP per
capita, institutional regimes of accumulation (ROA), systemic risk and the
Great International Crisis of 2008-2010. The principle hypothesis behind the
work is that the ROA provides a foundation for long-term growth as a type of
fundamental variable, and that this growth provides a buffer against systemic
risk in the sense that sustainable growth provides resources for debt
provision and employment stimulation. The emergence of a viable ROA is
crucial for long waves of growth which stimulate both private sector profit
and public sector tax receipts which (using conventional terminology) reduce
the structural deficit for both sectors. Low rates of long-term growth,
therefore, provide a good indicator of the emergence of ?long wave systemic
risk? (LWSR), which left such nations vulnerable to uncertainty, financial
crisis and recession. The paper investigates the inability of growth for
various decades to ?cover? instabilities associated with the Great Crisis,
leading to high rates of LWSR, especially for European and North American
nations that bore the brunt of the crisis.
Scanning electron microscopic examination of enamel surface after fixed orthodontic treatment: In-vivo study
Authors: Sessa Tijana , Civovic Jelena , Pajevic Tina , Juloski Jovana , Beloica Milos , Pavlovic Vladimir , Glisic Branislav
Published: March 2012

Introduction. Therapy with fixed orthodontic appliances starts with bracket
bonding and ends with debonding of brackets, leaving enamel surface varied.
Objective. The aim of this pilot study was to examine enamel surface before
and after debonding of orthodontic brackets by the use of scanning electron
microscopy (SEM). Methods. Epoxy replicas of four patients? premolars
indicated for therapy with fixed orthodontic appliances were made and
brackets were bonded to their teeth with a different adhesives (Enlight,
No-mix, Fuji Ortho LC and Heliosit Orthodontic) (n=4). Two months later,
brackets on premolars were debonded and amounts of adhesive left on the tooth
surfaces and the bracket bases were evaluated with the adhesive remnant index
(ARI). After resin removal, epoxy replicas were made and the surface of
premolars was evaluated with the enamel surface index (ESI). All replicas of
premolars (n=32) were prepared for SEM examination and compared under
different magnifications. Tooth damage was estimated based on correlation
between ARItooth and ESI. Results. Pearson?s ?2 test showed no significant
differences between ARItooth and ARIbracket of four materials used.
Nonparametric correlations showed significant differences between ARItooth
and ARIbracket, ESI and ARItooth, and between ESI and ARIbracket. Increasing
of ARItooth is followed with the descent of ARIbracket and the ascent of ESI.
Multivariate regression analysis showed a significant correlation between ESI
and ARItooth. Conclusion. Most bond failures took place at enamel-adhesive
interface. ARItooth was a predictor to enamel surface damage. The type of
material did not affect enamel surface damage.
The role of oxidative stress in perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
Authors: Vasiljevic Brankica , Maglajlic-Djukic Svjetlana , Gojnic Miroslava , Stankovic Sanja
Published: March 2012

Introduction. The pathogenesis of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage is
highly complex. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the role of
oxidative stress in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and subsequent abnormal
neurological outcome in infants with perinatal hypoxic-ischemic
encephalopathy (HIE). We estimated perinatal oxidative brain damage measuring
activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as an
indirect biomarker of free radical production during cerebral
hypoxia-ischemia in correlation with the level of intracellular enzyme neuron
specific enolase (NSE) in CSF as a biomarker of extend of brain injury.
Methods. Ninety neonates (>32 GA) with perinatal HIE were enrolled
prospectively. HIE was categorized into three stages according Sarnat and
Sarnat clinical scoring system and changes seen on amplitude integrated EEG.
CSF for GPX analysis and NSE analysis was taken in the first 72 hours of
life. Neurodevelopment outcome was assessed at 12 months of corrected
gestational age. Results. GPX activity in CSF was in good relation with
clinical stage of HIE (p<0.0001) and GA (p<0.0001) and significantly
corresponded with subsequent neurodevelopment outcome (p<0.001). GPX activity
in CSF showed a strong correlation with NSE levels in CSF (p<0.001) as the
biomarker of extent of brain injury. Conclusion. Our results suggest that
oxidative stress might be important contributing factor in perinatal
hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, particularly in preterm neonates.
Variations of serum copper values in pregnancy
Authors: Vukelic Jelka , Kapamadzija Aleksandra , Petrovic Djordje , Grujic Zorica , Novakov-Mikic Aleksandra , Kopitovic Vesna , Bjelica Artur
Published: March 2012

Introduction. Copper is essential micronutrient and has an important role in
the human body. The serum copper increases during pregnancy and is doubled at
full term. Lower levels of serum copper in pregnancy are connected with some
pathological conditions. Objective. The aim of this study was to estimate the
levels of serum copper in normal and pathological pregnancies, comparing them
with values of serum copper in non-pregnant women, to determine if serum
copper is lower in some pathological pregnancies and if this is of some
importance. Methods. A total of 2170 plasma samples for copper analyses were
made in the following groups: healthy non-pregnant women; healthy pregnant
women from the 5th-40th gestational week, during the first delivery stage and
during the first three postpartum weeks, in pregnant women with habitual
abortion, imminent abortion, abortion in progress, missed abortion (9th-24th
weeks), missed labour and premature rupture of membranes (29th-40th weeks).
Levels of serum copper were determined by colorimetric technique of
bathocuproin with disulphate as a chromogen. Results. Serum copper values in
non-pregnant women range from 11.6-25.8 ?mol/L. In healthy pregnant women,
there is a constant trend of the increase of serum copper. The mean serum
copper values revealed three significant peaks at the 22nd, 27th and 35th
gestational week. Serum copper values in the patients with some pathological
pregnancies in relation to the serum copper values of the healthy pregnant
women were significantly lower. Conclusion. Serum copper values can be used
as an indicator of some pathological pregnancies.
Fatigue in sarcoidosis: Detection and treatment
Authors: Vucinic Violeta , Stojkovic Mirjana , Milenkovic Branislava , Videnovic-Ivanov Jelica , Skodric-Trifunovic Vesna , Zugic Vladimir , Gvozdenovic Branislav , Milovanovic Andjela , Filipovic Snezana
Published: March 2012

Fatigue is a prominent symptom in a large number of medical conditions,
malignant and infectious diseases. Fatigue is also a prominent symptom of
sarcoidosis. The occurrence of fatigue in sarcoidosis is well known but exact
incidence has not been established and varies from 30-70% of patients
depending on age, sex and organ involvement by the granulomatous process. The
exact definition of fatigue varies broadly. It can be both physical and
mental. The patients describe their sensation of fatigue qualitatively
different from that fatigue they experienced before they became sick. Fatigue
has a major impact on the quality of life in sarcoidosis. Establishing the
extent of fatigue in sarcoidosis provides relevant insight regarding the
patient?s quality of life. Unfortunately there is no objective parameter for
assessing fatigue in sarcoidosis. Generally, fatigue is detected by means of
questionnaires. Regarding the therapy, there is no effective treatment for
fatigue in sarcoidosis.
The remote control of power supplies: Experience of exploitation
Authors: Petrovic Dragana , Lazic Miroslav
Published: March 2012

The remote control of power supplies has been developed according to Telecom
Serbia?s technical requirements. It has been exploited for five years. From
this system specially developed for the needs of a telecom company, it has
evolved into a universal system. After five years of usage of SDNU, analysis
and systematization of the detected problems were carried out. The data were
collected from about 200 external devices. The analyzed objects were of the
first priority, located in larger cities, but also objects in inaccessible
locations far from the city. The identified problems were grouped into four
categories. According to classification of the problem, recommendations about
SDNU users? work organization were made in order to exploit the results
effectively. This paper presents the characteristic forms of signals for
every category of the detected problems.
Practitioner Summary of Detection and Severity Classification of Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Internal Control Deficiencies
Authors: Bedard Jean C. , Graham Lynford
Published: March 2012

Prior research uses publicly available information to provide insights concerning the determinants and consequences of Section 404 material weaknesses. In contrast, our study, “Detection and Severity Classification of Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Internal Control Deficiencies” (Bedard and Graham 2011) uses proprietary data obtained from several large accounting firms to provide a “behind the scenes” look at all deficiencies identified between 2004 and 2005 (both remediated and unremediated before year-end) for a sample of companies. We report client company characteristics associated with internal control effectiveness, the processes used by companies in their Section 404 activities, procedures that identified control deficiencies, and factors associated with greater severity. Our results demonstrate the value of independent auditor assessment and testing of control effectiveness as we find that companies fail to detect most control deficiencies in their own assessments and testing, and tend to under-classify the severity of those that they do detect.
Demand in Pediatric Dentistry for Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentist Anesthesiologists: A Survey of Directors of Dentist Anesthesiologist and Pediatric Dentistry Residencies
Authors: Hicks C. Gray , Jones James E. , Saxen Mark A. , Maupome Gerardo , Sanders Brian J. , Walker LaQuia A. , Weddell James A. , Tomlin Angela
Published: March 2012

This study describes what training programs in pediatric dentistry and dental anesthesiology are doing to meet future needs for deep sedation/general anesthesia services required for pediatric dentistry. Residency directors from 10 dental anesthesiology training programs in North America and 79 directors from pediatric dentistry training programs in North America were asked to answer an 18-item and 22-item online survey, respectively, through an online survey tool. The response rate for the 10 anesthesiology training program directors was 9 of 10 or 90%. The response rate for the 79 pediatric dentistry training program directors was 46 of 79 or 58%. Thirty-seven percent of pediatric dentistry programs use clinic-based deep sedation/general anesthesia for dental treatment in addition to hospital-based deep sedation/general anesthesia. Eighty-eight percent of those programs use dentist anesthesiologists for administration of deep sedation/general anesthesia in a clinic-based setting. Pediatric dentistry residency directors perceive a future change in the need for deep sedation/general anesthesia services provided by dentist anesthesiologists to pediatric dentists: 64% anticipate an increase in need for dentist anesthesiologist services, while 36% anticipate no change. Dental anesthesiology directors compared to 2, 5, and 10 years ago have seen an increase in the requests for dentist anesthesiologist services by pediatric dentists reported by 56% of respondents (past 2 years), 63% of respondents (past 5 years), and 88% of respondents (past 10 years), respectively. Predicting the future need of dentist anesthesiologists is an uncertain task, but these results show pediatric dentistry directors and dental anesthesiology directors are considering the need, and they recognize a trend of increased need for dentist anesthesiologist services over the past decade.
Sexual lifestyles in the field of cultural demands
Authors: Lukšík Ivan , Marková Dagmar
Published: March 2012

In the research we focus on the construction of the sexual lifestyles of young people—undergraduates—in Slovakia and ask “which cultural sources are used?” and “which cultural demands exert pressures on these constructions?” The analysis was based on the answers respondents provided to a questionnaire relating to the preferences of values, aspirations regarding partner and sexual life as well as the socio-economic background of respondents. On the basis of the factor analysis and other steps, we obtained five groups of respondents with different lifestyles: 1. Liberal—free, 2. Partner—monogamous, 3. Natural—instinctive, 4. Hedonistic—free, 5. Submissive—partner. The research proves that while constructing their sexual lifestyles, young people experience confusion as to their personal interests, preferences, internal orientation of partner relationships, and culturally prescribed norms of monogamous relationships.
Quaternary coastline evolution of Lake Ohrid (Macedonia/Albania)
Authors: Hoffmann Nadine , Reicherter Klaus , Grützner Christoph , Hürtgen Jochen , Rudersdorf Andreas , Viehberg Finn , Wessels Martin
Published: March 2012

Lake Ohrid (between FYR of Macedonia and Albania), situated in an active tectonic region of the Balkanides, is characterized by N — S trending active faults. To reconstruct the Holocene shoreline evolution we investigated the coastline using sediment cores and geophysical methods to image sedimentary and tectonic structures. We revealed areas of differing sedimentation regimes. The plains north and south of the lake are dominated by clastic input related to climate variations and uplift/erosion, whereas the steep western and eastern margins are controlled by recent tectonics. Furthermore, no evidence for a much higher lake-level during the Holocene was found in the plains north and south of the lake, except rare temporary floodings. This is supported by mappings of the limestone cliffs around Lake Ohrid, which yielded no evidence for abrasional platforms or notches as indicators for past highstands.
Partially coherent surface plasmon modes
Authors: Niconoff G. Martínez , Vara P. Martínez , Munoz-Lopez J. , Juárez-Morales J.C. , Carbajal-Dominguez A.
Published: March 2012

Elementary long-range plasmon modes are described assuming an exponential dependence of the refractive index in the neighbourhood of the interface dielectric-metal thin film. The study is performed using coupling mode theory. The interference between two long-range plasmon modes generated that way allows the synthesis of surface sinusoidal plasmon modes, which can be considered as completely coherent generalized plasmon modes. These sinusoidal plasmon modes are used for the synthesis of new partially coherent surface plasmon modes, which are obtained by means of an incoherent superposition of sinusoidal plasmon modes where the period of each one is considered as a random variable. The kinds of surface modes generated have an easily tuneable profile controlled by means of the probability density function associated to the period. We show that partially coherent plasmon modes have the remarkable property to control the length of propagation which is a notable feature respect to the completely coherent surface plasmon mode. The numerical simulation for sinusoidal, Bessel, Gaussian and Dark Hollow plasmon modes are presented.
Any Monotone Function Is Realized by Interlocked Polygons
Authors: Demaine Erik D. , Demaine Martin L. , Uehara Ryuhei
Published: March 2012

Suppose there is a collection of n simple polygons in the plane, none of which overlap each other. The polygons are interlocked if no subset can be separated arbitrarily far from the rest. It is natural to ask the characterization of the subsets that makes the set of interlocked polygons free (not interlocked). This abstracts the essence of a kind of sliding block puzzle. We show that any monotone Boolean function ƒ on n variables can be described by m = O(n) interlocked polygons. We also show that the decision problem that asks if given polygons are interlocked is PSPACE-complete.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 1-Chloro-2-methyl-4-nitrobenzene
Authors: Saeed Aamer , Simpson Jim
Published: March 2012

The title compound (3) was prepared from 4-chloroaniline in good yield on successive oxidation and methylation and its crystal and molecular structure is reported. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 21/n with unit cell dimensions a = 13.5698(8), b = 3.7195 (3), c = 13.5967 (8) Å, ß = 91.703(3) °, V = 685.96 (10) Å3. The molecule is essentially planar with a dihedral angle of 6.2(3) ° between the nitro group and the phenyl ring. The crystal structure is stabilised by π...π contacts between adjacent benzene rings together with C–H...O hydrogen bonds and close Cl...O contacts.