bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Slide film damping in microelectromechanical system devices
Authors: Wang Weidong , Jia Jianyuan , Li Jianwen
Published: August 2013

Film damping caused by microfluids has important effects on the dynamic characteristics of moving elements of microelectromechanical system devices. There are two kinds of film damping existing in microelectromechanical system devices, for instance, slide film damping and squeeze film damping. This article presents an overview on the recent research progress on the slide film damping in microelectromechanical system devices. Based on the first slip velocity boundary conditions, this article discusses two kinds of damping models in detail, which commonly used to investigate on the slide film damping. For the convenience of quick reference in future, laterally moving microstructures, adequate important equations and applicable conditions are included in this article. Finally, we proposed two unified models for the analysis and design of laterally moving microstructured devices.
Long-term results of simple hemiresection arthroplasty in the rheumatoid distal radio-ulnar joint
Authors: Lee C. H. , Chung U. S. , Lee B. G. , Shim J. H. , Lee K. H.
Published: August 2013

We retrospectively studied the radiological and clinical results of a simple hemiresection arthroplasty, a modification of previous oblique distal ulnar resections, in 62 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (68 wrists) over a mean follow-up of 103 (range 60–173) months. Fourteen wrists (20%) became fused at the radiocarpal joint and 28 wrists fused (41%) at the midcarpal joints during follow-up. Severe ulnar translocation of the carpus was observed in two wrists (3%), radio-ulnar convergence in five wrists (7%), as well as a significant decrease of carpal height ratio, without any radiological findings of stylocarpal impingement. Improvements in forearm pronation and supination, and reduction in pain were maintained at the last follow-up. Grip strength was not significantly improved. The Jebsen–Taylor hand function test showed improvements in writing, card turning, and simulated feeding. Fifty-two patients (58 wrists, 85%) were satisfied with the results at the last follow-up. Simple hemiresection arthroplasty showed good long-term results with few complications.
The effects of dorsally angulated distal radius fractures on distal radioulnar joint stability: a biomechanical study
Authors: Saito T. , Nakamura T. , Nagura T. , Nishiwaki M. , Sato K. , Toyama Y.
Published: August 2013

Relationship between dorsal tilt of the distal radius and distal radioulnar joint stability was examined. Stiffness in dorsopalmar displacement of the radius (distal radioulnar joint stiffness) was recorded at 10° intervals until 30° of dorsal angulation from 10° of palmar tilt. Tests were repeated after partial sectioning of the radioulnar ligament, then after complete sectioning of the radioulnar ligament. All data were compared with control (intact triangular fibrocartilage complex, 10° of palmar tilt). The distal radioulnar joint stiffness in dorsal translation decreased significantly with dorsal tilt 10° and 20° in pronation. Partial sectioning of the radioulnar ligament indicated a decrease of the distal radioulnar joint stiffness in the dorsal translation at neutral tilt to 20° of dorsal tilt in the neutral position and in pronation. Distal radioulnar joint stiffness decreased significantly in both dorsal and palmar translations in all forearm positions at 10° and 20° of dorsal tilt. From these findings, the dorsal angulation of the radius should be corrected to less than 10° of dorsal tilt.
Anthropometrics to Identify Overweight Children at Most Risk for the Development of Cardiometabolic Disease
Authors: Labyak Corinne A. , Janicke David M. , Lim Crystal S. , Colee James , Mathews Anne E.
Published: August 2013

Background. Sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) is a novel anthropometric that correlates more strongly with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and cardiometabolic disease risk in adults compared with body mass index (BMI). However, little research has evaluated this measurement in children. Objective. To evaluate SAD as a measure of cardiometabolic risk compared with other anthropometrics in overweight/obese children. Methods. This study was a cross-sectional subset analysis of 8- to 12-year-old overweight/obese children. SAD was compared to BMI, waist circumference (WC), BMI z-score, and percent body fat to determine which measurement was most closely associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. A total cardiometabolic risk score comprising all biochemical markers and blood pressure was also compared to these same anthropometrics. Results. Overweight/obese children (n = 145, mean age 10 ± 1.4 years, mean BMI percentile 97.9 ± 0.02) were included in the analysis. SAD correlated with the greatest number of biochemical markers/blood pressure values including triglycerides ( r = .18, P = .03), HgbA1c ( r = .21, P = .01), and systolic blood pressure (r = .38, P < .0001). SAD was more strongly correlated to total risk score ( r = .25, P = .002) than WC ( r = .22, P = .006), BMI ( r = .17, P = .04), BMI-z ( r = .18, P = .03), and percent body fat ( r = .18, P = .03). Conclusion. This is the first study to evaluate SAD in overweight/obese American children as a marker of cardiometabolic disease risk. The results suggest a slightly stronger correlation between SAD and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight/obese children; however, all correlations were weak. As this was a pilot study, additional research is needed prior to recommending the use of this measurement in clinical practice.
The Anti-Hunger Empowerment Act of 2013
Authors: Schlag Kate A. , Yu Garlen
Published: August 2013

Hunger and poverty affect countless Americans. Food security plays a critical role in establishing positive medical and health outcomes. As the national nutritional safety net, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is essential to combating hunger and malnutrition. It provides substantial nutritional and economic benefits to children and families living in impoverished conditions. Yet these families often struggle with accessing SNAP benefits. This article examines current literature on the consequences of food insecurity and potential barriers to the SNAP program, particularly its impact on children. It also introduces current policy, H.R. 208 “Anti-Hunger Empowerment Act.” Finally, future policy recommendations are suggested based on expert opinion and literature synthesis.
Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Thornton Kevin
Published: August 2013

Patients who become critically ill from sepsis, acute respiratory illness or other inflammatory processes often require intubation and mechanical ventilation to support respiratory function. The lungs are very susceptible to injury in these circumstances and may develop the syndromes of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Furthermore, patients in the operating room under anesthesia may also develop lung injury due to direct surgical trauma (pneumonectomy), aspiration, transfusion, shock, or allergic reaction. The approaches and techniques of mechanical ventilation continue to evolve with better understanding of the pathophysiology of ALI/ARDS. In this article, we will ( a) review the definitions of ALI/ARDS, ( b) define lung-protective ventilation and the etiologies of ventilator-associated lung injury, ( c) discuss rescue therapies for hypoxemic respiratory failure, and ( d) describe newer modes of mechanical ventilation in use both in the ICU and the operating room.
Exceptional diagnosis of testicular tumour in a patient with paraneoplastic encephalitis
Authors: Ramos Felix Guerrero , Sanchez Angel Tejido , Gonzalez Lucia Garcia , Alcaide Estibaliz Jimenez , Ospina Galeano Irma Amparo , Pajares Ana Arrebola , Polo Jose Medina , Gonzalez Rafael Diaz
Published: August 2013

Testicular tumour diagnosis and its management are widely known by urologists, although there are some exceptional diagnoses with rare clinical profiles. We report the unusual case of a young man presenting neuropsychiatric symptoms with no evidence of neurological disease and increased serum anti-Ma2 antibodies, which are associated with germ cell tumours. Our patient was finally diagnosed with a likely left testicular tumour, an orchidectomy was performed and the symptoms disappeared. Only four cases with a similar clinical background and evolution have been reported in the literature.
Genome-wide analysis of transcriptional regulators in human HSPCs reveals a densely interconnected network of coding and noncoding genes
Authors: Beck Dominik , Thoms Julie A. I. , Perera Dilmi , Schütte Judith , Unnikrishnan Ashwin , Knezevic Kathy , Kinston Sarah J. , Wilson Nicola K. , O’Brien Tracey A. , Göttgens Berthold , Wong Jason W. H. , Pimanda John E.
Published: August 2013

Key Points

Genome-wide binding profiles of FLI1, ERG, GATA2, RUNX1, SCL, LMO2, and LYL1 in human HSPCs reveals patterns of combinatorial TF binding. Integrative analysis of transcription factor binding reveals a densely interconnected network of coding and noncoding genes in human HSPCs.
Targeting autophagy potentiates the apoptotic effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors in t(8;21) AML cells
Authors: Torgersen Maria Lyngaas , Engedal Nikolai , Bøe Stig-Ove , Hokland Peter , Simonsen Anne
Published: August 2013

Key Points

In AML1-ETO–positive AML cells, HDAC inhibitors induce autophagy, which acts as a prosurvival signal to limit HDAC-induced cell death. In contrast to the fusion oncoproteins PML-RARA and breakpoint cluster region–abelson, AML1-ETO is not degraded by either basal- or drug-induced autophagy.
Continuous theta-burst stimulation modulates tactile synchronization
Authors: Lee Kevin GH , Jacobs Mark F , Asmussen Michael J , Zapallow Christopher M , Tommerdahl Mark , Nelson Aimee J
Published: August 2013

Background

Temporal order judgement (TOJ) is the ability to detect the order of occurrence of two sequentially delivered stimuli. Previous research has shown that TOJ in the presence of synchronized periodic conditioning stimuli impairs TOJ performance, and this phenomenon is suggested to be mediated by GABAergic interneurons that cause perceptual binding across the two skin sites. Application of continuous theta-burst repetitive TMS (cTBS) over primary somatosensory cortex (SI) alters temporal and spatial tactile perception. The purpose of this study was to examine TOJ perception in the presence and absence of synchronized periodic conditioning stimuli before and after cTBS applied over left-hemisphere SI. A TOJ task was administered on the right index and middle finger (D2 and D3) in two separate sessions in the presence and absence of conditioning stimuli (a background low amplitude sinusoidal vibration).

Results

CTBS reduced the impact of the conditioning stimuli on TOJ performance for up to 18 minutes following stimulation while sham cTBS did not affect TOJ performance. In contrast, the TOJ task performed in the absence of synchronized conditioning stimulation was unaltered following cTBS.

Conclusion

We conclude that cTBS suppresses inhibitory networks in SI that mediate perceptual binding during TOJ synchronization. CTBS offers one method to suppress cortical excitability in the cortex and potentially benefit clinical populations with altered inhibitory cortical circuits. Additionally, TOJ measures with conditioning stimuli may provide an avenue to assess sensory processing in neurologically impaired patient populations.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in type 2 diabetics: symptom load and pathophysiologic aspects - a retro-pro study
Authors: Promberger Regina , Lenglinger Johannes , Riedl Otto , Seebacher Gernot , Eilenberg Wolf Hans , Ott Johannes , Riegler Franz Martin , Gadenstätter Michael , Neumayer Christoph
Published: August 2013

Background

Information about gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D) is scarce, although the incidence of both disorders is increasing.

We aimed to determine GERD symptoms and their underlying pathophysiologic characteristics in T2D patients.

Methods

This “retro-pro” study compared 65 T2D patients to a control group of 130 age- and sex-matched non-diabetics. GERD was confirmed by gastroscopy, manometry, pH-metry and barium swallow.

Results

In patients with T2D compared to controls, dysphagia (32.3% vs. 13.1%; p = 0.001) and globus sensation (27.7% vs. 13.8%; p = 0.021) were found more frequently, whereas heartburn (76.9% vs. 88.5%; p = 0.046) and regurgitation (47.7% vs. 72.3%; p = 0.001) were predominant in non-diabetics. Despite higher body mass indices (31.1 ± 5.2 vs. 27.7 ± 3.7 kg/m2; p < 0.001), hiatal hernia was less frequent in T2D patients compared to controls (60.0% vs. 90.8%, p < 0.001). Lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was higher in patients with T2D (median 10.0 vs. 7.2 mmHg, p = 0.016). DeMeester scores did not differ between the groups. Helicobacter pylori infections were more common in T2D patients (26.2% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.001). Barrett metaplasia (21.5% vs. 17.7%), as well as low- (10.8% vs. 3.8%) and high-grade dysplasia (1.5% vs. 0%) were predominant in T2D patients.

Conclusions

T2D patients exhibit different GERD symptoms, higher LES pressures and a decreased prevalence of hiatal hernia than non-diabetics, which may be related to worse oesophageal motility and, thus, a more functional rather than anatomical cause of GERD. Low-grade dysplasia was more than twice as high in T2D than in non-diabetics patients.

Trial registration

Ethics committee of the Medical University of Vienna,IRBnumber720/2011.
Prediction of metachronous multiple primary cancers following the curative resection of gastric cancer
Authors: Kim Chan , Chon Hong Jae , Kang Beodeul , Kim Kiyeol , Jeung Hei-Cheul , Chung Hyun Cheol , Noh Sung Hoon , Rha Sun Young
Published: August 2013

Background

Due to improved survival rate, gastric cancer (GC) patients have an increased risk of developing multiple primary cancer (MPC). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinicopathological features of MPC and to generate useful tools for the prediction of metachronous MPC following gastrectomy.

Methods

3066 patients who underwent curative resection of GC were reviewed retrospectively, based on the clinical information and the medical record.

Results

The 5-year incidence of MPC was 2.5%. Of these, 54.3% had a metachronous MPC, while 45.7% had a synchronous MPC. The most prevalent site of metachronous MPC was the colorectum (26.3%), followed by lung (23.7%) and liver (18.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that old age at the time of GC diagnosis (≥60 years), early stage of GC (stage I and II), and multiplicity of GC at the time of gastrectomy were independent predictive factors for metachronous MPC. GC patients with either metachronous or synchronous MPC showed poorer survival than patients without MPC. In addition, patients with a metachronous MPC showed late survival disadvantage, while patients with a synchronous MPC showed early survival disadvantage. Furthermore, we were able to develop and internally validate a nomogram to predict the metachronous MPC after curative gastrectomy (C-index = 0.72).

Conclusion

Patients at high risk of developing metachronous MPC after curative resection of GC were identified. Individual risk of developing metachronous MPC could be predicted by a novel nomogram. Further external validation with independent patient cohorts is required to improve the accuracy of prediction.
Is volunteering a public health intervention? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the health and survival of volunteers
Authors: Jenkinson Caroline E , Dickens Andy P , Jones Kerry , Thompson-Coon Jo , Taylor Rod S , Rogers Morwenna , Bambra Clare L , Lang Iain , Richards Suzanne H
Published: August 2013

Background

Volunteering has been advocated by the United Nations, and American and European governments as a way to engage people in their local communities and improve social capital, with the potential for public health benefits such as improving wellbeing and decreasing health inequalities. Furthermore, the US Corporation for National and Community Service Strategic Plan for 2011–2015 focused on increasing the impact of national service on community needs, supporting volunteers’ wellbeing, and prioritising recruitment and engagement of underrepresented populations. The aims of this review were to examine the effect of formal volunteering on volunteers’ physical and mental health and survival, and to explore the influence of volunteering type and intensity on health outcomes.

Methods

Experimental and cohort studies comparing the physical and mental health outcomes and mortality of a volunteering group to a non-volunteering group were identified from twelve electronic databases (Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, HMIC, SSCI, ASSIA, Social Care Online, Social Policy and Practice) and citation tracking in January 2013. No language, country or date restrictions were applied. Data synthesis was based on vote counting and random effects meta-analysis of mortality risk ratios.

Results

Forty papers were selected: five randomised controlled trials (RCTs, seven papers); four non-RCTs; and 17 cohort studies (29 papers). Cohort studies showed volunteering had favourable effects on depression, life satisfaction, wellbeing but not on physical health. These findings were not confirmed by experimental studies. Meta-analysis of five cohort studies found volunteers to be at lower risk of mortality (risk ratio: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.90). There was insufficient evidence to demonstrate a consistent influence of volunteering type or intensity on outcomes.

Conclusion

Observational evidence suggested that volunteering may benefit mental health and survival although the causal mechanisms remain unclear. Consequently, there was limited robustly designed research to guide the development of volunteering as a public health promotion intervention. Future studies should explicitly map intervention design to clear health outcomes as well as use pragmatic RCT methodology to test effects.
Evaluating hormonal mechanisms of vitamin D receptor agonist therapy in diabetic kidney disease: the VALIDATE-D study
Authors: Brown Jenifer M , Secinaro Kristina , Williams Jonathan S , Vaidya Anand
Published: August 2013

Background

Insufficient vitamin D status and increased renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activity have been associated with renal-vascular disease and nephropathy in diabetes. Accumulating evidence indicates that vitamin D receptor (VDR) activation lowers unfavorable RAS activity; however, more human intervention studies evaluating whether this mechanism could influence diabetic kidney disease are needed. We previously reported that both vitamin D levels and genetic variation at the VDR predict human RAS activity, and that vitamin D therapy can lower RAS activity in non-diabetics. The VALIDATE-D study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, intervention study designed to extend these findings by evaluating whether direct VDR activation in diabetes lowers circulating and local renal-vascular tissue RAS activity (Aims 1 and 2) in a manner similar to the action of ACE inhibitors (Aim 3).

Methods/Design

Forty subjects with type 2 diabetes, microalbuminuria, and without chronic kidney disease will be recruited to undergo detailed assessment of the RAS before and after randomization to calcitriol 0.75 mcg/day or placebo. Primary analyses will evaluate whether calcitriol therapy reduces circulating and renal-vascular tissue-RAS activity in comparison to placebo. All subjects will thereafter be treated with lisinopril and followed for 3.5 months to evaluate whether combination therapy (calcitriol + lisinopril vs. placebo + lisinopril) additively or synergistically improves renal-vascular function, and lowers proteinuria.

Discussion

The VALIDATE-D study is the first human intervention study to evaluate whether direct VDR activation can lower the human RAS in diabetes, compared to the effect of an ACE inhibitor, and whether this mechanism can translate to clinically relevant endpoints for diabetic kidney disease. The outcomes of VALIDATE-D will have major implications for the recommendation of vitamin D supplementation for the primary prevention of kidney complications in diabetes.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01635062
Effects of Payena dasyphylla (Miq.) on hyaluronidase enzyme activity and metalloproteinases protein expressions in interleukin-1β stimulated human chondrocytes cells
Authors: Citalingam Kamini , Zareen Seema , Shaari Khozirah , Ahmad Syahida
Published: August 2013

Background

Hyaluronidases have been found as the target enzymes in the development of osteoarthritis (OA) disease. While there is still no curative treatment for this disease, recent studies on the treatment of OA were focused on the effectiveness of natural products which are expected to improve the symptoms with minimal side effects. The aim of this study was to screen selected Malaysian plants on their anti-hyaluronidase activity as well as to evaluate the active plant and its derived fractions on its potential anti-arthritic and antioxidant activities.

Methods

A total of 20 methanolic crude extracts (bark and leaf) from ten different plants were screened using a colorimetric hyaluronidase enzymatic assay. The active plant extract (Payena dasyphylla) was then studied for its hyaluronidase inhibitory activity in the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) stimulated human chondrocytes cell line (NHAC-kn) using zymography method. The Payena dasyphylla methanolic bark extract was then fractionated into several fractions in where the ethyl acetate (EA) fraction was evaluated for its inhibitory effects on the HYAL1 and HYAL2 gene expressions using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. While the MMP-3 and MMP-13 protein expressions were evaluated using western blot method. The phenolic and flavonoid contents of the three fractions as well as the antioxidant property of the EA fraction were also evaluated.

Results

Bark extract of Payena dasyphylla (100 μg/ml) showed the highest inhibitory activity against bovine testicular hyaluronidase with 91.63%. The plant extract also inhibited hyaluronidase expression in the cultured human chondrocyte cells in response to IL-1β (100 ng/ml). Similarly, treatment with Payena dasyphylla ethyl acetate ( EA) fraction (100 μg/ml) inhibited the HYAL1 and HYAL2 mRNA gene expressions as well as MMP-3 and MMP-13 protein expression in a dose dependent manner. Payena dasyphylla EA fraction has demonstrated the highest amount of phenolic and flavonoid content with 168.62 ± 10.93 mg GAE/g and 95.96 ± 2.96 mg RE/g respectively as compared to water and hexane fractions. In addition, the Payena dasyphylla EA fraction showed strong antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 11.64 ± 1.69 μg/mL.

Conclusion

These findings have shown that Payena dasyphylla might contained potential phenolic compounds that inhibiting the key enzyme in osteoarthritis development, which is the hyaluronidase enzyme through interruption of HYAL1 and HYAL1 gene expressions. The degradation of cartilage could also be inhibited by the plant through suppression of MMP-3 and MMP-13 protein expressions. We also reported that the inhibitory effect of Payena dasyphylla on hyaluronidase activity and expression might be due to its anti-oxidant property.
Writing letters to patients as an educational tool for medical students
Authors: Mrduljaš Đujić Nataša , Žitnik Edi , Pavelin Ljubica , Bačić Dubravka , Boljat Mia , Vrdoljak Davorka , Pavličević Ivančica , Dvornik Ana Radica , Marušić Ana , Marušić Matko
Published: August 2013

Background

Despite rapid growth and development of medical technology, personal relationship between the patient and physician remains the basis of high quality treatment. The aim of our study was to develop, implement and evaluate patient therapeutic letters written by students as a tool in teaching family medicine.

Methods

The study included all 6th year students attending their rounds in family medicine, structured into two 10-day cycles, one in urban offices and one in offices on the Adriatic islands (rural). After receiving detailed instructions, students wrote letters to two patients after a consultation in the office. The letters were audited by patients and 3 family medicine experts who used a grading instrument (scale 0 – poor, 1 – medium, 2 – good) for 1) adequacy and clarity of description of patients’ disease/state, 2) knowledge, 3) adequacy of recommendations, 4) courtesy and respect and 5) language and style. Patients and experts were also asked to underline phrases they thought would be difficult to understand; the underlined text was subjected to content analysis.

Results

Both the patients and the experts gave high scores for the value and quality of the letters in terms of the description of the problem, adequacy of recommendations given, and courtesy and respect (mean (±standard deviation) 5.65 ± 0.79 for patients vs. 4.87 ± 0.79 for experts out of maximum score of 6). Family medicine experts were stricter than patients in their evaluation of the content of the letters (adequacy and clarity of disease description (P < 0.001) and adequacy of recommendations (P < 0.001). Both the patients and the experts seemed to like longer letters as the length of the letter showed significant positive correlation with the quality summary score (correlation r = 0.492 vs. r = 0.338, respectively, P < 0.010). Overlapping of the text underlined as difficult to understand by patients and experts was found in 10 (11.6%) out of 86 letters. The highest overlap (20 terms) was found for the category “Technical terms unclear to a lay reader”.

Conclusions

Writing of a letter to their first patients may be a useful tool for students to personally experience the practice of medicine and establish better partnership with patients in health care.
Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme: a national level investigation of members’ perceptions of service provision
Authors: Dixon Jenna , Tenkorang Eric Y , Luginaah Isaac
Published: August 2013

Background

Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), established into law in 2003 and implemented in 2005 as a ‘pro-poor’ method of health financing, has made great progress in enrolling members of the general population. While many studies have focused on predictors of enrolment this study offers a novel analysis of NHIS members’ perceptions of service provision at the national level.

Methods

Using data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic Health Survey we analyzed the perceptions of service provision as indicated by members enrolled in the NHIS at the time of the survey (n = 3468; m = 1422; f = 2046). Ordinal Logistic Regression was applied to examine the relationship between perceptions of service provision and theoretically relevant socioeconomic and demographic variables.

Results

Results demonstrate that wealth, gender and ethnicity all play a role in influencing members’ perceptions of NHIS service provision, distinctive from its influence on enrolment. Notably, although wealth predicted enrolment in other studies, our study found that compared to the poorest men and uneducated women, wealthy men and educated women were less likely to perceive their service provision as better/same (more likely to report it was worse). Wealth was not an important factor for women, suggesting that household gender dynamics supersede household wealth status in influencing perceptions. As well, when compared to Akan women, women from all other ethnic groups were about half as likely to perceive the service provision to be better/same.

Conclusions

Findings of this study suggest there is an important difference between originally enrolling in the NHIS because one believes it is potentially beneficial, and using the NHIS and perceiving it to be of benefit. We conclude that understanding the nature of this relationship is essential for Ghana’s NHIS to ensure its longevity and meet its pro-poor mandate. As national health insurance systems are a relatively new phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa little is known about their long term viability; understanding user perceptions of service provision is an important piece of that puzzle.
2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl as a screening tool for recombinant monoterpene biosynthesis
Authors: Behrendorff James BYH , Vickers Claudia E , Chrysanthopoulos Panagiotis , Nielsen Lars K
Published: August 2013

Background

Monoterpenes are a class of natural C10 compounds with a range of potential applications including use as fuel additives, fragrances, and chemical feedstocks. Biosynthesis of monoterpenes in heterologous systems is yet to reach commercially-viable levels, and therefore is the subject of strain engineering and fermentation optimization studies. Detection of monoterpenes typically relies on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; this represents a significant analytical bottleneck which limits the potential to analyse combinatorial sets of conditions. To address this, we developed a high-throughput method for pre-screening monoterpene biosynthesis.

Results

An optimised DPPH assay was developed for detecting monoterpenes from two-phase microbial cultures using dodecane as the extraction solvent. The assay was useful for reproducible qualitative ranking of monoterpene concentrations, and detected standard preparations of myrcene and γ-terpinene dissolved in dodecane at concentrations as low as 10 and 15 μM, respectively, and limonene as low as 200 μM. The assay could not be used quantitatively due to technical difficulties in capturing the initial reaction rate in a multi-well plate and the presence of minor DPPH-reactive contaminants. Initially, limonene biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was tested using two different limonene synthase enzymes and three medium compositions. The assay indicated that limonene biosynthesis was enhanced in a supplemented YP medium and that the Citrus limon limonene synthase (CLLS) was more effective than the Mentha spicata limonene synthase (MSLS). GC-MS analysis revealed that the DPPH assay had correctly identified the best limonene synthase (CLLS) and culture medium (supplemented YP medium). Because only traces of limonene were detected in SD medium, we subsequently identified medium components that improved limonene production and developed a defined medium based on these findings. The best limonene titres obtained were 1.48 ± 0.22 mg limonene per L in supplemented YP medium and 0.9 ± 0.15 mg limonene per L in a pH-adjusted supplemented SD medium.

Conclusions

The DPPH assay is useful for detecting biosynthesis of limonene. Although the assay cannot be used quantitatively, it proved successful in ranking limonene production conditions qualitatively and thus is suitable as a first-tier screen. The DPPH assay will likely be applicable in detecting biosynthesis of several other monoterpenes and for screening libraries of monoterpene-producing strains.
3,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetate interleaved into anionic clay for controlled release formulation of a new environmentally friendly agrochemical
Authors: Sheikh Mohd Ghazali Sheikh Ahmad Izaddin , Hussein Mohd Zobir , Sarijo Siti Halimah
Published: August 2013

A new layered organic–inorganic nanohybrid material, zinc-aluminum-3,4-dicholorophenoxyacetate (N3,4-D) in which an agrochemical, 3,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (3,4-D), is intercalated into zinc-aluminum-layered double hydroxide (ZAL), was synthesized by coprecipitation method. A well-ordered nanomaterial was formed with a percentage loading of 53.5% (w/w). Due to the inclusion of 3,4-D, basal spacing expanded from 8.9 Å in ZAL to 18.7 Å in N3,4-D. The Fourier transform infrared study shows that the absorption bands of the resulting nanohybrid composed of both the 3,4-D and ZAL further confirmed the intercalation episode. Thermal analysis shows that ZAL host enhances the thermal stability of 3,4-D. Controlled-release experiment shows that the release of 3,4-D in the aqueous media is in the order of phosphate > carbonate > sulfate > chloride. These studies demonstrate the successful intercalation of the 3,4-D and its controlled release property in various aqueous media.
Molecular characterization of echovirus 30-associated outbreak of aseptic meningitis in Guangdong in 2012
Authors: Xiao Hong , Guan Dawei , Chen Ruiyu , Chen Pingxi , Monagin Corina , Li Wei , Su Juan , Ma Cong , Zhang Wanli , Ke Changwen
Published: August 2013

Background

Evaluation of the primary etiologic agents that cause aseptic meningitis outbreaks may provide valuable information regarding the prevention and management of aseptic meningitis. An outbreak of aseptic meningitis occurred from May to June, 2012, in Guangdong Province, China. In order to determine the etiologic agent, CSF specimens from 121 children hospitalized for aseptic meningitis at Luoding People’s Hospital of Guangdong Province were tested for virus isolation and identification.

Results

Enterovirus RNA was positive in 62.0% of 121 CSF sspecimens by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Amplification and sequencing of the VP1 region of enterovirus isolates revealed Echovirus 30 (E30) was the most common isolated serotype (80% of 40 enterovirus strains).For the molecular characterization of the E30 isolates, the VP1 gene sequence of 20 Luoding E30 isolates was compared pairwise using the MegAlign with reference strains from GenBank. The pairwise comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the VP1 genes demonstrated that the sequences of the strains differed from those of lineage groups C, D, E, F, and G. Reconstruction of the phylogenetic tree based on the VP1 nucleotide sequences resulted in a monophyletic tree, with seven clustered lineage groups. Most of the isolates were segregated from other lineage groups. Four E30 isolates causing this outbreak aggregated into the Lineage A cluster which was derived from E30 strains that circulated in other regions of China from 2003–2010.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the Luoding strains were a distinct lineage of E30, and a probable cause of this outbreak. The study also demonstrated that different E30 variants existed in the local meningitis outbreak.
Slow angled-descent forepaw grasping (SLAG): an innate behavioral task for identification of individual experimental mice possessing functional vision
Authors: Gil-Pagés Macarena , Stiles Robert J , Parks Christopher A , Neier Steven C , Radulovic Maja , Oliveros Alfredo , Ferrer Alejandro , Reed Brendan K , Wilton Katelynn M , Schrum Adam G
Published: August 2013

Background

There is significant interest in the generation of improved assays to clearly identify experimental mice possessing functional vision, a property that could qualify mice for inclusion in behavioral and neuroscience studies. Widely employed current methods rely on mouse responses to visual cues in assays of reflexes, depth perception, or cognitive memory. However, commonly assessed mouse reflexes can sometimes be ambiguous in their expression, while depth perception assays are sometimes confounded by variation in anxiety responses and exploratory conduct. Furthermore, in situations where experimental groups vary in their cognitive memory capacity, memory assays may not be ideal for assessing differences in vision.

Results

We have optimized a non-invasive behavioral assay that relies on an untrained, innate response to identify individual experimental mice possessing functional vision: slow angled-descent forepaw grasping (SLAG). First, we verified that SLAG performance depends on vision and not olfaction. Next, all members of an age-ranged cohort of 158 C57BL/6 mice (57 wild-type, 101 knockout, age range 44–241 days) were assessed for functional vision using the SLAG test without training or conditioning. Subjecting the population to a second innate behavioral test, Dark Chamber preference, corroborated that the functional vision assessment of SLAG was valid.

Conclusions

We propose that the SLAG assay is immediately useful to quickly and clearly identify experimental mice possessing functional vision. SLAG is based on a behavioral readout with a significant innate component with no requirement for training. This will facilitate the selection of mice of known sighted status in vision-dependent experiments that focus on other types of behavior, neuroscience, and/or cognitive memory.
Primary cervical spine carcinoid tumor in a woman with arm paresthesias and weakness: a case report
Authors: Narayanan Mohan , Serban Daniel , Tender Gabriel C
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine neoplasms derived from the enterochromaffin cells. Central nervous system involvement is rare and has been reported either as metastases to the brain and spine or primary tumors involving the sacrococcygeal spine. We report the first case of a primary carcinoid tumor of the cervical spine.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old African-American woman presented with a 4-month history of numbness, paresthesias, and mild left-hand weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging of her cervical spine revealed a homogenously enhancing extradural mass, indenting the cervical cord and expanding the left neural foramen at C7–T1. A C7 corpectomy, en bloc resection of the tumor, and anterior C6–T1 fusion were performed to decompress the spinal cord and nerves and provide stability. Postoperative histopathologic examination and immunohistochemical analysis were consistent with carcinoid tumor. There has been no recurrence at the 6-year follow-up visit.

Conclusions

Primary cervical carcinoid tumor is extremely rare, but should be included in the differential diagnosis of enhancing expansile extradural masses compressing the spinal cord and nerves. Surgical resection may provide a definitive cure.
PIK3CA mutations are frequently observed in BRCAX but not BRCA2-associated male breast cancer
Authors: Deb Siddhartha , Do Hongdo , Byrne David , Jene Nicholas ,   kConFab Investigators, Dobrovic Alexander , Fox Stephen B
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Although a substantial proportion of male breast cancers (MBCs) are hereditary, the molecular pathways that are activated are unknown. We therefore examined the frequency and clinicopathological associations of the PIK3CA/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways and their regulatory genes in familial MBC.

Methods

High resolution melting analysis and confirmatory sequencing was used to determine the presence of somatic mutations in PIK3CA (exon 9 and 20), AKT1 (exon 4), KRAS (exon 2) and BRAF (exon 15) genes in 57 familial MBCs. Further analysis of the PIK3CA/mTOR pathway was performed using immunohistochemistry for the pAKT1, pS6 and p4EBP1 biomarkers.

Results

PIK3CA somatic mutations were identified in 10.5% (6 of 57) of cases; there were no AKT1, KRAS or BRAF somatic mutations. PIK3CA mutations were significantly more frequent in cancers from BRCAX patients (17.2%, 5/29) than BRCA2 (0%, 0/25) carriers (P = 0.030). Two BRCAX patients had an E547K mutation which has only been reported in one female breast cancer previously. PIK3CA mutation was significantly correlated with positive pS6 (83.3% vs. 32.0%, P = 0.024) and negative p4EBP1 (100% vs. 38.0%, P = 0.006) expression, but not pAKT expression. Expression of nuclear p4EBP1 correlated with BRCA2 mutation carrier status (68.0% vs. 38.7%, P = 0.035).

Conclusions

Somatic PIK3CA mutation is present in familial male breast cancer but absent in BRCA2 carriers. The presence of two of the extremely rare E547K PIK3CA mutations in our cohort may have specific relevance in MBCs. Further study of PIK3CA in MBCs, and in particular BRCAX patients, may contribute to further establishing the relevance of specific PIK3CA mutations in MBC aetiology and in the identification of particular patient groups most likely to benefit from therapeutic targeting with the novel PIK3CA inhibitors that are currently in development.
Decision-making capacity for treatment in psychiatric and medical in-patients: Cross-sectional, comparative study
Authors: Owen Gareth S. , Szmukler George , Richardson Genevra , David Anthony S. , Raymont Vanessa , Freyenhagen Fabian , Martin Wayne , Hotopf Matthew
Published: August 2013

Background

Is the nature of decision-making capacity (DMC) for treatment significantly different in medical and psychiatric patients?

Aims

To compare the abilities relevant to DMC for treatment in medical and psychiatric patients who are able to communicate a treatment choice.

Method

A secondary analysis of two cross-sectional studies of consecutive admissions: 125 to a psychiatric hospital and 164 to a medical hospital. The MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool – Treatment and a clinical interview were used to assess decision-making abilities (understanding, appreciating and reasoning) and judgements of DMC. We limited analysis to patients able to express a choice about treatment and stratified the analysis by low and high understanding ability.

Results

Most people scoring low on understanding were judged to lack DMC and there was no difference by hospital (P=0.14). In both hospitals there were patients who were able to understand yet lacked DMC (39% psychiatricv.13% medical in-patients,P<0.001). Appreciation was a better ‘test’ of DMC in the psychiatric hospital (where psychotic and severe affective disorders predominated) (P<0.001), whereas reasoning was a better test of DMC in the medical hospital (where cognitive impairment was common) (P=0.02).

Conclusions

Among those with good understanding, the appreciation ability had more salience to DMC for treatment in a psychiatric setting and the reasoning ability had more salience in a medical setting.
The 23 October 2011 MW7.0 Van (Eastern Turkey) Earthquake: Interpretations of Recorded Strong Ground Motions and Post-Earthquake Conditions of Nearby Structures
Authors: Akansel V. , Ameri G. , Askan A. , Caner A. , Erdil B. , Kale Ö. , Okuyucu D.
Published: August 2013

A major thrust-fault earthquake of MW = 7.0 occurred on 23 October 2011 at 10:41:21 UTC in the eastern Anatolian region of Turkey, severely affecting the nearby towns of Van and Erciş. In this study, a few strong-motion records from the epicentral area are analyzed in order to investigate the characteristics of the ground motions. Also reported are the post-earthquake field observations for various types of structures, such as buildings, bridges, historical structures, tunnels, and dams within the vicinity of the fault plane. The spatial distribution of damage indicates a noticeable hanging-wall effect. The special-type structures are observed to experience far less damage, as opposed to the building structures in the region pointing to the need for strict compliance to seismic building code and the corresponding construction requirements.
The Extended Adaptive Capacity Spectrum Method for the Seismic Assessment of Plan-Asymmetric Buildings
Authors: Bhatt Carlos , Bento Rita
Published: August 2013

The use of nonlinear static procedures (NSPs) on the seismic assessment of real existing plan-irregular structures has so far been studied by a limited number of authors. This fact limits the application of such methods to assess current existing structures, the majority of which are irregular in plan. An extended version of the adaptive capacity spectrum method (ACSM) for the seismic assessment of plan-irregular buildings is presented in this paper. The novelty of this proposal is to comprise the most accurate features of commonly used NSPs in order to overcome the problems that subsist in three-dimensional pushover analyses. The accuracy of the procedure is tested in three plan-irregular real buildings. The results are compared with the capacity spectrum method (CSM) with the features proposed in FEMA 440, with the extended N2 method for plan-asymmetric structures, with the adaptive capacity spectrum method (ACSM) and with the most exact nonlinear dynamic analyses. Several seismic intensities are tested, in order to evaluate the performance of the procedure in different stages of structural inelasticity.
A Drift Pushover Analysis Procedure for Estimating the Seismic Demands of Buildings
Authors: Sahraei Arash , Behnamfar Farhad
Published: August 2013

Relative displacement is a parameter that has a very high correlation with damage. The objective of this article is to develop an analysis procedure founded on the displacement-based seismic design methodology. Generalized interstory drift spectrum is applied as an essential tool in this new method called drift pushover analysis. In order to evaluate the behavior of structures, three demand parameters—lateral displacement, story shear, and plastic hinge rotation—are computed with conventional pushover analysis (CPA), modal pushover analysis (MPA), and drift pushover analysis (DPA), and are compared with those of the nonlinear time history analysis (NTA). It is observed that the new method, DPA, predicts the peak response measures more precisely and with less effort than the other nonlinear pushover procedures investigated in this study.
Cost-Benefit Evaluation of Seismic Risk Mitigation Alternatives for Older Concrete Frame Buildings
Authors: Liel Abbie B. , Deierlein Gregory G.
Published: August 2013

Cost-benefit assessment is used to evaluate the effectiveness of various seismic retrofit strategies to address concerns about earthquake safety and damage to older concrete frame buildings. The benefits of mitigation are quantified in monetary terms by assessing the reductions in risk of building damage (repairs) and occupant fatalities. When evaluated considering repair costs only, the maximum cost of retrofitting that offers a positive rate of return is 10% to 30% of the building replacement value. Since seismic retrofits generally cost more than this, this result suggests that reduced risk of damage and repairs alone does not warrant the expense of retrofitting. However, the added benefits of reduced fatality risks would make retrofitting cost-effective if it costs as much as 60% of the building replacement cost. The cost-benefit approach provides an important tool to evaluate the merits of seismic mitigation in light of competing demands for finite public and private resources.
Blind Modal Identification of Non-Classically Damped Systems from Free or Ambient Vibration Records
Authors: Abazarsa Fariba , Nateghi Fariborz , Ghahari S. Farid , Taciroglu Ertugrul
Published: August 2013

A significant segment of system identification literature on civil structures is devoted to response-only identification, simply because lack of measurements of input excitations for civil structures is a fairly common scenario. In recent years, several researchers have successfully adapted a second-order blind identification (SOBI) technique—a method originally developed for “blind source separation” of audio signals—to response-only identification of mechanical and civil structures. However, this development had been confined to fully instrumented classically damped systems. While several approaches have been proposed recently for extending SOBI to non-classically damped systems, they all require additional data such as velocity or analytic signals. Herein, we present a version of SOBI that requires only acceleration signals recorded during free or ambient vibration tests, and yields the system's complex mode shapes, natural frequencies, and damping ratios. Performance of the proposed technique is demonstrated through two synthetic examples: a ten-story structure possessing a passive control system, and a soil-structure system with seven degrees of freedom (seven-DOF).