bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential of ChitinolyticSerratia marcescensStrain JPP1 for Biological Control ofAspergillus parasiticusand Aflatoxin
Authors: Wang Kai , Yan Pei-sheng , Cao Li-xin , Ding Qing-long , Shao Chi , Zhao Teng-fei
Published: June 2013

Serratia marcescensstrain JPP1 was isolated from peanut hulls in Huai'an city, Jiangsu Province, China. Its potential to inhibit the mycelial growth ofAspergillus parasiticusand the subsequent aflatoxin production was evaluated. The strain JPP1 could produce chitinase to degrade fungal cell walls, which was the main mechanism of strain JPP1 for biocontrol. Scanning electron microscopy of fungi treated with the crude chitinase revealed abnormal morphological changes. While the strain was grown in the peanut hulls-based medium, the chitinase activity reached 7.39 units. RT-PCR analysis showed that the crude chitinase repressed the transcription of genes involved in the aflatoxin gene cluster, such as aflR, aflC (pksL1), and aflO (dmtA) genes. By visual agar plate assay and tip culture method, the strain JPP1 exhibited remarkable inhibitory effect on mycelia growth (antifungal ratio >95%) and subsequent aflatoxin production (antiaflatoxigenic ratio >98%). Anin vitroassay with seed coating agent of bacterial suspension showed that strain JPP1 effectively reduced fungal growth and subsequent aflatoxin production on peanut seeds, and its antagonistic effect was superior to the common agricultural fungicide of carbendazim. These characteristics suggest thatS. marcescensJPP1 strain could potentially be utilized for the biological control of phytopathogenic fungi and aflatoxin in Chinese peanut main producing areas.
Visualizing Clusters in Artificial Neural Networks Using Morse Theory
Authors: Pearson Paul T.
Published: June 2013

This paper develops a process whereby a high-dimensional clustering problem is solved using a neural network and a low-dimensional cluster diagram of the results is produced using the Mapper method from topological data analysis. The low-dimensional cluster diagram makes the neural network's solution to the high-dimensional clustering problem easy to visualize, interpret, and understand. As a case study, a clustering problem from a diabetes study is solved using a neural network. The clusters in this neural network are visualized using the Mapper method during several stages of the iterative process used to construct the neural network. The neural network and Mapper clustering diagram results for the diabetes study are validated by comparison to principal component analysis.
Nutrition and the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Hu Nan , Yu Jin-Tai , Tan Lin , Wang Ying-Li , Sun Lei , Tan Lan
Published: June 2013

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that accounts for the major cause of dementia, and the increasing worldwide prevalence of AD is a major public health concern. Increasing epidemiological studies suggest that diet and nutrition might be important modifiable risk factors for AD. Dietary supplementation of antioxidants, B vitamins, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids are beneficial to AD, and consumptions of fish, fruits, vegetables, coffee, and light-to-moderate alcohol reduce the risk of AD. However, many of the results from randomized controlled trials are contradictory to that of epidemiological studies. Dietary patterns summarizing an overall diet are gaining momentum in recent years. Adherence to a healthy diet, the Japanese diet, and the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of AD. This paper will focus on the evidence linking many nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns to AD.
Dark Energy from the Gas of Wormholes
Authors: Kirillov A. A. , Savelova E. P.
Published: June 2013

We assume the space-time foam picture in which the vacuum is filled with a gas of virtual wormholes. It is shown that virtual wormholes form a finite (of the Planckian order) value of the energy
density of zero-point fluctuations. However such a huge value is compensated by the contribution
of virtual wormholes to the mean curvature and the observed value of the cosmological constant is
close to zero. A nonvanishing value appears due to the polarization of vacuum in external classical
fields. In the early Universe some virtual wormholes may form actual ones. We show that in the
case of actual wormholes vacuum polarization effects are negligible while their contribution to the
mean curvature is apt to form the observed dark energy phenomenon. Using the contribution of
wormholes to dark matter and dark energy we find estimates for characteristic parameters of the
gas of wormholes.
Intraperitoneal Exposure to Nano/Microparticles of Fullerene (C60) Increases Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Lipid Peroxidation in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Brain
Authors: Dal Forno Gonzalo Ogliari , Kist Luiza Wilges , de Azevedo Mariana Barbieri , Fritsch Rachel Seemann , Pereira Talita Carneiro Brandão , Britto Roberta Socoowski , Guterres Sílvia Stanisçuaski , Külkamp-Guerreiro Irene Clemes , Bonan Carla Denise , Monserrat José María , Bogo Maurício Reis
Published: June 2013

Even though technologies involving nano/microparticles have great potential, it is crucial to determine possible toxicity of these technological products before extensive use. Fullerenes C60are nanomaterials with unique physicochemical and biological properties that are important for the development of many technological applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of nonphotoexcited fullerene C60exposure in brain acetylcholinesterase expression and activity, antioxidant responses, and oxidative damage using adult zebrafish as an animal model. None of the doses tested (7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg) altered AChE activity, antioxidant responses, and oxidative damage when zebrafish were exposed to nonphotoexcited C60nano/microparticles during 6 and 12 hours. However, adult zebrafish exposed to the 30 mg/kg dose for 24 hours have shown enhanced AChE activity and augmented lipid peroxidation (TBARS assays) in brain. In addition, the up-regulation of brain AChE activity was neither related to the transcriptional control (RT-qPCR analysis) nor to the direct action of nonphotoexcited C60nano/microparticles on the protein (in vitroresults) but probably involved a posttranscriptional or posttranslational modulation of this enzymatic activity. Taken together these findings provided further evidence of toxic effects on brain after C60exposure.
Cerebral Arterial Thrombosis in Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Casella Giovanni , Cortelezzi Claudio Camillo , Marialuisa DeLodovici , Cariddi Lucia Princiotta , Elena Pinuccia Verrengia , Baldini Vittorio , Segato Sergio
Published: June 2013

Thrombosis, mainly venous, is a rare and well-recognized extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We describe a 25-year-old Caucasian man affected by ulcerative colitis and sclerosing cholangitis with an episode of right middle cerebral arterial thrombosis resolved by intraarterial thrombolysis. We perform a brief review of the International Literature.
Near Field UHF RFID Antenna System Enabling the Tracking of Small Laboratory Animals
Authors: Catarinucci Luca , Colella Riccardo , Mainetti Luca , Mighali Vincenzo , Patrono Luigi , Sergi Ilaria , Tarricone Luciano
Published: June 2013

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is more and more adopted in a wide range of applicative scenarios. In many cases, such as the tracking of small-size living animals for behaviour analysis purposes, the straightforward use of commercial solutions does not ensure adequate performance. Consequently, both RFID hardware and the control software should be tailored for the particular application. In this work, a novel RFID-based approach enabling an effective localization and tracking of small-sized laboratory animals is proposed. It is mainly based on a UHF Near Field RFID multiantenna system, to be placed under the animals’ cage, and able to rigorously identify the NF RFID tags implanted in laboratory animals (e.g., mice). Once the requirements of the reader antenna have been individuated, the antenna system has been designed and realized. Moreover, an algorithm based on the measured Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) aiming at removing potential ambiguities in data captured by the multiantenna system has been developed and integrated. The animal tracking system has been largely tested on phantom mice in order to verify its ability to precisely localize each subject and to reconstruct its path. The achieved and discussed results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed tracking system.
Coefficient of Energy Balance: Effective Tool for Early Differential Diagnosis of CNS Diseases
Authors: Bořecká Klára , Adam Pavel , Sobek Ondřej , Hajduková Lenka , Lánská Věra , Nekola Petr
Published: June 2013

Urgent examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) provides immediate important information about the character of central nervous system (CNS) impairment. Although this examination includes energy parameters such as glucose and lactate concentrations, it does not commonly use Coefficient of Energy Balance (CEB). In this study, we focused on CEB because it enables more exact assessment of actual energy state in the CSF compartment than glucose and lactate alone. CEB informs about the actual functioning condition of present cells, and it does not require any other analysis or costs. Using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, we examined a large CSF sample (n=8183) and we compared CEB values among groups with different cytological syndromes. We found a statistically significant difference of CEB between the group with granulocyte pleocytosis and the control group. These results indicate a high degree of anaerobic metabolism caused by the oxidative burst of neutrophils. Similarly, we found a statistically significant difference of CEB between the control group and groups with tumorous oligocytosis plus pleocytosis and monocyte pleocytosis. This difference can be attributed to the oxidative burst of macrophages. Our findings suggest that CEB combined with CSF cytology has a great importance for diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and early therapy of CNS diseases.
A Rare Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Chylous Ascites and Chylothorax
Authors: Soysal Dilek Ersil , Hizar Turan Sezin , Ozmen Mustafa , Pekdiker Mete , Kalender Mehmet Eren , Koc Emrah , Karakus Volkan
Published: June 2013

During the course of the disease a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may develop inflammation of one or more serous membranes, resulting in pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial effusion. Chylous ascites and chylothorax have rarely been described in patients with SLE. Therefore, in parallel with the analysis of blood samples, detailed analysis of the effusions should be carried out. Supportive measures are often needed to relieve the symptoms of chylothorax or chylous ascites together with the treatment of the primary disease. The available literature had reported just 4 cases of chylous ascites and/or chylothorax in association with SLE, and this patient presented here is one of the rare cases apart from the reported ones.
Carotid Artery Segmentation in Ultrasound Images and Measurement of Intima-Media Thickness
Authors: Naik Vaishali , Gamad R. S. , Bansod P. P.
Published: June 2013

Background. The segmentation of the common carotid artery (CCA) wall is imperative for the determination of the intima-media thickness (IMT) on B-mode ultrasound (US) images. The IMT is considered an important indicator in the evaluation of the risk for the development of atherosclerosis. In this paper, authors have discussed the relevance of measurements in clinical practices and the challenges that one has to face while approaching the segmentation of carotid artery on ultrasound images. The paper presents an overall review of commonly used methods for the CCA segmentation and IMT measurement along with the different performance metrics that have been proposed and used for performance validation. Summary and future directions are given in the conclusion.
Lower Lid Reconstruction Utilizing Auricular Conchal Chondral-Perichondral Tissue in Patients with Neoplastic Lesions
Authors: Parodi Pier Camillo , Calligaris Fabrizio , De Biasio Fabrizio , De Maglio Giovanna , Miani Flavia , Zeppieri Marco
Published: June 2013

Purpose. To assess surgical outcomes of lower lid reconstruction surgery using auricular conchal tissue.Methods. This prospective study included 20 patients that underwent reconstructive lower lid surgery using autologous auricle chondral-perichondral graft tissue. Auricle tissue was used to provide adequate support and protection with similar conjunctiva tarsal structures on overlying soft tissues in patients with pathologic inferior lid tissue loss requiring reconstructive surgery. Biopsies with histopathology and cytology analysis were taken after 1 year. Cytology analysis using CK19 was used to confirm newly formed conjunctiva overlying the graft.Results. All patients showed no graft rejection. Surgical outcomes were generally good, with minimal or no ocular complications. 16 of 20 patients had excellent results, showing good lid symmetry and esthetics, minimal auricular discomfort, patient satisfaction and proper lid function. Surgical outcomes were highly dependent on proper post-op conjunctiva formation. All patients were positive for CK19, thus indicating proper conjunctiva tissue formation.Conclusions. Lower lid reconstruction surgery using auricular chondral-perichondral conchal tissue is a good alternative in patients with neoplastic lesions. Autologous chondral-perichondral tissue provides good functional and mechanical support in the reconstructed lid, thus reducing the risks of ectropion and corneal exposure and ensuring a protected ocular surface.
Human Platelet Antigen Alleles in 998 Taiwanese Blood Donors Determined by Sequence-Specific Primer Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Pai Shun-Chung , Burnouf Thierry , Chen Jen-Wei , Lin Liang-In
Published: June 2013

Polymorphism of human platelet antigens (HPAs) leads to alloimmunizations and immune-mediated platelet disorders including fetal-neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT), posttransfusion purpura (PTP), and platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR). HPA typing and knowledge of antigen frequency in a population are important in particular for the provision of HPA-matched blood components for patients with PTR. We have performed allele genotyping for HPA-1 through -6 and -15 among 998 platelet donors from 6 blood centers in Taiwan using sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction. The HPA allele frequency was 99.55, and 0.45% for HPA-1a and -1b; 96.49, and 3.51% for HPA-2a and -2b; 55.81, and 44.19% for HPA-3a and -3b; 99.75, and 0.25% for HPA-4a and -4b; 98.50, and 1.50% for HPA-5a and -5b; 97.75 and 2.25% for HPA-6a and -6b; 53.71 and 46.29% for HPA-15a and -15b. HPA-15b and HPA-3a, may be considered the most important, followed by HPA-2, -6, -1, -5, and -4 systems, as a cause of FNAIT, PTP, and PTR based on allele frequency. HPA-4b and HPA-5b role cannot be excluded based on their immunogenicity. A larger-scale study will now be conducted to confirm these hypotheses and to establish an apheresis donor database for the procurement of HPA-matched apheresis platelets for patients with PTR.
Angiotensin Receptor Agonistic Autoantibodies and Hypertension
Authors: Xia Yang , Kellems Rodney E.
Published: June 2013

Hypertensive disorders are life-threatening diseases with high morbidity and mortality, affecting billions of individuals worldwide. A multitude of underlying conditions may contribute to hypertension, thus the need for a plethora of treatment options to identify the approach that best meets the needs of individual patients. A growing body of evidence indicates that (1) autoantibodies that bind to and activate the major angiotensin II type I (AT
1
) receptor exist in the circulation of patients with hypertensive disorders, (2) these autoantibodies contribute to disease pathophysiology, (3) antibody titers correlate to the severity of the disease, and (4) efforts to block or remove these pathogenic autoantibodies have therapeutic potential. These autoantibodies, termed AT
1
agonistic autoantibodies have been extensively characterized in preeclampsia, a life-threatening hypertensive condition of pregnancy. As reviewed here, these autoantibodies cause symptoms of preeclampsia when injected into pregnant mice. Somewhat surprisingly, these auto antibodies also appear in 3 animal models of preeclampsia. However, the occurrence of AT
1
agonistic autoantibodies is not restricted to pregnancy. These autoantibodies are prevalent among kidney transplant recipients who develop severe transplant rejection and malignant hypertension during the first week after transplantation. AT
1
agonistic autoantibodies are also highly abundant among a group of patients with essential hypertension that are refractory to standard therapy. More recently these autoantibodies have been seen in patients with the autoimmune disease, systemic sclerosis. These 3 examples extend the clinical impact of AT
1
agonistic autoantibodies beyond pregnancy. Research reviewed here raises the intriguing possibility that preeclampsia and other hypertensive conditions are autoimmune diseases characterized by the presence of pathogenic autoantibodies that activate the major angiotensin receptor, AT
1
. These pathogenic autoantibodies could serve as presymptomatic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, thereby providing improved medical management for these conditions.
Carotid Calcification in Mice: A New Model to Study the Effects of Arterial Stiffness on the Brain
Authors: Sadekova Nataliya , Vallerand Diane , Guevara Edgar , Lesage Frédéric , Girouard Hélène
Published: June 2013

Background

Arterial stiffness has been identified as an important risk factor for cognitive decline. However, its effects on the brain's health are unknown, and there is no animal model available to study the precise impact of arterial stiffness on the brain. Therefore, the objective of the study was to develop and characterize a new model specific to arterial stiffness in order to study its effects on the brain.

Methods and Results

Calcium chloride (CaCl
2
) was applied to carotid arteries of mice, inducing an increase in collagen distribution and intima–media thickness, a fragmentation of elastin, a decrease in arterial compliance and distensibility, and an increase in cerebral blood flow pulsatility (n=3 to 11). Calcium deposits were only present at the site of CaCl
2
application, and there was no increase in systemic blood pressure or change in vessel radius making this model specific for arterial stiffness. The effects of carotid stiffness were then assessed in the brain. Carotid calcification induced an increase in the production of cerebral superoxide anion and neurodegeneration, detected with
F
luoro‐
J
ade B staining, in the hippocampus (n=3 to 5), a key region for memory and cognition.

Conclusions

A new model of arterial stiffness based on carotid calcification was developed and characterized. This new model meets all the characteristics of arterial stiffness, and its specificity allows the study of the effects of arterial stiffness on the brain.
The Plasticity of the Syrian Avant-Garde, 1964–1970
Authors: Lenssen Anneka
Published: June 2013

This article examines Syrian art discourse on either side of the Naksa, the defeat of the Arab forces by Israel in June 1967, particularly transformations in the social value Syrian artists accorded to the irreducibly formal elements of the artistic craft. It analyzes these values by focusing on a reform program in the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Damascus, 1964–67, as well arts coverage in al-Bacth newspaper, exhibition texts, and the reception of artworks by Nazir Nabaa, Guido La Regina, Mahmoud Hammad, and Ahmed Nawash. It also explores the connotations of the term “plasticity,” a description of a union between formal malleability and formational human labor, in Syria and its functionality in the post-1967 period in negotiating the antinomies of form/content and abstraction/humanism.
Six Characters and an Anthropologist: Form and Information in three Works by Hassan Khan
Authors: El-Sheikh Tammer
Published: June 2013

This article presents an interpretation of three works by Cairo-based artist Hassan Khan. The works are “17 and in AUC” (2003), “Conspiracy: Dialogue/Diatribe” (2006/2010) and “Dead Dog Speaks” (2010). I argue that in these works Khan stages a withdrawal from the legacy of the 1967 Naksa. He does this by means of a separation of his figures from their particular contexts, reflexive narrative strategies, non-periodic scene structures and substitutive manipulations of his figures. I argue ultimately that Khan's staging of uprooted figures of Egyptian identity sends up the ethnographic notion of the “native informant” on which post-Naksa nationalists discourses have been based.
Flight into Tomorrow: Rethinking Artistic Practice in Estonia During the 1970s (Leonhard Lapin)
Authors: Laanemets Mari
Published: June 2013

This article observes how the new understanding of art which was introduced at the end of the 1960s by pop art influenced groups was pursued and radicalised in the second half of the 1970s, in a period generally referred to as the weakening of the avant-garde. It focuses on the texts by Leonhard Lapin, promoting art as a means of creating a new living environment. Taking Lapin's text as a framework, the author analyses the intervention in the official exhibition of monumental art in 1976.
Un rêve qui tombe à pic La rhétorique de Jacob en Gn 31:4-13
Authors: Salman Émine , Wénin André
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Comment considérer, au plan narratif, le discours de Jacob à Rachel et Léa en Gn 31:4-13, et en particulier le rêve qu’il leur raconte (v. 10-13) ? Faut-il y voir un flash-back comblant des omissions du récit antécédent, ou une invention rhétorique du personnage « accommodant » la réalité pour amener ses femmes à prendre parti pour lui contre leur père et à l’accompagner dans son voyage de retour ? En montrant comment les données du récit du narrateur sont présentées par Jacob, le présent article met en évidence la rhétorique plus que tendancieuse du patriarche qui, selon toute vraisemblance, « invente » le rêve pour donner davantage de poids à son discours.
Irregular Maritime Migration and the Pacific Solution Mark II: Back to the Future for Refugee Law and Policy in Australia?
Authors: Billings Peter
Published: June 2013

Following a rise in the number of irregular maritime arrivals seeking refugee protection in Australia, and two successful legal challenges to their refugee processing policies, the Labor Government has resuscitated notorious aspects of the ‘Pacific Solution’ as part of a ‘no advantage’ policy. This strategy seeks to deter ‘irregular’ asylum seekers by treating them no more favourably than refugees seeking protection from overseas awaiting entry to Australia through regular refugee/humanitarian channels. In furtherance of this ‘no advantage’ policy, extra-territorial processing on Nauru and Papua New Guinea has been re-introduced and ‘excision’ provisions are to be extended to mainland Australia placing the continent outside of its ‘migration zone’ and, therefore, asylum seekers beyond the regular laws and processes for protection seekers. This article analyses the seismic shifts in asylum seeker policy that have occurred in Australia over the recent past and the politics underpinning them.
Noxa caput sequitur
Authors: Sirks A.J.B.
Published: June 2013

Generally it is assumed that caput in the phrase noxa caput sequitur refers to the delinquent slave or filius familias. The liability for the delict is attached to his person. It is argued, however, that caput refers to the pater familias of the delinquent. The Twelve Tables contained a rule on their direct and personal liability (with surrender to the autorities). The introduction of the edicts on furtum and the lex Aquilia, with the direct and exclusive liability of the pater familias for the wrongdoings of those, subjected to his potestas, led to a correction: the pater could now refuse to defend them and surrender them to the authorities, or engage in the process, with afterwards still the possibility to surrender, now to the plaintiff. The phrase as such refers then to the inclusion of the decemviral rule on liability of persons subjected to patria potestas, into the formulas for the delicts.
A study on juridification
Authors: Debaenst Bruno
Published: June 2013

Juridification is a complex and ambiguous concept, which legal history can help to understand. The present article discusses the transitions regarding industrial accidents in nineteenth century Belgium as processes of juridification. It shows the need to distinguish between several semi-autonomous social fields of juridification (administration, parliament, justice), each of which is characterized by autonomous evolutions and mutual interferences.
A Coupled Model for Laplace's Tidal Equations in a Fluid with One Horizontal Dimension and Variable Depth
Authors: Kelly Samuel M. , Jones Nicole L. , Nash Jonathan D.
Published: June 2013

Tide–topography interactions dominate the transfer of tidal energy from large to small scales. At present, it is poorly understood how low-mode internal tides reflect and scatter along the continental margins. Here, the coupling equations for linear tides model (CELT) are derived to determine the independent modal solutions to Laplace's Tidal Equations (LTE) over stepwise topography in one horizontal dimension. CELT is (i) applicable to arbitrary one-dimensional topography and realistic stratification without requiring numerically expensive simulations and (ii) formulated to quantify scattering because it implicitly separates incident and reflected waves. Energy fluxes and horizontal velocities obtained using CELT are shown to converge to analytical solutions, indicating that “flat bottom” modes, which evolve according to LTE, are also relevant in describing tides over sloping topography. The theoretical framework presented can then be used to quantify simultaneous incident and reflected energy fluxes in numerical simulations and observations of tidal flows that vary in one horizontal dimension. Thus, CELT can be used to diagnose internal-tide scattering on continental slopes. Here, semidiurnal mode-1 scattering is simulated on the Australian northwest, Brazil, and Oregon continental slopes. Energy-flux divergence and directional energy fluxes computed using CELT are shown to agree with results from a finite-volume model that is significantly more numerically expensive. Last, CELT is used to examine the dynamics of two-way surface–internal-tide coupling. Semidiurnal mode-1 internal tides are found to transmit about 5% of their incident energy flux to the surface tide where they impact the continental slope. It is hypothesized that this feedback may decrease the coherence of sea surface displacement on continental shelves.
Revisiting Abandoned Ground
Authors: Fischer Gundula
Published: June 2013

Since the 1990s African trade unions have discussed and in part embarked on mobilization in the informal economy. Reports, however, rarely relate present unionists’ attitudes towards informal workers, on the one hand, to the history of their labor movement on the other. In this study ethnographic interviews with high-ranking Tanzanian labor leaders and their development partners are evaluated against aims and obstacles unions in other African countries see for engagement in the informal economy and against the specific Tanzanian union history. This approach reveals how in the case of Tanzania structural and historical problems (the latter mainly survivals from Ujamaa socialism) reinforce each other. As a result, labor leaders experience difficulties in addressing economic developments such as the informalization of work and in returning to more inclusive concepts of unions prevalent in the pre-independence era.
Endobronchial metastasis in a dog with sarcoma
Authors: Schaffer Paula A. , Weishaar Kristen M. , Han Sushan
Published: June 2013

A 3-year-old neutered male Australian Shepherd mix dog presented with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma arising from a primary tumor in the left lumbar fascia. Two separate metastases to the lungs were characterized by neoplasia within bronchiolar walls, which caused obstruction of the bronchiolar lumina and atelectasis of adjacent alveoli, a characteristic feature of endobronchial metastasis. Neoplastic cells of the primary lumbar neoplasm, metastatic pulmonary lesions, and additional widespread metastatic masses identified postmortem were similarly immunoreactive for vimentin, but non-immunoreactive for cytokeratin, cluster of differentiation 18, synaptophysin, chromogranin, and desmin. The present report describes a naturally occurring case of endobronchial metastasis in a dog.
Exploring Eating and Activity Behaviors with Parent–Child Dyads Using Event History Calendars
Authors: Danford Cynthia A. , Martyn Kristy K.
Published: June 2013

Despite advances in science, the prevalence of childhood obesity persists and outcomes remain inconsistent. An event history calendar (EHC) is a tool to facilitate understanding of family life dynamics influencing eating and activity choices. This tool uses reflection to assess temporally linked behavior in the context of life events so that choices related to eating and activity are more explicit. Fourteen parent–child (6-14 years) dyads completed an EHC and interview 2 months following a healthy eating/activity intervention. Phenomenological analysis revealed themes including “awareness” of activity/eating behaviors, “healthy lessons,” “family time,” and “barriers” to change. The EHC facilitated participant communication and understanding by making connections between behaviors, habits, and events in family context, so that eating and activity behaviors could be realistically reviewed. This tool has potential to guide development of individualized interventions through barrier identification and goal establishment in research and clinical settings to help counteract childhood obesity over time.
Evaluation of urinalyses from untreated adult cats with lower urinary tract disease and healthy control cats: predictive abilities and clinical relevance
Authors: Lund Heidi Sjetne , Krontveit Randi Ingebjørg , Halvorsen Ingvild , Eggertsdóttir Anna Vigdís
Published: June 2013

This case-controlled study evaluated urinalyses from 111 primary cases diagnosed with feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and 101 healthy control cats. Urine samples were analysed by standardised procedures, and differences between the two groups were compared by multivariable logistic regression analysis, while controlling for age, body weight, gender and reproductive status. Further, the ability of using urine sediment findings to predict bacteriuria was evaluated. In addition, urinalyses from cats with bacterial cystitis, idiopathic cystitis, urolithiasis and urethral plugs were compared. The main findings were that increasing body weight was significantly associated with increased odds of FLUTD, while the influence of age and reproductive status was of less importance. Increasing amounts of red blood cells and epithelial cells were significantly associated with increased odds of FLUTD. The predictive ability of using bacterial sediment findings to predict bacterial growth was dependent on subjective grading of the amount of bacteria in the sediment and was, at best, only moderate. The few significant differences found between the different FLUTD diagnoses were of limited diagnostic value.
Recent trends in publications of US vascular surgery program directors
Authors: Hingorani Anil , DerDerian Trevor , Gallagher James , Ascher Enrico
Published: June 2013

Aim

We reviewed the number of vascular publications listed in PubMed from 2001 to 2009 for US program directors in vascular surgery and suggest that this can be used as a benchmark.

Methods

PubMed listed 3284 citations published during this time period. The average number of citations in PubMed per program director was 3.68 per year. The top third produced 67% of the publications. Journal of Vascular Surgery publications made up 37%. No statistical differences could be ascertained between the regions of the country and the number of publications.

Results

Compared to the first six years, the number of citations decreased during the last three years (13%). During the first period, there were no programs with no publications and seven with no Journal of Vascular Surgery publication. During the last three years, there were seven programs with no publications and 19 programs with no Journal of Vascular Surgery publications. The number of aortic-endovascular citations peaked in 2002 and 2003, while the number of open and basic science citations decreased. Imaging citations peaked in 2003–2005, and carotid-endovascular, vein-endovascular, and thoracic aortic-endovascular citations climbed.

Conclusions

The decrease in the number of citations/program/year raises concern about the level of academic activity in vascular surgery. Overall, the annual distribution of the topic of these citations represents a continued shift from open to endovascular cases and decreasing basic science citations.
Dynamics of fecal microbial communities in children with diarrhea of unknown etiology and genomic analysis of associated Streptococcus lutetiensis
Authors: Jin Dong , Chen Chen , Li Lianqing , Lu Shan , Li Zhenjun , Zhou Zhemin , Jing Huaiqi , Xu Yanmei , Du Pengcheng , Wang Haiyin , Xiong Yanwen , Zheng Han , Bai Xuemei , Sun Hui , Wang Lei , Ye Changyun , Gottschalk Marcelo , Xu Jianguo
Published: June 2013

Background

The sequences of the 16S rRNA genes extracted from fecal samples provide insights into the dynamics of fecal microflora. This potentially gives valuable etiological information for patients whose conditions have been ascribed to unknown pathogens, which cannot be accomplished using routine culture methods. We studied 33 children with diarrhea who were admitted to the Children’s Hospital in Shanxi Province during 2006.

Results

Nineteen of 33 children with diarrhea could not be etiologically diagnosed by routine culture and polymerase chain reaction methods. Eleven of 19 children with diarrhea of unknown etiology had Streptococcus as the most dominant fecal bacterial genus at admission. Eight of nine children whom three consecutive fecal samples were collected had Streptococcus as the dominant fecal bacterial genus, including three in the Streptococcus bovis group and three Streptococcus sp., which was reduced during and after recovery. We isolated strains that were possibly from the S. bovis group from feces sampled at admission, which were then identified as Streptococcus lutetiensis from one child and Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus from two children. We sequenced the genome of S. lutetiensis and identified five antibiotic islands, two pathogenicity islands, and five unique genomic islands. The identified virulence genes included hemolytic toxin cylZ of Streptococcus agalactiae and sortase associated with colonization of pathogenic streptococci.

Conclusions

We identified S. lutetiensis and S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus from children with diarrhea of unknown etiology, and found pathogenic islands and virulence genes in the genome of S. lutetiensis.
Examining the impact of familiarity on faucet usability for older adults with dementia
Authors: Boger Jennifer , Craig Tammy , Mihailidis Alex
Published: June 2013

Background

Changes in cognition caused by dementia can significantly alter how a person perceives familiarity, impacting the recognition and usability of everyday products. A person who is unable to use products cannot autonomously complete associated activities, resulting in increased dependence on a caregiver and potential move to assisted living facilities. The research presented in this paper hypothesised that products that are more familiar will result in better usability for older adults with dementia. Better product usability could, in turn, potentially support independence and autonomy.

Methods

This research investigated the impact of familiarity on the use of five faucet designs during 1309 handwashing trials by 27 older adults, who ranged from cognitively intact to the advanced (severe) stages of dementia. Human factors methods were used to collect empirical and self-reported data to gauge faucets’ usability. Participants’ data were grouped according to cognition (i.e., no/mild, moderate, or severe dementia). Logistic regression, ranking by odds, and Wald tests of odds ratios were used to compare performance of the three groups on the different faucets. Qualitative data were used in the interpretation of quantitative results.

Results

Results indicated that more familiar faucets correlated with lower levels of assistance from a caregiver, fewer operational errors, and greater levels of operator satisfaction. Aspects such as the ability to control water temperature and flow as well as pleasing aesthetics appeared to positively impact participants’ acceptance of a faucet. The dual lever design achieved the best overall usability.

Conclusions

While work must be done to expand these findings to other products and tasks, this research provides evidence that familiarity plays a substantial role in product usability for older adults that appears to become more influential as dementia progresses. The methods used in this research could be adapted to analyse usability for other products by older adults with dementia.
Early utilization of hypertonic peritoneal dialysate and subsequent risks of non-traumatic amputation among peritoneal dialysis patients: a nationwide retrospective longitudinal study
Authors: Lin Shih-Yi , Lin Che-Chen , Lin Chung-Chih , Chung Chi-Jung , Yeh Horng-Che , Wang I-Kuan , Ting I-Wen , Huang Chiu-Chin , Sung Fung-Chang
Published: June 2013

Background

The hemodialysis (HD) population has a particularly high incidence of amputation, which is likely associated with decreased tissue oxygenation during HD. However, information about the risk factors leading to amputation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is limited. Here, we have investigated the association between the use of hypertonic peritoneal dialysate (HPD) and subsequent amputation in PD patients.

Methods

Based on the data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance research database, this observational cohort study enrolled 203 PD patients who had received HPD early during treatment and had not undergone amputation and 296 PD controls who had not undergone amputation. Subjects were followed through until the end of 2009 and the event rates of new non-traumatic amputation were compared between groups.

Results

The incidence of amputation was 3 times higher for the HPD cohort than for the comparison cohort (23.68 vs. 8.01 per 1000 person-years). The hazard ratio (HR) for this group, estimated using a multivariable Cox model, was 2.48 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06–5.79). The HR for patients with both diabetes and early adoption of HPD increased to 44.34 (95% CI = 5.51-357.03), compared to non-HPD non-diabetic PD controls.

Conclusion

Early utilization of HPD in PD patients is associated with increasing risk of amputation; this risk considerably increases for those with concomitant diabetes.
Semen astragali complanati- and rhizoma cibotii-enhanced bone formation in osteoporosis rats
Authors: Liu Meijie , Xiao Gary Guishan , Rong Peijing , Dong Jiazi , Zhang Zhiguo , Zhao Hongyan , Teng Jingru , Zhao Hongxia , Pan Jinghua , Li Yan , Zha Qinglin , Zhang Ying , Ju Dahong
Published: June 2013

Background

Growing evidence shows that herb medicines have some anti-osteoporotic effects, the mechanism underlying is unknown. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of Chinese herb supplements on rats that had osteoporosis-like symptom induced by ovariectomy (OVX).

Methods

OVX or sham operations were performed on virgin Wistar rats at three-month old, which were randomly divided into eight groups: sham (sham); OVX control group (OVX); OVX rats with treatments [either diethylstilbestrol (DES) or Semen Astragali Complanati decoction (SACD) or Rhizoma Cibotii decoction (RCD) or Herba Cistanches decoction (HCD) or Semen Allii Tuberosi decoction (SATD)]. Non-surgical rats were served as a normal control (NC). The treatments began 4 weeks after surgery, and lasted for 12 weeks. Bone mass and its turnover were analyzed by histomorphometry. Levels of protein and mRNA of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANKL) in osteoblasts (OB) and bone marrow stromal cells (bMSC) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

Results

Compared to OVX control, TBV% in both SACD and RCD groups was increased significantly, while TRS%, TFS%, MAR, and mAR were decreased remarkably in the SACD group, only TRS% decreased dramatically in the RCD group. No significant changes in bone formation were observed in either HCD or SATD groups. OPG levels in both protein and mRNA were reduced consistantly in OB and bMSC from OVX control rats, in contrast, RANKL levels in both protein and mRNA were increased significantly. These effects were substantially reversed by treatments with either DES or SACD or RCD. No significant changes in both OPG and RANKL expression were observed in OB and bMSC from OVX rats treated with SATD and HCD.

Conclusions

Our study showed that SACD and RCD increased bone formation by stimulating OPG expression and downregulating RANKL expression in OB and bMSC. This suggests that SACD and RCD may be developed as alternative anti-osteoporotic agents for therapy of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Extracorporeal lung support in trauma patients with severe chest injury and acute lung failure: a 10-year institutional experience
Authors: Ried Michael , Bein Thomas , Philipp Alois , Müller Thomas , Graf Bernhard , Schmid Christof , Zonies David , Diez Claudius , Hofmann Hans Stefan
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Severe trauma with concomitant chest injury is frequently associated with acute lung failure (ALF). This report summarizes our experience with extracorporeal lung support (ELS) in thoracic trauma patients treated at the University Medical Center Regensburg.

Methods

A retrospective, observational analysis of prospectively collected data (Regensburg ECMO Registry database) was performed for all consecutive trauma patients with acute pulmonary failure requiring ELS during a 10-year interval.

Results

Between April 2002 and April 2012, 52 patients (49 male, three female) with severe thoracic trauma and ALF refractory to conventional therapy required ELS. The mean age was 32 ± 14 years (range, 16 to 72 years). Major traffic accident (73%) was the most common trauma, followed by blast injury (17%), deep fall (8%) and blunt trauma (2%). The mean Injury Severity Score was 58.9 ± 10.5, the mean lung injury score was 3.3 ± 0.6 and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 10.5 ± 3. Twenty-six patients required pumpless extracorporeal lung assist (PECLA) and 26 patients required veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) for primary post-traumatic respiratory failure. The mean time to ELS support was 5.2 ± 7.7 days (range, <24 hours to 38 days) and the mean ELS duration was 6.9 ± 3.6 days (range, <24 hours to 19 days). In 24 cases (48%) ELS implantation was performed in an external facility, and cannulation was done percutaneously by Seldinger's technique in 98% of patients. Cannula-related complications occurred in 15% of patients (PECLA, 19% (n = 5); vv-ECMO, 12% (n = 3)). Surgery was performed in 44 patients, with 16 patients under ELS prevention. Eight patients (15%) died during ELS support and three patients (6%) died after ELS weaning. The overall survival rate was 79% compared with the proposed Injury Severity Score-related mortality (59%).

Conclusion

Pumpless and pump-driven ELS systems are an excellent treatment option in severe thoracic trauma patients with ALF and facilitate survival in an experienced trauma center with an interdisciplinary treatment approach. We encourage the use of vv-ECMO due to reduced complication rates, better oxygenation and best short-term outcome.
Primary Adrenal Insufficiency Due to Bilateral Adrenal Hemorrhage-Adrenal Infarction in the Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Long-Term Outcome of 16 Patients
Authors: Ramon Isolde , Mathian Alexis , Bachelot Anne , Hervier Baptiste , Haroche Julien , Boutin-Le Thi Huong Du , Costedoat-Chalumeau Nathalie , Wechsler Bertrand , Karmali Rafik , Velkeniers Brigitte , Touraine Philippe , Coussieu Christiane , Bennani Abdelhai , Renard-Penna Raphaele , Grenier Philippe A. , Wahl Denis , Piette Jean-Charles , Amoura Zahir
Published: June 2013

Context:

Primary adrenal insufficiency due to bilateral adrenal hemorrhage-adrenal infarction is a rare and life-threatening manifestation of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS). Data on the long-term outcome are scarce.

Objective:

The aims of the present study were to analyze the long-term outcome related to APLS per se and to characterize the course of adrenal involvement.

Design:

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with bilateral adrenal hemorrhage-adrenal infarction secondary to APLS seen in the Department of Internal Medicine of Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris (France) between January 1990 and July 2010.

Results:

Three patients died during the acute phase related to APLS manifestations. Sixteen patients (7 males; 9 females) were followed up during a median period of 3.5 years (range 0.3–28.1 years). Three episodes of recurrent thrombosis were noted. One patient died from cerebral hemorrhage 3 months after the onset of adrenal insufficiency. Repeated Synacthen tests showed complete absence of response in 8 of the 10 patients assessed; cortisol and aldosterone increased appropriately in one patient and to some extent in another one. Dehydroepiandrosterone levels and 24-hour urinary epinephrine levels remained abnormally low in all evaluated patients. Adrenal imaging performed more than 1 year after the initial event revealed completely atrophic glands in 9 of 11 patients.

Conclusions:

This particular subset of APLS patients who survive the acute phase has a rather favorable long-term outcome. Although adrenal dysfunction is generally irreversible, adrenocortical function may, at least partially, recover in rare cases. In this view, measurement of early morning cortisol during follow-up is indicated to detect these patients.
Stochastic Comparisons of Symmetric Supermodular Functions of Heterogeneous Random Vectors
Authors: Di Crescenzo Antonio , Frostig Esther , Pellerey Franco
Published: June 2013

Consider random vectors formed by a finite number of independent groups of independent and identically distributed random variables, where those of the last group are stochastically smaller than those of the other groups. Conditions are given such that certain functions, defined as suitable means of supermodular functions of the random variables of the vectors, are supermodular or increasing directionally convex. Comparisons based on the increasing convex order of supermodular functions of such random vectors are also investigated. Applications of the above results are then provided in risk theory, queueing theory, and reliability theory, with reference to (i) net stop-loss reinsurance premiums of portfolios from different groups of insureds, (ii) closed cyclic multiclass Gordon-Newell queueing networks, and (iii) reliability of series systems formed by units selected from different batches.
A Note on the Mixture Representation of the Conditional Residual Lifetime of a Coherent System
Authors: Feng Xiuying , Zhang Shuhong , Li Xiaohu
Published: June 2013

This paper builds a mixture representation of the reliability function of the conditional residual lifetime of a coherent system in terms of the reliability functions of conditional residual lifetimes of order statistics. Some stochastic ordering properties for the conditional residual lifetime of a coherent system with independent and identically distributed components are obtained, based on the stochastically ordered coefficient vectors.