bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bilateral dermoid ovarian cyst in an adolescent girl
Authors: Hakim Mumin Mushtaq Ahmed , Abraham Sally Mary
Published: July 2014

A 19-year-old unmarried woman with regular menstrual cycles presented with symptoms of vague abdominal pain of 1 month duration. General condition fair. Per abdomen—a firm, non-tender mass corresponding to 26 weeks of gestation with smooth surface, upper and lateral borders well defined, lower border not palpable was observed. Ultrasonography: left ovarian tumour 28×19 cm with mixed echogenicity was seen in the pelvis extending superiorly into the abdominal cavity with fat, fluid contents, multiple septations. Right ovary measures 6×4 cm with 3.7 cm focal hyperechoic lesion. Uterus anteverted, normal size. No free fluid seen. CT confirmed the ultrasonography findings. Cancer antigen (CA) 125 was 52 IU/mL. Exploratory laparotomy followed by left ovariotomy and salpingectomy and right ovarian cystectomy was performed, leaving behind a significant amount of normal ovarian tissue. Cut section of the gross specimen of the left ovarian tumour-dermoid cyst-plenty of sebaceous fluid and a large tuft of hair. The right ovarian cystectomy revealed a dermoid cyst with hair and pellets of sebum. Histopathology showed bilateral dermoid ovarian cyst.
Temporal patterns of hypoglycaemia and burden of sulfonylurea-related hypoglycaemia in UK hospitals: a retrospective multicentre audit of hospitalised patients with diabetes
Authors: Rajendran Rajesh , Kerry Christopher , Rayman Gerry ,   on behalf of the MaGIC study group
Published: July 2014

Objectives

To determine whether temporal patterns of hypoglycaemia exist in inpatients with diabetes ‘at risk’ of hypoglycaemia (those on insulin and/or sulfonylureas), and if so whether patterns differ between hospitals and between these treatments.

Setting

Retrospective multicentre audit of inpatients with diabetes involving 11 acute UK National Health Service (NHS) trusts.

Participants

Capillary blood glucose readings of 3.9 mmol/L or less (hypoglycaemia) for all adult (≥18 years) inpatients with diabetes ‘at risk’ of hypoglycaemia were extracted from the Abbott PrecisionWeb Point-of-Care Data Management System over a 4-week period. Overall, 2521 readings of 3.9 mmol/L or less (hypoglycaemia) occurring in 866 participants between 1 June 2013 and 29 June 2013 were analysed.

Results

The majority (65%) occurred between 21:00 and 08:59, a pattern common to all Trusts. This was more frequent in sulfonylurea-treated than insulin-treated participants (75.3% vs 59.3%, p=0.0001). Furthermore, hypoglycaemic readings were more frequent between 5:00 and 7:59 in sulfonylurea-treated than insulin-treated participants (46.7% vs 22.7% of readings for respective treatments, p=0.0001). Sulfonylureas accounted for 31.8% of all hypoglycaemic readings. As a group, sulfonylurea-treated participants were older (median age 78 vs 73 years, p=0.0001) and had lower glycated haemoglobin (median 56 (7.3%) vs 69 mmol/mol (8.5%), p=0.0001). Hypoglycaemic readings per participant were as frequent for sulfonylurea-treated participants as for insulin-treated participants (median=2 for both) as were the proportions in each group with ≥5 hypoglycaemic readings (17.3% vs 17.7%).

Conclusions

In all Trusts, hypoglycaemic readings were more frequent between 21:00 and 08:59 in ‘at risk’ inpatients with diabetes, with a greater frequency in the early morning period (5:00–7:59) in sulfonylurea-treated inpatients. This may have implications for the continuing use of sulfonylureas in the inpatient setting.
The costs of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure in Taiwan: a prevalence-based annual cost approach
Authors: Sung Hai-Yen , Chang Li-Chuan , Wen Yu-Wen , Tsai Yi-Wen
Published: July 2014

Objectives

To assess the costs of the health effects of cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure to society.

Design

Prevalence-based, disease-specific cost-of-illness study. We used an epidemiological population-attributable risk method to determine the costs that can be attributed to smoking and SHS exposure.

Setting

Taiwan.

Participants

All adult population aged 35 and older.

Primary outcome measures

Direct costs of healthcare expenditures spent for treating tobacco-related diseases, indirect mortality costs measured by the value of lost productivity due to tobacco-related premature deaths and indirect morbidity costs measured by the value of time lost from work due to tobacco-related illness.

Results

In 2010, direct costs of smoking and SHS exposure amounted to US$828 million, accounting for 3.4% of Taiwan's total personal healthcare expenditures. Smoking and SHS exposure also contributed to 15 555 premature deaths—corresponding to a loss of 284 765 years of life and US$820 million in productivity—and US$22 million in indirect morbidity costs. These direct and indirect costs totalled US$1670 million, representing 0.4% of Taiwan's gross domestic product and averaging about US$720/adult smoker. The share of the total costs was greater from active smoking (92%) than SHS exposure (8%), and greater for men (92%) than women (8%).

Conclusions

Smoking and SHS exposure impose a huge financial loss in Taiwan. Sustained tobacco control efforts to encourage people to quit smoking, prevent smoking uptake by children and young adults and protect all people from SHS exposure are needed.
Temporal and spatial migration of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) inside and outside a marine protected area and evidence for the role of prior experience in homing
Authors: Morris Corey J. , Green John M. , Snelgrove Paul V.R. , Pennell Curtis J. , Ollerhead L.M. Neil
Published: July 2014

Despite efforts to protect the resident Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) population in Gilbert Bay, Labrador, its abundance has decreased since the area was designated a Marine Protected Area (MPA). As part of an effort to understand the reasons for the decline, tracking of cod tagged with surgically implanted ultrasonic transmitters was conducted to determine the migratory behavior of cod in relation to MPA boundaries. Acoustic tracking used a network of data-logging receivers deployed in Gilbert Bay and contiguous marine waters, permitting year-round monitoring of fish movements over several years. Acoustic tracking indicated that 93% of mature migratory cod >55 cm total length homed to the overwintering area where they were initially tagged. During summer months some individuals moved to the mouth of the bay and marine waters outside the MPA. Collectively, the home range of the Gilbert Bay cod encompassed an area within about 40 km of their overwintering and spawning site, but included a large area (∼270 km2) outside the MPA. Eleven percent of tagged cod released outside their home range returned to the capture site within 1 year after tagging. In contrast, fish transplanted 15 or 25 km from the capture site, but still within their home range, exhibited 100% success in homing, suggesting the importance of prior experience with the migration route for successful homing. This study documents the importance of knowledge concerning the migratory and homing behavior of resident fish populations for their conservation and management.
COMPUTING IMAGE TEXTURE BY ISOPATTERN
Authors: ROOMI S. MOHAMED MANSOOR , RAJA R. , KALAIYARASI D.
Published: July 2014

Texture is an important feature that aids in identifying objects of interest or region of interest irrespective of the source of the image. In this paper, a novel and simple isopattern-based texture feature is introduced. Spatial gray scale dependencies represented by bit plane is analyzed for specific patterns and are accumulated in bins. These are scaled by half-normal weighting function to provide isopattern texture feature. The ability of this texture feature in capturing textural variations of the images despite the presence of illumination, scale and rotation is demonstrated by conducting texture analysis on Brodatz, OuTex texture datasets and its classification accuracy on Kylberg dataset. The results of these two experimentation indicate that the proposed textural feature picks variation in texture significantly and has a better texture classification accuracy of 98.26% when compared with the state-of-the-art features like Gabor, GLCM and LBP.
ENHANCING MUSCULAR PERFORMANCE IN WOMEN: COMPOUND VERSUS COMPLEX, TRADITIONAL RESISTANCE AND PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ALONE
Authors: Arazi Hamid , Asadi Abbas , Roohi Somayeh
Published: July 2014

The aim of the current study was to explore the effects of compound (CPD) versus complex training (COX), resistance and plyometric training alone on vertical jump (VJ) height, 20-m sprint time, agility T-test, muscular strength, and endurance in women. A total of 29 healthy women volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly divided into four training groups: plyometric training alone (PT, n = 8), resistance training (RT) alone (RT, n = 7), CPD training (one day PT and another day RT, n = 7), and COX (PT and RT in a session, n = 7). All participants performed their training program twice a week for six weeks and were tested in VJ, sprint (20-m), agility T-test, one repetition maximum leg press (1RMLP), and muscular endurance (60% of 1RMLP) pre- and post-six weeks training period. Statistically, significant improvements were observed in all groups in VJ, 1RMLP, and muscular endurance: PT (19% [ES = 1.59], 45% [ES = 2.95], and 51% [ES = 1.86]), RT (20% [ES = 1.02], 48% [ES = 3.82], and 68% [ES = 2.24]), CPD (27% [ES = 1.79], 40% [ES = 4.23], and 34% [ES = 0.72]), and COX (17.5% [ES = 1], 37% [ES = 1.63], and 65% [ES = 2.25]), respectively. Also, significant decrease was observed in all groups in 20-m sprint time and T-test: PT (15% [ES = 1.01], and 7.6% [ES = 1.1]), RT (7% [ES = 0.89], and 6% [ES = 0.97]), CPD (15% [ES = 1.75], and 8% [ES = 1.1]), and COX (9% [ES = 0.72], and 3% [ES = 0.46), respectively. We found that PT, RT, and combined PT and RT induced positive effects on performance of the women. Also, the CPD group exhibited greater increase in agility performance in comparison to PT. With regard to ES, the CPD group showed greater increase in muscular performance in comparison to other groups.
Some applications of the Mangiarotti–Modugno formula for tangent-valued forms
Authors: Kolář Ivan
Published: July 2014

First, we present a classical approach to the general connections on arbitrary fibered manifolds. Then we compare this approach with the use of the Frölicher–Nijenhuis bracket by Mangiarotti and Modugno [Graded Lie algebras and connections on a fibered space, J. Math. Pures Appl. 63 (1984) 111–120]. Finally, we demonstrate that the latter viewpoint is very efficient in the theory of torsions of connections on Weil bundles.
Intense red emitting mechanoluminescence from CaZnOS:Mn,Li with c-axis preferred orientation
Authors: Tu Dong , Xu Chao-Nan , Fujio Yuki
Published: July 2014

We report that the co-doping of Li + ions significantly enhances the crystallinity and mechanoluminescence (ML) intensity of CaZnOS : Mn . The prepared CaZnOS : Mn , Li showed a preferred orientation of c-axis, and the particles possessed a plate-like morphology, which could be attributed to the layered structure of CaZnOS . At the same time, the ML induced by compressive load exhibited intense red emission and obvious intensity enhancement by the Li + co-doping.
Consensus-Based Cooperative Source Localization of Multi-Agent Systems with Sampled Range Measurements
Authors: Chai Guofei , Lin Che , Lin Zhiyun , Zhang Weidong
Published: July 2014

This paper deals with the cooperative source localization problem for a cluster of mobile agents. The goal of each agent is to estimate the relative coordinate of a stationary source in its local frame via a cooperative manner. It is assumed that each agent may or may not have direct range measurements about the source or some neighbors. Collaboration among agents is desired so that every agent is able to estimate the relative coordinate of the source in real time though some agents may not have direct range measurements about the source. A novel discrete-time estimator and a consensus-like fusion scheme are developed for the problem. It is shown that the estimator together with the fusion scheme are globally asymptotically stable under very mild conditions. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Dietary nitrate supplementation: effects on plasma nitrite and pulmonary O2 uptake dynamics during exercise in hypoxia and normoxia
Authors: Kelly James , Vanhatalo Anni , Bailey Stephen J. , Wylie Lee J. , Tucker Christopher , List Stephen , Winyard Paul G. , Jones Andrew M.
Published: July 2014

We investigated the effects of dietary nitrate (NO3−) supplementation on the concentration of plasma nitrite ([NO2−]), oxygen uptake (V̇o2) kinetics, and exercise tolerance in normoxia (N) and hypoxia (H). In a double-blind, crossover study, 12 healthy subjects completed cycle exercise tests, twice in N (20.9% O2) and twice in H (13.1% O2). Subjects ingested either 140 ml/day of NO3−-rich beetroot juice (8.4 mmol NO3; BR) or NO3−-depleted beetroot juice (PL) for 3 days prior to moderate-intensity and severe-intensity exercise tests in H and N. Preexercise plasma [NO2−] was significantly elevated in H-BR and N-BR compared with H-PL ( P < 0.01) and N-PL ( P < 0.01). The rate of decline in plasma [NO2−] was greater during severe-intensity exercise in H-BR [−30 ± 22 nM/min, 95% confidence interval (CI); −44, −16] compared with H-PL (−7 ± 10 nM/min, 95% CI; −13, −1; P < 0.01) and in N-BR (−26 ± 19 nM/min, 95% CI; −38, −14) compared with N-PL (−1 ± 6 nM/min, 95% CI; −5, 2; P < 0.01). During moderate-intensity exercise, steady-state pulmonary V̇o2 was lower in H-BR (1.91 ± 0.28 l/min, 95% CI; 1.77, 2.13) compared with H-PL (2.05 ± 0.25 l/min, 95% CI; 1.93, 2.26; P = 0.02), and V̇o2 kinetics was faster in H-BR (τ: 24 ± 13 s, 95% CI; 15, 32) compared with H-PL (31 ± 11 s, 95% CI; 23, 38; P = 0.04). NO3− supplementation had no significant effect on V̇o2 kinetics during severe-intensity exercise in hypoxia, or during moderate-intensity or severe-intensity exercise in normoxia. Tolerance to severe-intensity exercise was improved by NO3− in hypoxia (H-PL: 197 ± 28; 95% CI; 173, 220 vs. H-BR: 214 ± 43 s, 95% CI; 177, 249; P = 0.04) but not normoxia. The metabolism of NO2− during exercise is altered by NO3− supplementation, exercise, and to a lesser extent, hypoxia. In hypoxia, NO3− supplementation enhances V̇o2 kinetics during moderate-intensity exercise and improves severe-intensity exercise tolerance. These findings may have important implications for individuals exercising at altitude.
Effect of antigen sensitization and challenge on oscillatory mechanics of the lung and pulmonary inflammation in obese carboxypeptidase E-deficient mice
Authors: Dahm Paul H. , Richards Jeremy B. , Karmouty-Quintana Harry , Cromar Kevin R. , Sur Sanjiv , Price Roger E. , Malik Farhan , Spencer Chantal Y. , Barreno Ramon X. , Hashmi Syed S. , Blackburn Michael R. , Haque Ikram U. , Johnston Richard A.
Published: July 2014

Atopic, obese asthmatics exhibit airway obstruction with variable degrees of eosinophilic airway inflammation. We previously reported that mice obese as a result of a genetic deficiency in either leptin ( ob/ ob mice) or the long isoform of the leptin receptor ( db/ db mice) exhibit enhanced airway obstruction in the presence of decreased numbers of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) eosinophils compared with lean, wild-type mice following antigen (ovalbumin; OVA) sensitization and challenge. To determine whether the genetic modality of obesity induction influences the development of OVA-induced airway obstruction and OVA-induced pulmonary inflammation, we examined indices of these sequelae in mice obese as a result of a genetic deficiency in carboxypeptidase E, an enzyme that processes prohormones and proneuropeptides involved in satiety and energy expenditure ( Cpefatmice). Accordingly, Cpefatand lean, wild-type (C57BL/6) mice were sensitized to OVA and then challenged with either aerosolized PBS or OVA. Compared with genotype-matched, OVA-sensitized and PBS-challenged mice, OVA sensitization and challenge elicited airway obstruction and increased BALF eosinophils, macrophages, neutrophils, IL-4, IL-13, IL-18, and chemerin. However, OVA challenge enhanced airway obstruction and pulmonary inflammation in Cpefatcompared with wild-type mice. These results demonstrate that OVA sensitization and challenge enhance airway obstruction in obese mice regardless of the genetic basis of obesity, whereas the degree of OVA-induced pulmonary inflammation is dependent on the genetic modality of obesity induction. These results have important implications for animal models of asthma, as modeling the pulmonary phenotypes for subpopulations of atopic, obese asthmatics critically depends on selecting the appropriate mouse model.
The unfolded protein response is triggered following a single, unaccustomed resistance-exercise bout
Authors: Ogborn Daniel I. , McKay Bryon R. , Crane Justin D. , Parise Gianni , Tarnopolsky Mark A.
Published: July 2014

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress results from an imbalance between the abundance of synthesized proteins and the folding capacity of the ER. In response, the unfolded protein response (UPR) attempts to restore ER function by attenuating protein synthesis and inducing chaperone expression. Resistance exercise (RE) stimulates protein synthesis; however, a postexercise accumulation of unfolded proteins may activate the UPR. Aging may impair protein folding, and the accumulation of oxidized and misfolded proteins may stimulate the UPR at rest in aged muscle. Eighteen younger ( n = 9; 21 ± 3 yr) and older ( n = 9; 70 ± 4 yr) untrained men completed a single, unilateral bout of RE using the knee extensors (four sets of 10 repetitions at 75% of one repetition maximum on the leg press and leg extension) to determine whether the UPR is increased in resting, aged muscle and whether RE stimulates the UPR. Muscle biopsies were taken from the nonexercised and exercised vastus lateralis at 3, 24, and 48 h postexercise. Age did not affect any of the proteins and transcripts related to the UPR. Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and protein kinase R-like ER protein kinase (PERK) proteins were increased at 48 h postexercise, whereas inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α) was elevated at 24 h and 48 h. Despite elevated protein, GRP78 and PERK mRNA was unchanged; however, IRE1α mRNA was increased at 24 h postexercise. Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) mRNA increased at 24 h and 48 h, whereas ATF4, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), and growth arrest and DNA damage protein 34 mRNA were unchanged. These data suggest that RE activates specific pathways of the UPR (ATF6/IRE1α), whereas PERK/eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha/CHOP does not. In conclusion, acute RE results in UPR activation, irrespective of age.
Infiltrating immune cells in the kidney in salt-sensitive hypertension and renal injury
Authors: Mattson David L.
Published: July 2014

The importance of the immune system in hypertension, vascular disease, and renal disease has been appreciated for over 50 years. Recent experimental advances have led to a greater appreciation of the mechanisms whereby inflammation and immunity participate in cardiovascular disease. In addition to the experimental data, multiple studies in patients have demonstrated a strong correlation between the observations made in animals and humans. Of great interest is the development of salt-sensitive hypertension in humans with the concurrent increase in albumin excretion rate. Experiments in our laboratory have demonstrated that feeding a high-NaCl diet to Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats results in a significant infiltration of T lymphocytes into the kidney that is accompanied by the development of hypertension and renal disease. The development of disease in the Dahl SS closely resembles observations made in patients; studies were therefore performed to investigate the pathological role of infiltrating immune cells in the kidney in hypertension and renal disease. Pharmacological and genetic studies indicate that immune cell infiltration into the kidney amplifies the disease process. Further experiments demonstrated that infiltrating T cells may accentuate the Dahl SS phenotype by increasing intrarenal ANG II and oxidative stress. From these and other data, we hypothesize that infiltrating immune cells, which surround the blood vessels and tubules, can serve as a local source of bioactive molecules which mediate vascular constriction, increase tubular sodium reabsorption, and mediate the retention of sodium and water to amplify sodium-sensitive hypertension. Multiple experiments remain to be performed to refine and clarify this hypothesis.
Role of 20-HETE in the impaired myogenic and TGF responses of the Af-Art of Dahl salt-sensitive rats
Authors: Ge Ying , Murphy Sydney R. , Fan Fan , Williams Jan Michael , Falck John R. , Liu Ruisheng , Roman Richard J.
Published: July 2014

The present study examined whether 20-HETE production is reduced in the renal vasculature and whether this impairs myogenic or tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) responses of the afferent arteriole (Af-Art). The production of 20-HETE was 73% lower in renal microvessels of Dahl salt-sensitive rats (SS) rats than in SS.5BNrats, in which chromosome 5 from the Brown Norway (BN) rat containing the CYP4A genes was transferred into the SS genetic background. The luminal diameter of the Af-Art decreased by 14.7 ± 1.5% in SS.5BNrats when the perfusion pressure was increased from 60 to 120 mmHg, but it remained unaltered in SS rats. Administration of an adenosine type 1 receptor agonist (CCPA, 1 μM) reduced the diameter of the Af-Art in the SS.5BNrats by 44 ± 2%, whereas the diameter of the Af-Art of SS rats was unaltered. Autoregulation of renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular capillary pressure (PGC)was significantly impaired in SS rats but was intact in SS.5BNrats. Administration of a 20-HETE synthesis inhibitor, HET0016 (1 μM), completely blocked the myogenic and adenosine responses in the Af-Art and autoregulation of RBF and PGC in SS.5BNrats, but it had no effect in SS rats. These data indicate that a deficiency in the formation of 20-HETE in renal microvessels impairs the reactivity of the Af-Art of SS rats and likely contributes to the development of hypertension induced renal injury.
“On-” and “off-” cells in the rostral ventromedial medulla of rats held in thermoneutral conditions: are they involved in thermoregulation?
Authors: El Bitar Nabil , Pollin Bernard , Le Bars Daniel
Published: July 2014

In thermal neutral condition, rats display cyclic variations of the vasomotion of the tail and paws, synchronized with fluctuations of blood pressure, heart rate, and core body temperature. “On-” and “off-” cells located in the rostral ventromedial medulla, a cerebral structure implicated in somatic sympathetic drive, 1) exhibit similar spontaneous cyclic activities in antiphase and 2) are activated and inhibited by thermal nociceptive stimuli, respectively. We aimed at evaluating the implication of such neurons in autonomic regulation by establishing correlations between their firing and blood pressure, heart rate, and skin and core body temperature variations. When, during a cycle, a relative high core body temperature was reached, the on-cells were activated and within half a minute, the off-cells and blood pressure were depressed, followed by heart rate depression within a further minute; vasodilatation of the tail followed invariably within ∼3 min, often completed with vasodilatation of hind paws. The outcome was an increased heat loss that lessened the core body temperature. When the decrease of core body temperature achieved a few tenths of degrees, sympathetic activation switches off and converse variations occurred, providing cycles of three to seven periods/h. On- and off-cell activities were correlated with inhibition and activation of the sympathetic system, respectively. The temporal sequence of events was as follows: core body temperature → on-cell → off-cell ∼ blood pressure → heart rate → skin temperature → core body temperature. The function of on- and off-cells in nociception should be reexamined, taking into account their correlation with autonomic regulations.
An Adaptive Total Generalized Variation Model with Augmented Lagrangian Method for Image Denoising
Authors: He Chuan , Hu Changhua , Yang Xiaogang , He Huafeng , Zhang Qi
Published: July 2014

We propose an adaptive total generalized variation (TGV) based model, aiming at achieving a balance between edge preservation and region smoothness for image denoising. The variable splitting (VS) and the classical augmented Lagrangian method (ALM) are used to solve the proposed model. With the proposed adaptive model and ALM, the regularization parameter, which balances the data fidelity and the regularizer, is refreshed with a closed form in each iterate, and the image denoising can be accomplished without manual interference. Numerical results indicate that our method is effective in staircasing effect suppression and holds superiority over some other state‐of‐the‐art methods both in quantitative and in qualitative assessment.
CSA: A Credibility Search Algorithm Based on Different Query in Unstructured Peer‐to‐Peer Networks
Authors: Mei Hongyan , Zhang Yujie , Meng Xiangwu
Published: July 2014

Efficient searching for resources has become a challenging task with less network bandwidth consumption in unstructured peer‐to‐peer (P2P) networks. Heuristic search mechanism is an effective method which depends on the previous searches to guide future ones. In the proposed methods, searching for high‐repetition resources is more effective. However, the performances of the searches for nonrepetition or low‐repetition or rare resources need to be improved. As for this problem, considering the similarity between social networks and unstructured P2P networks, we present a credibility search algorithm based on different queries according to the trust production principle in sociology and psychology. In this method, queries are divided into familiar queries and unfamiliar queries. For different queries, we adopt different ways to get the credibility of node to its each neighbor. And then queries should be forwarded by the neighbor nodes with higher credibility. Experimental results show that our method can improve query hit rate and reduce search delay with low bandwidth consumption in three different network topologies under static and dynamic network environments.
Enhanced Antifungal Bioactivity of Coptis Rhizome Prepared by Ultrafining Technology
Authors: Kuo Ping-Chung , Lin Yao-Tung , Yang Mei-Lin , Liao Ming-Yuan , Chen Guo-Feng , Chen Po-Hsun , Wong Lin-Fu , Huang Jenn-Wen
Published: July 2014

The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the bioactive constituents in the methanol extracts of Coptis Rhizome prepared by ultrafining technology. The indicator compound was identified by spectroscopic method and its purity was determined by HPLC. Moreover, the crude extracts and indicator compound were examined for their ability to inhibit the growth of Rhizoctonia solani Kühn AG‐4 on potato dextrose agar plates. The indicator compound is a potential candidate as a new plant derived pesticide to control Rhizoctonia damping‐off in vegetable seedlings. In addition, the extracts of Coptis Rhizome prepared by ultrafining technology displayed higher contents of indicator compound; they not only improve their bioactivity but also reduce the amount of the pharmaceuticals required and, thereby, decrease the environmental degradation associated with the harvesting of the raw products.
Love Wave Ultraviolet Photodetector Fabricated on a TiO2/ST-Cut Quartz Structure
Authors: Water Walter , Lin Yi-Shun , Wen Chi-Wei
Published: July 2014

A TiO2thin film deposited on a 90° rotated 42°45′ ST-cut quartz substrate was applied to fabricate a Love wave ultraviolet photodetector. TiO2thin films were grown by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The crystalline structure and surface morphology of TiO2thin films were examined using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscope. The effect of TiO2thin film thickness on the phase velocity, electromechanical coupling coefficient, temperature coefficient of frequency, and sensitivity of ultraviolet of devices was investigated. TiO2thin film increases the electromechanical coupling coefficient but decreases the temperature coefficient of frequency for Love wave propagation on the 90° rotated 42°45′ ST-cut quartz. For Love wave ultraviolet photodetector application, the maximum insertion loss shift and phase shift are 2.81 dB and 3.55 degree at the 1.35-μm-thick TiO2film.
Aqueous Interleukin-6 Levels Are Superior to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Predicting Therapeutic Response to Bevacizumab in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Chalam Kakarla V. , Grover Sandeep , Sambhav Kumar , Balaiya Sankarathi , Murthy Ravi K.
Published: July 2014

Objective. To prospectively evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab on aqueous levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and correlate clinical outcomes with cytokine levels.Methods. 30 eyes of 30 patients with exudative AMD underwent intravitreal injection of bevacizumab three times at monthly intervals. The aqueous samples prior to the 1st injection (baseline) and 3rd injection were analyzed for VEGF and IL-6 levels. Subjects were subgrouped based upon change in the central subfield (CSF) macular thickness on SD-OCT at 8 weeks. Group 1 included patients (n=14) with a decrease in CSF thickness greater than 10% from the baseline (improved group). Group 2 included patients (n=16) who had a decrease in CSF thickness 10% or less (treatment-resistant).Results. In subgroup analysis, in both groups 1 and 2 patients, compared to aqueous VEGF, aqueous IL-6 levels showed a better correlation with CSF thickness on SD-OCT (r=0.72and 0.71, resp.).Conclusions. Aqueous IL-6 may be an important marker of treatment response or resistance in wet macular degeneration. Future therapeutic strategies may include targeted treatment against both VEGF and IL-6, in patients who do not respond to anti-VEGF treatment alone.
Status of Day Care Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Developing Countries
Authors: Hussain Akhlak , Singh Sarabjit , Singh Ahi Kuldip , Singh Mohinder
Published: July 2014

The practice of laparoscopic appendectomy as an ambulatory surgery is uncommon even in apex institutes, more so in developing countries, despite proven feasibility. To promote this practice in the developing countries like ours, we attempted to find the safety and cost effectiveness in such institutions which have limited resources. Thirty cases of symptomatic appendicitis were tried for same day discharge after laparoscopic appendectomies. The results were encouraging with 87% patients discharged on the same day and 13% on the next day in the early morning. Among the next day discharged cases, only 03% stayed for medical reasons (nausea, vomiting, and pain) while 10% stayed as their attendants declined to leave (social reasons), even though they were medically eligible for discharge from the hospital. There were no significant postoperative complications except tolerable pain in all patients and mild to moderate nausea/vomiting in 80%. There was no readmission. The mean length of hospital stay was 11.20 hrs. At the time of discharge all patients were highly satisfied. We concluded that routine same day discharge is safe and feasible after appendectomies in developing countries, with social decline as the main hurdle which can be improved by proper communication.
On the Open Problem Related to Rank Equalities for the Sum of Finitely Many Idempotent Matrices and Its Applications
Authors: Chen Mei-xiang , Chen Qing-hua , Li Qiao-xin , Yang Zhong-peng
Published: July 2014

Tian and Styan have shown many rank equalities for the sum of two and three idempotent matrices and pointed out that rank equalities for the sumP1+⋯+PkwithP1,…,Pkbe idempotent (k>3) are still open. In this paper, by using block Gaussian elimination, we obtained rank equalities for the sum of finitely many idempotent matrices and then solved the open problem mentioned above. Extensions to scalar-potent matrices and some related matrices are also included.
Forearm Compartment Syndrome Caused by Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Sayar Ufuk , Özer Tanıl , Mataracı İlker
Published: July 2014

Compartment syndrome is commonly seen following lower extremity ischemia. However, upper extremities’ compartment syndrome, especially after any vascular surgical procedures, is infrequent. Herein we report a case of an acute forearm compartment syndrome that was developed after delayed brachial artery embolectomy.
Clinical Significance of EpCAM mRNA-Positive Circulating Tumor Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by an Optimized Negative Enrichment and qRT-PCR–Based Platform
Authors: Guo Wei , Yang Xin-Rong , Sun Yun-Fan , Shen Min-Na , Ma Xiao-Lu , Wu Jiong , Zhang Chun-Yan , Zhou Yan , Xu Yang , Hu Bo , Zhang Xin , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia
Published: July 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to construct a novel platform for the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to investigate the clinical significance of epithelial cell adhesion molecule mRNA-positive (EpCAMmRNA+) CTCs using this platform.

Experimental Design: An optimized platform for CTC detection was constructed by evaluating different negative enrichment, mRNA isolation, and cDNA synthesis procedures and compared with the CellSearch system. A total of 299 patients with HCC were recruited into this prospective study; of these, 157 who received curative resection, 76 who received transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and 66 who received radiotherapy were tested using our platform. The diagnostic value of EpCAMmRNA+ CTCs was investigated in 122 patients with HCC who underwent resection and 120 control subjects.

Results: The optimized negative enrichment and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)-based CTC detection platform had high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility and a low sample volume requirement. This platform showed a potential diagnostic value in patients with HCC and exhibited 76.7% consistency with the CellSearch system (r = 0.54, P < 0.050). Pretreatment CTC level showed prognostic significance in patients with HCC treated with resection, TACE, and radiotherapy (all P < 0.050). Most of the patients showed a decrease in CTC levels after treatment that reflected tumor response. In contrast, patients with an increased CTC level showed disease progression after treatment.

Conclusions: We established an optimized platform based on negative enrichment and qRT-PCR for highly sensitive, specific, and reproducible CTC detection. This platform might be clinically useful in auxiliary diagnosis, treatment response assessment, and early decision-making to tailor the most effective antitumor strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 20(18); 4794–805. ©2014 AACR.
Clinical and Biological Determinants of Kidney Outcomes in a Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Guessous Idris , Ponte Belén , Marques-Vidal Pedro , Paccaud Fred , Gaspoz Jean-Michel , Burnier Michel , Waeber Gérard , Vollenweider Peter , Bochud Murielle
Published: July 2014

Background/Aims: Prospective studies on factors associated with adverse kidney outcomes in European general populations are scant. Also, few studies consider the potential confounding effect of baseline kidney function. Methods: We used baseline (2003-2006) and 5-year follow-up data of adults from the general population to evaluate the effect of baseline kidney function and proteinuria on the association of clinical, biological (e.g. uric acid, homocysteine, cytokines), and socioeconomic factors with change in kidney function, rapid decline in kidney function, and incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albuminuria-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) were collected. Kidney outcomes were modeled using multivariable regressions. Results: A total of 4,441 subjects were included in the analysis. Among participants without CKD at baseline, 11.4% presented rapid decline in eGFR and/or incident CKD. After adjustment for baseline eGFR and log UACR, only age (Odds Ratio; 1.25 [95%CI 1.18-1.33]), diabetes (OR 1.48 [1.03-2.13]), education (OR middle vs. high 1.51 [1.08-2.11]) and log ultrasensitive CRP (OR 1.16 [1.05-1.22]) were associated with rapid decline in eGFR or incident CKD. Baseline log UACR (OR 1.18 [1.06-1.32]) but not eGFR was associated with rapid decline in eGFR and/or incident CKD. Conclusion: In addition to age and diabetes, education and CRP levels are associated with adverse kidney outcomes independently of baseline kidney function.
A High Copy Number of FCGR3B Is Associated with Psoriasis Vulgaris in Han Chinese
Authors: Wu Yumei , Zhang Zhou , Tao Liming , Chen Guoliang , Liu Fatao , Wang Ting , Xue Feng , Chen Yingwei , He Lin , Zheng Jie , Liu Yun
Published: July 2014

Background: Copy number variations of FCGR3B are associated with several immune related diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjögren's syndrome. Little is known about the association between FCGR3B copy number variants and psoriasis. Objective: To investigate whether FCGR3B copy number variants are associated with susceptibility to psoriasis vulgaris in the Chinese Han population. Methods: 343 psoriasis vulgaris patients and 574 healthy individuals were recruited as cases and controls. TaqMan® Copy Number Assays were performed to quantify the copy numbers in the FCGR3B locus. CopyCaller v1.0 software and R (version 2.15.3) were used to do the subsequent statistical analysis. Results: A significant association between psoriasis vulgaris and a high copy number (>2) of FCGR3B was observed (odds ratio = 1.63, 95% confidence interval 1.09-2.45, p < 0.02). However, the low copy number of FCGR3B was not significantly associated with psoriasis vulgaris. Conclusion: A high copy number of FCGR3B is associated with psoriasis vulgaris in Han Chinese.
Ontogenetic Changes in Retinal Ganglion Cell Distribution and Spatial Resolving Power in the Brown-Banded Bamboo Shark Chiloscyllium punctatum (Elasmobranchii)
Authors: Harahush Blake K. , Hart Nathan S. , Collin Shaun P.
Published: July 2014

The development of the visual system in anamniotic vertebrates is a continual process, allowing for ontogenetic changes in retinal topography and spatial resolving power. We examined the number and distribution of retinal ganglion cells in wholemounted retinae throughout the protracted embryonic development (∼5 months) of a chondrichthyan, i.e. the brown-banded bamboo shark Chiloscyllium punctatum, from the beginning of retinal cell differentiation (approximately halfway through embryogenesis) to adulthood. We also identified and quantified the number of apoptosed cells within the ganglion cell layer to evaluate the contribution of apoptosis to changes in retinal topography. C. punctatum undergoes rapid changes in ganglion cell distribution during embryogenesis, where high levels of apoptosis, especially around the retinal periphery, result in relative increases in ganglion cell density in the central retina which progressively extend nasally and temporally to form a meridional band at hatching. After hatching, C. punctatum forms and maintains a horizontal streak, showing only minor changes in topography during growth, with basal levels of apoptosis. The total number of retinal ganglion cells reaches 547,881 in adult sharks, but the mean (3,228 cells·mm-2) and peak (4,983 cells·mm-2) retinal ganglion cell densities are highest around the time of hatching. Calculated estimates of spatial resolving power, based on ganglion cell spacing (assuming a hexagonal mosaic) and assessment of the focal length from cryosections of the eye, increase from 1.47 cycles·degree-1 during embryogenesis to 4.29 cycles·degree-1 in adults. The increase in spatial resolving power across the retinal meridian would allow this species to hunt and track faster, more mobile prey as it reaches maturity.
Long-Term Outcome of an Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant for the Treatment of Noninfectious Uveitic Macular Edema
Authors: Habot-Wilner Zohar , Sorkin Nir , Goldenberg Dafna , Loewenstein Anat , Goldstein Michaella
Published: July 2014

Purpose: To report the long-term outcome of an intravitreal dexamethasone drug delivery system (DEX-DDS) injection for noninfectious uveitic macular edema. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 8 eyes (7 patients). Results: The mean follow-up time was 17.3 months. Macular edema resolved in all eyes at 3.9 weeks (range 1-6.9) postinjection. The central point thickness improved from 612 ± 143 to 250 ± 55 µm (p < 0.05). The mean best corrected visual acuity improved by 0.25 logMAR (p < 0.05) at 3.9 weeks (range 1-6.9) postinjection. In 5 eyes, macular edema did not recur after a mean follow-up of 14.5 months. In 3 eyes, macular edema relapsed after 4.7 months (range 3.6-6.3) and resolved again following further injections. Two eyes developed intraocular pressure elevation, which was well controlled with topical treatment. Conclusions: Intravitreal DEX-DDS injections resulted in resolution of macular edema and visual acuity improvement. Some eyes required repeated injections, but most eyes achieved long-term resolution. No significant complications were noticed.
Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy: A Twenty-Year Review and Current Update
Authors: Saeedian Monika , Randhawa Inderpal
Published: July 2014

Objective: The expansion of immunoglobulin replacement to multiple disease entities marks a decade-long advancement in immune therapy. Parallel to its extension, the characteristics and composition of immunoglobulin products have diversified. The aim of this study was to summarize a 20-year comprehensive literature review of currently commercially available immunoglobulin products, particularly examining individual product properties in a comparative format. Data Sources/Study Selections: The literature review was performed using PubMed and Ovid, screening a time span of 2 decades. Both authors reviewed the obtained articles for acceptable quality, and the selection was narrowed down based on criteria for randomized clinical and therapeutic trials. Results: Product-specific characteristics in terms of purification strategy, stabilizers, composition, and viral inactivation were found among the immunoglobulin products investigated. Such differing characteristics manifest in their variable clinical safety and efficacy as assessed by the comparative product analysis. In subgroups of patients, subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy may be an alternative to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy with an equal efficacy and a lower number of systemic adverse events. Conclusion: Only few comprehensive clinical synopses are available to clearly demonstrate the differences in IVIG products despite the widespread clinical use of the therapy. This review defines significant characteristics of individual immunoglobulin products, noting important differences in product development and application and allowing informed clinical decisions to match a product with patients' risk factors and comorbidity. This balanced approach to gammaglobulin replacement therapy is imperative to produce the highest clinical efficacy and lowest number of adverse events.
Use of Core Needle Biopsy rather than Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Diagnostic Approach of Breast Cancer
Authors: Pagni Paola , Spunticchia Flaminia , Barberi Simona , Caprio Giuliana , Paglicci Carlo
Published: July 2014

Background and Aims: In the following study case, we reviewed breast ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (CNB), using Mammotome (vacuum-assisted breast biopsy) and Tru-cut, carried out on palpable and nonpalpable uncertain breast lumps or malignant large lesions to be submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Material and Methods: Examinations were conducted during a 4-year period of clinical activity in a highly specialized center, from December 2009 to December 2013, in 712 patients previously subjected to fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Results: The results demonstrated that among the 712 breast biopsies, in many cases FNAC was not conclusive, and therefore we proceeded with the echo-guided biopsy, through which we were able to collect sufficient material for the histological examination in order to direct patients to surgery or follow-up. Conclusions: CNB is far superior to FNAC, especially in cases of uncertainty, where it is preferable to proceed directly with CNB, which may also determine additional prognostic and predictive markers. Initially FNAC is less expensive, but the actual costs involved tend to be higher for FNAC as it is less accurate and a CNB is often required. In accordance with recent publications, we can confirm the full validity of CNB in the diagnostic approach of breast lesions.
Keratoacanthoma Accompanied by Multiple Lung Squamous Cell Carcinomas Developing in a Renal Transplant Recipient
Authors: Furudate Sadanori , Fujimura Taku , Kakizaki Aya , Kambayashi Yumi , Hashimoto Akira , Aiba Setsuya
Published: July 2014

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a benign keratinocytic neoplasm that spontaneously regresses after 3-6 months and shares features with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). An increased incidence of both KA and non-melanoma skin tumor, including SCC, is seen among immunosuppressed, organ-transplant recipients. In this report we describe a case of KA accompanied by multiple lung SCCs developing in a renal transplant recipient.
MiR-143/145 deficiency attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis in Ldlr-/- mice
Authors: Sala Federica , Aranda Juan , Rotllan Noemi , Ramírez Cristina , Aryal Binod , Elia Leonardo , Condorelli Gianluigi , Catapano Alberico Luigi , Fernández-Hernando Carlos , Norata Giuseppe Danilo
Published: July 2014

The miR-143/145 cluster regulates VSMC specific gene expression, thus controlling differentiation, plasticity and contractile function, and promoting the VSMC phenotypic switch from a contractile/non-proliferative to a migrating/proliferative state. More recently increased miR-145 expression was observed in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques from symptomatic patients. The goal of this study was to investigate the contribution of miR-143/145 during atherogenesis by generating mice lacking miR-143/145 on an Ldlr-deficient background. Ldlr-/- and Ldlr-/--miR-143/145-/- (DKO) were fed a Western diet (WD) for 16 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the lipid profile and the atherosclerotic lesions were assessed in both groups of mice. Absence of miR-143/145 significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque size and macrophage infiltration. Plasma total cholesterol levels were lower in DKO and FLPC analysis showed decreased cholesterol content in VLDL and LDL fractions. Interestingly miR-143/145 deficiency per se resulted in increased hepatic and vascular ABCA1 expression. We further confirmed the direct regulation of miR-145 on ABCA1 expression by qRT-PCR, Western blotting and 3′UTR-luciferase reporter assays. In summary, miR-143/145 deficiency significantly reduces atherosclerosis in mice. Therapeutic inhibition of miR-145 might be useful for treating atherosclerotic vascular disease.
A Partial Reedition of 4Q26a (4QLeviticuse): A New Fragment and a Reinterpretation
Authors: Tigchelaar Eibert
Published: July 2014

A new identification of a 4Q26a (4QLeviticuse) fragment, as well as the reinterpretation on the basis of new photographs of 4Q26a frag. 8 as preserving Lev 20:2–4, rather than Lev 22:4–6, requires a reedition of two sections of the manuscript, and enables a partial material reconstruction of the scroll.