bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of river bank filtration on alluvial groundwater quality: A case study of the Velika Morava River in central Serbia
Authors: Petrovic Branislav , Zivanovic Vladimir
Published: January 2016

Alluvial aquifers are preferred sites for drinking water production. Riverbed
sediments and saturated alluvial sediments have great potential for
groundwater purification which is essential for preserving the stability of
the groundwater quality. Conducted research in the area of groundwater source
Brzan in central Serbia showed that intergranular aquifer has potential not
only to purify polluted surface water but also to enrich water quality. Main
aquifer recharge is infiltration of surface water from the Velika Morava
River. The quality of surface water is very variable, especially for some
components such as turbidity, conductivity, KMnO4 consumption, and iron,
chloride and nitrates content. On the other hand, the quality of groundwater
is characterised with minimal oscillation particularly regarding mentioned
components. Based on numerous results on surface and groundwater quality we
can conclude that water from the groundwater source Brzan is with good
quality and can be used for drinking consumption with minimal treatment
despite the fact that aquifer is in strong hydraulic connection with the
Velika Morava River. Improvement of water quality is result manly of water
filtration through river bad sediments and aquifer body.
Team-Oriented Leadership and Auditors' Willingness to Raise Audit Issues
Authors: Nelson Mark W. , Proell Chad A. , Randel Amy E.
Published: January 2016

This paper reports five studies examining audit team members' willingness to raise audit issues. The first study is a survey of interacting audit teams that provides evidence that team members are more willing to speak up when they view their leader as team-oriented (i.e., emphasizing team success as opposed to the leader's own personal advancement). Experiments 1–3 provide converging evidence that audit seniors are more willing to speak up to a team-oriented leader and about issues that are aligned with that leader's concerns. Experiment 4 provides evidence that the effect of team-oriented leadership on willingness to speak up is mediated by team members' commitment to the team leader and, to a lesser extent, by their identification with their team, but not by concerns about the immediate or eventual repercussions of speaking up. Together, these studies provide evidence that auditors' willingness to raise audit issues is affected by what the auditor has to say and how they think their message will be received, potentially affecting audit effectiveness and audit efficiency.

Data Availability: Contact the authors.
Plasma Metabonomic Profiling of Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Chen Liyan , Cheng Ching-Yu , Choi Hyungwon , Ikram Mohammad Kamran , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Tan Gavin S.W. , Tian Dechao , Zhang Liang , Venkatesan Gopalakrishnan , Tai E Shyong , Wang Jie Jin , Mitchell Paul , Cheung Chiu Ming Gemmy , Beuerman Roger Wilmer , Zhou Lei , Chan Eric Chun Yong , Wong Tien Yin
Published: January 2016

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes and the leading cause of visual impairment in working-age adults. Patients with diabetes often develop DR despite appropriate control of systemic risk factors, suggesting the involvement of other pathogenic factors. We hypothesize that the plasma metabolic signature of DR is distinct and resolvable from that of diabetes alone. A nested population-based case-control metabonomic study was first performed on 40 DR cases and 40 control subjects with diabetes using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Eleven metabolites were found to be correlated with DR, and the majority were robust when adjusted for metabolic risk factors and confounding kidney disease. The metabolite markers 2-deoxyribonic acid; 3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid; erythritol; gluconic acid; and ribose were validated in an independent sample set with 40 DR cases, 40 control subjects with diabetes, and 40 individuals without diabetes. DR cases and control subjects with diabetes were matched by HbA1c in the validation set. Activation of the pentose phosphate pathway was identified from the list of DR metabolite markers. The identification of novel metabolite markers for DR provides insights into potential new pathogenic pathways for this microvascular complication and holds translational value in DR risk stratification and the development of new therapeutic measures.
The Effects of Diclofenac and Ibuprofen on Heart Function and Oxidative Stress Markers in the Isolated Rat Heart
Authors: Jevdjevic Maja , Srejovic Ivan , Zivkovic Vladimir , Barudzic Nevena , Petkovic Anica , Bradic Jovana , Djuric Dragan , Jakovljevic Vladimir
Published: January 2016

Eicosanoids lead to the promotion of inflammation, cause fever and pain and have many other eff ects. NSAIDs block the action of cyclooxygenase (COX) during the process of converting arachidonic acid into inflammatory mediators, thus reducing the symptoms of inflammation. Investigations focusing on nonselective COX inhibitors, used in high doses, revealed harmful eff ects on myocardial function. Th e aim of our study was to assess the eff ects of two nonselective NSAIDs, diclofenac and ibuprofen, on cardiodynamic parameters, coronary flow and oxidative stress biomarkers in isolated rat hearts. Th e hearts of male Wistar albino rats were excised and retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at gradually increased coronary perfusion pressures (40-120 cm H2O). Th e experiments were performed under controlled conditions (Krebs-Henseleit physiological solution). Th e hearts were perfused with 10 μmol/l diclofenac and 10 μmol/l ibuprofen. Th e heart function parameters, including the maximum rate of pressure development (dp/dt max), minimum rate of pressure development (dp/dt min), systolic left ventricular pressure (SLVP), diastolic left ventricular pressure (DLVP), mean perfusion pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR), were continuously registered. Coronary flow (CF) was measured flowmetrically. Oxidative stress markers, including the index of lipid peroxidation measured as TBARS, nitric oxide measured through nitrites (NO2 -), superoxide anion radical (O2 -), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the coronary venous effluent, were assessed spectrophotometrically. Our results showed that diclofenac aff ected cardiodynamic parameters more significantly than did ibuprofen. Furthermore, the present data indicate that both estimated COX inhibitors do not promote the production of reactive oxygen species.
Phenolic and Flavonoid Content and Antioxidant Activity of Daphne Blagayana Growing in Serbia
Authors: Manojlovic Nedeljko , Sovrlic Miroslav , Maskovic Pavle , Vasiljevic Perica , Juskovic Marina
Published: January 2016

Th e aim of this study was to examine the phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of methanol and chloroform extracts of leaves and twigs of Daphne blagayana. Th e total phenolic content in the chloroform extract of plant twigs (90.26 ± 0.69 mg GA/g) was higher than that of the other extracts (from 76.56±0.89 to 77.45±0.43 mg GA/g). In the case of flavonoids, a greater value was also obtained for the chloroform extract of twigs (35.24±0.55 mg RU/g). Several diff erent methods were used to determine the antioxidant activity of the tested extracts, including total antioxidant capacity, metal chelating activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and inhibitory activity against lipid peroxidation. Our results showed that although secondary metabolites of the plants may contribute significantly to their antioxidant activities, those antioxidant activities were not directly related to the phenolic and flavonoid amounts. Th e results of the present analysis demonstrated, for the first time, that Daphne blagayana leaves and twigs possess high phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as potential antioxidant activity. Th is study suggests that Daphne blagayana twigs and leaves may potentially be used as an accessible source of natural antioxidants.
Prescribing Antipsychotics in Montenegro: a Focus Group Analysis
Authors: Ilickovic Ivana , Jankovic Slobodan M.
Published: January 2016

Background. Although prescribing antipsychotics to patients with schizophrenia is advised by national and/or international evidence-based practice guidelines, the implementation of the guidelines in clinical practice is still matter of concern.

Objective. The aim of our study was to estimate schizophrenia guideline adherence and identify eventual barriers to its implementation in Montenegro.

Method. This study used focus group methodology. The focus group was composed of two psychiatrists, one psychologist, one pharmacist from a community pharmacy, one pharmacist from the State reimbursement fund, one pharmacist from a drug wholesaler and the chief investigator, a clinical pharmacologist. The focus group took place in Podgorica, Montenegro, in 2013. The analysis of recordings was performed using an iterative, qualitative technique and a constant comparison method.

Results. The most important barriers to the implementation of evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia in Montenegro are non-adherence to medication, low level of psychiatrist-patient concordance, restrictive procedures for prescribing atypical antipsychotics, lack of availability of newer antipsychotics and some dosage forms, and mixing primary, secondary and tertiary care services within a tertiary care psychiatric institution.

Conclusion. Addressing the barriers identified by this focus group and avoiding the consequences of poor adherence would be the first
Grade III Coronary Artery Perforation Following PCI and Unusual Stent Graft Delivery System
Authors: Sreckovic Miodrag , Jagic Nikola , Miloradovic Vladimir , Tasic Mladen , Nikolic Dusan
Published: January 2016

Coronary perforations are rare but vicious complications of PCI procedures. Ellis type III coronary artery perforation represents the most severe form and demands an urgent solution. It is often necessary to perform pericardiocentesis and utilizise multiple interventional techniques to seal the perforation. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stent implantation has become one of the most frequently used percutaneous solutions, but disadvantages of this intervention are its high profile and low device flexibility. In our case, we attempted to improve the deliverability of the PTFE stent graft alone by mounting it on a bare metal stent used as a stent graft carrier.
Pituitary Hormone-producing Cells After Estradiol Application in Rat Models of Menopause
Authors: Milošević Verica , Ajdžanović Vladimir
Published: January 2016

Female ageing represents the biological process of structural and functional changes in endocrine cells and tissues, as well as in pituitary hormone-producing cells. In addition to the hypothalamic releasing hormones, estradiol plays a significant role in the regulation of the synthesis/secretion of pituitary hormones and is still used therapeutically for menopausal symptoms. The effects of ageing or ovariectomy and synthetic estradiol application under these circumstances were evaluated in pituitary hormone-producing cells of female rats (animal models of menopause); i.e., the following cells were observed: gonadotropes (FSH and LH), thyrotropes (TSH), somatotropes (GH), mammotropes (PRL) and corticotropes (ACTH). The cells were immunostained and histologically analysed. The ELISA method was used for hormonal analyses. Ageing was found to cause diverse, commonly reductive changes regarding the volume, number and secretion of menopausal rat pituitary hormone- producing cells, except for PRL cells that exhibit significantly increased numbers and intensified secretion. After the treatment of middle-aged female rats wiThestradiol, the absolute and relative pituitary weights significantly increased in comparison with the control females. Histological parameters such as the cell and volume density of PRL and ACThcells were significantly increased compared with the control values. The mentioned parameters of FSH, LH, GH, and occasionally TSH cells after estradiol treatment significantly decreased in comparison with the controls. The corresponding hormone levels followed the changes in the histological parameters. These data indicate that the application of estradiol to menopausal females may specifically, in two directions, modify the histological characteristics and secretory activities of different pituitary-hormone producing cells..
Protein and Lipid Concentrations in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Treated with Radioactive Iodine-131 / Koncentracija Proteina I Lipida Kod Pacijenata Sa Diferentovanim Karcinomom Štitaste Žlezde Koji Su Lečeni Radioaktivnim Jodom-131
Authors: Mihaljevic Olgica , Radivojevic Snezana , Djukic Svetlana , Teodorovic Ljiljana Mijatovic , Kostic Irena , Jeftic Ilija , Simonovic Snezana Zivancevic
Published: January 2016

Short-term, overt hypothyroidism in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) before radioiodine (131-I) therapy might be accompanied by a number of metabolic changes, including altered protein and lipid metabolism. Protein concentrations and their relationship to lipids in the serum of DTC patients have not been fully elucidated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the protein and lipid concentrations in 24 DTC patients before and 3 and 7 days after 131-I therapy compared with those of 20 healthy control subjects. After radioiodine therapy, the mean protein concentration (78.71 ± 6.71 g/L vs. 87.16 ± 6.04 g/L; p = 0.003) and cholesterol level (8.12 ± 2.13 mmol/L vs. 8.84 ± 2.09 mmol/L; p = 0.001) were lower 3 days after therapy; this persisted up to 7 days after therapy, whereas triglyceride concentrations were higher 3 days after therapy (2.44 ± 1.07 mmol/L vs. 2.26 ± 1.08 mmol/L; p = 0.041) and returned towards the pretreatment values at 7 days after 131-I therapy. There was an indirect correlation between the protein and triglyceride concentrations 3 days after 131-I therapy in patients over 50 years old (Spearman’s r = - 0.583, p = 0.048) but not in patients under 50 years old (Pearson’s r = - 0.277, p = 0.384). Radioiodine therapy of DTC patients led to decreased serum protein and cholesterol concentrations, accompanied by increased triglyceride levels; these changes were especially evident in older subjects with metastases.
Correlation Between Cervical Cytology and Histopathological Cervical Biopsy Findings According to the Bethesda System / Stepen Korelacije Cervikalne Citologije Po Bethesda Klasifikaciji Sa Patohistološkim Nalazima Cervikalne Biopsije
Authors: Sosic Gordana M , Babic Goran , Dimitrijevic Aleksandra , Mitrovic Slobodanka , Varjacic Mirjana
Published: January 2016

The Pap test (Pap smear) is a morphological cytodiagnostic test that reveals premorbid and early stages of cervical cancer through the use of cervicovaginal cytology.

The present study was conducted at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center Kragujevac, from January 01, 2013, to December 1, 2013, with patients who were part of the national screening program and who used a secondary cytological examination (Pap test) performed using a conventional method.

The patients were grouped according to the results of a Pap smear and histopathological findings. The classification of cytological smears was performed in accordance with the Bethesda system. The hypotheses established in this study were statistically tested.

The greatest number of cytological findings was NILM. However, the most frequent abnormal cytological findings in terms of percentage were ASC-US. After secondary cervical findings of 8.1% of the total number of women, biopsies were performed. In 68.57% of the biopsies performed, CIN was present in all of them, with the most frequent ones being LSIL (50.6%), HSIL (10.4%) and CA Invasiva (0.5%). This study, using the X2 test, confirmed that cervical cytology and biopsy results are dependent features (sig. = 0.036), between which there is a medium association (Cramer’s V = 0.176). In the ASC-US cytological findings, small percentages of CIN1 and CIN2 were detected. Cervical cytology in this study presented high sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. As a relatively inexpensive, painless and easily approachable method, cervical cytology fully substantiates its implementation in diagnostic procedures as well as in organized screening programs.
Assessing the impacts of the first year of rotavirus vaccination in the United Kingdom
Authors: Marlow Robin , Muir Peter , Vipond Barry , Lyttle Mark , Trotter Caroline , Finn Adam
Published: January 2016

The United Kingdom (UK) added rotavirus (RV) vaccine (Rotarix GlaxoSmithKline) to the national vaccine schedule in July 2013. During the 2012–2014 rotavirus seasons, children presenting to the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children Emergency Department with gastroenteritis symptoms had stool virology analysis (real-time PCR) and clinical outcome recorded. Nosocomial cases were identified as patients with non-gastroenteritis diagnosis testing positive for rotavirus > 48h after admission. In comparison to average pre-vaccine seasons, in the first year after vaccine introduction there were 48% fewer attendances diagnosed with gastroenteritis, 53% reduction in gastroenteritis admissions and a total saving of 330 bed-days occupancy. There was an overall reduction in number of rotavirus-positive stool samples with 94% reduction in children aged under one year and a 65% reduction in those too old to have been vaccinated. In the first year after the introduction of universal vaccination against rotavirus we observed a profound reduction in gastroenteritis presentations and admissions with a substantial possible herd effect seen in older children. Extrapolating these findings to the UK population we estimate secondary healthcare savings in the first year of ca £7.5 (€10.5) million. Ongoing surveillance will be required to determine the long-term impact of the RV immunisation programme.
Shigellosis in refugees, Austria, July to November 2015
Authors: Lederer Ingeborg , Taus Karin , Allerberger Franz , Fenkart Sabrina , Spina Alexander , Springer Burkhard , Schmid Daniela
Published: January 2016

We report on a cluster of shigellosis including 21 cases in refugees and two in local residents who worked in refugee transit centres, detected in Austria in 2015, between calendar weeks 29 and 47. The species isolated from the cluster cases, including one mixed infection, were S. sonnei (n = 13), S. flexneri (n = 10) and S. boydii (n = 1). Eleven of 18 tested isolates were extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-positive, including five of six ciprofloxacin-resistant and three azithromycin-resistant isolates.
Detection of mcr-1 encoding plasmid-mediated colistin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from human bloodstream infection and imported chicken meat, Denmark 2015
Authors: Hasman Henrik , Hammerum Anette M. , Hansen Frank , Hendriksen Rene S. , Olesen Bente , Agersø Yvonne , Zankari Ea , Leekitcharoenphon Pimlapas , Stegger Marc , Kaas Rolf S. , Cavaco Lina M. , Hansen Dennis S. , Aarestrup Frank M. , Skov Robert L.
Published: January 2016

The plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene, mcr-1, was detected in an Escherichia coli isolate from a Danish patient with bloodstream infection and in five E. coli isolates from imported chicken meat. One isolate from chicken meat belonged to the epidemic spreading sequence type ST131. In addition to IncI2*, an incX4 replicon was found to be linked to mcr-1. This report follows a recent detection of mcr-1 in E. coli from animals, food and humans in China.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in dromedary camels in Nigeria, 2015
Authors: Chu Daniel KW , Oladipo Jamiu O , Perera Ranawaka APM , Kuranga Sulaiman A , Chan Samuel MS , Poon Leo LM , Peiris Malik
Published: January 2016

Evidence of current and past Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in dromedary camels slaughtered at an abattoir in Kano, Nigeria in January 2015, was sought by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and serology. MERS-CoV RNA was detected in 14 (11%) of 132 nasal swabs and antibody in 126 (96%) of 131 serum samples. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that the viruses in Nigeria are genetically distinct from those reported in the Arabian peninsula.
Colonisation with toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in a Scottish burns patient, June 2015
Authors: Deshpande Ashutosh , Inkster Teresa , Hamilton Kate , Litt David , Fry Norman , Kennedy Iain T R , Shookhye-Dickson Jacqueline , Hill Robert L R
Published: January 2016

On 12 June 2015, Corynebacterium diphtheriae was identified in a skin swab from a burns patient in Scotland. The isolate was confirmed to be genotypically and phenotypically toxigenic. Multilocus sequence typing of three patient isolates yielded sequence type ST 125. The patient was clinically well. We summarise findings of this case, and results of close contact identification and screening: 12 family and close contacts and 32 hospital staff have been found negative for C. diphtheriae.
Evidence for a permanent presence of schistosomiasis in Corsica, France, 2015
Authors: Berry Antoine , Fillaux Judith , Martin-Blondel Guillaume , Boissier Jérôme , Iriart Xavier , Marchou Bruno , Magnaval Jean François , Delobel Pierre
Published: January 2016

We present a case of acute schistosomiasis acquired in Corsica after bathing in the Cavu River during the summer of 2015. The diagnosis was made following epidemiological, laboratory and serological assessments. After a previous outbreak of urogenital schistosomiasis during the summer of 2013, when more than 120 infections were diagnosed, this further case indicates transmission was still effective in 2015, thus suggesting a permanent presence of schistosomiasis in Corsica.
International linkage of two food-borne hepatitis A clusters through traceback of mussels, the Netherlands, 2012
Authors: Boxman Ingeborg L.A. , Verhoef Linda , Vennema Harry , Ngui Siew-Lin , Friesema Ingrid H.M. , Whiteside Chris , Lees David , Koopmans Marion
Published: January 2016

This report describes an outbreak investigation starting with two closely related suspected food-borne clusters of Dutch hepatitis A cases, nine primary cases in total, with an unknown source in the Netherlands. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) genotype IA sequences of both clusters were highly similar (459/460 nt) and were not reported earlier. Food questionnaires and a case–control study revealed an association with consumption of mussels. Analysis of mussel supply chains identified the most likely production area. International enquiries led to identification of a cluster of patients near this production area with identical HAV sequences with onsets predating the first Dutch cluster of cases. The most likely source for this cluster was a case who returned from an endemic area in Central America, and a subsequent household cluster from which treated domestic sewage was discharged into the suspected mussel production area. Notably, mussels from this area were also consumed by a separate case in the United Kingdom sharing an identical strain with the second Dutch cluster. In conclusion, a small number of patients in a non-endemic area led to geographically dispersed hepatitis A outbreaks with food as vehicle. This link would have gone unnoticed without sequence analyses and international collaboration.
Dissecting pseudoaneurysms: predictors of symptom occurrence, enlargement, clinical outcome, and treatment
Authors: Daou Badih , Hammer Christine , Chalouhi Nohra , Starke Robert M. , Jabbour Pascal , Rosenwasser Robert H. , Tjoumakaris Stavropoula
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE

Dissection of the carotid and vertebral arteries can result in the development of aneurysmal dilations. These dissecting pseudoaneurysms can enlarge and cause symptoms. The objective of this study is to provide insight into the progression of dissecting pseudoaneurysms and the treatments required to manage them.

METHODS

A review of the electronic medical records was conducted to detect patients with carotid and vertebral artery dissection. An imaging review was conducted to identify patients with dissecting pseudoaneurysms. One hundred twelve patients with 120 dissecting pseudoaneurysms were identified. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the factors associated with undergoing further interventions other than medical treatment, pseudoaneurysm enlargement, pseudoaneurysms resulting in ischemic and nonischemic symptoms, and clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Overall, 18.3% of pseudoaneurysms were intracranial and 81.7% were extracranial, and the average size was 7.3 mm. The mean follow-up time was 29.3 months; 3.3% of patients had a recurrent transient ischemic attack, no patients had a recurrent stroke, and 14.2% of patients had recurrence of nonischemic symptoms (headache, neck pain, Horner syndrome, or cranial nerve palsy). Follow-up imaging demonstrated that 13.8% of pseudoaneurysms had enlarged, 30.2% had healed, and 56% had remained stable. In total, 20.8% of patients had an intervention other than medical treatment. Interventions included stenting, coiling, flow diversion, and clipping. Predictors of intervention included increasing size, size > 10 mm, location in the C2 (petrous) segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA), younger age, hyperlipidemia, pseudoaneurysm enlargement, and any symptom development. Significant predictors of enlargement included smoking, history of trauma, C2 location, hyperlipidemia, and larger initial pseudoaneurysm size. Predictors of pseudoaneurysm resulting in recurrent ischemic and nonischemic symptoms included increasing size and location in the petrous segment of the ICA. Smoking was a predictor of unfavorable outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Dissecting pseudoaneurysms have a benign course and most will not cause symptoms or enlarge on follow-up. Medical treatment can be a sufficient, initial treatment for dissecting pseudoaneurysms.
Stability of hearing preservation and regeneration capacity of the cochlear nerve following vestibular schwannoma surgery via a retrosigmoid approach
Authors: Scheller Christian , Wienke Andreas , Tatagiba Marcos , Gharabaghi Alireza , Ramina Kristofer F. , Ganslandt Oliver , Bischoff Barbara , Matthies Cordula , Westermaier Thomas , Antoniadis Gregor , Pedro Maria Teresa , Rohde Veit , von Eckardstein Kajetan , Kretschmer Thomas , Zenk Johannes , Strauss Christian
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this research was to examine the stability of long-term hearing preservation and the regeneration capacity of the cochlear nerve following vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery in a prospective study.

METHODS

A total of 112 patients were recruited for a randomized multicenter trial between January 2010 and April 2012 to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic nimodipine treatment versus no prophylactic nimodipine treatment in VS surgery. For the present investigation, both groups were pooled to compare hearing abilities in the early postoperative course and 1 year after the surgery. Hearing was examined using pure-tone audiometry with speech discrimination, which was performed preoperatively, in the early postoperative course, and 12 months after surgery and was subsequently classified by an independent otorhinolaryngologist using the Gardner-Robertson classification system.

RESULTS

Hearing abilities at 2 time points were compared by evaluation in the early postoperative course and 1 year after surgery in 102 patients. The chi-square test showed a very strong association between the 2 measurements in all 102 patients (p < 0.001) and in the subgroup of 66 patients with a preserved cochlear nerve (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There is no significant change in cochlear nerve function between the early postoperative course and 1 year after VS surgery. The result of hearing performance, as evaluated by early postoperative audiometry after VS surgery, seems to be a reliable prognosticator for future hearing ability.

Clinical trial registration nos.: 2009-012088-32 (clinicaltrialsregister.eu) and DRKS 00000328 (“AkNiPro,” drks-neu.uniklinik-freiburg.de/drks_web/)
Surgical results of cranioplasty with a polymethylmethacrylate customized cranial implant in pediatric patients: a single-center experience
Authors: Fiaschi Pietro , Pavanello Marco , Imperato Alessia , Dallolio Villiam , Accogli Andrea , Capra Valeria , Consales Alessandro , Cama Armando , Piatelli Gianluca
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE

Cranioplasty is a reconstructive procedure used to restore skull anatomy and repair skull defects. Optimal skull reconstruction is a challenge for neurosurgeons, and the strategy used to achieve the best result remains a topic of debate, especially in pediatric patients for whom the continuing skull growth makes the choice of material more difficult. When the native bone flap, which is universally accepted as the preferred option in pediatric patients, is unavailable, the authors' choice of prosthetic material is a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) implant designed using a custom-made technique. In this paper the authors present the results of their clinical series of 12 custom-made PMMA implants in pediatric patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study of the patients who had undergone cranioplasty at Gaslini Children's Hospital between 2006 and 2013 was conducted. A total of 12 consecutive cranioplasties in 12 patients was reviewed, in which a patient-specific PMMA implant was manufactured using a virtual 3D model and then transformed into a physical model using selective laser sintering or 3D printing. All patients or parents were administered a questionnaire to assess how the patient/parent judged the aesthetic result.

RESULTS

Patient age at craniectomy ranged from 5 months to 12.5 years, with a mean age of 84.33 months at cranioplasty. The mean extension of the custom-made plastic was 56.83 cm2. The mean time between craniectomy and cranioplasty was 9.25 months. The mean follow-up duration was 55.7 months. No major complications were recorded; 3 patients experienced minor/moderate complications (prosthesis dislocation, granuloma formation, and fluid collection).

CONCLUSIONS

In this patient series, PMMA resulted in an extremely low complication rate and the custom-made technique was associated with an excellent grade of patient or parent satisfaction on long-term follow up.
A case of giant fetal intracranial capillary hemangioma cured with propranolol
Authors: Cavalheiro Sergio , Campos Heloisa Galvão do Amaral , Silva da Costa Marcos Devanir
Published: January 2016

Fetal brain tumors are rare. This report describes a giant posterior fossa capillary hemangioma treated with 3 mg/kg/day of propranolol for 6 months. Total regression was confirmed at 1 year, and no additional tumors were observed during the subsequent 2 years. No side effects relating to the use of this drug were detected; thus, the authors believe that propranolol may be useful for treating all intracranial capillary hemangiomas.
Utility of arterial spin labeling perfusion magnetic resonance imaging in prediction of angiographic vascularity of meningiomas
Authors: Yoo Roh-Eul , Yun Tae Jin , Cho Young Dae , Rhim Jung Hyo , Kang Koung Mi , Choi Seung Hong , Kim Ji-hoon , Kim Jeong Eun , Kang Hyun-Seung , Sohn Chul-Ho , Park Sun-Won , Han Moon Hee
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE

Arterial spin labeling perfusion-weighted imaging (ASL-PWI) enables quantification of tissue perfusion without contrast media administration. The aim of this study was to explore whether cerebral blood flow (CBF) from ASL-PWI can reliably predict angiographic vascularity of meningiomas.

METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with intracranial meningiomas, who had undergone preoperative ASL-PWI and digital subtraction angiography prior to resection, were included. Angiographic vascularity was assessed using a 4-point grading scale and meningiomas were classified into 2 groups: low vascularity (Grades 0 and 1; n = 11) and high vascularity (Grades 2 and 3; n = 16). Absolute CBF, measured at the largest section of the tumor, was normalized to the contralateral gray matter. Correlation between the mean normalized CBF (nCBF) and angiographic vascularity was determined and the mean nCBF values of the 2 groups were compared. Diagnostic performance of the nCBF for differentiating between the 2 groups was assessed.

RESULTS

The nCBF had a significant positive correlation with angiographic vascularity (ρ = 0.718; p < 0.001). The high-vascularity group had a significantly higher nCBF than the low-vascularity group (3.334 ± 2.768 and 0.909 ± 0.468, respectively; p = 0.003). At the optimal nCBF cutoff value of 1.733, sensitivity and specificity for the differential diagnosis of the 2 groups were 69% (95% CI 41%–89%) and 100% (95% CI 72%–100%), respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.875 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

ASL-PWI may provide a reliable and noninvasive means of predicting angiographic vascularity of meningiomas. It may thus assist in selecting potential candidates for preoperative digital subtraction angiography and embolization in clinical practice.
The Dramatic Power of Events: The Function of Method in Deleuze's Philosophy
Authors: Debaise Didier
Published: January 2016

Deleuze's text on dramatization has a peculiar place in his philosophy. In this text, he attributes, for the first time in his own name, a singular function to philosophy. I aim to show that all the notions developed in ‘The Method of Dramatization’ – such as the transformation of the status of Ideas, the first development of a theory of individuation, the decentring of subjectivity, the critique of representation – are part of one general function: to grant events the importance they call for. If a method is required for such an endeavour, it is because thought must become the site of the maximal intensification of what – beyond a psychological or an anthropological point of view – is of importance.
Deleuze's Political Ethics: A Fascism of the New?
Authors: Evans Fred
Published: January 2016

The cosmology of Deleuze and Guattari emphasises the new. I raise the question of whether this emphasis cancels out two other political virtues, solidarity and heterogeneity, and thereby amounts to a fascism of the new. I reply that what Deleuze and Guattari say about cosmological unity and difference suggests that they can avoid this negative designation. I support this conclusion by considering their statements on ethics and politics and by translating their cosmological philosophy into the more immediate ethico-political context of the alloplastic stratum. The latter effort is abetted by elaborating the two thinkers’ use of the term ‘voice’, for example, in Deleuze's statement that Being is the ‘single and same voice for the whole thousand-voiced multiple … a single clamour of Being for all beings’ or in the two authors’ notion of a ‘constellation of voices’ that makes up the ‘molecular’ or ‘unconscious’ collective assemblage of enunciation. This elaboration is pertinent because political ethics is essentially which voices are heard, and which not, or at least their relative levels of audibility in the alloplastic regime. I further clarify this treatment of Deleuze and Guattari's political ethics by linking it to the idea of parrhesia, courageous speech and hearing.
Of Immanence and Becoming: Deleuze and Guattari's Philosophy and/as Relational Ontology
Authors: Thiele Kathrin
Published: January 2016

Starting from the famous statement by Deleuze and Guattari in What Is Philosophy? that ‘[i]mmanence can be said to be the burning issue of all philosophy’, this article explores their claim of an ontology of immanence and/as relational ontology in quantum terms. The theme of this special issue allows for a rereading of the terminology of different/ciation, which Deleuze developed in ‘The Method of Dramatization’ and Difference and Repetition, and I here relate it to the question of consistency of the plane of immanence, such as it is emphasised in the later work of Deleuze and Guattari. The article exemplifies the significance that the early issue of ‘dramatization’ as different/ciating passage has on an adequate understanding of both ‘immanence’ and ‘becoming’, and it shows their in/seperability for a relational ontology as onto-ethology. By making the Deleuze-Guattarian immanence resonate with Barad's (quantum) agential realism, the article zooms in on the specific quality of the ‘passage’ in order to do justice to the claim of a ‘mature’ philosophy that thinks immanence as immanent only to itself.
Heat Tolerance in Curraleiro Pe-Duro, Pantaneiro and Nelore Cattle Using Thermographic Images
Authors: Cardoso Caio , Lima Flávia , Fioravanti Maria , Egito Andrea , Silva Flávia , Tanure Candice , Peripolli Vanessa , McManus Concepta
Published: January 2016

The objective of this study was to compare physiological and thermographic responses to heat stress in three breeds of cattle. Fifteen animals of each of the Nelore, Pantaneiro and Curraleiro Pe-Duro breeds, of approximately two years of age, were evaluated. Heart and respiratory rates, rectal and surface temperature of animals as well as soil temperature were recorded at 8:30 and 15:30 on six days. Variance, correlation, principal factors and canonical analyses were carried out. There were significant differences in the rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rate between breeds (p < 0.001). Nelore and Pantaneiro breeds had the highest rectal temperatures and the lowest respiratory rate (p < 0.001). Breed was also significant for surface temperatures (p < 0.05) showing that this factor significantly affected the response of the animal to heat tolerance in different ways. The Curraleiro Pe-Duro breed had the lowest surface temperatures independent of the period evaluated, with fewer animals that suffered with the climatic conditions, so this may be considered the best adapted when heat challenged under the experimental conditions. Thermography data showed a good correlation with the physiological indexes, and body area, neck and rump were the main points.
Solar Forecasting in a Challenging Insular Context
Authors: Lauret Philippe , Lorenz Elke , David Mathieu
Published: January 2016

This paper aims at assessing the accuracy of different solar forecasting methods in the case of an insular context. Two sites of La Réunion Island, Le Tampon and Saint-Pierre, are chosen to do the benchmarking exercise. Réunion Island is a tropical island with a complex orography where cloud processes are mainly governed by local dynamics. As a consequence, Réunion Island exhibits numerous micro-climates. The two aforementioned sites are quite representative of the challenging character of solar forecasting in the case of a tropical island with complex orography. Hence, although distant from only 10 km, these two sites exhibit very different sky conditions. This work focuses on day-ahead and intra-day solar forecasting. Day-ahead solar forecasts are provided by the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF). This organization maintains and runs the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model named Integrated Forecast System (IFS). In this work, post-processing techniques are applied to refine the output of the IFS model for day-ahead forecasting. Statistical models like a recursive linear model or a nonlinear model such as an artificial neural network are used to produce the intra-day solar forecasts. It is shown that a combination of the IFS model and the neural network model further improves the accuracy of the forecasts.
Modular Nuclearity: A Generally Covariant Perspective
Authors: Lechner Gandalf , Sanders Ko
Published: January 2016

A quantum field theory in its algebraic description may admit many irregular states. So far, selection criteria to distinguish physically reasonable states have been restricted to free fields (Hadamard condition) or to flat spacetimes (e.g., Buchholz-Wichmann nuclearity). We propose instead to use a modular ℓp -condition, which is an extension of a strengthened modular nuclearity condition to generally covariant theories. The modular nuclearity condition was previously introduced in Minkowski space, where it played an important role in constructive two dimensional algebraic QFT’s. We show that our generally covariant extension of this condition makes sense for a vast range of theories, and that it behaves well under causal propagation and taking mixtures. In addition we show that our modular ℓp -condition holds for every quasi-free Hadamard state of a free scalar quantum field (regardless of mass or scalar curvature coupling). However, our condition is not equivalent to the Hadamard condition.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Bioenginering in 2015
Authors:   Bioengineering Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Bioengineering would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
In Vitro Synergistic Enhancement of Newcastle Disease Virus to 5-Fluorouracil Cytotoxicity against Tumor Cells
Authors: Al-Shammari Ahmed , Salman Marwa , Saihood Yahya , Yaseen Nahi , Raed Khansaa , Shaker Hiba , Ahmed Aesar , Khalid Aseel , Duiach Ahlam
Published: January 2016

Background: Chemotherapy is one of the antitumor therapies used worldwide in spite of its serious side effects and unsatisfactory results. Many attempts have been made to increase its activity and reduce its toxicity. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is still a widely-used chemotherapeutic agent, especially in combination with other chemotherapies. Combination therapy seems to be the best option for targeting tumor cells by different mechanisms. Virotherapy is a promising agent for fighting cancer because of its safety and selectivity. Newcastle disease virus is safe, and it selectively targets tumor cells. We previously demonstrated that Newcastle disease virus (NDV) could be used to augment other chemotherapeutic agents and reduce their toxicity by halving the administered dose and replacing the eliminated chemotherapeutic agents with the Newcastle disease virus; the same antitumor activity was maintained. Methods: In the current work, we tested this hypothesis on different tumor cell lines. We used the non-virulent LaSota strain of NDV in combination with 5-FU, and we measured the cytotoxicity effect. We evaluated this combination using Chou–Talalay analysis. Results: NDV was synergistic with 5-FU at low doses when used as a combination therapy on different cancer cells, and there were very mild effects on non-cancer cells. Conclusion: The combination of a virulent, non-pathogenic NDV–LaSota strain with a standard chemotherapeutic agent, 5-FU, has a synergistic effect on different tumor cells in vitro, suggesting this combination could be an important new adjuvant therapy for treating cancer.
Carbon-Doped Hexagonal Boron Nitride: Analysis as π-Conjugate Molecules Embedded in Two Dimensional Insulator
Authors: Xie Wei , Yanase Takashi , Nagahama Taro , Shimada Toshihiro
Published: January 2016

We analyzed the electronic structures of carbon-doped hexagonal boron nitride, focusing on the comparison with the corresponding π-conjugate hydrocarbon molecules and odd-number substitution by first principle calculation. The band gaps are about the half that of the HOMO-LUMO gaps of corresponding hydrocarbons, except for the cis-butadiene structure in which aromatic hexagonal ring formation is important. Odd number doping makes metallic materials with very different work functions, depending upon the difference in B and N numbers, and has an expected application as electrodes for flexible devices.
High-Throughput Screening as a Supplemental Tool for the Development of Advanced Emission Control Catalysts: Methodological Approaches and Data Processing
Authors: Sundermann Andreas , Gerlach Olga
Published: January 2016

A high-throughput (HT) screening platform developed at hte with the application focus on automotive catalysis is described. hte HT units are configured for performing steady-state testing, as well as dynamic tests with fast feed switches, such as lean/rich excursions for the evaluation of NOx storage capacity and efficiency of lean NOx traps (LNT), ammonia storage capacity for selective catalytic reduction (SCR), evaluation of oxygen storage capacity (OSC), as well as lambda sweep tests for screening of three-way catalysts (TWC). Even though catalysts are screened on a rather small scale (~100 mg powder), experience showed that dosing rather complex gas mixtures in concentrations close to that found in real exhaust for the given application is mandatory to generate relevant data. The objective of this work is to give additional insight into HT technology. In the industrial research laboratory, HT screening has matured to become a reliable approach for rapid screening of both reaction parameter spaces, as well as material properties relevant for exhaust gas catalyst development. Due to the speed of optimized screening involving 48 parallel reactors, automated handling of primary data is an imported requirement. Software for data reduction, like estimation of light-off temperature, needs to be robust and handle results for diverse sample libraries in an unattended fashion. In combination with the statistical design of experiment and multivariate data analysis, HT testing has become a valuable enhancement to automotive catalyst development.
Aerobic Catalytic Oxidation of Cyclohexene over TiZrCo Catalysts
Authors: Liu Tong , Cheng Haiyang , Lin Weiwei , Zhang Chao , Yu Yancun , Zhao Fengyu
Published: January 2016

The aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbon is of great significance from the viewpoints of both fundamental and industry studies as it can transfer the petrochemical feedstock into valuable chemicals. In this work, we investigated the aerobic oxidation of cyclohexene over TiZrCo catalysts, in which 2-cyclohexen-1-one was produced with a high selectivity of 57.6% at a conversion of 92.2%, which are comparable to the best results reported for the aerobic oxidation of cyclohexene over heterogeneous catalysts. The influences of kinds of solvent, substrate concentration and reaction temperature were evaluated. Moreover, the catalytic performance of the TiZrCo catalyst and the main catalytic active species were also discussed. The results of SEM, XRD and XPS suggested that the surface CoO and Co3O4 species are the catalytic active species and contribute to the high activity and selectivity in the present cyclohexene oxidation. The present catalytic system should have wide applications in the aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons.