bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular simulation of perfluorohexane adsorption in BAM-P109 activated carbon
Authors: Sarkisov Lev
Published: November 2016

In this study we construct micro- and micro-mesoporous models of activated carbon BAM-P109. The model is based on random packing of structural elements, here provided by hydroxyl-functionalized corannulene molecules. The properties of the model are tuned to reflect structural characteristics of the reference material and its adsorption behaviour. Using the proposed model (the mesoporous variant of it) we predict that BAM-P109 should adsorb 40.84, 45.05, 50.12 cm3 (STP)/g of perfluorohexane at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.6 relative pressures, respectively, at 273 K. These results are then compared to the reference experimental data. Although simulations correctly predict the trend in the adsorption density, the model, in its current form, systematically underestimates adsorbed density by 20% on average. We reflect on the deficiencies of the model and possible strategies to improve it.
Training hospital staff on spiritual care in palliative care influences patient-reported outcomes: Results of a quasi-experimental study
Authors: van de Geer Joep , Groot Marieke , Andela Richtsje , Leget Carlo , Prins Jelle , Vissers Kris , Zock Hetty
Published: November 2016

Background:

Spiritual care is reported to be important to palliative patients. There is an increasing need for education in spiritual care.

Aim:

To measure the effects of a specific spiritual care training on patients’ reports of their perceived care and treatment.

Design:

A pragmatic controlled trial conducted between February 2014 and March 2015.

Setting/participants:

The intervention was a specific spiritual care training implemented by healthcare chaplains to eight multidisciplinary teams in six hospitals on regular wards in which patients resided in both curative and palliative trajectories. In total, 85 patients were included based on the Dutch translation of the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool. Data were collected in the intervention and control wards pre- and post-training using questionnaires on physical symptoms, spiritual distress, involvement and attitudes (Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List) and on the perceived focus of healthcare professionals on patients’ spiritual needs.

Results:

All 85 patients had high scores on spiritual themes and involvement. Patients reported that attention to their spiritual needs was very important. We found a significant ( p = 0.008) effect on healthcare professionals’ attention to patients’ spiritual and existential needs and a significant ( p = 0.020) effect in favour of patients’ sleep. No effect on the spiritual distress of patients or their proxies was found.

Conclusion:

The effects of spiritual care training can be measured using patient-reported outcomes and seemed to indicate a positive effect on the quality of care. Future research should focus on optimizing the spiritual care training to identify the most effective elements and developing strategies to ensure long-term positive effects. This study was registered at the Dutch Trial Register: NTR4559.
Sleep deprivation as an experimental model system for psychosis: Effects on smooth pursuit, prosaccades, and antisaccades
Authors: Meyhöfer Inga , Kumari Veena , Hill Antje , Petrovsky Nadine , Ettinger Ulrich
Published: November 2016

Current antipsychotic medications fail to satisfactorily reduce negative and cognitive symptoms and produce many unwanted side effects, necessitating the development of new compounds. Cross-species, experimental behavioural model systems can be valuable to inform the development of such drugs. The aim of the current study was to further test the hypothesis that controlled sleep deprivation is a safe and effective model system for psychosis when combined with oculomotor biomarkers of schizophrenia. Using a randomized counterbalanced within-subjects design, we investigated the effects of 1 night of total sleep deprivation in 32 healthy participants on smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM), prosaccades (PS), antisaccades (AS), and self-ratings of psychosis-like states. Compared with a normal sleep control night, sleep deprivation was associated with reduced SPEM velocity gain, higher saccadic frequency at 0.2 Hz, elevated PS spatial error, and an increase in AS direction errors. Sleep deprivation also increased intra-individual variability of SPEM, PS, and AS measures. In addition, sleep deprivation induced psychosis-like experiences mimicking hallucinations, cognitive disorganization, and negative symptoms, which in turn had moderate associations with AS direction errors. Taken together, sleep deprivation resulted in psychosis-like impairments in SPEM and AS performance. However, diverging somewhat from the schizophrenia literature, sleep deprivation additionally disrupted PS control. Sleep deprivation thus represents a promising but possibly unspecific experimental model that may be helpful to further improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms in the pathophysiology of psychosis and aid the development of antipsychotic and pro-cognitive drugs.
Arterial dissections during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: a 19-year clinical experience at a single medical institution
Authors: Jung Euichul , Shin Ji Hoon , Kim Jin-Hyoung , Yoon Hyun-Ki , Ko Gi-Young , Sung Kyu-Bo
Published: November 2016

Background

Arterial dissections during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) procedures are not rare and can limit the successful treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Purpose

To evaluate the incidence of arterial dissections during TACE procedures, the rate of spontaneous lumen recovery, and the predictive factors of dissecting stenosis during follow-up.

Material and Methods

Based on 69,651 TACE procedures from 1997 to 2016, patients who had procedure-related arterial dissections were identified by procedure report search. More than two months after the date of dissection, dissecting stenosis was evaluated using a three-grade scale: subclinical narrowing with diameter loss under 30%, overt stenosis with diameter loss over 30%, and occlusion. Pearson Chi-square and two-sample t-test were used to assess potential prognostic markers for dissecting stenosis.

Results

Eighty-four arterial dissections directly related to TACE were identified in 83 patients, resulting in an incidence of 0.12% (84/69651). After more than two months, normal or subclinical narrowing, overt stenosis, occlusion, and doubling were seen in 39 (46.4%), 26 (31.0%), 13 (15.5%), and one (1.2%) patients, respectively. No follow-up images were obtained for five (6.0%) patients. On univariate analysis, the dissection ratio (the ratio of the length to the diameter of the dissection) alone was related to dissecting stenosis ( P = 0.035).

Conclusion

The incidence of iatrogenic dissection during TACE was approximately 0.12%. Less than 50% of the iatrogenic dissections showed normal or subclinical narrowing during follow-up of at least two months. The dissection ratio alone was the predictive factor for dissecting stenosis during follow-up.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form in French Canadian Young Adults
Authors: Doré Isabelle , O’Loughlin Jennifer L. , Sabiston Catherine M. , Fournier Louise
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To examine the factor structure, internal consistency, reliability, sex invariance, and discriminant validity of the French Canadian version of the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC-SF).

Method:

A total of 1485 French-speaking postsecondary students in Quebec, Canada (58% female; mean age = 18.4, SD = 2.4), completed the MHC-SF. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the factorial structure of the MHC-SF. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha, and reliability was assessed with the rho reliability coefficient. Invariance testing across sex was conducted using multigroup CFA comparing 4 increasingly restrictive models, and discriminant validity was examined against the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) using Pearson correlation coefficients and CFA.

Results:

CFA supported the correlated 3-factor structure of the MHC-SF, with emotional, social, and psychological well-being subscales. The scale and each subscale items had internal consistency coefficients (Cronbach’s alphas) above .70 and reliability coefficients (Jöreskog’s rho) ranging from .79 to .90. Based on the multigroup CFA, configural, metric, scalar, and error variance invariance of the MHC-SF was observed across sex. Finally, the 2-continua model, suggesting that mental health and mental illness are distinct but related dimensions, was supported by both moderate inverse correlations between MHC-SF and HADS subscale scores and the 2-factor structure in CFA.

Conclusions:

These data support the multidimensional structure of the MHC-SF and provide evidence of internal consistency, reliability, and invariance across sex. The MHC-SF is a valid and reliable measure of mental health that is distinct from mental illness among French Canadian young adults.
Permeability models of 0°/45° alternating multilayer fabrics considering the effect of layer shift
Authors: Feng Shuo
Published: November 2016

In this paper, the effect of layer shifting on out-of-permeability of 0°/45° alternating multilayer fabrics was studied. Three mathematical models with three extreme structures were developed to predict the out-of-plane permeability, respectively. By segmenting the unit cell into several different zones according to characteristic yarn arrangement, the global permeability was modeled by using a rule of mixture of local permeability. The influences of local permeability of each zone on the global value of unit cell were carefully researched. In addition, experimental measurements of the permeability were carried out to validate the analytical models. And the differences of the results of three extreme structures with respect to fiber volume fraction were also investigated.
Hospitalization of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is a major cause of direct and indirect healthcare costs
Authors: Anandarajah A P , Luc M , Ritchlin C T
Published: November 2016

Objectives

The objective of this study was to calculate the direct and indirect costs of admission for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, identify the population at risk and investigate potential reasons for admission.

Methods

We conducted a financial analysis of all admissions for SLE to Strong Memorial Hospital between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2015. Patient and financial records for admissions with a SLE diagnosis for the above period were retrieved. The total cost of admissions was used as a measure of direct costs and the length of stay used to assess indirect costs. Additionally, we analyzed the demographics of the hospitalized population.

Results

The average, annual cost of confirmed admissions to Strong Memorial Hospital for SLE was US$3.9–6.4 m. The mean annual cost per patient for hospitalization was US$51,808.41. The length of stay for all SLE patients was 1564–2507 days with an average of 8.5 days per admission. The majority of patients admitted were young women from the city of Rochester. Infections were the most common reason for admissions.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that admissions are a source of high direct and indirect costs to the hospital and a significant financial burden to the patient. Implementing measures to improve the quality of care for SLE patients will help decrease the morbidity and lower the economic costs to hospitals.
A note on typographical errors defining Theodorsen's coefficients for aeroelastic analysis
Authors: Bueno Douglas D , Gonçalves Paulo J Paupitz
Published: November 2016

The problem of flutter is an important topic involving aeroelastic analysis. The first approach to studying this problem was proposed by Theodore Theodorsen in 1935 and, since that publication, Theodorsen's theory has been extensively used by many researchers. However, it is common to find typographical errors in the definitions of the coefficients introduced by Theodorsen to determine the aerodynamic forces in a typical section airfoil. In this context, this paper summarizes the most common typographical errors found in the literature and includes mathematical demonstrations to clarify the correct form of those coefficients.
Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection: Preoperative Anatomy, Physiology, Imaging, and Interventional Management of Postoperative Pulmonary Venous Obstruction
Authors: Files Matthew D. , Morray Brian
Published: November 2016

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection refers to a spectrum of cardiac anomalies where the pulmonary veins fail to return to the left atrium and the pulmonary venous blood returns through a systemic vein or directly to the right atrium. There is a wide anatomical variety of venous connections and degrees of pulmonary venous obstruction that affect the presentation, surgical repair, and outcomes. In this review, we explore the preoperative physiology, echocardiographic diagnosis, and approach to postoperative complications.
Longitudinal trial of a smartphone pain application for chronic pain patients: Predictors of compliance and satisfaction
Authors: Jamison Robert N , Mei Anna , Ross Edgar L
Published: November 2016

Introduction

This study was designed to determine the feasibility, tolerability, safety and efficacy of a smartphone pain application (app) among chronic pain patients over a six-month trial. The app was designed for both Android and iPhone devices and enabled users with chronic pain to assess, monitor, and communicate their status to their providers.

Methods

We recruited 90 chronic pain patients to use the pain app. All subjects completed baseline measures and were asked to record their progress every day. All participants were supplied an activity monitor.

Results

Average age of the participants was 46.7 years (range 18–79), 64.4% were female and 31.1% reported multiple pain sites. Satisfaction was rated at three and six months. The app was found to be easily introduced and well tolerated. In general, those who used the app more often were more satisfied with the program ( p < 0.05), although satisfaction ratings of the pain app diminished with time. Greater use of the app and frequent daily assessment entries were found to be related to an overall improvement in mood. However, contrary to our hypotheses, frequent use of the app did not have a positive effect on pain or activity. Those who were more satisfied with the app reported more pain-related disability and were less active than those who were less satisfied with the app. No safety issues were encountered.

Discussion

Strategies to make the program more engaging and to improve motivation to use the app would be important in the future development and use of a smartphone pain app.
Effect of nozzle air supply temperature and volume flowrate on the jet flow from a typical ventilation nozzle in aircraft cabins
Authors: Du Xiuyuan , Li Baizhan , Liu Hong , Wu Yuxin , Cheng Tengfei , Awbi Hazim B
Published: November 2016

A ventilation nozzle’s airflow characteristics could have an influence on a passenger’s thermal comfort and dispersion of pollutants in an aircraft cabin, but there is little published research in this area. In this article, the temperature and air velocity from a nozzle jet were measured in a simulated three-row aircraft cabin at more than 220 points for both isothermal and non-isothermal jets. The non-isothermal jets were tested for air supply temperature differences of ± 5 and 10℃, and the isothermal jets for volume flowrates of 1.86 × 10−7, 2.67 × 10−7, and 4.03 × 10−7 m3/h. The results show that both the nozzle jet’s temperature and air velocity distributions are axially symmetrical and that the decay of the jet is rapid. The equation for the air velocity distribution was used to calculate the air velocity at any point in the main jet region for different volume flowrates. The temperature difference was shown to have little effect on the air velocity distribution for the main region of a nozzle jet, whereas the air flowrate was shown to significantly affect the air velocity distribution. This suggests that the effect of nozzle jet on passenger’s thermal comfort is mostly due to its air velocity distribution rather than temperature distribution.
Patency and Clinical Outcomes of a Dedicated, Self-Expanding, Hybrid Oblique Stent Used in the Treatment of Common Iliac Vein Compression
Authors: Stuck Anna K. , Kunz Samuel , Baumgartner Iris , Kucher Nils
Published: November 2016

Purpose: To investigate the clinical outcomes of a dedicated hybrid oblique nitinol stent that has been specifically designed to treat common iliac vein compression. Methods: The Bern Venous Stent Registry database was interrogated to identify all patients who had at least 6-month follow-up after treatment with the sinus-Obliquus hybrid stent for common iliac vein compression. The search identified 24 patients (mean age 39±18 years; 20 women) who matched the search criteria. Ten patients had postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), another 10 patients had acute iliofemoral thrombosis after catheter-directed therapy, and 4 patients had nonthrombotic iliac vein compression. Primary treatment success was defined as antegrade flow and stenosis <30% on venography and evidence of a spontaneous Doppler signal in the treated segment. Stent patency was assessed using duplex ultrasound. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using a clinical symptom score (Villalta) and the revised venous clinical severity score (rVCSS) at 3, 6, and 12 months in follow-up. Results: Primary treatment success was achieved in all patients. Mean follow-up was 10±3 months. Primary patency estimates by Kaplan-Meier analysis were 92% at 6 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 71% to 98%] and 83% (95% CI 54% to 95%) at 10 months. Three symptomatic patients underwent reintervention for early and late stent thromboses and the third for in-stent restenosis, resulting in secondary patency of 100%. Overall, all patients had clinical improvement at the latest follow-up; 50% reported complete resolution of symptoms. In patients with PTS, the Villalta score decreased by 6±6 points (p=0.02) and the rVCSS score by 3±1 points (p=0.05). Among deep vein thrombosis patients, none developed PTS. Conclusion: In patients with common iliac vein compression, the oblique hybrid nitinol stent appears to provide excellent early patency and clinical outcomes.
Changes in the Dose–Response Relationship of One Toxicant Under Simultaneous Exposure to Another Toxicant
Authors: Katsnelson B. A. , Panov V. G. , Varaksin A. N. , Minigalieva I. A. , Privalova L. I. , Sutunkova M. P.
Published: November 2016

We considered, in general form for a 22 full factorial experiment, linear approximations of the organism’s dose–response relationship for some factors operating alone and modification of this relationship by another factor operating in the background. A typological classification of such modifications is suggested. An analysis of the outcomes obtained in a number of subchronic animal experiments on rats in which this response was assessed by changes in a large number of biomedical indices revealed that all theoretically possible variants (types) of the modification under consideration are actually observed depending on a specific index and specific harmful exposure. Statistical significance estimation procedures are formulated for each of them.
Depression at Treatment Initiation Predicts HIV Antiretroviral Adherence in Uganda
Authors: Wagner Glenn J. , Slaughter Mary , Ghosh-Dastidar Bonnie
Published: November 2016

We examined the relationship between depression (symptom type, diagnostic severity, and change over time) and adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) with data from 3 longitudinal studies (N = 1021) of patients starting ART in Uganda. The Patient Health Questionnaire was used to assess depressive symptoms (total score; somatic and cognitive subscales) and categorize severity level. At baseline, 9% had major depression and 30% had minor depression; 82% were adherent (reported no missed ART doses in the past 7 days) at month 6 and 85% at month 12. Controlling for demographic and medical covariates, multivariate random-effects logistic regression models revealed that change in depression was not related to adherence; however, baseline total depression symptoms and cognitive symptoms in particular as well as major and minor depression were significant predictors of adherence. These findings highlight the need for early identification and aggressive treatment of depression to optimize ART adherence.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections With Needle Tenotomy for Gluteus Medius Tendinopathy
Authors: Lee James J. , Harrison Julian R. , Boachie-Adjei Kwadwo , Vargas Elizabeth , Moley Peter J.
Published: November 2016

Background:

Gluteal tendinopathy is a prevalent condition that can be associated with significant pain and disability. To date, no studies have prospectively assessed the efficacy of intratendinous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections as a minimally invasive treatment for gluteus medius tendinopathy.

Purpose:

To prospectively assess the efficacy of intratendinous PRP injections as treatment for chronic recalcitrant gluteus medius tendinopathy.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

During the study period between July 2011 and November 2015, data were collected from the Hospital for Special Surgery Center for Hip Preservation Outcomes Registry on participants who underwent ultrasound-guided intratendinous PRP injections for recalcitrant gluteus medius tendinosis and/or partial tears of the tendon associated with moderate to severe lateral hip pain for longer than 3 months. All participants were assessed pre- and postinjection with 4 outcome measures: modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living subscale (HOS-ADL), Hip Outcome Score–Sport-Specific subscale (HOS-Sport), and the International Hip Outcome Tool–33 (iHOT-33). Demographic data, including age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, and smoking status, were also collected.

Results:

A total of 21 patients were included in the study, with a mean follow-up of 19.7 months (range, 12.1-32.3 months). The mean improvements from preinjection to postinjection follow-up were 56.73 to 74.17 for mHHS, 68.93 to 84.14 for HOS-ADL, 45.54 to 66.72 for HOS-Sport, and 34.06 to 66.33 for iHOT-33. All mean outcome measure improvements were clinically and statistically significant ( P < .001). Length of follow-up was positively correlated with improvements in HOS-ADL ( P = .021) and HOS-Sport ( P = .004) scores. No adverse events were observed during or after the procedure.

Conclusion:

In this registry study with prospective follow-up, we found ultrasound-guided intratendinous PRP injections to be a safe and effective treatment option for chronic recalcitrant gluteus medius tendinopathy due to moderate to severe tendinosis and/or partial tendon tears. Well-powered randomized controlled studies are warranted to confirm our findings and further define the ideal candidates for this treatment.
Total particulate matter concentration skews cigarette smoke's gene expression profile
Authors: Dvorkin-Gheva Anna , Vanderstocken Gilles , Yildirim Ali Önder , Brandsma Corry-Anke , Obeidat Ma'en , Bossé Yohan , Hassell John A. , Stampfli Martin R.
Published: November 2016

Exposure of small animals to cigarette smoke is widely used as a model to study the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, protocols and exposure systems utilised vary substantially and it is unclear how these different systems compare.

We analysed the gene expression profile of six publically available murine datasets from different cigarette smoke-exposure systems and related the gene signatures to three clinical cohorts.

234 genes significantly regulated by cigarette smoke in at least one model were used to construct a 55-gene network containing 17 clusters. Increasing numbers of differentially regulated clusters were associated with higher total particulate matter concentrations in the different datasets. Low total particulate matter-induced genes mainly related to xenobiotic/detoxification responses, while higher total particulate matter activated immune/inflammatory processes in addition to xenobiotic/detoxification responses. To translate these observations to the clinic, we analysed the regulation of the revealed network in three human cohorts. Similar to mice, we observed marked differences in the number of regulated clusters between the cohorts. These differences were not determined by pack-year.

Although none of the experimental models exhibited a complete alignment with any of the human cohorts, some exposure systems showed higher resemblance. Thus, depending on the cohort, clinically observed changes in gene expression may be mirrored more closely by specific cigarette smoke exposure systems. This study emphasises the need for careful validation of animal models.
Before Prosody: Early English Poetics in Practice and Theory
Authors: Weiskott Eric
Published: November 2016

Since the sixteenth century, the history of English poetics has had two sides: a history of theory and a history of practice. Contemporary literary scholars are mapping new connections between the history of theory and the history of practice, under the rubric of “historical poetics.” Thus far historical poetics has been most strongly associated with the study of nineteenth-century poetry. This essay takes a longer view onto the histories of English poetry from the perspective of early English verse. Medieval English poets practiced literary form at a time when vernacular poetics had not yet become an academic subject or a sustained cultural discourse. This essay offers medieval English poetry as a case in point for historical poetics, thereby bringing a different literary archive to bear on methodological debates about the historical study of poetics. Three case studies, centered on alliterative verse, explore what is distinctive about the cultural work of early English poetics.
Cloudcuckooland: Adorno's Musical Utopianism
Authors: Rush Fred
Published: November 2016

Theodor W. Adorno has a complex attitude toward utopian thought. Although he views as destructive and dangerous fascist and “vulgar” Marxist strands of utopianism and has a subtle diagnostic critique of their attractions and deficiencies, he finds the proper use of utopian imagination essential for human freedom. He writes copiously about the perils of prior ideological constraint not only of the content of imagination but also of the possible forms that imagination might take, political and otherwise. This article joins an analysis of Adorno's thought on utopianism with an exposition and critique of his interpretation of Gustav Mahler's symphonic practice. It argues that Adorno's discussion of Mahler both takes precedence in his thought on artistic utopianism and clarifies his treatment of the continuing salience of utopian thought more generally.
Hubungan Antara Rerata Kadar Seng dalam Serum dengan Gejala Klinis Gangguan Pemusatan Perhatian dan Hiperaktivitas pada Anak Berdasarkan Skala Penilaian Perilaku Anak Hiperaktif Indonesia
Authors: Mardiani Rininta , Amir Nurmiati , Wiguna Tjhin
Published: November 2016

Latar belakang. Gangguan Pemusatan Perhatian dan Hiperaktivitas (GPPH) merupakan salah satu gangguan jiwa yang dijumpai pada anak. Terdapat tiga tipe gejala utama GPPH, yaitu kesulitan memusatkan perhatian, hiperaktivitas, dan impulsivitas. Hingga saat ini, belum dapat disimpulkan penyebab pasti terjadinya GPPH. Namun, hasil berbagai penelitian menunjukkan adanya kaitan dengan nutrisi, yaitu adanya defisiensi seng.Tujuan. Mengetahui perbedaan rerata antara kadar seng dalam serum pada anak dengan GPPH dibandingkan dengan kelompok kontrol anak sehat dan mengetahui hubungan antara rerata kadar seng dalam serum dengan gejala klinis pada anak dengan GPPH.Metode. Desain penelitian pendekatan metode potong lintang dengan kontrol anak sehat. Penelitian dilakukan di SDN 01 Pagi Kampung Melayu, Jakarta Timur, pada bulan Mei – Juni 2013. Jumlah sampel pada masing-masing kelompok yaitu 42.Hasil. Didapatkan nilai tengah kadar seng dalam serum untuk kelompok anak GPPH 52,50 μg/L dan kadar seng dalam serum untuk kelompok anak sehat 51,50 μg/L. Tidak ada perbedaan yang bermakna antara kedua nilai tengah kadar seng dalam serum antara kelompok anak yang menderita GPPH dengan anak sehat. Tidak ada hubungan bermakna antara rerata kadar seng dalam darah dengan gejala klinis GPPH.Kesimpulan. Tidak didapatkan perbedaan rerata kadar seng dalam darah antara kelompok anak GPPH dibandingkan dengan anak sehat, dan tidak didapatkan hubungan kadar seng dalam darah pada anak GPPH dengan gejala klinis GPPH yang dinilai berdasarkan Skala Penilaian Perilaku Anak Hiperaktivitas Indonesia (SPPAHI).
Hubungan Rerata Kadar Feritin dalam Serum dengan Gejala Klinik Gangguan Pemusatan Perhatian dan Hiperaktivitas Berdasarkan Skala Penilaian Perilaku Anak Hiperaktif Indonesia (SPPAHI)
Authors: Agustina Citra Fitri , Nasrun Martina Wiwie Setiawan , Wiguna Tjhin , Widyawati Ika
Published: November 2016

Latar belakang. Gangguan Pemusatan Perhatian dan Hiperaktivitas (GPPH) merupakan gangguan psikiatrik paling banyak pada anak, dengan prevalensi 26,2% di Jakarta. Serum feritin, diduga, memengaruhi patofisiologi GPPH terkait dengan aktivitas dopaminergik.Tujuan. Mengetahui hubungan kadar feritin dengan gejala klinis GPPH serta mengetahui adakah perbedaan kadar feritin pada anak GPPH dan bukan GPPH.Metode. Desain penelitian potong lintang, membandingkan 47 anak GPPH dan 47 anak sehat sebagai kontrol yang berusia 7-12 tahun (usia rerata 9,09± 1,29). Uji korelasi Spearman digunakan untuk mengetahui hubungan kadar feritin dengan gejala klinis GPPH. Pemeriksaan serum feritin menggunakan metode Electrochemiluminescent Immuno Assay (ECLIA). Diagnosis GPPH ditegakkan dengan MINI KID, sedangkan gejala klinis GPPH dinilai berdasarkan Skala Penilaian Perilaku Anak Hiperaktif Indonesia (SPPAHI).Hasil. Tidak didapatkan hubungan bermakna antara kadar feritin dengan gejala klinis GPPH, koefisien korelasi 0,108 (p>0,05). Rerata kadar feritin anak GPPH adalah 38,7 ng/mL (median), yang tidak berbeda bermakna dengan kontrol (median 28 ng/mL).Kesimpulan. Tidak terbukti adanya hubungan antara feritin dengan gejala klinis GPPH. Masih diperlukan studi lebih lanjut untuk melihat peran feritin melalui dopamin pada GPPH.
Hubungan antara pH Darah dengan Kadar Laktat Dehidrogenase pada Asfiksia Neonatorum
Authors: Angkawijaya Leny , Wilar Rocky , Rompis Johnny , Tangkilisan Helene Aneke , Tatura Suryadi N.N.
Published: November 2016

Latar belakang. Asfiksia neonatorum dapat menyebabkan keadaan asidemia yang mengakibatkan terjadinya kerusakan sel. Kerusakansel dapat dilihat dengan peningkatan kadar laktat dehidrogenase (LDH). Banyak kasus asfiksia neonatorum, tetapi belum banyakyang meneliti tentang hubungan pH darah dengan kadar LDH.Tujuan. Mengetahui hubungan antara pH darah dengan kadar LDH pada asfiksia neonatorum.Metode. Penelitian dengan desain potong lintang pada asfiksia neonatorum. Pengambilan sampel secara consecutive, bayi asfiksia dilakukanpemeriksaan LDH dan pH darah. Kriteria inklusi adalah bayi cukup bulan, berat badan 􀁴2500 gram, mendapat persetujuan orang tua.Kriteria eksklusi adalah kelainan kongenital mayor, tersangka sepsis, trauma lahir, ibu sectio caesarea (SC) dengan anestesi umum.Hasil. Jumlah subjek 45 bayi, didapatkan 25 bayi asfiksia dengan LDH normal dan 20 dengan LDH meningkat, rerata LDH yangmeningkat 1045,95 dan pH 7,17. Nilai korelasi Pearson antara pH darah dan kadar LDH darah -0,649 (p=<0,001), yang berartimemiliki hubungan negatif.Kesimpulan. Pada bayi asfiksia neonatorum, semakin turun nilai pH darah maka kadar LDH semakin meningkat.
Dampak Jangka Panjang Terapi Hormonal Dibandingkan Pembedahan pada Undesensus Testis
Authors: Kresnawati Windhi , Pulungan Aman Bhakti , Tridjaja Bambang
Published: November 2016

Latar belakang. Pemberian terapi hormonal pada undesensus testis (UDT) masih direkomendasikan di Indonesia sedangkanConsensus Report of Nordic Countries menyatakan bahwa terapi lini pertama untuk undesensus testis adalah operasi dan terapihormonal tidak direkomendasikan lagi.Tujuan. Mengevaluasi dampak samping terapi hormonal dan pembedahan pada undesensus testis berdasarkan bukti ilmiah.Metode. Penelusuran pustaka database elektronik : Pubmed, Cochrane, Medline, Pediatrics.Hasil. Terdapat 11 penelitian mengenai dampak terapi pada UDT. Lima penelitian prospektif melakukan pemantauan sampaiusia pasien 3 tahun sedangkan 6 penelitian lainnya merupakan studi potong lintang pada pria dewasa dengan riwayat undesensustestis. Volume testis dan kualitas sperma lebih rendah pada pasien yang memiliki riwayat terapi hormonal dibandingkan denganpasien yang menjalani pembedahan saja. Risiko infertilitas meningkat (OR 4,7) pada pasien yang menjalani terapi hormonal.Risiko keganasan meningkat jika pembedahan dilakukan lebih dari usia 10 tahun.Kesimpulan. Terapi hormonal pada UDT dapat meningkatkan risiko infertilitas di kemudian hari oleh karena itu terapi hormonalsebaiknya tidak dianjurkan. Pasien dengan UDT berisiko menderita keganasan testis di usia dewasa dan orkiopleksi dini (sebelumusia 12 bulan) terbukti menurunkan risiko tersebut.
Putting political spectacle to work: Understanding local resistance to the Common Core
Authors: Szolowicz Michael A.
Published: November 2016

In the fall of 2013, a parents’ group formed to protest the new Common Core based mathematics textbook recently adopted by their school district. Quickly allying with teachers, the new coalition began to, “hammer,” the district to drop the Common Core and return to more traditional texts and pedagogies. They did so by speaking at Governing Board meetings, participating in interviews with local newspapers, appearing on a local radio talk show, and forming social media accounts. This intrinsically motivated case study uses qualitative media analysis to examine the texts produced from these and other public declarations to better understand local policy formation through the mechanics of “political spectacle.”  Political spectacle theory suggests that policy may be formed through dramatic public displays and that policy formed from such spectacles often undemocratically reinforces existing inequalities. The study analyzes the parent, teacher and administration policy actors’ use of political spectacle elements such as symbolic language, construction of problems, casting of enemies and allies and distinctions between onstage and backstage drama to understand the adoption, challenge and ultimate rejection of a Common Core based mathematics text in a mid-sized southwestern United States School district.
The untapped promise of secondary data sets in international and comparative education policy research
Authors: Chudgar Amita , Luschei Thomas F
Published: November 2016

The objective of this commentary is to call attention to the feasibility and importance of large-scale, systematic, quantitative analysis in international and comparative education research. We contend that although many existing databases are under- or unutilized in quantitative international-comparative research, these resources present the opportunity for important, policy-relevant descriptive studies. We conclude the commentary with overarching observations about the strengths and limitations of such secondary data-based analysis.
L p $L^{p}$ -Fourier analysis for certain differential-reflection operators
Authors: Ben Said Salem , Boussen Asma , Sifi Mohamed
Published: November 2016

In a previous paper we introduced a family of differential-reflection operators
Effects of pH on antioxidant and prooxidant properties of common medicinal herbs
Authors: Bayliak Maria M. , Burdyliuk Nadia I. , Lushchak Volodymyr I.
Published: November 2016

Background: We studied in vitro and vivo antioxidant and prooxidant abilities of aqueous extracts from Rosa canina L., Rhodiola rosea L., Hypericum perforatum L., and Gentiana lutea L. Methodology: Total antioxidant capacity was measured by four assays (phosphomolybdate method, Fe3+-reducing activity, ABTS•+ scavenging, H2O2 scavenging). Prooxidant activity was estimated by H2O2 production. Yeast viability in the presence of H2O2 and/or plant extracts was determined by plating or by counting live cells’ number. Results: Plant extracts differed in the total phenolic content (R. canina > R. rosea > H. perforatum > G. lutea) which clearly correlated with their ABTS•+ scavenging activity (R2 = 0.963). H2O2 scavenging activity was not clearly associated with plant phenol levels and was significantly higher in acidic, than in alkaline medium. In line with this, plant extracts effectively protected yeast S. cereviasiae against H2O2 and stimulated reproductive ability of yeast cells at acidic but not at alkaline pH. At alkaline pH, plant extracts produced certain amounts of H2O2 which were related to their phenolic content. Conclusion: The antioxidant activity of plant extracts is decreased at alkaline pH with an increase in the prooxidant activity. It reduces protective capacity of plant extracts against oxidative and other stresses in vivo.
External quality assessment for human papillomavirus 16/18 DNA detection and genotyping in Shanghai, China
Authors: Wang Xueliang , Liu Fen , Jiang Lingli , Bao Yun , Xiao Yanqun , Wang Hualiang
Published: November 2016

Background:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection and genotyping is now being used for cervical screening by a growing number of laboratories in Shanghai, but they may have various levels of proficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of clinical laboratories for HPV DNA detection and genotyping by an external quality assessment (EQA) program.

Methods:

The EQA panels were clinically validated by the Cobas 4800 HPV test, and then distributed to the participating laboratories in May 2015 (round 1) and September 2015 (round 2). Each panel consisted of one negative sample and nine positive cell or clinical samples of HPV16 and HPV18 types at different concentrations. In total, 40 laboratories submitted 18 qualitative and 22 genotyping data sets in round 1 and 44 laboratories submitted 18 qualitative and 26 genotyping data sets in round 2. In both rounds, all laboratories used commercial assays.

Results:

The negative samples were detected correctly in both rounds by all participating laboratories. There were no false-positive results in the qualitative data sets and only two false-positive results in the genotyping data sets in each of round 1 and round 2. The false-negative rates were 8.0% for round 1 and 2.7% for round 2. For the qualitative data sets, almost all of the laboratories (100% for round 1 and 97.8% for round 2) obtained a score of acceptable or better. For the genotyping results, acceptable or better scores were obtained in 81.8% (round 1) and 100% (round 2).

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that the majority of laboratories in Shanghai have reliable diagnostic ability for HPV detection and genotyping. Moreover, this study emphasizes the importance of EQA for monitoring the performance of clinical laboratories.
Modulating thrombotic diathesis in hereditary thrombophilia and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a role for circulating microparticles?
Authors: Campello Elena , Radu Claudia M. , Spiezia Luca , Simioni Paolo
Published: November 2016

Over the past decades, there have been great advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with inherited and acquired thrombophilia [mainly antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS)]. However, a number of questions remain unanswered. Prognostic markers capable of estimating the individual VTE risk would be of great use. Microparticles (MPs) are sub-micron membrane vesicles constitutively released from the surface of cells after cellular activation and apoptosis. The effects of MPs on thrombogenesis include the exposure of phopshatidylserine and the expression of tissue factor and MPs have been described in clinical studies as possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for VTE. This review will provide a novel perspective on the current knowledge and research trends on the possible role of MPs in hereditary thrombophilia and APS. Basically, the published data show that circulating MPs may contribute to the development of VTE in thrombophilic carriers, both in mild and severe states. Moreover, the presence of endothelial-MPs and platelet-MPs has been described in antiphospholipid syndrome and seems to be directly linked to antiphospholipid antibodies and not to other underlying autoimmune disorders or the thrombotic event itself. In conclusion, circulating MPs may constitute an epiphenomenon of thrombophilia itself and could be up-regulated in acute particular conditions, promoting a global prothrombotic state up to the threshold of the clinical relevant thrombotic event.
Could accreditation bodies facilitate the implementation of medical guidelines in laboratories?
Authors: Aakre Kristin M. , Oosterhuis Wytze P. , Misra Shivani , Langlois Michel R. , Joseph Watine , Twomey Patrick J. , Barth Julian H.
Published: November 2016

Several studies have shown that recommendations related to how laboratory testing should be performed and results interpreted are limited in medical guidelines and that the uptake and implementation of the recommendations that are available need improvement. The EFLM/UEMS Working Group on Guidelines conducted a survey amongst the national societies for clinical chemistry in Europe regarding development of laboratory-related guidelines. The results showed that most countries have guidelines that are specifically related to laboratory testing; however, not all countries have a formal procedure for accepting such guidelines and few countries have guideline committees. Based on this, the EFLM/UEMS Working Group on Guidelines conclude that there is still room for improvement regarding these processes in Europe and raise the question if the accreditation bodies could be a facilitator for an improvement.
Metabolite profiling can change health-care delivery to obese patients with fatty liver disease: the search for biomarkers
Authors: Camps Jordi , Joven Jorge
Published: November 2016

Comorbidities associated with obesity have become a worldwide public health concern. Obesity-associated hepatic steatosis is not benign, and the risk of developing severe liver disease is high. Currently, biopsy is the only clinical tool available for the diagnosis of pathological alterations in the liver. However, the procedure is painful and not without risk. As such, there is a need to identify non-invasive biomarkers of steatosis. There has been considerable progress in this area, but research appears to be limited to measurements of levels of certain parameters in patients with liver impairment relative to those of healthy controls. The clinically relevant aim should be to distinguish, at an early stage, those obese individuals with liver steatosis from those obese individuals without it. Plasma constituents that act as surrogates of altered hepatic energy metabolism in response to food intake are likely candidates. Targeted metabolomics, combined with quantitation of the metabolites involved, has been shown to be an efficient measurement tool. Indeed, the evaluation of exhaled volatile compounds might be sufficient, while other rapid, sensitive, and reproducible methods have been validated in preliminary studies in various clinical settings. Metabolomics methods are promising but require considerable expertise and sophisticated (and expensive) equipment not readily available in all centers. The challenge is to adapt this newly acquired, expanding knowledge to current, reasonably equipped clinical laboratories, while substantially reducing costs. Good outcomes are urgently required if effective prevention programs are to be developed to decrease the prevalence of liver disease.
Prognostic value of glycated hemoglobin among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Guangxiao , Hou Xiaowen , Li Ying , Zhang Peng , Zhao Qiongrui , Li Juan , Shi Jingpu
Published: November 2016

Many studies have shown the prognostic significance of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for overall coronary artery disease (CAD). But less is known about the role that HbA1c played in the prognosis of patients diagnosed with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Results from previous studies were controversial. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted to investigate whether admission HbA1c level was a predictor of short- and long-term mortality rates among patients diagnosed with STEMI. Relevant literatures were retrieved from the electronic databases up to March 2016. Reference lists were hand searched to identify eligible studies. Articles were included if they provided sufficient information for the calculation of pooled relative risk (RR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Finally, we got 19 prospective studies involving a total of 35,994 STEMI patients to evaluate the associations between HbA1c level and their in-hospital, 30-day and long-term mortality. Among STEMI patients, HbA1c level was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.95–1.53, p=0.13). However, elevated HbA1c level was positively associated with risk of 30-day and long-term mortality (for 30-day mortality, RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03–1.52, p=0.02; for long-term mortality, RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.20–1.76, p<0.01). In conclusion, our findings suggested elevated HbA1c level among STEMI patients was an indicator of 1.25-fold 30-day mortality risk and 1.45-fold long-term mortality risk, respectively. STEMI patients with high HbA1c level should have their chronic glucose dysregulation under intensive control.
Estimating the intra- and inter-individual imprecision of manual pipetting
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Lima-Oliveira Gabriel , Brocco Giorgio , Bassi Antonella , Salvagno Gian Luca
Published: November 2016

Background:

Despite the importance of manual pipetting of fluids such as water, solutions, buffers, reagents, or biological samples in daily laboratory practice, the intra- and inter-individual imprecision of this activity has not been recently described in scientific publications.

Methods:

Twenty laboratory operators were randomly enrolled for this study. Imprecision of manual pipetting was estimated by asking each laboratory professional to dispense 1 mL, 100 μL or 10 μL of distilled water for 10 consecutive times with three certified pipettes into a 50-mL plastic container placed into a gravimetric balance. The weight of the water dispensed was systematically recorded for each of the 10 repeated attempts, and the inter- and intra-operator imprecision was finally calculated and expressed as coefficient of variation (CV%).

Results:

The mean intra-individual imprecision was 5.7% (range, 0%–11.8%) for pipetting 10 μL, 0.8% (range, 0.4%–1.9%) for pipetting 100 μL, and 0.2% (range, 0.1%–0.5%) for pipetting 1 mL. Overall, the mean inter-individual imprecision was 8.1% for pipetting 10 μL, 1.1% for pipetting 100 μL and 0.4% for pipetting 1 mL. A significantly inverse correlation was found between intra-individual pipetting imprecision and the amount of water dispensed (r = –0.80; p<0.001). No significant correlation was observed between individual pipetting performance and sex, age, qualification, and years of experience in the laboratory.

Conclusions:

The results of this study show that manual pipetting is plagued by a considerable intra- and inter-individual imprecision, which is inversely correlated with the amount of fluid dispensed.