bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid SPECT/CT imaging of sentinel nodes in esophageal cancer: first results
Authors: Tsai Jon A , Celebioglu Fuat , Lindblad Mats , Lörinc Esther , Nilsson Magnus , Olsson Annie , Lundell Lars , Axelsson Rimma
Published: April 2013

Background

Sentinel node (SN) biopsy in esophageal cancer has the potential of becoming an important tool for ruling out the presence of lymph node metastases in patients opted for less extensive surgery without neoadjuvant treatment.

Purpose

To investigate preoperative SN imaging in esophageal cancer using hybrid single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT.

Material and Methods

Eight patients with esophageal cancer scheduled for thoracoabdominal esophagectomy after neoadjuvant treatment, underwent endoscopic submucosal injection of 99mTc-nanocoll the day before surgery, followed by imaging with SPECT/CT for preoperative detection. Intraoperative detection of SNs was performed with a gamma probe.

Results

SNs were identified by SPECT/CT in 7/8 cases (88%) and by gamma probe in all cases. The median number of identified lymph node stations with SN in the operating field was 1 (range 0–2) for SPECT/CT and 1 (range 1–3) for gamma probe. The median distance between the perceived location of the respective SN according to SPECT/CT and the location identified with the gamma probe was <5 mm (range <5–15 mm). In one patient who had a complete histologic response to neoadjuvant treatment in the primary tumor, there was one single metastasis that was not contained in one of the SNs.

Conclusion

Preoperative identification of sentinel nodes with hybrid SPECT/CT after endoscopic injection of radiocolloid is a technique with obvious potential for SN mapping in esophageal cancer.
Patient dose and image quality in low-dose abdominal CT: a comparison between iterative reconstruction and filtered back projection
Authors: Kataria Bharti , Smedby Örjan
Published: April 2013

Background

In computed tomography (CT), there is increasing concern for potential CT radiation hazards. Several raw-data-based iterative reconstruction techniques attempt to facilitate low-dose imaging without compromising image quality, which raises the question whether these techniques may allow further dose reduction.

Purpose

To compare image quality of iterative reconstruction and filtered back projection in low-dose abdominal CT and study the potential for further dose reduction.

Material and Methods

Forty-five patients underwent CT of the abdomen twice: with standard low-dose technique and with 30% reduced dose, using both iterative reconstruction and filtered back projection. Four radiologists made pair-wise image quality assessment using five visual criteria. Visual grading regression (VGR) and weighted kappa ( κw) were used to analyze the data.

Results

There were significant effects of log(mAs) ( P <0.001) and reconstruction algorithm ( P <0.01) on all image quality criteria with an estimated potential dose reduction of 5–9%. Inter-observer agreement ranged from 70% to 91% and κw from −0.01 to 0.57.

Conclusion

An iterative reconstruction algorithm improved image quality in abdominal CT, but the estimated dose reduction was rather small. The full potential of the algorithm remains unclear.
Animal experimental evaluation of a new sealing device for indwelling arterial catheters
Authors: Isfort Peter , Urban Ute , Mahnken Andreas Horst , Penzkofer Tobias , Bruners Philipp , Pfeffer Joachim , Steinseifer Ulrich , Günther Rolf Wilhelm , Schmitz-Rode Thomas
Published: April 2013

Background

Hematoma is a common complication following arterial puncture. To date no device that allows sealing of an arterial puncture site with in-situ catheter has been developed.

Purpose

To evaluate a newly developed arterial sealing device for endovascular catheters in an in-vivo experimental setting.

Material and Methods

A peelable collagen-based vascular sealing device for endovascular catheters was tested in acute (follow-up: 4 h; n = 2) and chronic (follow-up: 1 week; n = 4) settings in the femoral artery (FA) of sheep. After implantation correct position of the device as well as patency of the FA were verified angiographically. In the chronic group, hematoma was excluded and patency of FA was assured using color Doppler ultrasound 1 and 3 days after the procedure. After 1 week a final ultrasound and an angiography were performed for final evaluation. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and the puncture site was dissected and analyzed macroscopically.

Results

Sufficient sealing of the puncture site could be observed in all animals. In acute and chronic experiments, neither a hematoma at the puncture site nor other complications were observed after positioning the sealing device. Follow-up color Doppler ultrasounds (CDUS) and final angiography revealed patent FAs in all animals. Macroscopic evaluation of dissection material proved collagen plug and catheter being in place.

Conclusion

Our preliminary in-vivo results demonstrate a safe and convenient vascular sealing system for endovascular catheters. No acute or chronic complications were observed.
Brain volumetry in Parkinson's disease with and without dementia: where are the differences?
Authors: Lee Seung-Hwan , Kim Sam Soo , Tae Woo-Suk , Lee Seo-Young , Lee Kang Uk , Jhoo Jinhyeoung
Published: April 2013

Background

Cognitive dysfunction is well documented in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, association between regional brain volume change and cognitive decline of PD is uncertain.

Purpose

To compare regional brain volume difference between PD without dementia (PDND) and PD with dementia (PDD).

Material and Methods

We enrolled 16 normal controls (mean ± SD: 69.5 ± 6.31) and 32 sex-, age-matched patients with PD (16 PDND and 16 PDD patients with Hoehn & Yahr stage II or III). Cognitive function was assessed using mini-mental status examination (MMSE). Intracranial volume (ICV) and the hippocampal volumes were manually measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Regional gray/white matter volume changes were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry.

Results

Age, ICV, volume of gray matter volume (GMV), white matter, and hippocampi did not differ among the three groups. The regional GMV of PDD was significantly decreased in the areas of right middle frontal gyrus, short insular gyri, superior temporal gyri; both precuneus compared to PDND (uncorrected P < 0.001). In the partial correlation analysis (controlled for age, sex, ICV), regional GMV of PD was positively correlated with MMSE score in the areas of short insular gyri, right circular insular sulcus, right calcarine sulcus, left superior temporal gyrus (planum porale), and left inferior precentral sulcus (uncorrected P < 0.001).

Conclusion

We suggest that the volume loss of hippocampus may not be a finding in developing of PDD while variation of the regional volume of the frontal, insular cortex, superior temporal gyri, and precuneus lobes may be a phenomenon of PDD.
An implementation of time-efficient respiratory-gated PET acquisition by repeated breath-holds
Authors: Skretting Arne , Revheim Mona-Elisabeth , Knudtsen Ingerid Skjei , Johnsrud Kjersti , Bogsrud Trond Velde
Published: April 2013

Background

Respiratory gating in positron emission tomography (PET) is used to improve detection of small tumors in the lower lung regions and in the liver, and to obtain a better estimate of the standardized uptake value (SUV).

Purpose

To develop a time-efficient method for acquisition of respiratory-gated PET/CT that would produce one single high quality image volume corresponding to a breath-hold state.

Material and Methods

An instrument was developed that displayed to the patient either red or green numbers, counting down from a chosen maximum to one at a rate of one dial per second. The patient was instructed to repeatedly hold the breath in moderate inspiration when red numbers were displayed and to breathe freely during display of green numbers. PET data were acquired in list mode and trigger signals were sent to the scanner and inserted into the list file each time the color of the countdown numbers switched from green to red. Data acquired during breath-holds were used to create one single image volume.

Results

High quality breath-hold images were obtained from 10 min data acquisition at one bed position. Improved image quality compared to standard whole-body PET was demonstrated by a significant reduction of noise (standard deviation) in regions of normal liver tissues.

Conclusion

The instruction to perform repeated breath-holds was well understood by patients and they cooperated satisfactorily. When the new procedure is used the duration of the data acquisition may typically be reduced by a factor of 4 compared to conventional respiratory-gated protocols where the patient breathes freely.
Cross-organizational workflow in radiology: an empirical study of the quality of shared metadata elements in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden
Authors: Lindsköld Lars , Wintell Mikael , Edgren Lars , Aspelin Peter , Lundberg Nina
Published: April 2013

Background

Challenges related to the cross-organizational access of accurate and timely information about a patient's condition has become a critical issue in healthcare. Interoperability of different local sources is necessary.

Purpose

To identify and present missing and semantically incorrect data elements of metadata in the radiology enterprise service that supports cross-organizational sharing of dynamic information about patients’ visits, in the Region Västra Götaland, Sweden.

Material and Methods

Quantitative data elements of metadata were collected yearly from the first Wednesday in March from 2006 to 2011 from the 24 in-house radiology departments in Region Västra Götaland. These radiology departments were organized into four hospital groups and three stand-alone hospitals. Included data elements of metadata were the patient name, patient ID, institutional department name, referring physician's name, and examination description.

Results

The majority of missing data elements of metadata was related to the institutional department name for Hospital 2, from 87% in 2007 to 25% in 2011. All data elements of metadata except the patient ID contained semantic errors. For example, for the data element “patient name”, only three names out of 3537 were semantically correct.

Conclusion

This study shows that the semantics of metadata elements are poorly structured and inconsistently used. Although a cross-organizational solution may technically be fully functional, semantic errors may prevent it from serving as an information infrastructure for collaboration between all departments and hospitals in the region. For interoperability, it is important that the agreed semantic models are implemented in vendor systems using the information infrastructure.
Intra-arterial interleukin-12 gene delivery combined with chemoembolization: anti-tumor effect in a rabbit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model
Authors: Xia Xiangwen , Li Xin , Feng Gansheng , Zheng Chuansheng , Liang Huimin , Zhou Guofeng
Published: April 2013

Background

Interleukin-12 (IL-12), a cytokine naturally secreted by activated dendritic cells and monocytes/macrophages, is known as a key anti-tumor agent in many tumor models, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models.

Purpose

To evaluate the anti-tumor effect of intra-arterial IL-12 gene delivery alone and in combination with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in rabbit VX2 liver cancer model.

Material and Methods

Rabbits with VX2 liver tumors were randomized into four groups, eight in each group. After laparotomy and insertion of a 30-gauge needle into the proper hepatic artery, the following interventional procedure protocols were applied: 0.9% saline solution (group A, control), TACE (group B, TACE alone, lipiodol + mitomycin), intra-arterial interleukin-12 gene infusion (group C, IL-12 alone), and intra-arterial interleukin-12 gene infusion in combination with TACE (group D, IL-12 plus TACE). Growth ratio was estimated by computed tomography. To analyze apoptotic index, tumor tissues were explanted for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, 14 days after therapy.

Results

Significant differences of the relative tumor growth ratio were observed in TACE alone group and IL-12 plus TACE group in comparison with control ( P < 0.05, ANOVA, Tukey's HSD correction) but not between IL-12 alone and control, or IL-12 plus TACE group and TACE alone group ( P > 0.05). Significant changes of the apoptotic index were observed in group D in comparison with remaining three groups ( P < 0.05). The difference between group C and group A was not significant statistically ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Intra-arterial interleukin-12 gene therapy combined with TACE has a potent anti-tumor effect in rabbit VX2 liver cancer in comparison with TACE alone.
Improved microcalcification visualization using dual-energy digital mammography
Authors: Tsai Chia-Jung , Chen Ran-Chou , Peng Hui-Ling , Hsu Wen-Lin , Lee Jason JS
Published: April 2013

Background

Dual-energy digital mammography (DEDM), involving a combination of high-energy (HE) and low-energy (LE) images, has been investigated as offering a potential improvement in microcalcification detection obscured by overlapping tissue structures.

Purpose

To explore the possibility to improve detection of microcalcifications using the DEDM technique.

Material and Methods

Three DEDM protocols were performed by adjusting the effective tube current time product (mAs) of LE image at the same (100%), one half (50%), and one-quarter (25%) of that used in HE image acquisition, named DEDM100%, DEDM50%, and DEDM25%, respectively. A single-energy digital mammography (SEDM) method was also used as a control. A total of 525 regions of interest (ROIs) were used to compare the performance of the DEDM to that of SEDM using free-response receiver-operating characteristic (FROC) and areas under the FROC curve (Az).

Results

All DEDM protocols ranked significantly higher than the SEDM method ( P < 0.001). The true-positive fraction was 0.90 for an average of 0.017–0.042 false-positive per image using the DEDM100%, 0.017–0.114 using the DEDM50%, 0.021–0.148 using the DEDM25%, and 0.134–0.422 using the SEDM. The estimated Az values were 0.915–0.940, 0.867–0.935, 0.824–0.930, and 0.567–0.673, respectively.

Conclusion

The DEDM50% protocol provided a trade-off benefit between accurate microcalcification detectability and radiation dose for any tissue density. Therefore, the DEDM50% has the potential to minimize excess radiation dose without a negative impact on image quality which could improve earlier diagnosis of breast cancer.
Thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (Lemierre syndrome): clinical and CT findings
Authors: Kim Bo Yeon , Yoon Dae Young , Kim Hyeong Chul , Kim Eun Soo , Baek Sora , Lim Kyoung Ja , Seo Young Lan , Yun Eun Joo , Choi Chul Soon , Bae Sang Hoon
Published: April 2013

Background

Thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) secondary to neck infection (so-called Lemierre syndrome) is a rare disease.

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical and CT findings in patients with thrombophlebitis of the IJV.

Material and Methods

The clinical and contrast-enhanced neck CT findings were retrospective analyzed in 10 patients (eight men, two women; mean age, 62.9 ± 8.3 years) with thrombophlebitis of the IJV.

Results

Five patients (50%) had complications, including pneumonia ( n = 3), neck abscess ( n = 1), and thrombophlebitis of cerebral venous sinus ( n = 1). All patients, except two who were lost to follow-up, had improved after antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy. Nine (90%) patients had underlying infectious processes in the neck. Contrast-enhanced neck CT of 12 IJVs (five right, three left, and two bilateral) affected by thrombophlebitis demonstrated > 5 cm in length ( n = 8, 67%), ovoid shape ( n = 7, 58%), complete occlusion of the lumen ( n = 10, 83%), circumferential ( n = 11, 92%), smooth ( n = 8, 67%), and thick (≥4 mm) ( n = 8, 67%) rim enhancement, and adjacent soft tissue swelling ( n = 11, 92%).

Conclusion

Contrast-enhanced CT is useful in the diagnosis of thrombophlebitis of the IJV; characteristic CT findings of this unusual entity may be the main clue to the correct diagnosis.
Dual time point 18FDG-PET/CT versus single time point 18FDG-PET/CT for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Li , Wang Yinzhong , Lei Junqiang , Tian Jinhui , Zhai Yanan
Published: April 2013

Background

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer types in the world. An accurate diagnosis of lung cancer is crucial for early treatment and management.

Purpose

To perform a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of dual time point 18F-fluorodexyglucose position emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and single time point 18FDG-PET/CT in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.

Material and Methods

PubMed (1966-2011.11), EMBASE (1974-2011.11), Web of Science (1972-2011.11), Cochrane Library (-2011.11), and four Chinese databases — CBM (1978-2011.11), CNKI (1994-2011.11), VIP (1989-2011.11), and Wanfang Database (1994-2011.11) — were searched. Summary sensitivity, summary specificity, summary diagnostic odds ratios (DOR), and summary positive likelihood ratios (LR+) and negative likelihood ratios (LR–) were obtained using Meta-Disc software. Summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of dual time point 18FDG-PET/CT and single time point 18FDG-PET/CT.

Results

The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by eight articles, with a total of 415 patients and 430 pulmonary nodules. Compared with the gold standard (pathology or clinical follow-up), the summary sensitivity of dual time point 18FDG-PET/CT was 79% (95%CI, 74.0–84.0%), and its summary specificity was 73% (95%CI, 65.0–79.0%); the summary LR+ was 2.61 (95%CI, 1.96–3.47), and the summary LR– was 0.29 (95%CI, 0.21–0.41); the summary DOR was 10.25 (95%CI, 5.79–18.14), and the area under the SROC curve (AUC) was 0.8244. The summary sensitivity for single time point 18FDG-PET/CT was 77% (95%CI, 71.9–82.3%), and its summary specificity was 59% (95%CI, 50.6–66.2%); the summary LR+ was 1.97 (95%CI, 1.32–2.93), and the summary LR– was 0.37 (95%CI, 0.29–0.49); the summary DOR was 6.39 (95%CI, 3.39–12.05), and the AUC was 0.8220.

Conclusion

The results indicate that dual time point 18FDG-PET/CT and single time point 18FDG-PET/CT have similar accuracy in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules. Dual time point 18FDG-PET/CT appears to be more specific than single time point 18FDG-PET/CT.
Efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone injection in the treatment of mammillary fistula: a prospective study
Authors: Berná-Serna Juan D , Berná-Mestre Juan D , Piñero Antonio , Canteras Manuel
Published: April 2013

Background

Recurring mammillary fistula (MF) is often difficult to manage.

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone (ILT) injection versus irrigation with saline solution in the management of MF.

Material and Methods

A prospective study was conducted including 10 patients with MF. The patients were distributed non-randomly into two groups: saline group ( n = 5) and triamcinolone group ( n = 5). Ultrasound guidance was used for ILT injection. The injection was repeated in the case of no response or recurrence.

Results

No statistically significant differences were observed between the saline and triamcinolone groups for clinical parameters and ultrasonographic characteristics of the MF and for the outcomes of the two methods of treatment. However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups for recurrence of MF ( P < 0.046). Success of the treatment with ILT injection was observed in 90% of the patients (9/10), and a failure in one case (10%) after three ILT injections, who was referred for surgery.

Conclusion

ILT injection is an effective, simple, and safe treatment for the management of MF.
Diagnostic Exercise
Authors: Dill J. A. , Rissi D. R.
Published: April 2013

A 1-year-old female Boer goat was presented for necropsy following spontaneous death and history of acute recumbency, nystagmus, and sialorrhea. A swollen area was grossly observed in the brainstem at the level of the pons. On cut surface, the right cerebellar peduncles were expanded by a focal, pale, poorly demarcated, slightly depressed, and soft area of malacia. Microscopically, this area contained diffuse edema and necrosis, with microabscesses, neuronal necrosis, neuronophagia, axonal spheroids, vasculitis, and perivascular accumulations of lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. The diagnosis was based on the morphologic findings, fluorescent antibody test results, and special staining.
Neurologic Melioidosis in an Imported Pigtail Macaque (Macaca nemestrina)
Authors: Ritter J. M. , Sanchez S. , Jones T. L. , Zaki S. R. , Drew C. P.
Published: April 2013

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the cause of melioidosis in humans and other animals. Disease occurs predominately in Asia and Australia. It is rare in North America, and affected people and animals typically have a history of travel to (in human cases) or importation from (in animal cases) endemic areas. We describe the gross and histopathologic features and the microbiologic, molecular, and immunohistochemical diagnoses of a case of acute meningoencephalomyelitis and focal pneumonia caused by B. pseudomallei infection in a pigtail macaque that was imported from Indonesia to the United States for research purposes. This bacterium has been classified as a Tier 1 overlap select agent and toxin; therefore, recognition of pathologic features, along with accurate and timely confirmatory diagnostic testing, in naturally infected research animals is imperative to protect animals and personnel in the laboratory animal setting.
Prediction of headache severity (density and functional impact) after traumatic brain injury: A longitudinal multicenter study
Authors: Walker William C , Marwitz Jennifer H , Wilk Amber R , Ketchum Jessica M , Hoffman Jeanne M , Brown Allen W , Lucas Sylvia
Published: April 2013

Background:

Headache (HA) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common, but predictors and time course are not well established, particularly after moderate to severe TBI.

Methods:

A prospective, longitudinal cohort study of HA severity post-TBI was conducted on 450 participants at seven participating rehabilitation centers. Generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) were used to model repeated measures (months 3, 6, and 12 post-TBI) of two outcomes: HA density (a composite of frequency, duration, and intensity) and HA disruptions to activities of daily living (ADL).

Results:

Although HA density and ADL disruptions were nominally highest during the first three months post-TBI, neither showed significant changes over time. At all time points, history of pre-injury migraine was by far the strongest predictor of both HA density and ADL disruptions (odds ratio (OR) = 8.0 and OR = 7.2, averaged across time points, respectively). Furthermore, pre-injury non-migraine HA (at three and six months post-TBI), penetrating-type TBI (at six months post-TBI), and female sex (at six and 12 months post-TBI) were each associated with an increase in the odds of a more severe HA density. Severity of TBI (post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) duration) was not associated with either outcome.

Conclusion:

Individuals with HA at three months after moderate-severe TBI do not improve over the ensuing nine months with respect to HA density or ADL disruptions. Those with pre-injury HA, particularly of migraine type, are at greatest risk for HA post-TBI. Other independent risk factors are penetrating-type TBI and, to a lesser degree and post-acutely only, female sex. Individuals with these risk factors should be monitored and considered for aggressive early intervention.
Reliability of Estimates of ACL Attachment Locations in 3-Dimensional Knee Reconstruction Based on Routine Clinical MRI in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Swami Vimarsha Gopal , Cheng-Baron June , Hui Catherine , Thompson Richard , Jaremko Jacob Lester
Published: April 2013

Background:

Current techniques of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction focus on the placement of femoral and tibial tunnels at anatomic ACL attachments, which can be difficult to identify intraoperatively.

Purpose:

To determine whether the 3-dimensional (3D) center of ACL attachments can be reliably detected from routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with intact ACLs and whether the reliability of this technique changes if the ACL is torn.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A computer technique was developed in which users identify points along ACL attachments on routine clinical MRI of preoperative knees. These attachments are then displayed on a 3D MRI reconstruction, which can be used as a visual guide for the surgeon during arthroscopic surgery. Thirty-seven pediatric patients (age range, 10-17 years) with ACL tears and 37 controls with intact ACLs were examined. Two blinded observers identified cruciate ligament attachments on routine clinical 1.5-T MRI of knees. From the resulting 3D model, the location of the center of each ligament attachment site and its area were calculated and reliability assessed.

Results:

Mean interobserver variation of the centers of ACL attachments for the intact versus torn ACL was 1.7 ± 0.9 mm versus 1.8 ± 1.1 mm (femoral) and 1.4 ± 0.9 mm versus 1.7 ± 1.0 mm (tibial), respectively ( P > .05). The 95% confidence interval for the center location was at most 4 mm. The identified ACL attachment areas were more variable, with interobserver reliability ranging from fair to excellent by the intraclass correlation coefficient. Overlap of ligament areas between observers for the intact versus torn ACL was 70% ± 15% versus 73% ± 12% (femoral) and 79% ± 9% versus 78% ± 10% (tibial), respectively ( P > .05). In all cases, intraobserver reliability was superior to interobserver reliability.

Conclusion:

The 3D locations of ACL tibial and femoral attachment centers were identified from routine clinical MRI with variability averaging less than 2 mm between 2 observers. The margin of error was at most 4 mm, representing the thickness of a single axial MRI slice, whether the ACL was intact or torn. Remnant tissue at attachments allows a reliable assessment even of torn ligaments. Identification of the ligament attachment areas was more user dependent than was identification of the attachment centers.
Influence d’un contexte de programme triste sur le processus de persuasion publicitaire chez des adultes jeunes et âgés
Authors: Lacoste-Badie Sophie , Malek Faten , Droulers Olivier
Published: April 2013

Résumé

Cette recherche expérimentale examine l’influence de l’âge (adultes jeunes vs. âgés) et du contexte de programme (triste vs. neutre) sur les réactions affectives déclenchées par le programme, sur l’attitude envers les annonces insérées dans le programme et sur l’attitude envers les marques. Les résultats mettent en évidence des effets différenciés chez les adultes jeunes et âgés: le niveau de tristesse déclaré après l’exposition au programme triste est moins fort chez les adultes âgés que chez les adultes jeunes; la tristesse n’influence pas l’attitude envers les annonces (Aad) chez les adultes âgés, alors que son influence est négative chez les adultes jeunes; l’effet de la tristesse sur l’attitude envers les marques (Ab), médiatisé par Aad, n’est pas significatif chez les adultes âgés, alors qu’il est significatif et négatif chez les adultes jeunes. Cette recherche confirme l’existence d’une meilleure régulation émotionnelle chez les adultes âgés (vs. adultes jeunes) dans une situation inductrice d’émotion négative.
La distance temporelle, la simulation mentale et le processus d’adoption d’innovations technologiques complexes
Authors: Jeannot Florence , Jolibert Alain
Published: April 2013

Résumé

Cet article vise à étudier les processus sous-jacents à l’influence de l’interaction entre la distance temporelle et la simulation mentale sur les réactions des consommateurs à l’égard d’innovations technologiques, et à déterminer si les effets bénéfiques de cette interaction, qui ont été démontrés antérieurement avec une innovation semi-continue, se produisent également avec une innovation discontinue. En raison du taux élevé d’échecs lors du lancement d’innovations discontinues et des enjeux que celles-ci représentent pour les entreprises opérant dans le secteur des hautes technologies, il demeure important d’identifier des moyens d’action efficaces pour favoriser leur adoption. Nos résultats indiquent que lorsque l’achat est envisagé à court terme, la simulation orientée vers le processus réduit l’incertitude liée aux coûts d’apprentissage et l’anxiété, et augmente l’intention d’utilisation et l’intention d’achat. A long terme, la simulation orientée vers le résultat diminue l’incertitude envers les bénéfices, et accroît l’optimisme, l’intention d’utilisation et l’intention d’achat.
Peter Becker and His Nazi Past
Authors: Zeidman Lawrence A. , Kondziella Daniel
Published: April 2013

Peter Becker was a German neurologist who helped classify the muscular dystrophies, and described Becker muscular dystrophy and Becker myotonia. His involvement in National Socialism began in 1933, when he was compelled by his peers to join the SA (brown shirts). He later joined the Nazi party, the Nazi Doctors Association, and the Nazi Lecturers’ Association. He renewed his SA membership to maintain his position at a genetics institute. Colleagues stated postwar that he was not an active Nazi, and he was de-Nazified in 1947, able to continue his career. Later, Becker admitted to most, but not all, of his Nazi memberships in his autobiography, and wrote 2 books exploring the origins of Nazism and racial hygiene. The “neurologic court of opinion” must weigh in on how we should best remember Becker, and at the very least, we as neurologists must learn the dangers of career opportunism at any cost.
Clinical Practice Guidelines and Practice Parameters for the Child Neurologist
Authors: Leviton Alan , Loddenkemper Tobias , Pomeroy Scott L.
Published: April 2013

Guidance about how to practice child neurology has been around for decades. Recently, however, clinical practice guidelines, practice parameters, and standardized clinical assessment and management plans are gaining increasing attention. This overview, written for child neurologists, addresses such issues as the following: what are clinical practice guidelines, why are they needed, how are they created, how should they be created, how well are they accepted and adhered to, what influences acceptance and adherence, do guidelines improve care, do they reduce costs, will they be viewed by courts as the standard of care, how can they be updated and improved, and are there better alternatives?
Evidence-Based Decision Support for Neurological Diagnosis Reduces Errors and Unnecessary Workup
Authors: Segal Michael M. , Williams Marc S. , Gropman Andrea L. , Torres Alcy R. , Forsyth Rob , Connolly Anne M. , El-Hattab Ayman W. , Perlman Seth J. , Samanta Debopam , Parikh Sumit , Pavlakis Steven G. , Feldman Lynn K. , Betensky Rebecca A. , Gospe Sidney M.
Published: April 2013

Using vignettes of real cases and the SimulConsult diagnostic decision support software, neurologists listed a differential diagnosis and workup before and after using the decision support. Using the software, there was a significant reduction in error, up to 75% for diagnosis and 56% for workup. This error reduction occurred despite the baseline being one in which testers were allowed to use narrative resources and Web searching. A key factor that improved performance was taking enough time (>2 minutes) to enter clinical findings into the software accurately. Under these conditions and for instances in which the diagnoses changed based on using the software, diagnostic accuracy improved in 96% of instances. There was a 6% decrease in the number of workup items accompanied by a 34% increase in relevance. The authors conclude that decision support for a neurological diagnosis can reduce errors and save on unnecessary testing.
Complex Febrile Seizures
Authors: Patel Anup D. , Vidaurre Jorge
Published: April 2013

Febrile seizures are the most common type of childhood seizures, affecting 2% to 5% of children. A complex febrile seizure is one with focal onset, one that occurs more than once during a febrile illness, or one that lasts more than 10 to 15 minutes. Confusion still exists on the proper evaluation of a child presenting with a complex febrile seizure. There are ongoing research attempts to determine the link between complex febrile seizures and epilepsy. Further clarification and understanding of this disorder would be of great benefit to primary care providers and child neurologists.
Evaluation of a New Index of Mechanical Ventilation Weaning
Authors: de Souza Leonardo Cordeiro , Guimarães Fernando Silva , Lugon Jocemir Ronaldo
Published: April 2013

Purpose:

The performance of most indices used to predict ventilator weaning outcomes remains below expectation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new weaning index, the timed inspiratory effort (TIE) index, which is based on the maximal inspiratory pressure and the occlusion time required to reach it.

Methods:

This observational prospective study included patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Patients ready to be weaned had their TIE index and 6 previously reported indices recorded. The primary end point was the overall predictive performance of the studied weaning indices (area under the receiver operating characteristic curves [AUCs]). The secondary end points were sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. P values <.05 were considered significant.

Results:

From the 128 initially screened patients, the 103 patients selected for the study included 45 women and 58 men (mean age 60.8 ± 19.8 years). In all, 60 patients were weaned, 43 were not weaned, and 32 died during the study period. Tracheotomy was necessary in 61 patients. The mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 17.5 ± 17.3 days. The AUC of 3 weaning predictors (the TIE index, the integrative weaning index, and the frequency-to-tidal volume [ f/Vt] ratio index) was higher than the other indices. The TIE index had the largest AUC.

Conclusion:

The TIE index performed better than the best weaning indices used in clinical practice.
Identifying and Tracking Major Events Using Geo-Social Networks
Authors: Bahir Eitan , Peled Ammatzia
Published: April 2013

In recent years, several technological advancements have changed the lives of millions throughout the globe. These include broadband Internet wireless access, advanced mobile platforms and smartphones including accurate global positioning system capabilities, and the introduction of social networks. The fusion of these technological advances led to the massive adoption of mobile platform-operated social networking applications and unleashed new real-time and on-site social information. The ability to generate content anywhere and anytime leads to a detectable projection of real-life events on geo-social networks (GSN). For example, in preparation for a rally, the geo-social activity may precede the actual event, allowing predictive capabilities. Alternatively, in a natural event such as a wildfire, early content generated in the proximity of the event may allow early identification of the event and the assessment of its physical boundaries. In this article, we propose to use the massive and rapidly accumulating information communicated within GSN to identify and track major events and present a proof of concept. We discuss means and methods to retrieve relevant information from the networks, through a set of adequate spatial, temporal, and textual filters. Our preliminary empirical results corroborate our assumptions and show that major events may have detectable “abnormal” impact on GSN activities, which allows prompt identification and real-time tracking. Our approach is expected to pave the way to the development of real-time systems and algorithms for early identification and geographical tracking of major events.
Growing up Quechua: Ethnic identity, narrative, and the cultural politics of childhood migration in Cusco, Peru
Authors: Hill Michael Douglas
Published: April 2013

Drawing from life history interviews with transnational indigenous intellectual Gina Maldonado, of Cusco, Peru, this article examines how Andean children are in motion not only in terms of migration but also across cultural contexts and boundaries that reshape and transform their subjectivities. It also demonstrates the usefulness of life history methods for childhood studies. Processes of movement relationally reconfigure the most salient aspects of racial and class identities and how they are remembered and reconstituted across space and time. From her rural Quechua village, Gina migrated to Cusco for her education, back to the campo (countryside) as a primary schoolteacher, and later to the US to hold visiting university positions teaching Quechua. Her memories of regional childhood migrations emphasize the temporal dimensions and cultural complexities of how Andean ethnic identities are constructed, enacted, and narrated, particularly how educational and religious institutions both facilitated social mobility and yet were sites for the continued fixing of racial and class hierarchies.
Deliberation’s Blindsight
Authors: Hoffmann Janina A. , von Helversen Bettina , Rieskamp Jörg
Published: April 2013

Multitasking poses a major challenge in modern work environments by putting the worker under cognitive load. Performance decrements often occur when people are under high cognitive load because they switch to less demanding—and often less accurate—cognitive strategies. Although cognitive load disturbs performance over a wide range of tasks, it may also carry benefits. In the experiments reported here, we showed that judgment performance can increase under cognitive load. Participants solved a multiple-cue judgment task in which high performance could be achieved by using a similarity-based judgment strategy but not by using a more demanding rule-based judgment strategy. Accordingly, cognitive load induced a shift to a similarity-based judgment strategy, which consequently led to more accurate judgments. By contrast, shifting to a similarity-based strategy harmed judgments in a task best solved by using a rule-based strategy. These results show how important it is to consider the cognitive strategies people rely on to understand how people perform in demanding work environments.
Invoking the brain in studying morality: A theoretical and historical perspective on the neuroscience of morality
Authors: Schirmann Felix
Published: April 2013

Contemporary neuroscientific approaches try to make morality accessible and assessable by linking it to the brain. This wedding between a material entity and an elusive, multifaceted notion has both distinctive preconditions and complex implications. The triadic framework of locating, translating, and defining morality in terms of the brain is applied to illustrate the process of utilizing the cerebral realm for studying the moral realm. A historical and theoretical perspective is introduced to investigate how the relation between brain and morality has been and is being established. It is demonstrated that the meaning of both the brain and morality is in constant flux and dependent upon theorizing and research practice. Thus, I argue that what the neuroscience of morality studies is a contingent notion.
Reconstructions of surface ocean conditions from the northeast Atlantic and Nordic seas during the last millennium
Authors: Cunningham Laura K , Austin William EN , Knudsen Karen Luise , Eiríksson Jón , Scourse James D , Wanamaker Alan D , Butler Paul G , Cage Alix G , Richter Thomas , Husum Katrine , Hald Morten , Andersson Carin , Zorita Eduardo , Linderholm Hans W , Gunnarson Björn E , Sicre Marie-Alexandrine , Sejrup Hans Petter , Jiang Hui , Wilson Rob JS
Published: April 2013

We undertake the first comprehensive effort to integrate North Atlantic marine climate records for the last millennium, highlighting some key components common within this system at a range of temporal and spatial scales. In such an approach, careful consideration needs to be given to the complexities inherent to the marine system. Composites therefore need to be hydrographically constrained and sensitive to both surface water mass variability and three-dimensional ocean dynamics. This study focuses on the northeast (NE) North Atlantic Ocean, particularly sites influenced by the North Atlantic Current. A composite plus regression approach is used to create an inter-regional NE North Atlantic reconstruction of sea surface temperature (SST) for the last 1000 years. We highlight the loss of spatial information associated with large-scale composite reconstructions of the marine environment. Regional reconstructions of SSTs off the Norwegian and Icelandic margins are presented, along with a larger-scale reconstruction spanning the NE North Atlantic. The latter indicates that the ‘Medieval Climate Anomaly’ warming was most pronounced before ad 1200, with a long-term cooling trend apparent after ad 1250. This trend persisted until the early 20th century, while in recent decades temperatures have been similar to those inferred for the ‘Medieval Climate Anomaly’. The reconstructions are consistent with other independent records of sea-surface and surface air temperatures from the region, indicating that they are adequately capturing the climate dynamics of the last millennium. Consequently, this method could potentially be used to develop large-scale reconstructions of SSTs for other hydrographically constrained regions.
Predictors of Diabetes Outcomes in Mexico
Authors: Latham Christine L. , Calvillo Evelyn
Published: April 2013

Given the high morbidity and mortality rate of Hispanic immigrants to the United States, a study of the Hispanic Health Protection Model (HHPM) was replicated with 109 residents in Mexico who were newly diagnosed with diabetes. People with diabetes from rural clinics in Tlaxcala underwent a three-phase interview process with laboratory and weight follow-up over 4 to 6 months following a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes. This predictive, correlational study replicated the HHPM and the previous U.S. findings, including relationships between lifestyle profile, health beliefs, professional and social support, self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge, quality of life (self-satisfaction and impact of diabetes), and changes in HbA1c and body mass index. The study found that participants frequently followed good lifestyle practices while continuing to adhere to culturally based treatment and attribution beliefs. There were moderate perceptions of diabetes self-care efficacy, low ratings of support, very poor understanding of diabetes, continued obesity, acceptable quality of life ratings, and near-normal HbA1c levels.
Health Concerns of Micronesian Peoples
Authors: MacNaughton Neil S. , Jones Melissa L.
Published: April 2013

Several states in the United States have been experiencing an influx of migrants from an area of the world that most people have only heard of when learning about the atomic bomb and World War II. This area is the former U.S. Trust Territory of Pacific Islands now called the Freely Associated States. At the end of World War II, the United States took possession of many of these islands and in 1948, the United States formally took over administration of the Marshalls, the Carolines, Palau, and the Northern Marianas islands. Collectively this area is known as Micronesia. Micronesians come from areas that have high prevalence of several communicable diseases and there is growing concern that Micronesian immigrants may enable the spread of infectious disease to the United States from Asia. Data concerning Hansen’s disease and tuberculosis support this claim. According to data from the Hawai’i State Department of Health, a 5-year trend examining new cases of tuberculosis in Hawai’i identified that 65 out of 77 new cases came from the Freely Associated States of Micronesia. Presented is an overview of the health concerns and health status of the people from the Federated States of Micronesia.
An agent-based model to simulate and analyse behaviour under noisy and deceptive information
Authors: Wang Shir L , Shafi Kamran , Lokan Chris , Abbass Hussein A
Published: April 2013

This paper presents an agent-based model to analyse behaviour produced under noisy and deceptive information conditions. A simple yet powerful simulation environment is developed where adaptive agents act and adapt to varying levels of information quality that they sense about their environment. The simulation environment consists of two types of agents moving in a bounded two-dimensional continuous plane: a neuro-evolutionary learning agent that adapts its manoeuvreing strategies to escape a pre-programmed deceptive agent; and a pre-programmed agent, whose goal is to capture the adaptive agent, that acts on noisy information about the adaptive agent’s manoeuvres that it senses from the environment. The pre-programmed agent is also able to produce deceptive actions to confuse the adaptive agent. The behaviour is represented in terms of the manoeuvreing strategies that the agents adopt as their actions to the environmental changes. A behaviour analysis methodology is developed to compare agent actions under different information conditions, that elicits interesting relationships between behaviour and the studied information conditions. The framework is easily extendable to analyse human behaviour in similar environments by replacing the adaptive agent with an interactive human–machine interface.
Validation of the Self-Beliefs Related to Social Anxiety Scale
Authors: Wong Quincy J. J. , Moulds Michelle L. , Rapee Ronald M.
Published: April 2013

The importance of self-beliefs in prominent models of social phobia has led to the development of measures that tap this cognitive construct. The Self-Beliefs Related to Social Anxiety (SBSA) Scale is one such measure and taps the three maladaptive belief types proposed in Clark and Wells’s model of social phobia. This study aimed to replicate and extend previous research on the psychometric properties of the SBSA. Replicating previous research, in an (undiagnosed) undergraduate sample ( n = 235), the SBSA was found to have a correlated three-factor structure using confirmatory factor analyses, and the SBSA and its subscales demonstrated good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The SBSA and its subscales also had unique relationships with social anxiety and depression, the majority of which replicated previous research. Extending previous research, the SBSA and its subscales showed good incremental validity in the undergraduate sample and good discriminative validity using the undergraduate sample and a sample of individuals with social phobia ( n = 33). The SBSA’s strong theoretical basis and the findings of this study suggest that the SBSA is an ideal research and clinical tool to assess the cognitions characteristic of social phobia.
Low-Density Lipoprotein Lowering in 2013 by Nonstatin Agents
Authors: Kohli Payal , Giugliano Robert P.
Published: April 2013

Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has significantly reduced the risk of death and other major cardiovascular events, and statins remain the therapy of choice. However, as some patients are limited by the side effects of statins, cannot achieve their target LDL on statin therapy, or have other abnormalities in their lipid profile, alternative agents are being developed. In this review, we highlight the major classes of novel nonstatin LDL-lowering agents that are currently in various stages of development. Although many hold great promise, the results of large Phase III trials will be needed to definitely establish the efficacy, safety, and clinical utility of these agents in the general population.