bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological and Surgical Overview of Adolescent Testis Affected by Varicocele
Authors: Santoro Giuseppe , Romeo Carmelo
Published: November 2013

Varicocele is a common pathology of the testis frequently associated with infertility. For its management, a fine morphological study of the testis, both macroscopically and microscopically, and an accurate choice of surgical procedure are mandatory. The present review focuses its attention on the anatomic substrates of adolescent varicocele and its pathophysiologic modifications. The comprehensive assessment of all the reported alterations should be considered by the clinician before deciding the type of treatment and the timing.
Ropivacaine-Induced Contraction Is Attenuated by Both Endothelial Nitric Oxide and Voltage-Dependent Potassium Channels in Isolated Rat Aortae
Authors: Ok Seong-Ho , Han Jeong Yeol , Sung Hui-Jin , Yang Seong Min , Park Jungchul , Kwon Seong-Chun , Choi Mun-Jeoung , Sohn Ju-Tae
Published: November 2013

This study investigated endothelium-derived vasodilators and potassium channels involved in the modulation of ropivacaine-induced contraction. In endothelium-intact rat aortae, ropivacaine concentration-response curves were generated in the presence or absence of the following inhibitors: the nonspecific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitorNω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), the neuronal NOS inhibitorNω-propyl-L-arginine hydrochloride, the inducible NOS inhibitor 1400W dihydrochloride, the nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (GC) inhibitor ODQ, the NOS and GC inhibitor methylene blue, the phosphoinositide-3 kinase inhibitor wortmannin, the cytochrome p450 epoxygenase inhibitor fluconazole, the voltage-dependent potassium channel inhibitor 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), the calcium-activated potassium channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium (TEA), the inward-rectifying potassium channel inhibitor barium chloride, and the ATP-sensitive potassium channel inhibitor glibenclamide. The effect of ropivacaine on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells was examined by western blotting. Ropivacaine-induced contraction was weaker in endothelium-intact aortae than in endothelium-denuded aortae.L-NAME, ODQ, and methylene blue enhanced ropivacaine-induced contraction, whereas wortmannin,Nω-propyl-L-arginine hydrochloride, 1400W dihydrochloride, and fluconazole had no effect. 4-AP and TEA enhanced ropivacaine-induced contraction; however, barium chloride and glibenclamide had no effect. eNOS phosphorylation was induced by ropivacaine. These results suggest that ropivacaine-induced contraction is attenuated primarily by both endothelial nitric oxide and voltage-dependent potassium channels.
Local Temporal Correlation Common Spatial Patterns for Single Trial EEG Classification during Motor Imagery
Authors: Zhang Rui , Xu Peng , Liu Tiejun , Zhang Yangsong , Guo Lanjin , Li Peiyang , Yao Dezhong
Published: November 2013

Common spatial pattern (CSP) is one of the most popular and effective feature extraction methods for motor imagery-based brain-computer interface (BCI), but the inherent drawback of CSP is that the estimation of the covariance matrices is sensitive to noise. In this work, local temporal correlation (LTC) information was introduced to further improve the covariance matrices estimation (LTCCSP). Compared to the Euclidean distance used in a previous CSP variant named local temporal CSP (LTCSP), the correlation may be a more reasonable metric to measure the similarity of activated spatial patterns existing in motor imagery period. Numerical comparisons among CSP, LTCSP, and LTCCSP were quantitatively conducted on the simulated datasets by adding outliers to Dataset IVa of BCI Competition III and Dataset IIa of BCI Competition IV, respectively. Results showed that LTCCSP achieves the highest average classification accuracies in all the outliers occurrence frequencies. The application of the three methods to the EEG dataset recorded in our laboratory also demonstrated that LTCCSP achieves the highest average accuracy. The above results consistently indicate that LTCCSP would be a promising method for practical motor imagery BCI application.
Second-Order Moment Convergence Rates for Spectral Statistics of Random Matrices
Authors: Xie Junshan
Published: November 2013

This paper considers the precise asymptotics of the spectral statistics of random matrices. Following the ideas of Gut and Spătaru (2000) and Liu and Lin (2006) on the precise asymptotics of i.i.d. random variables in the context of the complete convergence and the second-order moment convergence, respectively, we will establish the precise second-order moment convergence rates of a type of series constructed by the spectral statistics of Wigner matrices or sample covariance matrices.
Microarray Analysis of Transcriptome of Medulla Identifies Potential Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Liao Xiao-Yang , Wang Wei-Wen , Yang Zheng-Hui , Wang Jun , Lin Hang , Wang Qing-Song , Wu Yu-Xian , Liu Yu
Published: November 2013

To complement the molecular pathways contributing to Parkinson’s disease (PD) and identify potential biomarkers, gene expression profiles of two regions of the medulla were compared between PD patients and control. GSE19587 containing two groups of gene expression profiles [6 dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMNV) samples from PD patients and 5 from controls, 6 inferior olivary nucleus (ION) samples from PD patients and 5 from controls] was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. As a result, a total of 1569 and 1647 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were, respectively, screened in DMNV and ION with limma package ofR. The functional enrichment analysis by DAVID server (the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery) indicated that the above DEGs may be involved in the following processes, such as regulation of cell proliferation, positive regulation of macromolecule metabolic process, and regulation of apoptosis. Further analysis showed that there were 365 common DEGs presented in both regions (DMNV and ION), which may be further regulated by eight clusters of microRNAs retrieved with WebGestalt. The genes in the common DEGs-miRNAs regulatory network were enriched in regulation of apoptosis process via DAVID analysis. These findings could not only advance the understandings about the pathogenesis of PD, but also suggest potential biomarkers for this disease.
Mushrooms and Truffles: Historical Biofactories for Complementary Medicine in Africa and in the Middle East
Authors: El Enshasy Hesham , Elsayed Elsayed A. , Aziz Ramlan , Wadaan Mohamad A.
Published: November 2013

The ethnopharmaceutical approach is important for the discovery and development of natural product research and requires a deep understanding not only of biometabolites discovery and profiling but also of cultural and social science. For millennia, epigeous macrofungi (mushrooms) and hypogeous macrofungi (truffles) were considered as precious food in many cultures based on their high nutritional value and characterized pleasant aroma. In African and Middle Eastern cultures, macrofungi have long history as high nutritional food and were widely applied in folk medicine. The purpose of this review is to summarize the available information related to the nutritional and medicinal value of African and Middle Eastern macrofungi and to highlight their application in complementary folk medicine in this part of the world.
Some New Gronwall-Bellman-Type Inequalities on Time Scales and Their Applications
Authors: Zheng Bin , Feng Qinghua , Meng Fanwei
Published: November 2013

We establish some new Gronwall-Bellman-type inequalities on time scales. These inequalities are of new forms compared with other Gronwall-Bellman-type inequalities established so far in the literature. Based on them, new bounds for unknown functions are derived. For illustrating the validity of the inequalities established, we present some applications for them, in which the boundedness for solutions for some certain dynamic equations on time scales is researched.
Metric Ricci Curvature forPLManifolds
Authors: Gu David Xianfeng , Saucan Emil
Published: November 2013

We introduce a metric notion of Ricci curvature forPLmanifolds and study its convergence properties. We also prove a fitting version of the Bonnet-Myers theorem, for surfaces as well as for a large class of higher dimensional manifolds.
A Karaoke System with Real-Time Media Merging and Sharing Functions for a Cloud-Computing-Integrated Mobile Device
Authors: Yeh Her-Tyan , Chiou Juing-Shian , Zhou Ting-Jun
Published: November 2013

Mobile devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, and tablets have increased in popularity and are extremely efficient for work-related, social, and entertainment uses. Popular entertainment services have also attracted substantial attention. Thus, relevant industries have exerted considerable efforts in establishing a method by which mobile devices can be used to develop excellent and convenient entertainment services. Because cloud-computing technology is mature and possesses a strong computing processing capacity, integrating this technology into the entertainment service function in mobile devices can reduce the data load on a system and maintain mobile device performances. This study combines cloud computing with a mobile device to design a karaoke system that contains real-time media merging and sharing functions. This system enables users to download music videos (MVs) from their mobile device and sing and record their singing by using the device. They can upload the recorded song to the cloud server where it is merged with real-time media. Subsequently, by employing a media streaming technology, users can store their personal MVs in their mobile device or computer and instantaneously share these videos with others on the Internet. Through this process, people can instantly watch shared videos, enjoy the leisure and entertainment effects of mobile devices, and satisfy their desire for singing.
Magnetic and Structural Studies of CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles Suspended in an Organic Liquid
Authors: Babić-Stojić Branka , Jokanović Vukoman , Milivojević Dušan , Jagličić Zvonko , Makovec Darko , Jović Nataša , Marinović-Cincović Milena
Published: November 2013

We present a study of magnetic and structural properties of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles suspended in an organic liquid. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the nanoparticles have a narrow size distribution of average particle size 5.9 ± 1.0 nm. X‐ray diffraction shows that the particles are of cubic spinel crystal structure. Dynamic light scattering measurements reveal the existence of an organic shell around the CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 14.4 nm. Coercive magnetic field at T = 5 K is found to be 11.8 kOe. Disappearance of the coercive field and remanent magnetization at about 170 K suggests that the CoFe2O4 nanoparticles are superparamagnetic at higher temperatures which is confirmed by the room temperature Mössbauer spectrum analysis. Saturation magnetization of the nanoparticles of 80.8 emu/g(CoFe2O4) at 5 K reaches the value detected in the bulk material and remains very high also at room temperature. The cobalt ferrite nanoparticle system synthesized in this work exhibits magnetic properties which are very suitable for various biomedical applications.
Path Planning for Detection Robot Climbing on Rotor Blade Surfaces of Wind Turbine Based on Neural Network
Authors: Wang Binrui , Luo Haohua , Jin Yinglian , He Mewei
Published: November 2013

Two-feet climbing robot is proposed for rotor blade surface damage detection. The penalty function is designed based on the simulated annealing neural network for waypoints inside blade. According to the derivative of path energy function to time, waypoints are updated and move toward the direction reducing the path energy consisting of length and penalty function. According to the curvature variation range, a novel weighted simulated-annealing-temperature updating method is designed to get comprehensive optimization of the path energy and convergence speed. The path planning is accomplished for the root, middle, and tip blade parts, respectively. The asymptotic analysis of the waypoint coordinating updating process was given, and the updated start point is adopted during escaping from inside. The effect of weight on path energy and convergence speed is analyzed. The planning results show the effectiveness of the proposed path planning algorithm, and the weighted average method is valid for the comprehensive optimization.
Fault Tolerant Control for Civil Structures Based on LMI Approach
Authors: Qu Chunxu , Huo Linsheng , Li Hongnan
Published: November 2013

The control system may lose the performance to suppress the structural vibration due to the faults in sensors or actuators. This paper designs the filter to perform the fault detection and isolation (FDI) and then reforms the control strategy to achieve the fault tolerant control (FTC). The dynamic equation of the structure with active mass damper (AMD) is first formulated. Then, an estimated system is built to transform the FDI filter design problem to the static gain optimization problem. The gain is designed to minimize the gap between the estimated system and the practical system, which can be calculated by linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. The FDI filter is finally used to isolate the sensor faults and reform the FTC strategy. The efficiency of FDI and FTC is validated by the numerical simulation of a three-story structure with AMD system with the consideration of sensor faults. The results show that the proposed FDI filter can detect the sensor faults and FTC controller can effectively tolerate the faults and suppress the structural vibration.
Identifying Breast Cancer Subtype Related miRNAs from Two Constructed miRNAs Interaction Networks in Silico Method
Authors: Hua Lin , Li Lin , Zhou Ping
Published: November 2013

Background. It has been known that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the expression of multiple proteins and therefore are likely to emerge as more effective targets of selective therapeutic modalities for breast cancer. Although recent lines of evidence have approved that miRNAs are associated with the most common molecular breast cancer subtypes, the studies to breast cancer subtypes have not been well characterized.Objectives. In this study, we propose a silico method to identify breast cancer subtype related miRNAs based on two constructed miRNAs interaction networks using miRNA-mRNA dual expression profiling data arising from the same samples.Methods. Firstly, we used a new mutual information estimation method to construct two miRNAs interaction networks based on miRNA-mRNA dual expression profiling data. Secondly, we compared and analyzed the topological properties of these two networks. Finally, miRNAs showing the outstanding topological properties in both of the two networks were identified.Results. Further functional analysis and literature evidence confirm that the identified potential breast cancer subtype related miRNAs are essential to unraveling their biological function.Conclusions. This study provides a new silico method to predict candidate miRNAs of breast cancer subtype from a system biology level and can help exploit for functional studies of important breast cancer subtype related miRNAs.
VGLUTs in Peripheral Neurons and the Spinal Cord: Time for a Review
Authors: Brumovsky Pablo R.
Published: November 2013

Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) are key molecules for the incorporation of glutamate in synaptic vesicles across the nervous system, and since their discovery in the early 1990s, research on these transporters has been intense and productive. This review will focus on several aspects of VGLUTs research on neurons in the periphery and the spinal cord. Firstly, it will begin with a historical account on the evolution of the morphological analysis of glutamatergic systems and the pivotal role played by the discovery of VGLUTs. Secondly, and in order to provide an appropriate framework, there will be a synthetic description of the neuroanatomy and neurochemistry of peripheral neurons and the spinal cord. This will be followed by a succinct description of the current knowledge on the expression of VGLUTs in peripheral sensory and autonomic neurons and neurons in the spinal cord. Finally, this review will address the modulation of VGLUTs expression after nerve and tissue insult, their physiological relevance in relation to sensation, pain, and neuroprotection, and their potential pharmacological usefulness.
Is There a Relation between Tension-Type Headache, Temporomandibular Disorders and Sleep?
Authors: Caspersen N. , Hirsvang J. R. , Kroell L. , Jadidi F. , Baad-Hansen L. , Svensson P. , Jensen R.
Published: November 2013

Introduction. Tension-Type Headache (TTH) is the most prevalent headache often associated with impaired function and quality of life. Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and TTH frequently coexist; characterized by pericranial tenderness and impact on daily life. We aim to apply a standardized questionnaire for TMD to characterize and analyse an eventual relation between sleep and oral health in TTH in a controlled design.Material and Methods. 58 consecutive TTH patients and 58 healthy controls were included. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) questionnaire, Oral Health Impact profile (OHIP) and questionnaires for sleep were applied.Results. TTH-patients had significantly higher pain scores (), decreased quality of life (), and higher total sleep scores () compared to controls.Conclusion. For the first time we have identified a clear relation between TTH and TMD symptoms, depression, anxiety, poor sleep, and impairments of oral function in carefully classified patients. These findings indicate a close, but incomplete, overlap between TTH and TMD. Their underlying pathophysiological mechanisms need further research.
Machine Learning Approaches: From Theory to Application in Schizophrenia
Authors: Veronese Elisa , Castellani Umberto , Peruzzo Denis , Bellani Marcella , Brambilla Paolo
Published: November 2013

In recent years, machine learning approaches have been successfully applied for analysis of neuroimaging data, to help in the context of disease diagnosis. We provide, in this paper, an overview of recent support vector machine-based methods developed and applied in psychiatric neuroimaging for the investigation of schizophrenia. In particular, we focus on the algorithms implemented by our group, which have been applied to classify subjects affected by schizophrenia and healthy controls, comparing them in terms of accuracy results with other recently published studies. First we give a description of the basic terminology used in pattern recognition and machine learning. Then we separately summarize and explain each study, highlighting the main features that characterize each method. Finally, as an outcome of the comparison of the results obtained applying the described different techniques, conclusions are drawn in order to understand how much automatic classification approaches can be considered a useful tool in understanding the biological underpinnings of schizophrenia. We then conclude by discussing the main implications achievable by the application of these methods into clinical practice.
Preparation of Soft Magnetic Fe‐Ni‐Pb‐B Alloy Nanoparticles by Room Temperature Solid‐Solid Reaction
Authors: Zhong Guo-Qing , Zhong Qin
Published: November 2013

The Fe‐Ni‐Pb‐B alloy nanoparticles was prepared by a solid‐solid chemical reaction of ferric trichloride, nickel chloride, lead acetate, and potassium borohydride powders at room temperature. The research results of the ICP and thermal analysis indicate that the resultants are composed of iron, nickel, lead, boron, and PVP, and the component of the alloy is connected with the mole ratio of potassium borohydride and the metal salts. The TEM images show that the resultants are ultrafine and spherical particles, and the particle size is about a diameter of 25 nm. The largest saturation magnetization value of the 21.18 emu g−1 is obtained in the Fe‐Ni‐Pb‐B alloy. The mechanism of the preparation reaction for the Fe‐Ni‐Pb‐B multicomponent alloys is discussed.
Existence and Numerical Solution of the Volterra Fractional Integral Equations of the Second Kind
Authors: Atangana Abdon , Bildik Necdet
Published: November 2013

This work presents the possible generalization of the Volterra integral equation second kind to the concept of fractional integral. Using the Picard method, we present the existence and the uniqueness of the solution of the generalized integral equation. The numerical solution is obtained via the Simpson 3/8 rule method. The convergence of this scheme is presented together with numerical results.
Long-term Survival and Biomarker Correlates of Tasquinimod Efficacy in a Multicenter Randomized Study of Men with Minimally Symptomatic Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Armstrong A.J. , Häggman M. , Stadler W.M. , Gingrich J.R. , Assikis V. , Polikoff J. , Damber J.E. , Belkoff L. , Nordle Ö. , Forsberg G. , Carducci M.A. , Pili R.
Published: November 2013

Purpose: Tasquinimod (Active Biotech) is an oral immunomodulatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic agent that delayed metastatic disease progression in a randomized placebo-controlled phase II trial in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Here, we report long-term survival with biomarker correlates from this trial.

Experimental Design: Two hundred and one (134 tasquinimod and 67 placebo) men with mCRPC were evaluated. Forty-one men randomized to placebo crossed over to tasquinimod. Survival data were collected with a median follow-up time of 37 months. Exploratory biomarker studies at baseline and over time were collected to evaluate potential mechanism-based correlates with tasquinimod efficacy including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results: With 111 mortality events, median OS was 33.4 months for tasquinimod versus 30.4 months for placebo overall, and 34.2 versus 27.1 months in men with bone metastases (n = 136), respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated an adjusted HR of 0.52 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.35–0.78; P = 0.001] for PFS and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.42–0.97; P = 0.034) for OS, favoring tasquinimod. Time-to-symptomatic progression was improved with tasquinimod (P = 0.039, HR = 0.42). Toxicities tended to be mild in nature and improved over time. Biomarker analyses suggested a favorable impact on bone alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) over time and a transient induction of inflammatory biomarkers, VEGF-A, and thrombospondin-1 levels with tasquinimod. Baseline levels of thrombospondin-1 less than the median were predictive of treatment benefit.

Conclusions: The survival observed in this trial of men with minimally symptomatic mCRPC suggests that the prolongation in PFS with tasquinimod may lead to a survival advantage in this setting, particularly among men with skeletal metastases, and has a favorable risk:benefit ratio. Clin Cancer Res; 19(24); 6891–901. ©2013 AACR.
Cocarcinogenic Effects of Intrahepatic Bile Acid Accumulation in Cholangiocarcinoma Development
Authors: Lozano Elisa , Sanchez-Vicente Laura , Monte Maria J. , Herraez Elisa , Briz Oscar , Banales Jesus M. , Marin Jose J.G. , Macias Rocio I.R.
Published: November 2013

Bile acid accumulation in liver with cholangiolar neoplastic lesions may occur before cholestasis is clinically detected. Whether this favors intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma development has been investigated in this study. The E. coli RecA gene promoter was cloned upstream from Luc2 to detect in vitro direct genotoxic ability by activation of SOS genes. This assay demonstrated that bile acids were not able to induce DNA damage. The genotoxic effect of the DNA-damaging agent cisplatin was neither enhanced nor hindered by the hepatotoxic and hepatoprotective glycochenodeoxycholic and glycoursodeoxycholic acids, respectively. In contrast, thioacetamide metabolites, but not thioacetamide itself, induced DNA damage. Thus, thioacetamide was used to induce liver cancer in rats, which resulted in visible tumors after 30 weeks. The effect of bile acid accumulation on initial carcinogenesis phase (8 weeks) was investigated in bile duct ligated (BDL) animals. Serum bile acid measurement and determination of liver-specific healthy and tumor markers revealed that early thioacetamide treatment induced hypercholanemia together with upregulation of the tumor marker Neu in bile ducts, which were enhanced by BDL. Bile acid accumulation was associated with increased expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and downregulation of farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Bile duct proliferation and apoptosis activation, with inverse pattern (BDL > thioacetamide + BDL >> thioacetamide vs. thioacetamide > thioacetamide + BDL > BDL), were observed. In conclusion, intrahepatic accumulation of bile acids does not induce carcinogenesis directly but facilitates a cocarcinogenic effect due to stimulation of bile duct proliferation, enhanced inflammation, and reduction in FXR-dependent chemoprotection.

Implications: This study reveals that bile acids foster cocarcinogenic events that impact cholangiocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Res; 12(1); 91–100. ©2013 AACR.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Individual Cognitive Therapy, Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Attentional Placebo for Adolescent Social Phobia
Authors: Ingul Jo Magne , Aune Tore , Nordahl Hans M.
Published: November 2013

Background: Very few studies have investigated the effects of individual disorder-specific treatment of social phobia (SP) in adolescents. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of individual cognitive therapy for SP, group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBTG) and attentional placebo (AP) among adolescents with a primary diagnosis of SP. Methods: A randomized controlled design was used, and a total of 279 adolescents were assessed. Fifty-seven adolescents, between 13 and 16 years old, were allocated to individual cognitive therapy, CBTG or AP. The participants were assessed before treatment, at the end of treatment and at a 12-month follow-up using both self-report and a semi-structured interview. Results: The individual cognitive therapy showed significant reductions in symptoms, impairment and diagnostic criteria both at the end of treatment and at the 12-month follow-up. Compared with CBTG and AP, the individual cognitive therapy group demonstrated significantly greater effects on both symptom reduction and impairment. There were no significant differences between CBTG and AP. Conclusions: In a direct comparison between the most commonly used treatments for adolescent SP, we found that individual therapy was the most effective, yielding better effects than both CBTG and AP.
Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Downregulate Inflammatory Responses by Shifting the Treg/Th17 Profile in Experimental Colitis
Authors: Li Liren , Liu Suzhe , Xu Yue , Zhang Aixian , Jiang Jinxia , Tan Wei , Xing Jing , Feng Guijuan , Liu Hong , Huo Fangxin , Tang Qiyun , Gu Zhifeng
Published: November 2013

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect and mechanisms of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) on immune responses in murine colitis. Methods: Mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis were injected intraperitoneally with hUC-MSCs or human bone marrow-derived MSCs. The cytokine levels from lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) and colon tissue were measured using ELISA. Treg and Th17 cells were analyzed using flow cytometry. The proliferation of LPMCs was assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8. Results: hUC-MSCs ameliorate DSS-induced colitis via the downregulation of colon inflammatory responses. Furthermore, hUC-MSCs adjusted modulation of Treg/Th17 cells in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. hUC-MSCs also inhibited LPMCs in vitro.Conclusion: hUC-MSCs may be an alternative source of stem cells and are worthy of study in long-term clinical trials.
Pterygium Recurrence, Astigmatism and Visual Acuity following Bare-Sclera Excision and Conjunctival Autograft with or without Additional Phototherapeutic Keratectomy
Authors: Promesberger Julia , Kohli Sharmila , Busse Holger , Uhlig Constantin E.
Published: November 2013

Background: Treatment outcome in patients with pterygium following bare-sclera excision and conjunctival autograft (CAG) with and without phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Methods: Retrospective comparative analysis of 81 eyes, with primary and recurrent pterygia, that were analyzed for recurrence, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and astigmatism in primary (P1 without PTK, P2 with PTK) and recurrent pterygia (R1 without PTK, R2 with PTK). BCVA and astigmatism were compared in patients with simple CAG alone (group I) or in combination with PTK (group II). Results: Recurrence rates were 4.7, 11.6, 16.2, 23.2 and 32.5% at 3, 6, 12, 24 and >24 months (P1), 7.1% at >24 months (P2). Recurrence rates were 5.3, 10.5, 21.1, 21.1 and 26.3% at 3, 6, 12, 24 and >24 months (R1) and 1 recurrence (7.7%) till month 24, and 3 (23.1%) thereafter (R2). BCVA increased from logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution 0.095 ± 0.141 (mean ± SD) at baseline to 0.066 ± 0.09 (group I), and from 0.090 ± 0.164 to 0.054 ± 0.124 (group II). Astigmatism decreased from -1.01 ± 0.90 dpt at baseline to -0.97 ± 1.24 dpt (group I), and from -1.19 ± 1.55 to -0.75 ± 0.87 dpt (group II). Conclusion: In comparison to CAG alone, additional excimer smoothing with PTK tends to increase BCVA and reduces recurrence rates in patients with primary pterygia.
Continuous Infusion of Ibuprofen for Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Lago Paola , Salvadori Sabrina , Opocher Francesca , Ricato Silvia , Chiandetti Lino , Frigo Anna Chiara
Published: November 2013

Background: Ibuprofen (IBU) has proved as effective as indomethacin in the pharmacological closure of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (HsPDA), with an efficacy inversely related to gestational age (57-89%). Objective: This study aimed to establish whether continuous infusions of IBU could be more effective in very low birth weight infants with no additional adverse effects and reduce the need for surgical ligation. Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-dummy study was conducted on 112 very low birth weight infants (mean gestational age 27.2 weeks, SD 2; birth weight 1,019 g, SD 330) with HsPDA, 56 of whom were given IBU in conventional 15-min intermittent boluses, while the other 56 were administered IBU as a 24-hour continuous infusion, both at standard doses (10/5/5 mg/kg). Extensive echocardiography was performed before and after treatment, and adverse effects were monitored. Results: Pharmacological PDA closure was achieved after 1 or 2 IBU courses in 36 of 56 infants (64.3%) after bolus administration and in 46 of 55 (83.6%) after continuous infusion (p = 0.020), and in 9 of 26 (34.6%) and 24 of 30 (80.0%), respectively, in the infants with a gestational age of 23-27 weeks (p = 0.006). Sustained pharmacological closure was observed in 38 of 56 infants (67.9%) after bolus IBU and in 47 of 55 (85.5%) after continuous infusion (p = 0.029). Surgical ligation was used less after continuous infusion than after bolus IBU (5.5 vs. 19.6%; p = 0.024). The continuous infusion group had fewer symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), especially in the more preterm infants, while other neonatal morbidity and mortality rates were similar. Conclusion: Continuous IBU infusion is more effective than standard boluses for sustained closure of HsPDA, with fewer NEC symptoms and less need for surgical ligation in very low birth weight infants.
Management of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Calcium Alginate versus Polyurethane Film Dressing
Authors: Läuchli Severin , Hafner Jürg , Ostheeren Sonja , Mayer Dieter , Barysch Marjam J. , French Lars E.
Published: November 2013

Background: Split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor sites sometimes cause more postoperative morbidity for patients than the wound covered with the graft. Yet, there is no consensus on which dressings are best suited to treat these donor sites. Objective: To evaluate two commonly used modern wound dressings in the postoperative healing of STSG donor sites in a prospective randomized controlled trial. Methods: 38 patients were randomly assigned to treatment of an STSG donor site with an alginate dressing or a polyurethane film dressing. The primary outcome measures were postoperative pain scores, secondary outcome variables were time to epithelialization, dressing changes and complications. Results: Postoperative pain on day 1 was significantly lower in the polyurethane film group (2.05 vs. 0.79, p = 0.035) as compared to the alginate group. This difference was not detected on day 5 (0.89 vs. 0.53, p = 0.52). Time to epithelialization did not differ significantly between the two dressing groups. There were more dressing changes in the polyurethane film group and problems with leakage. Conclusion: Whereas film dressings resulted in initially lower pain scores, alginate dressings caused fewer additional dressing changes and less leakage.
Low-Dose Aspirin and Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Primary Versus Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention
Authors: Lin Kueiyu Joshua , De Caterina Raffaele , Rodríguez Luis A. García
Published: November 2013

Background—

The benefit–risk profile of low-dose aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is unclear. We sought to quantify upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) risk associated with low-dose aspirin in secondary versus primary prevention patients.

Methods and Results—

We performed a population-based nested case–control study using The Health Improvement Network (THIN) Database between 2000 and 2007. We identified 2049 cases of UGIB and 20 000 controls, frequency-matched to the cases on age, sex, and calendar year, who were subdivided into primary (without previous cardiovascular disease) and secondary (with previous cardiovascular disease) prevention populations. We estimated the relative risk of UGIB associated with the use of low-dose aspirin by multivariate logistic regression. The UGIB risk in patients taking low-dose aspirin relative to nonusers was significantly higher in the primary (adjusted relative risk, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–2.26) than in the secondary (relative risk, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–1.72;
P
value for the difference=0.0014) prevention cohort. However, as the baseline risk of UGIB was lower in the primary than in the secondary prevention cohort, numbers needed to harm per 1 year of low-dose aspirin use were 601 and 391 for primary and secondary prevention, respectively.

Conclusions—

The relative risk of UGIB in patients taking low-dose aspirin is higher when used for primary than for secondary cardiovascular disease prevention, but this difference is more than compensated by the lower baseline risk in the primary prevention population. Such estimates are important for an assessment of the net clinical benefit in primary prevention.
Apoprotein B, Small‐Dense LDL and Impaired HDL Remodeling Is Associated With Larger Plaque Burden and More Noncalcified Plaque as Assessed by Coronary CT Angiography and Intravascular Ultrasound With Radiofrequency Backscatter: Results From the ATLANTA I Study
Authors: Voros Szilard , Joshi Parag , Qian Zhen , Rinehart Sarah , Vazquez‐Figueroa Jesus G. , Anderson Hunt , Elashoff Michael , Murrieta Laura , Karmpaliotis Dimitri , Kalynych Anna , Brown Charles , Schaefer Ernst , Asztalos Bela
Published: November 2013

Background

Apoprotein B–containing lipoproteins are atherogenic, but atheroprotective functions of apoprotein A–containing high‐density lipoprotein (
HDL
) particles are poorly understood. The association between lipoproteins and plaque components by coronary computed tomography angiography (
CTA
) and intravascular ultrasound with radiofrequency backscatter (
IVUS
/
VH
) has not been evaluated.

Methods and Results

Quantitative, 3‐dimensional plaque measurements were performed in 60 patients with
CTA
and
IVUS
/
VH
. Apoproteins, lipids, and
HDL
subpopulations were measured with 2‐dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis, and correlation was assessed with univariate and multivariable models. ApoB particles were associated with a higher proportion of noncalcified plaque (
NCP
) and a lower proportion of calcified plaque (small, dense low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and high‐density
NCP
:
r
=0.3,
P
=0.03; triglycerides and low‐density
NCP
:
r
=0.34,
P
=0.01). Smaller, dense, lipid‐poor
HDL
particles were associated with a shift from calcified plaque to
NCP
on
CTA
(α3‐
HDL
% and low‐density
NCP
:
r
=0.32,
P
=0.02) and with larger plaque volume on
IVUS
/
VH
(α4‐
HDL
%:
r
=0.41,
P
=0.01; α3‐
HDL
%:
r
=0.37,
P
=0.03), because of larger dense calcium (α4‐
HDL
%:
r
=0.37,
P
=0.03), larger fibrous tissue (α4‐
HDL
%:
r
=0.34,
P
=0.04), and larger necrotic core (α4‐
HDL
%:
r
=0.46,
P
<0.01; α3‐
HDL
%:
r
=0.37,
P
=0.03). Larger lipid‐rich
HDL
particles were associated with less low‐density
NCP
on
CTA
(α2‐
HDL
%:
r
=−0.34,
P
=0.02; α1‐
HDL
%:
r
=−0.28,
P
=0.05), with smaller plaque volume on
IVUS
/
VH
(pre‐α2‐
HDL
:
r
=−0.33,
P
=0.05; α1‐
HDL
%:
r
=−0.41,
P
=0.01; pre‐α2‐
HDL
:
r
=−0.33,
P
=0.05) and with less necrotic core (α1‐
HDL
:
r
=−0.42,
P
<0.01; pre‐α2‐
HDL
:
r
=−0.38,
P
=0.02; α2‐
HDL
:
r
=−0.35,
P
=0.03; pre‐α1‐
HDL
:
r
=−0.34,
P
=0.04). Pre‐β2‐
HDL
was associated with less calcification and less stenosis by both modalities.

Conclusions

ApoB and small
HDL
particles are associated with larger plaque burden and more noncalcified plaque, whereas larger
HDL
and pre‐β2‐
HDL
particles are associated with plaque burden and less noncalcified plaque by both
CTA
and
IVUS
/
VH
.
Association of Ideal Cardiovascular Health Metrics and Retinal Microvascular Findings: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Ogagarue Ejovwoke R. , Lutsey Pamela L. , Klein Ronald , Klein Barbara E. , Folsom Aaron R.
Published: November 2013

Background

This study evaluated the prevalence of ideal cardiovascular (
CV
) health in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and determined its relationship with prevalent retinopathy, wider retinal venular diameters, and narrower arteriolar diameters, which are risk markers for subclinical cerebrovascular disease and are associated with increased stroke and coronary heart disease (
CHD
) morbidity and mortality.

Methods and Results

We used gradings of fundus photography measurements from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study to examine the association of retinopathy and retinal arteriolar and venular calibers to the number of ideal
CV
health metrics. Prevalent retinopathy showed a graded relationship with the
CV
health categories and number of ideal
CV
health metrics present: retinopathy prevalence was 2.1% among those with ≥5 ideal
CV
health metrics compared with 13.1% among those with zero ideal
CV
health metrics (odds ratio [
CI
]), 4.8 [2.5 to 8.9]). Central retinal venule equivalent and central retinal arteriolar equivalent diameters also showed graded relationships with
CV
health categories and number of ideal
CV
health metrics: after adjustment for age, race, sex, and education, mean central retinal venular equivalent was 187.8 μm (95%
CI
, 186.9 to 188.6 μm) among those with ≥5 ideal
CV
health metrics compared with 201.1 μm (95%
CI
, 199.1 to 203.1 μm) among those with zero ideal
CV
health metrics. Mean central retinal arteriolar equivalent was 163.8 μm (95%
CI
, 163.0 to 164.5 μm) among those with ≥5 ideal
CV
health metrics compared with 157.9 μm (95%
CI
, 156.1 to 159.7 μm) among those with zero ideal
CV
health metrics.

Conclusions

Few adults had ideal cardiovascular health. Those with the best level of health were less likely to have retinopathy signs, wide retinal venules, and narrow retinal arterioles, which are associated with increased stroke and coronary heart disease risk.
An Evolutionary Approach for Image Segmentation
Authors: Amelio Alessia , Pizzuti Clara
Published: November 2013

The paper explores the use of evolutionary techniques in dealing with the image segmentation problem. An image is modeled as a weighted undirected graph, where nodes correspond to pixels, and edges connect similar pixels. A genetic algorithm that uses a fitness function based on an extension of the normalized cut criterion is proposed. The algorithm employs the locus-based representation of individuals, which allows for the partitioning of images without setting the number of segments beforehand. A new concept of nearest neighbor that takes into account not only the spatial location of a pixel, but also the affinity with the other pixels contained in the neighborhood, is also defined. Experimental results show that our approach is able to segment images in a number of regions that conform well to human visual perception. The visual perceptiveness is substantiated by objective evaluation methods based on uniformity of pixels inside a region, and comparison with ground-truth segmentations available for part of the used test images.
Annotated list of Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) from the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania and new Tettigoniidae species from East Africa
Authors: HEMP CLAUDIA
Published: November 2013

A list of the Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) of the East Usambara Mountains is presented and 16 new species are described from East Africa. A total number of 29 Tettigoniidae species is recorded for the East Usambara Mountains. New species are described from the Shimba Hills in Kenya, coastal Tanzania from the Kazimzumbwi forest reserve, Mt Kilimanjaro, the East and West Usambara and Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania, namely in Conocephalinae Afroagraecia pwania n. sp., Afroagraecia shimbaensis n. sp., Afroanthracites discolor n. sp., Afroanthracites jagoi n. sp. and Afroanthracites viridis n. sp., in Meconematinae Afrophisis flagellata n. sp., Afrophisis kisarawe n. sp., Afrophisis mazumbaiensis n. sp. and Afrophisis pseudoflagellata n. sp., in Hexacentrinae Aerotegmina megaloptera n. sp., in Mecopodinae Apteroscirtus cristatus n. sp., and A. planidorsatus n. sp., in Phaneropterinae Gelotopoia amabilis n. sp., and in Pseudophyllinae Cymatomerella pardopunctata n. sp. and Cymatomera viridimaculata n. sp. Seven species are endemic to the East Usambara Mountains which are 25% of the recorded forest-bound bush crickets. The Tettigoniidae fauna is compared between the East Usambara Mountains and Mt Kilimanjaro and mechanisms of speciation discussed in Orthoptera for the area. New Tettigoniidae records are given for Mt Kilimanjaro (Oxyecous apertus Ragge, Tropidonotacris grandis Ragge and Eurycorypha conclusa Hemp).
Indirect Calorimetry Reveals That Better Monitoring of Nutrition Therapy in Pediatric Intensive Care Is Needed
Authors: Dokken Mette , Rustøen Tone , Stubhaug Audun
Published: November 2013

Background: Monitoring nutrition therapy is essential in the care of critically ill children, but the risk of nutrition failure seems to remain. The aims of the present study were to examine the prevalence of underfeeding, adequate feeding, and overfeeding in mechanically ventilated children and to identify barriers to the delivery of nutrition support. Materials and Methods: Children aged 0–14 years who fulfilled the criteria for indirect calorimetry were enrolled in this prospective, observational study and were studied for up to 5 consecutive days. Actual energy intake was recorded and compared with the required energy intake (measured energy expenditure plus 10%); energy intake was classified as underfeeding (<90% of required energy intake), adequate feeding (90%−110%), or overfeeding (>110%). The reasons for interruptions to enteral and parenteral nutrition were recorded. Results: In total, 104 calorimetric measurements for 140 total days were recorded for 30 mechanically ventilated children. Underfeeding, adequate feeding, and overfeeding occurred on 21.2%, 18.3%, and 60.5% of the 104 measurement days, respectively. There was considerable variability in the measured energy expenditure between children (median, 37.2 kcal/kg/d; range, 16.81−66.38 kcal/kg/d), but the variation within each child was small. Respiratory quotient had low sensitivity of 21% and 27% for detecting underfeeding and overfeeding, respectively. Fasting for procedures was the most frequent barrier that led to interrupted nutrition support. Conclusion: The high percentage of children (~61%) who were overfed emphasizes the need to measure energy needs by using indirect calorimetry.
Giant left ventricular fibroma presenting as ventricular tachycardia in a child
Authors: Khan Muhammad Arif , Saeedi Abdul Raoof Al , Tayeab Hyfeah Al , Momenah Tarek
Published: November 2013

We present a rare case of giant left ventricular apical fibroma presenting as recurrent ventricular tachycardia in a 14-month-old girl. The diagnosis was made by echocardiography and chest computed tomography, and confirmed by histopathology. The fibroma was resected surgically, and the patient followed up for 4 years.
Giant right atrial lipoma mimicking tamponade
Authors: Khalili Ahmadali , Ghaffari Samad , Jodati Ahmadreza , Shokoohi Behrouz , Pourafkari Leili
Published: November 2013

Cardiac lipomas are rarely encountered. They are mostly asymptomatic and may be discovered incidentally. We describe the case of a 56 year-old man with a presentation similar to tamponade. He had decreased heart sounds, global cardiomegaly, and oligemic lung fields. Echocardiography showed a 110 × 75-mm mass attached to the interatrial septum, almost completely occupying the right atrium. Chest computed tomography showed a large homogeneous low-attenuation mass with thin septa, originating from interatrial septum and filling the right atrium, consistent with lipoma. The patient underwent surgery for resection of the tumor. Pathologic examination was consistent with cardiac lipoma.
Ultrasonographic hyperechoic lesions of the breast: are they always benign?
Authors: Nam Sang Yu , Ko Eun Sook , Han Boo-Kyung , Shin Suyoung , Ko Eun Young , Shin Jung Hee , Hahn Soo Yeon
Published: November 2013

Background

Most of the breast lesions show hypoechogenicity relative to fat on ultrasonography. The frequency and malignancy rate of hyperechoic lesions are not investigated in a large series.

Purpose

To evaluate the frequency and malignancy rate of hyperechoic lesions on breast sonography and to investigate sonographic characteristics that may predict malignancy in hyperechoic breast lesions.

Material and Methods

Radiologic reports of 16,416 patients who underwent breast sonography between 2007 and 2008 were searched using “hyperechoic”, “echogenic” or “heterogeneous echoic” to describe lesions. Sonographic findings were evaluated according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System lexicon. Clinical records including follow-up and pathologic findings were also reviewed. We calculated the frequency of hyperechoic lesions and their malignancy rate. Differences in sonographic appearances between benign and malignant lesions were also investigated.

Results

Among the 16,416 patients, 103 (0.6%) hyperechoic lesions were identified (mean size, 1.79 cm). Of these 103 lesions, 27 (26.2%) were pathologically evaluated and five (4.9%, 4 invasive ductal carcinoma and 1 mucinous carcinoma) were confirmed as malignant. Among the 819 malignant lesions diagnosed using sonography-guided core needle biopsy, five (0.6%) were hyperechoic. In benign lesions, fat necrosis and fibroadenoma were common pathologic diagnoses. Malignant lesions were more likely to have irregular shape ( P = 0.003), non-parallel orientation ( P = 0.002), non-circumscribed margin ( P = 0.007), and a hypoechoic area ( P = 0.027) than benign lesions. All hyperechoic carcinomas were seen as suspicious masses on mammograms.

Conclusion

Hyperechoic masses are very rare and mostly benign. As an adjunct to mammography, the imaging findings reported here could help to avoid misdiagnosis for malignant hyperechoic lesion.