bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experience of mass casualty management - the Rana Plaza tragedy: An anesthesiologist’s perspectives at a peripheral military hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Murshed Hasan , Sultana Rokshana
Published: October 2015

Background: The worst factory disaster in the history of Bangladesh occurred when a nine-storied commercial building “Rana Plaza” collapsed outskirts of the capital city. In our hospital there were no documented guidelines for dealing with mass casualty incident. Our aim was to share the experience of managing mass casualty.Methods: Outcome of working experience based on four principles issues (assessment of available resources, ensuring critical but limited care, stocking up medicine and equipment for patient surge, tough rationing of decision) was assessed retrospectively. Clinical records of 155 patients were investigated. The discharge diagnosis, x-ray or computerized tomography was used for verification of injuries.Results: Among 431 patients reported to emergency and casualty department, 407 (94.431%) were admitted to hospital. Among them, 155 (35.9%) required anesthesia and/or intensive care. Most of the injuries were blunt trauma and soft tissue trauma. Other injuries included fractures, head and crush injuries. Majority of surgical procedure were wound debridment, fascitomy, amputation and external fixation. Most of the surgical procedures (85%) were performed under ketamine, 22 (15%) patients received different regional techniques and only one patient received general anesthesia. Injuries requiring definitive surgery were referred to different tertiary level hospital. One patient died of lethal injuries and all the others survived. Fifty one patients survived with disability.Conclusions: Anesthesiologists can improve patient care and hospital efficiency by optimizing facility utilization, surgical/anesthesia logistics, man power management, institutional communication, and leadership. Considering setup with limited workforce and equipment, management of mass casualty based on four simple principal issues might help others in managing such events. Journal of Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 2015; 2(1): 8-12
In vitro study of Magnetic Resonance Imaging artifacts of anesthetic devices
Authors: Bajracharya Uday , Rawal Prabhat
Published: October 2015

Background: Deep sedation or general anesthesia is usually required for Magnetic Resonance Imaging when patients cannot remain motionless in the suite. Various anesthetic devices have been used to maintain the airway and ventilate the lungs during this period. Some of them produce artifacts that pose difficulties in the interpretation of images. The aim of this study was to identify the devices that produced artifacts during Magnetic Resonance Imaging.Methods: Twelve anesthetic devices were considered: oro-pharyngeal airway, nasopharygeal airway, face mask with reservoir bag, nasal cannula, endotracheal tube, disposable Ambu Laryngeal Mask Airway, Laryngeal Mask Airway Unique, Disposable Laryngeal Tube Sonda, i-gel, Ambu bag, Bain Circuit, Jackson Rees Circuit. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was performed with each device placed on the top of a phantom simulator respectively to resemble the position in vivo.Results: The artifacts with Disposable Laryngeal Tube Sonda, Laryngeal Mask Airway Unique and endotracheal tube were related to ferromagnetic material in the pilot valve and were similar. No artifacts were found with oro-pharyngeal airway, nasopharygeal airway, nasal cannula, endo-tracheal tube with pilot valve detached, face masks with reservoir bag (metal removed), Ambu bag (without Adjustable Pressure Limiting valve), i-gel , disposable Ambu Laryngeal Mask Airway, Bain Circuit and Jackson Rees Circuit.Conclusion: Anesthetic devices that produce Magnetic Resonance Imaging artifacts are disposable Laryngeal Tube Sonda, Laryngeal Mask Airway Unique and Endotracheal Tube.Journal of Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 2015; 2(1): 13-16
Prevalence and prediction of difficult intubation in Nepalese population
Authors: Shah Shristi
Published: October 2015

Background: Prevalence of difficult intubation is estimated as 3 -18% during routine anesthesia. There are various bedside tests to predict the difficult intubation, like Mallampati test, Thyromental distance, Sternomental distance and mouth opening. However, the prevalence and prediction in Nepalese population is still not estimated. So this study is to see the prevalence and to compare the efficacy of airway parameters to predict the difficult intubation in Nepalese population.Methods: A prospective study was done to estimate the prevalence and prediction of difficult intubation in Nepalese population. During six months period, 182 patients who were undergoing routine surgery under General anesthesia were included in the study. Mallampati grading, thyromental distance, mouth opening and sternomental distance were recorded in preoperative assessment. Cormack and Lehane grading were done during intubation and Grade I and II are considered as easy intubation/ laryngoscopy and III and IV are considered as difficult intubation.Results: The prevalence of difficult intubation was 4.9%. Sensitivity of different tests were as follows; Mallampati test – 55%, thyromental distance – 33%, mouth opening – 22% and sternomental distance – 11%. The Specificity of the test as Mallampati test – 98%, thyromental distance – 89%, mouth opening – 96% and sternomental distance – 97%. So the Mallampati test is more sensitive and specific among the tests done.Conclusion: This prospective study shows that the prevalence of difficult intubation is not different in Nepalese population and the bedside predictors also are good tests that could be continued in our population.Journal of Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 2015; 2(1): 17-20
Intravenous ibuprofen as an adjunct in acute postoperative pain: A review
Authors: Shrestha Alisha , Huang Dong
Published: October 2015

Background: Postoperative pain can have a significant effect on patient recovery. Studies suggest that 82% patients experience some pain following surgery, of those 47% complaining of moderate pain, 39% experiencing severe to very severe pain. The failure to adequately treat postoperative pain is due to limitations of monotherapy with opioid analgesics. Intravenous ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties that may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition and have been shown to reduce opioid requirements with better postoperative pain management. This paper reviews analgesic outcomes of intravenous ibuprofen as an adjunct to opioid for acute postoperative pain in adults.Methods: Relevant studies were searched using cochrane database of systematic reviews, embase and pubmed databases using key words about intravenous ibuprofen and postoperative pain that were appropriate to each database.Results: Tools to assess pain intensity such as visual analog scale, verbal response scale and self-report of pain scores at rest and with movement have been studied. Multimodal approach with preemptive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment of postoperative pain is considered.Conclusion: Randomized controlled trials and other studies concluded that postoperative pain control protocols can now consider inclusion of intravenous ibuprofen as an adjunct in multimodal approach to offer patients a significant analgesic benefit while reducing the risks associated with opioid administration.Journal of Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 2015; 2(1): 21-24
ICU acquired weakness or something else?
Authors: Acharya Subhash , Koirala Sabin , Shrestha Anjan , Aryal Diptesh
Published: October 2015

An elderly female presented to Intensive Care Unit with generalized weakness and altered sensorium with past history of adenocarcinoma of larynx. She was managed with Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in the past. Current admission to the intensive care unit was for aspiration pneumonitis and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. She then progressively developed muscle weakness, which was provisionally diagnosed and managed as critical illness polyneuromyopathy (ICU acquired weakness) and muscle biopsy was sent, as there were no obvious neurological signs and she was not recovering from her muscle weakness as well. She then developed Catheter related sepsis and refractory septic shock, and then she passed away. Her muscle biopsy report that was available postmortem revealed that she had severe toxoplasma infestation that remained in shadow.Journal of Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 2015; 2(1): 25-27
Transillumination of palm for peripheral intravenous cannulation in an infant with difficult venous access
Authors: Shrestha Gentle Sunder , Acharya Binita , Tamang Sushil
Published: October 2015

Establishing venous access can be technically difficult in paediatric patients. Alternatives to intravenous access like central venous cannulation or venous cutdown carry a higher risk of complications. We report a case of successful intravenous access in an infant with anticipated difficulty, by performing transillumination of palm using a torch light.Journal of Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 2015; 2(1): 31-33
Dexmedetomidine for intraoperative sedation in a severe Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient for lower limb amputation under regional anesthesia - A novel choice
Authors: Sharma Anubhav , Basnet Madindra , Pradhan Bishwas
Published: October 2015

The effective management of sedation and analgesia in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients provides a challenge to the anaesthesiologists and critical care practitioners. Choosing the appropriate agent or combination of agents for sedation is crucial in order to alleviate noxious stimuli, stress and anxiety while minimizing the risk of adverse events. We selected epidural anaesthesia and dexmedetomidine to preserve spontaneous breathing and obtained appropriate sedative and analgesic effect without causing respiratory depression and hemodynamic changes in a patient diagnosed to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing femoral to tibial bypass with amputation of right foot.Journal of Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 2015; 2(1): 34-36
Inadvertent arterial cannulation during intravenous cannulation of the cephalic vein
Authors: Thapa Parineeta , Bhattarai Balkrishna
Published: October 2015

No abstract available.-Journal of Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 2015; 2(1): 37-38
Factors that influence the choice to work in rural township health centers among 4,669 clinical medical students from five medical universities in Guangxi, China
Authors: Qing Yunbo , Hu Guijie , Chen Qingyun , Peng Hailun , Li Kailan , Wei Jinling , Yi Yanhua
Published: October 2015

Purpose: To produce competent undergraduate-level medical doctors for rural township health centers (THCs), the Chinese government mandated that medical colleges in Central and Western China recruit rural-oriented, tuition-waived medical students (RTMSs) starting in 2010. This study aimed to identify and assess factors that influence the choice to work in rural township health centers among both RTMSs and other students from five medical universities in Guangxi, China. Methods: An internet-based self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with medical students in Guangxi province. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors related to the attitudes toward work in a rural township health center. Results: Among 4,669 medical students, 1,523 (33%) had a positive attitude and 2,574 (55%) had a neutral attitude toward working in THCs. Demographic characteristics, personal job concerns, and knowledge of THCs were associated with the choice of a career in THCs. The factors related to a positive attitude included the following: three-year program, a rural-oriented medical program, being male, an expectation of working in a county or township, a focus on medical career development, some perceived difficulty of getting a job, having family support, sufficient knowledge of THCs, optimism toward THC development, seeking lower working pressure, and a lower expected monthly salary. Conclusion: Male students in a three-year program or a rural-oriented tuition-waived medical education program were more likely to work in THCs. Selecting medical students through interviews to identify their family support and intentions to work in THCs would increase recruitment and retention. Establishing favorable policies and financial incentives to improve living conditions and the social status of rural physicians is necessary.
Comment Guy Degrenne se réinvente
Authors: Villotte Thierry
Published: October 2015

Raz-de-marée de la concurrence chinoise, moindre intérêt des jeunes pour les services à dîner, listes de mariage devenues cagnottes de voyage, le marché de Guy Dregrenne s’effondrait. Une des marques les plus connues de France devait se réinventer.
La naissance improbable du siège d’avion en composite
Authors: Tejedor Vincent
Published: October 2015

« La cabine d’un avion n’use guère de hautes technologies » se disent trois jeunes, qui décident de concevoir des sièges d’avion en composite et en titane. Ils ne savaient pas que c’était impossible, alors ils l’ont fait.
Le surprenant rayonnement du bouffon de Trappes
Authors: Degois Alain
Published: October 2015

Dans le milieu de l’improvisation, Alain Degois est Papy, celui qui a “sorti” Jamel Debbouze, Sophia Aram et d’autres. À Trappes, pendant trente ans, il a montré avec les jeunes que sourire ensemble était le début de beaucoup de possibles.
Mutation, révolution, transformation de la presse
Authors: Benghozi Pierre-Jean , Gié Bertrand , Michaux Valéry , Schneidermann Daniel
Published: October 2015

Pour Daniel Schneidermann, qui a créé le site payant @rretsurimages.net, l’Internet est le meilleur média inventé depuis Gutenberg. Mais Bertrand Gié souligne les réussites et les fragilités de la conversion au numérique gratuit du Figaro .
Où vont les banques ?
Authors: Mathieu Michel
Published: October 2015

Une révolution numérique est en marche dans les banques : les clients peuvent se passer d’aller en agence, transférer leurs comptes en quelques clics. Comment peuvent-elles réinventer leur rôle et leurs relations avec les clients ?
Identification of the SLAM Adapter Molecule EAT-2 as a Lupus-Susceptibility Gene That Acts through Impaired Negative Regulation of Dendritic Cell Signaling
Authors: Talaei Nafiseh , Yu Tao , Manion Kieran , Bremner Rod , Wither Joan E.
Published: October 2015

We showed previously that C57BL/6 congenic mice with an introgressed homozygous 70 cM (125.6 Mb) to 100 cM (179.8 Mb) interval on c1 from the lupus-prone New Zealand Black (NZB) mouse develop high titers of antinuclear Abs and severe glomerulonephritis. Using subcongenic mice, we found that a genetic locus in the 88–96 cM region was associated with altered dendritic cell (DC) function and synergized with T cell functional defects to promote expansion of pathogenic proinflammatory T cell subsets. In this article, we show that the promoter region of the NZB gene encoding the SLAM signaling pathway adapter molecule EWS-activated transcript 2 (EAT-2) is polymorphic, which results in an ∼70% reduction in EAT-2 in DC. Silencing of the EAT-2 gene in DC that lacked this polymorphism led to increased production of IL-12 and enhanced differentiation of T cells to a Th1 phenotype in T cell–DC cocultures, reproducing the phenotype observed for DC from congenic mice with the NZB c1 70–100 cM interval. SLAM signaling was shown to inhibit production of IL-12 by CD40L-activated DCs. Consistent with a role for EAT-2 in this inhibition, knockdown of EAT-2 resulted in increased production of IL-12 by CD40-stimulated DC. Assessment of downstream signaling following CD40 cross-linking in the presence or absence of SLAM cross-linking revealed that SLAM coengagement blocked activation of p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways in DC, which was reversed in DC with the NZB EAT-2 allele. We conclude that EAT-2 negatively regulates cytokine production in DC downstream of SLAM engagement and that a genetic polymorphism that disturbs this process promotes the development of lupus.
Preferential Destruction of Interstitial Macrophages over Alveolar Macrophages as a Cause of Pulmonary Disease in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Cai Yanhui , Sugimoto Chie , Arainga Mariluz , Midkiff Cecily C. , Liu David Xianhong , Alvarez Xavier , Lackner Andrew A. , Kim Woong-Ki , Didier Elizabeth S. , Kuroda Marcelo J.
Published: October 2015

To our knowledge, this study demonstrates for the first time that the AIDS virus differentially impacts two distinct subsets of lung macrophages. The predominant macrophages harvested by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), alveolar macrophages (AMs), are routinely used in studies on human lung macrophages, are long-lived cells, and exhibit low turnover. Interstitial macrophages (IMs) inhabit the lung tissue, are not recovered with BAL, are shorter-lived, and exhibit higher baseline turnover rates distinct from AMs. We examined the effects of SIV infection on AMs in BAL fluid and IMs in lung tissue of rhesus macaques. SIV infection produced massive cell death of IMs that contributed to lung tissue damage. Conversely, SIV infection induced minimal cell death of AMs, and these cells maintained the lower turnover rate throughout the duration of infection. This indicates that SIV produces lung tissue damage through destruction of IMs, whereas the longer-lived AMs may serve as a virus reservoir to facilitate HIV persistence.
Multiscale Model of Colorectal Cancer Using the Cellular Potts Framework
Authors: Osborne James M.
Published: October 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major causes of death in the developed world and forms a canonical example of tumorigenesis. CRC arises from a string of mutations of individual cells in the colorectal crypt, making it particularly suited for multiscale multicellular modeling, where mutations of individual cells can be clearly represented and their effects readily tracked. In this paper, we present a multicellular model of the onset of colorectal cancer, utilizing the cellular Potts model (CPM). We use the model to investigate how, through the modification of their mechanical properties, mutant cells colonize the crypt. Moreover, we study the influence of mutations on the shape of cells in the crypt, suggesting possible cell- and tissue-level indicators for identifying early-stage cancerous crypts. Crucially, we discuss the effect that the motility parameters of the model (key factors in the behavior of the CPM) have on the distribution of cells within a homeostatic crypt, resulting in an optimal parameter regime that accurately reflects biological assumptions. In summary, the key results of this paper are 1) how to couple the CPM with processes occurring on other spatial scales, using the example of the crypt to motivate suitable motility parameters; 2) modeling mutant cells with the CPM; 3) and investigating how mutations influence the shape of cells in the crypt.
Chaucer‘s Postcolonial Renaissance
Authors: Johnston Andrew James
Published: October 2015

This article investigates how Chaucer‘s Knight‘s and Squire‘s tales critically
engage with the Orientalist strategies buttressing contemporary Italian humanist
discussions of visual art. Framed by references to crusading, the two tales
enter into a dialogue focusing, in particular, on the relations between the
classical, the scientific and the Oriental in trecento Italian discourses on
painting and optics, discourses that are alluded to in the description of
Theseus Theatre and the events that happen there. The Squire‘s Tale exhibits
what one might call a strategic Orientalism designed to draw attention to the
Orientalism implicit in his fathers narrative, a narrative that, for all its
painstaking classicism, displays both remarkably Italianate and Orientalist
features. Read in tandem, the two tales present a shrewd commentary on the
exclusionary strategies inherent in the construction of new cultural identities,
arguably making Chaucer the first postcolonial critic of the Renaissance.
The Design of the Golden Legend: English Printing in a European Context
Authors: Coatesworth Jessica
Published: October 2015

The first 100 years of printing in Europe was a vibrant period full of innovation
and adaptation. Continental printers controlled the production of Latin books,
many of which were imported into England. English printers worked hard to create
an audience for their editions and achieved,this by adopting specific design
features from the Latin editions. Yet despite this connection, English printing
is often studied in separation from European printing. This article studies the
Golden Legend, a hagiographic text popular throughout England and Europe, and
shows that the two traditions were interrelated, especially in book design. On
the continent, printers found themselves in a crowded marketplace and some
adopted established designs to target a particular audience. In contrast,
English printers were inspired by the design of continental books. Design was
governed by the intended audience but not restricted to national demarcations.
Not only was English printing integrated with European printing, it sustained a
distinctive character while remaining part of the European tradition.
The Origins of Le Livere de Reis de Engleterre and the Relation of its Manuscripts
Authors: Murchison Krista A.
Published: October 2015

Over eighty years ago, a third, previously unidentified copy of the Anglo-Norman
prose chronicle, Le Livere de Reis de Engleterre(LRE),was discovered in John
Rylands French MS 64. Despite this discovery, and the paucity of witnesses to
this chronicle, scholars of LRE generally pass over the version contained in the
John Rylands manuscript. Through an examination of the sources and variant
readings of LRE, this article argues that this previously overlooked copy of LRE
is more authoritative than the other two. The superiority of the John Rylands
manuscript enables us to determine best text readings of LRE with improved
accuracy. It also allows us to date the chronicle with greater precision than
previously possible, and provides grounds for tentatively locating the origins
of the chronicle to northeastern England.
Human observers have optimal introspective access to perceptual processes even for visually masked stimuli
Authors: Peters Megan A K , Lau Hakwan
Published: October 2015

Many believe that humans can ‘perceive unconsciously’ – that for weak stimuli, briefly presented and masked, above-chance discrimination is possible without awareness. Interestingly, an online survey reveals that most experts in the field recognize the lack of convincing evidence for this phenomenon, and yet they persist in this belief. Using a recently developed bias-free experimental procedure for measuring subjective introspection (confidence), we found no evidence for unconscious perception; participants’ behavior matched that of a Bayesian ideal observer, even though the stimuli were visually masked. This surprising finding suggests that the thresholds for subjective awareness and objective discrimination are effectively the same: if objective task performance is above chance, there is likely conscious experience. These findings shed new light on decades-old methodological issues regarding what it takes to consider a neurobiological or behavioral effect to be 'unconscious,' and provide a platform for rigorously investigating unconscious perception in future studies.
Management of Incidental Findings in Clinical Genomic Sequencing
Authors: Krier Joel B. , Green Robert C.
Published: October 2015

Genomic sequencing is becoming accurate, fast, and increasingly inexpensive, and is rapidly being incorporated into clinical practice. Incidental or secondary findings, which can occur in large numbers from genomic sequencing, are a potential barrier to the utility of this new technology due to their relatively high prevalence and the lack of evidence or guidelines available to guide their clinical interpretation. This unit reviews the definition, classification, and management of incidental findings from genomic sequencing. The unit focuses on the clinical aspects of handling incidental findings, with an emphasis on the key role of clinical context in defining incidental findings and determining their clinical relevance and utility. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Joint assimilation of Aquarius‐derived sea surface salinity and AVHRR‐derived sea surface temperature in an ocean general circulation model using SEEK filter: Implication for mixed layer depth and barrier layer thickness
Authors: Chakraborty Abhisek , Sharma Rashmi , Kumar Raj , Basu Sujit
Published: October 2015

Sea surface salinity (SSS) from Aquarius mission and sea surface temperature (SST) from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) for the years 2012–2014 are assimilated into the global Massachusetts Institute of Technology General Circulation Model (MITGCM). Investigation of the impact of assimilation of these two data sets on simulated mixed layer depth (MLD) and barrier layer thickness (BLT) forms the core of our study. The method of assimilation is the Singular Evolutive Extended Kalman (SEEK) filter. Several assimilation runs are performed. Single‐parameter assimilation, as well as joint assimilation, is conducted. To begin with, the model simulated SST and SSS are compared with independent Argo observations of these two parameters. Use of latitudinally varying error variances, which is a novel feature of our study, gives rise to the significant improvement in the simulation of SSS and SST. The best result occurs when joint assimilation is performed. Afterward, simulated MLD and BLT are compared with the same parameters derived from Argo observations forming an independent validation data set. Comparisons are performed both in temporal and spatial domains. Significant positive impact of assimilation is found in all the cases studied, and joint assimilation is found to outperform single‐parameter assimilation in each of the cases considered. It is found that simulations of MLD and BLT improve up to 24% and 29%, respectively, when a joint assimilation of SSS and SST is carried out.
Fluxes of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen to the northern Indian Ocean from the Indian monsoonal rivers
Authors: Krishna M. S. , Prasad V. R. , Sarma V. V. S. S. , Reddy N. P. C. , Hemalatha K. P. J. , Rao Y. V.
Published: October 2015

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) were measured in 27 major and medium monsoonal estuaries along the Indian coast during southwest monsoon in order to understand the spatial variability in their concentrations and fluxes to the northern Indian Ocean. A strong spatial variability (~20‐fold) in DOC and DON was observed in the Indian monsoonal estuaries due to variable characteristics of the catchment area and volume of discharge. It is estimated that the Indian monsoonal estuaries transport ~2.37 ± 0.47 Tg (1 Tg = 1012 g) of DOC and ~0.41 ± 0.08 Tg of DON during wet period to the northern Indian Ocean. The Bay of Bengal receives 3 times higher DOC and DON (1.82 and 0.30 Tg, respectively) than the Arabian Sea (0.55 and 0.11 Tg). Catchment area normalized fluxes of DOC and DON were found to be higher in the estuaries located in the southwestern than the estuaries from other regions of India. It was attributed to relatively higher soil organic carbon, biomass carbon, and heavy rainfall in catchment areas of the rivers from the former region. It has been noticed that neither catchment area nor discharge volume of the river controls the fluxes of DOC and DON to the northern Indian Ocean. Since the total load of DOC and DON is strongly linked to the volume of discharge, alterations in the freshwater discharge due to natural or anthropogenic activities may have significant influence on organic matter fluxes to the Indian coastal waters and its impact on microbial food web dynamics needs further evaluation.
Accelerating SNARE‐Mediated Membrane Fusion by DNA–Lipid Tethers
Authors: Xu Weiming , Wang Jing , Rothman James E. , Pincet Frédéric
Published: October 2015

SNARE proteins are the core machinery to drive fusion of a vesicle with its target membrane. Inspired by the tethering proteins that bridge the membranes and thus prepare SNAREs for docking and fusion, we developed a lipid‐conjugated ssDNA mimic that is capable of regulating SNARE function, in situ. The DNA–lipid tethers consist of a 21 base pairs binding segment at the membrane distal end that can bridge two liposomes via specific base‐pair hybridization. A linker at the membrane proximal end is used to control the separation distance between the liposomes. In the presence of these artificial tethers, SNARE‐mediated lipid mixing is significantly accelerated, and the maximum fusion rate is obtained with the linker shorter than 40 nucleotides. As a programmable tool orthogonal to any native proteins, the DNA–lipid tethers can be further applied to regulate other biological processes where capturing and bridging of two membranes are the prerequisites for the subsequent protein function.
Highly Selective Artificial Cholesteryl Crown Ether K+‐Channels
Authors: Sun Zhanhu , Barboiu Mihail , Legrand Yves‐Marie , Petit Eddy , Rotaru Alexandru
Published: October 2015

The bacterial KcsA channel conducts K+ cations at high rates while excluding Na+ cations. Herein, we report an artificial ion‐channel formed by H‐bonded stacks of crown‐ethers, where K+ cation conduction is highly preferred to Na+ cations. The macrocycles aligned along the central pore surround the K+ cations in a similar manner to the water around the hydrated cation, compensating for the energetic cost of their dehydration. In contrast, the Na+ cation does not fit the macrocyclic binding sites, so its dehydration is not completely compensated. The present highly K+‐selective macrocyclic channel may be regarded as a biomimetic of the KcsA channel.
Tumor‐derived microvesicles in the tumor microenvironment: How vesicle heterogeneity can shape the future of a rapidly expanding field
Authors: Clancy James W. , Tricarico Christopher J. , D'Souza‐Schorey Crislyn
Published: October 2015

Information transmission from tumor cells to non‐tumor cells in the surrounding microenvironment via microvesicles is a more recently studied form of intercellular signaling that can have a marked impact on the tumor microenvironment. Tumor‐derived microvesicles (TMVs) are packed with information including signaling proteins and nucleic acids, and can be taken up by target cells, enabling paracrine signaling. While previous research has focused on how vesicles released from pathologic cells differ from normal cells, the heterogeneity that exists within the TMV population itself is not fully characterized, and only beginning to be appreciated. In this review, we summarize current understanding of the biogenesis and roles of shed TMVs in the tumor microenvironment, and speculate on the consequences for tumor cell signaling in light of the hypothesis that there exists variance within the TMV population. The analysis of differential signaling upon cell‐TMV interactions provides insights into potential mechanisms of intercellular communication.
Whole‐exome sequencing of breast cancer, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and neurofibroma from a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: McPherson John Richard , Ong Choon‐Kiat , Ng Cedric Chuan‐Young , Rajasegaran Vikneswari , Heng Hong‐Lee , Yu Willie Shun‐Shing , Tan Benita Kiat‐Tee , Madhukumar Preetha , Teo Melissa Ching‐Ching , Ngeow Joanne , Thike Aye‐Aye , Rozen Steven George , Tan Puay‐Hoon , Lee Ann Siew‐Gek , Teh Bin‐Tean , Yap Yoon‐Sim
Published: October 2015

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder characterized by the development of multiple neurofibromas, cafe‐au‐lait spots, and Lisch nodules. Individuals with NF1 are at increased risk of developing various tumors, such as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), pheochromocytoma, leukemia, glioma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and breast cancer. Here, we describe the exome sequencing of breast cancer, MPNST, and neurofibroma from a patient with NF1. We identified a germline mutation in the NF1 gene which resulted in conversion of leucine to proline at amino acid position 847. In addition, we showed independent somatic NF1 mutations in all the three tumors (frameshift insertion in breast cancer (p.A985fs), missense mutation in MPNST (p.G23R), and inframe deletion in dermal neurofibroma (p.L1876del‐Inf)), indicating that a second hit in NF1 resulting in the loss of function could be important for tumor formation. Each tumor had a distinct genomic profile with mutually exclusive mutations in different genes. Copy number analysis revealed multiple copy number alterations in the breast cancer and the MPNST, but not the benign neurofibroma. Germline loss of chromosome 6q22.33, which harbors two potential tumor suppressor genes, PTPRK and LAMA2, was also identified; this may increase tumor predisposition further. In the background of NF1 syndrome, although second‐hit NF1 mutation is critical in tumorigenesis, different additional mutations are required to drive the formation of different tumors.
Role of mitochondrial oxidative stress on lymphocyte homeostasis in patients diagnosed with extra‐pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Bhargava Arpit , Khare Naveen Kumar , Bunkar Neha , Lenka Rajesh Kumar , Mishra Pradyumna Kumar
Published: October 2015

Extra‐pulmonary tuberculosis is often an underrated illness. Recent clinical studies have pointed out that lymphocyte homeostasis is dramatically disturbed as revealed through a series of signs and symptoms. Lymphocytes, the known effector cells of our immune system, play an important role in providing immunologic resistance against Mycobacterium infection. It is important to have quantitative insights into the lifespan of these cells; therefore, we aimed to study the precise effect of gastrointestinal tuberculosis infection on peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and function. Our results indicated that gastrointestinal tuberculosis could increase mitochondrial oxidative stress, lower mitochondrial DNA copy number, promote nuclear DNA damage and repair response, decrease mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activities, and upregulate Bcl‐2 and caspase‐3 gene expression in lymphocytes. We further revealed that Mycobacterium infection induces autophagy for selective sequestration and subsequent degradation of the dysfunctional mitochondrion before activating cellular apoptosis in the peripheral lymphocyte pool. Together, these observations uncover a new role of mitochondrial–nuclear crosstalk that apparently contributes to lymphocyte homeostasis in gastrointestinal tuberculosis infection.
Stereospecific Pd‐Catalyzed Intermolecular C(sp3)–C(sp) Cross‐Coupling of Diarylmethyl Carbonates and Terminal Alkynes Under Base‐Free Conditions
Authors: Tabuchi Sho , Hirano Koji , Miura Masahiro
Published: October 2015

A palladium‐catalyzed intermolecular decarboxylative C(sp3)–C(sp) coupling of diarylmethyl carbonates and terminal alkynes has been developed. The reaction proceeds smoothly under external base‐free conditions to deliver the corresponding alkynylated diarylmethanes with the liberation of CO2 and MeOH as the sole byproducts. Moreover, enantioenriched diarylmethyl carbonates are stereospecifically converted to optically active cross‐coupling products with inversion of configuration. Thus, the stereospecific palladium catalysis can provide new and unique access to the alkynylated chiral tertiary stereocenters, which are relatively difficult to construct by conventional methods.
High‐Precision Measurements of Lower Atmospheric Temperature Based on Pure Rotational Raman Lidar
Authors: Ya‐Juan LI , Sha‐Lei SONG , Fa‐Quan LI , Xue‐Wu CHENG , Zhen‐Wei CHEN , Lin‐Mei LIU , Yong YANG , Shun‐Sheng GONG
Published: October 2015

A pure rotational Raman (PRR) lidar system was built for high precision temperature measurements in the atmosphere from 10 km to 40 km height over Wuhan, China (30.5°N, 114.4°E). State of the art interference filters for light splitting and filtering were designed to extract the required PRR signals and suppress elastically backscattered light. Observational results reveal that the maximum deviation of temperatures measured by the PRR lidar and the local radiosonde below 30 km is about 3.0 K, showing good consistency and reliability of the lidar. Obvious deviations may occur because of the balloon drifts, regional differences and special phenomena like the thermal inversion layer. Temperature profiles at different temporal scales are conductive to analysis of the wave properties and microstructures. For the 30 min integrated lidar temperature profile, the statistical error is about 0.3 K for altitudes of 10∼20 km with 300 m spatial resolution; ∼0.8 K for 20∼30 km with 600 m resolution; and 3.0 K for 30∼40 km with 900 m resolution, respectively. Besides, one‐night temperature profiles are given for the long‐term observation of the atmospheric thermal structure. Temperature measurement up to 40 km by the PRR lidar shows great potential for the further combination with the Rayleigh lidar of 30∼80 km detection capacity, which provides an effective means for the study of the lower atmosphere to the upper stratosphere.
The more you look, the more you will find
Authors: Walsh Christine S.
Published: October 2015

When a comprehensive approach to the sequencing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 is used in Japanese women with ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer, germline mutations are found at a higher rate than previously reported. This study provides support for universal genetic testing in this patient population, but the larger question of the most appropriate genetic testing strategy remains to be answered.
Effect of Controlled Deposition of ZnS Shell on the Photostability of CdTe Quantum Dots as Studied by Conventional Fluorescence and FCS Techniques
Authors: Patra Satyajit , Seth Sudipta , Samanta Anunay
Published: October 2015

The effect of one and two monolayers of ZnS shells on the photostability of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) in aqueous and nonaqueous media has been studied by monitoring the fluorescence behavior of the QDs under ensemble and single‐molecule conditions. ZnS capping of the CdTe QDs leads to significant enhancement of the fluorescence brightness of these QDs. Considerable enhancement of the photostability of the shell‐protected QDs, including the suppression of photoactivation, is also observed. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements reveal an increase in the number of particles undergoing reversible fluorescent on–off transitions in the volume under observation with increasing excitation power; this effect is found to be more pronounced in the case of core‐only QDs than for core–shell QDs.
Kinetic Passivation Effect of Localized Differential Aeration on Brass
Authors: Kuznetsov Volodymyr , Estrada‐Vargas Arturo , Maljusch Artjom , Berkes Balázs B. , Bandarenka Aliaksandr S. , Souto Ricardo M. , Schuhmann Wolfgang
Published: October 2015

The formation of a localized differential aeration cell on metals, susceptible to both anodic and cathodic corrosion, is a serious threat because of multiple degradation processes commencing with the passivation layer destruction. By using local electrochemical and X‐ray dispersive techniques, it has been demonstrated that the differential aeration cell formed on high brass (α‐brass, Cu65‐Zn35) in the presence of 1H‐benzotriazole or 5‐methyl‐1H‐benzotriazole plays both corrosion‐inhibiting and accelerating roles, depending on the inhibitor exposure time. Alternating‐current scanning electrochemical microscopy was used to image local electrochemical activity, whereas energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy provided evidence for the mechanism of the observed phenomena. Short‐term exposure to the inhibitor (5 min) promotes the formation of a passivation layer in the waterline region. In contrast, after prolonged exposure (45 min), a deficient passivation layer develops for both inhibitors. An excess of zinc(II)–inhibitor complexes in the passivation layer is accountable for the corrosion resistance of the region with high differential aeration. Rapid dezincification and local alkalinization facilitate the initial rapid formation of a passivation layer in the area under differential aeration to preserve its composition upon further modification.
Tracking control of chaotic spinning disks via nonlinear dynamic output feedback with input constraints
Authors: Asemani Mohammad Hassan , Vatankhah Ramin
Published: October 2015

In many control engineering applications, it is impossible or expensive to measure all the states of the dynamical system and only the system output is available for controller design. In this study, a new dynamic output feedback control algorithm is proposed to stabilize the unstable periodic orbit of chaotic spinning disks with incomplete state information. The proposed control structure is based on the T‐S fuzzy systems. This investigation also introduces a new design procedure to satisfy a constraint on the T‐S fuzzy dynamic output feedback control signal. This procedure is independent of the exact value of initial states. Finally, computer simulations are accomplished to illustrate the performance of the proposed control algorithm. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 148–159, 2016
Automated replication of cone beam CT‐guided treatments in the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system for adaptive radiotherapy
Authors: Hargrave Catriona , Mason Nicole , Guidi Robyn , Miller Julie‐Anne , Becker Jillian , Moores Matthew , Mengersen Kerrie , Poulsen Michael , Harden Fiona
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Time‐consuming manual methods have been required to register cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) images with plans in the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system in order to replicate delivered treatments for adaptive radiotherapy. These methods rely on fiducial marker (FM) placement during CBCT acquisition or the image mid‐point to localise the image isocentre. A quality assurance study was conducted to validate an automated CBCT‐plan registration method utilising the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Structure Set (RS) and Spatial Registration (RE) files created during online image‐guided radiotherapy (IGRT).

Methods

CBCTs of a phantom were acquired with FMs and predetermined setup errors using various online IGRT workflows. The CBCTs, DICOM RS and RE files were imported into Pinnacle3 plans of the phantom and the resulting automated CBCT‐plan registrations were compared to existing manual methods. A clinical protocol for the automated method was subsequently developed and tested retrospectively using CBCTs and plans for six bladder patients.

Results

The automated CBCT‐plan registration method was successfully applied to thirty‐four phantom CBCT images acquired with an online 0 mm action level workflow. Ten CBCTs acquired with other IGRT workflows required manual workarounds. This was addressed during the development and testing of the clinical protocol using twenty‐eight patient CBCTs. The automated CBCT‐plan registrations were instantaneous, replicating delivered treatments in Pinnacle3 with errors of ±0.5 mm. These errors were comparable to mid‐point‐dependant manual registrations but superior to FM‐dependant manual registrations.

Conclusion

The automated CBCT‐plan registration method quickly and reliably replicates delivered treatments in Pinnacle3 for adaptive radiotherapy.
Numerical modeling of magneto‐hydrodynamics flows using reproducing kernel particle method
Authors: Tatari Mehdi , Shahriari Mostafa , Raoofi Mohammadreza
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we develop some mesh‐free particle methods for magneto‐hydrodynamics equations. Our focus is on the problems with high Hartmann numbers, which generate unstable solutions in most numerical methods. Several numerical tests validate the efficiency of our methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction and visual performance in stereoscopic displays: A review
Authors: Lin Chiuhsiang Joe , Woldegiorgis Bereket Haile
Published: October 2015

In this paper, authors systematically selected and reviewed articles related to stereoscopic displays and their advances, with a special focus on perception, interaction, and corresponding challenges. The aim was to understand interaction‐related problems, provide possible explanations, and identify factors that limit their applications. Despite promising advancements, there are still issues that researchers in the field fail to explain precisely. The two major problems in stereoscopic viewing are, compared with the real world, objects are perceived to be smaller than they actually are and there are discomfort and visual syndromes. Furthermore, there is general agreement that humans underestimate their egocentric distance in a virtual environment (VE). Our analysis revealed that in the real world, distance estimation is about 94% accurate, but in VE, it is only about 80% accurate. This problem could reduce the efficacy of different sensory motor‐based applications where interaction is important. Experts from human factors, computing, psychology, and others have studied contributing factors such as types of perception/response method, quality of graphics, associated stereoscopic conditions, experience in virtual reality (VR), and distance signals. This paper discusses the factors requiring further investigation if the VR interaction is to be seamlessly realized. In addition, engineering research directions aiming at improving current interaction performances are recommended.
Preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio predicts survival in patients with T1‐2N0 colorectal cancer
Authors: Shin Jun Sang , Suh Kwang Wook , Oh Seung Yeop
Published: October 2015

Purpose

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is reported to be associated with prognosis of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study is to determine whether the NLR is a predictor of oncological outcomes in patients with stage I colorectal cancer who underwent curative surgery.

Methods

Two hundred sixty‐nine patients with stage I colorectal cancer who underwent surgical resection between December 2003 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The cutoff for NLR was defined as three by maximizing log‐rank test statistics. We compared patients with a low NLR and those with a high NLR in terms of survival.

Results

The 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) rates were lower in patients with a high NLR compared to those with a low NLR in stage I colorectal cancer (89.5% vs. 97.4%, P = 0.006; 94.0% vs. 98.9%, P = 0.022). Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that preoperative NLR was independently associated with DFS (HR, 5.216; 95%CI, 1.400–19.431; P = 0.014) and CSS (HR, 6.190; 95%CI, 1.034–37.047; P = 0.046) in patients with stage I colorectal cancer.

Conclusion

The preoperative NLR is a prognostic factor predicting DFS and CSS in patients with stage I colorectal cancer who underwent curative surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015;112:654–657. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.