bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial performance in heat acclimation—a lesson from ischemia/reperfusion and calcium overload insults in the heart
Authors: Assayag Miri , Saada Ann , Gerstenblith Gary , Canaana Haifa , Shlomai Rivka , Horowitz Michal
Published: August 2012

Long-term heat acclimation (LTHA; 30 days, 34°C) causes phenotypic adaptations that render protection against ischemic/reperfusion insult (I/R, 30 min global ischemia and 40 min reperfusion) via heat acclimation-mediated cross-tolerance (HACT) mechanisms. Short-term acclimation (STHA, 2 days, 34°C), in contrast, is characterized by cellular perturbations, leading to increased susceptibility to insults. Here, we tested the hypothesis that enhanced mitochondrial respiratory function is part of the acclimatory repertoire and that the 30-day regimen is required for protection via HACT. We subjected isolated hearts and mitochondria from controls (C), STHA, or LTHA rats to I/R, hypoxia/reoxygenation, or Ca2+overload insults. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring O2consumption, membrane potential (ΔΨm), mitochondrial Ca2+([Ca2+]m), ATP production, respiratory chain complex activities, and molecular markers of mitochondrial biogenesis. Our results, combining physiological and biochemical parameters, confirmed that mitochondria from LTHA rats subjected to insults, in contrast to C, preserve respiratory functions (e.g., upon I/R, C mitochondria fueled by glutamate-malate, demonstrated decreases of 81%, 13%, 25%, and 50% in O2/P ratio, ATP production, ΔΨm, and complex I activity, respectively, whereas the corresponding LTHA parameters remained unchanged). STHA mitochondria maintained ΔΨm but did not preserve ATP production. LTHA [Ca2+]m was significantly higher than that of C and STHA and was not affected by the hypoxia/reoxygenation protocol compared with C. Enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis markers, switched-on during STHA coincidentally with enhanced membrane integrity (ΔΨm), were insufficient to confer intact respiratory function upon insult. LTHA was required for respiratory complex I adaptation and HACT. Stabilized higher basal [Ca2+]m and attenuated Ca2+overload are likely connected to this adaptation.
Loss of TIMP3 selectively exacerbates diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Basu Ratnadeep , Lee Jiwon , Wang Zuocheng , Patel Vaibhav B. , Fan Dong , Das Subhash K. , Liu George C. , John Rohan , Scholey James W. , Oudit Gavin Y. , Kassiri Zamaneh
Published: August 2012

Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease. Polymorphism in the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) gene, and the ECM-bound inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), has been linked to diabetic nephropathy in humans. To elucidate the mechanism, we generated double mutant mice in which the TIMP3 gene was deleted in the genetic diabetic Akita mouse background. The aggravation of diabetic injury occurred in the absence of worsening of hypertension or hyperglycemia. In fact, myocardial TIMP3 levels were not affected in Akita hearts, and cardiac diastolic and systolic function remained unchanged in the double mutant mice. However, TIMP3 levels increased in Akita kidneys and deletion of TIMP3 exacerbated the diabetic renal injury in the Akita mouse, characterized by increased albuminuria, mesangial matrix expansion, and kidney hypertrophy. The progression of diabetic renal injury was accompanied by the upregulation of fibrotic and inflammatory markers, increased production of reactive oxygen species and NADPH oxidase activity, and elevated activity of TNF-α-converting enzyme (TACE) in the TIMP3−/−/Akita kidneys. Moreover, while the elevated phospho-Akt (S473 and T308) and phospho-ERK1/2 in the Akita mice was not detected in the TIMP3−/−/Akita kidneys, PKCβ1 (but not PKCα) was markedly elevated in the double mutant kidneys. Our data provide definitive evidence for a critical and selective role of TIMP3 in diabetic renal injury consistent with gene expression findings from human diabetic kidneys.
zVAD-fmk prevents cisplatin-induced cleavage of autophagy proteins but impairs autophagic flux and worsens renal function
Authors: Herzog Christian , Yang Cheng , Holmes Alexandrea , Kaushal Gur P.
Published: August 2012

Cisplatin injury to renal tubular epithelial cells (RTEC) is accompanied by autophagy and caspase activation. However, autophagy gradually decreases during the course of cisplatin injury. The role of autophagy and the mechanism of its decrease during cisplatin injury are not well understood. This study demonstrated that autophagy proteins beclin-1, Atg5, and Atg12 were cleaved and degraded during the course of cisplatin injury in RTEC and the kidney. zVAD-fmk, a widely used pancaspase inhibitor, blocked cleavage of autophagy proteins suggesting that zVAD-fmk would promote the autophagy pathway. Unexpectedly, zVAD-fmk blocked clearance of the autophagosomal cargo, indicating lysosomal dysfunction. zVAD-fmk markedly inhibited cisplatin-induced lysosomal cathepsin B and calpain activities and therefore impaired autophagic flux. In a mouse model of cisplatin nephrotoxicity, zVAD-fmk impaired autophagic flux by blocking autophagosomal clearance as revealed by accumulation of key autophagic substrates p62 and LC3-II. Furthermore, zVAD-fmk worsened cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction. Chloroquine, a lysomotropic agent that is known to impair autophagic flux, also exacerbated cisplatin-induced decline in renal function. These findings demonstrate that impaired autophagic flux induced by zVAD-fmk or a lysomotropic agent worsened renal function in cisplatin acute kidney injury (AKI) and support a protective role of autophagy in AKI. These studies also highlight that the widely used antiapoptotic agent zVAD-fmk may be contraindicated as a therapeutic agent for preserving renal function in AKI.
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of regional lung ventilation determined by electrical impedance tomography during pulmonary function testing
Authors: Vogt Barbara , Pulletz Sven , Elke Gunnar , Zhao Zhanqi , Zabel Peter , Weiler Norbert , Frerichs Inéz
Published: August 2012

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a functional imaging modality capable of tracing continuously regional pulmonary gas volume changes. The aim of our study was to determine if EIT was able to assess spatial and temporal heterogeneity of ventilation during pulmonary function testing in 14 young (37 ± 10 yr, mean age ± SD) and 12 elderly (71 ± 9 yr) subjects without lung disease and in 33 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (71 ± 9 yr). EIT and spirometry examinations were performed during tidal breathing and a forced vital capacity (FVC) maneuver preceded by full inspiration to total lung capacity. Regional inspiratory vital capacity (IVC); FVC; forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1); FEV1/FVC; times required to expire 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% of FVC ( t25, t50, t75, t90); and tidal volume (VT) were determined in 912 EIT image pixels in the chest cross section. Coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated from all pixel values of IVC, FVC, FEV1, and VT to characterize the ventilation heterogeneity. The highest values were found in patients, and no differences existed between the healthy young and elderly subjects. Receiver-operating characteristics curves showed that CV of regional IVC, FVC, FEV1, and VT discriminated the young and elderly subjects from the patients. Frequency distributions of pixel FEV1/FVC, t25, t50, t75, and t90 identified the highest ventilation heterogeneity in patients but distinguished also the healthy young from the elderly subjects. These results indicate that EIT may provide additional information during pulmonary function testing and identify pathologic and age-related spatial and temporal heterogeneity of regional lung function.
Suppression of cortical neural variability is stimulus- and state-dependent
Authors: White Benjamin , Abbott L. F. , Fiser József
Published: August 2012

Internally generated, spontaneous activity is ubiquitous in the cortex, yet it does not appear to have a significant negative impact on sensory processing. Various studies have found that stimulus onset reduces the variability of cortical responses, but the characteristics of this suppression remained unexplored. By recording multiunit activity from awake and anesthetized rats, we investigated whether and how this noise suppression depends on properties of the stimulus and on the state of the cortex. In agreement with theoretical predictions, we found that the degree of noise suppression in awake rats has a nonmonotonic dependence on the temporal frequency of a flickering visual stimulus with an optimal frequency for noise suppression ∼2 Hz. This effect cannot be explained by features of the power spectrum of the spontaneous neural activity. The nonmonotonic frequency dependence of the suppression of variability gradually disappears under increasing levels of anesthesia and shifts to a monotonic pattern of increasing suppression with decreasing frequency. Signal-to-noise ratios show a similar, although inverted, dependence on cortical state and frequency. These results suggest the existence of an active noise suppression mechanism in the awake cortical system that is tuned to support signal propagation and coding.
Spatial relations and spatial locations are dissociated within prefrontal and parietal cortex
Authors: Ackerman Christopher M. , Courtney Susan M.
Published: August 2012

Item-specific spatial information is essential for interacting with objects and for binding multiple features of an object together. Spatial relational information is necessary for implicit tasks such as recognizing objects or scenes from different views but also for explicit reasoning about space such as planning a route with a map and for other distinctively human traits such as tool construction. To better understand how the brain supports these two different kinds of information, we used functional MRI to directly contrast the neural encoding and maintenance of spatial relations with that for item locations in equivalent visual scenes. We found a double dissociation between the two: whereas item-specific processing implicates a frontoparietal attention network, including the superior frontal sulcus and intraparietal sulcus, relational processing preferentially recruits a cognitive control network, particularly lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and inferior parietal lobule. Moreover, pattern classification revealed that the actual meaning of the relation can be decoded within these same regions, most clearly in rostrolateral PFC, supporting a hierarchical, representational account of prefrontal organization.
Preparedness for landing after a self-initiated fall
Authors: Castellote Juan M. , Queralt Ana , Valls-Solé Josep
Published: August 2012

A startling auditory stimulus (SAS) causes a faster execution of voluntary actions when applied together with the imperative signal in reaction time tasks (the StartReact effect). However, speeding up reaction time may not be the best strategy in all tasks. After a self-initiated fall, the program for landing has to be time-locked to foot contact to avoid damage, and therefore advanced execution of the program would not be convenient. We examined the effects of SAS on the landing motor program in 8 healthy subjects that were requested to let themselves fall from platforms either 50 or 80 cm high at the perception of a visual imperative signal and land on specific targets. In trials at random, SAS was applied either together with the imperative signal (SASIS) or at an appropriate prelanding time (SASPL). As expected, the latency of takeoff was significantly shortened in SASIS trials. On the contrary, the timing of foot contact was not significantly different for SASPL compared with control trials. No changes were observed in the size of the electromyograph bursts in the two experimental conditions with respect to the control condition. Our results indicate that the landing program after a self-initiated fall may in part be organized at the time of takeoff and involve precise information on timing of muscle activation. Once launched, the program is protected against interferences by external inputs.
Unusual Perioperative Cardiac Emergency in a Healthy Young Woman
Authors: Ganjoo Pragati , Pandey Vijay K. , Singh Hukum , Tandon Monica S. , Singh Daljit
Published: August 2012

Serious cardiac complications occurring during noncardiac surgery in a young and otherwise normal person can be quite alarming for the anesthesiologist. We report here the case of a young, healthy woman who immediately after an uncomplicated spinal surgery developed a clinical picture suggestive of an acute myocardial infarction (MI) with positive relevant investigations. However, she had an abrupt and full clinical recovery and complete normalization of her cardiac investigations within a few days of this event and thereafter continued to lead a normal, symptom-free life unlike the usual course in an MI; her coronary angiography was also normal. A diagnosis of perioperative stress-induced cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was subsequently made. This condition is characterized by a rapid, severe, but reversible, cardiac dysfunction triggered by physical or mental stress. Awareness of this entity should help anesthesiologists manage better this infrequent, but potentially life-threatening, perioperative complication.
Adaptive Message Rate Control of Infrastructured DSRC Vehicle Networks for Coexisting Road Safety and Non-Safety Applications
Authors: Guan Wenyang , He Jianhua , Ma Chao , Tang Zuoyin , Li Yue
Published: August 2012

Intelligent transport system (ITS) has large potentials on road safety applications as well as nonsafety applications. One of the big challenges for ITS is on the reliable and cost-effective vehicle communications due to the large quantity of vehicles, high mobility, and bursty traffic from the safety and non-safety applications. In this paper, we investigate the use of dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) for coexisting safety and non-safety applications over infrastructured vehicle networks. The main objective of this work is to improve the scalability of communications for vehicles networks, ensure QoS for safety applications, and leave as much as possible bandwidth for non-safety applications. A two-level adaptive control scheme is proposed to find appropriate message rate and control channel interval for safety applications. Simulation results demonstrated that this adaptive method outperforms the fixed control method under varying number of vehicles.
InitialIn VivoQuantification of Tc-99m Sestamibi Uptake as a Function of Tissue Type in Healthy Breasts Using Dedicated Breast SPECT-CT
Authors: Mann Steve D. , Perez Kristy L. , McCracken Emily K. E. , Shah Jainil P. , Wong Terence Z. , Tornai Martin P.
Published: August 2012

A pilot study is underway to quantifyin vivothe uptake and distribution of Tc-99m Sestamibi in subjects without previous history of breast cancer using a dedicated SPECT-CT breast imaging system. Subjects undergoing diagnostic parathyroid imaging studies were consented and imaged as part of this IRB-approved breast imaging study. For each of the seven subjects, one randomly selected breast was imaged prone-pendant using the dedicated, compact breast SPECT-CT system underneath the shielded patient support. Iteratively reconstructed and attenuation and/or scatter corrected images were coregistered; CT images were segmented into glandular and fatty tissue by three different methods; the average concentration of Sestamibi was determined from the SPECT data using the CT-based segmentation and previously established quantification techniques. Very minor differences between the segmentation methods were observed, and the results indicate an average image-basedin vivoSestamibi concentration of0.10±0.16 μCi/mL with no preferential uptake by glandular or fatty tissues.
Mineralization Potential of Electrospun PDO-Hydroxyapatite-Fibrinogen Blended Scaffolds
Authors: Rodriguez Isaac A. , Madurantakam Parthasarathy A. , McCool Jennifer M. , Sell Scott A. , Yang Hu , Moon Peter C. , Bowlin Gary L.
Published: August 2012

The current bone autograft procedure for cleft palate repair presents several disadvantages such as limited availability, additional invasive surgery, and donor site morbidity. The present preliminary study evaluates the mineralization potential of electrospun polydioxanone:nano-hydroxyapatite : fibrinogen (PDO : nHA : Fg) blended scaffolds in different simulated body fluids (SBF). Scaffolds were fabricated by blending PDO : nHA : Fg in the following percent by weight ratios: 100 : 0 : 0, 50 : 25 : 25, 50 : 50 : 0, 50 : 0 : 50, 0 : 0 : 100, and 0 : 50 : 50. Samples were immersed in (conventional (c), revised (r), ionic (i), and modified (m)) SBF for 5 and 14 days to induce mineralization. Scaffolds were characterized before and after mineralization via scanning electron microscopy, Alizarin Red-based assay, and modified burnout test. The addition of Fg resulted in scaffolds with smaller fiber diameters. Fg containing scaffolds also induced sheet-like mineralization while individual fiber mineralization was noticed in its absence. Mineralized electrospun Fg scaffolds without PDO were not mechanically stable after 5 days in SBF, but had superior mineralization capabilities which produced a thick bone-like mineral (BLM) layer throughout the scaffolds. 50 : 50 : 0 scaffolds incubated in either r-SBF for 5 days or c-SBF for 14 days produced scaffolds with high mineral content and individual-mineralized fibers. These mineralized scaffolds were still porous and will be further optimized as an effective bone substitute in future studies.
Predicting Depression with Psychopathology and Temperament Traits: The Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort
Authors: Miettunen Jouko , Isohanni Matti , Paunio Tiina , Freimer Nelson , Taanila Anja , Ekelund Jesper , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Joukamaa Matti , Lichtermann Dirk , Koivumaa-Honkanen Heli , Veijola Juha
Published: August 2012

We studied the concurrent, predictive, and discriminate validity of psychopathology scales (e.g., schizotypal and depressive) and temperament traits for hospitalisations due to major depression. Temperament, perceptual aberration, physical and social anhedonia, Depression Subscale of Symptom Checklist (SCL-D), Hypomanic Personality Scale, Schizoidia Scale, and Bipolar II Scale were completed as part of the 31-year follow-up survey of the prospective Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort (n=4941; 2214males). Several of the scales were related to depression. Concurrent depression was especially related to higher perceptual aberration (effect size when compared to controls,d=1.29), subsequent depression to high scores in SCL-D (d=0.48). Physical anhedonia was lower in subjects with subsequent depression than those with other psychiatric disorders (d=−0.33, nonsignificant). Participants with concurrent (d=0.70) and subsequent (d=0.54) depression had high harm avoidance compared to controls, while differences compared to other psychiatric patients were small. Subjects with depression differed from healthy controls in most of the scales. Many of the scales were useful predictors for future hospital treatments, but were not diagnosis-specific. High harm avoidance is a potential indicator for subsequent depression.
More on (α, β)‐Normal Operators in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Eskandari Rasoul , Mirzapour Farzollah , Morassaei Ali
Published: August 2012

We study some properties of (α, β)‐normal operators and we present various inequalities between the operator norm and the numerical radius of (α, β)‐normal operators on Banach algebra ℬ(ℋ) of all bounded linear operators T : ℋ → ℋ, where ℋ is Hilbert space.
Amelanotic Cellular Blue Nevus: An Unusual Iris Localization
Authors: Guerriero Silvana , Ciracì Lorenza , Tritto Tiziana , Fiore Maria Grazia , Piscitelli Domenico
Published: August 2012

The authors describe the first case of eye amelanotic cellular blue nevus reported in literature and discuss the main differential diagnosis.
Control of Crystallinity in Nanocrystalline Silicon Prepared by High Working Pressure Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Kwon Jung-Dae , Nam Kee-Seok , Jeong Yongsoo , Kim Dong-Ho , Park Sung-Gyu , Choi Si-Young
Published: August 2012

The crystalline volume of nanocrystalline silicon (Si) films could be successfully controlled simply by changing the substrate scan speed at the high working pressure of 300 Torr. The Si crystalline volume fraction was increased from 30% to 57% by increasing the scan speed from 8 to 30 mm/s. When the Si film was prepared at a low scan speed (8 mm/s), Si crystals of size 5 nm grew homogeneously through the whole film. The higher scan speed was found to accelerate crystallization, and crystals of size up to 25 nm were deposited in the Si film deposited when the scan speed was 30 mm/s.
Improved DV-Hop Node Localization Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Chen Xiao , Zhang Benliang
Published: August 2012

An improved algorithm is put forward to improve the poor locating performance of the DV-Hop algorithm, which is one of the range-free algorithms in wireless sensor networks. Firstly, we set some anchor nodes at the border land of monitoring regions. Secondly, the average one-hop distance between anchor nodes is modified, and the average one-hop distance used by each unknown node for estimating its location is modified through weighting the received average one-hop distances from anchor nodes. Finally, we use the particle swarm optimization to correct the position estimated by the 2D hyperbolic localization algorithm, which makes the result closer to the actual position. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has better localization performance in the localization precision and stability than the basic DV-Hop algorithm and some existing improved algorithms.
WLAN Cell Handoff Latency Abatement Using an FPGA Fuzzy Logic Algorithm Implementation
Authors: Sepúlveda Roberto , Montiel-Ross Oscar , Quiñones-Rivera Jorge , Quiroz Ernesto E.
Published: August 2012

Following the path toward 4 G set by its wireless siblings LTE and WiMax, IEEE 802.11 technology, universally known as WiFi, is evolving to become a high data rate QoS-enabled mobile platform. The IEEE 802.11n standard yields data rates up to 450 Mbp s and the 802.11e standard ensures proficient QoS for real-time applications. Still in need of better performance, multicell environments that provide extended coverage allow the mobile station nomadic passage beyond a single cell by means of cell dissociation-association process known as handoff. This process poses a challenge for real-time applications like voice over IP (150 ms maximum delay) and video (200–400 ms) sessions, to give the user a seamless cell-crossing without data loss or session breakage. It presented an approach of a predictive fuzzy Logic controller to reduce the channel scanning process to a tenth of the standard time, and its efficient FPGA implementation to speed up the processing time. The algorithm of the fuzzy controller was implemented in C language. Experimental results are provided.
Overweight and Obese Children's Ability to Report Energy Intake Using Digital Camera Food Records during a 2-Year Study
Authors: Svensson Åsa , Waling Maria , Bäcklund Catharina , Larsson Christel
Published: August 2012

The objective was to evaluate overweight and obese children's ability to report reproducible and valid estimates of energy intake (EI) by using digital camera food records (FR) during a 2-year study, compared with objectively measured total energy expenditure (TEE). Seventy-three overweight/obese children, aged 8–12 years at inclusion, kept FR with the help of digital cameras for 16 days in total, on 7 occasions during a 2-year period. On the same days, their TEE was registered with SenseWear Armband (SWA). The children underestimated their EI by −2.8 (2.4) MJ/d on the first assessment occasion (95% CI: −3.3, −2.3). Reporting accuracy did not differ between the 7 assessment occasions (P=0.15). Variables negatively associated with reporting accuracy relative to TEE were increased age (95% CI: −0.07, −0.01) and BMI z-score (95% CI: −0.18, −0.06). Further, reporting accuracy relative to TEE was lower for girls than boys (95% CI: −0.14, −0.01) and on weekdays compared with weekend days (95% CI: −0.08, −0.001). In conclusion, overweight and obese children were able to report their EI using a digital camera FR with good reproducibility over a 2-year period, even though their EI was underestimated compared with objectively measured TEE.
Global Dynamics of an HIV Infection Model with Two Classes of Target Cells and Distributed Delays
Authors: Elaiw A. M.
Published: August 2012

We investigate the global dynamics of an HIV infection model with two classes of target cells and multiple distributed intracellular delays. The model is a 5‐dimensional nonlinear delay ODEs that describes the interaction of the HIV with two classes of target cells, CD4+ T cells and macrophages. The incidence rate of infection is given by saturation functional response. The model has two types of distributed time delays describing time needed for infection of target cell and virus replication. This model can be seen as a generalization of several models given in the literature describing the interaction of the HIV with one class of target cells, CD4+ T cells. Lyapunov functionals are constructed to establish the global asymptotic stability of the uninfected and infected steady states of the model. We have proven that if the basic reproduction number R0 is less than unity then the uninfected steady state is globally asymptotically stable, and if R0 > 1 then the infected steady state exists and it is globally asymptotically stable.
A Real-Time Angle- and Illumination-Aware Face Recognition System Based on Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Kato Hisateru , Chakraborty Goutam , Chakraborty Basabi
Published: August 2012

Automatic authentication systems, using biometric technology, are becoming increasingly important with the increased need for person verification in our daily life. A few years back, fingerprint verification was done only in criminal investigations. Now fingerprints and face images are widely used in bank tellers, airports, and building entrances. Face images are easy to obtain, but successful recognition depends on proper orientation and illumination of the image, compared to the one taken at registration time. Facial features heavily change with illumination and orientation angle, leading to increased false rejection as well as false acceptance. Registering face images for all possible angles and illumination is impossible. In this work, we proposed a memory efficient way to register (store) multiple angle and changing illumination face image data, and a computationally efficient authentication technique, using multilayer perceptron (MLP). Though MLP is trained using a few registered images with different orientation, due to generalization property of MLP, interpolation of features for intermediate orientation angles was possible. The algorithm is further extended to include illumination robust authentication system. Results of extensive experiments verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Dynamic Performance Characteristics of a Curved Slider Bearing Operating with Ferrofluids
Authors: Singh Udaya P. , Gupta R. S.
Published: August 2012

In the present theoretical investigation, the effect of ferrofluid on the dynamic characteristics of curved slider bearings is presented using Shliomis model which accounts for the rotation of magnetic particles, their magnetic moments, and the volume concentration in the fluid. The modified Reynolds equation for the dynamic state of the bearing is obtained. The results of dynamic stiffness and damping characteristics are presented. It is observed that the effect of rotation of magnetic particles improves the stiffness and damping capacities of the bearings.
Intermittently “Pre-Excited” ECG after Accessory Pathway Ablation: Unsuccessful Procedure or a Complication?
Authors: Mikhaylov Evgeny , Voitkovskaya Elnara , Lebedev Dmitry
Published: August 2012

A 52-year-old woman with previously unsuccessful posteroseptal pathway ablation using radiofrequency energy presented with intermittently occurring short PR followed by a wide QRS complex, and complaining of palpitations with characteristics different from previous history. During a second electrophysiological procedure no signs of preexcitation were found. Ventricular discharges with fusion with sinus beats were revealed, and catheter ablation of premature contractions originating from the proximity to previous accessory pathway was carried out.
Zinc Vacancy‐Induced Room‐Temperature Ferromagnetism in Undoped ZnO Thin Films
Authors: Ren Hongtao , Xiang Gang , Gu Gangxu , Zhang Xi , Wang Wenjun , Zhang Peng , Wang Baoyi , Cao Xingzhong
Published: August 2012

Undoped ZnO thin films are prepared by polymer‐assisted deposition (PAD) and treated by postannealing at different temperatures in oxygen or forming gases (95%  Ar + 5% H2). All the samples exhibit ferromagnetism at room temperature (RT). SQUID and positron annihilation measurements show that post‐annealing treatments greatly enhance the magnetizations in undoped ZnO samples, and there is a positive correlation between the magnetization and zinc vacancies in the ZnO thin films. XPS measurements indicate that annealing also induces oxygen vacancies that have no direct relationship with ferromagnetism. Further analysis of the results suggests that the ferromagnetism in undoped ZnO is induced by Zn vacancies.
A Note on Practical Stability of Nonlinear Vibration Systems withImpulsive Effects
Authors: Zhong Qishui , Li Hongcai , Liu Hui , Yu Juebang
Published: August 2012

This paper addresses the issue of vibration characteristics of nonlinear systems with impulsive
effects. By utilizing a T‐S fuzzy model to represent a nonlinear system, a general strict practical
stability criterion is derived for nonlinear impulsive systems.
Gametogenesis and Spawning ofSolenastrea bournoniandStephanocoenia interseptain Southeast Florida, USA
Authors: Lueg Jenna R. , Moulding Alison L. , Kosmynin Vladimir N. , Gilliam David S.
Published: August 2012

This study constitutes the first report of the gametogenic cycle of the scleractinian coralsSolenastrea bournoniandStephanocoenia intersepta. Tissue samples were collected near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA between July 2008 and November 2009 and processed for histological examination in an effort to determine reproductive mode and potential spawning times. BothS. bournoniandS. interseptaare gonochoric, broadcast spawning species. Gametogenesis ofS. bournonibegan in April or May whileS. interseptahad a much longer oogenic cycle that began in December with spermatogenesis beginning in July. Though spawning was not observedin situ, spawning was inferred from the decrease of late stage gametes in histological samples. In addition, histological observations of oocyte resorption and released spermatozoa were used to corroborate spawning times. Data indicate thatS. bournonispawns in September whileS. interseptaspawns after the full moon in late August or early September.
Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsy Presenting with Hand Drop in a Young Child
Authors: Sobreira Inês , Sousa Cátia , Raposo Ana , Soares M. Rita , Soudo Ana , Dias Ana Isabel
Published: August 2012

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) results from the deletion of thePMP22gene in chromosome 17p11.2. Clinically, it presents with painless pressure palsies, typically in the 2nd and 3rd decades of life, being a rare entity in childhood. We present the case study of a six-year-old male child who presented with left hand drop that he kept for over four weeks. Electrophysiological studies suggested HNPP and genetic studies confirmed it. With this paper, we pretend to create awareness to this entity as a diagnosis to be considered in a child with painless monoparesis and to emphasize the importance of electrophysiological studies in the diagnosis.
On the Difference Equation xn = anxn−k/(bn + cnxn−1 ⋯ xn−k)
Authors: Stević Stevo , Diblík Josef , Iričanin Bratislav , Šmarda Zdeněk
Published: August 2012

The behavior of well‐defined solutions of the difference equation xn = anxn−k/(bn + cnxn−1 ⋯ xn−k), n ∈ ℕ0, where k ∈ ℕ is fixed, the sequences an, bn and cn are real, (bn, cn)≠(0,0), n ∈ ℕ0, and the initial values x−k, …, x−1 are real numbers, is described.
Characterization of a Coplanar Waveguide Open Stub-Based Discontinuity for MMICs and Filter Applications
Authors: Masood Rizwan , Mohsin Syed A.
Published: August 2012

This paper presents the analysis and design of an open stub-based two-port discontinuity in a coplanar waveguide. The discontinuity has a good bandpass response and the required design characteristics were achieved by using the method of moments (MOM) and the finite integration technique (FIT). The analysis is found to be computationally efficient which makes the discontinuity suitable for use in complex structure applications. The analysis of the discontinuity is also formulated using the quasi-static finite-difference technique. The proposed discontinuity structure finds applications in RFICs and MMICs. Finally, the application of the discontinuity is supported by the simulated design of a broadband bandpass filter on an MMIC with a relative bandwidth of 96%. The filter is found to have a miniature size and a fairly good stop band rejection.
A Novel Two-Step Approach for Retrieval of an Impacted Biliary Extraction Basket
Authors: Chan Calvin H. Y. , Donnellan Fergal , Chan Godfrey C. K. , Byrne Michael F.
Published: August 2012

Biliary extraction baskets are a commonly used instrument for the removal of choledocholithiasis in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Impaction of the extraction basket is a recognized complication of ERCP, and is usually the result of discrepancy between the size of bile duct stone and the diameter of the distal bile duct. Whilst mechanical lithotriptors can be used to crush the stone or break the wires of the basket to allow its release, failure of the lithotriptor device can occur. We describe the case of a 59-year-old gentleman who had an ERCP performed for choledocholithiasis. Basket impaction was encountered, and the mechanical lithotriptor failed to dislodge the stone/basket complex. A two-step technique involving balloon dilatation and forceps manipulation of the basket was applied to successfully dislodge the impacted basket. We believe this simple and safe technique should be adopted to rescue impacted biliary extraction baskets to avoid the need for potential surgical removal.
The Improved (G’/G)‐Expansion Method for the (2+1)‐Dimensional Modified Zakharov‐Kuznetsov Equation
Authors: Naher Hasibun , Abdullah Farah Aini
Published: August 2012

we apply the improved (G′/G)‐expansion method for constructing abundant new exact traveling wave solutions of the (2+1)‐dimensional Modified Zakharov‐Kuznetsov equation. In addition, G″ + λG′ + μG = 0 together with is employed in this method, where pq (q = 0, ±1, ±2, …, ±w), λ and μ are constants. Moreover, the obtained solutions including solitons and periodic solutions are described by three different families. Also, it is noteworthy to mention out that, some of our solutions are coincided with already published results, if parameters taken particular values. Furthermore, the graphical presentations are demonstrated for some of newly obtained solutions.
A Case Report of Idiopathic Omental Infarction in an Obese Child
Authors: Tsunoda Tomoyuki , Sogo Tsuyoshi , Komatsu Haruki , Inui Ayano , Fujisawa Tomoo
Published: August 2012

Omental infarction (OI) is a rare cause of acute abdomen in children. A 9-year-old girl was presented with sudden-onset intermittent right lower quadrant abdominal pain and fever (37.9°C). Physical examination revealed abdominal tenderness in the right lower quadrant with localized rebound tenderness which resembled acute appendicitis. She was obese and her BMI was on the 99th percentile. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 5 cm ill-defined heterogeneous fatty mass with hyperattenuating streaks just beneath the abdominal wall. She was diagnosed as OI and treated conservatively with reduced meals and antibiotics. Her symptom resolved gradually and she was discharged on day 7 without complications. OI should be considered as a differential diagnosis for acute right-sided abdominal pain, especially in obese children. Enhanced CT is useful for differentiating OI from other conditions presenting with acute abdomen.
A Case of Unifocal Eosinophilic Granuloma of the Mandible in an Adult Female: A Case Report
Authors: Agarwal Anshita , Agrawal Gaurav P. , Alam Sarwar , Husain Benazeer
Published: August 2012

Eosinophilic granuloma of bone is a disease with an incidence of one new case per 350,000 to 2 million per year, which is an uncommon disease of maxillofacial region, and presents in more than 90% in children under the age of ten with predominance for males. As a result, eosinophilic granuloma of the jaw is always unconsidered in the differential diagnosis of similar lesions by many clinicians. It is difficult to make a correct diagnosis on it without proof of a pathological diagnosis, which correlates with the diverse clinical and radiographic presentations of eosinophilic granuloma in the jaws. In the present paper we report a rare case of unifocal eosinophilic granuloma of mandible occurring in an adult female.
A Case of Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer Treated with Whole-Brain Radiotherapy and Eribulin Mesylate
Authors: Nieder Carsten , Aandahl Gro , Dalhaug Astrid
Published: August 2012

Patients with triple receptor-negative breast cancer often develop aggressive metastatic disease, which also might involve the brain. In many cases, systemic and local treatment is needed. It is important to consider the toxicity of chemo- and radiotherapy, especially when newly approved drugs become available. Randomised studies leading to drug approval often exclude patients with newly diagnosed brain metastases. Here we report our initial experience with eribulin mesylate and whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in a heavily pretreated patient with multiple brain, lung, and bone metastases from triple receptor-negative breast cancer. Eribulin mesylate was given after 4 previous lines for metastatic disease. Two weeks after the initial dose, that is, during the first cycle, the patient was diagnosed with 5 brain metastases with a maximum size of approximately 4.5 cm. She continued chemotherapy and received concomitant WBRT with 10 fractions of 3 Gy. After 3 cycles of eribulin mesylate, treatment was discontinued because of newly diagnosed liver metastases and progression in the lungs. No unexpected acute toxicity was observed. The only relevant adverse reactions were haematological events after the third cycle (haemoglobin 9.5 g/dL, leukocytes3.1×109/L). The patient died from respiratory failure 18.5 months from diagnosis of metastatic disease, and 2.7 months from diagnosis of brain metastases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on combined WBRT and eribulin mesylate.
Abdominal Wall Hydatid Cyst: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Abhishek V. , Patil Vijayraj S. , Mohan Ullikashi , Shivswamy B. S.
Published: August 2012

A 60-year-old woman presented with a swelling in right paraumbilical region of one-year duration. Examination revealed a painless cystic swelling 15 × 10 cm with cough impulse. Ultrasound and CECT abdomen showed a subcutaneous cystic swelling with intramuscular extension. No other intraabdominal cystic lesions were found. Surgical exploration showed a cystic lesion adherent to peritoneum without any intraperitoneal extension. Cyst was carefully excised without any spillage. Gross specimen on opening showed multiple daughter cysts consistent with hydatid cyst, confirming the diagnosis of solitary abdominal wall hydatid cyst.
Impossible Airway Requiring Venovenous Bypass for Tracheostomy
Authors: Gardes Johnathan , Straker Tracey
Published: August 2012

The elective surgical airway is the definitive management for a tracheal stenotic lesion that is not a candidate for tracheal resection, or who has failed multiple-tracheal dilations. This case report details the management of a patient who has failed an elective awake tracheostomy secondary to the inability to be intubated as well as severe scar tissue at the surgical site. A combination of regional anesthesia and venovenous bypass is used to facilitate the surgical airway management of this patient. Cerebral oximetry and a multidisciplinary team approach aid in early detection of an oxygenation issue, as well as the emergent intervention that preserved this patient’s life.
Mild Form of Treacher Collins Syndrome Imitating Juvenile Otosclerosis
Authors: Zeleník Karol , Komínek Pavel
Published: August 2012

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is an inherited developmental disorder. More than 40% of individuals with TCS have conductive hearing loss attributed to external and middle ear anomalies. Mild cases of TCS often pass undiagnosed at birth or early childhood. The disease may be manifested as conductive hearing loss in teenagers and may resemble juvenile otosclerosis. Patients could suffer from slight facial variabilities including retrognathia (as in our case) and others, which point out to a possible middle ear anomaly. Surgical corrections of middle ear anomalies including TCS generally lead to poorer outcomes comparing with juvenile otosclerosis, which should be discussed with parents during preoperative counselling.
SevereIsospora (Cystoisospora) belliDiarrhea Preceding the Diagnosis of Human T-Cell-Leukemia-Virus-1-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Ud Din N. , Torka P. , Hutchison R. E. , Riddell S. W. , Wright J. , Gajra A.
Published: August 2012

Isospora (Cystoisospora) bellidiarrhea can sometimes be fulminant in immunocompromised patients. It is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas, and sporadic episodes have been reported in nonendemic areas in nursing homes, day-care centers, and psychiatric institutions. We describe isosporiasis in an HIV-negative Sudanese-American female who presented with a debilitating diarrheal illness and profound weight loss.Isospora belliwas detected in her stool by modified acid-fast staining. Serologic testing was negative for HIV but positive for HTLV-1 infection. Treatment with TMP-SMZ led to improvement in her diarrhea which recurred after stopping antibiotics. Subsequently, she developed generalized lymphadenopathy which was diagnosed as ATLL on immunohistochemical staining. Chemotherapy was initiated, but her condition continued to worsen due to persistent diarrhea and resulting profound electrolyte abnormalities. The patient opted for comfort measures and died a few weeks later at a nursing facility. This case emphasizes that the detection ofI. bellishould trigger testing for HIV, HTLV-1, and other causes of immunocompromise. We suggest that treatment with TMP-SMZ should be initiated and continued for a prolonged period of time in immunocompromised patients withI. bellidiarrhea.
Plasmacytoid Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder Metastatic to the Stomach: A Case Report
Authors: Nabbout Philippe , Furr James , Paari Murugan , Slobodov Gennady
Published: August 2012

Introduction. Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma (PUC) of the bladder is a rare histological variant of urothelial carcinoma that was recently identified. Available data on this histological variant is limited.Case Report. We report the case of a 75-year-old man with presumed history of high-grade urothelial cancer of the bladder, treated with transurethral resection and Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in 2004. Six years after treatment of the bladder cancer, the patient underwent gastrectomy for an undifferentiated carcinoma of the stomach. On followup, patient developed right ureterohydronephrosis and peritoneal carcinomatosis. Biopsy of the bladder during stent placement revealed a plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Rereadings revealed that the initial bladder and gastric malignancies were also plasmacytoid carcinoma, indicating that, the patient had since 2004, a PUC of the bladder that spread to the stomach and peritoneal cavity.Conclusion. Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is an aggressive variant of urothelial carcinoma. Based on our case and the literature review, this tumor can be misdiagnosed because of its rarity, leading to treatment delays. Both the urologist and the pathologist need to have a high index of suspicion for PUC whenever they encounter unusual clinical and/or pathological findings.
Prekallikrein Deficiency Presenting as Recurrent Cerebrovascular Accident: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Bojanini Esteban Uribe , Loaiza-Bonilla Arturo , Pimentel Agustin
Published: August 2012

We report the case of a woman with history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presenting with recurrent episodes consistent clinically with cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), and MRI changes suggestive of ischemia versus vasculitis as their cause. No anatomical neurological, rheumatic, cardioembolic, or arteriosclerotic etiologies could be determined by extensive workup. Incidentally, the patient was found to have prolonged activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and a normal Prothrombin Time (PT); further testing revealed a prekallikrein deficiency. Since no other cause for the CVAs was established, and other prothrombotic states were ruled out, it is proposed that they are clinical manifestations derived from the prekallikrein deficiency, which in a patient with known cardiovascular risk factors could lead to thrombotic complications such as stroke.
Haemophilus influenzaeType b Meningitis in the Short Period after Vaccination: A Reminder of the Phenomenon of Apparent Vaccine Failure
Authors: Greenberg-Kushnir Noa , Haskin Orly , Yarden-Bilavsky Havatzelet , Amir Jacob , Bilavsky Efraim
Published: August 2012

We present two cases of bacterial meningitis caused byHaemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib) which developed a few days after conjugate Hib vaccination. This phenomenon of postimmunization provocative time period is reviewed and discussed. These cases serve as a reminder to clinicians of the risk, albeit rare, of invasive Hib disease in the short period after successful immunization.
Interferon Beta-1a Improves Urinary Symptoms, Reduces Proviral Load, and Modifies the Immune Response in a Patient with HAM/TSP
Authors: Costa Davi Tanajura , Sundberg Michael , Passos Lúcia , Muniz André Luiz , Santos Silvane
Published: August 2012

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the known causative agent of a chronic neurologic condition known as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Although several therapies have been evaluated for HAM/TSP, none have been approved for use in humans. In this paper, we describe a 55-year-old female patient with HAM/TSP who was treated with interferon beta-1a. This patient, in comparison to 20 female patients with HAM/TSP who were not treated, showed improvement in urinary symptoms over four years of therapy, as well as a reduction in HTLV-1 proviral load and serum cytokine levels typically observed in HAM/TSP. This improved outcome merits further controlled studies on the use and efficacy of interferon beta-1a as a therapy for HAM/TSP.
Acute Sinusitis Resulting in a Craniotomy: An Uncommon Complication of a Common Infection
Authors: Price Allison , Mohan Arjun , Bush Larry M.
Published: August 2012

Acute bacterial sinusitis is a common infectious condition. Patients may initially present with an uncomplicated infection and later, despite appropriate initial antibiotic therapy, develop a potentially life-threatening complication. Interventions aimed at alleviating such unexpected events need be prompt and adequate. We describe a case of a patient who initially presented with signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis later to be diagnosed with a frontal epidural abscess.