bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CASE REPORT: POURFOUR DU PETIT SYNDROME IN A PATIENT WITH MIGRAINE
Authors: Al-Ansari Aseel , Walters Richard Jon Llewellyn
Published: October 2015

A 45-year old woman presented with a twelve-month history of intense migraines. She described episodes of blurred vision in association with the headaches, during which she invariably found that one or other of her pupils became dilated with a degree of eyelid retraction on the affected side. These unusual symptoms resolved spontaneously with improvement of the headache.

After exclusion of a lesional cause with brain and neck imaging, we concluded that her symptoms were secondary to autonomic dysfunction in relation to her headache.

Horner's syndrome is due to paralysis of the ipsilateral cervical sympathetic chain and comprises ptosis, miosis, enopthalmos and anhidrosis. A Reverse Horner's syndrome, otherwise known as Pourfour du Petit, in theory, is the opposite, and comprises eyelid retraction, mydriasis and hyperhidrosis. Where documented, it is attributed to irritation, rather than complete deficiency of the ipsilateral sympathetic chain. Previous case reports have shown that Pourfour du Petit can occur due to the same mechanisms as a Horner's syndrome. In only one other case report has it been described as an autonomic feature in relation to headache.
DELAYED DIAGNOSIS OF CADASIL IN A PATIENT WITH HEMIPLEGIC MIGRAINE
Authors: Matar Mazen , Sivagnanasundarum Jananee , Harikrishnan Sreedharan
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Angoipathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leucoencephalopathy is a disorder caused by mutations in the NOTCH 3 gene. It is the most common cause of heritable stroke. Patients commonly present with migraine. Case report: we present a case of 31 year old female who came to neurology clinics with a history of recurrent attacks of migraine with aura of the hemiplegic type. These episodes began in her early twenties. She had no family history of note. Her examination was normal. Impression initially was felt to be migraine with aura.

After agreeing to a treatment plan with the patient, she mentioned that her brother was also seen in Neurology clinics and that he was investigated with an MRI brain. His MRI images had shown wide spread white matter changes.

We decided to perform an MRI brain which revealed subcortical and right anterior temporal white matter high signals. Genetic testing (NOTCH 3) confirmed diagnosis of CADASIL.

Conclusion

prevalence of CADASIL may be underestimated partly due to underdiagnoses, especially in patients presenting with migraine. Every attempt to gain an appropriate family history should be made to avoid misdiagnosis.
OCCIPITAL NERVE STIMULATION IN HIGHLY REFRACTORY CHRONIC HEADACHES: IDENTIFICATION OF POSSIBLE PREDICTORS OF SUCCESS
Authors: Miller Sarah , Fox Zoe , Watkins Laurence , Matharu Manjit
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) appears a promising treatment for refractory headaches. The procedure is invasive and response rates vary between studies. Identification of clinical predictors of outcome is therefore of importance.

Aim

To prospectively assess the efficacy of ONS in a cohort of intractable headache patients and identify clinical predictors of response.

Methods

165 patients undergoing ONS at a single centre were studied. Headache load was calculated at baseline and final follow-up. A positive response was defined as a 30% reduction in headache load. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify predictors of outcome.

Results

Patient group was highly refractory at baseline. At a mean follow up of 40 months the response rate of the group was 50%. Clinical factors identified with an increased likelihood of response were co-existent chronic migraine and chronic cluster and the presence of non-headache related pain disorders. Occipital pain was associated with a reduced likelihood of response. Adverse event rates were favourable.

Conclusion

ONS is a potentially useful and safe treatment in refractory chronic headache disorders. The presence of multiple pain syndromes appears associated with increased likelihood of response and presence of occipital pain with a reduced likelihood.
PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND SPIRITUALITY
Authors: Coles Alasdair , Redfern Clare
Published: October 2015

A limited literature suggests that people with Parkinson's disease have reduced religious beliefs, practices and experiences, compared to normal healthy controls. But we reasoned these results may be confounded by reduced mobility and social isolation associated with Parkinson's disease. So, we recruited a cohort of 42 Parkinson's patients and 39 controls with chronic respiratory disease, non-neurological autoimmune disease or rheumatological problems. Each subject was examined twice, 12 months apart and assessed on validated scales of handicap and impairment, with spirituality measured by the modified Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality (BMMRS), an abbreviated Hood Mysticism Scale, and the Cloninger Transcendance Inventory.

As expected, the Parkinson's group showed a greater decline in mobility and cognitive function over 12 months, compared to controls yet their religiosity scores were undiminished. Quantitative analysis showed significantly increased positive spiritual experiences in the Parkinson's group (p=0.04) relative to controls. “Religious support”, a proxy for involvement in a religious community, was maintained despite decreasing mobility. Qualitative accounts indicated that faith and spirituality were maintained in those patients with PD for whom it was important at baseline. We identified no aspect of faith that was reduced by degeneration of basal ganglia pathways.
Effect of acute nitrate supplementation on neurovascular coupling and cognitive performance in hypoxia
Authors: Lefferts Wesley K. , Hughes William E. , White Corey N. , Brutsaert Tom D. , Heffernan Kevin S.
Published: October 2015

The matching of oxygen supply to neural demand (i.e., neurovascular coupling (NVC)) is an important determinant of cognitive performance. The impact of hypoxia on NVC remains poorly characterized. NVC is partially modulated by nitric oxide (NO), which may initially decrease in hypoxia. This study investigated the effect of acute NO-donor (nitrate) supplementation on NVC and cognitive function in hypoxia. Twenty healthy men participated in this randomized, double-blind, crossover design study. Following normoxic cognitive/NVC testing, participants consumed either nitrate (NIT) or a NIT-depleted placebo (PLA). Participants then underwent 120 min of hypoxia (11.6% ± 0.1% O2) and all cognitive/NVC testing was repeated. NVC was assessed as change in middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow during a cognitive task (incongruent Stroop) using transcranial Doppler. Additional computerized cognitive testing was conducted separately to assess memory, executive function, attention, sensorimotor, and social cognition domains. Salivary nitrite significantly increased following supplementation in hypoxia for NIT (+2.6 ± 1.0 arbitrary units (AU)) compared with PLA (+0.2 ± 0.3 AU; p < 0.05). Memory performance (−6 ± 13 correct) significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in hypoxia while all other cognitive domains were unchanged in hypoxia for both PLA and NIT conditions (p > 0.05). MCA flow increased during Stroop similarly in normoxia (PLA +5 ± 6 cm·s−1, NIT +7 ± 7 cm·s−1) and hypoxia (PLA +5 ± 9 cm·s−1, NIT +6 ± 7 cm·s−1) (p < 0.05) and this increase was not altered by PLA or NIT (p > 0.05). In conclusion, acute hypoxia resulted in significant reductions in memory concomitant with preservation of executive function, attention, and sensorimotor function. Hypoxia had no effect on NVC. Acute NIT supplementation had no effect on NVC or cognitive performance in hypoxia.
Homing of allogeneic nestin-positive hair follicle-associated pluripotent stem cells after maternal transplantation in experimental model of cortical dysplasia
Authors: Omidi Ameneh , Ragerdi Kashani Iraj , Akbari Mohammad , Mortezaee Keywan , Ghasemi Soudabeh , Beyer Cordian , Zendedel Adib
Published: October 2015

An embryo has the capability to accept allo- or xeno-geneic cells, which probably makes it an ideal candidate for stem cell transplantation of various cerebral cortex abnormalities, such as cortical dysplasia. The aim of this study was to determine hair follicle-associated pluripotent (HAP) stem cells homing into various organs of mother and fetus. Cells were obtained, analyzed for immunophenotypic features, and then labelled with CM-Dil; nestin+HAP stem cells or media phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were intravenously delivered on day 16 of gestation in BALB/c mice, which intraperitoneally received methylazoxymethanol (MAM) one day in advance, and homing was assessed at 24 h after cell injection. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry manifested positive expression of nestin in HAP stem cells. For both mother and fetus, brain, lungs, liver, and spleen were the host organs for cell implants. For the brain, the figure was considerably higher in fetus, 4.05 ± 0.5% (p ≤ 0.05 vs. mother). MAM-injected mice had a downward trend for SDF-1α and CXCR4 (p ≤ 0.05 vs. control), but HAP stem cells group showed an upward trend for CXCR4 (p ≤ 0.05 vs. MAM). We conclude the HAP stem cells show homing potential in experimental cortical dysplasia, which may permit these cells to be a target in future work on prenatal therapy of neural disorders.
Methods for estimating aboveground biomass and its components for Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine trees
Authors: Poudel K.P. , Temesgen H.
Published: October 2015

Estimating aboveground biomass and its components requires sound statistical formulation and evaluation. Using data collected from 55 destructively sampled trees in different parts of Oregon, we evaluated the performance of three groups of methods to estimate total aboveground biomass and (or) its components based on the bias and root mean squared error (RMSE) that they produced. The first group of methods used an analytical approach to estimate total and component biomass using existing equations and produced biased estimates for our dataset. The second group of methods used a system of equations fitted with seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) and were superior to the first group of methods in terms of bias and RMSE. The third group of methods predicted the proportion of biomass in each component using beta regression, Dirichlet regression, and multinomial log-linear regression. The predicted proportions were then applied to the total aboveground biomass to obtain the amount of biomass in each component. The multinomial log-linear regression approach consistently produced smaller RMSEs compared with both SUR methods. The beta and Dirichlet regressions were superior to both SUR methods except for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) branch biomass, for which the simple SUR method produced smaller RMSE compared with the beta and Dirichlet regressions.
Inactivation of Clostridium difficile in sewage sludge by anaerobic thermophilic digestion
Authors: Xu Changyun , Salsali Hamidreza , Weese Scott , Warriner Keith
Published: October 2015

There has been an increase in community-associated Clostridium difficile infections with biosolids derived from wastewater treatment being identified as one potential source. The current study evaluated the efficacy of thermophilic digestion in decreasing levels of C. difficile ribotype 078 associated with sewage sludge. Five isolates of C. difficile 078 were introduced (final density of 5 log CFU/g) into digested sludge and subjected to anaerobic digestion at mesophilic (36 or 42 °C) or thermophilic (55 °C) temperatures for up to 60 days. It was found that mesophilic digestion at 36 °C did not result in a significant reduction in C. difficile spore levels. In contrast, thermophilic sludge digestion reduced endospore levels at a rate of 0.19–2.68 log CFU/day, depending on the strain tested. The mechanism of lethality was indirect — by stimulating germination then inactivating the resultant vegetative cells. Acidification of sludge by adding acetic acid (6 g/L) inhibited the germination of spores regardless of the sludge digestion temperature. In conclusion, thermophilic digestion can be applied to reduce C. difficile in biosolids, thereby reducing the environmental burden of the enteric pathogen.
Genome-wide analysis of the SBP-box gene family in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis)
Authors: Tan Hua-Wei , Song Xiao-Ming , Duan Wei-Ke , Wang Yan , Hou Xi-Lin
Published: October 2015

The SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN (SBP)-box gene family contains highly conserved plant-specific transcription factors that play an important role in plant development, especially in flowering. Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) is a leafy vegetable grown worldwide and is used as a model crop for research in genome duplication. The present study aimed to characterize the SBP-box transcription factor genes in Chinese cabbage. Twenty-nine SBP-box genes were identified in the Chinese cabbage genome and classified into six groups. We identified 23 orthologous and 5 co-orthologous SBP-box gene pairs between Chines cabbage and Arabidopsis. An interaction network among these genes was constructed. Sixteen SBP-box genes were expressed more abundantly in flowers than in other tissues, suggesting their involvement in flowering. We show that the MiR156/157 family members may regulate the coding regions or 3′-UTR regions of Chinese cabbage SBP-box genes. As SBP-box genes were found to potentially participate in some plant development pathways, quantitative real-time PCR analysis was performed and showed that Chinese cabbage SBP-box genes were also sensitive to the exogenous hormones methyl jasmonic acid and salicylic acid. The SBP-box genes have undergone gene duplication and loss, evolving a more refined regulation for diverse stimulation in plant tissues. Our comprehensive genome-wide analysis provides insights into the SBP-box gene family of Chinese cabbage.
Impact of nitric-oxide-mediated vasodilation and oxidative stress on renal medullary oxygenation: a modeling study
Authors: Fry Brendan C. , Edwards Aurélie , Layton Anita T.
Published: October 2015

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation in preventing medullary hypoxia, as well as the likely pathways by which superoxide (O2−) conversely enhances medullary hypoxia. To do so, we expanded a previously developed mathematical model of solute transport in the renal medulla that accounts for the reciprocal interactions among oxygen (O2), NO, and O2− to include the vasoactive effects of NO on medullary descending vasa recta. The model represents the radial organization of the vessels and tubules, centered around vascular bundles in the outer medulla and collecting ducts in the inner medulla. Model simulations suggest that NO helps to prevent medullary hypoxia both by inducing vasodilation of the descending vasa recta (thus increasing O2 supply) and by reducing the active sodium transport rate (thus reducing O2 consumption). That is, the vasodilative properties of NO significantly contribute to maintaining sufficient medullary oxygenation. The model further predicts that a reduction in tubular transport efficiency (i.e., the ratio of active sodium transport per O2 consumption) is the main factor by which increased O2− levels lead to hypoxia, whereas hyperfiltration is not a likely pathway to medullary hypoxia due to oxidative stress. Finally, our results suggest that further increasing the radial separation between vessels and tubules would reduce the diffusion of NO towards descending vasa recta in the inner medulla, thereby diminishing its vasoactive effects therein and reducing O2 delivery to the papillary tip.
Expanding the role of striatal cholinergic interneurons and the midbrain dopamine system in appetitive instrumental conditioning
Authors: Crossley Matthew J. , Horvitz Jon C. , Balsam Peter D. , Ashby F. Gregory
Published: October 2015

The basal ganglia are a collection of subcortical nuclei thought to underlie a wide variety of vertebrate behavior. Although a great deal is known about the functional and physiological properties of the basal ganglia, relatively few models have been formally developed that have been tested against both behavioral and physiological data. Our previous work (Ashby FG, Crossley MJ. J Cogn Neurosci 23: 1549–1566, 2011) showed that a model grounded in the neurobiology of the basal ganglia could account for basic single-neuron recording data, as well as behavioral phenomena such as fast reacquisition that constrain models of conditioning. In this article we show that this same model accounts for a variety of appetitive instrumental conditioning phenomena, including the partial reinforcement extinction (PRE) effect, rapid and slowed reacquisition following extinction, and renewal of previously extinguished instrumental responses by environmental context cues.
Information processing in the hemisphere of the cerebellar cortex for control of wrist movement
Authors: Tomatsu Saeka , Ishikawa Takahiro , Tsunoda Yoshiaki , Lee Jongho , Hoffman Donna S. , Kakei Shinji
Published: October 2015

A region of cerebellar lobules V and VI makes strong loop connections with the primary motor (M1) and premotor (PM) cortical areas and is assumed to play essential roles in limb motor control. To examine its functional role, we compared the activities of its input, intermediate, and output elements, i.e., mossy fibers (MFs), Golgi cells (GoCs), and Purkinje cells (PCs), in three monkeys performing wrist movements in two different forearm postures. The results revealed distinct steps of information processing. First, MF activities displayed temporal and directional properties that were remarkably similar to those of M1/PM neurons, suggesting that MFs relay near copies of outputs from these motor areas. Second, all GoCs had a stereotyped pattern of activity independent of movement direction or forearm posture. Instead, GoC activity resembled an average of all MF activities. Therefore, inhibitory GoCs appear to provide a filtering function that passes only prominently modulated MF inputs to granule cells. Third, PCs displayed highly complex spatiotemporal patterns of activity, with coordinate frames distinct from those of MF inputs and directional tuning that changed abruptly before movement onset. The complexity of PC activities may reflect rapidly changing properties of the peripheral motor apparatus during movement. Overall, the cerebellar cortex appears to transform a representation of outputs from M1/PM into different movement representations in a posture-dependent manner and could work as part of a forward model that predicts the state of the peripheral motor apparatus.
Tactile representation of the head and shoulders assessed by fMRI in the nonhuman primate
Authors: Wardak Claire , Guipponi Olivier , Pinède Serge , Ben Hamed Suliann
Published: October 2015

In nonhuman primates, tactile representation at the cortical level has mostly been studied using single-cell recordings targeted to specific cortical areas. In this study, we explored the representation of tactile information delivered to the face or the shoulders at the whole brain level, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the nonhuman primate. We used air puffs delivered to the center of the face, the periphery of the face, or the shoulders. These stimulations elicited activations in numerous cortical areas, encompassing the primary and secondary somatosensory areas, prefrontal and premotor areas, and parietal, temporal, and cingulate areas as well as low-level visual cortex. Importantly, a specific parieto-temporo-prefrontal network responded to the three stimulations but presented a marked preference for air puffs directed to the center of the face. This network corresponds to areas that are also involved in near-space representation, as well as in the multisensory integration of information at the interface between this near space and the skin of the face, and is probably involved in the construction of a peripersonal space representation around the head.
Bilateral reach-to-grasp movement asymmetries after human spinal cord injury
Authors: Calabro Finnegan J. , Perez Monica A.
Published: October 2015

Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in humans typically damages both sides of the spinal cord, resulting in asymmetric functional impairments in the arms. Despite this well-accepted notion and the growing emphasis on the use of bimanual training strategies, how movement of one arm affects the motion of the contralateral arm after SCI remains unknown. Using kinematics and multichannel electromyographic (EMG) recordings we studied unilateral and bilateral reach-to-grasp movements to a small and a large cylinder in individuals with asymmetric arm impairments due to cervical SCI and age-matched control subjects. We found that the stronger arm of SCI subjects showed movement durations longer than control subjects during bilateral compared with unilateral trials. Specifically, movement duration was prolonged when opening and closing the hand when reaching for a large and a small object, respectively, accompanied by deficient activation of finger flexor and extensor muscles. In subjects with SCI interlimb coordination was reduced compared with control subjects, and individuals with lesser coordination between hands were those who showed prolonged times to open the hand. Although the weaker arm showed movement durations during bilateral compared with unilateral trials that were proportional to controls, the stronger arm was excessively delayed during bilateral reaching. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that during bilateral reach-to-grasp movements the more impaired arm has detrimental effects on hand opening and closing of the less impaired arm and that they are related, at least in part, to deficient control of EMG activity of hand muscles. We suggest that hand opening might provide a time to drive bimanual coordination adjustments after human SCI.
Action-outcome relationships are represented differently by medial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortex neurons during action execution
Authors: Simon Nicholas W. , Wood Jesse , Moghaddam Bita
Published: October 2015

Internal representations of action-outcome relationships are necessary for flexible adaptation of motivated behavior in dynamic environments. Prefrontal cortex (PFC) is implicated in flexible planning and execution of goal-directed actions, but little is known about how information about action-outcome relationships is represented across functionally distinct regions of PFC. Here, we observe distinct patterns of action-evoked single unit activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) during a task in which the relationship between outcomes and actions was independently manipulated. The mPFC encoded changes in the number of actions required to earn a reward, but not fluctuations in outcome magnitude. In contrast, OFC neurons decreased firing rates as outcome magnitude was increased, but were insensitive to changes in action requirement. A subset of OFC neurons also tracked outcome availability. Pre-outcome anticipatory activity in both mPFC and OFC was altered when reward expectation was reduced, but did not differ with outcome magnitude. These data provide novel evidence that PFC regions encode distinct information about the relationship between actions and impending outcomes during action execution.
Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Dialysis as a Result of Concomitant Use of Atypical Neuroleptics and Synthetic Cannabinoids
Authors: Zhao Aiyu , Tan Maybel , Maung Aung , Salifu Moro , Mallappallil Mary
Published: October 2015

The use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) is associated with many severe adverse effects that are not observed with marijuana use. We report a unique case of a patient who developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring dialysis after use of SCBs combined with quetiapine. Causes for the different adverse effects profile between SCBs and marijuana are not defined yet. Cases reported in literature with SCBs use have been associated with reversible AKI characterized by acute tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis. Recent studies have showed the involvement of cytochromes P450s (CYPs) in biotransformation of SCBs. The use of quetiapine which is a substrate of the CYP3A4 and is excreted (73%) as urine metabolites may worsen the side effect profiles of both quetiapine and K2. SCBs use should be included in the differential diagnosis of AKI and serum Creatinine Phosphokinase (CPK) level should be monitored. Further research is needed to identify the mechanism of SCBs nephrotoxicity.
Evaluation of Serum Cystatin C as a Marker of Early Renal Impairment in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Omar Mahmoud , Abdel-Razek Wael , Abo-Raia Gamal , Assem Medhat , El-Azab Gasser
Published: October 2015

Background.Serum cystatin C (CysC) was proposed as an effective reflection of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). However, its role in patients with liver cirrhosis has not been extensively verified especially in the detection of early RI.Patients and Methods.Seventy consecutive potential candidates for living donor liver transplantation with serum creatinine (Cr) <1.5 mg/dL were included. CysC, Cr, and estimated GFR [creatinine clearance (CCr), Cockcroft-Gault formula (C-G), MDRD equations with 4 and 6 variables, CKD-EPI-Cr, CKD-EPI-CysC, and CKD-EPI-Cr-CysC] were all correlated to isotopic GFR. Early RI was defined as GFR of 60–89 mL/min/1.73 m2.Results.Patients were 25.7% and 74.3% Child-Pugh classes B and C, respectively. GFR was ≥90, 60–89, and 30–59 mL/min/1.73 m2in 31.4%, 64.3%, and 4.3% of the patients, respectively. All markers and equations, except C-G, were significantly correlated to GFR with CKD-EPI-Cr-CysC formula having the highest correlation (r= 0.474) and the largest area under the ROC curve (0.808) for discriminating early RI. At a cutoff value of 1.2 mg/L, CysC was 89.6% sensitive and 63.6% specific in detecting early RI.Conclusion.In patients with liver cirrhosis, CysC and CysC-based equations showed the highest significant correlation to GFR and were measures that best discriminated early RI.
Key Parameters Estimation and Adaptive Warning Strategy for Rear-End Collision of Vehicle
Authors: Song Xiang , Li Xu , Zhang Weigong
Published: October 2015

The rear-end collision warning system requires reliable warning decision mechanism to adapt the actual driving situation. To overcome the shortcomings of existing warning methods, an adaptive strategy is proposed to address the practical aspects of the collision warning problem. The proposed strategy is based on the parameter-adaptive and variable-threshold approaches. First, several key parameter estimation algorithms are developed to provide more accurate and reliable information for subsequent warning method. They include a two-stage algorithm which contains a Kalman filter and a Luenberger observer for relative acceleration estimation, a Bayesian theory-based algorithm of estimating the road friction coefficient, and an artificial neural network for estimating the driver’s reaction time. Further, the variable-threshold warning method is designed to achieve the global warning decision. In the method, the safety distance is employed to judge the dangerous state. The calculation method of the safety distance in this paper can be adaptively adjusted according to the different driving conditions of the leading vehicle. Due to the real-time estimation of the key parameters and the adaptive calculation of the warning threshold, the strategy can adapt to various road and driving conditions. Finally, the proposed strategy is evaluated through simulation and field tests. The experimental results validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection: From an Infection Prevention Perspective
Authors: Sastry Sangeeta , Rahman Riaz , Yassin Mohamed H.
Published: October 2015

A cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) is indicated for patients with severely reduced ejection fraction or with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Infection related to a CIED is one of the most feared complications of this life-saving device. The rate of CIED infection has been estimated to be between 2 and 25; though evidence shows that this rate continues to rise with increasing expenditure to the patient as well as healthcare systems. Multiple risk factors have been attributed to the increased rates of CIED infection and host comorbidities as well as procedure related risks. Infection prevention efforts are being developed as defined bundles in numerous hospitals around the country given the increased morbidity and mortality from CIED related infections. This paper aims at reviewing the various infection prevention measures employed at hospitals and also highlights the areas that have relatively less established evidence for efficacy.
Markedly Elevated Carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide/Carbamazepine Ratio in a Fatal Carbamazepine Ingestion
Authors: Russell Jason L. , Spiller Henry A. , Baker Daniel D.
Published: October 2015

Carbamazepine is a widely used anticonvulsant. Its metabolite, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, has been found to display similar anticonvulsant and neurotoxic properties. While the ratio of parent to metabolite concentration varies significantly, at therapeutic doses the epoxide concentration is generally about 20% of the parent. We report a case of fatal carbamazepine overdose in which the epoxide metabolite concentration was found to be 450% higher than the parent compound, suggesting a potential role for metabolite quantification in severe toxicity.
Two Different Points of View through Artificial Intelligence and Vector Autoregressive Models for Ex Post and Ex Ante Forecasting
Authors: Aydin Alev Dilek , Caliskan Cavdar Seyma
Published: October 2015

The ANN method has been applied by means of multilayered feedforward neural networks (MLFNs) by using different macroeconomic variables such as the exchange rate of USD/TRY, gold prices, and the Borsa Istanbul (BIST) 100 index based on monthly data over the period of January 2000 and September 2014 for Turkey. Vector autoregressive (VAR) method has also been applied with the same variables for the same period of time. In this study, different from other studies conducted up to the present, ENCOG machine learning framework has been used along with JAVA programming language in order to constitute the ANN. The training of network has been done by resilient propagation method. The ex post and ex ante estimates obtained by the ANN method have been compared with the results obtained by the econometric forecasting method of VAR. Strikingly, our findings based on the ANN method reveal that there is a possibility of financial distress or a financial crisis in Turkey starting from October 2017. The results which were obtained with the method of VAR also support the results of ANN method. Additionally, our results indicate that the ANN approach has more superior prediction performance than the VAR method.
Association of Adipokines with Insulin Resistance, Microvascular Dysfunction, and Endothelial Dysfunction in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Cheng Cynthia , Daskalakis Constantine
Published: October 2015

Proinflammatory adipokines (inflammation markers) from visceral adipose tissue may initiate the development of insulin resistance (IR) and endothelial dysfunction (ED). This study’s objective was to investigate the association of five inflammation markers (CRP and four adipokines: IL‐6, TNFα, PAI‐1, and adiponectin) with IR (quantitative insulin resistance check index (QUICKI)), microvascular measures (capillary density and albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (ACR)), and endothelial measures (forearm blood flow (FBF) increases from resting baseline to maximal vasodilation). Analyses were conducted via multiple linear regression. The 295 study participants were between 18 and 45 years of age, without diabetes or hypertension. They included 24% African Americans and 21% Asians with average body mass index of 25.4 kg/m2. All five inflammation markers were significantly associated with QUICKI. All but adiponectin were significantly associated with capillary density, but none were associated with ACR. Finally, IL‐6 and PAI‐1 were significantly associated with FBF increase. We also identified a potential interaction between obesity and IL‐6 among normal‐weight and overweight participants: IL‐6 appeared to be positively associated with QUICKI and capillary density (beneficial effect), but the inverse was true among obese individuals. These study findings suggest that inflammation measures may be potential early markers of cardiovascular risk in young asymptomatic individuals.
The Effects of Reduction Mammaplasty on Serum Leptin Levels and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Uzun Hakan , Bitik Ozan , Baltu Yahya , Sönmez Çiğdem , Öztürk Kaymak Ayşegül
Published: October 2015

Background.The reduction mammaplasty has been a well-executed and known procedure in which considerable amount of fatty tissue is removed from the body. The authors aimed to show the effects of the reduction mammaplasty on serum leptin levels and insulin resistance.Methods.42 obese female patients who had gigantomastia were operated on. We recorded patients’ demographic and preoperative data, including age, weight, height, and body mass index. Fasting serum leptin, glucose, and insulin levels were noted. Homeostasis model assessment scores were calculated. At the postoperative 8th week, patients were reevaluated in terms of above parameters assessing the presence of any difference.Results.Serum leptin levels were decreased postoperatively and the decrease was statistically significant. We were able to show a decrease in homeostasis model assessment score, which indicated an increase in insulin sensitivity, and this change was statistically significant. A significant correlation between body mass index and leptin change was found postoperatively.Conclusion.Reduction mammaplasty is not solely an aesthetic procedure but it decreases serum leptin levels and increases insulin sensitivity, which may help obese women to reduce their cardiovascular risk.
Titanium Dioxide Supported on Different Porous Materials as Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Methyl Green in Wastewaters
Authors: Bel Hadjltaief Haithem , Omri Abdessalem , Ben Zina Mourad , Da Costa Patrick , Galvez Maria Elena
Published: October 2015

TiO2nanoparticles were immobilized on two porous materials used as catalyst supports, namely, activated carbon (AC) and natural clay (NC), through an impregnation process using TiO2(P25) as precursor. The so-prepared composite materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), and nitrogen physisorption, that is, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area determination. SEM and TEM observation evidenced that TiO2was deposited on AC and NC surface. XRD results confirmed that TiO2existed in a mixture of anatase and rutile phases. The specific surface area of photocatalysts decreased drastically in comparison with the original materials. The photocatalytic activity of these materials was assayed in the oxidation of Methyl Green (MG) dye in aqueous medium under UV irradiation. TiO2/AC exhibited higher photocatalytic oxidation activity than TiO2at neutral pH. Total mineralization of MG was confirmed by means of COD analysis, pointing to these materials as an efficient, cost-effective, and environment friendly alternative for water treatment.
A Preliminary Investigation on Processing, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polyethylene/Kenaf Biocomposites with Dolomite Added as Secondary Filler
Authors: Shamsuri Ahmad Adlie , Mohd Zolkepli Mohammad Naqiuddin , Mohamed Ariff Azmah Hanim , Sudari Ahmad Khuzairi , Abu Zarin Mazni
Published: October 2015

In this preliminary investigation, dolomite was added to the low-density polyethylene/kenaf core fiber (LDPE/KCF) biocomposites by using an internal mixer at 150°C, followed by compression molding at the same temperature. The dolomite contents were varied from 0 to 18 wt.%. The processing and stabilization torques, the stock and stabilization temperatures, the tensile and impact strengths, and the thermal decomposition properties of the prepared biocomposites have been characterized and analyzed. The processing recorder results of the LDPE/KCF biocomposites indicated that the stabilization torques and stabilization temperatures have increased with the addition of dolomite. Mechanical testing results showed that the presence of dolomite has increased the tensile stress, tensile modulus, and impact strength of the LDPE/KCF biocomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis results displayed that the thermal decomposition properties of the biocomposites have also increased with the increase of the dolomite content. This research led to the conclusion that the addition of dolomite in lower amounts (<20 wt.%) could act as a secondary filler for improving the processing, mechanical and thermal properties of LDPE/KCF biocomposites without surface treatments of the natural fiber.
Modeling and Simulation of Offshore Wind Power Platform for 5 MW Baseline NREL Turbine
Authors: Roni Sahroni Taufik
Published: October 2015

This paper presents the modeling and simulation of offshore wind power platform for oil and gas companies. Wind energy has become the fastest growing renewable energy in the world and major gains in terms of energy generation are achievable when turbines are moved offshore. The objective of this project is to propose new design of an offshore wind power platform. Offshore wind turbine (OWT) is composed of three main structures comprising the rotor/blades, the tower nacelle, and the supporting structure. The modeling analysis was focused on the nacelle and supporting structure. The completed final design was analyzed using finite element modeling tool ANSYS to obtain the structure’s response towards loading conditions and to ensure it complies with guidelines laid out by classification authority Det Norske Veritas. As a result, a new model of the offshore wind power platform for 5 MW Baseline NREL turbine was proposed.
Review of Solid State Hydrogen Storage Methods Adopting Different Kinds of Novel Materials
Authors: Zacharia Renju , Rather Sami ullah
Published: October 2015

Overview of advances in the technology of solid state hydrogen storage methods applying different kinds of novel materials is provided. Metallic and intermetallic hydrides, complex chemical hydride, nanostructured carbon materials, metal‐doped carbon nanotubes, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), metal‐doped metal organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and clathrates solid state hydrogen storage techniques are discussed. The studies on their hydrogen storage properties are in progress towards positive direction. Nevertheless, it is believed that these novel materials will offer far‐reaching solutions to the onboard hydrogen storage problems in near future. The review begins with the deficiencies of current energy economy and discusses the various aspects of implementation of hydrogen energy based economy.
Characterization of Nutritional Composition, Antioxidative Capacity, and Sensory Attributes ofSeomaeMugwort, a Native Korean Variety ofArtemisia argyiH. Lév. & Vaniot
Authors: Kim Jae Kyeom , Shin Eui-Cheol , Lim Ho-Jeong , Choi Soo Jung , Kim Cho Rong , Suh Soo Hwan , Kim Chang-Ju , Park Gwi Gun , Park Cheung-Seog , Kim Hye Kyung , Choi Jong Hun , Song Sang-Wook , Shin Dong-Hoon
Published: October 2015

Few studies have investigatedSeomaemugwort (a Korean native mugwort variety ofArtemisia argyiH. Lév. & Vaniot), exclusively cultivated in the southern Korean peninsula, and the possibility of its use as a food resource. In the present study, we compared the nutritional and chemical properties as well as sensory attributes ofSeomaemugwort and the commonly consumed speciesArtemisia princepsPamp. In comparison withA. princeps, Seomaemugwort had higher contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids, total phenolic compounds, vitamin C, and essential amino acids. In addition,Seomaemugwort had better radical scavenging activity and more diverse volatile compounds thanA. princepsas well as favorable sensory attributes when consumed as tea. Given that scant information is available regarding theSeomaemugwort and its biological, chemical, and sensory characteristics, the results herein may provide important characterization data for further industrial and research applications of this mugwort variety.
Breast Cancer Risk in Relation to Ambient Air Pollution Exposure at Residences in the Sister Study Cohort
Authors: Reding Kerryn W. , Young Michael T. , Szpiro Adam A. , Han Claire J. , DeRoo Lisa A. , Weinberg Clarice , Kaufman Joel D. , Sandler Dale P.
Published: October 2015

Background: Some but not all past studies reported associations between components of air pollution and breast cancer, namely fine particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). It is yet unclear whether risks differ according to estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status.

Methods: This analysis includes 47,591 women from the Sister Study cohort enrolled from August 2003 to July 2009, in whom 1,749 invasive breast cancer cases arose from enrollment to January 2013. Using Cox proportional hazards and polytomous logistic regression, we estimated breast cancer risk associated with residential exposure to NO2, PM2.5, and PM10.

Results: Although breast cancer risk overall was not associated with PM2.5 [HR = 1.03; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.96–1.11], PM10 (HR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98–1.00), or NO2 (HR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.97–1.07), the association with NO2 differed according to ER/PR subtype (P = 0.04). For an interquartile range (IQR) difference of 5.8 parts per billion (ppb) in NO2, the relative risk (RR) of ER+/PR+ breast cancer was 1.10 (95% CI, 1.02–1.19), while there was no evidence of association with ER−/PR− (RR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.77–1.09; Pinteraction = 0.04).

Conclusions: Within the Sister Study cohort, we found no significant associations between air pollution and breast cancer risk overall. But we observed an increased risk of ER+/PR+ breast cancer associated with NO2.

Impact: Though these results suggest there is no substantial increased risk for breast cancer overall in relation to air pollution, NO2, a marker of traffic-related air pollution, may differentially affect ER+/PR+ breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(12); 1907–9. ©2015 AACR.
New Strategies in Engineering T-cell Receptor Gene-Modified T cells to More Effectively Target Malignancies
Authors: Schmitt Thomas M. , Stromnes Ingunn M. , Chapuis Aude G. , Greenberg Philip D.
Published: October 2015

The immune system, T cells in particular, have the ability to target and destroy malignant cells. However, antitumor immune responses induced from the endogenous T-cell repertoire are often insufficient for the eradication of established tumors, as illustrated by the failure of cancer vaccination strategies or checkpoint blockade for most tumors. Genetic modification of T cells to express a defined T-cell receptor (TCR) can provide the means to rapidly generate large numbers of tumor-reactive T cells capable of targeting tumor cells in vivo. However, cell-intrinsic factors as well as immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment can limit the function of such gene-modified T cells. New strategies currently being developed are refining and enhancing this approach, resulting in cellular therapies that more effectively target tumors and that are less susceptible to tumor immune evasion. Clin Cancer Res; 21(23); 5191–7. ©2015 AACR.
Multimodal Image-Guided Surgical and Photodynamic Interventions in Head and Neck Cancer: From Primary Tumor to Metastatic Drainage
Authors: Muhanna Nidal , Cui Liyang , Chan Harley , Burgess Laura , Jin Cheng S. , MacDonald Thomas D. , Huynh Elizabeth , Wang Fan , Chen Juan , Irish Jonathan C. , Zheng Gang
Published: October 2015

Purpose: The low survival rate of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients is attributable to late disease diagnosis and high recurrence rate. Current HNC staging has inadequate accuracy and low sensitivity for effective diagnosis and treatment management. The multimodal porphyrin lipoprotein-mimicking nanoparticle (PLP), intrinsically capable of positron emission tomography (PET), fluorescence imaging, and photodynamic therapy (PDT), shows great potential to enhance the accuracy of HNC staging and potentially HNC management.

Experimental Design: Using a clinically relevant VX-2 buccal carcinoma rabbit model that is able to consistently develop metastasis to regional lymph nodes after tumor induction, we investigated the abilities of PLP for HNC diagnosis and management.

Results: PLPs facilitated accurate detection of primary tumor and metastatic nodes (their PET image signal to surrounding muscle ratios were 10.0 and 7.3, respectively), and provided visualization of the lymphatic drainage from tumor to regional lymph nodes by both preoperative PET and intraoperative fluorescence imaging, allowing the identification of unknown primaries and recurrent tumors. PLP-PDT significantly enhanced cell apoptosis in mouse tumors (73.2% of PLP-PDT group vs 7.1% of PLP alone group) and demonstrated complete eradication of primary tumors and obstruction of tumor metastasis in HNC rabbit model without toxicity in normal tissues or damage to adjacent critical structures.

Conclusions: PLPs provide a multimodal imaging and therapy platform that could enhance HNC diagnosis by integrating PET/computed tomography and fluorescence imaging, and improve HNC therapeutic efficacy and specificity by tailoring treatment via fluorescence-guided surgery and PDT. Clin Cancer Res; 22(4); 961–70. ©2015 AACR.
Increased Expression of Beige/Brown Adipose Markers from Host and Breast Cancer Cells Influence Xenograft Formation in Mice
Authors: Singh Rajan , Parveen Meher , Basgen John M. , Fazel Sayeda , Meshesha Meron F. , Thames Easter C. , Moore Brandis , Martinez Luis , Howard Carolyn B. , Vergnes Laurent , Reue Karen , Pervin Shehla
Published: October 2015

The initiation and progression of breast cancer is a complex process that is influenced by heterogeneous cell populations within the tumor microenvironment. Although adipocytes have been shown to promote breast cancer development, adipocyte characteristics involved in this process remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate enrichment of beige/brown adipose markers, contributed from the host as well as tumor cells, in the xenografts from breast cancer cell lines. In addition to uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) that is exclusively expressed in beige/brown adipocytes, gene expression for classical brown (MYF5, EVA1, and OPLAH) as well as beige (CD137/TNFRSF9 and TBX1) adipocyte markers was also elevated in the xenografts. Enrichment of beige/brown characteristics in the xenografts was independent of the site of implantation of the breast tumor cells. Early stages of xenografts showed an expansion of a subset of mammary cancer stem cells that expressed PRDM16, a master regulator of brown adipocyte differentiation. Depletion of UCP1+ or Myf5+ cells significantly reduced tumor development. There was increased COX2 (MT-CO2) expression, which is known to stimulate formation of beige adipocytes in early xenografts and treatment with a COX2 inhibitor (SC236) reduced tumor growth. In contrast, treatment with factors that induce brown adipocyte differentiation in vitro led to larger tumors in vivo. A panel of xenografts derived from established breast tumor cells as well as patient tumor tissues were generated that expressed key brown adipose tissue–related markers and contained cells that morphologically resembled brown adipocytes.

Implications: This is the first report demonstrating that beige/brown adipocyte characteristics could play an important role in breast tumor development and suggest a potential target for therapeutic drug design. Mol Cancer Res; 14(1); 78–92. ©2015 AACR.