bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovery of Acid Production in Streptococcus mutans Biofilms after Short-Term Fluoride Treatment
Authors: Dang Minh-Huy , Jung Ji-Eun , Lee Dae-Woo , Song Kwang-Yeob , Jeon Jae-Gyu
Published: June 2016

Fluoride is commonly used as an ingredient of topical oral hygiene measures. Despite the anti-acidogenic activities of fluoride against cariogenic biofilms, the recovery of the biofilms from fluoride damage is unclear. Herein, we investigated the recovery of acid production in Streptococcus mutans biofilms after short-term or during periodic 1-min fluoride treatments. For this study, 46-hour-old S. mutans biofilms were treated with fluoride (0-2,000 ppm F-) for 1-8 min and then incubated in saliva for 0-100 min. The 74-hour-old biofilms were also periodically treated with the fluoride concentration during biofilm formation (1 min/treatment). Changes in acidogenicity and viability were determined via pH drop and colony-forming unit assays, respectively. In this study, acid production after a 1-min fluoride treatment was recovered as saliva incubation time increased, which followed a linear pattern of concentration dependence (R = 0.99, R2 = 0.98). The recovery pattern was in a biphasic pattern, with an initial rapid rate followed by a second slow recovery. Furthermore, recovery from fluoride damage was retarded in a concentration-dependent manner as treatment time increased. In periodic 1-min fluoride treatments, acid production in the biofilms was not diminished during the non-fluoride treatment period; however, it was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner during the fluoride treatment period. The viability of the biofilm cells did not change, even at high fluoride concentrations. Collectively, our results suggest that brief fluoride treatment does not sustain anti-acidogenic activity against S. mutans in biofilms since the damage is recoverable with time.
Memory and Spatial Cognition in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy
Authors: Berndt Ute , Leplow Bernd , Schoenfeld Robby , Lantzsch Tilmann , Grosse Regina , Thomssen Christoph
Published: June 2016

Introduction: It is generally accepted that estrogens play a protective role in cognitive function. Therefore, it can be expected that subtotal estrogen deprivation following aromatase inhibition will alter cognitive performance. Methods: In a cross-sectional study we investigated 80 postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Memory and spatial cognition were compared across 4 treatment groups: tamoxifen only (TAM, n = 22), aromatase inhibitor only (AI, n = 22), TAM followed by AI (‘SWITCH group', n = 15), and patients with local therapy (LT) only (surgery and radiation, n = 21). Duration of the 2 endocrine monotherapy arms prior to the assessment ranged from 1 to 3 years. The ‘SWITCH group' received 2-3 years TAM followed by at least 1 year and at most 3 years of AI. Memory and spatial cognition were investigated as planned comparisons. Investigations of processing speed, attention, executive function, visuoconstruction and self-perception of memory were exploratory. Results: With regard to general memory, AI patients performed significantly worse than the LT group (p = 0.013). Significant differences in verbal memory did not remain significant after p-value correction for multiple testing. We found no significant differences concerning spatial cognition between the groups. Conclusion: AI treatment alone significantly impairs general memory compared to the LT group.
Development and Validation of a Simple Diagnostic Method to Detect Gain and Loss of Function Defects in Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
Authors: Ramadan Ahmad R. , Shawar Said M. , Alghamdi Manal A.
Published: June 2016

Background: Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a bone-derived hormone that regulates the homeostasis of phosphate and vitamin D. Three substitutions in the hormone are reported to cause autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets and seven substitutions to cause autosomal recessive hyperphosphatemic familial tumoral calcinosis (HFTC). Both disorders are rare in the general population and occur most often in the Eastern Mediterranean region and Africa. None of the mutations could be identified using standard restriction fragment length polymorphism. The only technique currently available to confirm the clinical diagnosis is DNA sequencing. Methods: Using a tri-primer ARMS-PCR, in vitro site-directed mutagenesis and DNA sequencing, we developed, verified and validated a rapid and reliable diagnostic test for the ten mutations in FGF23. Results: We generated a test for all ten mutations and confirmed each test by DNA sequencing. We increased the specificity of the test by introducing a mismatch at position -2 in the 3′-terminus of the reverse primer of the normal and the mutant sequences. Finally, using DNA sequencing, we validated the technique for FGF23/S129F substitution by testing samples from 80 individuals from two unrelated Arab families harboring HFTC. Conclusions: This inexpensive and specific method could be adopted where DNA sequencing is not available or affordable.
Lobular Breast Cancer and Abdominal Metastases: A Retrospective Review and Impact on Survival
Authors: Winn Jennifer S. , Baker Mary G. , Fanous Ibrahim S. , Slack-Davis Jill K. , Atkins Kristen A. , Dillon Patrick M.
Published: June 2016

Background: The predominant breast cancer subtypes, invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), have similar recurrence and survival rates but differing patterns of metastatic recurrence. Methods: A retrospective review of breast cancers treated at an academic medical center from 1999 to 2012 was performed. Demographic, pathologic, treatment, and follow-up data were collected for 179 ILC and 358 IDC patients (1:2 stage-matched). The median follow-up was 4.7 years. Results: The baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. ILC was more likely to be hormone-receptor-positive/HER2-negative and mammographically occult. The number of surgical resections, breast conservation rate, systemic treatment, and taxane use was similar between the groups. The overall recurrence rate was the same. ILC recurred more often in the abdominal cavity (24.3% in ILC vs. 4.1% in IDC, p = 0.001). The disease-free survival and overall survival were equal. On multivariate analysis, age, stage of disease, hormone receptor status, and systemic therapy were associated with survival, but histology was not. Conclusions: Compared to ductal breast cancers, lobular breast cancers recur more often in the abdominal cavity. Both ILC and IDC have comparable surgical and medical treatment outcomes and survival. Our data suggest that enhanced surveillance and imaging might be useful in ILC.
Evaluation of Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy Size and Freezing Time: A Prognostic Animal Study
Authors: Ing Matthew , Oliver Rema A. , Oliver Brian G.G. , Walsh William R. , Williamson Jonathan P.
Published: June 2016

Background: Transbronchial lung biopsy using a cryoprobe is a novel way of sampling lung parenchyma. Correlation of freezing time with biopsy size and complications has not been evaluated in vivo. Objectives: The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the correlation between transbronchial cryobiopsy freezing time and size. The secondary aims are to evaluate histological quality of the biopsy and evaluate procedure-associated complications. Methods: Transbronchial lung cryobiopsies were obtained from two anaesthetised sheep using a 1.9-mm cryoprobe inserted into a flexible bronchoscope under fluoroscopic guidance. Freezing times ranged from 1 to 6 s (n = 49). The cryobiopsies were evaluated histologically with respect to their size and quality. Complications of bleeding and pneumothorax were recorded. Results: The mean cross-sectional area of the cryobiopsy ranged from 4.7 ± 2.1 to 15.7 ± 15.3 mm2. There was a significant positive correlation between increasing freezing time and cryobiopsy cross-sectional area (p = 0.028). All biopsies contained lung tissue with preserved parenchyma. Crush and freeze artefacts were not observed and tissue architecture was intact in all specimens. Small blood vessels and terminal bronchioles were observed in 88% of specimens. All cryobiopsies caused nil or mild haemorrhage with the exception of only 1 episode of severe haemorrhage at 6 s freezing time. Pneumothoraces occurred at 2, 5 and 6 s freezing time and required chest tube insertion. The most significant haemorrhage and pneumothoraces occurred at 5 and 6 s. Our results suggest an initial freezing time of 3 s can provide the maximal biopsy size while minimising major complications. Conclusion: The optimal transbronchial cryobiopsy freezing time is initially 3 s. This time is associated with minimal complications and large artefact-free biopsies.
Risk Factors for Parametrial Involvement in Early-Stage Cervical Cancer and Identification of Patients Suitable for Less Radical Surgery
Authors: Jiamset Ingporn , Hanprasertpong Jitti
Published: June 2016

Background: The aim of this study was to determine risk factors associated with parametrial involvement (PI) and to identify the subgroup of patients at low risk for PI. Methods: The study comprised 565 patients with early-stage cervical cancer, who underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic node dissection at Songklanagarind Hospital between 1987 and 2011. Analysis was performed to determine factors associated with PI. Results: Overall, 24 (4.25%) women had PI. PI was more common in patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma, deep stromal invasion (DSI), tumor size > 2 cm, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and pelvic node involvement. Multivariate analysis showed that DSI (p < 0.001) and tumor size > 2 cm (p < 0.001) were independently associated with PI. PI was linked with decreased recurrence-free (p < 0.001) and overall (p = 0.002) survival. Of 347 patients with tumor size ≤ 2 cm and no DSI, only 1 (0.29%) had PI. Conclusion: These findings confirm that PI in early-stage cervical cancer is uncommon. Risk factors associated with PI were DSI and tumor size > 2 cm. PI is a predictor of cervical cancer recurrence and decreased survival. Less radical surgery may be considered in low-risk patients.
DNA Methyltransferase 1: A Potential Gene Therapy Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma?
Authors: Jiang Changke , Gong Fang
Published: June 2016

Background: DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) mutants display altered methylation patterns that may contribute to oncogenesis. We hypothesized that the silencing or inhibition of DNMT1 may affect the malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Methods: The HCC cell line KYN2 was used to construct 3 experimental groups: i) a DNMT1-siRNA group transfected with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) lentiviral vector to silence endogenous DNMT1 gene expression, which was confirmed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, ii) a 5-Aza-CdR group transfected with a null GFP lentiviral vector and treated with the DNMT1 inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), and iii) a control group transfected with a null GFP lentiviral vector. Cellomics ArrayScan VTI imaging and MTT assays were conducted to assess cell proliferation. Cell cycle phase arrest and apoptosis were assayed by flow cytometry. Colony formation was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Results: DNMT1 mRNA expression was significantly inhibited in DNMT1-silenced cells relative to control cells (p < 0.05), indicating successful transfection and gene expression knockdown. Cell proliferation was significantly inhibited in DNMT1-siRNA and 5-Aza-CdR cells relative to control cells (p < 0.05). G1-to-S phase shifts were significantly increased in DNMT1-siRNA and 5-Aza-CdR cells relative to control cells (p < 0.05). Apoptosis was significantly increased in DMNT1-siRNA and 5-Aza-CdR cells relative to control cells (p < 0.05). DMNT1-siRNA and 5-Aza-CdR cells displayed significantly reduced colony formation relative to control cells (p < 0.05). Notably, 5-Aza-CdR had more pronounced effects upon all these parameters than DNMT1 silencing. Conclusion: DNMT1 activity appears to positively contribute to the malignancy of HCC cells.
The Feasibility of Tracheal Oxygen Supplementation during Flexible Bronchoscopy
Authors: Yserbyt Jonas , De Maeyer Nikolaas , Dooms Christophe , Testelmans Dries , Muylle Inge , Bruyneel Marie , Ninane Vincent
Published: June 2016

Background: Hypoxemia is a frequent adverse event occurring during flexible bronchoscopy and is usually prevented by close monitoring and, if needed, oxygen supplementation by nasal cannula. Objective: We aim to demonstrate that tracheal oxygen supplementation during flexible bronchoscopy is a feasible, safe and effective method to restore oxygen saturation levels after oxygen desaturation. Methods: In a first phase, we compare oxygen supplementation by the tracheal or nasal route in a single blinded cross-over design in healthy volunteers. In a second phase, we study patients referred for diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy, who desaturate despite oxygen supplementation by nasal cannula, in order to assess the ability to correct hypoxemia through tracheal oxygen supplementation. Results: In the first phase, the mean capillary partial pressure of oxygen was 181 mm Hg when oxygen at a flow rate of 4 liters/min was administered by the tracheal route, compared to 125 mm Hg by the nasal route (p < 0.001). The capillary partial pressure of carbon dioxide was not significantly different. During 950 bronchoscopic procedures in the second phase of the trial, 30 patients desaturated below 90% despite oxygen supplementation by nasal cannula. In 22 out of these 30 patients, switching to the tracheal route resulted in a correction of the saturation within 120 s. In the remaining 8 patients, saturation levels were corrected after increasing the oxygen flow rate to 4 liters/min. After restoring saturation levels, the bronchoscopy could be completed in 25 of 30 patients. Conclusions: Tracheal oxygen supplementation is safe, feasible and an effective way to restore oxygen saturation levels during flexible bronchoscopy.
Synthesis and Implementation (In STM8S) of Phased Circular Antenna Arrays Using Taguchi Method
Authors: Nemri Nadhem , Badri Hani Wadie , Ghayoula Ridha , Trabelsi Hichem , Gharsallah Ali
Published: June 2016

This paper is aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the phase-only control strategy based on a customized Taguchi method when applied to Uniform Circular Arrays (UCA).  The objective of this paper consists to contribute the main lobe optimization of the smart antenna using Taguchi's method. We used the cited method in order to determine phase's weights for each element of the circular antenna array in order to steer the principal lobe from -65° to 65° covering all angular space. After that, we made an electronic platform using the microcontroller STM8S in order to implement an intelligent system. The architecture of this work had used a digital phase shifters, a demodulator AD8347, a modulator AD8349, an array antenna, cards STM8S-Discovery.
FPF: Fraud Proof Framework for Electronic Voting System
Authors: Kabandana Innocent , Nanda Kumar A.N.
Published: June 2016

In a democratic process voting plays a vital role in selection of policy as well as candidates. Voting though gives the freedom to voter to cast his opinion it is not free fraudulent. In order to have secure voting and convey the opinion of authorized voter in this paper we have presented a java based framework for fraud proof electronic voting system. In this framework we ensure that only the authorized voter is permitted to cast his vote and mitigate illegal voters cast votes on faking or pretending to be someone else. Proposed FPF provides a multi-level of authentication mechanism to validate the voter. The proposed system is tested for efficiency and robustness in comparing it with the existing system and is found to be efficient through comparative analysis. At present FPF is successful in mitigating the unauthorized voting further enhancement in the electronic voting system is being carried out as future work.
Academic Cloud ERP Quality Assessment Model
Authors: Surendro Kridanto , Olivia Olivia
Published: June 2016

In the past few decades, educational institutions have been using conventional academic ERP system to integrate and optimize their business process. In this delivery model, each educational institutions are responsible of their own data, installation, and also maintenance. For some institutions, it might cause not only waste of resources, but also problems in management and financial aspects. Cloud-based Academic ERP, a SaaS-based ERP system, begin to come as a solution with is virtualization technology. It allows institutions to use only the needed ERP resources, without any specific installation, integration, or maintenance needs. As the implementation of Cloud ERP increases, problems arise on how to evaluate this system. Current evaluation approaches are either only evaluating the cloud computing aspects or only evaluating the software quality aspects. This paper proposes an assessment model for Cloud ERP system, considering both software quality characteristics and cloud computing attributes to help strategic decision makers evaluate academic Cloud ERP system.
Automatic Detection of Illegitimate Websites with Mutual Clustering
Authors: Durga Kanaka , Rama Krishna V
Published: June 2016

In the websites the contents will be are similarity when we compared with other search engines. So to check the similar content in the websites and its web contents we created a overhead to the search engine which will severely effect its performance & quality. So to detect the silmilar or same content or web documenattion some techniques are implemented by web crawling research community. So it is one of major factor for the search engines to provide some applicatory data to users in the first page itself. So to avoid such issues we proposed a methodlogy called Automatic Detection of illegitimate websites with Mutual Clustering (ADIWMC) paper we are presenting a peculiar and efficacious path for the detection of similarities in the web pages in web clustering. Detection of same and similar web pages and web content will be done by storing the crawled web pages into depository. Initially the adwords will be extracted from the crawled pages and similarity checking will be done between the two pages based in the usage of adwords. So a threshold value is set for this, if the similarity checking percentage is greater than the threshold then similarity content is reduced and improves the depositary and improves the search engine quality. In the sections of existing analysis and the proposed analysis we are clearly exploring how it works.
Contexto familiar e uso de drogas entre adolescentes em tratamento
Authors: Marcon Samira Reschetti , Sene Jennifer Oliveira de , Oliveira José Roberto Temponi de
Published: June 2016

Neste estudo, o objetivo foi descrever as características do contexto familiar de adolescentes em tratamento no Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas de Cuiabá, MT. Estudo transversal retrospectivo documental, com análise de 74 prontuários de usuários em tratamento. Como resultados têm-se o predomínio do sexo masculino, baixa escolaridade e alta proporção do uso de maconha. A maioria tinha convivência familiar satisfatória, não se relacionava bem com a figura paterna e convivia com familiar usuário de drogas. Os achados apontam a importância da avaliação dos fatores familiares no tratamento, fornecendo informações relevantes para o desenvolvimento de assistência integral, abrangendo o usuário e seus familiares.
Repercussões neonatais decorrentes da exposição ao crack durante a gestação
Authors: Reis Fernando Teixeira , Loureiro Rubens José
Published: June 2016

OBJETIVO: o objetivo neste estudo foi identificar as repercussões neonatais decorrentes da exposição ao crack durante a gestação, segundo a prática clínica dos médicos e enfermeiras e analisar o protocolo de atendimento a esses pacientes. MÉTODOS: trata-se de estudo do tipo descritivo com abordagem qualiquantitativa, realizada por meio de entrevistas. RESULTADOS: verificou-se que não existe protocolo de atendimento e que a maioria dos neonatos é pequena para a idade gestacional, prematura, e apresenta reflexos anormais dentre outras complicações. CONCLUSÃO: os resultados encontrados neste estudo assemelham-se aos descritos na literatura e reforçam a necessidade de estratégias holísticas de abordagem e intervenção nessa população.
Sympathetic Innervation Promotes Arterial Fate by Enhancing Endothelial ERK Activity
Authors: Pardanaud Luc , Pibouin-Fragner Laurence , Dubrac Alexandre , Mathivet Thomas , English Isabel , Brunet Isabelle , Simons Michael , Eichmann Anne
Published: June 2016

Rationale
:

Arterial endothelial cells are morphologically, functionally, and molecularly distinct from those found in veins and lymphatic vessels. How arterial fate is acquired during development and maintained in adult vessels is incompletely understood.

Objective
:

We set out to identify factors that promote arterial endothelial cell fate in vivo.

Methods and Results
:

We developed a functional assay, allowing us to monitor and manipulate arterial fate in vivo, using arteries isolated from quails that are grafted into the coelom of chick embryos. Endothelial cells migrate out from the grafted artery, and their colonization of host arteries and veins is quantified. Here we show that sympathetic innervation promotes arterial endothelial cell fate in vivo. Removal of sympathetic nerves decreases arterial fate and leads to colonization of veins, whereas exposure to sympathetic nerves or norepinephrine imposes arterial fate. Mechanistically, sympathetic nerves increase endothelial ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) activity via adrenergic α1 and α2 receptors.

Conclusions
:

These findings show that sympathetic innervation promotes arterial endothelial fate and may lead to novel approaches to improve arterialization in human disease.
Elevated Angiopoietin-2 Level in Patients With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices Leads to Altered Angiogenesis and Is Associated With Higher Nonsurgical Bleeding
Authors: Tabit Corey E. , Chen Phetcharat , Kim Gene H. , Fedson Savitri E. , Sayer Gabriel , Coplan Mitchell J. , Jeevanandam Valluvan , Uriel Nir , Liao James K.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Nonsurgical bleeding is the most common adverse event in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and is caused by arteriovenous malformations. We hypothesized that deregulation of an angiogenic factor, angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), in patients with LVADs leads to increased angiogenesis and higher nonsurgical bleeding.

Methods:

Ang-2 and thrombin levels were measured by ELISA and Western blotting, respectively, in blood samples from 101 patients with heart failure, LVAD, or orthotopic heart transplantation. Ang-2 expression in endothelial biopsy was quantified by immunofluorescence. Angiogenesis was determined by in vitro tube formation from serum from each patient with or without Ang-2–blocking antibody. Ang-2 gene expression was measured by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in endothelial cells incubated with plasma from each patient with or without the thrombin receptor blocker vorapaxar.

Results:

Compared with patients with heart failure or those with orthotopic heart transplantation, serum levels and endothelial expression of Ang-2 were higher in LVAD patients (
P
=0.001 and
P
<0.001, respectively). This corresponded to an increased angiogenic potential of serum from patients with LVADs (
P
<0.001), which was normalized with Ang-2 blockade. Furthermore, plasma from LVAD patients contained higher amounts of thrombin (
P
=0.003), which was associated with activation of the contact coagulation system. Plasma from LVAD patients induced more Ang-2 gene expression in endothelial cells (
P
<0.001), which was reduced with thrombin receptor blockade (
P
=0.013). LVAD patients with Ang-2 levels above the mean (12.32 ng/mL) had more nonsurgical bleeding events compared with patients with Ang-2 levels below the mean (
P
=0.003).

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate that thrombin-induced Ang-2 expression in LVAD patients leads to increased angiogenesis in vitro and may be associated with higher nonsurgical bleeding events. Ang-2 therefore may contribute to arteriovenous malformation formation and subsequent bleeding in LVAD patients.
Inflammatory Markers Associated With Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease: The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study
Authors: Bahrami Hossein , Budoff Matthew , Haberlen Sabina A. , Rezaeian Pantea , Ketlogetswe Kerunne , Tracy Russell , Palella Frank , Witt Mallory D. , McConnell Michael V. , Kingsley Lawrence , Post Wendy S.
Published: June 2016

Background

Despite evidence for higher risk of coronary artery disease among HIV+ individuals, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We investigated associations of inflammatory markers with subclinical coronary artery disease in 923 participants of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (575 HIV+ and 348 HIV− men) who underwent noncontrast computed tomography scans for coronary artery calcification, the majority (n=692) also undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography.

Methods and Results

Outcomes included presence and extent of coronary artery calcification, plus computed tomography angiography analysis of presence, composition, and extent of coronary plaques and severity of coronary stenosis. HIV+ men had significantly higher levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, C‐reactive protein, and soluble‐tumor necrosis factor‐α receptor (sTNFαR) I and II (all
P
<0.01) and a higher prevalence of noncalcified plaque (63% versus 54%,
P
=0.02) on computed tomography angiography. Among HIV+ men, for every SD increase in log‐interleukin‐6 and log intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, there was a 30% and 60% increase, respectively, in the prevalence of coronary stenosis ≥50% (all
P
<0.05). Similarly, sTNFαR I and II in HIV+ participants were associated with an increase in prevalence of coronary stenosis ≥70% (
P
<0.05). Higher levels of interleukin‐6, sTNFαR I, and sTNFαR II were also associated with greater coronary artery calcification score in HIV+ men (
P
<0.01).

Conclusions

Higher inflammatory marker levels are associated with greater prevalence of coronary stenosis in HIV+ men. Our findings underscore the need for further study to elucidate the relationships of inflammatory pathways with coronary artery disease in HIV+ individuals.
Stroke in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Winterholler Martin , Holländer Christian , Kerling Frank , Weber Irina , Dittrich Sven , Türk Matthias , Schröder Rolf
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose—

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most frequent skeletal muscle myopathy. Nearly all patients develop cardiomyopathy in their second decade of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency, cause, and outcome of stroke in a German cohort of patients with DMD.

Methods—

Retrospective analysis of medical records of 54 DMD patients, who lived in a regional facility for handicapped people (Wichernhaus Altdorf, Germany) between 1963 and 2013.

Results—

Fifty-four DMD patients were followed up for 7.4 years on average. Mean age at admission and discharge from the long-term care facility or death were 11.4 and 18.8 years, respectively. Covering a total observation period of 400 patient-years, we identified 4 DMD patients with juvenile arterial ischemic strokes. Off-label systemic thrombolysis in 2 patients resulted in a nearly complete regression of stroke-related symptoms, but 1 patient died of septic pneumonia and cardiac failure 24 days after thrombolysis therapy. In the other 2 patients, who had their ischemic strokes in 1994 and 1998, severe infarction-related symptoms persisted, and 1 patient died 13 days later. DMD-associated cardiomyopathy without evidence of atrial fibrillation was the only risk factor for ischemic stroke in all patients.

Conclusions—

This study indicates an increased risk for ischemic strokes in DMD patients. Regular cardiological assessment of all DMD patients is mandatory to evaluate the individual risk profile for cardioembolic events and to adapt therapeutic strategies.
Diagnostic Yield and Safety of Brain Biopsy for Suspected Primary Central Nervous System Angiitis
Authors: Torres Jose , Loomis Caitlin , Cucchiara Brett , Smith Michelle , Messé Steven
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose—

The utility and safety of brain biopsy for suspected primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) are uncertain. Factors predictive of a positive biopsy have not been well described. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of brain biopsy in suspected PACNS and determine whether any prebiopsy variables are associated with a positive biopsy.

Methods—

This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent diagnostic brain biopsy for PACNS at a single institution. The relationship between biopsy yield and patient demographics, surgical technique, laboratory testing, neuroimaging, biopsy characteristics, and prebiopsy immunosuppressive therapy were examined.

Results—

PACNS was confirmed in 9 of 79 patients (11%). Biopsy identified alternative diagnoses in 24 patients (30%), with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (8 patients), encephalitis (5 patients), demyelination (3 patients), and CNS lymphoma (3 patients) most commonly found. There was no correlation between a positive biopsy and cerebrospinal fluid results, neuroimaging, surgical technique, biopsy characteristics, or preoperative immunosuppressive therapy. Smaller biopsies (
P
=0.02) and closed procedures (
P
=0.013) were less likely to yield a diagnosis. Postoperative complications occurred in 13 patients (16%), 3 (4%) of which were serious.

Conclusions—

Brain biopsy leads to pathological confirmation of vasculitis in a minority of suspected PACNS cases but alternative diagnoses are often identified. Importantly, rare but meaningful complications may occur.
RNAi-induced silencing of an effector confers transcriptional oscillation in another group of effectors in the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Shivakumara Tagginahalli N. , Papolu Pradeep K. , Dutta Tushar K. , Kamaraju Divya , Chaudhary Sonam , Rao Uma
Published: June 2016

The sophisticated parasitic tactic of sedentary endoparasitic nematodes seems to involve the simultaneous alteration of the expression of multitude of its effector genes in order to hijack the plant metabolic and developmental pathway. In concordance with this hypothesis, we have targeted some candidate effector genes of Meloidogyne incognita to understand the possible interaction among those effectors for successful infection of the host plant. In vitro RNAi strategy was used to knock down M. incognita-specific pioneer effector genes, such as msp-18, msp-20, msp-24, msp-33 and msp-16 (known to interact with plant transcription factor), to investigate their possible effect on the expression of key cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDE) and vice versa. Supported by the phenotypic data, intriguingly our study revealed that induced suppression of these pioneer genes cause transcriptional alteration of CWDE genes in M. incognita. This remarkable finding may provide some useful links for future research on nematode effector interaction.
Taxonomic synopsis of Notiospathius Matthews & Marsh, 1973 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Colombia
Authors: RODRIGUEZ-JIMENEZ ANDREA , SARMIENTO CARLOS E.
Published: June 2016

Notiospathius Matthews & Marsh, 1973 is the second most diverse genus of Doryctinae in the Neotropical region, however, in Colombia only two species have been reported and no studies on the diversity of the genus have been conducted. We present a taxonomic synopsis of the genus from Colombia. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) allowed the taxonomic evaluation of morphometric characters used by other authors and those proposed in the present study to differentiate the species. Forty seven of 104 characters studied are useful to discriminate the species. Twenty three species are reported. The following new records for Colombia are: Notiospathius angustus Marsh, 2002; N. badius Marsh, 2002; N. bicolor Marsh, 2002; N. ninae Marsh, 2002; N. rugonotum Marsh, 2002; N. shawi Marsh, 2002; N. tinctipennis (Cameron, 1887) and N. venezuelae López-Estrada & Zaldívar-Riverón, 2012. The following 14 new species are described: N. alejandroi sp. nov., N. amazonensis sp. nov., N. carmenae sp. nov., N. cundinamarcensis sp. nov., N. farallonensis sp. nov., N. julianoi sp. nov., N. magdalenensis sp. nov., N. marshi sp. nov., N. payae sp. nov., N. putumayensis sp. nov., N. quimbayensis sp. nov., N. tayronensis sp. nov., N. utriae sp. nov., N. vallensis sp. nov. Notiospathius ugaldei Marsh, 2002 is the junior synonym of N. columbianus (Enderlein, 1912); Notiospathius mariachi Reséndiz-Flores, Nunes and Zaldívar-Riverón, 2014 is the junior synonym of N. carolinae (Marsh, 2002); and N. chinanteco Reséndiz-Flores, Nunes and Zaldívar-Riverón, 2014 is the junior synonym of N. rugonotum Marsh, 2002. A comprehensive taxonomic key with illustrations is presented.
Description of the larva of Gynacantha millardi Selys, 1891 (Odonata: Aeshnidae) from Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: DAWN PROSENJIT , CHANDRA KAILASH
Published: June 2016

The larva of Gynacantha millardi Selys is described here from female larvae and male and female exuviae collected from Chhattisgarh, India. Unlike other Gynacantha larvae known so far, G. millardi has 7 palpal setae almost equal in length; in other species, the palpal setae are of different lengths. The larvae lack a tooth on each side of the median cleft and have a distinct blunt tooth on the inner margin corner of each labial palp. The larvae were found in a semi-stagnant forest pool with enormous growth of aquatic vegetation.
A new species of the genus Eremias Fitzinger, 1834 (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Central Iran, supported by mtDNA sequences and morphology
Authors: RASTEGAR-POUYANI ESKANDAR , HOSSEINIAN SAEED , RAFIEE SOOLMAZ , KAMI HAJI GHOLI , RAJABIZADEH MEHDI , WINK MICHAEL
Published: June 2016

A new species of the lacertid genus Eremias Fitzinger, 1834 is described from northwest of Isfahan province, Central Iran. Two mitochondrial genes (cyt b and 12S DNA) were sequenced and analyzed as reliable molecular markers for the separation of this newly discovered species from closely related species within the genus Eremias: E. velox, E. persica, E. papenfussi, E. lalezharica, E. montana, E. strauchi, E. kopetdaghica and E. suphani. Genetic distances (K2-p) between any of these species with the newly described species are relatively high (27.5–32.8% for cyt b and 5.2–10.4% for 12S DNA). Phylogenetic analyses (MP, ML and BI) generated trees with very similar topologies. According to molecular and morphological data, Eremias isfahanica sp. nov. belongs to the subgenus Aspidorhinus, and is closely related to E. papenfussi. Because several new Eremias species have recently been described from the Iranian Plateau, we additionally provide an updated identification key.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Photoacoustic Spectroscopy for Saliva Analysis
Authors: Mikkonen Jopi J.W. , Raittila Jussi , Rieppo Lassi , Lappalainen Reijo , Kullaa Arja M. , Myllymaa Sami
Published: June 2016

Saliva provides a valuable tool for assessing oral and systemic diseases, but concentrations of salivary components are very small, calling the need for precise analysis methods. In this work, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy using transmission and photoacoustic (PA) modes were compared for quantitative analysis of saliva. The performance of these techniques was compared with a calibration series. The linearity of spectrum output was verified by using albumin–thiocyanate (SCN–) solution at different SCN– concentrations. Saliva samples used as a comparison were obtained from healthy subjects. Saliva droplets of 15 µL were applied on the silicon sample substrate, 6 drops for each specimen, and dried at 37 ℃ overnight. The measurements were carried out using an FT-IR spectrometer in conjunction with an accessory unit for PA measurements. The findings with both transmission and PA modes mirror each other. The major bands presented were 1500–1750 cm–1 for proteins and 1050–1200 cm–1 for carbohydrates. In addition, the distinct spectral band at 2050 cm–1 derives from SCN– anions, which is converted by salivary peroxidases to hypothiocyanate (OSCN–). The correlation between the spectroscopic data with SCN– concentration (r > 0.990 for transmission and r = 0.967 for PA mode) was found to be significant ( P < 0.01), thus promising to be utilized in future applications.
Spatial Mapping of Pyocyanin in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Bacterial Communities Using Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Polisetti Sneha , Baig Nameera F. , Morales-Soto Nydia , Shrout Joshua D. , Bohn Paul W.
Published: June 2016

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) imaging was used in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA) for the in situ spatiotemporal mapping of the virulence factor pyocyanin in communities of the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The combination of SERS imaging and PCA analysis provides a robust method for the characterization of heterogeneous biological systems while circumventing issues associated with interference from sample autofluorescence and low reproducibility of SERS signals. The production of pyocyanin is found to depend both on the growth carbon source and on the specific strain of P. aeruginosa studied. A cystic fibrosis lung isolate strain of P. aeruginosa synthesizes and secretes pyocyanin when grown with glucose and glutamate, while the laboratory strain exhibits detectable production of pyocyanin only when grown with glutamate as the source of carbon. Pyocyanin production in the laboratory strain grown with glucose was below the limit of detection of SERS. In addition, the combination of SERS imaging and PCA can elucidate subtle differences in the molecular composition of biofilms. PCA loading plots from the clinical isolate exhibit features corresponding to vibrational bands of carbohydrates, which represent the mucoid biofilm matrix specific to that isolate, features that are not seen in the PCA loading plots of the laboratory strain.
A personal quest: Travel writing as self-exploration in Eddy L. Harris’s Native Stranger: A Blackamerican’s Journey into the Heart of Africa
Authors: Hållén Nicklas
Published: June 2016

In Native Stranger: A Blackamerican’s Journey into the Heart of Africa (1992), Eddy L. Harris explores what it means to be the person he is. What, if anything, connects him to Africa? What is the relation between the person he knows himself to be, and the person others see? Searching for answers to his questions, he finds himself caught between his attempts to remain open to new ways of seeing and understanding the world, on the one hand, and succumbing to the pressures of monolithic narratives about African otherness, race, belonging, roots and the past, on the other hand. This tension gives rise to an ambiguity and a number of contradictions which make the text fold back on itself. His literary project therefore ultimately serves to raise questions not only about his own identity and place in the world, but also about the conditions of writing about the self. Central among the contradictions that permeate the text is a doubling of epistemological perspectives, which can be described as an effect of what W. E. B. Dubois famously termed double-consciousness. While Harris is able to use the contradictions that arise from his writing to explore and represent the complexity of the questions that are foregrounded in his text, he is unable to answer them. His project is in other words a kind of failure, but as this article argues, this failure is the price that Harris pays to access the full complexity of selfhood, beyond political and social narratives about collective identity and how the present is shaped by the past.
A Cultural Conundrum
Authors: De Gracia Ma Regina Laya , Peterson Candida C. , de Rosnay Marc
Published: June 2016

Theory of mind (ToM) is the child’s representational understanding of mental states (e.g., true and false beliefs) and how these influence people’s overt behavior. Past research in numerous Western and a few non-Western cultures has suggested that children throughout the world master a key milestone in ToM development, false-belief understanding, by age 5 to 6 years. However, before drawing theoretical conclusions about such apparent cross-cultural synchrony in timing, investigation of a broader range of non-Western cultures is crucial. We selected the Philippines because there has been no known previous study of ToM development in this population. A sample of 78 Filipino children aged 3 through 6 years took three standard false-belief tests and a measure of language ability in their mother tongue. The results revealed strikingly poor ToM performance. Only 12% of the full sample ( Mage = 4.95 years) passed any false-belief test at all, and only 15% of those older than 5 years ( Mage = 5.54 years; n = 39) displayed ToM by passing two out of three tests. ToM was unrelated to parents’ educational background, family size, and child language ability. Nor could methodological factors (e.g., type of false-belief test used) readily explain Filipino children’s exceptionally slow false-belief mastery. Further study is clearly needed to confirm and extend these intriguing results. Based on past evidence from other cultures, possible influences of parental conversation and socialization styles warrant further exploration in the Filipino context.
Using a Handheld Device for Patient Data Collection: A Pilot for Medical Countermeasures Surveillance
Authors: Daley Matthew F. , Goddard Kristin , McClung Melissa , Davidson Arthur , Weiss Gretchen , Palen Ted , Nyirenda Carsie , Platt Richard , Courtney Brooke , Reichman Marsha E.
Published: June 2016

Medical countermeasures (MCMs) are medical products used during public health emergencies. This study, conducted within the Mini-Sentinel Initiative, sought to develop the patient identification and matching processes necessary to assess safety outcomes for MCMs. A handheld device was used to collect identifying information (e.g., name, birthdate, and sex) from the driver's licenses of 421 individuals presenting for routine care at their primary care medical office. Overall, 374 individuals (88.8%) could be linked to their electronic health data using driver's license information. The device was also pilot-tested at a seasonal influenza immunization clinic: detailed vaccine information (e.g., lot number and manufacturer) was captured with a high degree of accuracy. This investigation demonstrated that a handheld device is a feasible means of collecting patient identity and medical product receipt data. This capacity should be useful for safety surveillance of MCMs, particularly when dispensed in settings outside the traditional health-care delivery system.
Associations between Social Determinants of Health and Pregnancy among Young People: A Systematic Review of Research Published during the Past 25 Years
Authors: Maness Sarah B. , Buhi Eric R.
Published: June 2016

Objective.

Major health disparities exist in pregnancy among young people. Although social determinant of health (SDH) approaches in interventions are promoted to reduce these disparities, little research exists that synthesizes empirical links between SDHs and pregnancy among young people. This systematic literature review utilized the Healthy People 2020 SDH framework to analyze and synthesize the empirical associations between SDHs and pregnancy among young people.

Methods.

We included studies that were published in the past 25 years from PubMed, PsycINFO®, and Academic Search™ Premier databases. Twenty-two studies met all inclusion criteria and, following the Matrix Method, were assessed for methodological quality and empirical links between determinant areas and pregnancy.

Results.

Seventeen studies reported an empirical association between at least one SDH and pregnancy among young people. Areas most represented were poverty and family structure. No studies examined the relationship between pregnancies among young people and quality of housing, access to healthy foods, access to health-care services and primary care, health technology, social cohesion, perceptions of discrimination/equity, access to employment, employment status, school policies that support health promotion, safe school environments, or higher education enrollment.

Conclusion.

This research indicates a need to expand the range of SDHs that are analyzed with pregnancy among young people and to focus interventions on areas that have been determined to have an empirical link with pregnancy.
Evaluating Shared Laboratory Services: Detecting Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex and Drug Resistance Using Molecular and Culture-Based Methods
Authors: Tans-Kersten Julie , Lin Shou-Yean Grace , Desmond Edward , Warshauer David
Published: June 2016

Objectives.

We explored sharing nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and molecular and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing between two state public health tuberculosis (TB) laboratories, and evaluated turnaround times and cost-effectiveness.

Methods.

From September 1, 2012, to May 30, 2013, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (Wisconsin Lab) submitted specimens to the Microbial Diseases Laboratory of the California Department of Public Health (California Lab) for NAAT and molecular drug susceptibility testing (MDST) by pyrosequencing, and culture-based TB drug susceptibility testing by the BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 system.

Results.

A total of 182 specimens were referred to the California Lab, and 47 TB cases and 12 drug-resistant cases were identified. The average time for specimen transport was two days, which included one day for processing and packaging in the submitting laboratory. The average turnaround time for NAAT was 0.3 days at the Wisconsin Lab and 3.8 days at the California Lab, including time for specimen transport. Turnaround time for culture-based drug susceptibility testing increased by a median of 16 days when specimens were sent to the California Lab, but MDST results were reported in fewer than four days, a median of 22 days sooner than any culture-based drug susceptibility testing results.

Conclusion.

This study revealed advantages and disadvantages associated with sharing services, and identified opportunities for improvement. Referral of specimens resulted in longer turnaround times for mycobacteriology test results and additional costs for transporting specimens. However, specialized testing such as pyrosequencing may not be available in low TB incidence areas, and these rapid results can have positive effects on patient management and TB control.