bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis Complicating Bronchial Atresia
Authors: Al-Qadi Mazen O. , Reddy Dereddi Raja S. , Larsen Brandon T. , Iyer Vivek N.
Published: December 2014

Bronchial atresia is a rare pulmonary developmental anomaly characterized by the presence of a focal obliteration of a segmental or lobar bronchial lumen. The lung distal to the atretic bronchus is typically emphysematous along with the presence of mucus filled ectatic bronchi (mucoceles). BA is usually asymptomatic but pulmonary infections can rarely develop in the emphysematous lung distal to the atretic bronchus. We present a unique case of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) in a patient with BA with no evidence of immune dysfunction. The patient was treated initially with voriconazole and subsequently underwent surgical excision of the involved area. On follow-up, she has done extremely well with no evidence for recurrence. In summary, we describe the first case of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient with bronchial atresia.
Gastroschisis: Antenatal Sonographic Predictors of Adverse Neonatal Outcome
Authors: Page Rachael , Ferraro Zachary Michael , Moretti Felipe , Fung Kee Fung Karen
Published: December 2014

Objectives. The aim of this review was to identify clinically significant ultrasound predictors of adverse neonatal outcome in fetal gastroschisis.Methods. A quasi-systematic review was conducted in PubMed and Ovid using the key terms “gastroschisis,” “predictors,” “outcome,” and “ultrasound.”Results. A total of 18 papers were included. The most common sonographic predictors were intra-abdominal bowel dilatation (IABD), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and bowel dilatation not otherwise specified (NOS). Three ultrasound markers were consistently found to be statistically insignificant with respect to predicting adverse outcome including abdominal circumference, stomach herniation and dilatation, and extra-abdominal bowel dilatation (EABD).Conclusions. Gastroschisis is associated with several comorbidities, yet there is much discrepancy in the literature regarding which specific ultrasound markers best predict adverse neonatal outcomes. Future research should include prospective trials with larger sample sizes and use well-defined and consistent definitions of the adverse outcomes investigated with consideration given to IABD.
Shenfu Injection for Intradialytic Hypotension: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Mo Yenan , Liu Xusheng , Qin Xindong , Huang Jing , He Zhiren , Lin Junjie , Hu Qinqing , Cai Youqing , Liu Zhuangzhu , Wang Lixin
Published: December 2014

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Shenfu injection (SFI) for intradialytic hypotension (IDH). Methods. A systematic review of data sources published as of April 2014 was conducted. These included the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2014 issue 4), Pubmed, Embase, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and Wangfang Data. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving SFI for treatment and prevention of IDH were identified. Two researchers independently selected articles, extracted data, assessed quality, and cross checked the results. Revman 5.2 was used to analyze the results. Results. Eight RCTs were included. The meta‐analysis indicated that compared with conventional therapies alone, SFI could elevate systolic blood pressure (SBP), increase the clinical effective rate, decrease the incidence of hypotension, increase serum albumin (ALB) levels, and reduce C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels without serious adverse effects. GRADE Quality of Evidence. the quality of SBP, the effective rate, ALB, and CRP were low, and hypotension incidence and DBP were very low. Conclusions. SFI is more effective than conventional therapies for prevention and treatment of IDH. However, a clinical recommendation is not warranted due to the small number of studies included and low methodology quality. Multi‐center and high‐quality RCTs with large sample sizes are needed to provide stronger evidence.
Annual Decline in Pentraxin 3 Is a Risk of Vascular Access Troubles in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Nagai Kei , Ueda Atsushi , Saito Chie , Zempo-Miyaki Asako , Yamagata Kunihiro
Published: December 2014

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a multifunctional modulator of the innate immunoinflammatory response, is higher in patients undergoing hemodialysis than healthy control. Our study focused on annual change in PTX3 levels in patients with chronic hemodialysis, because regularly undergoing hemodialysis for many years modifies vascular inflammatory status. To demonstrate whether annual change in PTX3 is associated with vascular events, we measured blood levels of pentraxins (PTX3 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)) at baseline and in the next year in 76 hemodialysis patients and observed 20 patients with vascular access troubles during follow-up years. The annual decline in PTX3, but not hsCRP, is a significant risk of the incidence of vascular access trouble that is a critical and specific complication for hemodialysis patients (hazard ratio; 0.732 per +1 ng/mL/year in PTX3,*P=0.039). This study is the first to focus on the annual change of pentraxins in a hemodialysis cohort.
Decision Fusion Supported by Correlated Auxiliary Data in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Bao Yu , Miao Xiexing , Zhang Yanqun , Zhang Aijuan
Published: December 2014

Leakage monitoring is different from sudden incident monitoring because most of the leakage cases involve a slow process that lasts for a long time. During this case monitoring, sensors suffer long exposure to erosion and may lead to errors in the measurement. An approach is proposed to make use of a soft-decision fusion approach according to the Neyman-Pearson criterion to accumulate auxiliary data from multiple sensors. The proposed method optimizes the soft-function and adjusts its range of sensors, which provide auxiliary data to improve the fusion center confidence for making a global decision. The new method encompasses the collection of useful data and weights and combines them according to the corresponding confidence level to make a global decision. In the simulation case of Rayleigh-distributed observations of leakage monitoring, it is proved that the proposed method has a good performance.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Hatching Success as a Function of Microbial Abundance and the Microenvironment ofIn SituNest Sand at Ostional, Costa Rica
Authors: Bézy Vanessa S. , Valverde Roldán A. , Plante Craig J.
Published: December 2014

Sea turtle hatching success at mass nesting beaches is typically lower than at solitary nesting beaches, presumably due in part to high rates of microbial metabolism resulting from the large input of organic matter from turtle eggs. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that hatching success varies across areas of the beach in conjunction with differences in the physical nest environment and microbial abundance of in situ olive ridley sea turtle nests at Ostional, Costa Rica. We marked natural nests in high-density, low-density, and tidal-wash nesting areas of the beach and monitored clutch pO2and temperature throughout the incubation period. We quantified hatching success and collected samples of nest sand during nest excavations. We quantified microbial abundance (bacteria and fungi) with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. Hatching success was lower in nests with lower pO2, higher temperatures, higher organic matter content, and higher microbial abundance. Our results suggest that the lower oxygen within the nest environment is likely a result of the high microbial abundance and rates of decomposition in the nest sand and that these factors, along with increased temperature of clutches in the high-density nesting area, are collectively responsible for the low hatching success at Ostional.
A Review on the Use of Agriculture Waste Material as Lightweight Aggregate for Reinforced Concrete Structural Members
Authors: Mo Kim Hung , Alengaram U. Johnson , Jumaat Mohd Zamin
Published: December 2014

The agriculture industry is one of the main industries in the Southeast Asia region due to its favourable conditions for plantations. In fact, Southeast Asia region is the world’s largest producer of palm oil and coconut. Nevertheless, vast plantation of these agriculture products leads to equally large amount of waste materials emanating from these industries. Previously, researchers have attempted to utilize the resulting waste materials such as oil palm shell, palm oil clinker, and coconut shell from these industries as lightweight aggregate to produce structural grade lightweight aggregate concrete. In order to promote the concept of using such concrete for actual structural applications, this paper reviews the use of such agriculture-based lightweight aggregate concrete in reinforced concrete structural members such as beam and slab, which were carried out by researchers in the past. The behaviour of the structural members under flexural, shear, and torsional load was also summarized. It is hoped that the knowledge attained from the paper will provide design engineers with better idea and proper application of design criteria for structural members using such agriculture waste as lightweight aggregate.
TNF-αand Microalbuminuria in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Lampropoulou I.-Th. , Stangou M. , Papagianni A. , Didangelos T. , Iliadis F. , Efstratiadis G.
Published: December 2014

Aim.Recent evidence suggests that chronic subclinical inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Aim of the present study was to investigate possible correlation between the presence and degree of microalbuminuria and markers of inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).Patients-Methods.Eighty patients were enrolled and clinical and laboratory data were recorded. Albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was calculated in first-morning urine samples. Serum and urinary tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels were determined by ELISA.Results.Forty-five patients had normoalbuminuria, 33 microalbuminuria, and 2 macroalbuminuria. Patients with microalbuminuria were older, with higher glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) and they more frequently had diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease and were on treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). ACR was significantly correlated with the presence of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and HbA1c levels and the administration of clopidogrel and ACEi or ARBs. ACR was not correlated with C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, or serum TNF-αlevels but had a strong correlation with urinary TNF-αlevels.Conclusions.In patients with type 2 DM, urinary, but not serum, TNF-αlevels are associated with the presence and severity of microalbuminuria.
Modified Eccentric Connectivity of Generalized Thorn Graphs
Authors: De Nilanjan , Pal Anita , Nayeem Sk. Md. Abu
Published: December 2014

The thorn graphGTof a given graphGis obtained by attachingt(>0)pendent vertices to each vertex ofG. The pendent edges, called thorns ofGT, can be treated asP2orK2, so that a thorn graph is generalized by replacingP2byPmandK2byKpand the respective generalizations are denoted byGPmandGKp. The modified eccentric connectivity index of a graph is defined as the sum of the products of eccentricity with the total degree of neighboring vertices, over all vertices of the graph in a hydrogen suppressed molecular structure. In this paper, we give the modified eccentric connectivity index and the concerned polynomial for the thorn graphGTand the generalized thorn graphsGKpandGPm.
Auditory Cortex tACS and tRNS for Tinnitus: Single versus Multiple Sessions
Authors: Claes Laura , Stamberger Hannah , Van de Heyning Paul , De Ridder Dirk , Vanneste Sven
Published: December 2014

Tinnitus is the perception of a sound in the absence of an external acoustic source, which often exerts a significant impact on the quality of life. Currently there is evidence that neuroplastic changes in both neural pathways are involved in the generation and maintaining of tinnitus. Neuromodulation has been suggested to interfere with these neuroplastic alterations. In this study we aimed to compare the effect of two upcoming forms of transcranial electrical neuromodulation: alternating current stimulation (tACS) and random noise stimulation (tRNS), both applied on the auditory cortex. A database with 228 patients with chronic tinnitus who underwent noninvasive neuromodulation was retrospectively analyzed. The results of this study show that a single session of tRNS induces a significant suppressive effect on tinnitus loudness and distress, in contrast to tACS. Multiple sessions of tRNS augment the suppressive effect on tinnitus loudness but have no effect on tinnitus distress. In conclusion this preliminary study shows a possibly beneficial effect of tRNS on tinnitus and can be a motivation for future randomized placebo-controlled clinical studies with auditory tRNS for tinnitus. Auditory alpha-modulated tACS does not seem to be contributing to the treatment of tinnitus.
A Study on Urban Road Traffic Safety Based on Matter Element Analysis
Authors: Hu Qizhou , Zhou Zhuping , Sun Xu
Published: December 2014

This paper examines a new evaluation of urban road traffic safety based on a matter element analysis, avoiding the difficulties found in other traffic safety evaluations. The issue of urban road traffic safety has been investigated through the matter element analysis theory. The chief aim of the present work is to investigate the features of urban road traffic safety. Emphasis was placed on the construction of a criterion function by which traffic safety achieved a hierarchical system of objectives to be evaluated. The matter element analysis theory was used to create the comprehensive appraisal model of urban road traffic safety. The technique was used to employ a newly developed and versatile matter element analysis algorithm. The matter element matrix solves the uncertainty and incompatibility of the evaluated factors used to assess urban road traffic safety. The application results showed the superiority of the evaluation model and a didactic example was included to illustrate the computational procedure.
Compartment Syndrome following Open Femoral Fracture with an Isolated Femoral Vein Injury Treated with Acute Repair
Authors: Walmsley David , Axelrod Terry , Rodriguez-Elizalde Sebastian
Published: December 2014

Acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency and its diagnosis is more difficult in obtunded or insensate patients. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman who sustained a Gustilo-Anderson grade III open midshaft femur fracture with an isolated femoral vein injury treated with direct repair. She developed lower leg compartment syndrome at 48 hours postoperatively, necessitating fasciotomies. She was subsequently found to have a DVT in her femoral vein at the level of the repair and was started on therapeutic anticoagulation. This case highlights the importance of recognition of isolated venous injuries in a trauma setting as a risk factor for developing compartment syndrome.
Unusual Presentation of a Rectovestibular Fistula as Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in a Postmenopausal Woman
Authors: Grechukhina Olga , Gressel Gregory M. , Taylor Graham , Schwartz Jeremy I. , Welsh Regan J.
Published: December 2014

Background. Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are extremely rare and are usually identified neonatally. It is unusual for these cases to present in the postmenopausal period. This case report describes a postmenopausal patient with ARM and rectovaginal hemorrhage.Case. An 86-year-old, gravida 11, para 9, presented to the emergency department complaining of profuse postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Her gynecologic history was significant only for an unclear history of an anal abnormality that was noted at birth. Speculum examination revealed profuse rectal bleeding from a rectovestibular fistula exterior to her hymenal ring. Colonoscopic examination revealed severe diverticular disease.Conclusion. This patient was born with an imperforate anus which resolved as rectovestibular fistula and ectopic anus. This case presents a rare clinical circumstance which integrates the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, gastroenterology, and embryology alike.
Transcriptome Sequencing in a Tibetan Barley Landrace with High Resistance to Powdery Mildew
Authors: Zeng Xing-Quan , Luo Xiao-Mei , Wang Yu-Lin , Xu Qi-Jun , Bai Li-Jun , Yuan Hong-Jun , Tashi Nyima
Published: December 2014

Hulless barley is an important cereal crop worldwide, especially in Tibet of China. However, this crop is usually susceptible to powdery mildew caused byBlumeria graminisf. sp.hordei. In this study, we aimed to understand the functions and pathways of genes involved in the disease resistance by transcriptome sequencing of a Tibetan barley landrace with high resistance to powdery mildew. A total of 831 significant differentially expressed genes were found in the infected seedlings, covering 19 functions. Either “cell,” “cell part,” and “extracellular region” in the cellular component category or “binding” and “catalytic” in the category of molecular function as well as “metabolic process” and “cellular process” in the biological process category together demonstrated that these functions may be involved in the resistance to powdery mildew of the hulless barley. In addition, 330 KEGG pathways were found using BLASTx with anE-value cut-off of <10−5. Among them, three pathways, namely, “photosynthesis,” “plant-pathogen interaction,” and “photosynthesis-antenna proteins” had significant matches in the database. Significant expressions of the three pathways were detected at 24 h, 48 h, and 96 h after infection, respectively. These results indicated a complex process of barley response to powdery mildew infection.
Sociodemographic Correlates of Choice of Health Care Services in Six Rural Communities in North Central Nigeria
Authors: Audu Onyemocho , Bako Ara Ishaku , Abdullahi Umar Abdujalil , Nanben Omole Victoria , Avidime Solomon
Published: December 2014

Household expenditure on health has increasingly remained a major source of health care financing in Nigeria despite the introduction of several social health scheme policies provided by the government for meeting the health care costs of patients. Recognizing these limitations, this study assessed the type of health care services people commonly use in various illnesses and the sociodemographic correlates of the preferred health care services by household heads in six rural communities of North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional community-based descriptive study design was used to study 154 household heads in the settlements using a multistage sampling method. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to investigate independent predictors that had significant chi-square atP<0.05. The leading causes of illness experienced by respondents were medical conditions (42.0%) and 41.7% of them sought treatment from patent medicine vendors. The dominant reasons for health-seeking preferences were financial access (53.7%) and proximity (48.6%). Age had a higher impact (Beta = 0.892) on the health-seeking preferences of the respondents as compared to their occupation and religion (Beta = 0.368 and −0.746, resp.). Therefore, in order to meet the health care of patients, it is pertinent that the unmet needs of patients are properly addressed by appropriate agencies.
Synthesis of Monodisperse Iron Oxide Nanoparticles without Surfactants
Authors: Yang Xiao-Chen , Shang Yun-Long , Li Yin-Hua , Zhai Jing , Foster Neil R. , Li Yong-Xia , Zou Dan , Pu Yuan
Published: December 2014

Monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles could be successfully synthesized with two kinds of precipitants through a precipitation method. As‐prepared nanoparticles in the size around 10 nm with regular spherical‐like shape were achieved by adjusting pH values. NaOH and NH3·H2O were used as two precipitants for comparison. The average size of nanoparticles with NH3·H2O precipitant got smaller and represented better dispersibility, while nanoparticles with NaOH precipitant represented better magnetic property. This work provided a simple method without using any organic solvents, organic metal salts, or surfactants which could easily obtain monodisperse nanoparticles with tunable morphology.
Factors Associated with Insomnia among Elderly Patients Attending a Geriatric Centre in Nigeria
Authors: Ogunbode Adetola M. , Adebusoye Lawrence A. , Olowookere Olufemi O. , Owolabi Mayowa , Ogunniyi Adesola
Published: December 2014

Background. Insomnia is a form of chronic sleep problem of public health importance which impacts the life of elderly people negatively.Methods. Cross-sectional study of 843 elderly patients aged 60 years and above who presented consecutively at Geriatric Centre, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to diagnose insomnia. We assessed the following candidate variables which may be associated with insomnia such as socidemographic characteristics, morbidities, and lifestyle habits. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 17.Results. The point prevalence of insomnia was 27.5%. Insomnia was significantly associated with being female, not being currently married, having formal education, living below the poverty line, and not being physically active. Health complaints of abdominal pain, generalized body pain, and persistent headaches were significantly associated with insomnia.Conclusion. The high prevalence of insomnia among elderly patients in this setting calls for concerted effort by healthcare workers to educate the elderly on lifestyle modification.
Prognostic Value of AIMS65 Score in Cirrhotic Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Authors: Gaduputi Vinaya , Abdulsamad Molham , Tariq Hassan , Rafeeq Ahmed , Abbas Naeem , Kumbum Kavitha , Chilimuri Sridhar
Published: December 2014

Introduction. Unlike Rockall scoring system, AIMS65 is based only on clinical and laboratory features. In this study we investigated the correlation between the AIMS65 score and Endoscopic Rockall score, in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients.Methods. This is a retrospective study of patients admitted with overt UGIB and undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). AIMS65 and Rockall scores were calculated at the time of admission. We investigated the correlation between both scores along with stigmata of bleed seen on endoscopy.Results. A total of 1255 patients were studied. 152 patients were cirrhotic while 1103 patients were noncirrhotic. There was significant correlation between AIMS65 and Total Rockall scores in patients of both groups. There was significant correlation between AIMS65 score and Endoscopic Rockall score in noncirrhotics but not cirrhotics. AIMS65 scores in both cirrhotic and noncirrhotic groups were significantly higher in patients who died from UGIB than in patients who did not.Conclusion. We observed statistically significant correlation between AIMS65 score and length of hospitalization and mortality in noncirrhotic patients. We found that AIMS65 score paralleled the endoscopic grading of lesion causing UGIB in noncirrhotics. AIMS65 score correlated only with mortality but not the length of hospitalization or endoscopic stigmata of bleed in cirrhotics.
Study on Mitigation Method of Solder Corrosion for Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules
Authors: Kim Ju-Hee , Park Jongsung , Kim Donghwan , Park Nochang
Published: December 2014

The corrosion of 62Sn36Pb2Ag solder connections poses serious difficulties for outdoor-exposed photovoltaic (PV) modules, as connection degradation contributes to the increase in series resistance (RS) of PV modules. In this study, we investigated a corrosion mitigation method based on the corrosion mechanism. The effect of added sacrificial metal on the reliability of PV modules was evaluated using the oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction under damp heat (DH) conditions. Experimental results after exposure to DH show that the main reason for the decrease in power was a drop in the module’s fill factor. This drop was attributed to the increase ofRS. The drop in output power of the PV module without added sacrificial metal is greater than that of the sample with sacrificial metal. Electroluminescence and current-voltage mapping analysis also show that the PV module with sacrificial metal experienced less degradation than the sample without sacrificial metal.
Initial Time Difference Stability of Causal Differential Systems in terms of Lyapunov Functions and Lyapunov Functionals
Authors: Yakar Coşkun , Gücen Mustafa Bayram
Published: December 2014

We investigate the qualitative behavior of a perturbed causal differential equation that differs in initial position and initial time with respect to the unperturbed causal differential equations. We compare the classical notion of stability of the causal differential systems to the notion of initial time difference stability of causal differential systems and present a comparison result in terms of Lyapunov functions. We have utilized Lyapunov functions and Lyapunov functional in the study of stability theory of causal differential systems when establishing initial time difference stability of the perturbed causal differential system with respect to the unperturbed causal differential system.
Adaptive Vibration Control of Piezoactuated Euler-Bernoulli Beams Using Infinite-Dimensional Lyapunov Method and High-Order Sliding-Mode Differentiation
Authors: Sangpet Teerawat , Kuntanapreeda Suwat , Schmidt Rüdiger
Published: December 2014

This paper presents an adaptive control scheme to suppress vibration of flexible beams using a collocated piezoelectric actuator-sensor configuration. A governing equation of the beams is modelled by a partial differential equation based on Euler-Bernoulli theory. Thus, the beams are infinite-dimensional systems. Whereas conventional control design techniques for infinite-dimensional systems make use of approximated finite-dimensional models, the present adaptive control law is derived based on the infinite-dimensional Lyapunov method, without using any approximated finite-dimension model. Thus, the stability of the control system is guaranteed for all vibration modes. The implementation of the control law requires a derivative of the sensor output for feedback. A high-order sliding mode differentiation technique is used to estimate the derivative. The technique features robust exact differentiation with finite-time convergence. Numerical simulation and experimental results illustrate the effectiveness of the controller.
Automatic Image Tagging Model Based on Multigrid Image Segmentation and Object Recognition
Authors: Jun Woogyoung , Lee Yillbyung , Jun Byoung-Min
Published: December 2014

Since rapid growth of Internet technologies and mobile devices, multimedia data such as images and videos are explosively growing on the Internet. Managing large scale multimedia data with correct tags and annotations is very important task. Incorrect tags and annotations make it hard to manage multimedia data. Accurate tags and annotation ease management of multimedia data and give high quality retrieve results. Fully manual image tagging which is tagged by user will be most accurate tags when the user tags correct information. Nevertheless, most of users do not make effort on task of tagging. Therefore, we suffer from lots of noisy tags. Best solution for accurate image tagging is to tag image automatically. Robust automatic image tagging models are proposed by many researchers and it is still most interesting research field these days. Since there are still lots of limitations in automatic image tagging models, we propose efficient automatic image tagging model using multigrid based image segmentation and feature extraction method. Our model can improve the object descriptions of images and image regions. Our method is tested with Corel dataset and the result showed that our model performance is efficient and effective compared to other models.
Common Wet Chemical Agents for Purifying Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Das Rasel , Ali Md. Eaqub , Bee Abd Hamid Sharifah , Annuar M. S. M. , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: December 2014

Purification and functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are challenging but vital for their effective applications in various fields including water purification technologies, optoelectronics, biosensors, fuel cells, and electrode arrays. The currently available purification techniques, often complicated and time consuming, yielded shortened and curled MWCNTs that are not suitable for applications in certain fields such as membrane technologies, hybrid catalysis, optoelectronics, and sensor developments. Here we described the H2O2 synergy on the actions of HCl and KOH in purifying and functionalizing pristine MWCNTs. The method (HCl/H2O2) showed 100% purification yield as compared to HCl and KOH/H2O2 with purification yields 93.46 and 3.92%, respectively. We probed the findings using transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscope, attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscope, Raman spectroscope, thermal gravimetric analysis, and X‐ray powder diffraction. The study is a new avenue for simple, rapid, low cost, and scalable purification of pristine MWCNTs for application in versatile fields.
Prescribing Multiple Neurostimulants during Rehabilitation for Severe Brain Injury
Authors: Herrold Amy A. , Pape Theresa Louise-Bender , Guernon Ann , Mallinson Trudy , Collins Eileen , Jordan Neil
Published: December 2014

Background.Despite a lack of clear evidence, multiple neurostimulants are commonly provided after severe brain injury (BI). The purpose of this study is to determine if the number of neurostimulants received during rehabilitation was associated with recovery of full consciousness or improved neurobehavioral function after severe BI.Method.Data from 115 participants were extracted from a neurobehavioral observational study database for this exploratory, retrospective analysis. Univariate optimal data analysis was conducted to determine if the number of neurostimulants influenced classification of four outcomes: recovery of full consciousness during rehabilitation, recovery of full consciousness within one year of injury, and meaningful neurobehavioral improvement during rehabilitation defined aseitherat least a 4.7 unit (minimal detectable change) or 2.58 unit (minimal clinically important difference) gain on the Disorders of Consciousness Scale-25 (DOCS-25).Results.Number of neurostimulants was not significantly (P>0.05) associated with recovery of full consciousness during rehabilitation, within one year of injury, or meaningful neurobehavioral improvement using the DOCS-25.Conclusions.Receiving multiple neurostimulants during rehabilitation may not influence recovery of full consciousness or meaningful neurobehavioral improvement. Given costs associated with additional medication, future research is needed to guide physicians about the merits of prescribing multiple neurostimulants during rehabilitation after severe BI.
Stepwise Application of Urine Markers to Detect Tumor Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Surveillance for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Todenhöfer Tilman , Hennenlotter Jörg , Esser Michael , Mohrhardt Sarah , Aufderklamm Stefan , Böttge Johannes , Rausch Steffen , Mischinger Johannes , Bier Simone , Gakis Georgios , Kuehs Ursula , Stenzl Arnulf , Schwentner Christian
Published: December 2014

Background. The optimal use of urine markers in the surveillance of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) remains unclear. Aim of the present study was to investigate the combined and stepwise use of the four most broadly available urine markers to detect tumor recurrence in patients undergoing surveillance of NMIBC.Patients and Methods. 483 patients with history of NMIBC were included. Cytology, UroVysion, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), immunocytology (uCyt+), and NMP22 ELISA were performed before surveillance cystoscopy. Characteristics of single tests and combinations were assessed by contingency analysis.Results. 128 (26.5%) patients had evidence of tumor recurrence. Sensitivities and negative predictive values (NPVs) of the single tests ranged between 66.4–74.3 and 82.3–88.2%. Two-marker combinations showed sensitivities and NPVs of 80.5–89.8 and 89.5–91.2%. A stepwise application of the two-test combinations with highest accuracy (cytology and FISH; cytology and uCyt+; uCyt+ and FISH) showed NPVs for high-risk recurrences (G3/Cis/pT1) of 98.8, 98.8, and 99.1%, respectively.Conclusions. Combinations of cytology, FISH, immunocytology, and NMP22 show remarkable detection rates for recurrent NMIBC. Stepwise two-test combinations of cytology, FISH, and immunocytology have a low probability of missing a high-risk tumor. The high sensitivities may justify the use of these combinations in prospective studies assessing the use of urine markers to individualize intervals between cystoscopies during follow-up.
Unilateral Heliotrope Rash in Juvenile Dermatomyositis: An Unusual Presentation of an Underlying Serious Disease
Authors: Al-Janobi Ghada , Alkhalidi Hisham , Omair Mohammed A.
Published: December 2014

Background. Heliotrope rash is one of the characteristic skin manifestations of juvenile dermatomyositis. It is a reddish-purple rash on the upper eyelids that is usually bilateral.Case Presentation. We report a boy who presented with unilateral heliotrope rash, Gottron’s papules, and muscle weakness. Muscle biopsy was consistent with inflammatory myositis. Patient was started on prednisolone and methotrexate with an excellent response in both the skin and muscles.Conclusion. Unilateral heliotrope rash can occur in patients with juvenile dermatomyositis. Being a paraneoplastic condition caution should be taken not to miss any underlying malignancy.
Outcome and Safety of the Montgomery T-Tube for Laryngotracheal Stenosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of 546 Cases
Authors: Shi Song , Chen Donghui , Li Xiaoyu , Wen Wu , Shen Xiaohua , Liu Feng , Chen Shicai , Zheng Hongliang
Published: December 2014

Objective: We retrospectively analyzed the surgical outcome and safety of the Montgomery T-tube for laryngotracheal stenosis. Methods: The patients with laryngotracheal stenosis who had undergone T-tube placement between 1996 and 2010 were reviewed. The severity of the stenosis was evaluated using the Cotton-Myer staging method. The primary endpoint was the rate of successful extubation and the secondary endpoint was safety. Results: 546 patients were eligible. T-tubes were successfully extubated in 342 patients 6-24 months following intubation. The initial extubation success rate was 62.3%. Laryngotracheal restenosis following extubation occurred in 192 patients, necessitating T-tube placement for a second time. The success rate for the second attempt was 58.9%. The overall success rate was 83.3%. Hemoptysis was reported in 8 patients, postoperative infection in 6 patients, wound dehiscence in 3 patients, laryngeal obstruction in 13 patients, aspiration in 12 patients, and postoperative tracheoesophageal fistula in 2 patients. Conclusion: This large clinical series demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the T-tube for grade 1 and 2 stenosis with stenosed segments of <6 cm. For those being >6 cm, tracheal end-to-end anastomosis is not appropriate and long-term placement of a T-tube is recommended. Our findings provide useful guidance for preoperatively selecting patients with laryngotracheal stenosis of various causes and differing severity.
The Long Pentraxin PTX3 as a Key Component of Humoral Innate Immunity and a Candidate Diagnostic for Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Jaillon Sébastien , Bonavita Eduardo , Gentile Stefania , Rubino Marcello , Laface Ilaria , Garlanda Cecilia , Mantovani Alberto
Published: December 2014

The innate immune system is composed of a cellular arm and a humoral arm. Components of the humoral arm include members of the complement cascade and soluble pattern recognition molecules (PRMs). These PRMs recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and are functional ancestors of antibodies, playing a role in complement activation, opsonization and agglutination. Pentraxins consist of a set of multimeric soluble proteins and represent the prototypic components of humoral innate immunity. The prototypic long pentraxin PTX3 is highly conserved in evolution and produced by somatic and innate immune cells after proinflammatory stimuli. PTX3 interacts with a set of self, nonself and modified self ligands and exerts essential roles in innate immunity, inflammation control and matrix deposition. In addition, translational studies suggest that PTX3 may be a useful biomarker of human pathologies complementary to C-reactive protein. In this study, we will review the general functions of pentraxins in innate immunity and inflammation, focusing our attention on the prototypic long pentraxin PTX3.
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Page Clive P.
Published: December 2014

Xanthines like theophylline have long been recognised as being effective drugs for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They are of interest as they possess both anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator activity in the same molecule. Since the discovery of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in the late 1950s, it has been suggested that xanthines work, in part, by acting as non-selective PDE inhibitors. However, it has also been suggested that the ability of xanthines to non-selectively inhibit PDEs contributes to their many unwanted side effects, thus limiting their use since the arrival of inhaled drugs with more favourable safety profiles. As our understanding of PDEs has improved over the last 30 years, and with the recognition that the distribution of different PDEs varies across different cell types, this family of enzymes has been widely investigated as targets for novel drugs. In particular, PDE3 in airway smooth muscle and PDE4 and PDE7 in inflammatory cells have been targeted to provide new bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents, respectively. This review discusses the progress made in this field over the last decade in the development of selective PDE inhibitors to treat COPD and asthma.
Development of a Mouse Model for Chronic Cat Allergen-Induced Asthma
Authors: Grundström Jeanette , Saarne Tiiu , Kemi Cecilia , Gregory Joshua A. , Wadén Konrad , Pils Marina C. , Adner Mikael , Gafvelin Guro , van Hage Marianne
Published: December 2014

Background: Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease caused by exposure to airborne allergens. In order to develop novel therapies for allergic asthma, models that are relevant to human disease are needed. Methods: Female BALB/c mice were presensitised subcutaneously with alum-adsorbed recombinant cat allergen Fel d 1, followed by intranasal challenges with cat dander extract spiked with recombinant Fel d 1 for 7 weeks. For reference, mice were presensitised and challenged with ovalbumin following the same protocol. Airway hyperresponsiveness, serum antibodies, airway inflammation and cell infiltration, and cytokines in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage were measured. Results: Mice presensitised with recombinant Fel d 1 and challenged with cat dander extract or presensitised and challenged with ovalbumin showed airway hyperresponsiveness in response to metacholine. Mice of the cat allergen model showed influx of neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage, combined with increased levels of IL-17a and increased IL-4 mRNA expression in lung tissue. In contrast, mice sensitised and challenged with ovalbumin showed a predominant influx of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage and had an increased expression of IL-5 in lung tissue. Both protocols induced features of lung tissue remodelling and allergen-specific antibody responses. Conclusions: The presented mouse model for cat allergen-induced asthma exhibits hallmarks of chronic allergic asthma, like airway hyperresponsiveness, a mixed neutrophilic/eosinophilic infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage, expression of IL-17a and signs of remodelling in lung tissue. The model will provide a relevant platform for the development of novel treatment strategies.
Qualität und Sicherheit chinesischer Arzneidrogen in Deutschland - ein Update
Authors: Hempen Nadja , Huber Roman
Published: December 2014

Hintergrund: Arzneimittel (TCA) der traditionellen chinesischen Medizin (TCM) hatten in der Vergangenheit zum Teil erhebliche Mängel bezüglich Qualität und Sicherheit. Der aktuelle Wissensstand hierzu wurde evaluiert. Material und Methoden: Experteninterviews mittels standardisierter Fragebögen, systematische Literaturrecherche für Studien aus Deutschland publiziert in 1998-2013, systematische Anfrage bei den Überwachungsbehörden und Giftnotrufzentralen sowie Untersuchung der Prüfzertifikate des TCM-Granulates «Tianwang buxin dan» von 8 in Deutschland verfügbaren Quellen und Analyse dieses Granulates auf Blei, Cadmium und Quecksilber. Ergebnisse: Aktuelle Qualitäts- und Sicherheitsrisiken bestehen in Selbstmedikation, Internethandel, TCM-unerfahrenen Apotheken und bei Granulaten. 11 zwischen 1998 und 2008 publizierte Studien untersuchten die Qualität und Sicherheit von TCA in Deutschland. Auch in den neueren Studien fanden sich teilweise Grenzwertüberschreitungen für Schwermetalle, Pestizide und mikrobiologische Kontaminanten von TCA. Beim Centrum für Therapiesicherheit in der Chinesischen Arzneitherapie (CTCA) gingen in den Jahren 2004-2012 insgesamt 28 Meldungen zu unerwünschten Nebenwirkungen ein. Ein sicherer Zusammenhang wurde in 2 Fällen (allergische Reaktion, Kreislaufreaktion) festgestellt, ein wahrscheinlicher Zusammenhang bestand bei 7 der 28 Meldungen. 61 von 104 (59%) Zertifikaten von «Tianwang buxin dan» aus 8 Bezugsquellen konnten erhalten werden. 45 der 61 Zertifikate (74%) entsprachen den Anforderungen nach der Apothekenbetriebsordnung. Mängel bestanden unter anderem in fehlenden Testungen (Identität, Aflatoxine, Mikrobiologie, Pestizide). Grenzwerte wurden weder in den Zertifikaten noch in den von uns veranlassten Analysen überschritten. Schlussfolgerung: Qualitätsmängel und Sicherheitsrisiken von TCA bestehen weiterhin, müssen allerdings differenziert betrachtet werden. Meldungen zu Nebenwirkungen sind sehr selten.
Definition des Verfahrens Verhaltenstherapie
Authors: Schweiger Ulrich
Published: December 2014

Das Psychotherapeutengesetz definiert Psychotherapie auf den Ebenen Verfahren, Methoden und Techniken. Der Artikel beschreibt die Definition von Verhaltenstherapie auf diesen drei Ebenen und diskutiert, welche Elemente sich als definierende und in Bezug zu anderen Verfahren als diskriminative Merkmale eignen.
A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Growth and Pubertal Progress in Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Mason Avril , Malik Salma , McMillan Martin , McNeilly Jane D. , Bishop J. , McGrogan Paraic , Russell Richard K. , Ahmed S. Faisal
Published: December 2014

Background: Puberty and growth may be affected in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but the extent is unclear. Methods: We performed a prospective study over 12 months in 63 adolescents (Crohn's disease, CD, n = 45; ulcerative colitis/IBD unclassified, UC, n = 18) with a median age of 13.4 years (range 10-16.6). Assessment included anthropometry, biochemical markers of growth and puberty and an assessment of quality of life by IMPACT-III. Results: Compared to the normal population, boys with CD were shorter, with a median height SDS (HtSDS) of -0.13 (-2.52 to 1.58; p < 0.05). In addition, the study cohort had a lower median IGF-1 SDS of -0.29 (-4.53 to 2.96; p = 0.008) and a higher median IGFBP3 SDS of 0.45 (-3.15 to 2.55; p = 0.002). Over the study period, the median Ht velocity (HV) was 5 cm/year (0.2-8.7) and the change in HtSDS was 0.06 (-0.48 to 0.57). The median difference between the chronological and bone age was 0.3 years (-2.5 to 3.0) and pubertal examination was not delayed. In the whole group, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) showed an inverse association with HV (r = -0.29; p = 0.025) and IGF-1:IGFBP3 (r = -0.34; p = 0.016). The score in the body image domain, IMPACT-III, was inversely associated with HtSDS (r = -0.31; p = 0.03). Conclusion: Despite no evidence of pubertal delay, adolescents with IBD display growth retardation which may be associated with raised ESR, adverse quality of life measures and an abnormality of IGF-1 bioavailability.
Usefulness and Safety of a Guide Catheter Extension System for the Percutaneous Treatment of Complex Coronary Lesions by a Transradial Approach
Authors: García-Blas Sergio , Núñez Julio , Mainar Luis , Miñana Gema , Bonanad Clara , Racugno Paolo , Rodríguez Juan Carlos , Moyano Patricia , Sanchis Juan
Published: December 2014

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe our initial experience with the GuideLiner® catheter (Vascular Solutions Inc.) in the transradial treatment of complex lesions. Materials and Methods: The clinical, angiographic and procedural data of percutaneous coronary interventions where GuideLiner was used during 2013 were collected. The transradial approach was used in all cases. The indication for its use, efficacy and periprocedural complications were determined. Sixteen consecutive procedures (in 15 patients; 12 males and 3 females) were evaluated. The indication for the use of GuideLiner was a difficulty to advance and properly position a stent through a tortuous and/or calcified artery despite using high-support guide catheters or other useful techniques. Results: Of the 16 angiographic procedures, 14 (87.5%) were successful (stent deployment in 13 cases and a drug-eluting balloon in 1 case). Unsuccessful cases were a chronic total occlusion and a diffusely diseased left anterior descendant artery. A type B dissection of a proximal left circumflex artery was the only periprocedural complication. Conclusion: Use of the GuideLiner was an effective and safe technique for the percutaneous treatment of complex coronary lesions in which the adequate progress of angioplasty devices had failed. GuideLiner was particularly helpful when using the transradial approach. Only one minor complication was recorded.
Partial Trisomy of the Pericentromeric Region of Chromosome 5 in a Girl with Binder Phenotype
Authors: Hadzsiev Kinga , Dávid Dezső , Szabó Gyula , Czakó Márta , Melegh Béla , Kosztolányi György
Published: December 2014

The patient reported here displayed most characteristic features of Binder syndrome (OMIM: 155050), a rare maxillonasal malformation with unknown etiology. She was sent for genetic evaluation at the age of 10 years because of facial dysmorphism and borderline intellectual disability. Cytogenetic analyses showed a de novo supernumerary small ring chromosome with a pericentromeric region of chromosome 5 in all lymphocytes. Array painting revealed that the marker contains a 20,950-kb genomic region comprising cytogenetic band 5p14.1q11.1. Additionally, 7 reports have been published in the literature with partial trisomy of chromosome 5 overlapping with our case. These 8 cases were analyzed for phenotype/genotype correlation which suggested that the maxillonasal anomalies of Binder phenotype and trisomy of the pericentromeric region of chromosome 5 may be in causal relationship. Future functional annotation studies of genes localized in this genomic region should take this into consideration. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a patient with association of a chromosome abnormality and clinical characteristics of Binder phenotype.