bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does removal of steel wires relieve post-sternotomy pain after cardiac surgery?
Authors: Rashidi Sargul , Elenbaas Ted WO , Hamad Mohamed A Soliman , van Suijlekom Hans J , van Straten Albert HM
Published: July 2013

Background:

Post-sternotomy pain in the absence of cardiac ischemia and sternal instability is most commonly due to the sternal wire sutures or a protruding wire. We performed a retrospective study to investigate the effect of removal of the steel wires for relief of post-sternotomy pain.

Methods:

All 206 patients who underwent sternal wire removal in our institution from January 2003 through August 2011 were included in this study. Alive patients were contacted by telephone to inquire about the fate of their pain. Accordingly, patients were classified into 4 groups: group 1 were free of symptoms; group 2 were satisfied, significantly better than before wire removal; group 3 had unchanged symptoms; and group 4 had worsening of pain after wire removal.

Results:

After excluding patients who died during the follow-up and those who had sternal instability and wound infection, 186 patients were available for the questionnaire. Complete relief of pain occurred in 83% of these patients, and 10% had improvement of their symptoms.

Conclusions:

We recommend removal of the steel wires in patients with persistent chest pain after median sternotomy, when sternal instability, mediastinitis, and cardiac causes such as ischemia are excluded.
Minimally invasive pediatric surgery in uncomplicated congenital heart disease
Authors: Cingoz Faruk , Tavlasoglu Murat , Sahin Mehmet Ali , Kurkluoglu Mustafa , Guler Adem , Günay Celalettin , Arslan Mehmet
Published: July 2013

Background:

We aimed to highlight the use of a minimally invasive approach in uncomplicated congenital heart surgery.

Patients and methods:

We investigated retrospectively 32 children below 10 years of age who underwent elective closure of ostium secundum type ( n = 27), sinus venosus type ( n = 4) and ostium primum type ( n = 1) atrial septal defects through a limited skin incision and partial lower sternotomy between August 2001 and December 2008. All patients had cannulation through the same incision for cardiopulmonary bypass.

Results:

A pericardial patch was used to close the defect in 8 patients and direct suturing in 24. The mean time from the skin incision to cannulation was 56 ± 23 min. Total bypass time was 27 ± 12 min, and crossclamp time was 15 ± 8 min. Mean length of hospital stay was 4 ± 2 days. We did not encounter any complications or mortality.

Conclusions:

A minimally invasive approach, consisting of a limited skin incision and partial lower sternotomy, is a safe, reliable, and cosmetically advantageous method in uncomplicated congenital heart disease surgery, which can be performed widely, and may replace the standard approach without increasing mortality and morbidity.
Recurrent giant sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Ercan Suleyman , Cakici Musa , Davutoglu Vedat , Alici Mehmet Hayri , Onat Ahmet Mesut
Published: July 2013

A 48-year-old woman underwent aneurysmectomy and primary suture repair with a pericardial patch for sinus of Valsalva aneurysm secondary to ankylosing spondylitis. The sinus of Valsalva aneurysm recurred one year after surgery, and reached a diameter of 53 mm. Special attention must be paid to the potential relapse of aortic aneurysms that develop secondary to autoimmune disorders, when using primary suture or patch repair.
Chronic total occlusion of left main coronary artery in a young man
Authors: Alsmady Moaath M , Abeeleh Mahmood A Abu , Saleh Suhail S , Al-Antary Eman T , Saleh Akram M
Published: July 2013

Chronic total occlusion of the left main coronary artery is rarely encountered in coronary angiography. Patients are at high risk of death because of its intimate association with massive anterior myocardial infarction. A 29-year-old man with no cardiac risk factors, presented with myocardial infarction and severe mitral regurgitation. Coronary angiography revealed chronic total occlusion of the left main coronary artery. He underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve repair.
Systolic anterior motion of mitral valve with calcified annulus in octogenarians
Authors: Parissis Haralabos , Hamid Umar Imran , Jeganathan Reubendra , Graham Alastair
Published: July 2013

Systolic anterior motion of the mitral leaflet causing left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is commonly seen in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and also in patients with advanced mitral valve disease with excessive anterior leaflet tissue or a reduced aortic-mitral angle. We describe 2 octogenarians who presented with systolic mitral leaflet anterior motion in advanced mitral valve disease with severe mitral annular calcification and associated asymmetrical septal hypertrophy.
Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary sequestration
Authors: Nakata Tomohiro , Ikeda Tadashi , Doi Hiraku , Baba Shiro , Sakata Ryuzo
Published: July 2013

A 5-day-old girl who had pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, intralobar pulmonary sequestration of the right lower lobe, and retroesophageal innominate vein, was referred to our institution. We successfully performed a systemic-to-pulmonary shunt. During cardiopulmonary bypass, the arteries supplying the sequestrated lung were ligated above the diaphragm through the median sternotomy, without a thoracotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and we avoided the potential complications of lung infection and ventricular overload.
Idiopathic right atrial enlargement
Authors: Ostovan Mohammad , Shahrzad Shahab , Taban Samira , Moniri Alireza
Published: July 2013

A 26-year-old man presented with lower extremity edema and abdominal protrusion associated with dyspnea for 5 years, which had increased 7 months earlier. Echocardiography demonstrated a huge right atrium of 19.5 × 15.2 cm with a thick smoke pattern and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed intact pericardium. A pulmonary perfusion scan demonstrated multiple perfusion defects, suggesting recurrent small pulmonary emboli. Idiopathic enlargement of the right atrium was diagnosed. The patient declined surgery.
A reflective conversation with James H Borland
Authors: Shaughnessy Michael F , Moore Tammy-Lynne , Borland James H
Published: July 2013

James H Borland, PhD is Professor of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. In this reflective conversation, he reflects on his experiences in an urban environment and the current challenges in gifted education. He argues for ongoing diagnosis of learners’ needs without the necessity for labeling some students “gifted” and others “not gifted”. He also suggests that “gifted” is a relative term dependent on culture and socioeconomic background. The biggest challenge, he suggests, is that educators want a neat, simple definition and measurement of “giftedness”, whereas the concept of “giftedness” is extremely complex and multifaceted.
Effect of a local vibration stimulus training programme on postural sway and gait in chronic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lee Se-Won , Cho Ki-Hun , Lee Wan-Hee
Published: July 2013

Objective:

To investigate the effect of a local vibration stimulus training programme on postural sway and gait in stroke patients.

Design:

A randomized controlled trial with two groups: a local vibration stimulus training programme group and a sham group.

Setting:

Inpatient rehabilitation centre.

Subjects:

Thirty-one chronic stroke patients.

Interventions:

Both groups underwent a standard rehabilitation programme. The local vibration stimulus training programme group ( n = 16) participated in the local vibration stimulus training programme for 30 minutes a day, five times a week, for six weeks. The sham group ( n = 15) participated in a sham local vibration stimulus training programme for 30 minutes a day, five times a week, for six weeks.

Main measures:

A forceplate was used to measure postural sway under two conditions: standing with eyes open and eyes closed. Gait ability was measured using the GAITRite system.

Results:

In postural sway, greater improvements in the postural sway distance with eyes-open (–11.91 vs. 0.80) and eyes-closed (–20.67 vs. –0.34) conditions and postural sway velocity with eyes-open (–0.40 vs. 0.03) and eyes-closed (–0.69 vs. –0.01) conditions were observed in the local vibration stimulus training programme group, compared with the sham group ( P < 0.05). In gait ability, greater improvement in gait speed (15.06 vs. 2.85), cadence (8.46 vs. 1.55), step length (7.90 vs. 3.64), and single limb support time (0.12 vs. 0.01) were observed in the local vibration stimulus training programme group, compared with the sham group ( P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that local vibration stimulus training programme is an effective method for improvement of the postural sway and gait ability of chronic stroke patients.
Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) gene polymorphisms associated with increased susceptibility of human papillomavirus-16 infection in patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Lai Zeng-Zhen , Ni-Zhang  , Pan Xiao-Ling , Song Liang
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To investigate the association between toll-like receptor 9 ( TLR9) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among Chinese Han women with cervical cancer.

Methods

TLR9 –1486 and 2848 SNPs were investigated in patients with cervical cancer and controls using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism. HPV16 E6 and E7 infections were assessed using PCR.

Results

Of 120 patients with cervical cancer and 100 controls, there was a significant association between TLR9 2848 SNP and cervical cancer risk, but there was no such association with TLR9 –1486 SNP. Frequency of the TLR9 2848 GA genotype was significantly higher in patients with cervical cancer than in controls. There was no statistically significant between-group difference in presence of HPV16 infection. Presence of HPV infection with TLR9 2848 (rs352140) GA/AA genotype increased the risk of cervical cancer 13.8-fold compared with the GG genotype.

Conclusions

The TLR9 2848 G/A polymorphism in Chinese Han women was associated with increased risk of cervical cancer in the presence of HPV16 infection. Further studies are necessary to uncover the functional aspect of this TLR9 2848 polymorphism.
Neuroendocrine and haemodynamic changes in single-lead atrial pacing and dual-chamber pacing modes
Authors: Zhang Ying-ying , Wu Dong-yan , Fu Nai-kuan , Lu Feng-min , Xu Jing
Published: July 2013

Objectives

Neuroendocrine and haemodynamic changes were compared between single-lead atrial (AAI) or dual-chamber (DDD) pacing modes in patients with sick sinus syndrome, in a crossover study.

Methods

Inpatients scheduled for their first pacemaker implantation were screened for the following inclusion criteria: sick sinus syndrome; intact atrioventricular conduction; normal QRS interval. All study patients were implanted with a dual-chamber pacemaker, programmed for AAI or DDD pacing mode. Patients were allocated randomly to AAI followed by DDD pacing or to DDD followed by AAI pacing, each mode being applied for 72 h. Echocardiographic, electrocardiographic and neuroendocrine parameters were tested at the end of each pacing mode.

Results

From 152 inpatients screened for inclusion, 28 were selected for treatment. Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), endothelin, aldosterone and angiotension II were significantly lower, and aortic flow velocity–time integral was significantly higher, in AAI mode than in DDD mode. Aortic pre-ejection interval, interventricular mechanical delay and QRS duration were significantly higher in DDD than in AAI mode.

Conclusions

In patients with sick sinus syndrome, DDD pacing mode can induce neuroendocrine system activation, and left ventricular dysfunction and dyssynchrony. These findings discourage the routine use of DDD pacing in patients with sick sinus syndrome.
Detroit’s idle: the domestic sounds of labour’s foreign landscape
Authors: Redmond Shana L.
Published: July 2013

Black music is an ideo-aesthetic practice that highlights the making of myriad identity positions, including race, citizenship and class. Under globalisation and the mass commodification of US life, however, corporations have co-opted Black musics for various ends to manufacture alternative desires and realities to those of the musicians themselves, whose visions are better understood as ‘freedom dreams’.1 This article examines one such abuse, in which Black music was used as both foil and concealment for an (enforcedly) idle working class in the majority Black city of Detroit. Through close analysis of two 2011 Chrysler Corporation commercials, the article demonstrates how the radical disarticulation of location, labour and race within popular culture has reconfigured Black labour into an ephemeral cultural influence, rather than a tradition of economic affluence. By dislocating the manual and cultural labours of Black Detroit from the scenery and products that it sells, Chrysler abandons the city that made it, opting instead to locate itself in a site of cultural and economic make-believe through the medium of a white male rap emcee.
Sweden: when hate becomes the norm
Authors: Hirvonen Katrina
Published: July 2013

The author, who worked at the Swedish Vallentuna centre for unaccompanied minors, was shocked by the anti-foreigner climate she encountered. In order to examine the parameters of this hostility, she researched representations of unaccompanied minors online. Working within the framework of netnography, she uncovered a potent mix of Islamophobia and anti-foreigner hate, with unaccompanied minors depicted within a Eurabian mindset. The article reflects on the relationship between offline and online worlds and suggests that extremist sites provide echo chambers for far-right opinion. By normalising extreme views, they serve to deliver more votes to the Sweden Democrats – an extreme-right parliamentary party which is setting the national terms of debate on restricting immigration.
A Pilot Study
Authors: Thomas Linda S. , Stephenson Nancy , Swanson Mel , Jesse D. Elizabeth , Brown Sylvia
Published: July 2013

Purpose:This pilot study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Healing Touch on anxiety, stress, pain, pain medication usage, and selected physiological measures of hospitalized adults with sickle cell disease experiencing a vaso-occlusive pain episode. Design: Healing Touch sessions were administered for 30 minutes on four consecutive days, and the self-reported data on anxiety, stress, pain, and the selected physiological data were collected while controlling for music and presence. Method: A parallel-group randomized control trial comparing the effects of Healing Touch with Music (HTM) to Attention Control with Music (ACM). Findings: Due to the small sample size, there were no statistically significant changes in any between-group comparisons, except for present pain on Day 4 for the ACM group. For both groups, the within-group comparison showed a nonsignificant reduction in physiological parameters, a statistically significant reduction in anxiety and stress for the ACM group after Day 4, and a statistically significant reduction in stress in the HTM group after Days 2 and 4. The pre- to postintervention reductions in present pain were greater in the HTM group across all 4 days, but the only statistically significant within groups findings were in the HTM group ( p < .01) on Day 1. Conclusions: Further research is needed.
Factors associated with hospital closure and merger: A survival analysis of Dutch hospitals from 1978 to 2010
Authors: den Hartog Martin , Janssen Richard , Haselbekke Bart Jeroen , Croes Ramsis , Klik Mark
Published: July 2013

Health policy in most West European countries is directed at transforming the healthcare systems into more self-regulating and competitive systems. After a period of strong regulation, the Dutch government decided to step back and created conditions in which competition could lead to cost management and quality improvement. The question is whether mergers have contributed to the survival chances of hospitals. This paper describes the results of an analysis performed on the survival of all Dutch hospitals in the years 1978 to 2010. The survival of hospitals during this period was determined and their survival rates were calculated statistically. Furthermore, the relation between a hospital’s lifespan and a number of predictive variables was investigated. In this study, more detailed consideration is given to the fact of whether a hospital merged with another hospital. Bivariate analysis shows that smaller hospitals in particular have been driven out of the market. The difference in lifespan between hospitals which had merged and those which had not, appeared to be significant. However, a multivariate analysis, when corrected for size, type, and location, showed that merging had no significant effect on hospital lifespan.
The balance of care approach to health and social care planning: Lessons from a systematic literature review
Authors: Tucker Sue , Brand Christian , Wilberforce Mark , Challis David
Published: July 2013

The strategic allocation of resources is one the most difficult tasks facing health and social care decision makers, with multiple organisations delivering complex services to heterogeneous populations. The enduring appeal of the balance of care approach, a systematic framework for exploring the potential costs and consequences of changing the mix of community and institutional services in a defined geographical area, is thus unsurprising. However, no attempt has previously been made to synthesise or appraise the methodological approaches employed and lessons to inform future applications may go unheard. This paper seeks to address those concerns by reporting the findings of a systematic literature review that identified 33 examples of the model's use spanning 40 years. The majority of studies were undertaken in the UK and explored the services needed by frail older people. There is, however, nothing in the model to restrict it to this context. The paper also details the different ways key elements of the model (information about clients, resources, the appraisal of settings, costs and outcomes) have been operationalised, and considers their strengths and weaknesses. Whilst several studies identified a potential to reduce costs via the use of less institutional care, not all applications predicted cost savings.
A novel framework for supporting the design of moving block train control system schemes
Authors: Wang Haifeng , Tang Tao , Roberts Clive , Gao Chunhai , Chen Lei , Schmid Felix
Published: July 2013

A moving block philosophy is increasingly being implemented as part of communications-based train control (CBTC) systems in mass transit operations. Due to its complexity and safety criticality, it is difficult to develop formal methods to support the design of specific schemes. An innovative framework, based on topology mathematics, for supporting CBTC moving block system development is proposed in this paper. Within the new framework, the moving block train control logic is transformed into topological spaces representing the movement authority for trains. Using this approach, the verification of logic and safety properties can be performed by automatic assessment of the topological space. Within the paper the essential characteristics of moving block systems, train behaviour and static track-side infrastructure are analysed. As a result of this analysis, topological units are formed to represent train movement trajectory and standard railway network elements. Four calculation methods: dividing, trimming, covering and integrating, are described as standard unit operations. Finally, a case study is implemented to demonstrate how the method is advantageous for CBTC scheme layout development. It is found that the approach is able to bridge the gap between traditional, highly abstracted, formal methods and the specific safety-critical railway scheme designs.
Dynamically controlled variable-fidelity modelling for aircraft structural design optimisation
Authors: Allen Jonathan G , Coates Graham , Trevelyan Jon
Published: July 2013

Structural mass optimisation of an aircraft design is important in increasing the likelihood that a high quality airframe is designed of minimal weight whilst providing necessary resistance to load. Analysis of such structures is often performed at a single level of model fidelity, the selection of which can lead to either excessive computational time or reduced accuracy of results. Alternatively, variable-fidelity modelling may be employed to reduce such computational expense whilst maintaining accuracy, traditionally performed using predetermined levels of fidelity for specific periods of the optimisation process. This paper investigates dynamically controlled variable-fidelity modelling during aircraft conceptual design optimisation wherein fidelity is controlled as a dynamic parameter of the optimisation process. Consequently, model fidelity is adapted during optimisation to promote early discovery of promising design characteristics prior to detailed analysis of the best designs available. Models are constructed through the grouping of similar structural members within elements, thus reducing the number of degrees of freedom and subsequent computational effort required for analysis of each design. A case study is performed to verify the results of analysis and obtain benchmark results for optimisation with static model fidelity prior to the investigation of various set-ups of dynamically controlled variable-fidelity modelling. The results of this study indicate improved design quality using dynamically controlled variable-fidelity modelling compared to using static model fidelity whilst reducing the necessary computation time.
Huber-based divided difference filter with application to relative navigation
Authors: Li Wei , Liu Meihong , Gong Deren , Duan Dengping
Published: July 2013

In this article, a simplified divided difference filter based on the model structure with linear output equations and the assumption of additive Gaussian noise is introduced. By making use of the Huber technique to modify the measurement update equations of the simplified divided difference filter, the new filter exhibits robustness with respect to deviations from the common assumption of Gaussian distributed random measurement errors, for which the simplified divided difference filter exhibits mild degradation in estimation accuracy. In addition, in contrast to standard extended Kalman filter, more accurate estimation and fast convergence are achieved from the poor initial conditions. The proposed Huber-based simplified divided difference filter algorithm has been tested in relative navigation using global position system for spacecraft formation flying in low Earth orbits with real orbit perturbations and non-Gaussian random measurement errors in flight simulations. Simulations results indicate that the proposed filter provides better performance in relative navigation accuracy and robustness when compared to extended Kalman filter and simplified divided difference filter in the presence of non-Gaussian measurement noise.
Factors associated with the anonymous reporting of lifetime domestic violence in a genitourinary medicine clinic: a patient self-reported questionnaire study
Authors: Sanmani L , Sheppard Z A , Chapman C
Published: July 2013

Summary

Domestic violence (DV) occurs frequently within the UK, with one in four women and one in six men experiencing DV during their life. DV is the leading cause of morbidity for women aged 19–44 years and is associated with sexual health problems. However, few data exist on the prevalence of DV in UK genitourinary (GU) medicine settings. An anonymous questionnaire was self-completed by patients (n = 476/500) attending Bournemouth GU medicine clinic during July 2009 to explore associations between lifetime DV and sociodemographic, sexual and behavioural factors. Overall, 21% (98/472) reported that they had ever been abused by a partner (12% [27/229] of men and 29% [71/243] of women). Logistic regression highlighted that being female, having children/dependants and use of illicit drugs were the most important factors associated with lifetime DV. Regular staff training on DV is recommended to increase awareness and signposting to relevant services.
The Nature and Nurture of High IQ
Authors: Brant Angela M. , Munakata Yuko , Boomsma Dorret I. , DeFries John C. , Haworth Claire M. A. , Keller Matthew C. , Martin Nicholas G. , McGue Matthew , Petrill Stephen A. , Plomin Robert , Wadsworth Sally J. , Wright Margaret J. , Hewitt John K.
Published: July 2013

IQ predicts many measures of life success, as well as trajectories of brain development. Prolonged cortical thickening observed in individuals with high IQ might reflect an extended period of synaptogenesis and high environmental sensitivity or plasticity. We tested this hypothesis by examining the timing of changes in the magnitude of genetic and environmental influences on IQ as a function of IQ score. We found that individuals with high IQ show high environmental influence on IQ into adolescence (resembling younger children), whereas individuals with low IQ show high heritability of IQ in adolescence (resembling adults), a pattern consistent with an extended sensitive period for intellectual development in more-intelligent individuals. The pattern held across a cross-sectional sample of almost 11,000 twin pairs and a longitudinal sample of twins, biological siblings, and adoptive siblings.
Look Before You Leap
Authors: Vlassova Alexandra , Pearson Joel
Published: July 2013

Simple decisions require the processing and evaluation of perceptual and cognitive information, the formation of a decision, and often the execution of a motor response. This process involves the accumulation of evidence over time until a particular choice reaches a decision threshold. Using a random-dot-motion stimulus, we showed that simply delaying responses after the stimulus offset can almost double accuracy, even in the absence of new incoming visual information. However, under conditions in which the otherwise blank interval was filled with a sensory mask or concurrent working memory load was high, performance gains were lost. Further, memory and perception showed equivalent rates of evidence accumulation, suggesting a high-capacity memory store. We propose an account of continued evidence accumulation by sequential sampling from a simultaneously decaying memory trace. Memories typically decay with time, hence immediate inquiry trumps later recall from memory. However, the results we report here show the inverse: Inspecting a memory trumps viewing the actual object.
Unstable Identity Compatibility
Authors: Ahlqvist Sheana , London Bonita , Rosenthal Lisa
Published: July 2013

Although the perceived compatibility between one’s gender and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) identities (gender-STEM compatibility) has been linked to women’s success in STEM fields, no work to date has examined how the stability of identity over time contributes to subjective and objective STEM success. In the present study, 146 undergraduate female STEM majors rated their gender-STEM compatibility weekly during their freshman spring semester. STEM women higher in gender rejection sensitivity, or gender RS, a social-cognitive measure assessing the tendency to perceive social-identity threat, experienced larger fluctuations in gender-STEM compatibility across their second semester of college. Fluctuations in compatibility predicted impaired outcomes the following school year, including lower STEM engagement and lower academic performance in STEM (but not non-STEM) classes, and significantly mediated the relationship between gender RS and STEM engagement and achievement in the 2nd year of college. The week-to-week changes in gender-STEM compatibility occurred in response to negative academic (but not social) experiences.
Perceived Aggressiveness Predicts Fighting Performance in Mixed-Martial-Arts Fighters
Authors: Třebický Vít , Havlíček Jan , Roberts S. Craig , Little Anthony C. , Kleisner Karel
Published: July 2013

Accurate assessment of competitive ability is a critical component of contest behavior in animals, and it could be just as important in human competition, particularly in human ancestral populations. Here, we tested the role that facial perception plays in this assessment by investigating the association between both perceived aggressiveness and perceived fighting ability in fighters’ faces and their actual fighting success. Perceived aggressiveness was positively associated with the proportion of fights won, after we controlled for the effect of weight, which also independently predicted perceived aggression. In contrast, perception of fighting ability was confounded by weight, and an association between perceived fighting ability and actual fighting success was restricted to heavyweight fighters. Shape regressions revealed that aggressive-looking faces are generally wider and have a broader chin, more prominent eyebrows, and a larger nose than less aggressive-looking faces. Our results indicate that perception of aggressiveness and fighting ability might cue different aspects of success in male-male physical confrontation.
Explaining the Increasing Heritability of Cognitive Ability Across Development
Authors: Briley Daniel A. , Tucker-Drob Elliot M.
Published: July 2013

Genes account for increasing proportions of variation in cognitive ability across development, but the mechanisms underlying these increases remain unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis of longitudinal behavioral genetic studies spanning infancy to adolescence. We identified relevant data from 16 articles with 11 unique samples containing a total of 11,500 twin and sibling pairs who were all reared together and measured at least twice between the ages of 6 months and 18 years. Longitudinal behavioral genetic models were used to estimate the extent to which early genetic influences on cognition were amplified over time and the extent to which innovative genetic influences arose with time. Results indicated that in early childhood, innovative genetic influences predominate but that innovation quickly diminishes, and amplified influences account for increasing heritability following age 8 years.
Hepatic and renal functions in growing male rats after bisphenol A and octylphenol exposure
Authors: Yıldız N. , Barlas N.
Published: July 2013

This study aimed to determine the effects of 13-week bisphenol A (BPA) and octylphenol (OP) exposure on the liver, kidney, and spleen of growing male rats. A total of 29 male Wistar rats aged 4–5 weeks were divided into five groups. The treatment groups were given low-dose (125 mg/kg bw/day) or high-dose (250 mg/kg bw/day) BPA or OP. These compounds were dissolved in corn oil and given via oral route for 13 weeks. Rats in the control group received corn oil for 13 weeks, as well. After 13 weeks of treatment, blood samples were analyzed for biochemical parameters. Tissue samples from the liver, kidney, and spleen were histopathologically and histomorphometrically examined. Liver tissue specimens were also stained by immunohistochemically; the number of apoptotic cells was counted, and the apoptotic indices were calculated. There were significant differences between the control and treatment groups with respect to the following parameters: body weight, relative left kidney weight, and total protein, glucose, and alkaline phosphatase levels. Edema and parenchymal degeneration in the liver and tubular degeneration in the kidney were more frequent in the treatment groups. The control and treatment groups were comparable with respect to the frequency of histopathological lesions in the spleen. Glomerular histomorphometry revealed no significant differences between the control and treatment groups. No significant differences existed between the control and treatment groups with respect to the number of apoptotic cells and apoptotic indices. Subchronic exposure to BPA and OP induced functional and structural changes in the liver, kidney, and spleen of growing male rats.
Functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes for the solid-phase extraction of silver, cadmium, palladium, zinc, manganese and copper by flame atomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: Ghaedi Mehrorang , Montazerozohori M. , Nazari E. , Nejabat R.
Published: July 2013

In the present work, multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) chemically modified with (3-mercaptopropyl) silanetriolate is efficiently used for the solid-phase extraction of Cu2+, Ag+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+ ions prior to their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination. The influences of the various analytical parameters, including pH, amounts of solid phase, sample volume and eluent conditions and so on, on the recoveries of target analytes were investigated and optimized by one at a time optimization method. The influences of alkaline, alkaline earth and some transition metals on the adsorption and elution of the analytes were also examined. The detection limits for all understudied metal ions were between 1.4 and 2.8 ng mL−1 (3Sb, n = 10). The evaluation of the thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (positive value), Gibbs free energy (negative value) in addition to high value of entropy shows the endothermic and spontaneous nature of sorption process. Following the optimization of variables, the adsorption process follows the intraparticle kinetic model with R2 of 0.98 and the Langmuir isotherm with high correlation coefficient ( R2 > 0.95). The procedure was applied for the analytes determination in the food samples with satisfactory results (recoveries >95% and relative standard deviation’s (RSD) lower than 4%).
Influence of aging on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in digestive tract of rats
Authors: Vučević D. , Mladenović D , Ninković M , Stanković MN , Jorgačević B , Stanković MS , de Luka S , Radosavljević T.
Published: July 2013

Aging and ethanol induce oxidative stress due to increased prooxidant production and decreased antioxidative capacity. The aim was to investigate the influence of aging on oxidative stress in liver, stomach and pancreas in acute ethanol intoxication. Adult (3 months) and old (18 months) male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: control (control group rats aged 3 months (C3) and control group rats aged 18 months (C18)) and ethanol-treated groups (ethanol-treated 3-month-old rats (E3) and ethanol-treated 18-month-old rats (E18)). Ethanol was administered in five doses of 2 g/kg at 12-h intervals by orogastric tube. Tissue samples were collected for the determination of oxidative stress parameters. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was increased in all the experimental groups and investigated organs versus C3 group (  p < 0.01). The highest MDA level was observed in the stomach in E18 group when compared with C18 and E3 groups (  p < 0.01). Activity of total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and its isoenzymes (copper-/zinc-SOD and manganese-SOD) in E18 group was significantly decreased when compared with E3 and C18 groups (  p < 0.01). Nitrates and nitrites (NO x) concentration was increased in stomach and pancreas for all the groups when compared with C3 group (  p < 0.01). Hepatic, gastric and pancreatic NO x level was significantly increased in E18 group when compared with E3 group (  p < 0.01). Moreover, level of NO x in liver and pancreas in E18 group was significantly increased when compared with C18 group (  p < 0.01). Aging potentiates ethanol-induced oxidative stress in liver, stomach and pancreas due to increased lipid peroxidation and nitrosative stress and decreased antioxidative tissue capacity.
X-Ray treatment of carbuncles and furuncles (boils)
Authors: Calabrese Edward J
Published: July 2013

The goal of this article was to assess the historical role of radiotherapy in the treatment of selected inflammatory diseases. The specific research involved a literature-based assessment of the use of x-rays during the first half of the 20th century for the treatment of furuncles and carbuncles, the potentially serious staphylococcus infections. X-Rays were reported to be effective as a treatment at relatively low dose, about 10–20% of the skin erythema dose, which often quickly and profoundly reduce pain and accelerate the resolution/healing of the furuncles and carbuncles. These findings were based on considerable clinical experience that was generally reported in the form of case studies. The mechanism of x-ray–induced reduction of inflammation and acceleration of healing was suggested to result from a combination of immune alterations that enhanced phagocytosis as well as via an anti-localization effect on the pathogenic organism that facilitates their destruction.
Neuroprotective effects of alpha-ketoglutarate and ethyl pyruvate against motor dysfunction and oxidative changes caused by repeated 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine exposure in mice
Authors: Satpute R. , Lomash V. , Kaushal M. , Bhattacharya R.
Published: July 2013

1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin associated with drug abuse and causes permanent symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) by destroying dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of two carboxylic acid compounds, viz. alpha-ketoglutarate (A-KG), a Kreb’s cycle intermediate and ethyl pyruvate (EP), a lipid-soluble analogue of pyruvate, were evaluated against MPTP intoxication in mice and compared with madopar (MD; combination of levodopa plus benserazide), a standard drug. Animals received oral treatment of A-KG (500 mg/kg), EP (100 mg/kg) or MD (5 mg/kg) daily for 5 days followed by intraperitoneal administration of MPTP (20 mg/kg) and posttreatment (+10 min) of A-KG, EP or MD daily for the remaining 5 days. MPTP caused the inhibition of complex I of electron transport chain accompanied by oxidative stress in the brain. It also caused cytotoxicity in the midbrain region as characterized by histology and immunohistochemistry. Treatments of A-KG and EP were found to resolve the loss of motor coordination, oxidative stress, diminished complex I activity and tyrosine hydroxylase–positive neurons in midbrain. A-KG and EP also regressed the histological damage in the brain and minimized the accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the midbrain region. The data suggest that A-KG and EP which are nontoxic carboxylic acid compounds could be of potential therapeutic value in the treatment of PD.
Potential chemoprotective effects of selenium on diazinon-induced DNA damage in rat peripheral blood lymphocyte
Authors: Shokrzadeh M. , Ahangar N. , Abdollahi M. , Shadboorestan A. , Omidi M. , Payam S.S Hosseini
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of selenium (Se) against genotoxicity induced by diazinon (DZN) in rat peripheral blood lymphocytes by micronucleus (MN) test. Animals were concurrently administered intraperitoneally with DZN in proper solvent (20 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) and Se at three different doses (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg b.w.) for 30 consecutive days. The positive control group received DZN at the same dose without Se. After 24 h of last injection, 0.5 ml blood of each rat was received and cultured in culture medium for 44 h. The lymphocyte cultures were mitogenically stimulated with cytochalasin B to allow the evaluation of number of MNs in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated cells. Incubation of lymphocytes with DZN induced additional genotoxicity and is shown by increase in MNs frequency in human lymphocytes. Se at low dose of 0.5 mg/kg had a maximum effect and significantly reduced the MNs frequency in cultured lymphocytes ( p < 0.0001) that reduced the frequency of MN from 12.78 ± 0.24% for DZN group to 4.40 ± 0.36. The present study revealed that Se particularly at low doses has a potent antigenotoxic effect against DZN -induced toxicity in rats, which may be due to the scavenging of free radicals and increased antioxidant status.
Triketone toxicity
Authors: Boels D. , Monteil-Ganière C. , Turcant A. , Bretaudeau M. , Harry P.
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

Sulcotrione is a herbicidal agent belonging to the family of triketones. Sulcotrione herbicides are used for weed control in maize and flax crops. To date, no cases of human poisoning had been reported in the literature linked to different herbicidal agents in the triketone family. We report here on two cases of the voluntary ingestion of this substance in the form of the branded product MikadoTM, which were recorded by the Angers Poison Centre.

Case report:

Both cases of voluntary ingestion constituted attempted suicide, and involved two men aged 30 and 37 years. Their symptoms linked to sulcotrione were limited to vomiting, despite elevated plasma concentrations of sulcotrione. In one case, hypertyrosinemia has been demonstrated. The outcome was favourable in both patients and at follow up, no ocular disorders were observed. In the second case, hypotension and transient renal failure could be linked to the concomitant ingestion of chlorophenoxy herbicides.

Discussion:

In animal toxicity studies, sulcotrione inhibit 4-hydro-phenylpyruvate dioxygenase leading to hypertyrosinemia and corneal opacities. In both cases, no ocular disorders were observed despite hypertyrosinemia in one case. These case reports were consistent with the animal toxicology findings concerning triketones, and particularly their relative safety in mammals following acute poisoning. However it seems prudent to monitor plasma tyrosine concentrations and to screen prospectively for corneal deposits if further acute intoxication events occur.
Effects of lutein and chlorophyll b on GSH depletion and DNA damage induced by cisplatin in vivo
Authors: Serpeloni J.M. , Almeida M.R. , Mercadante A.Z. , Bianchi M.L.P. , Antunes L.M.G.
Published: July 2013

Recent studies have proposed the use of low concentrations of phytochemicals and combinations of phytochemicals in chemoprevention to reduce cytotoxicity and simulate normal ingestion through diet. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether the DNA damage, chromosome instability, and oxidative stress induced by cisplatin (cDDP) are modulated by a combination of the natural pigments lutein (LT) and chlorophyll b (CLb). The protective effects observed for synergism between phytochemicals have not been completely investigated. The comet assay and micronucleus test were performed and the catalase activities and glutathione (GSH) concentrations were measured in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, liver, and kidney cells of mice. The comet assay and micronucleus test results revealed that the pigments LT and CLb were not genotoxic or mutagenic and that the pigments presented antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects in the different cell types evaluated. This protective effect is likely related to antioxidant properties in peripheral blood cells through the prevention of cDDP-induced GSH depletion. Altogether our results show that the combination of LT and CLb, which are both usually present in the same foods, such as leafy green vegetables, can be used safely.
An overview of the clubhouse model of psychiatric rehabilitation
Authors: Raeburn Toby , Halcomb Elizabeth , Walter Garry , Cleary Michelle
Published: July 2013

Objective:

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the clubhouse model and its capacity to assist people with severe mental illness.

Method:

The paper uses a sample vignette (with all identifying information removed) and survey of literature describing clubhouses over the last 15 years.

Results:

Strengths of the clubhouse model include its ability to provide a safe environment, supportive relationships and supported employment activities. Criticisms include its failure to provide onsite psychiatry clinics and a risk of promoting service dependence.

Conclusions:

Modern clubhouses continue to provide useful models of psychiatric rehabilitation which are popular worldwide. Studying and describing the model is challenging due to its complexity. Mixed methodological approaches and recovery-orientated measurement tools may assist future research and development.
Pediatric Renal Solitary Fibrous Tumor
Authors: Wu William W. , Chu Julia T. , Romansky Stephen G. , Shane Lisa
Published: July 2013

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are unusual spindle cell neoplasms initially described in the pleura but have since been discovered in many extrapleural locations. SFT of the kidney is extremely rare, the majority occurring in middle-aged adults. To date, only two pediatric cases of renal SFT have been reported. We report a case of large SFT in the kidney of a 3-year-old boy that was clinically and radiologically thought to be a nephroblastoma. This case is the first pediatric renal SFT to be reported with detailed histopathologic and cytogenetic analyses. SFT should be included in the differential diagnosis of pediatric renal tumors.
Biomechanical Comparison of 4 Different Lateral Plate Constructs for Distal Fibula Fractures
Authors: Eckel Tobin T. , Glisson Richard R. , Anand Prashanth , Parekh Selene G.
Published: July 2013

Background:

Displaced lateral malleolar fractures are often treated with reduction and surgical stabilization. However, there has not been a comprehensive laboratory comparison to determine the most appropriate device for treating these patients. This study subjected a range of contemporary lateral fibular plates to a series of mechanical tests designed to reveal performance differences.

Methods:

Forty fresh frozen lower extremities were divided into 4 groups. A Weber B distal fibula fracture was simulated with an osteotomy and stabilized using 1 of 4 plate systems: a standard Synthes one-third tubular plate with interfragmentary lag screw, a Synthes LCP locking plate with lag screw, an Orthohelix MaxLock Extreme low-profile locking plate with lag screw, or a TriMed Sidewinder nonlocking plate. Controlled monotonic bending and cyclic torsional loading were applied and bending stiffness, torsional stiffness, and fracture site motion were quantified. Resistance to cyclic torsional loading was determined by quantifying the number of loads withstood before excessive rotation occurred. Correlation between bone mineral density and each of the mechanical measures was determined.

Results:

There was no difference in angulation or bending stiffness between plates. All plates except the LCP showed greater lateral deflection than in the other bending directions. Bending stiffness was lowest in lateral distal fragment deflection for all 4 plates. There was a positive correlation between bone mineral density and bending stiffness for all plate types. There was no difference in fracture site rotation between plate types in internal or external torsion, but internal rotation of the distal fragment consistently exceeded external rotation. Torsional stiffness in external rotation exceeded stiffness in internal rotation in nearly all specimens. LCP plates performed relatively poorly under cyclic torsion.

Conclusions:

Significant differences in plate performance were not demonstrated. The effects of bone quality variability and differences in interfragmentary screw purchase resulted in data dispersion that confounded absolute ranking of plate performance.

Clinical Relevance:

Identification of an optimal lateral fibular plating system has the potential to improve the clinical outcome of malleolar fracture fixation, particularly when patient conditions are unfavorable.