bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Daumone fed late in life improves survival and reduces hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in mice
Authors: Park Jong Hee , Chung Hae Young , Kim Minkyu , Lee Jung Hwa , Jung Mankil , Ha Hunjoo
Published: May 2014

The liver is one of the most susceptible organs to aging, and hepatic inflammation and fibrosis increase with age. Chronic inflammation has been proposed as the major molecular mechanism underlying aging and age‐related diseases, whereas calorie restriction has been shown to be the most effective in extending mammalian lifespan and to have anti‐aging effects through its anti‐inflammatory action. Thus, it is necessary to develop effective calorie restriction mimetics. Daumone [(2)‐(6R)‐(3,5‐dihydroxy‐6‐methyltetrahydropyran‐2‐yloxy)heptanoic acid], a pheromone secreted by Caenorhabditis elegans, forces them to enter the dauer stage when facing inadequate conditions. Because Caenorhabditis elegans live longer during the dauer stage under energy deprivation, it was hypothesized that daumone may improve survival in mammals by mimicking calorie restriction. Daumone (2 mg kg−1 day−1) was administered orally for 5 months to 24‐month‐old male C57BL/6J mice. Daumone was found to reduce the risk of death by 48% compared with age‐matched control mice, and the increased plasma insulin normally presented in old mice was significantly reduced by daumone. The increased hepatic hypertrophy, senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity, insulin resistance, lipid accumulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in old mice were significantly attenuated by daumone. From a mechanistic view, daumone reduced the phosphorylation of the IκBα and upregulation of Rela and Nfkbia mRNA in the livers of old mice. The anti‐inflammatory effect of daumone was confirmed in lipopolysaccharide‐induced liver injury model. Oral administration of daumone improves survival in mice and delivers anti‐aging effects to the aged liver by modulating chronic inflammation, indicating that daumone could be developed as an anti‐aging compound.
Peripartum heart failure caused by left ventricular diastolic dysfunction: a case report
Authors: Kakogawa Jun , Nako Takafumi , Igarashi Suguru , Nakamura Shin , Tanaka Mamoru
Published: May 2014

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare but potentially life‐threatening condition. The current definition of peripartum cardiomyopathy only includes patients with systolic dysfunction. We describe a 25‐year‐old nulligravid patient with heart failure, i.e. left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with preserved systolic dysfunction during the third trimester of pregnancy. She complained of dyspnea and was referred to our hospital at 31 weeks of gestation. The patient met the clinical criteria for peripartum cardiomyopathy with the exception of systolic dysfunction. Brain‐type natriuretic peptide levels peaked at 1447 pg/dL. The patient responded to therapy for heart failure and showed resolution of her diastolic dysfunction by 1 month postpartum. The case demonstrated the important role of diastolic dysfunction in peripartum heart failure and the possibility of clarifying the pathophysiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy by evaluating diastolic function. Further investigations are needed to provide evidence regarding the clinical role of diastolic dysfunction in peripartum heart failure.
A critical appraisal of the evidence for using cardiotocography plus ECG ST interval analysis for fetal surveillance in labor. Part II: the meta‐analyses
Authors: Olofsson Per , Ayres‐de‐Campos Diogo , Kessler Jörg , Tendal Britta , Yli Branka M. , Devoe Lawrence
Published: May 2014

We appraised the methodology, execution and quality of the five published meta‐analyses that are based on the five randomized controlled trials which compared cardiotocography (CTG)+ST analysis to cardiotocography. The meta‐analyses contained errors, either created de novo in handling of original data or from a failure to recognize essential differences among the randomized controlled trials, particularly in their inclusion criteria and outcome parameters. No meta‐analysis contained complete and relevant data from all five randomized controlled trials. We believe that one randomized controlled trial excluded in two of the meta‐analyses should have been included, whereas one randomized controlled trial that was included in all meta‐analyses, should have been excluded. After correction of the uncovered errors and exclusion of the randomized controlled trial that we deemed inappropriate, our new meta‐analysis showed that CTG+ST monitoring significantly reduces the fetal scalp blood sampling usage (risk ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.88), total operative delivery rate (0.93; 0.88–0.99) and metabolic acidosis rate (0.61; 0.41–0.91).
A critical appraisal of the evidence for using cardiotocography plus ECG ST interval analysis for fetal surveillance in labor. Part I: the randomized controlled trials
Authors: Olofsson Per , Ayres‐de‐Campos Diogo , Kessler Jörg , Tendal Britta , Yli Branka M. , Devoe Lawrence
Published: May 2014

We reappraised the five randomized controlled trials that compared cardiotocography plus ECG ST interval analysis (CTG+ST) vs. cardiotocography. The numbers enrolled ranged from 5681 (Dutch randomized controlled trial) to 799 (French randomized controlled trial). The Swedish randomized controlled trial (n = 5049) was the only trial adequately powered to show a difference in metabolic acidosis, and the Plymouth randomized controlled trial (n = 2434) was only powered to show a difference in operative delivery for fetal distress. There were considerable differences in study design: the French randomized controlled trial used different inclusion criteria, and the Finnish randomized controlled trial (n = 1483) used a different metabolic acidosis definition. In the CTG+ST study arms, the larger Plymouth, Swedish and Dutch trials showed lower operative delivery and metabolic acidosis rates, whereas the smaller Finnish and French trials showed minor differences in operative delivery and higher metabolic acidosis rates. We conclude that the differences in outcomes are likely due to the considerable differences in study design and size. This will enhance heterogeneity effects in any subsequent meta‐analysis.
Central nervous system processing of emotions in children with nocturnal enuresis and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Equit Monika , Becker Anna , El Khatib Diana , Rubly Mathias , Becker Nicolas , von Gontard Alexander
Published: May 2014

Aim

Nocturnal enuresis (NE) and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common in childhood. We analysed the central processing of emotions in children with NE, ADHD, NE + ADHD and controls.

Methods

We examined 13 children with NE, 13 with ADHD, 14 with NE + ADHD and 14 controls. Acoustic evoked potentials were recorded using standardised methodology. For the event‐related potentials, positive, negative and neutral pictures were presented and time intervals of 250–450, 450–650 and 650–850 msec evaluated. Hypotheses were tested with repeated‐measures analyses of variance.

Results

In the frontal region, children with NE showed more intense responses to positive and negative pictures than controls measured with event‐related potentials. Viewing positive pictures, children with NE + ADHD differed from children with ADHD in the central and parietal and for all types of stimuli in the parietal region. Children with NE + ADHD elicited the strongest responses. Children with ADHD did not differ from controls. There was an unspecific interaction effect of the acoustic evoked potentials in children with NE compared to the controls.

Conclusion

Children with NE processed emotions differently from children with ADHD and controls. Children with NE + ADHD processed emotions the most intense, displaying interaction effects of the central nervous system that cannot be explained by each disorder alone.
Metformin induces lactate production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and platelets through specific mitochondrial complex I inhibition
Authors: Piel S. , Ehinger J. K. , Elmér E. , Hansson M. J.
Published: May 2014

Aim

Metformin is a widely used antidiabetic drug associated with the rare side effect of lactic acidosis which has been proposed to be linked to drug‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Using respirometry, the aim of this study was to evaluate mitochondrial toxicity of metformin to human blood cells in relation to that of phenformin, a biguanide analogue withdrawn in most countries due to a high incidence of lactic acidosis.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and platelets were isolated from healthy volunteers, and integrated mitochondrial function was studied in permeabilized and intact cells using high‐resolution respirometry. A wide concentration range of metformin (0.1–100 mm) and phenformin (25–500 μm) was investigated for dose‐ and time‐dependent effects on respiratory capacities, lactate production and pH.

Results

Metformin induced respiratory inhibition at complex I in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and platelets (IC50 0.45 mm and 1.2 mm respectively). Phenformin was about 20‐fold more potent in complex I inhibition of platelets than metformin. Metformin further demonstrated a dose‐ and time‐dependent respiratory inhibition and augmented lactate release at a concentration of 1 mm and higher.

Conclusion

Respirometry of human peripheral blood cells readily detected respiratory inhibition by metformin and phenformin specific to complex I, providing a suitable model for probing drug toxicity. Lactate production was increased at concentrations relevant for clinical metformin intoxication, indicating mitochondrial inhibition as a direct causative pathophysiological mechanism. Relative to clinical dosing, phenformin displayed a more potent respiratory inhibition than metformin, possibly explaining the higher incidence of lactic acidosis in phenformin‐treated patients.
Colouring Agents in the Pottery Glazes of Western Anatolia: New Evidence for the Use of Naples Yellow Pigment Variations During The Late Byzantine Period
Authors: Kırmızı B. , Göktürk E. H. , Colomban Ph.
Published: May 2014

A group of the late 12th–13th century Byzantine pottery glazes, mostly related to Zeuxippus Ware Type pottery from the Kuşadası Kadıkalesi/Anaia site in western Anatolia, was characterized non‐destructively using Raman spectrometry. SEM–EDX was also used complementarily for the glaze characterization. The nature and composition of the glazes, firing conditions, aspects of colour formation and pigments used were discussed. The glazes were found to be lead‐rich silicates, fired close to 700°C on the basis of the Si–O stretching peak maxima of the Raman spectra recorded at ∼920–980 cm–1, as also confirmed by SEM–EDX analysis. The polymerization index values calculated are between approximately 0.05 and 0.1. The use of biscuit‐fired bodies prior to glaze application was suggested based on the results of SEM–EDX analysis. In particular, the detection of Naples yellow pigment variations on a locally produced pottery sample is quite significant, since the use of this type of pigment has hardly ever been reported between the Roman period and the Renaissance.
Geocoding for public health research: Empirical comparison of two geocoding services applied to Canadian cities
Authors: Shah Tayyab Ikram , Bell Scott , Wilson Kathi
Published: May 2014

The process of geocoding, particularly the street address matching process, is a commonly used technique to obtain locational information for public health research. In health care accessibility research, geocoded locations of health care providers are an essential element for measuring potential access to health care. Our objective is to compare the geocoding match rates and positional variation of two geocoding procedures by using street network and postal code datasets to geocode primary health care services in 14 cities. The first procedure uses a manually built geocoding service using DMTI Spatial (DMTI) reference datasets while the second employs an online geocoding service provided as a built‐in tool in ArcGIS, with ESRI Tele Atlas reference datasets. Results for Tele Atlas postal code and DMTI multiple enhanced postal codes (MEP) reference datasets produce much higher match rates (99.4%; 98.0% respectively) than street reference datsasets; while results of Tele Atlas street dataset produce better match rates (96.5%) than the DMTI street dataset (90.0%). Geocoding methods using Tele Atlas and DMTI Street datasets produce more accurate locations than postal code and MEP reference datasets. Empirical comparison of the geocoding results based on manually built and online geocoding services highlight the need for integrated geocoding procedures for increasing match rates with reduced positional uncertainty.
Hapten Optimization for Cocaine Vaccine with Improved Cocaine Recognition
Authors: Ramakrishnan Muthu , Kinsey Berma M. , Singh Rana A. , Kosten Thomas R. , Orson Frank M.
Published: May 2014

In the absence of any effective pharmacotherapy for cocaine addiction, immunotherapy is being actively pursued as a therapeutic intervention. While several different cocaine haptens have been explored to develop anticocaine antibodies, none of the hapten was successfully designed, which had a protonated tropane nitrogen as is found in native cocaine under physiological conditions, including the succinyl norcocaine (SNC) hapten that has been tested in phase II clinical trials. Herein, we discuss three different cocaine haptens: hexyl norcocaine (HNC), bromoacetamido butyl norcocaine (BNC), and succinyl butyl norcocaine (SBNC), each with a tertiary nitrogen structure mimicking that of native cocaine which could optimize the specificity of anticocaine antibodies for better cocaine recognition. Mice immunized with these haptens conjugated to immunogenic proteins produced high titre anticocaine antibodies. However, during chemical conjugation of HNC and BNC haptens to carrier proteins, the 2β methyl ester group is hydrolyzed, and immunizing mice with these conjugate vaccines in mice produced antibodies that bound both cocaine and the inactive benzoylecgonine metabolite. While in the case of the SBNC conjugate, vaccine hydrolysis of the methyl ester did not appear to occur, leading to antibodies with high specificity to cocaine over BE. Although we observed similar specificity with a SNC hapten, the striking difference is that SBNC carries a positive charge on the tropane nitrogen atom, and therefore, it is expected to have better binding of cocaine. The 50% cocaine inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for SBNC antibodies (2.8 μm) was significantly better than the SNC antibodies (9.4 μm) when respective hapten–BSA was used as a substrate. In addition, antibodies from both sera had no inhibitory effect from BE. In contrast to BNC and HNC, the SBNC conjugate was also found to be highly stable without any noticeable hydrolysis for several months at 4 °C and 2–3 days in pH 10 buffer at 37 °C.
Arylazopyrazole AAP1742 Inhibits CDKs and Induces Apoptosis in Multiple Myeloma Cells via Mcl‐1 Downregulation
Authors: Jorda Radek , Navrátilová Jana , Hušková Zlata , Schütznerová Eva , Cankař Petr , Strnad Miroslav , Kryštof Vladimír
Published: May 2014

Inhibitors of cyclin‐dependent kinases 9 have been developed as potential anticancer drugs for the treatment of multiple myeloma. We have previously prepared a library of arylazo‐3,5‐diaminopyrazole inhibitors of CDKs. Here, we describe a novel member, AAP1742 (CDK9 inhibition with IC50 = 0.28 μm), that reduces the viability of multiple myeloma cell lines in low micromolar concentrations. Consistent with inhibition of CDK9, AAP1742 decreases the phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II and inhibits mRNA synthesis of anti‐apoptotic proteins Mcl‐1, Bcl‐2, and XIAP, followed by apoptosis in the RPMI‐8226 cell line in a dose‐ and a time‐dependent manner. These results are consistent with the biochemical profile of AAP1742 and further suggest cellular inhibition of CDK9 as a possible target for anticancer drugs.
Highly Potential Antiplasmodial Restricted Peptides
Authors: Marcelo Der Torossian Torres , Silva Adriana F. , Alves Flávio L. , Capurro Margareth L. , Miranda Antonio , Vani Xavier Oliveira
Published: May 2014

Malaria is an infectious disease responsible for approximately one million deaths annually. The antimalarial effects of angiotensin II and its analogs against Plasmodium gallinaceum and P. falciparum have recently been reported. To evaluate antiplasmodial activity, we synthesized five angiotensin II‐restricted analogs containing disulfide bridges. To accomplish this, peptides containing two inserted amino acid residues (cysteine) were synthesized by the Fmoc solid‐phase method, purified by liquid chromatography, and characterized by mass spectrometry. Conformational studies were performed by circular dichroism. The results indicated that two of the analogs had higher antiplasmodium activity (92% and 98% activity) than angiotensin II (88% activity), measured by fluorescence microscopy. Results showed that the insertion position must be selected, to preserve the hydrophobic interactions between the non‐polar residues, as this affects antiplasmodial activity. The circular dichroism studies suggested that the active analogs as well as the native angiotensin II adopt a β‐turn conformation in different solutions. This approach provided insight for understanding the effects of restricting the ring size and position on the bioactivity of angiotensin II and provides a new direction for the design of potential chemotherapeutic agents.
Exposure of children with developmental delay to social determinants of poor health: cross‐sectional case record review study
Authors: Emerson E. , Brigham P.
Published: May 2014

Background

Research on child development in general has highlighted the importance that the family environment plays in mediating the pathway between exposure to low socio‐economic position (SEP) and child well‐being. While child developmental models in intellectual disability have highlighted the interplay between social context, family environment and child development, little empirical work has attempted to formally evaluate the evidence in support of specific mediating pathways between low SEP and child outcomes.

Methods

Secondary analysis of cross‐sectional confidentialized needs analysis data collected in three Primary Care Trusts in England covering a total population of 1.25 million people. Case record reviews were undertaken for 46 023 households, 2236 (4.9%) of which contained a child in the target age range with developmental delay.

Results

Children with developmental delay, when compared with their non‐disabled peers, were at significantly increased risk of poorer health outcomes and of being exposed to a wide range of social determinants of poor health. Controlling for between‐group differences in exposure to social determinants of poor health reduced the risk of developmental delay being associated with poorer health outcomes by 45% for behaviour problems and 89% for risk of significant harm. For children with developmental delay, parenting difficulties appears to play a particularly significant role in partially mediating the effects of low SEP.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study point to the potential effectiveness of family‐focused early intervention to prevent the emergence and escalation of behavioural difficulties and health problems in children with developmental delay.
Neonatal blood TSH concentration in Wales (UK): an indicator of iodine sufficiency
Authors: Evans Carol , Barry Nix Arthur , Hillier Sharon , Moat Stuart J.
Published: May 2014

Objective

Population iodine status can be assessed by urinary iodine concentrations, prevalence of goitre, frequency of newborn thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) >5 mU/l and blood thyroglobulin concentrations. The UK population has historically been considered to be iodine sufficient; however, a recent survey of UK schoolgirls has demonstrated median urinary iodine concentrations consistent with mild iodine deficiency. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of TSH >5 mU/l in the newborn blood spot screening samples from the eligible population in Wales between 2011 and 2013 to assess iodine sufficiency.

Measurements

Blood spot TSH data for 104 992 infants during this time period were evaluated.

Results

The prevalence of TSH >5 mU/l in samples collected on days 4 and 5 of life were 1·5% and 0·9%, respectively. No increasing trend in blood spot TSH concentration was identified over the 3 years.

Conclusions

The distribution of blood spot TSH data from neonates in Wales has revealed no evidence to support the hypothesis that the population is iodine deficient. However, given that mild iodine deficiency has been reported in a cohort that will be childbearing in the next decade, we recommend that the distribution of neonatal blood spot TSH concentrations is monitored by the UK newborn screening programmes to identify any emerging trends in iodine status. Further studies to correlate maternal urinary iodine and newborn blood spot TSH are required to clarify the TSH cut‐off points associated with mild iodine deficiency relevant to the time of blood spot sampling in the UK.
Usefulness of dynamic MRI enhancement measures for the diagnosis of ACTH‐producing pituitary adenomas
Authors: Guo Qinghua , Young William F. , Erickson Dana , Erickson Bradley
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The distinction between corticotropin (ACTH)‐producing pituitary adenomas and occult ectopic ACTH neoplasms is a challenge and frequently complicated by the detection of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (DMRI). Herein, we explored quantitative differences in DMRI measures from ACTH‐producing pituitary adenomas.

Materials and methods

Fifty‐five patients with pathology confirmed ACTH‐producing and 44 with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas were analysed in this retrospective pilot study. The intensities of adenomas and of adjacent pituitary tissue were measured by drawing a region of interest. Time–intensity curves were then constructed, and quantitative analysis included: enhancement time, enhancement peak and prepeak slope (PPS). Multivariable logistic analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were used to evaluate the parameters.

Results

Quantitative analysis showed that tumour PPS in ACTH‐producing adenomas was markedly lower than that in nonfunctioning adenomas (P = 0·0042) and that the PPS of the adjacent pituitary gland was not different (P = 0·2441). The PPS was >3·0 in 59·1% of nonfunctioning adenomas and ≤3·0 in 69·1% of ACTH‐producing adenomas (P = 0·0049). Logistic analysis revealed lower tumour PPS levels (P = 0·0123, OR 1·24, 95% CI: 1·05–1·52) were associated with ACTH‐producing adenomas. The optimal PPS cut‐off determined by ROC analysis was 2·89, with a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 70%. No significant difference was found between the two groups in enhancement time or enhancement peak.

Conclusion

Enhancement parameters in DMRI can help distinguishing ACTH producing from nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, which could be useful in the differential diagnosis between ACTH‐producing pituitary adenomas and ectopic ACTH syndrome complicated with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma.
Loss of ERβ expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma is associated with recurrence in young female
Authors: Ahn Hwa Young , Kim Min Suk , Kim Min Joo , Cho Soo Youn , Kim Young A , Lee Guk Haeng , Lee Byeong‐Cheol , Park Young Joo , Yi Ka Hee
Published: May 2014

Objectives

We investigated the expression of oestrogen receptors (ERs) in papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs) and evaluated their prognostic role.

Methods

We enrolled 81 female patients who underwent thyroid surgery and had a confirmed diagnosis of PTC between 01 January 1995 and 31 December 1996. Data on clinicopathologic parameters were obtained from patients' medical records. Tissue paraffin blocks of these 81 patients were collected for immunohistochemistry for ERα and ERβ.

Results

ERα expression was observed in only eight patients (9·9%). In contrast, ERβ expression was positive in 36 (44·4%) patients. Total thyroidectomy (84·4% vs 61·1%, P = 0·017) and cervical lymph node metastasis (62·2% vs 22·2%, P = 0·000) were more frequent in the ERβ‐negative group than in the ERβ‐positive group. Among younger female patients (<45 years), the ERβ‐negative group showed a tendency towards more frequent recurrent or persistent disease than the ERβ‐positive group (42·3% vs 13·6%, P = 0·029). In contrast, the ERα‐positive group showed more recurrent or persistent disease than the ERα‐negative group in older female patients (100% vs 24·1%, P = 0·024). In multivariate analysis, ERβ negativity, extrathyroidal invasion and radioactive iodine treatment were risk factors for recurrence in young female patients.

Conclusion

Loss of ERβ expression was associated with recurrence in young female PTC patients. This finding suggests that oestrogen might play a protective role in the progression of PTC via ERβ, especially in young female patients.
Factors associated with prospective leptin concentrations throughout pregnancy in pregestational normal weight, overweight and obese women
Authors: Franco‐Sena Ana Beatriz , de Oliveira Livia Costa , de Jesus Pereira Pinto Thatiana , Farias Dayana Rodrigues , Vaz Juliana dos Santos , Kac Gilberto
Published: May 2014

Background

Leptin concentrations increase throughout pregnancy but little is known about factors that influence this physiological change and whether they differ according to pregestational body mass index (BMI).

Objective

To assess whether longitudinal trends of leptin in pregnancy are influenced by biochemical, anthropometric and lifestyle factors in women with normal weight (NW), overweight (OW) or obese (OB) pregestational BMI.

Design and methods

Prospective cohort of 232 pregnant women followed at 5–13th, 20–26th and 30–36th gestational weeks. The effect of selected variables on longitudinal behaviour of plasma leptin concentrations, stratifying for NW (18·5–24·9 kg/m2), OW (25–29·9 kg/m2) and OB (≥30·0 kg/m2) pregestational BMI was assessed through longitudinal linear mixed‐effects models.

Results

The multiple regression model for women with NW revealed associations of maternal body weight (β = 0·714, CI = 0·491 to 0·937), serum HDL‐cholesterol (β = 0·239, CI =0·089 to 0·388) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) (β = −0·138, CI = −0·272 to −0·004) with plasma leptin concentrations. Maternal body weight (β = −0·871, CI = 0·475 to 1·267) and serum HDL‐cholesterol concentrations (β = 0·315, CI = −0·022 to 0·651) were also associated with leptin in OW women. In OB women, serum HDL‐cholesterol (β = 0·722, CI = 0·219 to 1·226), maternal body weight (β = 0·666, CI = 0·187 to 1·145), triglycerides concentrations (β = −0·130, CI = −0·241 to −0·020) and dietary carbohydrate (β = 0·075, CI = 0·023 to 0·126) were significantly associated with plasma leptin.

Conclusion

Maternal body weight and serum concentrations of HDL‐cholesterol were associated with leptin changes independent of pregestational BMI. Serum CRP concentrations were associated with leptin only in NW women and serum triglycerides concentrations and dietary carbohydrate only in OB. These results indicate that factors that influence leptin concentrations differ according to pregestational BMI.
Pulmonary hypoplasia presenting with recurrent wheezing in an infant
Authors: Çeliksoy Mehmet Halil , Tander Burak , Aşılıoğlu Nazik , Barış Yakup Sancar , Yıldıran Alişan
Published: May 2014

Pulmonary hypoplasia is characterized by decrease in the number and size of pulmonary airways, alveoli and vessels. In autopsy, pulmonary hypoplasia is a major cause of death in neonates and infants. The disease is usually diagnosed in childhood period. Although it mimics lung parenchymal disease and other vascular abnormalities radiologically, it is easily recognized with computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography examinations. In 50% of patients, concomitant cardiovascular, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal tract, and urogenital anomalies are also available. There are two types of pulmonary hypoplasia: primary and secondary. Primary unilateral pulmonary hypoplasia may be asymptomatic and the tendency for bronchopulmonary infections is often increased in children. In this case report, a 22‐month‐old male patient characterized by recurrent infections and recurrent wheezes in infantile period, whose episodes of wheezing regressed after the pulmonectomy, was presented.
Relationship between angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene polymorphism and respiratory distress syndrome in premature neonates
Authors: Hussein Nouran Fahmy , Abdel Ghany Eman Abdel Ghany , Abu Elhamed Walaa Alsharany , Samy Rania Mohamed
Published: May 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism (D/D and I/D genotypes) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm neonates.

Study Design

Our study included 120 preterm neonates (<37 weeks of gestation) with RDS (the patient group) and 120 preterm neonates without RDS (the control group). Blood samples were obtained from patients and control groups, and ACE gene polymorphism was analysed using the polymerase chain reaction method.

Results

D/D genotype was highly significant in the patient group compared with the control group (48.3% of RDS group vs 20% of the control group, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, I/D and I/I genotypes were significantly higher in the control group (75% and 5% of the control group vs 50% and 1.7% of the patient group, P < 0.001). D/D genotype was highly significant in neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) compared with I/D genotype (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results may suggest that D/D genotype is associated with increased risk of RDS and BPD development in preterm neonates.
The policy of placing older donors into older recipients: is it worth the risk?
Authors: Tehrani Yonah Solaiman , Yu Zhe , Luu Minh , Liou Frank , Rafiei Matthew , Hamilton Michele , Kobashigawa Jon A.
Published: May 2014

Background

To expand the donor pool, older donors (≥50 yr) are frequently used in older recipients (≥60 yr). Older recipients and those receiving older donor hearts have independently displayed decreased post‐transplant survival. However, outcomes in older patients receiving older donor hearts are contentious.

Methods

Eight hundred and seventy‐nine heart transplant patients between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed, excluding patients with donor coronary artery disease. From 380 patients ≥60 yr, 327 patients with donors <50 yr old were compared with 53 patients with donors ≥50 yr old for: five‐yr actuarial survival, freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV: stenosis ≥30%), non‐fatal major adverse cardiac events (NF‐MACE: MI, CHF, stroke, need for pacemaker/ICD), one‐yr freedom from any treated rejection.

Results

The older vs. younger donor group demonstrated significantly lower five‐yr survival (57% vs. 85%, p < 0.001) and freedom from CAV (83% vs. 92%, p = 0.03). No difference was observed in five‐yr freedom from NF‐MACE and one‐yr freedom from any treated rejection. Multivariate analysis found donor age ≥50 to be an independent risk factor for death (HR 1.8, CI 1.1–2.9, p = 0.008) and CAV (HR 1.9, CI 1.2–2.9, p = 0.004).

Conclusions

Use of older donors (≥50 yr) in older recipients (≥60 yr) results in lower five‐yr survival and freedom from CAV. Caution is required in these cases. Larger studies are warranted to confirm findings.
Pfizer‐sponsored satellite symposium at the European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC) Congress
Authors: O'Mahony Brian , Kent Alastair , Aymé Ségolène
Published: May 2014

The annual European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC) Conference 2013, held in Bucharest, Romania, 4–5 October, was attended by over 200 patient advocates, policy makers and healthcare professionals from across Europe. Pfizer sponsored a satellite symposium at the conference entitled: ‘Changing the policy landscape: haemophilia patient involvement in healthcare decision making’, drawing on expertise from a panel specialising in the field of rare disease. The symposium, chaired by Declan Noone (Irish Haemophilia Society) on behalf of Brian O'Mahony (Irish Haemophilia Society), examined the current policy and economic landscape in Europe and how pressures on healthcare budgets are impacting haemophilia care. The symposium also discussed the importance of representing the ‘patient voice’ in key policy decisions through identification of opportunities for patient advocacy group engagement. Alastair Kent (Genetic Alliance UK) opened the session by highlighting that the downturn in the global economy has refocused decision‐making in healthcare, moving cost‐effectiveness of healthcare interventions higher up the agenda for decision‐makers and payers. In light of this, patient engagement is more important than ever, particularly in healthcare technology assessments (HTAs), to ensure that patient and family opinions are represented. Ségolène Aymé (Orphanet) built upon this in her session discussing the rare disease policy landscape and regional initiatives taking place in Europe, including the EUROPLAN process, for which the participation of the haemophilia community is critical. Finally, Declan Noone provided an example of how the EHC, through its survey of 35 countries, demonstrated not only the considerable differences in the quality of care available for people with haemophilia across Europe, but also how the data from the survey could be used as a powerful advocacy tool to initiate change in countries with lower gross domestic product (GDP) that face healthcare spending challenges. The meeting closed with a ‘call to action’ for patient advocacy groups, focusing on avenues by which patients can become involved in the decision‐making for policies that will ultimately affect access to, and quality of, haemophilia care in their country.
Thalamic structural connectivity in medial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Barron Daniel S. , Tandon Nitin , Lancaster Jack L. , Fox Peter T.
Published: May 2014

The thalamus has been implicated in various stages of medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) seizure evolution. The relative density and functional significance (in epileptogenesis) of thalamic projections to MTL subregions, however, remains to be determined. This study used structural and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate thalamic connection density with distinct MTL subregions in terms of location and volume. Nineteen MTLE patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis (HS; 12 right; 10 female) were compared to 19 age‐matched controls. Five regions of interest (ROIs) per hemisphere were created in native space: thalamus, amygdala, entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, and parahippocampus. Separate probabilistic tractography analyses were performed between the thalamus and each ipsilateral MTL subregion (four per hemisphere). Individual connectivity profiles and regional volumes were assessed. The medial pulvinar consistently showed the highest connection density with the hippocampus in healthy controls and in MTLE patients. Decreased thalamic connected volume was observed for thalamohippocampal pathways in patients with MTLE, and indicates pathway‐specific deafferentation. Regional hippocampal and thalamic atrophy was also observed, indicating gray and white matter loss in the thalamohippocampal pathway. Consistent localization of dense medial pulvinar (PuM) connectivity with the hippocampus suggests chronic PuM stimulation could modulate the MTLE seizure network. Decreased thalamic connected volume is a promising biomarker for epileptogenesis that merits longitudinal validation.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
The Troika: The Interlocking Roles of Commission v. Luxembourg and Belgium, Van Gend en Loos and Costa v. ENEL in the Creation of the European Legal Order
Authors: Phelan William
Published: May 2014

Through comparisons with dispute resolution procedures in the North American Free Trade Area's Side Agreements, and with the debate over the direct effect of World Trade Organization obligations in the European legal order, this paper demonstrates that three of the European Court of Justice's most important decisions—Commission v. Luxembourg and Belgium, Van Gend en Loos and Costa v. ENEL—should be understood as combining to reorganise general international law's relationship between the EU Member States by substituting national court application of European obligations for the use of interstate retaliation as an enforcement mechanism, and thus providing the foundations for the EU's distinctive legal order.
Primary hyperparathyroidism in a 17‐year‐oldArab ×WelshCob pony mare with a functional parathyroid adenoma
Authors: Cottle H. J. , Hughes K. J. , Thompson H. , Johnston P. E. J. , Philbey A. W.
Published: May 2014

Primary hyperparathyroidism was identified in a 17‐year‐oldArab ×WelshPony mare that experienced weight loss for 6 months and was presented with mild facial asymmetry, right forelimb lameness and weight shifting amongst all limbs. Osteodystrophia fibrosa was demonstrated on radiographic examination of the head and there was radiographic evidence of osteopenia of the appendicular skeleton. The horse had persistent hypercalcaemia (4.0 mmol/l), hypophosphataemia (0.59 mmol/l) and an increased concentration of circulating parathyroid hormone (1401 pg/ml). On scintigraphic examination, a subjective focal increase in uptake of99mtechnetium‐sestamibi was identified in the right thyroid gland and at the thoracic inlet in delayed images. Surgical exploration of the thyroid region was unrewarding, whereas surgery at the thoracic inlet was not undertaken. One year later, the horse developed a pathological fracture of the third metacarpal bone and was subjected to euthanasia. Atpost mortemexamination, a parathyroid adenoma was found at the level of the thoracic inlet adjacent to the trachea. Gross and histological examination also confirmed severe osteodystrophia fibrosa and osteopenia.
Fatigue crack growth law of API X80 pipeline steel under various stress ratios based onJ‐integral
Authors: Li L. , Yang Y. H. , Xu Z. , Chen G. , Chen X.
Published: May 2014

Load‐controlled three‐point bending fatigue tests were conducted on API X80 pipeline steel to investigate the effects of stress ratio and specimen orientation on the fatigue crack growth behaviour. Because of the high strength and toughness of X80 steel, crack growth rate was measured and plotted versus ΔJwith stress ratio. The fatigue crack length is longer in the transverse direction, whereas the fatigue crack growth rates are nearly the same in different orientations. Finally, a new fatigue crack growth model was proposed. The effectiveJ‐integral range was modified by ΔJpin order to correlate crack closure effect due to large‐scale yield of crack tip. The model was proved to fit well for fatigue crack growth rate of API X80 at various stress ratios ofR > 0.
Experimental study on very high cycle fatigue of martensitic steel of 2Cr13 under corrosive environment
Authors: Li S. X. , Zhang P. Y. , Yu S. R.
Published: May 2014

Rotating bending fatigue test at very high cycle regimes was carried out on martensitic steel of 2Cr13 in air and 3.5% NaCl environment. The result showed that the S–N curve presents a stepwise tendency over the range of 106–108 cycles in both air and 3.5% NaCl environment. In air fatigue, cracks initiated from the sample surface and inclusions at subsurface and no typical fish eye feature in very high cycle fatigue were observed for all samples tested up to 6 × 108 cycles. In 3.5% NaCl solution, a fatigue limit over the range of 106–108 cycles exhibited with the corrosion fatigue strength reduced by 47% compared to the air fatigue. Multiple cracks initiated from surface and the number of crack origins increased with increasing stress level and surface proportion of fatigue propagation increased as number of cycles increased.
Fatigue of rare‐earth containing magnesium alloys: a review
Authors: Mirza F. A. , Chen D. L.
Published: May 2014

Lightweighting in ground vehicles is today considered as one of the most effective strategies to improve fuel economy and reduce anthropogenic environment‐damaging and climate‐changing emissions. Magnesium (Mg) alloy, as a strategic ultra‐lightweight metallic material, has recently drawn a considerable interest in the transportation industry to reduce the weight of vehicles due to their high strength‐to‐weight ratio, dimensional stability, good machinability and recyclability. However, the hexagonal close‐packed crystal structure of Mg alloys gives only limited slip systems and develops sharp deformation textures associated with strong mechanical anisotropy and tension–compression yield asymmetry. For the vehicle components subjected to dynamic loading, such asymmetry could exert an unfavourable influence on the material performance. This problem could be conquered through weakening the texture via addition of rare‐earth (RE) elements. Thus, a number of RE‐containing Mg alloys have recently been developed. To guarantee the structural integrity, durability and safety of highly loaded structural components, understanding the characteristics and mechanisms of cyclic deformation and fatigue fracture of such RE‐Mg alloys is of vital importance. In this review, the available fatigue properties including stress‐controlled fatigue strength, strain‐controlled cyclic deformation characteristics and fatigue crack propagation behaviour are summarized, along with the microstructural change and crystallographic texture weakening in the RE‐containing Mg alloys in different forms (cast, extruded and heat‐treated states), in comparison with those of RE‐free Mg alloys.
A numerical study on the effect of symmetric crack flank holes on fatigue life extension of a SENT specimen
Authors: Ayatollahi M. R. , Razavi N. , Chamani H.R.
Published: May 2014

The crack growth retardation is studied theoretically by drilling two symmetric holes at appropriate locations along the crack flanks. A fatigue crack growth code for two‐dimensional elastic problems is developed to approve the effectiveness of this method. The crack growth retardation was examined using a parametric study both on the arrangements of the flank holes and the diameters of holes. The numerical results reveal that for some cases, the presence of flank holes significantly decreases the stress concentration around the crack tip and its stress intensity factor. The best positions for crack flank holes to provide the highest crack growth retardation are shown to be where the line connecting the two centres of holes passes the crack tip. A larger hole diameter and a closer distance between the flank holes and the crack tip result in lower crack growth rate and higher fatigue life.
Is Crowdfunding Different? Evidence on the Relation between Gender and Funding Success from a German Peer-to-Peer Lending Platform
Authors: Barasinska Nataliya , Schäfer Dorothea
Published: May 2014

According to the literature on traditional banking, lenders often discriminate against female borrowers. However, studies of peer-to-peer lending in the United States find that female borrowers have better chances of obtaining funds than do males. We provide evidence on the success of female borrowers at a large German peer-to-peer lending platform. Our results show that there is no effect of gender on the individual borrower’s chance to receive funds on this platform, ceteris paribus. Several robustness checks confirm this finding. Hence, female discrimination seems to be eased by the ‘wisdom of the lending crowd’.
A Tale of Two Systems: Cardiac Cephalalgia vs Migrainous Thoracalgia
Authors: Mathew Paul G. , Boes Christopher J. , Garza Ivan
Published: May 2014

The practice of headache medicine is challenging, and excluding secondary causes of headaches is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. The evaluation of secondary headaches often leads to investigations involving organ systems other than the nervous system. As such, headache, which is typically thought to be neurologic in origin, can be a manifestation of cardiac pathology in the form of cardiac cephalalgia. Conversely, chest pain, which is typically thought to be cardiac in origin, could be a manifestation of a neurologic disease process in the form of atypical migraine aura. In the presented cases, we demonstrate headaches that involve cardiac and neurologic pathology with atypical presentations.
Comparative cell attachment, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of radiopaque dicalcium silicate cement and white‐coloured mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Wu B. C. , Wei C. K. , Hsueh N. S. , Ding S.‐J.
Published: May 2014

Aim

To comparatively examine the cell attachment, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial activity of radiopaque dicalcium silicate cement (RDSC) and ProRoot white‐coloured mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA).

Methodology

AlamarBlue was used for real‐time and repeated monitoring of MG63 cell attachment on freshly mixed and set cements. The pH changes in the growth medium at different time‐points were also measured. Cytotoxicity evaluation was performed according to ISO 10993–5 specifications. The antibacterial activity of the cement specimens was evaluated using Enterococcus faecalis.

Results

There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the two cements for cell attachment either in the fresh groups or in the set groups at all culture times. Neither freshly mixed group nor set groups had significant pH differences. In the case of cytotoxicity, RDSC was significantly (P < 0.05) superior to WMTA at 12 and 24 h of incubation. RDSC and WMTA possessed similar antimicrobial activity, substantiated by the formation of growth inhibition zones and bacteriostasis ratio in E. faecalis strains.

Conclusions

The cell attachment, cytotoxicity and antibacterial efficacy of RDSC were comparable to those reported for ProRoot WMTA. The results of the current study suggest that this RDSC could be used as a root‐end filling material and root sealer.
Is transfer of training related to firm performance?
Authors: Saks Alan M. , Burke‐Smalley Lisa A.
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this study was to bridge the gap between micro‐training research on the transfer of training and macro‐training research on training and firm performance by testing the relationship between transfer of training and firm performance. Training and development professionals completed a survey about the training methods used in their organization (on‐the‐job, classroom, computer‐based), the transfer of training, and their firm's performance. The results indicated that transfer of training was positively related to firm performance and mediated the relationship between training methods and firm performance. The results also suggest that among the three training methods, on‐the‐job training was the most strongly related to transfer of training and firm performance. These results highlight the importance of transfer of training for firm performance and suggest that meaningful organizational outcomes can be obtained by implementing training programs and strategies to facilitate and improve the transfer of training.