bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic status and prescribing for schizophrenia: analysis of 3200 cases from the Glasgow Psychosis Clinical Information System (PsyCIS)
Authors: Martin Daniel J. , Park John , Langan Julie , Connolly Moira , Smith Daniel J. , Taylor Mark
Published: April 2014

Aims and method

To investigate whether socioeconomic status influenced rates of depot medication prescribing, polypharmacy (more than two psychotropic medications), newer (second-generation) antipsychotic prescribing and clozapine therapy. Postcodes, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) categories and current medication status were ascertained. Patients in the most deprived SIMD groups (8–10 combined) were compared with those in the most affluent SIMD groups (1–3 combined).

Results

Overall, 3200 patients with ICD-10 schizophrenia were identified. No clear relationship between socioeconomic status and any of the four prescribing areas was identified, although rates of depot medication use in deprived areas were slightly higher.

Clinical implications

Contrary to our hypothesis, there was no evidence that patients with schizophrenia within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who live in more deprived communities had different prescribing experiences from patients living in more affluent areas.
Sexual Dimorphism in Offspring Glucose-Sensitive Hypothalamic Gene Expression and Physiological Responses to Maternal High-Fat Diet Feeding
Authors: Dearden Laura , Balthasar Nina
Published: March 2014

A wealth of animal and human studies demonstrate that early life environment significantly influences adult metabolic balance, however the etiology for offspring metabolic misprogramming remains incompletely understood. Here, we determine the effect of maternal diet per se on offspring sex-specific outcomes in metabolic health and hypothalamic transcriptome regulation in mice. Furthermore, to define developmental periods of maternal diet misprogramming aspects of offspring metabolic balance, we investigated offspring physiological and transcriptomic consequences of maternal high-fat/high-sugar diet feeding during pregnancy and/or lactation. We demonstrate that female offspring of high-fat/high-sugar diet-fed dams are particularly vulnerable to metabolic perturbation with body weight increases due to postnatal processes, whereas in utero effects of the diet ultimately lead to glucose homeostasis dysregulation. Furthermore, glucose- and maternal-diet sensitive gene expression modulation in the paraventricular hypothalamus is strikingly sexually dimorphic. In summary, we uncover female-specific, maternal diet-mediated in utero misprogramming of offspring glucose homeostasis and a striking sexual dimorphism in glucose- and maternal diet-sensitive paraventricular hypothalamus gene expression adjustment. Notably, female offspring metabolic vulnerability to maternal high-fat/high-sugar diet propagates a vicious cycle of obesity and type 2 diabetes in subsequent generations.
Human Testicular Peritubular Cells Host Putative Stem Leydig Cells With Steroidogenic Capacity
Authors: Landreh Luise , Spinnler Katrin , Schubert Kerstin , Häkkinen Merja R. , Auriola Seppo , Poutanen Matti , Söder Olle , Svechnikov Konstantin , Mayerhofer Artur
Published: March 2014

Aim:

We aim to examine the steroidogenic phenotype and the differentiation potential of human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs) and to explore their possible relationship to the adult Leydig cell lineage.

Background:

The cells of the adult Leydig cell lineage may reside in the peritubular compartment of the testis. This suggestion is supported by the facts that the rodent peritubular cells can be differentiated toward this lineage and that cAMP enhances their steroidogenic potential.

Methods:

Human testicular biopsies, and derived HTPCs, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and Western blotting. After stimulation by forskolin or platelet-derived growth factor-BB, quantitative RT-PCR was used to compare the levels of mRNAs encoding proteins involved in steroidogenesis and steroid production was analyzed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry.

Results:

Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the peritubular cells that form the outer part of the tubular wall express platelet derived growth factor receptor-α. Furthermore, the pluripotency markers (POU domain class 5 transcription factor 1, GATA-binding protein 4), stem Leydig cell markers (platelet derived growth factor receptor-A, leukemia inhibitory factor receptor), and mRNAs encoding proteins involved in steroidogenesis (nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 1; steroidogenic acute regulatory protein; CYP11A1; CYP17A1; 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) were expressed by the HTPCs. Stimulation with forskolin increased the expression of the steroidogenic markers, which was accompanied by the production of pregnenolone and progesterone by HTPCs in vitro. Treatment with platelet-derived growth factor-BB induced expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that the tubular wall of the human testis is a reservoir for cells of the adult Leydig cell lineage and that the steroidogenic potential of these cells can be activated in culture.
Local Digital Estimators of Intrinsic Volumes for Boolean Models and in the Design-Based Setting
Authors: Svane Anne Marie
Published: April 2014

In order to estimate the specific intrinsic volumes of a planar Boolean model from a binary image, we consider local digital algorithms based on weighted sums of 2×2 configuration counts. For Boolean models with balls as grains, explicit formulas for the bias of such algorithms are derived, resulting in a set of linear equations that the weights must satisfy in order to minimize the bias in high resolution. These results generalize to larger classes of random sets, as well as to the design-based situation, where a fixed set is observed on a stationary isotropic lattice. Finally, the formulas for the bias obtained for Boolean models are applied to existing algorithms in order to compare their accuracy.
Femoral neck shaft angle width is associated with hip-fracture risk in males but not independently of femoral neck bone density
Authors: Ripamonti C , Lisi L , Avella M
Published: March 2014

Objective:

To investigate the specificity of the neck shaft angle (NSA) to predict hip fracture in males.

Methods:

We consecutively studied 228 males without fracture and 38 with hip fracture. A further 49 males with spine fracture were studied to evaluate the specificity of NSA for hip-fracture prediction. Femoral neck (FN) bone mineral density (FN-BMD), NSA, hip axis length and FN diameter (FND) were measured in each subject by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Between-mean differences in the studied variables were tested by the unpaired t-test. The ability of NSA to predict hip fracture was tested by logistic regression.

Results:

Compared with controls, FN-BMD (p < 0.01) was significantly lower in both groups of males with fractures, whereas FND (p < 0.01) and NSA (p = 0.05) were higher only in the hip-fracture group. A significant inverse correlation (p < 0.01) was found between NSA and FN-BMD. By age-, height- and weight-corrected logistic regression, none of the tested geometric parameters, separately considered from FN-BMD, entered the best model to predict spine fracture, whereas NSA (p < 0.03) predicted hip fracture together with age (p < 0.001). When forced into the regression, FN-BMD (p < 0.001) became the only fracture predictor to enter the best model to predict both fracture types.

Conclusion:

NSA is associated with hip-fracture risk in males but is not independent of FN-BMD.

Advances in knowledge:

The lack of ability of NSA to predict hip fracture in males independent of FN-BMD should depend on its inverse correlation with FN-BMD by capturing, as the strongest fracture predictor, some of the effects of NSA on the hip fracture. Conversely, NSA in females does not correlate with FN-BMD but independently predicts hip fractures.
Sculptural heritage of Karafuto period in touristic area on Sakhalin: "koma-inu"
Authors: Хахулина Лидия , Khakhulina Lidiya , Поволкович Федор , Povolkovich Fedor
Published: April 2014

The article discusses the peculiarities of Shinto sculptural constructions that are part of Japanese shrine complex"Djindja". Special attention is paid to the stone dogs and lions which performed the function of sacred gates guards and possessed magical powers. The article presents statistical analyses of sculptural objects of religious character located on Sakhalin island as a heritage of Karafuto period.
Geographic researches of Nerchinsk expedition in Siberia in the middle of XVIII century
Authors: Березницкий Сергей , Bereznitskiy Sergey
Published: April 2014

The article is devoted to review of the activities in Ί753-Ί765 years Nerchiskoi expedition to find a transport route from lake Baikal to the Okhotsk coast of the Pacific ocean. Analysis of the collected surveyors geographical information gives the opportunity to show the level of development of domestic science of the XVIII century, the interethnic relations and geopolitical problems, especially studied landscapes of Transbaikalia and the upper Amur basin.
Short-stem uncemented primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Giuseffi S. A. , Streubel P. , Sperling J. , Sanchez-Sotelo J.
Published: April 2014

Short uncemented humeral stems can preserve humeral bone stock and facilitate revision surgery but may be prone to malalignment or loosening, especially when used in reverse total shoulder replacement (TSR). We undertook a retrospective review of 44 patients with a mean age of 76 years (59 to 92) who underwent primary reverse TSR with a short uncemented humeral stem. There were 29 females. The indications for joint replacement included cuff tear associated arthropathy (33), avascular necrosis (six), post-traumatic arthritis (two), and inflammatory arthritis (three). At a mean follow-up of 27 months (24 to 40), pain was rated as mild or none in 43 shoulders (97.7%). The mean active elevation improved from 54° (sd 20°) to 142° (sd 25°) and the mean active external rotation from 14° (sd 13°) to 45° (sd 9°). The outcome, as assessed by the modified Neer score, was excellent in 27 (61.3%), satisfactory in 15 (34.1%), and unsatisfactory in two shoulders (4.5%). Stems were well-positioned, without evidence of significant valgus or varus malalignment in 42 TSRs (95.5%). There was no radiological evidence of loosening of the humeral stem in any patient; 13 TSRs (29.5%) had evidence of proximal humeral remodelling and scapular notching was noted in three (6.8%).

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:526–9.
The long-term outcome of open-wedge osteotomy of the proximal tibia with hemicallotasis
Authors: Nakamura E. , Okamoto N. , Nishioka H. , Karasugi T. , Hirose J. , Mizuta H.
Published: April 2014

We report the long-term outcome of 33 patients (37 knees) who underwent proximal tibial open-wedge osteotomy with hemicallotasis (HCO) for medial osteoarthritis of the knee between 1995 and 2000. Among these, 29 patients with unilateral HCO were enrolled and 19 were available for review at a mean of 14.2 years (10 to 15.7) post-operatively. For these 19 patients, the mean Hospital for Special Surgery knee score was 60 (57 to 62) pre-operatively and 85 (82 to 87) at final follow-up (p < 0.001; paired t-test). The femorotibial angle and tibial inclination angle (IA) were measured at short-term follow-up, one to four years post-operatively, and showed no significant subsequent changes. The clinical scores and radiological measurements showed little change over time. One patient required conversion to total knee replacement during this time. These results suggest that the coronal angle achieved at operation is maintained at long-term follow up after HCO without alteration of the IA, providing a good long-term clinical outcome.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:467–72.
Corrigenda/Errata
Authors: Haddad F. S.
Published: April 2014

Batta V, Coathup MJ, Parratt MT, et al. Uncemented, custom-made, hydroxyapatite-coated collared distal femoral endoprostheses: Up to 18 years’ follow-up. Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:263–269.
Evaluation of adipose tissue mass with anthropometric and visualization methods; its relation to the components of the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Markova T N , Kichigin V A , Diomidova V N , Markov D S , Petrova O V
Published: March 2014

We performed an estimation of body fat using ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and anthropometry in 60 patients with different types of body weight (BW). Correlation of waist circumference (WC), thickness of subcutaneous fat and visceral fat with components of the metabolic syndrome was studied comparatively between ultrasound and MRI measurements. We noted a preferential increase in the thickness of visceral fat compared with subcutaneous with increasing degree of BW. Significant increase in adipose tissue and the development of metabolic disorders occurs in overweight, making it the state close to obesity. During a routine ultrasound of the abdomen it is advisable to determine the thickness of subcutaneous and visceral fat separately.
Effect of lifestyle modifications for a complicated adolescent obesity
Authors: Komshilova K A , Dzgoeva F Kh
Published: March 2014

Currently, obesity has taken epidemic proportions, including adolescents. The important components of contemporary therapy of obesity in adolescents are: motivational training, modification of behavioral habits and the adolescent involvement in treatment, the effectiveness of which is demonstrated by this clinical case presentation.
The non-classical form of congenital adrenal cortical hyperplasia due to 11Β-hydroxylase deficiency: the description of three clinical cases
Authors: Ionova T A , Zubkova N A , Tiul'pakov A N , Nizhnik A N , Savel'eva L V
Published: March 2014

The non-classical form of congenital adrenal cortical hyperplasia due to 11Β-hydroxylase deficiency (11Β-OH CAH) is the second most frequent non-classical form of CAH. Mutations in the CYP11B1 gene characteristic of this pathology are responsible for the slight reduction in the 11Β-hydroxylase activity manifested as the "soft" phenotype. They make it difficult to distinguish 11Β-OH CAH from similar clinical conditions. There are occasional publications in the world literature describing patients with genetically confirmed 11Β-OH CAH. No such data can be found in the Russian-language literature. We have described three clinical cases of 11Β-OH CAH caused by mutations in the CYP11B1 gene. Our observations showed that the presence of the signs of hyperandrogenism (regardless of the patients' age and sex) in combination with arterial hypertension or without it as well as the marked increase in the baseline and/or stimulated levels of 11-deoxycortisol gives reason to suspect non-classical variant of 11Β-hydroxylase deficiency. The molecular-genetic study revealed mutations in the CYP11B1 gene in all the examined patients.
Model-based On-board Monitoring for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Remmlinger Jürgen , Buchholz Michael , Dietmayer Klaus
Published: April 2014

Monitoring of lithium-ion batteries is a challenging task due to the nonlinear behavior, especially on-board a vehicle. In this article, a model-based monitoring method for an automotive battery pack is presented based on a linear parameter-varying model. The model is obtained by system identification using cell measurement data and extended to the battery pack. It is shown how such a model can be used either for cell temperature monitoring or for monitoring of the state of health of the battery. Results are demonstrated using driving cycle measurements from a battery pack for hybrid vehicles.
Plug-and-Charge and E-Roaming – Capabilities of the ISO/IEC 15118 for the E-Mobility Scenario
Authors: Mültin Marc , Schmeck Hartmut
Published: April 2014

This paper presents the user-friendly
plug-and-charge mechanism defined in the ISO/IEC 15118 standard which enables an automatic authentication,
authorisation, and billing procedure during the charging process of an electric vehicle. The various
certificates, their application in a public key infrastructure as well as the interplay with a clearing
house are explained – illustrated using the German joint venture Hubject.
The Major and Minor Relaxations in Polymeric Ni-Zn-Cu-Co Complex Nanocomposite Systems
Authors: Akbulut S. , şentürk E. , Köseoğlu Y.
Published: April 2014

Nanocrystalline polymeric complex (Ni
Thermal-diffusion and Diffusion-thermo Effects in a Flow of Jeffery Fluid with Convective Boundary Conditions
Authors: Hayat T. , Awais M. , Qayyum A. , Alsaedi A.
Published: April 2014

The three-dimensional flow induced by a stretching sheet has been reported when both thermaldiffusion and diffusion-thermo effects are present. Jeffery fluid model has been selected as a non-Newtonian fluid model in view of its promising applications in polymer industry. Convective boundary conditions are invoked in the present analysis to make it more interesting for the readers. Suitable variables are utilized to obtained the system of ordinary differential equations. An efficient approach namely HAM has been used to compute the solution. Influences of various physical parameters involved in the momentum, concentration and heat transfer analysis are analyzed. Comparison with the already published work is shown.
Automatic network reconstruction from experimental time-series data: A survey
Authors: Wagler Annegret
Published: April 2014

The reconstruction of models from experimental data is a challenging
problem due to the inherited complexity of the studied biological
systems. We discuss an exact, exclusively data-driven approach to
reconstruct Petri nets, a framework which turned out to coherently
model static interactions and dynamic processes. The reconstructed
models shall reproduce the experimentally observed dynamic behavior in
a simulation. For that, we consider Petri nets with two types of
extensions, priority relations among the transitions and control-arcs,
to obtain additional activation rules that control the dynamic
behavior. Here, we give an overview on results concerning the
reconstruction of standard networks with and without priorities,
extended Petri nets, and extended Petri nets with priorities. All
these approaches aim at reconstructing all networks of the studied
type that fit the given experimental data, to provide all possible
alternatives of mechanisms behind the experimentally observed
phenomena.
Analysing Java's safety guarantees under concurrency
Authors: Lochbihler Andreas
Published: April 2014

Two features distinguish Java from other main-stream programming
languages like C and C++: its built-in support for concurrency and
safety guarantees such as type safety or safe execution in a sandbox.
In this work, we build a formal, unified model of Java concurrency,
validate it empirically, and analyse it with respect to the safety
guarantees using a proof assistant. We show that type safety and
Java's data race freedom guarantee hold. Our analysis, however,
revealed a weakness in the Java security architecture, because the
Java memory model theoretically allows pointer forgery. As a result,
this work clarifies the specification of the Java memory model.
Messung thermischer Einflüsse auf Werkzeugmaschinen zur steuerungsseitigen Fehlerkorrektur am Beispiel von Dreh-/Schwenkachsen
Authors: Gebhardt Michael , Knapp Wolfgang , Wegener Konrad
Published: April 2014

Thermische Einflüsse sind für bis zu 75% der geometrischen Fehler auf Werkstücken verantwortlich. Obwohl die Nachfrage für 5-achsige Werkzeugmaschinen immer weiter steigt, stehen bis jetzt die thermischen Einflüsse von Spindeln, Linearachsen und der Umgebungstemperatur im Mittelpunkt der Forschung. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt eine Prozedur zur Charakterisierung des thermischen Verhaltens von Dreh-/Schwenkachsen von 5-achsigen Werkzeugmaschinen. Infrarotkameraaufnahmen visualisieren die Änderungen des Temperaturfeldes in der Maschinenstruktur aufgrund ausgeführter Achsbewegungen. Messungen mit Thermoelementen liefern detaillierte Temperaturdaten und zeigen spezielle Phänomene, wie sie vor allem bei schnell drehenden Rundachsen auftreten. Verlagerungsmessungen mit dem Messsystem R-Test ermöglichen zusammen mit einer phänomenologischen Modellierung die Vorhersage des thermischen Verhaltens von Rundachsen, was zu einer Reduktion des thermischen Fehlers der Maschine und somit zu einer erhöhten Bearbeitungsgenauigkeit genutzt werden kann.
Narrative Id/entity in Arun Joshi’s The Strange Case of Billy Biswas
Authors: Swiatek Lucyna
Published: April 2014

Poststructuralist theory interrogates systems of thought and discursive regimes of knowledge in order to locate the underlying historical assumptions that shape and inform human subjectivity. Nowhere is this epistemological excavation more complex than in representations of the postcolonial self. Arun Joshi’s The Strange Case of Billy Biswas can be read as a representation of the hybrid self, one produced by transcultural processes of colonisation. Yet, if we read the novel through Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutic phenomenology, we find that Joshi’s narrative representation of self is not confined to the postcolonial dialectic of self and other. For Ricoeur, self and other than self reside in a circle of sameness-identity; it is constitutive of selfhood. While critical work on Joshi’s novel has distinguished between the narrator, Romi, and the protagonist as two mutually exclusive entities, the primary focus being the existential experience of Billy, this paper suggests that the narrator himself is intimately implicated in this experience. Indeed, they can be read as two parts of a whole being, a ‘double consciousness’ that inhabits the dialectic self and its other. Ultimately, this reading will attempt to access an understanding of the hierarchy of significations that inform our hermeneutic experience of narrative self-identity.
A Postmodern Na(rra)tion of an Indian (Hi)Story: An Analysis of Arun Joshi’s The Apprentice
Authors: Piciucco Pier Paolo
Published: April 2014

In this paper, I analyse Arun Joshi’s The Apprentice as an exemplary case of the Indian postmodern novel where story and history continuously overlap. The unfolding of the personal story of its protagonist, Ratan Rathor, should also be read on a symbolical level, wherein the hero’s progression from humble beginnings to a high rank position coincides with India’s achievement of independence. Like Saleem Sinai in Salman Rushdie’s Midnights Children, the protagonist of The Apprentice forges a fictional representation of a nation through his individual history which, in turn, could be read as a parody of national history. Last but not least, the paper highlights yet another dimension of comparison between Rathor’s story and that of King Ashoka – an iconic figure of Indian national history.
The Electronic Interaction of Pt-Clusters with ITO and HOPG Surfaces upon Water Adsorption
Authors: Klett Joachim , Krähling Stephan , Elger Benjamin , Schäfer Rolf , Kaiser Bernhard , Jaegermann Wolfram
Published: April 2014

In order to investigate the catalytic properties of supported platinum
clusters, their interaction with water was monitored using
photoelectron spectroscopy. The clusters were exposed to up to five
Langmuir of water at cryogenic temperatures. Additionally, the
influence of the substrate was studied by employing HOPG and ITO as
complementary support materials. In contrast to bulk platinum
a distinct chemical shift is observable in the Pt4f binding energies
for Pt clusters deposited on ITO. The same clusters on HOPG show no
changes in binding energy. We propose that this trend is due to
a change in the surface Fermi level in ITO, hence highlighting the
strong interaction between the platinum cluster and the substrate
material. Therefore it is reasonable to assume, that the catalytic
efficiency of these clusters in general can not solely be described by
the electronic structure of the cluster alone, but that also the
electronic changes induced in the substrate may have a major impact on
the catalytic performance as well.
Brain Herniations into the Dural Venous Sinuses or Calvarium: MRI of a Recently Recognized Entity
Authors: Battal Bilal , Castillo Mauricio
Published: March 2014

Brain herniations into dural venous sinuses (DVS) are rare findings recently described and their etiology and clinical significance are controversial. We describe five patients with brain herniations into the DVS or calvarium identified on MRI, and discuss their imaging findings, possible causes, and relationship to the patient's symptoms. All patients were examined with MRI including high resolution pre- and post-contrast T1- and T2-weighted sequences. With respect to brain herniations we documented their locations, signal intensities in different sequences, and size. We then reviewed clinical records in an attempt to establish if any symptoms were related to the presence of these herniations. Three males and two females were examined (age range, 11–68 years). Three patients had unilateral temporal lobe herniations into transverse sinuses, one had a cerebellar herniation into the skull, and one had bilateral temporal lobe herniations into the transverse sinuses as well as a cerebellar herniation into the sigmoid sinus. In all, the herniated brain and surrounding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) had normal signal intensity on all MRI sequences. When correlated with clinical symptoms, brain herniations were thought to be incidental and asymptomatic in three patients and two patients had histories of headaches. Brain herniations with surrounding CSF into the DVS/skull should be considered potential sources of filling defects in the DVS. We believe that they are probably incidental findings that may be more common than previously recognized and should be not confused with the more common arachnoid granulations, clots, or tumors. Two patients had headaches, but their relation to the presence of herniated brain was uncertain.
Recurrent Temporal Bone Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor with Chondroid Metaplasia: The Use of Imaging to Assess Recurrence
Authors: Pina Sofia , Fernandez Maria , Maya Silvia , Garcia Roberto A. , Noor Ali , Pawha Puneet S. , Som Peter M.
Published: March 2014

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) is a benign proliferative lesion of unclear etiology. It is predominantly monoarticular and involves the synovium of the joint, tendon sheath, and bursa. TGCT of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is rare and aggressive resulting in destruction of surrounding structures. The diagnosis may be suggested by imaging, mainly by the MR features and PET/CT, and confirmed by histopathology. We describe the case of a 50-year-old man who presented with right-sided hearing loss, tinnitus and TMJ pain. Pathology revealed tenosynovial giant cell tumor with chondroid metaplasia. Six years later he developed a recurrence, which was documented to our knowledge for the first time with CT, MR and FDG PET/CT imaging.
Thromboembolic Complication following Neurointervention in Ruptured Anomalous Hyperplastic Anterior Choroidal Artery Aneurysm
Authors: Hyun Dong Keun , Shim Yu Shik , Park Hyeon Seon , Oh Se Yang
Published: March 2014

The anterior choroidal artery (AchA) is an important cerebral artery despite its small diameter and relatively short course, because it provides blood supply to several important structures. Hyperplastic AchA is an extremely rare anomaly, and its clinical significance is the increased occurrence of intracranial aneurysm formation compared with an ordinary AchA. Because it has many small choroidal branches, subtle injury to the artery may result in severe complications. We describe a patient with a ruptured aneurysm in anomalous hyperplastic AchA, who developed an acute internal capsule infarction after coil embolization in spite of saving the parent artery.
Monitoring Balloon Test Occlusion of the Internal Carotid Artery with Transcranial Doppler
Authors: Galego Orlando , Nunes César , Morais Ricardo , Sargento-Freitas João , Sales Francisco , Machado Egídio
Published: March 2014

Angiographic balloon test occlusion (BTO) allows preoperative risk evaluation of patients undergoing permanent therapeutic occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The sensitivity of the BTO can be increased using different complementary techniques. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) stands out as a non-invasive, bedside method providing real-time monitoring of cerebral haemodynamics, therefore accurately identifying patients at risk of stroke. A case of a 30-year-old woman with a giant intracavernous aneurysm of the left ICA presenting with subacute left VI nerve palsy is described. A pre-operative TCD- and EEG-monitored BTO of the left ICA was performed. The 16.7% drop found in the middle cerebral artery's peak systolic velocity (PSVMCA) predicts clinical and haemodynamic tolerance to the permanent loss of that vessel. This case illustrates the potential of TCD monitoring during temporary BTO of the ICA. It highlights its ability to provide a complete preclinical evaluation of collateralization and autoregulatory adaptation to unilateral ICA occlusion. TCD may also decrease the time of occlusion required for the BTO.
Clinical characteristics and phenotype–genotype analysis in Turkish patients with congenital hyperinsulinism; predominance of recessive KATP channel mutations
Authors: Demirbilek Huseyin , Arya Ved Bhushan , Ozbek Mehmet Nuri , Akinci Aysehan , Dogan Murat , Demirel Fatma , Houghton Jayne , Kaba Sultan , Guzel Fatma , Baran Riza Taner , Unal Sevim , Tekkes Selahattin , Flanagan Sarah E , Ellard Sian , Hussain Khalid
Published: April 2014

Objective

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the commonest cause of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia in the neonatal, infancy and childhood periods. Its clinical presentation, histology and underlying molecular biology are extremely heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, analyse the genotype–phenotype correlations and describe the treatment outcome of Turkish CHI patients.

Design and methods

A total of 35 patients with CHI were retrospectively recruited from four large paediatric endocrine centres in Turkey. Detailed clinical, biochemical and genotype information was collected.

Results

Diazoxide unresponsiveness was observed in nearly half of the patients (n=17; 48.5%). Among diazoxide-unresponsive patients, mutations in ABCC8/KCNJ11 were identified in 16 (94%) patients. Among diazoxide-responsive patients (n=18), mutations were identified in two patients (11%). Genotype–phenotype correlation revealed that mutations in ABCC8/KCNJ11 were associated with an increased birth weight and early age of presentation. Five patients had p.L1171fs (c.3512del) ABCC8 mutations, suggestive of a founder effect. The rate of detection of a pathogenic mutation was higher in consanguineous families compared with non-consanguineous families (87.5 vs 21%; P<0.0001).

Among the diazoxide-unresponsive group, ten patients were medically managed with octreotide therapy and carbohydrate-rich feeds and six patients underwent subtotal pancreatectomy. There was a high incidence of developmental delay and cerebral palsy among diazoxide-unresponsive patients.

Conclusions

This is the largest study to report genotype–phenotype correlations among Turkish patients with CHI. Mutations in ABCC8 and KCNJ11 are the commonest causes of CHI in Turkish patients (48.6%). There is a higher likelihood of genetic diagnosis in patients with early age of presentation, higher birth weight and from consanguineous pedigrees.
Antimicrobial Stewardship in the NICU: Lessons We’ve Learned
Authors: Nash Colleen , Simmons Elisabeth , Bhagat Palak , Bartlett Allison
Published: April 2014

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) presents a unique challenge within hospitals. A neonate’s response to an infectious insult is challenging to differentiate from other pathologic processes, thereby making antimicrobial management more difficult. Antimicrobial stewardship programming has sought to combat this difficulty, relying on its core principles of appropriate antimicrobial selection, dose, duration, and route of administration. Increasing evidence suggests that imprudent and prolonged use of antimicrobials can lead to various undesirable health outcomes for neonates, including necrotizing enterocolitis, disseminated fungal infection, and even death. The need for empiric antimicrobial use is unavoidable, but there are ways in which concomitant antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention efforts can allow for optimal clinical outcomes. Pharmacy-driven stewardship efforts of optimal neonatal dosing and therapeutic drug-level management of patients in our institution’s NICU serve as examples of NICU-specific stewardship initiatives. These types of stewardship efforts function as part of a larger effort to create a culture of conscientious and judicious antimicrobial use within our NICU.
Free Thyroxine Levels After Very Preterm Birth and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at Age 7 Years
Authors: Scratch Shannon E. , Hunt Rodney W. , Thompson Deanne K. , Ahmadzai Zohra M. , Doyle Lex W. , Inder Terrie E. , Anderson Peter J.
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Preterm infants commonly have transient hypothyroxinemia of prematurity after birth, which has been associated with deficits in general intellectual functioning, memory, attention, and academic achievement. However, research has predominantly focused on thyroxine levels in the first 2 weeks of life and outcomes are limited to the preschool period. Our objective was to evaluate the relationships between free thyroxine (fT4) levels over the first 6 weeks after very preterm (VPT) birth with cognitive functioning and brain development at age 7 years.

METHODS:

A total of 83 infants born VPT (<30 weeks’ gestation) had fT4 concentrations measured postnatally and 2- and 6-week area under the curve (AUC) summary measures were calculated. Follow-up at age 7 years included a neuropsychological assessment and brain MRI. Univariable and multivariable regression modeling was used where AUC for fT4 was the main predictor of neurodevelopmental outcome at age 7 years.

RESULTS:

Multivariable modeling revealed that higher, not lower, postnatal fT4 levels (2-week AUC) were associated with poorer cognitive performances at age 7 years on tasks of verbal learning (P = .02), verbal memory (P = .03), and simple reaction time (P < .001). A similar pattern of results was found when the 6-week AUC was examined. No significant associations between postnatal fT4 levels and brain volumes at age 7 years were identified.

CONCLUSIONS:

Results are contradictory to previous observations and suggest that after adjustment for confounders, higher postnatal fT4 levels in VPT infants, rather than lower levels, may be a marker of adverse neuropsychological development in childhood.
Control of Cell Adhesion and Detachment on Temperature-Responsive Block Copolymer Langmuir Films
Authors: Sakuma Morito , Kumashiro Yoshikazu , Nakayama Masamichi , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Kazuo Umemura , Yamato Masayuki , Okano Teruo
Published: April 2014

This study used Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) method to produce thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm) modified surface. Block copolymer composed of polystyrene (PSt) and PIPAAm was synthesized by RAFT polymerization. PSt-block-PIPAAm (St-IP) with various chemical compositions was dropped on an air-water interface and formed Langmuir film by compression. Then, the Langmuir film changing a density was transferred on a hydrophobic modified glass substrate to produce St-IP transferred surface (St-IP LS surface). From the observation of atomic force microscope images, a nanostructure was observed on the transference of Langmuir films. Cell adhesion and detachment were also evaluated on the LS surfaces in response to temperature. Cell adhesion on LS surfaces at 37 °C was controlled by changing the chemical compositions and densities. After reducing temperature to 20 °C, adhering cells rapidly detached themselves with lower Am and higher composition of PIPAAm. Our method should be proved novel insights for investigating cell adhesion and detachment on thermo-responsive surfaces.
Language Practices in the Ci-Classroom
Authors: Mourtou Eleni
Published: April 2014

Prelingually deafened children are nowadays likely to receive a cochlear-implant (ci). As these children undertake their language acquisition with a cochlear implant they require constant and lifelong rehabilitation and support. Educational staff are instructed on how to work with ci-children in the form of guidelines and workshops. This paper discusses language practices used in the setting of a school for children with cochlear-implants. These children encounter language and pronunciation problems that accompany pre-lingual deafness and hearing with a cochlear implant. I examine two practices which are used during the storytelling activity: repeat requests and questions. Whereas repeat requests are used in ci-therapy, questions have been shown to be instrumentalized for educational purposes in the setting of a school. I will reveal the educational/rehabilitational issues that are linked to these practices.
The Home Oral Language Activities (HOLA) Program
Authors: Westernoff Fern
Published: April 2014

The Home Oral Language Activities (HOLA) Program is an interprofessional initiative that was developed at the Toronto District School Board to enhance parent-teacher partnerships. This unique story bag program encourages parents of young children to use the home language in authentic communication to help develop language concepts related to numbers and numeracy as a way to support school success. This article presents a description of the HOLA Program and its implementation with Kindergarten and Grade 1 students in two different schools. Feedback from teachers, parents, and students, in addition to an inventory analysis post-pilot is discussed. An update on the development and implementation of the program is provided.
The Importance of Immediate Bone Block Autograft to Successfully Restore the Function and Aesthetic of the Anterior Alveolar Process and Teeth
Authors: Singer Lawrence David
Published: April 2014

Maxillofacial traumatic injuries can damage the jaw, teeth, and soft tissues of the head and neck region. When these injuries occur, best practice is to reconstruct as comprehensively as is clinically prudent at time of injury. Smart and efficient procedures during the initial surgery can minimize subsequent reconstructive procedures in scope and number, minimize expense, and result in a better final aesthetic and functional outcome. Restoration of anterior alveolar jaw fractures with comminuted or avulsed segments becomes a complex prospect when left untreated after initial trauma or injury and can result in alveolar ridge defects that are difficult, costly, and cumbersome to repair. This case report details one 19-year-old woman who had a traumatic injury in these areas and has a best result outcome because of immediate reconstruction efforts involving a bone block autograft to preserve alveolar process anatomy.
Evaluation of micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and histochemical tests for aluminium detection in plants from High Altitude Rocky Complexes, Southeast Brazil
Authors: CAMPOS NAIARA V. , PEREIRA TIAGO A.R. , MACHADO MARIANA F. , GUERRA MARCELO B.B. , TOLENTINO GLÁUCIA S. , ARAÚJO JOSIANE S. , REZENDE MAÍRA Q. , SILVA MARIA CAROLINA N.A. DA , SCHAEFER CARLOS E.G.R.
Published: March 2014

The soils developed under High Altitude Rocky Complexes in Brazil are generally of very low chemical fertility, with low base saturation and high exchangeable aluminium concentration. This stressful condition imposes evolutionary pressures that lead to ecological success of plant species that are able to tolerate or accumulate high amounts of aluminium. Several analytical methods are currently available for elemental mapping of biological structures, such as micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-EDX) and histochemical tests. The aim of this study was to combine μ-EDX analysis and histochemical tests to quantify aluminium in plants from High Altitude Rocky Complexes, identifying the main sites for Al-accumulation. Among the studied species, five showed total Al concentration higher than 1000 mg kg−1. The main Al-hyperaccumulator plants, Lavoisiera pectinata, Lycopodium clavatum and Trembleya parviflora presented positive reactions in the histochemical tests using Chrome Azurol and Aluminon. Strong positive correlations were observed between the total Al concentrations and data obtained by μ-EDX analysis. The μ-EDX analysis is a potential tool to map and quantify Al in hyperaccumulator species, and a valuable technique due to its non-destructive capacity. Histochemical tests can be helpful to indicate the accumulation pattern of samples before they are submitted for further μ-EDX scrutiny.
Geology, petrography and geochemistry of the A-type granites from the Morro Redondo Complex (PR-SC), southern Brazil, Graciosa Province
Authors: VILALVA FREDERICO C.J. , VLACH SILVIO R.F.
Published: March 2014

The Morro Redondo Complex is one of the most important occurrences of the Graciosa A-type Province, southern Brazil. It consists of the Papanduva and Quiriri granitic plutons and a contemporaneous bimodal volcanic association. The Papanduva Pluton includes massive and deformed peralkaline alkali-feldspar granites with Na-Ca and Na-amphiboles and clinopyroxenes. The deformed types are the most evolved rocks in the province and carry rare ‘agpaitic’ minerals, some being described for the first time in granites from Brazil. The larger Quiriri Pluton comprises massive, slightly peraluminous, biotite syeno- and monzogranites with rare Ca-amphibole. Biotite compositions are relatively homogeneous, whereas sodic amphiboles and clinopyroxenes show increasing Na and Fe3+ evolving paths. The Morro Redondo granites are ferroan, with high SiO2, alkalis and HFSE contents; the peralkaline types registering the highest fe#. LILE and HFSE abundances increase with the agpaitic index and the most evolved are HHP granites, with radiogenic heat production up to 5.7 µWm–3. Geothermobarometric estimates indicate emplacement under low pressures (∼100 MPa), at temperatures up to 850-800 °C, and relatively reduced (QFM) and oxidized (+1 REPLACE_LT ΔQFM REPLACE_LT +3) environments for the Papanduva and Quiriri Plutons, respectively. In both cases, melts evolved to relatively high oxidation states upon crystallization progress.
Fruit quality preservation of 'Laetitia' plums under controlled atmosphere storage
Authors: STEFFENS CRISTIANO ANDRÉ , AMARANTE CASSANDRO V.T. DO , ALVES ERLANI O. , BRACKMANN AURI
Published: March 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of controlled atmosphere (CA) on quality preservation of ‘Laetitia’ plums, mainly on internal breakdown, in order to determine the best CA storage conditions. Two experiments were carried out one in 2010, and another in 2011. In 2010, besides cold storage (CS; 21.0 kPa O2 + 0.03 kPa CO2), the fruits were stored under the following CA conditions (kPa O2+kPa CO2): 1+3, 1+5, 2+5, 2+10, and 11+10. In 2011, the fruits were stored under CS and CA of 1+0, 1+1, 2+1, and 2+2. The fruit stored under different CA conditions had lower respiration and ethylene production, better preservation of flesh firmness, texture and titratable acidity, lower skin red color, and lower incidence of skin cracking than the fruit in CS. In 2010, the fruit under CA with 2+5, 1+5, and 1+3 had a pronounced delay in ripening, although it exhibited a high incidence of internal breakdown. In 2011, the CA conditions with 2+1 and 2+2 provided the best delay in ripening and a reduced incidence of internal breakdown. The best CA condition for cold storage (at 0.5°C) of ‘Laetitia’ plums is 2 kPa O2 + 2 kPa CO2.
Different slopes of a mountain can determine the structure of ferns and lycophytes communities in a tropical forest of Brazil
Authors: NETTESHEIM FELIPE C. , DAMASCENO ELAINE R. , SYLVESTRE LANA S.
Published: March 2014

A community of Ferns and Lycophytes was investigated by comparing the occurrence of species on different slopes of a paleoisland in Southeastern Brazil. Our goal was to evaluate the hypothesis that slopes with different geographic orientations determine a differentiation of Atlantic Forest ferns and lycophytes community. We recorded these plants at slopes turned towards the continent and at slopes turned towards the open sea. Analysis consisted of a preliminary assessment on fern beta diversity, a Non Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) and a Student t-test to confirm if sites sampling units ordination was different at each axis. We further used the Pearson coefficient to relate fern species to the differentiation pattern and again Student's t-test to determine if richness, plant cover and abundance varied between the two sites. There was a relatively low number of shared species between the two sites and ferns and lycophytes community variation was confirmed. Some species were detected as indicators of the community variation but we were unable to detect richness, plant cover or abundance differences. Despite the evidence of this variation between the slopes, further works are needed to evaluate which processes are contributing to determine this pattern.
Nutritional care in motor neurone disease/ amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Salvioni Cristina Cleide dos Santos , Stanich Patricia , Almeida Claudinéa S. , Oliveira Acary Souza Bulle
Published: March 2014

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) often present changes in nutritional status. Based on weight loss and on difficulty in nutritional management, this study aims to review the different possibilities and to present guidelines concerning nutritional treatment to such patients. Diet characteristics, types of treatment and nutritional therapy indicating administration routes and discussing the details of the disease are described herein. Nutritional therapy has been a substantial therapeutic resource for ALS development.
Biological markers of Alzheimer?s disease
Authors: Souza Leonardo Cruz de , Sarazin Marie , Teixeira Júnior Antônio Lúcio , Caramelli Paulo , Santos Antônio Emanuel dos , Dubois Bruno
Published: March 2014

The challenges for establishing an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have created a need for biomarkers that reflect the core pathology of the disease. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of total Tau (T-tau), phosphorylated Tau (P-Tau) and beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ42) reflect, respectively, neurofibrillary tangle and amyloid pathologies and are considered as surrogate markers of AD pathophysiology. The combination of low Aβ42 and high levels of T-tau and P-Tau can accurately identify patients with AD at early stages, even before the development of dementia. The combined analysis of the CSF biomarkers is also helpful for the differential diagnosis between AD and other degenerative dementias. The development of these CSF biomarkers has evolved to a novel diagnostic definition of the disease. The identification of a specific clinical phenotype combined with the in vivo evidence of pathophysiological markers offers the possibility to make a diagnosis of AD before the dementia stage with high specificity.
Adult onset sporadic ataxias: a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Barsottini Orlando Graziani Povoas , Albuquerque Marcus Vinicius Cristino de , Braga Neto Pedro , Pedroso José Luiz
Published: March 2014

Patients with adult onset non-familial progressive ataxia are classified in sporadic ataxia group. There are several disease categories that may manifest with sporadic ataxia: toxic causes, immune-mediated ataxias, vitamin deficiency, infectious diseases, degenerative disorders and even genetic conditions. Considering heterogeneity in the clinical spectrum of sporadic ataxias, the correct diagnosis remains a clinical challenge. In this review, the different disease categories that lead to sporadic ataxia with adult onset are discussed with special emphasis on their clinical and neuroimaging features, and diagnostic criteria.