bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic impact of coronary microcirculation abnormalities in systemic sclerosis: a prospective study to evaluate the role of non-invasive tests
Authors: Vacca Alessandra , Montisci Roberta , Garau Pietro , Siotto Paolo , Piga Matteo , Cauli Alberto , Ruscazio Massimo , Meloni Luigi , Iliceto Sabino , Mathieu Alessandro
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Microcirculation dysfunction is a typical feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and represents the earliest abnormality of primary myocardial involvement. We assessed coronary microcirculation status by combining two functional tests in SSc patients and estimating its impact on disease outcome.

Methods

Forty-one SSc patients, asymptomatic for coronary artery disease, were tested for coronary flow velocity reserve (CFR) by transthoracic-echo-Doppler with adenosine infusion (A-TTE) and for left ventricular wall motion abnormalities (WMA) by dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Myocardial multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) enabled the presence of epicardial stenosis, which could interfere with the accuracy of the tests, to be excluded. Patient survival rate was assessed over a 6.7- ± 3.5-year follow-up.

Results

Nineteen out of 41 (46%) SSc patients had a reduced CFR (≤2.5) and in 16/41 (39%) a WMA was observed during DSE. Furthermore, 13/41 (32%) patients showed pathological CFR and WMA. An inverse correlation between wall motion score index (WMSI) during DSE and CFR value (r = -0.57, P <0.0001) was observed; in addition, CFR was significantly reduced (2.21 ± 0.38) in patients with WMA as compared to those without (2.94 ± 0.60) (P <0.0001). In 12 patients with abnormal DSE, MDCT was used to exclude macrovasculopathy. During a 6.7- ± 3.5-year follow-up seven patients with abnormal coronary functional tests died of disease-related causes, compared to only one patient with normal tests.

Conclusions

A-TTE and DSE tests are useful tools to detect non-invasively pre-clinical microcirculation abnormalities in SSc patients; moreover, abnormal CFR and WMA might be related to a worse disease outcome suggesting a prognostic value of these tests, similar to other myocardial diseases.
Health, Safety, and Environmental Challenges of Xylene in Upstream Petroleum Industry
Authors: Zoveidavianpoor Mansoor , Samsuri Ariffin , Shadizadeh Seyed Reza
Published: January 2013

Xylene sited in the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's), is considered as one of the toxic chemicals released to environment during oil and gas operations in order to remove the organic deposits such as asphaltene. Normally, wellbore soaking by xylene is performed to remove the organic plugs in the petroleum production system. However, xylene imposed detrimental impacts and continuous threat to field personnel and environment via storage and its flow backs into the waste pit. This paper illustrates oil well stimulation process and equipment and reviews the environmental challenges of xylene and gives indication of credible alternatives in stimulation oil and gas wells. This way, awareness is provided for upstream petroleum industry and environmental engineers for its risk evaluation, development of remediation and/or replacement techniques, and finally identification of future research directions.
A Nonparametric Approach to Modeling Choice with Limited Data
Authors: Farias Vivek F. , Jagabathula Srikanth , Shah Devavrat
Published: January 2013

Choice models today are ubiquitous across a range of applications in operations and marketing. Real-world implementations of many of these models face the formidable stumbling block of simply identifying the “right” model of choice to use. Because models of choice are inherently high-dimensional objects, the typical approach to dealing with this problem is positing, a priori, a parametric model that one believes adequately captures choice behavior. This approach can be substantially suboptimal in scenarios where one cares about using the choice model learned to make fine-grained predictions; one must contend with the risks of mis-specification and overfitting/underfitting. Thus motivated, we visit the following problem: For a “generic” model of consumer choice (namely, distributions over preference lists) and a limited amount of data on how consumers actually make decisions (such as marginal information about these distributions), how may one predict revenues from offering a particular assortment of choices? An outcome of our investigation is a nonparametric approach in which the data automatically select the right choice model for revenue predictions. The approach is practical. Using a data set consisting of automobile sales transaction data from a major U.S. automaker, our method demonstrates a 20% improvement in prediction accuracy over state-of-the-art benchmark models; this improvement can translate into a 10% increase in revenues from optimizing the offer set. We also address a number of theoretical issues, among them a qualitative examination of the choice models implicitly learned by the approach. We believe that this paper takes a step toward “automating” the crucial task of choice model selection.

This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.
Effect of Active Magnesia on the Properties of Cementitious Binders
Authors: Zhu Jing , Ye Nan , Liu Jianwen , Li Yalin , Yang Jiakuan
Published: January 2013

Reactive magnesium oxide (magnesia, MgO) was produced by calcining magnesite at comparatively low temperature, less than 800 ℃C. The reactive MgO and fly ash were used as additives to cementitious binder. The reactive MgO-ordinary Portland cement-fly ash is referred to as MgO-OPC-FA cement in further. The hydration expansion effect of active magnesia on the properties of cementitious binder in different mixing ratio was investigated. It is known that the “dead burnt” MgO reacts with water very slowly, which causes the expansion after the solidification of cement. Therefore, the MgO content in ordinary cement is commonly restricted to less than 5%. Effects of reactive MgO on the expansion properties of the cementitious binders were studied. Hydrated products of reactive MgO cements were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The MgO-OPC-FA cement was sound, although the content of reactive MgO in cement was about 8 wt. %. Reactive MgO was hydrated at early age in 24 hours, thus causing rapid expansion. Mg(OH)2appeared on initial stage of cement hydration for active magnesia. The hydration rate of active magnesia was not equal to that of the dead burnt magnesia. The hydration of reactive MgO has a negative effect on the mechanical properties of reactive MgO-ordinary Portland cement-fly ash system, in spite of the inhibitive effect of the expansion of MgO hydration produced by fly ash. Our results shed light on the potential utilization of reactive MgO in the manufacturing of cementitious binders.
Grupo de autoajuda como modalidade de tratamento para pessoas com dependência de álcool
Authors: Lima Helder de Pádua , Braga Violante Augusta Batista
Published: January 2013

Grupos de autoajuda estão se tornando cada vez mais comuns, à medida que seus membros se organizam para conviver com o alcoolismo e resolver seus próprios problemas. Objetivou-se apreender da vivência de alcoolistas o modo como um grupo de autoajuda se constitui como modalidade de tratamento para pessoas com dependência de álcool. Estudo descritivo, qualitativo, realizado com 20 membros de um grupo de autoajuda. Os dados foram produzidos mediante entrevista semiestruturada e analisados conforme o método de análise de conteúdo. Resultados denotam que acolhimento, partilha de experiências e reinserção social, favorecem a participação no grupo e que, consequentemente, contribuem para o bem-estar físico, mental e social. Ressalta-se a necessidade de parcerias com grupos de autoajuda, tendo em vista a importância de conhecimentos produzidos nestas organizações, que podem ser colocados em favor daqueles que precisam do devido cuidado.
Pensando os modos de cuidar da enfermeira intensivista a partir da noção de estilo
Authors: Silva Rafael Celestino da , Ferreira Márcia de Assunção
Published: January 2013

Reflexão teórica, cujo objetivo é analisar os modos de agir da enfermeira na terapia intensiva, tomando como referência a noção sobre estilo de cuidar. A construção do estudo baseou-se em leituras críticas e análise de publicações captadas em bases de dados virtuais sobre estilo, articuladas com a área da saúde e o cuidado de enfermagem. Estilos de cuidar são as diferentes linhas de ação seguidas pela enfermeira em determinados ambientes de cuidado, com influências individuais e coletivas. Diante disso, os modos de agir das enfermeiras, marcados por uma maior ou menor expressão da objetividade/subjetividade, precisam ser discutidos a partir do sentido atribuído às práticas de cuidado ao cliente na terapia intensiva. Conclui-se que a atuação da enfermeira neste cenário deve incluir na sua análise o sujeito como ator social no processo de elaboração das ideias.
A entrevista: fundamentos da hermenêutica e da psicanálise
Authors: Remor Carlos Augusto Monguilhott , Remor Lourdes de Costa
Published: January 2013

Este trabalho apresenta uma reflexão acerca de uma metodologia de construção e análise de entrevista, baseada, por um lado, na hermenêutica de Habermas e Thompson e, por outro, na psicanálise freudo-lacaniana. A partir da conjunção e disjunção da hermenêutica com a psicanálise, procurou-se construir uma fundamentação da elaboração de entrevistas e de sua análise, em que se seja possível aplicar tais teorias. Os resultados obtidos com a aplicação prática da hermenêutica e da psicanálise, numa pesquisa, foram diferentes do que, inicialmente, se pensava encontrar. Foi constatada a convergência dos conceitos, ainda que os pesquisados utilizassem diferentes termos. Mesmo a linguagem coloquial, quando aprofundada pela interpretação dos autores, mostrou que as falas estavam sustentadas no referencial técnico. Os resultados ultrapassaram os objetivos, indicando ser viável a aplicação desses fundamentos em pesquisa dessa natureza.
Formação de um grupo de pesquisa em enfermagem na área da saúde da mulher e gênero
Authors: Fonseca Rosa Maria Godoy Serpa da , Souza Kleyde Ventura de , Andrade Clara de Jesus Marques , Amaral Marta Araújo , Souza Vânia de , Caetano Laíse Conceição
Published: January 2013

Trata-se do relato da experiência sobre a formação de um grupo de pesquisa por meio da estratégia metodológica participativa e emancipatória da oficina de trabalho. Concebida no âmago da epistemologia feminista, esta opção encerra a possibilidade efetiva da construção de um produto compartilhado e reconhecido como pertencente a todas as participantes, dentre outros inúmeros qualificativos. Foram estabelecidos eixos estruturantes em torno dos quais se desenvolveram os conteúdos e as atividades. Os resultados mostram que, a despeito da diversidade de visões de mundo e experiências, de dificuldades pessoais e institucionais, as participantes tinham uma perspectiva bastante positiva em relação à formação de um grupo de pesquisa para incrementar e difundir o conhecimento de gênero na saúde da mulher. A oficina as instrumentalizou para o empreendimento num clima agradável, leve e prazeroso, nem por isso, menos compromissado com uma inovadora forma de fazer ciência.
Intraspecific variability through ontogeny in early ammonoids
Authors: De Baets Kenneth , Klug Christian , Monnet Claude
Published: January 2013

Mollusks in general and ammonoids in particular are known to display a sometimes profound morphological intraspecific variability of their shell. Although this phenomenon is of greatest importance, it has rarely been investigated and quantified. It is especially crucial for taxonomy and incidentally for biodiversity analyses to account for it, because otherwise, the number of described species might exceed that of actual species within any group. Early ammonoids (Early Devonian, Paleozoic) typically suffer from this bias. For instance, most specimens from the same layer and the same region (e.g., theErbenocerasbeds of the Moroccan eastern Anti-Atlas studied here) differ morphologically from each other. Depending on the importance given to certain morphological characters, therefore, one could create a new species for almost every specimen. In this study, we measured nearly 100 such specimens from a restricted stratigraphic interval and quantified their intraspecific variability. There is a variable but strong overlap of the quantified shell characters at most ontogenetic stages, and only two species are here separated rather than the four previously recognized in Morocco. When ontogenetic trajectories of the Moroccan specimens are compared with coeval faunas from other regions (assigned to other species), a strong overlap between the morphospaces occupied by these taxa becomes apparent. The justification of some of these latter species is thus questionable even if their mean values in some conch parameters differ considerably from the mean values of the Moroccan species. Hence, the number of currently valid species of these loosely coiled early ammonoids is probably much too high. Extreme caution must therefore be taken when examining the diversity of groups in which the intraspecific variability is poorly known.
Maastrichtian marine reptiles of the Mediterranean Tethys: a palaeobiogeographical approach
Authors: Bardet Nathalie
Published: January 2013

A global comparison of coeval Maastrichtian marine reptiles (squamates, plesiosaurs, chelonians and crocodyliformes) of Europe, New Jersey, northwestern Africa and Middle-East has been performed. More than twenty outcrops and fifty species (half of them being mosasaurids) have been recorded. PEA and Cluster Analysis have been performed using part of this database and have revealed that marine reptile faunas (especially the mosasaurid ones) from the Mediterranean Tethys are clearly segregated into two different palaeobiogeographical provinces: 1) The northern Tethys margin province (New Jersey and Europe), located around palaeolatitudes 30-40°N and developping into warm-temperate environments, is dominated by mosasaurid squamates and chelonioid chelonians; it is characterized by the mosasaurid association of Mosasaurus hoffmanni and Prognathodon sectorius. 2) The southern Tethys margin province (Brazil and the Arabo-African domain), located between palaeolatitudes 20°N-20°S and developping into intertropical environments, is dominated by mosasaurid squamates and bothremydid chelonians; it is characterized by the mosasaurid association of Globidens phosphaticus as well as by Halisaurus arambourgi and Platecarpus (?) ptychodon (Arabo-African domain). These faunal differences are interpreted as revealing palaeoecological preferences probably linked to differences in palaeolatitudinal gradients and/or to palaeocurrents.

On a palaeoecological point on view and concerning mosasaurids, the mosasaurines (Prognathodon, Mosasaurus, Globidens and Carinodens) prevail on both margins but with different species. The ichthyophageous plioplatecarpines Plioplatecarpus (Northern margin) and Platecarpus (?) ptychodon (Southern margin) characterise respectively each margin. The halisaurine Halisaurus is present on both margins but with different species. Of importance, the tylosaurines remain currently unknown on the southern Tethys margin and are restricted to higher palaeolatitudes. Chelonians (bothremydids and chelonioids) are respective of each margin, which probably indicates lower dispersal capabilities compared to mosasaurids. The relative scarcity of plesiosaurs and crocodyliformes could be linked to different ecological preferences. The noteworthy crocodyliforme diversity increase in the Palaeogene is probably linked to mosasaurid extinction during the biological crisis of the K/Pg boundary.
Evaluation of Sorghum Genotypes Compatibility with Fusarium oxysporum under Striga Infestation
Authors: Rebeka Gebretsadik , Shimelis Hussein , Laing Mark D. , Tongoona Pangirayi , Mandefro Nigussie
Published: January 2013

Combined use of host resistance and Fusarium oxysporum as a biocontrol agent may provide enhanced management of Striga hermonthica (Delile) Benth. in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The objective of this study was to identify sorghum genotypes compatible with F. oxysporum and to determine the potential of this biocontrol agent for controlling Striga. Fifty sorghum genotypes were evaluated in the greenhouse in Striga‐infested soils with and without inoculation by F. oxysporum. A supplementary laboratory study was conducted to investigate the growth and proliferation of F. oxysporum in the soil and sorghum roots. Data were recorded on crop growth parameters, Striga incidence and colonization, and the persistence of F. oxysporum in the soil and on plant roots, using samples taken at 45 and 60 d after planting. Inoculation with F. oxysporum significantly shortened days to maturity compared to noninoculated plants. Plant height, biomass, panicle length, and seed yield per plant were higher in F. oxysporum treated pots. Striga emergence was delayed and vigor and overall incidence of the parasite was significantly reduced in Fusarium‐treated pots. The number of Fusarium colony forming units obtained from soil and plant samples were significantly different between genotypes. Three principal components (PCs) contributed to 67.31% of the total variation among the genotypes. Principal component 1, PC2, and PC3 contributed 27, 23, and 18%, respectively, to the total variance. Days to Striga emergence and Striga count and height correlated with PC1 while sorghum panicle length and plant height with PC2 and days to sorghum flowering and maturity with PC3. Thus, 12 promising sorghum lines were identified with farmer‐preferred agronomic traits and with F. oxysporum compatibility. This result is valuable in the development of Striga control in sorghum through integration of host resistance and F. oxysporum inoculation.
Identification of Soybean Aphid Resistance in Early Maturing Genotypes of Soybean
Authors: Bhusal Siddhi J. , Jiang Guo‐Liang , Tilmon Kelley J. , Hesler Louis S.
Published: January 2013

Soybean aphid (SA) (Aphis glycines Matsumura) has been an important pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the United States since 2000. Identification and genetic characterization of SA resistance in early maturing soybean germplasm will facilitate development of aphid‐resistant cultivars in the northern region. To identify new sources of SA resistance in early maturing soybeans, a total of 334 soybean genotypes including resistant and susceptible checks were tested in the greenhouse and field. Caged (no‐choice) and noncaged tests were used in greenhouse screening under artificial inoculation of SA, and field evaluations were performed relying on natural aphid infestation with or without artificial SA inoculation. In the greenhouse, four genotypes (PI 603712, PI 464911, PI 430491, and PI 603432B) of maturity group (MG) 0 or 00 exhibited low levels of aphid colonization similar to resistant checks, with 17 to 52 aphids per plant 2 wk after inoculation, and three genotypes (PI 612759B, PI 200595, and PI 603426D) of MG 0 were moderately resistant. In the field, however, only PI 603712 and PI 430491 exhibited a resistance reaction with fewer than 100 or 100 to 200 aphids per plant at peak infestation. Plant Introduction 603712 was the only genotype that consistently exhibited resistance to SA in all tests—even higher than that of other known sources of SA resistance in the field. This suggests that PI 603712 might be a new source of SA resistance. In addition, the relatively high levels of SA colonization on a Rag1 genotype (PI 548663 or ‘Dowling’) in greenhouse tests suggest that the colony used in greenhouse tests might be virulent on Rag1 and therefore might be biotype 2. High levels of SA infestation on Rag1 and Rag2 genotypes in field tests also imply that biotypes 2 and 3 may have been present in the eastern South Dakota field.
Intercropping Time of Corn and Palisadegrass or Guineagrass Affecting Grain Yield and Forage Production
Authors: Borghi E. , Crusciol C. A. C. , Mateus G. P. , Nascente A. S. , Martins P. O.
Published: January 2013

Intercropping corn (Zea mays L.) with forages, such as palisadegrass {Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster [syn. Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf]} or guineagrass [Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S. W. L. Jacobs (syn. Panicum maximum Jacq.)], provides large amounts of biomass for use as straw in no‐tillage systems or as pasture. However, it is important to evaluate what time these forages have to be sown into corn systems to avoid reductions in both corn and forage production. This study, conducted for three growing seasons at Botucatu, Brazil, evaluated nutrient concentration and yield of corn as affected by time of forage intercropped as well as forage's dry matter production. Our data showed that intercropping systems did not reduce leaf nutrient concentrations and grain yield of corn in relation to sole corn. The simultaneous intercropping of corn and guineagrass resulted in the lowest plant population (51,200 plant ha−1), number of ears per plant (1.0), and, consequently, the lowest corn grain yield (9801 kg ha−1). Guineagrass seeded at the time of corn fertilizer topdressing resulted in the highest plant population (59,400 plants ha−1), number of ears per plant (1.2), and corn grain yield (12,077 kg ha−1). Forage production was highest when intercrop was done simultaneously. Palisadegrass could be intercropped with corn both simultaneously or at topdressing fertilization stage. In contrast, it is recommended that guineagrass should only be intercropped with corn at topdressing fertilization.
Diabetes and hypertension: Issues of treatment compliance
Authors: Koirala Naba Raj
Published: January 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i1.7280Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.1(1) 2011
Fibrinogen: Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Kafle Dilli Ram
Published: January 2013

Patients with diabetes mellitus have 2 to 4 times increased risk for cardiovascular disease than non-diabetic patients. However this excess risk is not fully explained by the traditional cardiovascular risk factors (Hypertension, Hypercholesterolaemia, Smoking and Obesity) which are also associated with diabetes. Fibrinogen has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and it is associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Studies done in the Caucasians have shown fibrinogen to be higher in diabetic than the non-diabetic patients. Elevated fibrinogen in diabetic patients may be responsible for the increased cardiovascular risk in those patients. Elevated fibrinogen is also associated with increased mortality in general population.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i1.7281 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.1(1) 2011 1-8
Prevalence of anxiety symptoms among the clients maintained in methadone maintenance treatment programme at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital
Authors: Koirala Naba Raj , Dev Sharma Vidya , Ojha Saroj Prasad , Pathak Nishita
Published: January 2013

Background: The symptoms of anxiety are widely prevalent among the former opioid addicts in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). It is clinically important to be aware of the severity of the co-morbidity as it plays a crucial role in the methadone dosage, length of time in treatment and the relapse rate and the co-existence of co-morbidity has been described as the factor which worsens the prognosis. Aim: to study the prevalence of the symptoms of anxiety among MMT clients Methods: a descriptive, survey and a cross- sectional study, 60 MMT clients were selected who had been attending the MMTP for more than 2 months and were given with semistructured proforma specifically designed for this study only. Then after, they were evaluated for the anxiety symptoms with Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Finally, the information obtained from the demographic profile and the rating scale were analyzed with the help of computer program SPSS. Results: The study showed around 41.7 % of the patients had symptoms of anxiety with varying severity. Correlates of presence of anxiety symptom among MMT client in the present study showed higher prevalence among age group 20-29(88%), 66% were separated and 64% were unmarried, 50% were Buddhist, majority of the case were chhetri (70%), 75% had primary level education, 67% were unemployed, and 65% from middle class socioeconomic status. Limitation: The study was a cross sectional, which showed only the symptoms of anxiety not the disorder and the drug use, withdrawals itself, could distort evaluation and lead to misdiagnosis of anxiety. Conclusion: The major risk factor for was male gender, separated, primary education level, students and middle socio-economic status.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i1.7283 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.1(1) 2011 15-19
Prevalence and significance of iron deficiency of anaemia among people of Mornag District of Nepal
Authors: Sinha Amar Kumar , Majumdar Biswajit , Yadav Shrawan Kumar
Published: January 2013

Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most dangerous and devastating causative form of malnutrition in developing countries, where special care should be taken from the health community to address the problem in South East Asian countries, 1.3-2.2 billion population is affected according to world health organization. Fifty percent of women and children and 60% of gross anemic women of developing nations have been adversely affected till date. The most common cause of iron deficiency anaemia is due to inadequate intake of iron in diet, physiologic demands of pregnancy and rapid growth and loss due to parasitic infections. Other prevalent causes of anaemia include malaria, chronic infections and nutritional deficiencies of vitamin A, folic acid and Vitamin b-12. The study reveals that 25.57 % of patients have been suffering from iron deficient anemia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i1.7286 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.1(1) 2011 40-44
Utilization of maternal health care services in Belbari VDC of Eastern Region of Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Buna , Pokhrel Baburam , Bhatta Bimala , Karn Rajib , Pokhrel Ava , Jha Nilambar
Published: January 2013

Background: Appropriate utilization of maternal health care services is very important to reduce the maternal morbidity and mortality rate in the country and healthful practices while caring mother is needed to improve the health condition of both mother and child. Objectives: Main objectives of this study is to assess the utilization of Maternal health care services and know the cultural practices about care of mother and children of under one year of children. Methodology: Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 248 mothers of less than one year children on Belbari VDC of Morang district. Data was collected by using quantitative (house hold survey) and qualitative (focus group discussions and key informant interview) methods. Results: Among 248 mothers, 84% utilized the antenatal care services, 91% received TT vaccine during pregnancy. Most of them 80% had done delivery in health institutions. Conclusion: Based on proposed objectives of study, Utilization of maternal health care services should be encouraged in Belbari VDC of Morang District and healthful practices should be reinforced in areas where corrections are needed.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i1.7288 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.1(1) 2011 53-58
Congenital genu recurvatum with dislocation of knee: A case report
Authors: Kalawar Rosan Prasad Shah , Chaudhary Shipra , Kalam Abul , Sitoula Prakash , Jha Ranjiv , Shah Sanjaya
Published: January 2013

A baby girl was born with severe deformity of left knee. Clinically and radiologically she was diagnosed as congenital dislocation of left knee. Gentle manipulation followed by above knee POP slab corrected the deformity in three weeks. A follow up at the age of 6 months showed normal position and range of motion of the knee. We are reporting this case for its rarity. Early recognition requires simple intervention only.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i1.7291 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.1(1) 2011 68-70
Upregulation of cyclooxygenase system and growth factors as plausable mechanism of antinuclerogenic activity of leaf of Piper betle Linn: a molecular insight
Authors: Majumdar Biswajit , Sinha Amar Kumar , Yadav Shekhar Chandra , Niroula Dilli Ram
Published: January 2013

Allylpyrocatechol, the active component obtained from ethanol extract of leaves of Piper betle Linn at a dose of 120mg/kg body weight was shown to be an antiulcerogenic agent. Allylpyrocatechol was isolated from PBE by column chromatographic separation followed by preparative TLC and tested in rat ulcer model. Histological studies reveal that damage in the mucosal epithelium was corrected and the disrupted epithelium (as seen in ulcer) reversed with the test compound. The cellular, molecular and biochemical factors underlying the healing of gastric ulcer, such as, growth factors (EGF, EGF-R, SMAD-4) and cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) were observed to be up-regulated in presence of APC during healing process. All the data showed statistical significance (by one way ANOVA) when compared to the experimental control value.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i2.7294 Journal of Nobel Medical College (2012), Vol.1 No.2 p.14-24
A prospective study of the management of open fractures of tibia
Authors: Mohammad Abul Kalam , Shrivastav Mahesh , Gupta Pradeep , Sayed Awais
Published: January 2013

A Prospective study of 30 cases of type III open fractures of tibia is conducted at Nepal Medical College, Kathmandu and Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar from 2009 to 2011. All cases included in the study were initially managed by wound debridement and external fixation, and followed-up regularly for 10 months for outcome. Five cases developed deep infection and 10 had superficial infection, which subsided with prolonged use of antibiotics. Union was obtained in 7to 8 months for 28 cases. Two cases resulted in non- union which had been managed by bone grafting. Open Type III fractures of tibia are still a difficult and challenging problem for orthopedic surgeons. Almost all cases are required for twice surgery including secondary closure, skin grafting and readjustment.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i2.7295 Journal of Nobel Medical College (2012), Vol.1 No.2 p.25-28
A study on personal hygiene and sanitary practices in a rural village of Mornag District of Nepal
Authors: Karn Rajiv Ranjan , Bhandari Buna , Jha Nilambar
Published: January 2013

Background: Inadequate sanitation has direct effect on health of individual, family, communities and nation as a whole. Objective: To assess the personal hygiene and sanitary condition of the Katahari Village Development Committee (VDC). Methods: The cross sectional study was done in Katahari VDC of Morang district. A total of 80 households were randomly selected from two wards of VDC. The data were collected by interview method using interview schedule. Data were entered in Excel sheet and analyzed on SPSS program. Results: Many respondents (61%) were unable to read and write, 33% involved in private job in various factory. Knowledge of sanitation was high (90%) but only 65% of them were using soap water for hand washing. Sixty percent had no toilet facilities. There was significant association between education and toilet facilities among community people. Land holding and type of family had no significant association with toilet facilities. Conclusion: The knowledge regarding sanitation was high among community people but very poor in practice.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i2.7298 Journal of Nobel Medical College (2012), Vol.1 No.2 p.39-44
Interlocking intramedullary nailing in comminuted femoral shaft fractures
Authors: Mohammad Abul Kalan , Shah Ram Kewal , Syed Awais , Gupta Pradeep
Published: January 2013

A prospective study of 20 comminuted femoral fractures, open and close, treated with interlocked intramedullary nailing. The mechanical strength of the nail and less invasive procedure has made the procedure preferable. Short Operative time and less blood loss was seen during surgical procedure. Out of 20 cases , 10 cases were taken from Nepal Medical College, Kathmandu and 10 cases from Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar, during years 2009 to 2011, which had been completed at least six months follow up. Almost all cases were relatively free from long term complication. The results were promising .All fractures healed within 6 months.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i2.7300 Journal of Nobel Medical College (2012), Vol.1 No.2 p.50-56
The prevalence of mental retardation by gender, age, and age of diagnosis at Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar
Authors: Koirala Naba Raj , Das Ajoy Kumar , Bhagat Santosh Kumar
Published: January 2013

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of mental retardation by gender and age of diagnosis at Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar. Methods: The data of all mentally retarded children recorded within a period of one year from 01st May 2011 to 30th April 2012 is analyzed retrospectively. Age, gender, IQ scores, the age of diagnosis, and their living place were evaluated. Results and conclusion: A total number 103 children attended the Psychiatric Out-patient Department of Nobel medical College and Teaching Hospital over the study period of one year. Out of all those 103 children, 67 children were with normal IQ scores, 7 with coexistence of epilepsy and other medical problems, and 3 children with incomplete case records, thus they were excluded from the study, and the subjects for further study was constituted by just 26 cases, who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for Mental Retardation according to ICD-10. The overall prevalence of mental retardation in our study was 25% and the distribution of mental retardation amongst all those 26 cases were as follows: 2 cases (8%) were profound, 3 severe (12%), 7 (27%) were moderate and 9 (35%) mild, and 5 (19%) were borderline. Out of all those 26 mentally retarded children 11 were male (42%) and 15 (58%) were female, and of these cases, 07 were living in urban, and 19 in rural areas. Most of our cases were diagnosed between 6-10 years of age.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i2.7304 Journal of Nobel Medical College (2012), Vol.1 No.2 p.77-81
Understanding the Dynamics of Gene Regulatory Systems; Characterisation and Clinical Relevance of cis-Regulatory Polymorphisms
Authors: Cowie Philip , Ross Ruth , MacKenzie Alasdair
Published: January 2013

Modern genetic analysis has shown that most polymorphisms associated with human disease are non-coding. Much of the functional information contained in the non-coding genome consists of cis-regulatory sequences (CRSs) that are required to respond to signal transduction cues that direct cell specific gene expression. It has been hypothesised that many diseases may be due to polymorphisms within CRSs that alter their responses to signal transduction cues. However, identification of CRSs, and the effects of allelic variation on their ability to respond to signal transduction cues, is still at an early stage. In the current review we describe the use of comparative genomics and experimental techniques that allow for the identification of CRSs building on recent advances by the ENCODE consortium. In addition we describe techniques that allow for the analysis of the effects of allelic variation and epigenetic modification on CRS responses to signal transduction cues. Using specific examples we show that the interactions driving these elements are highly complex and the effects of disease associated polymorphisms often subtle. It is clear that gaining an understanding of the functions of CRSs, and how they are affected by SNPs and epigenetic modification, is essential to understanding the genetic basis of human disease and stratification whilst providing novel directions for the development of personalised medicine.
Problems of Teaching the Behaviorist Perspective in the Cognitive Revolution
Authors: Abramson Charles
Published: January 2013

This article offers some personal reflections on the difficulty of teaching the behaviorist perspective in the psychology classroom. The problems focus on the inadequacy of introductory textbooks—which mischaracterize behaviorism, only present the most extreme behaviorist positions, make no mention of the neobehaviorist perspective, fail to discuss that there is no accepted criteria for determining what type of behavior is cognitive, and provide a definition of cognition that is, not only inconsistent across texts, but so broad as to overshadow the behaviorist contributions. Suggestions are provided for instructors on how to present to their students an accurate portrayal of behaviorism.
Organic Nitrates Favor Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients on Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Li Han , Wang Shixiang
Published: January 2013

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of nitrates on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD). Sixty-four PD patients with hypertension were enrolled in this study. All patients accepted antihypertensive drugs at baseline. Thirty-two patients (nitrate group) took isosorbide mononitrate for 24 weeks. The remaining 32 patients (non-nitrate group) took other antihypertensive drugs. Blood pressure (BP), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) were monitored. Subjects with normal renal function were included as the control group (n = 30). At baseline, plasma ADMA levels in PD patients were significantly higher than the control group, but there was no significant difference in plasma ADMA levels between the two groups. At the end of the 24-week period, BP, LVMI, LVH prevalence and plasma ADMA levels in the nitrate group were significantly lower than those in the non-nitrate group. BP did not show a significant difference between 12 and 24 weeks in the nitrate group with a reduced need for other medication. Logistic regression analysis showed that nitrate supplementation and SBP reduction were independent risk factors of LVMI change in PD patients after adjusting for age, gender, diabetes history and CCB supplementation. It was concluded that organic nitrates favor regression of LVH in hypertensive patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis, and nitrates may be considered for use before employing the five other antihypertensive agents other than nitrates.
Coumarins from the Herb Cnidium monnieri and Chemically Modified Derivatives as Antifoulants against Balanus albicostatus and Bugula neritina Larvae
Authors: Wang Zhan-Chang , Feng Dan-Qing , Ke Cai-Huan
Published: January 2013

In the search for new environmental friendly antifouling (AF) agents, four coumarins were isolated from the herbal plant Cnidium monnieri, known as osthole (1), imperatorin (2), isopimpinellin (3) and auraptenol (4). Furthermore, five coumarin derivatives, namely 8-epoxypentylcoumarin (5), meranzin hydrate (6), 2'-deoxymetranzin hydrate (7), 8-methylbutenalcoumarin (8), and micromarin-F (9) were synthesized from osthole. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 7 showed high inhibitory activities against larval settlement of Balanus albicostatus with EC50 values of 4.64, 3.39, 3.38, 4.67 μg mL−1. Compound 8 could significantly inhibit larval settlement of Bugula neritina with an EC50 value of 3.87 μg mL−1. The impact of functional groups on anti-larval settlement activities suggested that the groups on C-5' and C-2'/C-3' of isoamylene chian could affect the AF activities.
Fucoidan Extract Enhances the Anti-Cancer Activity of Chemotherapeutic Agents in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhang Zhongyuan , Teruya Kiichiro , Yoshida Toshihiro , Eto Hiroshi , Shirahata Sanetaka
Published: January 2013

Fucoidan, a fucose-rich polysaccharide isolated from brown alga, is currently under investigation as a new anti-cancer compound. In the present study, fucoidan extract (FE) from Cladosiphon navae-caledoniae Kylin was prepared by enzymatic digestion. We investigated whether a combination of FE with cisplatin, tamoxifen or paclitaxel had the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy of cancer treatment. These co-treatments significantly induced cell growth inhibition, apoptosis, as well as cell cycle modifications in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. FE enhanced apoptosis in cancer cells that responded to treatment with three chemotherapeutic drugs with downregulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL and Mcl-1. The combination treatments led to an obvious decrease in the phosphorylation of ERK and Akt in MDA-MB-231 cells, but increased the phosphorylation of ERK in MCF-7 cells. In addition, we observed that combination treatments enhanced intracellular ROS levels and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in breast cancer cells, suggesting that induction of oxidative stress was an important event in the cell death induced by the combination treatments.
In Vitro and in Vivo Anticancer Activity of Aconitine on Melanoma Cell Line B16
Authors: Du Juan , Lu Xiaonian , Long Ziwen , Zhang Zhen , Zhu Xiaohua , Yang Yongsheng , Xu Jinhua
Published: January 2013

The anti-tumor effect of aconitine in melanoma cell line B16 has been studied in this paper. We found that B16 cells showed significantly reduced growth rates and increased apoptotic effects in the presence of aconitine. Furthermore, aconitine inhibited the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathways, thus regulating the levels of protein and mRNA of PCNA and apoptotic related signaling molecules. Above all, we found that aconitine showed an anti-melanoma effect in suppressing tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, we show that aconitine may be a useful anticancer drug in the future.
A Homodyne Quadrature Laser Interferometer for Micro-Asperity Deformation Analysis
Authors: Pogačnik Aljaž , Požar Tomaž , Kalin Mitjan , Možina Janez
Published: January 2013

We report on the successful realization of a contactless, non-perturbing, displacement-measuring system for characterizing the surface roughness of polymer materials used in tribological applications. A single, time-dependent, scalar value, dubbed the collective micro-asperity deformation, is extracted from the normal-displacement measurements of normally loaded polymer samples. The displacement measurements with a sub-nanometer resolution are obtained with a homodyne quadrature laser interferometer. The measured collective micro-asperity deformation is critical for a determination of the real contact area and thus for the realistic contact conditions in tribological applications. The designed measuring system senses both the bulk creep as well as the micro-asperity creep occurring at the roughness peaks. The final results of our experimental measurements are three time-dependent values of the collective micro-asperity deformation for the three selected surface roughnesses. These values can be directly compared to theoretical deformation curves, which can be derived using existing real-contact-area models.
The North Cascadia Adaptation Partnership: A Science-Management Collaboration for Responding to Climate Change
Authors: Raymond Crystal , Peterson David , Rochefort Regina
Published: January 2013

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) have highlighted climate change as an agency priority and issued direction to administrative units for responding to climate change. In response, the USFS and NPS initiated the North Cascadia Adaptation Partnership (NCAP) in 2010. The goals of the NCAP were to build an inclusive partnership, increase climate change awareness, assess vulnerability, and develop science-based adaptation strategies to reduce these vulnerabilities. The NCAP expanded previous science-management partnerships on federal lands to a larger, more ecologically and geographically complex region and extended the approach to a broader range of stakeholders. The NCAP focused on two national forests and two national parks in the North Cascades Range, Washington (USA), a total land area of 2.4 million ha, making it the largest science-management partnership of its kind. The NCAP assessed climate change vulnerability for four resource sectors (hydrology and access; vegetation and ecological disturbance; wildlife; and fish) and developed adaptation options for each sector. The NCAP process has proven to be a successful approach for implementing climate change adaptation across a region and can be emulated by other land management agencies in North America and beyond.
The Participation and Web Visibility of University Digital Repositories in the European Context
Authors: Calderón-Martínez Aurora , Ruiz-Conde Enar
Published: January 2013

This study focuses on academic institutional repositories as tools that allow us open access to scientific and academic production. Specifically, we analyze the Top 50 European University repositories differentiating, firstly, those repositories linked to Spanish universities compared to those belonging to universities throughout Europe and, secondly, repositories that only include research content as opposed to those that also include teaching content. Specifically, this work complements previous studies on the consolidation of the repositories, focusing on the analysis of the competitive environment by considering their participation and relative visibility shares. The analysis, using competitive maps and comparative advantage method, allows us to identify European university repositories that lead their segments, in terms of their levels of participation and web visibility in the market. In general, without distinguishing by segments, results show that the leadership at European level in terms of participation is held by the University College of London (UK) and the repository of the University of Umea (Sweden) is the leader in visibility.

El presente estudio se centra en los repositorios institucionales universitarios como instrumentos que posibilitan el acceso en abierto a la producción científica y académica. Se analizan los Top50 repositorios universitarios europeos diferenciando, en primer lugar, aquellos repositorios vinculados a universidades españolas frente a los pertenecientes a universidades del resto de Europa y, en segundo lugar, los repositorios que incluyen en sus contenidos exclusivamente resultados de investigación frente a aquéllos que también albergan recursos docentes. En concreto, este trabajo complementa estudios previos sobre la consolidación de los repositorios, profundizando en el análisis del entorno competitivo a partir de sus cuotas relativas de participación y de visibilidad web. El análisis efectuado, a través del diseño de mapas competitivos y la aplicación del método de la ventaja relativa, permite identificar los repositorios universitarios europeos líderes en sus segmentos respecto a sus niveles de participación y visibilidad web en el mercado. A nivel general, sin establecer diferencias por segmentos, los resultados muestran que el liderazgo a nivel europeo, en términos de participación, lo ostenta el University College of London (Reino Unido), mientras que el repositorio de la Universidad de Umea (Suecia) es líder en visibilidad.
L'exemption de paiement des soins au Burkina Faso, Mali et Niger
Authors: Olivier de Sardan Jean-Pierre , Ridde Valéry
Published: January 2013

Résumé Face aux problèmes d’accès aux soins liés au recouvrement des coûts, de nombreux pays africains organisent aujourd’hui des politiques d’exemption du paiement pour certaines catégories vulnérables. Fondé sur l’étude des politiques publiques et l’enquête de terrain socio-anthropologique, cet article dresse un bilan comparatif pour le Burkina Faso, le Mali et le Niger, qui ont choisi des dispositifs d’exemption relativement différents. Les problèmes dans la conception et la mise en œuvre restent similaires. Les mesures d’exemption sont souvent prises en fonction d’un mélange de calculs politiques internes et de pressions externes. Le fonctionnement des dispositifs est la plupart du temps chaotique et incohérent, faute de préparation, de communication, de gestion efficace et surtout de financements. De nombreux effets inattendus sont mis au jour. Du fait notamment des ruptures de stock, la qualité des soins est loin d’être garantie.