bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Subclass of Harmonic Univalent Functions Associated with -Analogue of Dziok-Srivastava Operator
Authors: Aldweby Huda , Darus Maslina
Published: September 2013

We study a class of complex-valued harmonic univalent
functions using a generalized operator involving basic hypergeometric
function. Precisely, we give a necessary and sufficient coefficient condition
for functions in this class. Distortion bounds, extreme points, and
neighborhood of such functions are also considered.
Combination of Strong MMP-2 and Weak TIMP-2 Immunostainings Is a Significant Prognostic Factor in Endometrial Carcinoma
Authors: Honkavuori-Toivola Maria , Santala Markku , Soini Ylermi , Turpeenniemi-Hujanen Taina , Talvensaari-Mattila Anne
Published: September 2013

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 protein immunoreactivities on the prognosis in endometrial carcinoma.Methods. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 225 primary endometrioid adenocarcinomas and 13 histologies other than endometrioid adenocarcinoma were immunohistochemically stained for MMP-2 and TIMP-2.Results. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 5-year cancer-specific survival rate of the endometrioid adenocarcinoma patients with negative MMP-2 and positive TIMP-2 staining was 100%, whereas only 78% of patients presenting with positive MMP-2 and negative TIMP-2 staining results were alive at that time. In Cox regression analysis, patients with positive MMP-2 and negative TIMP-2 immunostaining had a 4.7-fold relative risk of death from endometrial carcinoma compared to the group of patients with negative MMP-2 and positive or negative TIMP-2 immunoreaction.Conclusions. MMP-2 seems to be the main metalloproteinase determining the prognosis in endometrial carcinoma. Combination of strong MMP-2 and weak TIMP-2 immunostainings was the most potent prognostic marker for poor survival.
The Explicit Expression of the Drazin Inverse and Its Application
Authors: Liu Xiaoji , Huang Shaowu , Xu Liang , Yu Yaoming
Published: September 2013

We give explicit expressions of(P±Q)dof two matricesPandQ, in terms ofP,Q,Pd, andQd,(P±I)d, under the condition thatPQ=P, and apply the result to finding an explicit representation for the Drazin inverse of some2×2block matrix.
Spontaneous Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage (Wunderlich Syndrome) due to Large Upper Pole Renal Angiomyolipoma: Does Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy Have a Role in Primary Treatment?
Authors: Ploumidis Achilles , Katafigiotis Ioannis , Thanou Maria , Bodozoglou Nikos , Athanasiou Labros , Ploumidis Antonios
Published: September 2013

Spontaneous rapture with consequent retroperitoneal hemorrhage (Wunderlich’s syndrome) is the complication mostly feared from large renal angiomyolipomas (RAMLs). In hemodynamic stable patients, minimal invasive therapies have superseded open surgery as the mainstay of treatment, with contemporary cases mostly treated by selective arterial embolization. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN) is an established minimal access treatment that has been used in the past for benign and malignant lesions of the kidney in the elective setting, but rarely in urgent situations as primary treatment. We present a case of a ruptured RAML in a young female treated effectively by RALPN.
Liver Transplantation Using a Graft from a Donor with Situs Inversus Totalis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sun Xu-Yong , Qin Ke , Dong Jian-Hui , Li Hai-Bin , Lan Liu-Gen , Huang Ying , Cao Song , Li Zhuang-Jiang
Published: September 2013

It is critical to effectively use every available organ to meet the increasing demands for liver transplantation. Situs inversus is a rare congenital anomaly caused by obstruction of viscus rotation during embryonic development. Situs inversus was once regarded as a contraindication to liver transplantation because of the technical difficulties associated with the unique vascular anatomy and concern about achieving accurate graft positioning. Here, we present a successful case of liver transplantation using a graft from a donor with situs inversus totalis. The related experience will contribute to opening up new realms for the use of such rare organ resources.
Preparation, Physicochemical Characterization, and Bioactivity Evaluation of Strontium-Containing Glass Ionomer Cement
Authors: Khaghani Masomeh , Doostmohammadi Ali , Golniya Zahra , Monshi Ahmad , Arefpour Ahmad Reza
Published: September 2013

Background. Glass ionomer cements are one of the most important restorative materials in dentistry. One of the disadvantages of glass ionomer cements is their undesirable mechanical properties and bioactivity. Aim. The aim of this work was preparation and characterization of strontium-containing glass ionomer cement and evaluation of its bioactivity in the simulated body fluid. Materials and Methods. The ceramic component of glass ionomer cement was made by melting method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to study the size and the shape of glass particles. In order to determine the phase combination in the produced material, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out. The chemical composition of the glass was evaluated by X-ray florescence (XRF), and the surface area of the particles was determined using BET method. In order to investigate the biological properties of the glass, samples were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to recognize and confirm the apatite layer on the composite surface. Results and Conclusions. The result of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the glassy structure of the produced ionomer cements. The result of XRF confirmed the presence of Sr in the chemical composition. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy test and electron microscope confirmed the formation of apatite layer on the surface of material. The final result of this research was gaining glass ionomer cement containing Sr with improved bioactivity.
A Health- and Resource-Oriented Perspective on NSLBP
Authors: Rolli Salathé Cornelia , Elfering Achim
Published: September 2013

Nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is an important health issue of our time. Personal as well as economic factors, like suffering pain and experiencing disability on the one hand and enormous and still increasing costs to the economy and society on the other hand, display the importance of the matter. Tremendous research has been conducted in the last few decades on NSLBP. A PubMed search (June 17, 2013) on “low back pain” provided 22,980 hits, and when specifying for “low back pain, systematic review,” 3,134 hits were still generated. Most research has been done examining the development, risk factors, or therapeutic measures of NSLBP, but hardly any literature exists on resources related to NSLBP. The aims of this review are twofold. In order to shade light on the salutogenetic approach of NSLBP, and thus to focus on health instead of illness, the first aim is to facilitate the understanding of which therapeutic measures enhance the ability to cope with chronic NSLBP and enable (more) normal functioning in life. The second aim is to stimulate the understanding of resources protecting against the onset of NSLBP or against the development of chronic NSLBP and its resulting work absence.
Early versus Late Surgical Treatment for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Authors: Al-Hashel Jasem Yousef , El Shorbgy Ashraf Ali M. A. , Ahmed Samar Farouk , Elshereef Rawhia R.
Published: September 2013

Objectives. To compare the outcome of early surgical intervention versus late surgical treatment in cases of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS). Design. Prospective study. Settings. Secondary care (Al-Minia University Hospital, Egypt) from 2007 to 2010. Participants. Thirty-five patients of NTOS (25 women and 10 men, aged 20–52 years), were classified into 2 groups. First group (20 patients) was operated within 3 months of the onset and the second group (15 patients) was operated 6 months after physiotherapy. Interventions. All patients were operated via supraclavicular surgical approach. Outcomes Measures. Both groups were evaluated clinically and, neurophysiologically and answered the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire preoperatively and 6 months after the surgery. Results. Paraesthesia, pain, and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of ulnar nerve were significantly improved in group one. Muscle weakness and denervation in electromyography EMG were less frequent in group one. The postoperative DASH score improved in both groups but it was less significant in group two (P<.001 in group 1 and P<.05 in group 2). Conclusions. Surgical treatment of NTOS improves functional disability and stop degeneration of the nerves. Early surgical treatment decreases the occurrence of muscle wasting and denervation of nerves compared to late surgery.
On the Dispersive Ordering and Applications
Authors: Hung Tran Loc , Son Nguyen Van
Published: September 2013

The purpose of this paper is to present some results related to the dispersive ordering of probability distributions via dispersion functions of the ℒ1-random variables. A new approach to the Laws of Large Numbers in ℒ1-norm can be applied via received results. A new concept on minimum-dispersive unbiased estimator is considered, too.
Design of Adjustable Square-Shaped 2D IIR Filters
Authors: Matei Radu
Published: September 2013

This paper proposes an analytical design method
for two-dimensional square-shaped IIR filters. The designed
2D filters are adjustable since their bandwidth and orientation
are specified by parameters appearing explicitly in the filter
matrices. The design relies on a zero-phase low-pass 1D
prototype filter. To this filter a frequency transformation is
next applied, which yields a 2D filter with the desired square
shape in the frequency plane. The proposed method combines
the analytical approach with numerical approximations. Since
the prototype transfer function is factorized into partial
functions, the 2D filter also will be described by a factorized transfer
function, which is an advantage in implementation.
Kinetic and Mechanistic Studies on the Interaction of Glycyl‐L‐alanine, Glycyl‐L‐asparagine, and Glycyl‐L‐tyrosine with Hydroxopentaaquarhodium(III) Ion
Authors: Bera Biplab K. , Ray Sumon , Mondal Subala , Karmakar Parnajyoti , Mandal Arup , Mallick Subhasis , Ghosh Alak K.
Published: September 2013

The kinetics of the interaction of three glycine‐containing dipeptides, namely, glycyl‐L‐alanine (L1‐L′H), glycyl‐L‐asparagine (L2‐L′H), and glycyl‐L‐tyrosine (L3‐L′H) with
has been studied spectrophotometrically in aqueous medium as a function of the molar concentration of , [dipeptide], pH, and temperature at constant ionic strength. Reactions were studied at pH 4.3, where the substrate complex exists predominantly as the hydroxopentaaqua species and dipeptides as the zwitterion. The reaction has been found to proceed via two parallel paths: both processes are ligand dependent. The rate constant for the processes are k1 ~ 10−3 s−1 and k2 ~ 10−5 s−1. The activation parameters for both the steps were evaluated using Eyring’s equation. The low and large negative value of as well as and indicate an associative mode of activation for both the aqua ligand substitution processes for both the parallel paths. The product of the reaction has been characterized by IR and ESI‐mass spectroscopic analyses.
Scrotal Abscess as Initial Presentation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Huen Kathy H. , Nourparvar Paymon , DeCaro John J. , Walsh Mark D. , Issa Muta M. , Ritenour Chad W. M.
Published: September 2013

We report a case of scrotal squamous cell carcinoma in a 67-year-old man that presented as a recurrent nonhealing scrotal abscess. Radical scrotectomy and bilateral simple orchiectomy were performed. A pudendal thigh flap was used for wound closure. To our knowledge, this is the first report of its use after radical surgery for scrotal cancer. The clinical features, staging, and treatment of scrotal squamous cell carcinoma are reviewed. In this report, we highlight the importance of including scrotal cancer in the differential diagnosis when evaluating a scrotal abscess.
Sol-Gel Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Nano-Thiamine Hydrochloride Structure
Authors: Azimi Salameh
Published: September 2013

The study presents the synthesis of nano-thiamine hydrochloride structure (NTH) using sol-gel method by hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate with ethanol and water mixture as silica source and nitric acid as catalyst support in which thiamine hydrochloride nanocrystals were dispersed in the silica glassy matrix. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The morphological observation of the SEM results reveals that the nano-thiamine hydrochloride composites are in the range of 5–15 nm in size.
The Hahn Sequence Space Defined by the Cesáro Mean
Authors: Kirişci Murat
Published: September 2013

The -space of all sequences is given as such that converges and is a null sequence which is called the Hahn sequence space and is denoted by . Hahn (1922) defined the space and gave some general properties. G. Goes and S. Goes (1970) studied the functional analytic properties of this space. The study of Hahn sequence space was initiated by Chandrasekhara Rao (1990) with certain specific purpose in the Banach space theory. In this paper, the matrix domain of the Hahn sequence space determined by the Cesáro mean first order, denoted by , is obtained, and some inclusion relations and some topological properties of this space are investigated. Also dual spaces of this space are computed and, matrix transformations are characterized.
Note on a -Contour Integral Formula of Gasper-Rahman
Authors: Fang Jian-Ping
Published: September 2013

We use the -Chu-Vandermonde formula and transformation technique to derive a more general -integral equation given by Gasper and Rahman, which involves the Cauchy polynomial. In addition, some applications of the general formula are presented in this paper.
Variation in Functional Independence among Stroke Survivors Having Fatigue and Depression
Authors: Badaru Umaru Muhammad , Ogwumike Omoyemi Olubunmi , Adeniyi Ade Fatai , Olowe Olajide Olubanji
Published: September 2013

Objective. This study evaluated variation in functional independence in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) among individuals with poststroke fatigue (PSF) and poststroke depression (PSD).Methods. A cross-sectional survey involved 65 consenting poststroke survivors who were purposively recruited from physiotherapy clinics of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, and Federal Medical Center, Gusau. Participants were assessed for symptoms of PSD with short geriatric depression scale-15, PSF with fatigue severity scale, ADL with Barthel Index and IADL with Nottingham extended ADL scale. Data analysis was done using Chi-square and unpairedt-test with significance level being 0.05.Results. Participants’ age ranged from 58 to 80 years. PSD alone (P=0.002) and both PSF and PSD (P=0.02) were significantly associated with ADL, while PSF alone was not (P=0.233). PSD alone (P=0.001) and both PSF and PSD (P=0.001) significantly negatively affected IADL, while PSF alone had no significant effect (P=0.2).Conclusions. Participants with PSD alone and those with both PSF and PSD had lower functional independence in ADL and IADL.
A Late Presentation of a Fatal Disease: Juvenile Hemochromatosis
Authors: Cherfane Cynthia , Lee Pauline , Guerin Leana , Brown Kyle
Published: September 2013

Juvenile hemochromatosis is a rare and severe form of hereditary hemochromatosis. We report the case of a 39-year-old female who presented with heart failure and cirrhosis from previously unrecognized juvenile hemochromatosis. This is the latest presentation described in the literature. An important clue to the diagnosis was a history of amenorrhea since the age of 20 that had never been investigated. The patient died of intractable heart failure two months after the initial presentation. Juvenile hemochromatosis should be suspected in a young patient with endocrine or cardiac manifestations. Early diagnosis is crucial since phlebotomy can improve the prognosis and delay or prevent progression to heart failure and cirrhosis.
Proof of Principle for a Real-Time Pathogen Isolation Media Diagnostic: The Use of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy to Discriminate Bacterial Pathogens and Antimicrobial-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusStrains Grown on Blood Agar
Authors: Multari Rosalie A. , Cremers David A. , Bostian Melissa L. , Dupre Joanne M. , Gustafson John E.
Published: September 2013

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a rapid,in situ, diagnostic technique in which light emissions from a laser plasma formed on the sample are used for analysis allowing automated analysis results to be available in seconds to minutes. This speed of analysis coupled with little or no sample preparation makes LIBS an attractive detection tool. In this study, it is demonstrated that LIBS can be utilized to discriminate both the bacterial species and strains of bacterial colonies grown on blood agar. A discrimination algorithm was created based on multivariate regression analysis of spectral data. The algorithm was deployed on a simulated LIBS instrument system to demonstrate discrimination capability using 6 species. Genetically alteredStaphylococcus aureusstrains grown on BA, including isogenic sets that differed only by the acquisition of mutations that increase fusidic acid or vancomycin resistance, were also discriminated. The algorithm successfully identified all thirteen cultures used in this study in a time period of 2 minutes. This work provides proof of principle for a LIBS instrumentation system that could be developed for the rapid discrimination of bacterial species and strains demonstrating relatively minor genomic alterations using data collected directly from pathogen isolation media.
The Effect of Polymer Content on the Non-Newtonian Behavior of Acetaminophen Suspension
Authors: Moghimipour Eskandar , Kouchak Maryam , Salimi Anayatollah , Bahrampour Saeed , Handali Somayeh
Published: September 2013

Acetaminophen is used as an analgesic and antipyretic agent. The aim of the study was evaluation of the effect of different polymers on rheological behavior of acetaminophen suspension. In order to achieve controlled flocculation, sodium chloride was added. Then structural vehicles such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), tragacanth, and magnesium aluminum silicate (Veegum) were evaluated individually and in combination. Physical stability parameters such as sedimentation volume (F), redispersibility (n), and growth of crystals of the suspensions were determined. Also, the rheological properties of formulations were studied. The results of this study showed that the combination of suspending agents had the most physical stability and pseudoplastic behavior with some degree of thixotropy. Viscosity of suspensions was increased by adding NaCl 0.02%. Presence of PVP is necessary for improving rheological behavior of suspensions by NaCl. This may be related to the cross-linking between the carbonyl group in the PVP segment and Na+ ions.
Fluctuations Analysis of Finite Discrete Birth and Death Chains with Emphasis on Moran Models with Mutations
Authors: Huillet Thierry E.
Published: September 2013

The Moran model is a discrete-time birth and death Markov chain describing the evolution of the number of type 1 alleles in a haploid population with two alleles whose total size N is preserved during the course of evolution.
Bias mechanisms such as mutations or selection can affect its neutral dynamics. For the ergodic Moran model with mutations, we get interested in the fixation probabilities of a mutant, the growth rate of fluctuations, the first hitting time of the equilibrium state starting from state {0}, the first return time to the equilibrium state, and the first hitting time of {N} starting from {0}, together with the time needed for the walker to reach its invariant measure, again starting from {0}. For the last point, an appeal to the notion of Siegmund duality is necessary, and a cutoff phenomenon will be made explicit. We are interested in these problems in the large population size limit N→∞. The Moran model with mutations includes the heat exchange models of Ehrenfest and Bernoulli-Laplace as particular cases; these were studied from the point of view of the controversy concerning irreversibility (H-theorem) and the recurrence of states.
Novel ZrOCl2·8H2O-Catalysed One-Pot Multicomponent Synthesis of 9,10-Dihydro-8H-benzo[a]xanthen-11(12H)-one Derivatives
Authors: Poor Heravi Mohammad Reza , Ahmadinejad Mahsa , Masoumi Bakhshali , Nejati Kamelia
Published: September 2013

A simple and efficient protocol for the synthesis of highly substituted xanthenes is developed through the condensation of β-naphthol, aldehydes, and cyclic 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione with zirconium oxychloride octahydrate as a catalyst via multicomponent condensation strategy. The present method gives good to excellent yields of substituted 9,10-dihydro-8H-benzo[a]xanthen-11(12H)-one derivatives.
Physical Activity and Screen Time in Metabolically Healthy Obese Phenotypes in Adolescents and Adults
Authors: Camhi Sarah M. , Waring Molly E. , Sisson Susan B. , Hayman Laura L. , Must Aviva
Published: September 2013

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to examine levels of physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) in metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) adolescents and adults.Methods. NHANES data from obese adolescents (12–18 years, BMIz-score ≥ 95th percentile) and adults (19–85 years, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) were pooled from 2003–2005 cycles. Metabolic phenotypes were categorized as MHO (0 or 1 cardiometabolic risk factor; triglycerides, HDL-C, blood pressure, or glucose) or MUO (≥2 cardiometabolic risk factors). Logistic regression models estimated associations between phenotype and PA/ST adjusted for age, gender, BMI, race/ethnicity, menopausal status, and NHANES cycle.Results. Among adolescents, PA was not associated with MHO. In contrast, MHO adults 19–44 years were 85% more likely to engage in active transportation and 2.7 times more likely to be involved in light intensity usual daily activity versus sitting. For each minute per day, adults 45–85 years were 36% more likely to have the MHO phenotype with higher levels of moderate PA. ST was not associated with metabolic phenotypes in adolescents or adults.Conclusion. The current study provides evidence that PA, but not ST, differs between MHO and MUO in adults, but not in adolescents. Future studies are needed to confirm results.
Novel Antimicrobial Agents: Fluorinated 2-(3-(Benzofuran-2-yl) pyrazol-1-yl)thiazoles
Authors: Mohamed Hanan A. , Abdel-Latif Ehab , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Awad Ghada E. A.
Published: September 2013

A new series of 2-pyrazolin-1-ylthiazoles 8a–d and 13–16 was synthesized by cyclization of N-thiocarboxamide-2-pyrazoline with different haloketones and 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline. The structures of the new compounds were confirmed by elemental analyses as well as NMR, IR, and mass spectral data. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities, and also their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against most of test organisms was performed. Amongst the tested ones, compound 8c displayed excellent antimicrobial activity.
Interaction of Fatty Acid Genotype and Diet on Changes in Colonic Fatty Acids in a Mediterranean Diet Intervention Study
Authors: Porenta Shannon R. , Ko Yi-An , Raskin Leon , Gruber Stephen B. , Mukherjee Bhramar , Baylin Ana , Ren Jianwei , Djuric Zora
Published: September 2013

A Mediterranean diet increases intakes of n-3 and n-9 fatty acids and lowers intake of n-6 fatty acids. This can impact colon cancer risk as n-6 fatty acids are metabolized to proinflammatory eicosanoids. The purpose of this study was to evaluate interactions of polymorphisms in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genes, FADS1 and FADS2, and changes in diet on fatty acid concentrations in serum and colon. A total of 108 individuals at increased risk of colon cancer were randomized to either a Mediterranean or a Healthy Eating diet. Fatty acids were measured in both serum and colonic mucosa at baseline and after six months. Each individual was genotyped for four single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the FADS gene cluster. Linear regression was used to evaluate the effects of diet, genotype, and the diet by genotype interaction on fatty acid concentrations in serum and colon. Genetic variation in the FADS genes was strongly associated with baseline serum arachidonic acid (n-6) but serum eicosapentaenoic acid (n-3) and colonic fatty acid concentrations were not significantly associated with genotype. After intervention, there was a significant diet by genotype interaction for arachidonic acid concentrations in colon. Subjects who had all major alleles for FADS1/2 and were following a Mediterranean diet had 16% lower arachidonic acid concentrations in the colon after six months of intervention than subjects following the Healthy Eating diet. These results indicate that FADS genotype could modify the effects of changes in dietary fat intakes on arachidonic acid concentrations in the colon. Cancer Prev Res; 6(11); 1212–21. ©2013 AACR.
Systematic Review on Daily Vitamin B12 Losses and Bioavailability for Deriving Recommendations on Vitamin B12 Intake with the Factorial Approach
Authors: Doets Esmée L. , in 't Veld Paulette H. , Szczecińska Anna , Dhonukshe-Rutten Rosalie A.M. , Cavelaars Adrienne E.J.M. , van 't Veer Pieter , Brzozowska Anna , de Groot Lisette C.P.G.M.
Published: September 2013

Aims: To systematically review the literature on daily losses and bioavailability of vitamin B12. These estimates could be used for deriving recommendations on vitamin B12 intake for adults and elderly. Methods: We identified publications on daily vitamin B12 losses (July 2011) and publications on the bioavailability of vitamin B12 from foods or diets (June 2010) in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Results: A pooled analysis of five studies (52 subjects) showed that 0.13 ± 0.03% of the total body store is lost per day. Absorption of vitamin B12 ranged from 4.5 (dose of 38 µg from consumption of liver) to 83% (dose of 3.0 µg from consumption of mutton meat). Data from eight studies including 83 subjects suggested that the amount of vitamin B12 absorbed from food (Ai) increased with increasing doses of vitamin B12 (Di) as described by the equation: ln(Ai) = 0.7694 * ln(Di) - 0.9614. Conclusion: Daily vitamin B12 losses in apparently healthy adults and elderly probably range from 1.4 to 5.1 µg. Vitamin B12 intakes needed to compensate for these losses seem to range from 3.8 to 20.7 µg. More evidence is needed on the relationships between biochemical markers of vitamin B12 status, vitamin B12 body store and long-term health outcomes to evaluate whether current recommendations on vitamin B12 intake (1.4-3 µg) need to be changed.
Effects of Age, Sex, Body Mass Index and APOE Genotype on Cardiovascular Biomarker Response to an n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation
Authors: Thifault Elisabeth , Cormier Hubert , Bouchard-Mercier Annie , Rudkowska Iwona , Paradis Ann-Marie , Garneau Veronique , Ouellette Catherine , Lemieux Simone , Couture Patrick , Vohl Marie-Claude
Published: September 2013

Objectives: To test whether age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype are associated with the metabolic response to an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation. Methods: 210 subjects followed a 2-week run-in period based on Canada's Food Guide and underwent a 6-week 5 g/day fish oil supplementation (1.9 g of eicosapentaenoic acid and 1.1 g of docosahexaenoic acid). Cardiovascular disease risk factors were measured. Results: n-3 PUFA supplementation was associated with a decrease of plasma triglyceride levels (p = 0.0002) as well as with an increase of fasting glucose (FG) levels (p = 0.02). Age was associated with post-intervention plasma total cholesterol (p = 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.007), apolipoprotein B (p = 0.04), and insulin (p = 0.002) levels. Sex was associated with post-intervention plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p = 0.02). BMI was associated with plasma FG (p = 0.02) and insulin levels (p < 0.0001) after the supplementation. APOE genotype was associated with FG (p = 0.001) and C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.03) after the supplementation. Conclusion: Results suggest that age, sex, BMI, and the APOE genotype contribute to the inter-individual variability observed in the metabolic response to an n-3 PUFA supplementation.
Interstitial Pneumonia Associated with Linear Immunoglobulin A/Immunoglobulin G Bullous Dermatosis
Authors: Kakugawa Tomoyuki , Tomimura Saori , Hayashi Tomayoshi , Sakamoto Noriho , Ishimatsu Yuji , Mukae Hiroshi , Kohno Shigeru
Published: September 2013

A 76-year-old man with interstitial lung disease was admitted to our institution after developing persistent dyspnea upon effort. He also had a relapse of bullous eruptions on the skin of the trunk and extremities, previously diagnosed as vesicular pemphigoid. Direct immunofluorescence of a skin biopsy specimen using fluorescence microscopy showed the linear deposition of immunglobulin A (IgA), IgG and C3 along the basement membrane. These findings indicated a definitive diagnosis of linear IgA/IgG bullous dermatosis. Chest computed tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy findings suggested nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. Direct immunofluorescence of the lung biopsy specimens using fluorescence microscopy also showed a deposition of IgA, IgG and C3 along the epithelial cell membranes and basement membranes of the bronchioles and alveoli. Lung disorders associated with linear IgA/IgG bullous dermatosis are extremely rare and, to our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case of interstitial pneumonia.
Chinese Guidelines for Endovascular Management of Ischemic Cerebrovascular Diseases
Authors: Liu Xinfeng , Zhang Suming , Liu Ming , Wang Yongjun , Wu Jiang , Dong Qiang , Zeng Jinsheng , Huang Yining , Wu Jian , Xu Yuming , Chen Kangning , Zhang Renliang , Li Baomin , Liu Yajie , Peng Bin , Lu Zhengqi , Zhou Huadong , Fan Xinying , Shuai Jie , Xu Gelin
Published: September 2013

Endovascular technology was initially applied in treating peripheral vascular disease and was further developed in managing coronary artery disease. During the latest two decades, it has been introduced into the arena of cerebrovascular diseases, which has garnered attention and research interests.
Beneficial Effect of Rutin on Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemia and Renal Dysfunction in Mice
Authors: Chen Yu-Sheng , Hu Qing-Hua , Zhang Xian , Zhu Qin , Kong Ling-Dong
Published: September 2013

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of rutin on potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia and renal dysfunction in mice. Methods: Rutin was administered orally 1 h after oxonate at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg·kg-1. Serum uric acid levels and kidney function parameters were assayed. Mouse uromodulin levels in serum, urine and kidney were determined by the ELISA method. Simultaneously, the expression levels of renal organic ion transporters were detected. Results: Rutin significantly decreased serum urate, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, serum and kidney uromodulin levels, and increased urine uromodulin, urate and creatinine excretion in hyperuricemic mice. Rutin at 50 and 100 mg·kg-1 significantly downregulated mRNA and protein levels of mouse glucose transporter 9 and urate transporter 1, and upregulated mRNA and protein levels of organic anion transporter 1 and organic cation/carnitine transporters in the kidney of hyperuricemic mice. Conclusions: Rutin exerted its hypouricemic action and renal function improvement by the regulation of renal organic ion transporters.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Chen X.L. , Xiong Y.Y. , Xu G.L. , Liu X.F.
Published: September 2013

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has provided remarkable therapeutic benefits for people with a variety of neurological disorders. Despite the uncertainty of the precise mechanisms underlying its efficacy, DBS is clinically effective in improving motor function of essential tremor, Parkinson's disease and primary dystonia and in relieving obsessive-compulsive disorder. Recently, this surgical technique has continued to expand to other numerous neurological diseases with encouraging results. This review highlighted the current and potential future clinical applications of DBS.
A Systematic Review of Endovascular Management of Internal Carotid Artery Dissections
Authors: Xianjun Huang , Zhiming Zhou
Published: September 2013

Background: We conducted a review of the safety and outcomes of endovascular intervention in patients with internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD). Summary: A literature review was performed. PubMed and Medline databases were searched from inception to September 2012 with the key words ‘carotid artery' (title), ‘dissection' (title) and ‘endovascular' (title/abstract). All studies were included which reported outcomes of endovascular intervention in ICAD and provided information about technical and clinical results. After screening, we included 23 articles. In total, 201 patients (128 male and 73 female) were included in the eligible studies. The mean age was 46.7 years (range 13-83 years). Of the 201 patients, the causes of the carotid dissections were traumatic in 69 (34.3%), spontaneous in 115 (57.2%) and iatrogenic in 17 (8.5%). The technical success rate was 99.1%. The overall rate of major cardiovascular events in the perioperative period was 4%. No procedure-related deaths occurred. Imaging follow-up data (mean follow-up time 16.5 months) demonstrated that only 3.3% of patients had intimal hyperplasia or in-stent restenosis or occlusion of a treated vessel. Clinical follow-up data (mean follow-up period 20.9 months) showed that only 2.1% of patients had a recurrent transient ischemic attack in the territory of the treated vessel. Key Messages: Endovascular intervention with stenting or stent-graft-supported angioplasty in selected patients with ICAD is promising. However, further evaluation is warranted to provide more evidence to support the feasibility of endovascular procedures in treating ICAD.
Racial Differences in Clinical Use of Cinacalcet in a Large Population of Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Newsome Britt B. , Kilpatrick Ryan D. , Liu Jiannong , Zaun David , Solid Craig A. , Nieman Kimberly , St. Peter Wendy L.
Published: September 2013

Background/Aims: African-Americans with end-stage renal disease receiving dialysis have more severe secondary hyperparathyroidism than Whites. We aimed to assess racial differences in clinical use of cinacalcet. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from DaVita, Inc., for 45,589 prevalent hemodialysis patients, August 2004, linked to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data, with follow-up through July 2007. Patients with Medicare as primary payer, intravenous vitamin D use, or weighted mean parathyroid hormone (PTH) level >150 pg/ml at baseline (August 1-October 31, 2004) were included. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to evaluate race and other demographic and clinical characteristics as predictors of cinacalcet initiation, titration, and discontinuation. Results: Of 16,897 included patients, 7,674 (45.4%) were African-American and 9,223 (54.6%) were white; 53.2% of cinacalcet users were African-American. Cinacalcet was prescribed for 47.7% of African-Americans and 34.5% of Whites, and for a greater percentage of African-Americans at higher doses at each PTH strata. After covariate adjustment, African-Americans were more likely than Whites to receive cinacalcet prescriptions (hazard ratio 1.17, p < 0.001). The direction and magnitude of this effect appeared to vary by age, baseline PTH, and calcium, and by elemental calcium use. African-Americans were less likely than Whites to have prescriptions discontinued and slightly more likely to undergo uptitration (hazard ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 0.995-1.188), but this relationship lacked statistical significance. Conclusion: Cinacalcet is prescribed more commonly and at higher initial doses for African-Americans than for Whites to manage secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Vasculitis Associated with Influenza Vaccination
Authors: Duggal Tanu , Segal Paul , Shah Megha , Carter-Monroe Naima , Manoharan Pradeep , Geetha Duvuru
Published: September 2013

Background: Administration of influenza vaccines has been associated with the development of autoantibodies and autoimmune rheumatic disease. Patients: We discuss 2 patients who developed antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) in temporal association with influenza immunization. AAV was diagnosed 2 and 4 weeks after immunization in these patients. Both patients had renal involvement with one requiring dialysis. Both patients were treated with cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids, and plasmapheresis was added to the immunosuppressive regimen in one patient with dialysis-dependent renal failure. Both patients achieved disease remission. The patient with initial dialysis-dependent renal failure reached end-stage renal disease. There are 6 previous cases of AAV in the literature described in temporal association with administration of influenza vaccines. Conclusion: A causal role of vaccines in AAV cannot be confirmed with these case reports. The temporality suggests that the influenza vaccine may be a triggering factor for induction of vasculitis in predisposed individuals. We review the literature on reported cases of AAV following influenza vaccine administration and discuss possible mechanisms for influenza vaccine-associated AAV.
Correlates of Subjective and Mild Cognitive Impairment: Depressive Symptoms and CSF Biomarkers
Authors: Grambaite Ramune , Hessen Erik , Auning Eirik , Aarsland Dag , Selnes Per , Fladby Tormod
Published: September 2013

Aims: To improve early diagnosis of dementia disease, this study investigates correlates of cognitive complaints and cognitive test performance in patients with subjective (SCI) and mild (MCI) cognitive impairment. Methods: Seventy patients from a memory clinic, aged 45-79, with a score of 2 (n = 23) or 3 (n = 47) on the Global Deterioration Scale, were included. CSF biomarkers [Aβ42, total tau (T-tau) and phosphorylated tau (P-tau)], depressive symptoms, cognitive performance, and complaints were examined. Results: Correlation analysis showed that cognitive complaints increased with decreasing cognitive performance in SCI and decreased with decreasing performance in MCI. Linear regression models revealed that cognitive complaints were associated with depressive symptoms in both groups of patients, while cognitive performance was associated with CSF Aβ42 and P-tau in SCI and with T-tau and P-tau in MCI. Conclusion: These results suggest that depressive symptoms are associated with cognitive complaints, while degenerative changes are associated with objective cognitive decline in high-risk predementia states.
Tau Immunotherapy and Imaging
Authors: Sigurdsson Einar M.
Published: September 2013

Disappointing findings from recent phase III trials on amyloid-β (Aβ) immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have shifted the focus of such treatments to the tau protein. As tau pathology correlates better with the degree of dementia than Aβ plaque burden, it is a more attractive target once cognitive impairments are evident, while Aβ therapies may be better suited for the presymptomatic phase of the disease. Over 12 years ago, we initiated a tau immunotherapy program, seeking to alleviate the functional impairments associated with tau lesions in tauopathies. We have reported that various active and passive tau immunizations diminish tau pathology and improve function, including cognition, in different mouse models. Both extra- and intracellular pathways are likely involved. The antibodies may block the spread of tau pathology via microglial phagocytosis of the antibody-tau complex and facilitate lysosomal tau clearance in neurons after endosomal uptake. We have observed such antibody internalization following intracarotid injection in mice and in various culture models. These include brain slices and primary neurons from tangle mice as well as human neuroblastoma cell lines. Antibody targeting of different intracellular protein aggregates, including α-synuclein, Aβ and superoxide dismutase has been reported by others. Now, several laboratories have confirmed and extended our findings using various active and passive tau immunizations in different models, thereby clearly establishing the feasibility of this approach for clinical trials. We are also working on imaging approaches to monitor tau pathology, its consequences and the efficacy of treatments. Dire need exists for such diagnostic methods for tauopathies. Overall, therapies and diagnostic tools targeting tau pathology have a great potential for AD and other tauopathies.
Drawing Between Reportage and Memory: Diego Rivera's Moscow Sketchbook
Authors: Gough Maria
Published: September 2013

The extraordinary proliferation of political demonstrations around the world over the past several years has reminded us once again of the phenomenal power of the real-time convergence of people in public space, a power to which Diego Rivera's Moscow Sketchbook—a corpus of forty-five small watercolor drawings—bears graphic witness. The sketchbook dates from Rivera's seven- or eight-month sojourn in Moscow, which began in early November 1927 with his direct participation in the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the revolution as a delegate to the inaugural internat ional Congress of Friends. Publicly announcing the artist's arrival in Moscow on November 3, the Communist Party's national daily newspaper Pravda discussed his “extraordinary frescoes” in the new Secretar iat of Public Educat ion in Mexico City—which the poet Vladimir Mayakovski had earlier lauded as “the world's first Communist mural”—and went on to explain that, as a revolutionary artist, Rivera now prefers the collective address of “wall painting” over the private easel picture to which he had devoted himself for a decade or so in Paris before 1921. A new venture in Soviet cultural diplomacy, the Congress of Friends had as its objective the forging of a broad, cross-party international alliance of those willing and able to come to the defense of the Soviet Union in their home countries. Rivera, a member of the Mexican Communist Party at the time, participated in the congress at the invitation of the Comintern, which was responsible for hosting notable foreign communists when they were in town and, as such, played a major role in the organization of the three-day meeting. On the first day of the congress the artist was elected—from a pool of 947 delegates—to its Presidium (governing board) and press bureau as a member of the foreign intelligentsia.
A review of the genus Eriocheir De Haan, 1835 and related genera, with the description of a new genus and a new species (Brachyura, Grapsoidea, Varunidae)
Authors: Sakai Katsushi
Published: September 2013

Mitten crabs (Brachyura, Varunidae, Varuninae) are currently classified into six species belonging to three genera: Eriocheir De Haan, 1835, Neoeriocheir T. Sakai, 1983, and Platyeriocheir Ng, Guo & Ng, 1999, i.e., Eriocheir japonica (De Haan, 1835), E. hepuensis Dai, 1991, E. ogasawaraensis Komai, Yamasaki, Kobayashi, Yamamoto & Watanabe, 2006, and E. sinensis H. Milne Edwards, 1853; Neoeriocheir leptognatha (Rathbun, 1913); and Platyeriocheir formosa (Chan, Hung & Yu, 1995). The results of the present study, however, indicate a reclassification into four genera including one new genus, together lodging seven species, including one new species, and with an eighth currently nameless species remaining as a species inquirenda, as follows: Eriocheir De Haan, 1835, with E. japonica (De Haan, 1835) and E. ogasawaraensis Komai et al., 2006; Paraeriocheir gen. nov., with P. hepuensis (Dai, 1991) and P. sinensis (H. Milne Edwards, 1853); Platyeriocheir Ng et al., 1999, with P. formosa (Chan et al., 1995) and P. guangdonga sp. nov.; and Neoeriocheir T. Sakai, 1983, with N. leptognatha (Rathbun, 1913); under the prevailing circumstances, the species now indicated as Eriocheir sp. [= Eriocheir recta sensu Stimpson, 1858] is to be considered a species inquirenda.
Do studies of functional groups give more insight to amphipod biodiversity?
Authors: Scipione M. Beatrice
Published: September 2013

Amphipod crustaceans are able to colonise different micro-habitats of coastal marine benthos due to a multiplicity of trophic and morpho-functional adaptations, and may be considered a key taxon in describing the structure of assemblages. Literature concerning amphipod feeding behaviour and way of life showed that studies on functional groups (FGs) started only in the 1980s. A short review about the state of the art of the knowledge is presented here. Aiming at investigating the functional role of amphipods and to ascertain to what extent their adaptations could be a response to different biotic and abiotic conditions, some examples of studies conducted in the Mediterranean Sea on various plant substrata (Posidonia oceanica, Cymodocea nodosa, Zostera marina, Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea), at different spatial and temporal scales, were given. Despite many doubts about some species, due to the lack of information and their opportunistic behaviour, the identified taxa were grouped in the main categories of suspension feeders, deposit feeders, carnivores, commensals, herbivores, plant detritus feeders, omnivores, and in the mixed categories of deposit-suspension feeders, deposit feeders-carnivores, herbivores-deposit feeders, according to the food ingested and their feeding strategies; and, according to their life-habits, in epifaunal free-living and domicolous, and infaunal free-burrowing and tube-building. FGs might be considered good descriptors of zonation patterns, mainly against gradients such as depth, where strong environmental factors play a role. FG composition was differentiated according to the structural complexity and the stability of the host plant. Changes observed on a long-term scale, due to regression phenomena in P. oceanica meadows or to the spread of the invasive species C. racemosa var. cylindracea, were well described by FGs. In the first case the trophic diversity was maintained and in the latter the lack of herbivorous forms pointed out the poor role as structuring plant of the seaweed. Although caution is suggested in studies on FGs, they can give further insight in comprehending structural and functional processes in amphipod ecology.