bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and pattern of fascicular block following ST-Elevated acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Ali Md Ashraf , Alo Dilara , Molla Md Abdul Latif
Published: April 2015

Aim: The aim of the study was to observe the epidemiology and pattern of fascicular block following ST elevated acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Background: Fascicular block following S-T elevated acute myocardial infarction is often seen in CCU. It predicts poorer in-hospital outcome and signifies underlying extensive myocardial damage with jeopardized conducting system.Materials and Method: This one year prospective observational study was carried out among the S-T elevated AMI patients in the CCU of NICVD during the period of January 2004 to December 2004. Hundred consecutive patients of first attack of AMI with or without fascicular block were included in this study. The patients suffering from congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease and the patients having permanent pacemaker or preexisting syndrome were excluded from the study. Case selection was done with the help of history, physical examination, twelve leads surface ECG and echocardiography.Results: The mean age of the studied patients was 54.2±10.0 years. Highest percentage (38%) was in the age group 51-60 years. The mean age of male Patients was 51.0±9.9 years. Analysis reveals that the mean age of the female patients was significantly higher than the male patients. Among the studied patients, highest percentage had history of smoking 67% followed by hypertension (39%), diabetes mellitus (39%) etc. Among the studied patients 66% had anterior MI and 34% had inferior MI. Highest percentage of patients presented with isolated RBBB (54.0%), followed by LBBB (18%), bi-fascicular (16.0%), tri-fascicular block (8.0%) and isolated LAHB (4.0%). Among the patients with anterior MI, highest percentage presented with RBBB (42.4%) followed by bi-fascicular block (24.2%), LBBB (15.2%) and LAHB (6%) whereas with inferior MI, 76.5 percentage had RBBB followed by LBBB (23.5%).Conclusion: In this study majority of the patients were male. Most of the patients were in the age group 50-60 years. Number of anterior MI was higher (66%) than inferior MI (34%). Anterior MI showed highest incidence of fascicular block than inferior MI which is statistically significant. Among the fascicular blocks, RBBB was the highest (54.0%) and next common fascicular block was LBBB, least common was LAHB. Left posterior hemi-block was not found in this study. Statistical variation among the different types of fascicular blocks observed in this study was significant. Smoking was the most important risk factor. So, fascicular blocks following acute MI are more prone to develop complications than acute MI without fascicular block. Message is that patient with fascicular blocks following acute MI needs special care and treatment.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(2) 2015 p.186-189
Attributes of childhood Cancer among the patients attending specialized hospitals in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Syeda Musleha , Islam Md Ziaul
Published: April 2015

Background: Childhood cancer is an emerging health problem worldwide. It is the second common cause of child death. Epidemiological and clinical attributes of childhood cancer are not properly documented in Bangladesh. This study was designed to reveal the attributes of childhood cancer among the patients attended specialized hospitals in Dhaka city.Objective: To determine the epidemiological and clinical attributes of childhood cancer.Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among 99 under 18 years old children suffering from cancer, who were included considering specific selection criteria. Data were collected by face to face interview using a semi-structured questionnaire with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and checklist. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software.Results: Of all the children, majority (40.4%) was in age group of 6-10 years and their mean (±SD) age was 7.48 (±3.70) years. Male to female ratio was 1.9:1.6 and majority (48.5%) was in middle income group. Major part (42.4%) of the children was from sub-urban followed by 30.3% rural and 27.2% from urban communities. Major types of childhood cancer comprised acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (37.4%), retinoblastoma (14.1%), neuroblastoma (10.1%), and Wilmstumour (10.1%). Less common cancers included non-Hodgekins lymphoma (7.1%), Hodgekins lymphoma (5.1%), osteosercoma (5.1%), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (4.0%), germ cell tumour (3.0%), acute myeloid leukaemia (3.0%) and Ewings tumour (1.0%). Majority (35.1%) of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients were from urban while most (85.7%) of retinoblastoma patients from sub-urban, 50.0% of neuroblastoma cases from rural, and 40.0% of Wilms tumour from sub-urban communities, this geographical variation of childhood cancer was statistically significant [?2(33)=56.46, p=0.01]. In poor and middle income group, most of the children (91.8%) were detected in stage II while among the higher income group, most (88.9%) of the cancer were detected in stage-I and this variation was statistically significant [?2(9)=16.77, p=0.05]. Family history was strongly related with childhood cancer [?2(20)=32.81, p=0.04].Conclusion: Cancer was more prevalent among male children with poor socio-economic condition residing in sub-urban communities. The study recommends specific measures to detect childhood cancer and related risk factors at early stage to prevention and control.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(2) 2015 p.173-178
Opiate dependence and withdrawal: role of oxidative stress in opiate regulations
Authors: Bt Hashim Siti Norhajah , Abu Bakar Nor Hidayah , Mohamad Nasir
Published: April 2015

Abstract not availableBangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(2) 2015 p.215
The Use of Refuges by Communally Housed Cats
Authors: De Oliveira Adriana , Terçariol César , Genaro Gelson
Published: April 2015

The increase of domestic animals kept in shelters highlights the need to ensure animal welfare. Environmental enrichment can improve animal welfare in many ways, such as encouraging captive animals to use all the space available to them. The effects of physical environmental enrichment on the spatial distribution and behavioral repertoire of 35 neutered domestic cats housed communally were analyzed. The provision of boxes in the environment increases the use of available space by the cats. We suggest this improves the cats’ welfare while in communally-housed rescue shelters. The frequencies of active and especially inactive behaviors also increased in the enriched condition. In a test with vertical environmental enrichment, the animals showed an increased length of stay in refuges located at a height of 0.5 m compared to those on the ground (0.0 m). However, the entry frequency was higher in refuges at 0.0 m. Both horizontal and vertical environmental enrichment increased the use of available space, demonstrating that box refuges as enrichment are effective in providing a refuge when at a height, or a place to explore at ground level. We suggest it enhances the welfare of cats in communally housed shelters. This information adds to the body of evidence relating to cat enrichment and can be useful in designing cat housing in veterinary clinics, research laboratories, shelters and domestic homes.
The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine Shelter Program
Authors: Bushby Philip , Woodruff Kimberly , Shivley Jake
Published: April 2015

The shelter program at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine provides veterinary students with extensive experience in shelter animal care including spay/neuter, basic wellness care, diagnostics, medical management, disease control, shelter management and biosecurity. Students spend five days at shelters in the junior year of the curriculum and two weeks working on mobile veterinary units in their senior year. The program helps meet accreditation standards of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education that require students to have hands-on experience and is in keeping with recommendations from the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium. The program responds, in part, to the challenge from the Pew Study on Future Directions for Veterinary Medicine that argued that veterinary students do not graduate with the level of knowledge and skills that is commensurate with the number of years of professional education.
N-acetyl-l-histidine, a Prominent Biomolecule in Brain and Eye of Poikilothermic Vertebrates
Authors: Baslow Morris , Guilfoyle David
Published: April 2015

N-acetyl-l-histidine (NAH) is a prominent biomolecule in brain, retina and lens of poikilothermic vertebrates. In fish lens, NAH exhibits an unusual compartmentalized metabolism. It is synthesized from L-histidine (His) and acetyl Co-enzyme A. However, NAH cannot be catabolized by lens cells. For its hydrolysis, NAH is exported to ocular fluid where a specific acylase cleaves His which is then actively taken up by lens and re-synthesized into NAH. This energy-dependent cycling suggested a pump mechanism operating at the lens/ocular fluid interface. Additional studies led to the hypothesis that NAH functioned as a molecular water pump (MWP) to maintain a highly dehydrated lens and avoid cataract formation. In this process, each NAH molecule released to ocular fluid down its gradient carries with it 33 molecules of bound water, effectively transporting the water against a water gradient. In ocular fluid the bound water is released for removal from the eye by the action of NAH acylase. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time the identification of NAH in fish brain using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and describe recent evidence supporting the NAH MWP hypothesis. Using MRS, we also document a phylogenetic transition in brain metabolism between poikilothermic and homeothermic vertebrates.
Energetic and Economic Assessment of Pipe Network Effects on Unused Energy Source System Performance in Large-Scale Horticulture Facilities
Authors: Lee Jae , Hyun In , Yoon Yeo , Lee Kwang , Nam Yu
Published: April 2015

As the use of fossil fuel has increased, not only in construction, but also in agriculture due to the drastic industrial development in recent times, the problems of heating costs and global warming are getting worse. Therefore, the introduction of more reliable and environmentally-friendly alternative energy sources has become urgent and the same trend is found in large-scale horticulture facilities. In this study, among many alternative energy sources, we investigated the reserves and the potential of various different unused energy sources which have infinite potential, but are nowadays wasted due to limitations in their utilization. This study investigated the effects of the distance between the greenhouse and the actual heat source by taking into account the heat transfer taking place inside the pipe network. This study considered CO2 emissions and economic aspects to determine the optimal heat source. Payback period analysis against initial investment cost shows that a heat pump based on a power plant’s waste heat has the shortest payback period of 7.69 years at a distance of 0 km. On the other hand, the payback period of a heat pump based on geothermal heat showed the shortest payback period of 10.17 year at the distance of 5 km, indicating that heat pumps utilizing geothermal heat were the most effective model if the heat transfer inside the pipe network between the greenhouse and the actual heat source is taken into account.
The Role of Food Peptides in Lipid Metabolism during Dyslipidemia and Associated Health Conditions
Authors: Udenigwe Chibuike , Rouvinen-Watt Kirsti
Published: April 2015

Animal and human clinical studies have demonstrated the ability of dietary food proteins to modulate endogenous lipid levels during abnormal lipid metabolism (dyslipidemia). Considering the susceptibility of proteins to gastric proteolytic activities, the hypolipidemic functions of proteins are possibly due, in part, to their peptide fragments. Food-derived peptides may directly modulate abnormal lipid metabolism in cell cultures and animal models of dyslipidemia. The peptides are thought to act by perturbing intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol and enterohepatic bile acid circulation, and by inhibiting lipogenic enzymatic activities and gene expression in hepatocytes and adipocytes. Recent evidence indicates that the hypolipidemic activities of some peptides are due to activation of hepatic lipogenic transcription factors. However, detailed molecular mechanisms and structural requirements of peptides for these activities are yet to be elucidated. As hypolipidemic peptides can be released during enzymatic food processing, future studies can explore the prospects of combating metabolic syndrome and associated complications using peptide-rich functional food and nutraceutical products.
A Moonlighting Human Protein Is Involved in Mitochondrial Import of tRNA
Authors: Baleva Maria , Gowher Ali , Kamenski Piotr , Tarassov Ivan , Entelis Nina , Masquida Benoît
Published: April 2015

In yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ~3% of the lysine transfer RNA acceptor 1 (tRK1) pool is imported into mitochondria while the second isoacceptor, tRK2, fully remains in the cytosol. The mitochondrial function of tRK1 is suggested to boost mitochondrial translation under stress conditions. Strikingly, yeast tRK1 can also be imported into human mitochondria in vivo, and can thus be potentially used as a vector to address RNAs with therapeutic anti-replicative capacity into mitochondria of sick cells. Better understanding of the targeting mechanism in yeast and human is thus critical. Mitochondrial import of tRK1 in yeast proceeds first through a drastic conformational rearrangement of tRK1 induced by enolase 2, which carries this freight to the mitochondrial pre-lysyl-tRNA synthetase (preMSK). The latter may cross the mitochondrial membranes to reach the matrix where imported tRK1 could be used by the mitochondrial translation apparatus. This work focuses on the characterization of the complex that tRK1 forms with human enolases and their role on the interaction between tRK1 and human pre-lysyl-tRNA synthetase (preKARS2).
Different Storage Conditions Influence Biocompatibility and Physicochemical Properties of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Zaloga Jan , Janko Christina , Agarwal Rohit , Nowak Johannes , Müller Robert , Boccaccini Aldo , Lee Geoffrey , Odenbach Stefan , Lyer Stefan , Alexiou Christoph
Published: April 2015

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have attracted increasing attention in many biomedical fields. In magnetic drug targeting SPIONs are injected into a tumour supplying artery and accumulated inside the tumour with a magnet. The effectiveness of this therapy is thus dependent on magnetic properties, stability and biocompatibility of the particles. A good knowledge of the effect of storage conditions on those parameters is of utmost importance for the translation of the therapy concept into the clinic and for reproducibility in preclinical studies. Here, core shell SPIONs with a hybrid coating consisting of lauric acid and albumin were stored at different temperatures from 4 to 45 °C over twelve weeks and periodically tested for their physicochemical properties over time. Surprisingly, even at the highest storage temperature we did not observe denaturation of the protein or colloidal instability. However, the saturation magnetisation decreased by maximally 28.8% with clear correlation to time and storage temperature. Furthermore, the biocompatibility was clearly affected, as cellular uptake of the SPIONs into human T-lymphoma cells was crucially dependent on the storage conditions. Taken together, the results show that the particle properties undergo significant changes over time depending on the way they are stored.
Correlation between System Entropy and Structural Changes in Lubricating Grease
Authors: Kuhn Erik
Published: April 2015

Lubricating greases are colloid disperse systems consisting of a base oil and a thickener (additional additives). The lubricant is modeled as a tribological system, and the reaction of a fluid friction stress is investigated. The energetic situation of the volume element is analyzed and the system entropy described. The description of the structural degradation and the used entropy was realized with the help of rheometer tests.
Pi-pi Stacking Mediated Cooperative Mechanism for Human Cytochrome P450 3A4
Authors: Fa Botao , Cong Shan , Wang Jingfang
Published: April 2015

Human Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is an important member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily with responsibility for metabolizing ~50% of clinical drugs. Experimental evidence showed that CYP3A4 can adopt multiple substrates in its active site to form a cooperative binding model, accelerating substrate metabolism efficiency. In the current study, we constructed both normal and cooperative binding models of human CYP3A4 with antifungal drug ketoconazoles (KLN). Molecular dynamics simulation and free energy calculation were then carried out to study the cooperative binding mechanism. Our simulation showed that the second KLN in the cooperative binding model had a positive impact on the first one binding in the active site by two significant pi-pi stacking interactions. The first one was formed by Phe215, functioning to position the first KLN in a favorable orientation in the active site for further metabolism reactions. The second one was contributed by Phe304. This pi-pi stacking was enhanced in the cooperative binding model by the parallel conformation between the aromatic rings in Phe304 and the dioxolan moiety of the first KLN. These findings can provide an atomic insight into the cooperative binding in CYP3A4, revealing a novel pi-pi stacking mechanism for drug-drug interactions.
Maternal Consumption of Non-Staple Food in the First Trimester and Risk of Neural Tube Defects in Offspring
Authors: Wang Meng , Wang Zhi-Ping , Gao Li-Jie , Yang Hui , Zhao Zhong-Tang
Published: April 2015

To study the associations between maternal consumption of non-staple food in the first trimester and risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in offspring. Data collected from a hospital-based case-control study conducted between 2006 and 2008 in Shandong/Shanxi provinces including 459 mothers with NTDs-affected births and 459 mothers without NTDs-affected births. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between maternal consumption of non-staple food in the first trimester and risk of NTDs in offspring. The effects were evaluated by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) with SAS9.1.3.software. Maternal consumption of milk, fresh fruits and nuts in the first trimester were protective factors for total NTDs. Compared with consumption frequency of ˂1 meal/week, the ORs for milk consumption frequency of 1–2, 3–6, ≥7 meals/week were 0.50 (95% CI: 0.28–0.88), 0.56 (0.32–0.99), and 0.59 (0.38–0.90), respectively; the ORs for fresh fruits consumption frequency of 1–2, 3–6, ≥7 meals/week were 0.29 (95% CI: 0.12–0.72), 0.22 (0.09–0.53), and 0.32 (0.14–0.71), respectively; the ORs for nuts consumption frequency of 1–2, 3–6, ≥7 meals/week were 0.60 (95% CI: 0.38–0.94), 0.49 (0.31–0.79), and 0.63 (0.36–1.08), respectively. Different effects of above factors on NTDs were found for subtypes of anencephaly and spina bifida. Maternal non-staple food consumption of milk, fresh fruits and nuts in the first trimester was associated with reducing NTDs risk in offspring.
Object-Based Flood Mapping and Affected Rice Field Estimation with Landsat 8 OLI and MODIS Data
Authors: Dao Phuong , Liou Yuei-An
Published: April 2015

Cambodia is one of the most flood-prone countries in Southeast Asia. It is geographically situated in the downstream region of the Mekong River with a lowland floodplain in the middle, surrounded by plateaus and high mountains. It usually experiences devastating floods induced by an overwhelming concentration of rainfall water over the Tonle Sap Lake’s and Mekong River’s banks during monsoon seasons. Flood damage assessment in the rice ecosystem plays an important role in this region as local residents rely heavily on agricultural production. This study introduced an object-based approach to flood mapping and affected rice field estimation in central Cambodia. In this approach, image segmentation processing was conducted with optimal scale parameter estimation based on the variation of objects’ local variances. The inundated area was identified by using Landsat 8 images with an overall accuracy of higher than 95% compared to those derived from finer spatial resolution images. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation index products were utilized to identify the paddy rice field based on seasonal inter-variation between vegetation and water index during the transplanting stage. The rice classification result was well correlated with the statistical data at a commune level (R2 = 0.675). The flood mapping and affected rice estimation results are useful to provide local governments with valuable information for flooding mitigation and post-flooding compensation and restoration.
Sergios d’Akmonia, un nouvel évêque en Phrygie Capatienne
Authors: Kiourtzian Georges
Published: April 2015

The article presents a first edition of an inscription from the ancient city of Akmonia in Capatian Phrygia, today Ahat Köy. This monument reveals the name of a formerly unknown bishop, Sergios, who is to be added to the very incomplete episcopal list of the city. Several internal elements, such as the mention of Capatian Phrygia, the term sticheros and particularities of language (extreme iotacisms and syntactical irregularities) lead us to date the bishop Sergios’s epitaph to the beginning of the tenth century.
Maurice et le qaghan: à propos de la digression de Théophylacte Simocatta sur les Turcs
Authors: De La Vaissière Étienne
Published: April 2015

La digression de Théophylacte Simocatta sur les peuples turcs et la Chine est le texte le plus détaillé que l’on possède sur l’Extrême-Orient dans les sources byzantines. Une hypothèse avait été faite à propos du contexte politique des contacts turco-byzantins à l’origine de ces renseignements : le qaghan anonyme correspondant de Maurice et dont Théophylacte cite la lettre, aurait été Tardu, neveu du fondateur de l’empire, maître des régions occidentales de l’empire durant une longue période (576-600), puis grand qaghan de tout l’empire (600-603). La redatation de ce passage de l’oeuvre de Théophylacte de 598 à 595 et une inscription sogdienne, dite de Mongolküre, montrent que le correspondant de Maurice n’est pas Tardu, mais le qaghan Niri, qui se proclame qaghan suprême cette même année 595 et règne sur le nord des Tianshan. Niri est l’un des acteurs des guerres dynastiques qui déchirent l’empire turc à la fin du 6e siècle, et Tardu n’est alors officiellement que son subordonné.
Stochastic Dynamic Causal Modelling of fMRI Data with Multiple-Model Kalman Filters
Authors: Osório P. , Rosa P. , Silvestre C. , Figueiredo P.
Published: April 2015

Introduction: This article is part of the Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on “Biosignal Interpretation: Advanced Methods for Neural Signals and Images”.

Background: Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM) is a generic formalism to study effective brain connectivity based on neuroimaging data, particularly functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Recently, there have been attempts at modifying this model to allow for stochastic disturbances in the states of the model.

Objectives: This paper proposes the Multiple- Model Kalman Filtering (MMKF) technique as a stochastic identification model discriminating among different hypothetical connectivity structures in the DCM framework; moreover, the performance compared to a similar de terministic identification model is assessed.

Methods: The integration of the stochastic DCM equations is first presented, and a MMKF algorithm is then developed to perform model selection based on these equations. Monte Carlo simulations are performed in order to investigate the ability of MMKF to distinguish between different connectivity structures and to estimate hidden states under both deterministic and stochastic DCM.

Results: The simulations show that the proposed MMKF algorithm was able to successfully select the correct connectivity model structure from a set of pre-specified plausible alternatives. Moreover, the stochastic approach by MMKF was more effective compared to its deterministic counterpart, both in the selection of the correct connectivity structure and in the estimation of the hidden states.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate the applicability of a MMKF approach to the study of effective brain connectivity using DCM, particularly when a stochastic formulation is desirable.
Inventory of the Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) in Komaba Campus of the University of Tokyo, a highly urbanized area in Japan
Authors: Ishikawa Tadashi , Saito Masayuki , Kishimoto-Yamada Keiko , Kato Toshihide , Kurashima Osamu , Ito Motomi
Published: April 2015

The Heteroptera, or true bugs, forms one of the major insect groups with respect to the very diverse habitat preferences, including both aquatic and terrestrial species, as well as a variety of feeding types. The first comprehensive inventory of the Heteroptera at Komaba Campus of the University of Tokyo, or an urban green space in the center of the Tokyo Metropolis, Japan, was conducted.

A total of 115 species in 29 families of the suborder Heteroptera were identified. The area had a high species richness compared with other urbanized and suburbanized localities in Tokyo. The campus is found to show a substantial difference in heteropteran species compositions, despite being close to the other localities surrounded by highly urbanized zones in central Tokyo.
Exploring the impact of organizational climate factors on organizational creativity within a centralized IS
Authors: Khedhaouria Anis , Belbaly Nassim , Benbya Hind
Published: April 2015

La présente étude vise à illustrer les problèmes associés au développement de la créativité organisationnelle via un système d’information (SI) centralisé. Un modèle basé sur la théorie de la créativité componentielle a été adapté et utilisé pour formuler des propositions concernant les facteurs du climat organisationnel négatifs sur la créativité organisationnelle via un SI centralisé. La présente étude offre un cas intéressant qui illustre un exemple d’actions à éviter.
Virtual ATM: A Low Cost Secured Alternative to Conventional Mobile Banking
Authors: Sifat Shabnam Shahreen , Sabbir Ali Shihab
Published: April 2015

Mobile banking has become immensely popular among customers as a suitable method for money transaction. Banks are assertively adopting this mode. It is playing a vital role in availing banking services in remote areas where placing branch or ATM booth is not economically feasible. Mobile banking is so far the easiest way of expanding banking coverage. But there is huge possibility of fraud in case of mobile banking as authentication & all type of transaction information is provided via mobile phone including pin. So mobile banking is not intended to be used for big transactions where ATM transactions are suitable because of its two layer authentication system. In this paper, a new system is introduced that provides ATM service without traditional booths but two layer authentications with a tiny OS independent device has been introduced named VATM. This paper discusses how this system works using a low cost device made of micro-controller & CDMA module for communicating with bank for authentication which is used as an alternate of Automated teller machine for providing two layer authentications.
Do We Have to Prohibit the Use of Mobile Phones in Classrooms?
Authors: Mohammad Heba , Fayyoumi Ayham , AlShathry Omar
Published: April 2015

People take their mobile phones everywhere they go. In Saudi Arabia, the mobile penetration is very high and students use their phones for different reasons in the classroom. The use of mobile devices in classroom triggers an alert of the impact it might have on students’ learning. This study investigates the association between the use of mobile phones during classroom and the learners’ performance and satisfaction. Results showed that students get distracted, and that this diversion of their attention is reflected in their academic success. However, this is not applicable for all. Some students received high scores even though they declared using mobile phones in classroom, which triggers a request for a deeper study.
Anterior Sacral Meningocele Masquerading as an Ovarian Cyst: A Rare Clinical Presentation Associated with Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Sahin Neslin , Genc Mine , Kasap Esin , Solak Aynur , Korkut Berrin , Yilmaz Erkan
Published: April 2015

Anterior sacral meningocele is a very rare clinical entity characterized by herniation of a meningeal sac through a sacrococcygeal defect. We report a case of a 20-year old female with Marfan syndrome who presented with abdominal distention that was misdiagnosed as an ovarian cyst on pelvic ultrasound. Pelvic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed large, well-defined multiloculated intrasacral and presacral cysts communicating via two separate broad necks and extending through defects in anterior aspect of sacral vertebrae. This case emphasizes that anterior sacral meningocele should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases with pelvic cysts particularly in patients with underlying connective tissue disorders. Because severe neurologic complications or even death may occur without proper preoperative planning in such cases, MR imaging should always be performed for evaluation and characterization of pelvis cystic lesions.
The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) in Iran: genetic diversity and comparison with other countries
Authors: Rajabiyan M. , Shayanmehr M. , Mohammadi Sharif M.
Published: April 2015

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) is an economically important pest on fruits all over the world. The origin of this fly is thought to be from Africa, but it has recently expanded its distribution in many geographic regions including Iran. Due to the wide spread of this pest in Iran and its serious damage to fruit on trees, including citrus orchards of northern Iran, the present study was conducted firstly to investigate genetic diversity within populations of C. capitata based on the sequences of three mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes including cytochrome C oxidase I (COI), NAHD dehydrogenase subunits 4 and 5 (ND4 and ND5) and secondly to compare the Iranian haplotypes with those found in other countries. Results of this study indicated low levels of genetic diversity (four, four and three haplotypes among different populations of this pest, respectively for the COI, ND4 and ND5 genes) in northern Iranian populations. The genetic similarity and very low levels of genetic diversity of northern Iranian populations suggest that the pest colonisation occurred relatively recently. In addition, haplotypes of Mazandaran province are similar to haplotypes of those countries that have recently been infected by this pest.
The distribution of Culex mosquitoes in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Naresh Kumar A. , Murugan K. , Thomas Vincent C. , Madhiyazhagan P. , Nataraj T. , Shobana K.
Published: April 2015

Lymphatic filariasis is an infection with the filarial worms, Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and B. timori. These parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito and develop into adult worms in the lymphatic vessels, causing severe damage and swelling (lymphoedema). Mosquito control, in view of their medical as well as economical importance, assumes global importance. Geographic information system (GIS) is a powerful tool to analyse the distribution of mosquitoes and their relationship to different environmental factors, and can substantially improve our ability to quantify the impacts of demographic, climatic and ecological changes in vector distribution. In the present study Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex gelidus were recorded in the study area. Few other factors such as larval mosquito density, number of breeding sites, human population, etc. were also analysed for its impact on the distribution of Culex mosquitoes. Distribution of Culex in the present study affirmed that C. quinquefasciatus is predominant in the entire focal area, which explains the behavioural response and capability of the species in varied zones. Information gathered from this study is being used to construct a GIS-based mapping system for distribution of Culex mosquitoes in the Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India.
Cross-Disciplinary Detection and Analysis of Network Motifs
Authors: Tran Ngoc Tam L , DeLuccia Luke , McDonald Aidan F. , Huang Chun-Hsi
Published: April 2015

The detection of network motifs has recently become an important part of network analysis across all disciplines. In this work, we detected and analyzed network motifs from undirected and directed networks of several different disciplines, including biological network, social network, ecological network, as well as other networks such as airlines, power grid, and co-purchase of political books networks. Our analysis revealed that undirected networks are similar at the basic three and four nodes, while the analysis of directed networks revealed the distinction between networks of different disciplines. The study showed that larger motifs contained the three-node motif as a subgraph. Topological analysis revealed that similar networks have similar small motifs, but as the motif size increases, differences arise. Pearson correlation coefficient showed strong positive relationship between some undirected networks but inverse relationship between some directed networks. The study suggests that the three-node motif is a building block of larger motifs. It also suggests that undirected networks share similar low-level structures. Moreover, similar networks share similar small motifs, but larger motifs define the unique structure of individuals. Pearson correlation coefficient suggests that protein structure networks, dolphin social network, and co-authorships in network science belong to a superfamily. In addition, yeast protein-protein interaction network, primary school contact network, Zachary's karate club network, and co-purchase of political books network can be classified into a superfamily.
A Case of Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia Successfully Treated with Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a
Authors: Yassin Mohamed A. , Kohla Samah , Al-Sabbagh Ahmad , Soliman Ashraf T. , Yousif Anil , Moustafa Afraa , Al Battah Afaf , Nashwan Abdulqadir , Al-Dewik Nader
Published: April 2015

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) that represents a diagnostic dilemma for both clinicians and pathologists. Because this disease entity is very rare, and because its diagnosis is by exclusion, it is important for clinical hematologists and hemato-pathologists to be familiar with CNL when approaching patients with MPNs and persistent neutrophilia. A woman in her 40s who was incidentally found to have leukocytosis was referred to the hematology service at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research for evaluation. Complete blood count revealed hyperleukocytosis with predominant neutrophilia. Peripheral blood and flow cytometry did not show any evidence of lymphoproliferative disorder or myeloblasts. Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy revealed a hypercellular marrow with myeloid hyperplasia. Cytogenetics revealed normal karyotype. Tests for both Janus kinase mutation JAK2 V617F and rearrangement of the genes BCR–ABL1, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα), PDGFRβ, and fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1) were negative. Thereafter, the diagnosis of CNL was reached. She was treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a, with very good hematological response. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of CNL reported among the Arab population.
Extrahepatic Biliary Obstruction: An Unusual Presentation of Hepatic Sarcoidosis
Authors: Gaduputi Vinaya , Ippili Rakhee , Sakam Sailaja , Tariq Hassan , Niazi Masooma , Rahnemai-Azar Amir A. , Chilimuri Sridhar
Published: April 2015

We report this case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with progressive illness characterized by abdominal pain, weight loss, anorexia, generalized weakness, and fatigue. The patient was found to have obstructive jaundice with multiple mass lesions in the liver, spleen, and kidney on computed tomography scan of abdomen. She developed cholangitis, necessitating an emergent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with biliary stenting and decompression. Later, she was found to have hepatic sarcoidosis on wedge biopsy of the liver. Extrinsic compression of biliary tree from mass effect of sarcoid granulomas with superimposed biliary sepsis is rare.
Catchment Area Analysis Using Bayesian Regression Modeling
Authors: Wang Aobo , Wheeler David C.
Published: April 2015

A catchment area (CA) is the geographic area and population from which a cancer center draws patients. Defining a CA allows a cancer center to describe its primary patient population and assess how well it meets the needs of cancer patients within the CA. A CA definition is required for cancer centers applying for National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center status. In this research, we constructed both diagnosis and diagnosis/treatment CAs for the Massey Cancer Center (MCC) at Virginia Commonwealth University. We constructed diagnosis CAs for all cancers based on Virginia state cancer registry data and Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression models. We constructed a diagnosis/treatment CA using billing data from MCC and a Bayesian hierarchical Poisson regression model. To define CAs, we used exceedance probabilities for county random effects to assess unusual spatial clustering of patients diagnosed or treated at MCC after adjusting for important demographic covariates. We used the MCC CAs to compare patient characteristics inside and outside the CAs. Among cancer patients living within the MCC CA, patients diagnosed at MCC were more likely to be minority, female, uninsured, or on Medicaid.
Computing Molecular Signatures as Optima of a Bi-Objective Function: Method and Application to Prediction in Oncogenomics
Authors: Gardeux Vincent , Chelouah Rachid , Wanderley Maria F. Barbosa , Siarry Patrick , Braga Antônio P. , Reyal Fabien , Rouzier Roman , Pusztai Lajos , Natowicz René
Published: April 2015

Background

Filter feature selection methods compute molecular signatures by selecting subsets of genes in the ranking of a valuation function. The motivations of the valuation functions choice are almost always clearly stated, but those for selecting the genes according to their ranking are hardly ever explicit.

Method

We addressed the computation of molecular signatures by searching the optima of a bi-objective function whose solution space was the set of all possible molecular signatures, ie, the set of subsets of genes. The two objectives were the size of the signature-to be minimized–and the interclass distance induced by the signature-to be maximized–.

Results

We showed that: 1) the convex combination of the two objectives had exactly n optimal non empty signatures where n was the number of genes, 2) the n optimal signatures were nested, and 3) the optimal signature of size k was the subset of k top ranked genes that contributed the most to the interclass distance. We applied our feature selection method on five public datasets in oncology, and assessed the prediction performances of the optimal signatures as input to the diagonal linear discriminant analysis (DLDA) classifier. They were at the same level or better than the best-reported ones. The predictions were robust, and the signatures were almost always significantly smaller. We studied in more details the performances of our predictive modeling on two breast cancer datasets to predict the response to a preoperative chemotherapy: the performances were higher than the previously reported ones, the signatures were three times smaller (11 versus 30 gene signatures), and the genes member of the signature were known to be involved in the response to chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Defining molecular signatures as the optima of a bi-objective function that combined the signature size and the interclass distance was well founded and efficient for prediction in oncogenomics. The complexity of the computation was very low because the optimal signatures were the sets of genes in the ranking of their valuation. Software can be freely downloaded from http://gardeux-vincent.eu/DeltaRanking.php
Sex Differences in Inflammation during Atherosclerosis
Authors: Fairweather Delisa
Published: April 2015

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide, yet more men die from atherosclerosis than women, and at a younger age. Women, on the other hand, mainly develop atherosclerosis following menopause, and particularly if they have one or more autoimmune diseases, suggesting that the immune mechanisms that increase disease in men are different from those in women. The key processes in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis are vascular inflammation, lipid accumulation, intimal thickening and fibrosis, remodeling, and plaque rupture or erosion leading to myocardial infarction and ischemia. Evidence indicates that sex hormones alter the immune response during atherosclerosis, resulting in different disease phenotypes according to sex. Women, for example, respond to infection and damage with increased antibody and autoantibody responses, while men have elevated innate immune activation. This review describes current knowledge regarding sex differences in the inflammatory immune response during atherosclerosis. Understanding sex differences is critical for improving individualized medicine.
Comparison of the Blood and Lymphatic Microvessel Density of Pleomorphic Adenoma and Basal Cell Adenoma
Authors: Soares Andresa Borges , Alternarli Albina , De Oliveira Thais Ribeiro , Rodrigues Felipe de Oliveira Fonseca , Ribeiro-Silva Alfredo , Soave Danilo Figueiredo , Passador-Santos Fabricio , Brum Suellen Trentin , Napimoga Marcelo Henrique , De Araújo Vera Cavalcanti
Published: April 2015

Background

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common tumor of the salivary gland, while basal cell adenoma (BCA) is an uncommon neoplasm. Blood and lymphatic vessels are crucial for tumor metabolism. The aim of this study was to compare the blood and lymphatic vascular density and vascular and endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in PA and BCA tumors. In addition, cell proliferation was evaluated in these tumors.

Methods

Blood and lymphatic vessel content, VEGF expression, and cell proliferation were analyzed in 30 cases of PA and 13 cases of BCA by immu-nohistochemistry using antibodies for CD34, CD105, D2-40, VEGF, and Mcm -2.

Results

Regarding CD34 and CD105 expression, PA demonstrated a high vascularity and a low number of positive vessels, respectively. D2-40-positive lymphatic vessels were mainly located in the tumor capsules, with small intratumoral lymphatic vessels observed occasionally. VEGF expression revealed a remarkably heterogeneous immunoreactivity, alternating from weak or negative to positive or intense. BCA presented significantly higher CD34, CD34, CD105, D2-40, and VEGF expression compared to PA. No significant difference was found in cell proliferation between the tumors.

Conclusion

Although PA and BCA are considered part of the same spectrum of differentiation, this study showed that the blood and lymphatic vascularization of these tumors is different.
Method for Evaluation of the Requirements of B-group Vitamins Using Tryptophan Metabolites in Human Urine
Authors: Shibata Katsumi , Hirose Junko , Fukuwatari Tsutomu
Published: April 2015

Tryptophan metabolism is directly involved with B-group vitamins such as vitamin B2, niacin, and vitamin B6, and indirectly with vitamin B1 and pantothenic acid. We evaluated the validity of requirements of B-group vitamins set by the Dietary Reference Intakes for the Japanese (DRI-J). We investigated the fate of dietary tryptophan in 10 Japanese adult men who ate the same diet based on DRI-J during a 4-week study. Vitamin mixtures were administered based on the amounts in the basal diet during weeks 2, 3, and 4. Daily urine samples were collected eight times (days 1 and 5 in each week). Administration of vitamin mixtures had no effect on tryptophan metabolites such as anthranilic acid, kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, and quinolinic acid within individuals. Surplus administration of B-group vitamins against DRI-J requirements did not elicit beneficial effects on tryptophan metabolism. Our findings supported the requirements of B-group vitamins set by the DRI-J.
The Effects of Serum from Prostate Cancer Patients with Elevated Body Mass Index on Prostate Cancer Cells in Vitro
Authors: Mora Benjamin C. , Fleshner Neil E. , Klotz Laurence H. , Venkateswaran Vasundara
Published: April 2015

We examined whether serum from obese, compared to non-obese, PCa (prostate cancer) patients creates a growth-enhancing tumor micro-environment in vitro. Serum from 80 subjects was divided into four groups: normal weight men with and without PCa and overweight/obese men with and without PCa. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were measured in LNCaP, and PC3 cells treated with patient serum were obtained from the above groups. The results reveal that proliferation of LNCaP cells was significantly ( P = 0.05) greater with serum from non-obese (mean = 1.26 ± 0.20) compared to that from obese patients (mean = 1.16 ± 0.19). Serum from obese PCa patients compared to non-obese PCa patients induced significantly greater amounts of cell migration ( P < 0.01) in PC3 cells. Serum from obese patients induced significantly ( P < 0.01) lower amounts of cell invasion (mean = 8.2 ± 4.5) compared to non-obese patients (mean = 18.1 ± 5.0) when treated on PC3 cells. Serum TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha) levels correlated with LNCaP cell proliferation in vitro in non-obese PCa ( P < 0.01) and non-obese control groups ( P = 0.05). All statistical calculations controlled for age, since the PCa patient groups were significantly older than the control groups ( P < 0.01). In conclusion, serum from obese PCa patients induced greater PCa cell migration and lower cell proliferation and invasion in vitro.