bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in Sevoflurane-Induced Postconditioning Against Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Stumpner Jan , Tischer-Zeitz Tobias , Frank Anja , Lotz Christopher , Redel Andreas , Lange Markus , Kehl Franz , Roewer Norbert , Smul Thorsten
Published: February 2014

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mediates ischemic pre- and postconditioning as well as anesthetic-induced preconditioning. However, the role of COX-1 and -2 in anesthetic-induced postconditioning has not been investigated. We evaluated the role of COX-1 and -2 in sevoflurane-induced postconditioning in vivo. Pentobarbital-anaesthetized male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 45 minutes of coronary artery occlusion and 3 hours of reperfusion. Animals received either no intervention, the vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 10 µL/g intraperitoneally), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 5 µg/g intraperitoneally), the selective COX-1 inhibitor SC-560 (10 µg/g intraperitoneally), or the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 (5 µg/g intraperitoneally). 1.0 MAC (minimum alveolar concentration) sevoflurane was administered for 18 minutes during early reperfusion either alone or in combination with ASA, SC-560, and NS-398. Infarct size was determined with triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way and 2-way analyses of variance with post hoc Duncan testing. The infarct size in the control group was 44% ± 9%. DMSO (42% ± 7%), ASA (36% ± 6%), and NS-398 (44% ± 18%) had no effect on infarct size. Sevoflurane (17% ± 4%; P < .05) and SC-560 (26% ± 10%; P < .05) significantly reduced the infarct size compared with control condition. Sevoflurane-induced postconditioning was not abolished by ASA (16% ± 5%) and SC-560 (22% ± 4%). NS-398 abolished sevoflurane-induced postconditioning (33% ± 14%). It was concluded that sevoflurane induces postconditioning in mice. Inhibition of COX-1 elicits a myocardial infarct size reduction and does not abolish sevoflurane-induced postconditioning. Blockade of COX-2 abolishes sevoflurane-induced postconditioning. These results indicate that sevoflurane-induced postconditioning is mediated by COX-2.
Effects of Exercise on Biobehavioral Outcomes of Fatigue During Cancer Treatment
Authors: Al-Majid Sadeeka , Wilson Lori D. , Rakovski Cyril , Coburn Jared W.
Published: February 2014

Cancer treatment is associated with decreased hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and aerobic fitness (VO2 max), which may contribute to cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and decreased quality of life (QoL). Endurance exercise may attenuate CRF and improve QoL, but the mechanisms have not been thoroughly investigated. Objectives. To (a) determine the feasibility of conducting an exercise intervention among women receiving treatment for breast cancer; (b) examine the effects of exercise on Hb and VO2 max and determine their association with changes in CRF and QoL; and (c) investigate changes in selected inflammatory markers. Methods. Fourteen women receiving chemotherapy for Stages I–II breast cancer were randomly assigned to exercise ( n = 7) or usual care ( n = 7). Women in the exercise group performed supervised, individualized treadmill exercise 2–3 times/week for the duration of chemotherapy (9–12 weeks). Data were collected 4 times over 15–16 weeks. Results. Recruitment rate was 45.7%. Sixteen women consented and 14 completed the trial, for a retention rate of 87.5%. Adherence to exercise protocol was 95–97%, and completion of data collection was 87.5–100%. Exercise was well tolerated. VO2 max was maintained at prechemotherapy levels in exercisers but declined in the usual-care group ( p < .05). Hb decreased ( p < .001) in all participants as they progressed through chemotherapy. Exercise did not have significant effects on CRF or QoL. Changes in inflammatory markers favored the exercise group. Conclusions. Exercise during chemotherapy may protect against chemotherapy-induced decline in VO2 max but not Hb concentration.
Impaired Autonomic Nervous System Activity During Sleep in Family Caregivers of Ambulatory Dementia Patients in Japan
Authors: Sakurai Shihomi , Onishi Joji , Hirai Makoto
Published: February 2014

The number of dementia patients requiring care is rapidly increasing in Japan. Consequently, a large percentage of family members, including spouses and children of those with dementia, are assuming the role of primary caregiver. Many caregivers develop health problems including sleep disorders. Some report poor quality of sleep even when sleep duration is normal. In the present study, we used actigraphy and heart rate variability spectral analysis to assess autonomic nervous system activity and quality of sleep in family caregivers of people with ambulatory dementia. The 20 caregivers who participated in our study exhibited significantly higher levels of sympathetic nervous system activity during sleep than noncaregivers. This abnormal activity was most prominent during the first half of the sleep period and was not related to overall sleep duration. We propose that relaxation is inhibited during the first half of the sleep period in this caregiver population. This may be due to increased stress, as caregivers of people with ambulatory dementia may worry about their patients waking and wandering at night, potentially injuring themselves. Our findings indicate a need for increased support for caregivers of people with dementia, including the assessment and treatment of sleep disorders.
Low wall stress in the popliteal artery: Other mechanisms responsible for the predilection of aneurysmal dilatation?
Authors: De Basso Rachel , Åstrand Håkan , Ahlgren Åsa Rydén , Sandgren Thomas , Länne Toste
Published: February 2014

The popliteal artery (PA) is, after aorta, the most common site for aneurysm formation. Why the PA is more susceptible than other peripheral muscular arteries is unknown. We hypothesized that the wall composition, which in turn affects wall properties, as well as the circumferential wall stress (WS) imposed on the arterial wall, might differ compared to other muscular arteries. The aim was to study the WS of the PA in healthy subjects with the adjacent, muscular, common femoral artery (CFA) as a comparison. Ninety-four healthy subjects were included in this study (45 males, aged 10–78 years and 49 females, aged 10–83 years). The diameter and intima-media thickness (IMT) in the PA and CFA were investigated with ultrasound. Together with blood pressure the WS was defined according to the law of Laplace adjusted for IMT. The diameter increased with age in both PA and CFA ( p<0.001), with males having a larger diameter than females ( p<0.001). IMT increased with age in both PA and CFA ( p<0.001), with higher IMT values in males only in PA ( p<0.001). The calculated WS was unchanged with age in both arteries, but lower in PA than in CFA in both sexes ( p<0.001). In conclusion, this study shows that the PA and CFA WS is maintained during aging, probably due to a compensatory remodelling response with an increase in arterial wall thickness. However, the stress imposed on the PA wall is quite low, indicating that mechanisms other than WS contribute to the process of pathological arterial dilatation in the PA.
The noticeability and effectiveness of corrective feedback in relation to target type
Authors: Kartchava Eva , Ammar Ahlem
Published: February 2014

This quasi-experimental study investigated the noticeability and effectiveness of three corrective feedback (CF) techniques (recasts, prompts and a combination of the two) delivered in the language classroom. The participants were four groups of high-beginner college level francophone learners of English as a second language (ESL) ( n = 99) and their teachers. Each teacher was assigned to a treatment condition that fit his CF style, but the researcher taught the controls. CF was provided to the learners in response to their production problems with the simple past and questions in the past. While the noticing of CF was assessed through immediate recall protocols, learning outcomes were measured by way of picture description and spot-the-differences tasks administered through a pre-test/post-test design. The results indicated that the noticeability of CF is dependent on the grammatical target it addresses (i.e. feedback on past tense errors was noticed more) and that the CF techniques that push learners to self-correct alone or in combination with target exemplars are more effective in bringing out the corrective intent of the feedback move. In relation to the learning outcomes, the past tense accuracy levels increased more than those for questions, but the differences between the two targets were not significant across groups.
Religion, aesthetics and moral ontology
Authors: Ezzy Douglas
Published: February 2014

This article argues for a broader sociological conception of religion. Religion includes practices that engage with this world in rich and complex ways alongside experiences of transcendence. Religion encompasses a broad palette of aesthetic and emotional experiences that include, but are not confined to, solemnity and beauty. Religious moral ontologies can be both pluralist and dualist. The aesthetic turn in contemporary religion is described, noting associations with individualism, and pluralistic moral ontologies. The concept of pluralistic moral ontology is developed drawing on Nietzsche’s analysis of aesthetics, Carl Einstein’s examination of the relationship of aesthetics to myth and ritual, and a discussion of tragedy in classical Greece. Empirically, the role of aesthetics is manifest in a number of contemporary ethnographies of religion that emphasise the centrality of practice and performance to religion. The film trilogy The Lord of the Rings provides an example of the link between aesthetic experience of myth and pluralistic moral ontologies.
Nonlinear free vibrations of quintic inextensional beams lying on Winkler elastic substrate based on three-mode assumptions
Authors: Sedighi Hamid M
Published: February 2014

The vibrational behavior of quintic nonlinear inextensional beam on two-parameter elastic substrate based on the three-mode assumptions is investigated in this paper. Using the Galerkin decomposition principle by considering three-mode assumptions, the nonlinear governing equations are derived. An asymptotic approach called parameter expansion method is employed to obtain the approximate expressions of nonlinear frequency–amplitude relationship for the first, second, and third modes of vibrations. Afterwards, it is clearly shown that the first term in series expansions gives excellent results in contrast with numerical calculations. Finally, the effect of the initial configuration of the beam as well as system parameters on the natural frequencies of quintic nonlinear beams is studied.
‘Gimme shelter’
Authors: Kerrigan Finola , Larsen Gretchen , Hanratty Sorcha , Korta Kasia
Published: February 2014

This study examines the ubiquitous nature of music in the context of the running community. Data collected from an online running forum and a series of diary studies and interviews indicate that runners use mobile music technologies to create soundscapes in order to enhance their running experience. Our findings suggest that these soundscapes play an essential role in providing and supporting the experience of pleasurable escape when running. Through the musicalisation of running, people escape their humdrum existence, the Cartesian dualism of mind/body, the very act of running and the urban environment. This multifaceted manifestation of escape contributes to our understanding of hedonic and experiential consumption. These findings also challenge existing instrumental notions of performance-enhancing music consumption in sports activities and offer instead a complex, socially constructed musicalisation of running, which involves the remixing and reconfiguration of the aural landscape in an attempt to create the perfect running experience.
Exploring Factors That Have Caused a Decrease in Surgical Manpower in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Yi-Cheng , Shih Chung-Liang , Wu Chih-Hsiung , Chiu Chiung-Hsuan
Published: February 2014

The decreasing availability of surgical physicians is a concern in most countries. In the past decade, total physician manpower in Taiwan increased by 12%, but the number of surgical physicians decreased by 11%. Medical students are not inclined to choose surgery as a career—this study examines the factors involved in students’ career choices. This study was conducted from January 2011 to April 2011. In total, 401 interns successfully completed questionnaires; this population makes up 34% of all interns in Taiwan. The structural questionnaire was designed to investigate factors affecting specialty decisions, with additional open-ended questions to investigate students’ preferences in career specialty. Based on the research findings, the 3 most relevant factors in decreasing order of priority are personal interest, career-oriented lifestyle, and specialty characteristics (including workload and stress). For students likely to become surgical physicians, concerns about the work environment include the balance between work and family, wages that are incompatible with the workload, and the shortage of manpower on duty. Addressing the following concerns would increase medical students’ likelihood of choosing a career in surgery: the need for a facilitator to help mitigate medical disputes and legal problems, decreased work hours, and decreased on-call duty hours. This study shows both motivating and discouraging factors affecting whether medical students choose surgery as a career. The purpose of this study is to strengthen the incentives for medical students to choose surgery as a career and to minimize the influence of factors that negatively affect such a choice.
Endovascular stent graft repair of thoracic aortic mural thrombus in a patient with polycythemia vera: A word of caution
Authors: Fukuhara Shinichi , Tyagi Samuel , Clarke-Pearson Emily , Bernik Thomas
Published: February 2014

Thoracic aortic mural thrombus (TAMT) is a rare pathology and potential source of cerebral, visceral, and peripheral emboli. We present a 62-year-old male in a hypercoagulable state due to primary polycythemia vera (PV) developed TAMT and catastrophic thromboembolisms despite aggressive medical and surgical management. The outcomes and adverse events of endovascular exclusion of TAMT in the presence of PV are unknown. We would recommend proceeding with extreme caution when performing endovascular exclusion of TAMT, as PV may be a prohibitive risk.
Anatomical relationship between the common carotid artery and the internal jugular vein during head rotation
Authors: Miki Izumi , Murata Satoru , Nakazawa Ken , Onozawa Shiro , Mine Takahiko , Ueda Tatsuo , Yamaguchi Hidenori , Yasui Daisuke , Takeda Minako , Kumita Shinichiro
Published: February 2014

This study investigated the anatomical relationship between the common carotid artery and internal jugular vein during head rotation for the effective performance of percutaneous transjugular procedures. The subjects included 30 volunteers who had never undergone internal jugular vein cannulation. In the supine position, two-dimensional ultrasonographic images of the right internal jugular vein and common carotid artery were obtained, 2 and 4 cm above the clavicle, along the lateral border of the sternal head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Ultrasonographic images were examined for head rotation at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 75° from the midline to the left. The percentage of overlap of the common carotid artery by the internal jugular vein and the flattening of the internal jugular vein at each head rotation position were measured and evaluated. The overlap of the common carotid artery by the internal jugular vein significantly increased at ≥45° of head rotation 2 cm above the clavicle (P < 0.01) and at ≥30° of head rotation 4 cm above the clavicle (P < 0.01), compared with that observed in the neutral position. The flattening of the internal jugular vein significantly decreased at ≥45° of head rotation 2 cm above the clavicle (P < 0.01) and at ≥30° of head rotation 4 cm above the clavicle (P < 0.01). Head rotation should be kept to <45° at 2 cm above the clavicle and <30° at 4 cm above the clavicle to decrease the risk of accidental puncture of the common carotid artery during internal jugular vein puncture. Moreover, flattening of the internal jugular vein gradually decreases during head rotation to the side.
Avascular necrosis of the capitate: report of six cases and review of the literature
Authors: Peters S. J. , Degreef I. , De Smet L.
Published: February 2014

Avascular necrosis of the capitate is rare. Little is known about the aetiology, disease progression or optimal management. From 1992 to 2012 we treated six patients; four had a scaphocapitolunate arthrodesis and two had a four corner arthrodesis. The average follow up was 9 years (range 1–20). Three patients had good or excellent results, two fair and one poor, based on a visual analogue scale for pain and satisfaction and a Quick-DASH score. The Mayo wrist score was satisfactory in five cases and poor in one. Better results were seen when the arthrodesis fused. In the English, French and German literature 42 other cases were found. The aetiology, patient characteristics, clinical presentation, treatment and outcome were reviewed. Type of study/level of evidence: therapeutic IV.
Living well with HIV in Nigeria? Stigma and survival challenges preventing optimum benefit from an ART clinic
Authors: Aransiola Joshua , Imoyera Winifred , Olowookere Samuel , Zarowsky Christina
Published: February 2014

Thirty years into the HIV pandemic, the interactions of stigma, social and economic survival, and clinical interventions continue to be key to understanding and managing HIV at both personal and societal levels. With antiretroviral therapy, HIV is increasingly a chronic condition requiring lifelong treatment, near-perfect adherence, and support from both social networks and formal services. This study asked: is stigma still a significant problem for people living with HIV (PLHIV) who have secured access to antiretrovirals (ARVs)? How do PLHIV accessing ARVs in Nigeria experience the social, economic and health service supports intended to address their needs? What are the concerns and challenges of PLHIV and health workers regarding these supports? What are the implications for approaches to stigma and discrimination? This qualitative study at the Antiretroviral (ART) Clinic of the Osogbo State Hospital, Osun State, Nigeria involved in-depth interviews with 15 PLHIV who have been attending the clinic for at least one year, and three health workers. The results reveal both the diversity among even a small number of patients, and persistent cross-cutting themes of stigma, discrimination, poverty, and the psychological impacts of insecure livelihoods and well-intentioned but ultimately stigmatizing supports such as selective food parcels. Both population-based interventions against stigma and poverty, as well as micro-level, contextualized attention to patients’, families’ and health workers’ fear of social exclusion and infection at a clinic and community level are needed if patients – and society – are to live well with HIV in Nigeria.
Risk Propensity Among Liberals and Conservatives
Authors: Choma Becky L. , Hanoch Yaniv , Hodson Gordon , Gummerum Michaela
Published: February 2014

Political conservatives, compared to liberals, are commonly thought to be more threat-sensitive and risk-averse. Using an American sample of community adults ( n = 397), we investigated when conservatives and liberals might be risk-taking or risk-averse. Participants completed measures of political orientation, and perceptions of risk, expected benefits (EB) of risk, and risk-propensity, across five domains (financial, recreational, ethical, social, and health). The relation between perceptions of risk and EB and risk-propensity differed as a function of political conservatism and varied across risk domains. For example, with regard to new business ventures, conservatives were generally willing to take risks unless perceived risk was high and expected benefit was low, whereas liberals were generally unwilling to take risks unless perceived risk was low and expected benefit was high. Implications for understanding risk-taking are considered.
A Friend of Yours Is No Friend of Mine
Authors: Gomillion Sarah , Gabriel Shira , Murray Sandra L.
Published: February 2014

The current research examined the novel hypothesis that a romantic partner’s same-sex friends can elicit jealousy by threatening people’s central role in their partner’s life. Thus, we expected that people whose partners were highly central to their lives would be particularly likely to experience jealousy toward their partner’s same-sex friends and that jealousy would be exacerbated when they had reason to doubt their partner’s commitment. Two studies supported our hypotheses. This research highlights how people alter perceptions of their partner’s broader social context to minimize perceived threats to their romantic relationships.
Magnetic resonance imaging in acute mastoiditis
Authors: Platzek Ivan , Kitzler Hagen H , Gudziol Volker , Laniado Michael , Hahn Gabriele
Published: February 2014

Background

In cases of suspected mastoiditis, imaging is used to evaluate the extent of mastoid destruction and possible complications. The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in mastoiditis has not been systematically evaluated.

Purpose

To assess the diagnostic performance of MRI in patients with suspected acute mastoiditis.

Material and Methods

Twenty-three patients with suspected acute mastoiditis were included in this retrospective study (15 boys, 8 girls; mean age, 2 years 11 months). All patients were examined on a 1.5 T MRI system. The MRI examination included both enhanced and non-enhanced turbo spin echo (TSE), diffusion-weighted images, and venous time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF MRA) for the evaluation of the venous sinuses. Surgical findings, as well as clinical and imaging follow-up were used as the standard of reference. The sensitivity and accuracy of MRI for mastoiditis and subperiosteal abscesses was calculated.

Results

Twenty (87%) of 23 patients had mastoiditis, and 12 (52%) of 23 patients had a subperiosteal abscess in addition to mastoiditis. Mastoiditis and subperiosteal abscesses were identified by MRI in all cases. Sensitivity for mastoiditis was 100%, specificity was 66%, and accuracy was 86%. Sensitivity for subperiosteal abscesses was 100% and accuracy was 100%.

Conclusion

Multiparametric MRI has high accuracy for mastoiditis and subperiosteal abscesses.
Weighing the balance: how analgesics used in chronic pain influence sleep?
Authors: Bohra Miqdad H , Kaushik Chhavi , Temple Daniel , Chung Sharon A , Shapiro Colin M
Published: February 2014

Pain and sleep share a bidirectional relationship, with each influencing the other. Several excellent reviews have explored this relationship. In this article, we revisit the evidence and explore existing research on this complex inter-relationship. The primary focus of the article is on the pharmacological treatment of chronic non-malignant pain and the main purpose is to review the effect of various pharmacological agents used in the management of chronic pain on sleep. This has not been comprehensively done before. We explore the clinical use of these agents, their impact on sleep architecture and sleep physiology, the mechanism of action on sleep parameters and sleep disorders associated with these agents. Pharmacological classes reviewed include antidepressants, opioid analgesics, anti-epileptics, cannabinoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, drugs most commonly used to manage chronic pain. The objective is to help health professionals gain better insight into the complex effect that commonly used analgesics have on an individual’s sleep and how this could impact on the effectiveness of the drug as an analgesic. We conclude that antidepressants have both positive and negative effects on sleep, so do opioids, but in the latter case the evidence shifts towards the counterproductive side. Some anticonvulsants are sleep sparing and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are sleep neutral. Cannabinoids remain an underexplored and researched group.
Pilot Trial of an Electronic Family Medical History in US Faith-Based Communities
Authors: Newcomb Patricia , Canclini Sharon , Cauble Denise , Raudonis Barbara , Golden Paulette
Published: February 2014

In spite of the acknowledged importance of collecting family health information, methods of collecting, organizing, and storage of pedigree data are not uniformly utilized in practice, though several electronic tools have been developed for the purpose. Using electronic tools to gather health information may empower individuals to take responsibility in managing their family health history. The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility and outcomes of introducing small groups to the My Family Health Portrait tool in faith-based communities using faith community nurses (FCNs). This pilot project adopted a mixed methods approach to assess the potential of an educational intervention delivered by FCNs for increasing the use of electronic technologies for organizing and storing family health histories among the general public. Treatment and control groups were recruited from four faith-based communities in north Texas using a parallel-groups quasi-experimental design. Qualitative data were gleaned from field notes made by investigators interacting with FCNs and observing their teaching. A majority of respondents believed that knowing one’s health history and passing it on to family and medical personnel is important. Those receiving face-to-face instruction on the electronic tool were significantly more likely to have written down family health information than the control group who received only an informational handout (χ2 = 5.96, P = .015). Barriers to teaching about and using the electronic tool included FCNs’ lack of facility with computers in the educational context and FCN and respondent mistrust of electronic storage for family health information.
Improving the reliability of highly loaded rolling bearings: The effect of upstream processing on inclusions
Authors: Walker P. F. F.
Published: February 2014

The connection between the cleanliness of 52100 type bearing steels and their reliability has been well documented. Most research over the past 30 years has focused on sensitive compositional control during metallurgical refinement, leading to steels so clean that industrial cleanness standards are no longer suitable for quantifying further improvements. There is less literature, however, detailing the mechanism by which different impurities initiate rolling contact fatigue (RCF). Early work focused on comparing fatigue lives with cleanness ratings, which include a worst field analysis to determine the inclusion content and post-failure analysis to determine damage nucleation sites. The stress concentrations around discontinuities in the steel matrix can now however be visualised using computational modelling techniques. There is now a much clearer picture of how non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) nucleate fatigue damage by causing changes in the subsurface microstructure, including white etching regions in the form of butterflies. Size, morphology, distribution and type of inclusion are important factors for determining their role in RCF and the ability to control these variables could lead to improved performance. The inclusion character is greatly influenced by the steelmaking process, from initial melt through to casting, as well as hot deformation. While the impact of microchemical banding on RCF is not well understood, the effect of microsegregation on the phases that form can be modelled using simple calculations. Hot rolling techniques also influence the steel cleanliness, as NMIs can be plastically deformed or broken up and voids can be introduced around them, thus affecting the interface with the matrix. Understanding the microstructure evolution from materials characterisation and the ability to model the process could establish an optimum degree of rolling reduction. This could greatly aid the production of large bearings, as some manufacturers currently make them from very large ingots to achieve the necessary reduction ratio and therefore required level of performance.
Long-term outcome with dasatinib after imatinib failure in chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia: follow-up of a phase 3 study
Authors: Shah Neil P. , Guilhot François , Cortes Jorge E. , Schiffer Charles A. , le Coutre Philipp , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Hochhaus Andreas , Rousselot Philippe , Mohamed Hesham , Healey Diane , Cunningham Michael , Saglio Giuseppe
Published: February 2014

Key Points

Imatinib-resistant/-intolerant patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase can experience long-term benefit with dasatinib. Early (3- and 6-month) molecular and cytogenetic responses were associated with improved progression-free survival and overall survival.
A novel recessive mutation in the gene ELOVL4 causes a neuro-ichthyotic disorder with variable expressivity
Authors: Mir Hina , Raza Syed Irfan , Touseef Muhammad , Memon Mazhar Mustafa , Khan Muhammad Nasim , Jaffar Sulman , Ahmad Wasim
Published: February 2014

Background

A rare neuro-ichthyotic disorder characterized by ichthyosis, spastic quadriplegia and intellectual disability and caused by recessive mutations in ELOVL4, encoding elongase-4 protein has recently been described. The objective of the study was to search for sequence variants in the gene ELOVL4 in three affected individuals of a consanguineous Pakistani family exhibiting features of neuro-ichthyotic disorder.

Methods

Linkage in the family was searched by genotyping microsatellite markers linked to the gene ELOVL4, mapped at chromosome 6p14.1. Exons and splice junction sites of the gene ELOVL4 were polymerase chain reaction amplified and sequenced in an automated DNA sequencer.

Results

DNA sequence analysis revealed a novel homozygous nonsense mutation (c.78C > G; p.Tyr26*).

Conclusions

Our report further confirms the recently described ELOVL4-related neuro-ichthyosis and shows that the neurological phenotype can be absent in some individuals.
RAS mutations in early age leukaemia modulated by NQO1 rs1800566 (C609T) are associated with second-hand smoking exposures
Authors: Andrade Francianne Gomes , Furtado-Silva Juliana Montibeller , Gonçalves Bruno Alves de Aguiar , Thuler Luiz Claudio Santos , Barbosa Thayana Conceição , Emerenciano Mariana , Siqueira André , Pombo-de-Oliveira Maria S ,   Brazilian Collaborative Study Group of Infant Acute Leukaemia
Published: February 2014

Background

Deregulation of the MAPK genes signalling caused by somatic mutations have been implied in leukaemia pathogenesis, includingRASmutation (RASmut) in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which has been associated with intra-uterine chemical exposures. A case-case study was conducted in order to explore maternal and child exposures to tobacco smoking associations with early age leukaemia (EAL).

Methods

Covariables of reference wereMLLrearrangements (MLL-r),RASmutandNQO1rs1800566 (C609T). Samples from 150 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and 85 AML were included. Maternal exposures were assessed using a structured questionnaire with demographic, personal habits and residence history information. Restriction fragment length polymorphism and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography were used to screenFLT3, KRAS,andNRASmutations; direct sequencing was performed to validate the results.NQO1polymorphism was detected by real-time allelic discrimination technique.

Results

Overall,RASmutwere detected in 28.7% of EAL cases;BRAFmutwas found only in one AML patient. Higher rate ofKRASmutwas found in ALL (30.3%) compared to AML (20.8%) withMLL-r;RASmutshowed an association with second-hand tobacco smoking exposures (OR, 3.06, 95% CI, 1.03-9.07). A considerable increased risk for EAL with the combination ofRASmutandNQO1609CT (OR, 4.24, 95% CI, 1.24-14.50) was observed.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated the increased risk association between maternal smoking and EAL withMLL-r. Additionally, suggests that children second-hand tobacco exposures are associated with increased risk of EAL withRASmutmodulated byNQO1rs1800566 (C609T).
Iatrogenic hypervitaminosis D as an unusual cause of persistent vomiting: a case report
Authors: Bansal Rinkesh Kumar , Tyagi Pankaj , Sharma Praveen , Singla Vikas , Arora Veronica , Bansal Naresh , Kumar Ashish , Arora Anil
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Vitamin D is increasingly recognized to have several beneficial effects. Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent. Physicians often treat patients with high doses of vitamin D for various ailments without any monitoring for adverse effects and the prescribed doses often far exceed requirements resulting in toxicity. We present here a classic case of iatrogenic hypervitaminosis D, which presented with persistent vomiting and acute renal failure.

Case presentation

Here we present a case of a 45-year-old Asian Indian woman who presented to us with persistent vomiting the cause of which was iatrogenic hypervitaminosis D. She was treated with intravenous fluid, diuretics and calcitonin and had clinical improvement.

Conclusions

We suggest that in any patient presenting with persistent vomiting and hypercalcemia, particularly in the presence of normal parathyroid hormone, a diagnosis of overdose of vitamin D should be suspected. Its treatment not only alleviates symptoms but also prevents ongoing acute kidney injury.
Assessing THK523 selectivity for tau deposits in Alzheimer’s disease and non–Alzheimer’s disease tauopathies
Authors: Fodero-Tavoletti Michelle T , Furumoto Shozo , Taylor Leanne , McLean Catriona A , Mulligan Rachel S , Birchall Ian , Harada Ryuichi , Masters Colin L , Yanai Kazuhiko , Kudo Yukitsuka , Rowe Christopher C , Okamura Nobuyuki , Villemagne Victor L
Published: February 2014

Introduction

The introduction of tau imaging agents such as 18F-THK523 offers new hope for the in vivo assessment of tau deposition in tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), where preliminary 18F-THK523-PET studies have demonstrated significantly higher cortical retention of 18F-THK523 in AD compared to age-matched healthy individuals. In addition to AD, tau imaging with PET may also be of value in assessing non-AD tauopathies, such as corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and Pick’s disease (PiD).

Methods

To further investigate the ability of THK523 to recognize tau lesions, we undertook immunohistochemical and fluorescence studies in serial brain sections taken from individuals with AD (n = 3), CBD (n = 2), PSP (n = 1), PiD (n = 2) and Parkinson’s disease (PD; n = 2). In addition to the neuropathological analysis, one PSP patient had undergone a 18F-THK523 PET scan 5 months before death.

Results

Although THK523 labelled tau-containing lesions such as neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads in the hippocampus and frontal regions of AD brains, it failed to label tau-containing lesions in non-AD tauopathies. Furthermore, though THK523 faintly labelled dense-cored amyloid-β plaques in the AD frontal cortex, it failed to label α-synuclein-containing Lewy bodies in PD brain sections.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that 18F-THK523 selectively binds to paired helical filament tau in AD brains but does not bind to tau lesions in non-AD tauopathies, or to α-synuclein in PD brains.
Development of a simple score to predict outcome for unresponsive wakefulness syndrome
Authors: Kang Xiao-gang , Li Li , Wei Dong , Xu Xiao-xia , Zhao Rui , Jing Yun-yun , Su Ying-ying , Xiong Li-ze , Zhao Gang , Jiang Wen
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Accurate assessment of prognosis for patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS; formerly vegetative state) may help clinicians and families guide the type and intensity of therapy; however, there is no suitable and accurate means to predict the outcome so far. We aimed to develop a simple bedside scoring system to predict the likelihood of awareness recovery in patients with UWS.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 56 patients (age range 10 to 73 years) with UWS 3 to 12 weeks post-onset. We collected demographic data and performed neurological, serological and neurophysiological tests at study entry. Each patient received a one year follow-up, during which awareness recovery was assessed by experienced physicians on the basis of clinical criteria. Univariate and multivariable analyses were employed to assess the relationships between predictors and awareness recovery.

Results

A total of 56 participants were included in the study; of these, 24 patients recovered awareness, 3 with moderate disabilities, 8 with severe disabilities, 12 were in a minimally conscious state, and 1 died after recovery. During the study, 23 patients remained in UWS and 9 died in UWS. Motor response, type of brain injury, electroencephalogram reactivity, sleep spindles and N20 were shown to be independent predictors for awareness recovery. Based on their coefficients in the model, we assigned these predictors with 1 point each and created a 5-point score for prediction of awareness recovery. The resulting score showed good predictive accuracy in the derivation cohort. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the score was 0.918 with 87.50% sensitivity.

Conclusion

This simple bedside prognostic score can be used to predict the probability of awareness recovery in UWS, thus provide families and clinicians with useful outcome information.
Patient engagement as a risk factor in personalized health care: a systematic review of the literature on chronic disease
Authors: Simmons Leigh Ann , Wolever Ruth Q , Bechard Elizabeth M , Snyderman Ralph
Published: February 2014

Background

The role of patient engagement as an important risk factor for healthcare outcomes has not been well established. The objective of this article was to systematically review the relationship between patient engagement and health outcomes in chronic disease to determine whether patient engagement should be quantified as an important risk factor in health risk appraisals to enhance the practice of personalized medicine.

Methods

A systematic review of prospective clinical trials conducted between January 1993 and December 2012 was performed. Articles were identified through a medical librarian-conducted multi-term search of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Additional studies were obtained from the references of meta-analyses and systematic reviews on hypertension, diabetes, and chronic care. Search terms included variations of the following: self-care, self-management, self-monitoring, (shared) decision-making, patient education, patient motivation, patient engagement, chronic disease, chronically ill, and randomized controlled trial. Studies were included only if they: (1) compared patient engagement interventions to an appropriate control among adults with chronic disease aged 18 years and older; (2) had minimum 3 months between pre- and post-intervention measurements; and (3) defined patient engagement as: (a) understanding the importance of taking an active role in one’s health and health care; (b) having the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage health; and (c) using knowledge, skills and confidence to perform health-promoting behaviors. Three authors and two research assistants independently extracted data using predefined fields including quality metrics.

Results

We reviewed 543 abstracts to identify 10 trials that met full inclusion criteria, four of which had ‘high’ methodological quality (Jadad score ≥ 3). Diverse measurement of patient engagement prevented robust statistical analyses, so data were qualitatively described. Nine studies documented improvements in patient engagement. Five studies reported reduction in clinical markers of disease (for example HbA1C). All studies reported improvements in self-reported health status.

Conclusions

This review suggests patient engagement should be quantified as part of a comprehensive health risk appraisal given its apparent value in helping individuals to effectively self-manage chronic disease. Patient engagement measures should include assessment of the knowledge, confidence and skills to prevent and manage chronic disease, plus the behaviors to do so.
Simulated electrical conductivity response of clogging mechanisms for managed aquifer recharge
Authors: Cockett A. Rowan , Pidlisecky Adam
Published: February 2014

Motivated by the need for improved understanding and monitoring of clogging during managed aquifer recharge, we use numerical experiments to evaluate the effect of three different clogging mechanisms on electrical conductivity (EC), porosity, specific surface area, and electrical tortuosity of a simulated sediment pack. The clogging experiments are designed to simulate effect of clogging due to: (a) addition of finer grains, (b) addition of nonconductive films, and (c) addition of conductive films. The simulations involved starting with a random grain pack of 43% porosity, and subsequently reducing the porosity as would occur during clogging. For each of the experiments, we compute the EC response, specific surface area, and electrical tortuosity across the range of porosities. The differences in EC response between (a) and (b) is minor, however, the sediment parameters measuring pore-space configuration show very different responses (i.e., specific surface area and tortuosity), indicating EC is limited in its sensitivity to specific pore configurations. The results from simulations (a) and (b) are well described by Archie’s equation. For the conductive film experiments (c), we explore the effect of film growth for four different surface conductivities ranging from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. These conductivities correspond to a range of 5–35 times more conductive than the pore fluid conductivity. The bulk EC signal for each of the films results in a distinct manifestation in terms of measured bulk EC. We fit the EC response of the conductive film experiments with a model based on volume fraction occupied by the film; although the model fit the observed results, we required a unique set of fitting parameters for each Film conductivity.
Elastic full-waveform inversion application using multicomponent measurements of seismic data collection
Authors: Vigh Denes , Jiao Kun , Watts Dave , Sun Dong
Published: February 2014

Recent computational improvements allowed us to simulate elastic wavefields in a 3D manner and undertake the challenge of executing elastic full-waveform inversion (EFWI). The 3D SEG/EAGE overthrust synthetic data were used to run the initial tests, which included using all three components for the simulation. The inversion targeted two regions: the channel system and the overthrusted zone, which proved the effectiveness of EFWI to delineate geology in terms of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] velocity fields. For the field data experiment to demonstrate the technologies, we elected to use a Gulf of Mexico ocean bottom cable data set, which allowed us to take advantage of relatively large offsets along with the 4C acquisition. The input data were minimally processed mostly through noise removal, and the initial model was a Gaussian smoothed version of grid tomography output, which is done by a prestack migrated gather flattening process. During EWFI, a multiscale approach was followed to ensure convergence, and the early stages of the [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] ratio were constrained by the mud rock-line ratio. When the last sets of inversions were executed, this constraint was eliminated to ensure the simultaneous update of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] velocity fields. The density was kept constant to keep the inversion at a simple level, which allowed us to draw essential conclusions. The velocity fields were validated through an imaging algorithm of the elastic reverse time migration, and the imaging shows clear structural improvements when inputting the inverted velocities in conjunction with the measurements. If full-waveform inversion can provide multiple earth parameters, the user can use the process to detect gas zones along with sand and shale content of the subsurface, which will further assist the drilling decisions. We achieved this by simulating the earth more accurately with the elastic wave propagation in the algorithms.
The optimized expansion based low-rank method for wavefield extrapolation
Authors: Wu Zedong , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: February 2014

Spectral methods are fast becoming an indispensable tool for wavefield extrapolation, especially in anisotropic media because it tends to be dispersion and artifact free as well as highly accurate when solving the wave equation. However, for inhomogeneous media, we face difficulties in dealing with the mixed space-wavenumber domain extrapolation operator efficiently. To solve this problem, we evaluated an optimized expansion method that can approximate this operator with a low-rank variable separation representation. The rank defines the number of inverse Fourier transforms for each time extrapolation step, and thus, the lower the rank, the faster the extrapolation. The method uses optimization instead of matrix decomposition to find the optimal wavenumbers and velocities needed to approximate the full operator with its explicit low-rank representation. As a result, we obtain lower rank representations compared with the standard low-rank method within reasonable accuracy and thus cheaper extrapolations. Additional bounds set on the range of propagated wavenumbers to adhere to the physical wave limits yield unconditionally stable extrapolations regardless of the time step. An application on the BP model provided superior results compared to those obtained using the decomposition approach. For transversely isotopic media, because we used the pure P-wave dispersion relation, we obtained solutions that were free of the shear wave artifacts, and the algorithm does not require that [Formula: see text]. In addition, the required rank for the optimization approach to obtain high accuracy in anisotropic media was lower than that obtained by the decomposition approach, and thus, it was more efficient. A reverse time migration result for the BP tilted transverse isotropy model using this method as a wave propagator demonstrated the ability of the algorithm.
Oncogenic mutations produce similar phenotypes in Drosophila tissues of diverse origins
Authors: Stickel Stefanie , Su Tin Tin
Published: February 2014

An emerging interest in oncology is to tailor treatment to particular cancer genotypes, i.e. oncogenic mutations present in the tumor, and not the tissue of cancer incidence. Integral to such a practice is the idea that the same oncogenic mutation(s) produces similar outcomes in different tissues. To test this idea experimentally, we studied tumors driven by a combination of RasV12 and scrib1 mutations in Drosophila larvae. We found that tumors induced in tissues of neural ectodermal and mesodermal origins behaved similarly in every manner examined: cell cycle checkpoints, apoptosis, cellular morphology, increased aneuploidy and response to Taxol. We conclude that oncogenic effects override tissue-specific differences, at least for the mutations, tissues, and phenotypes studied herein.