bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arterial diameter and the gender disparity in stroke thrombectomy outcomes
Authors: Davison Mark A , Ouyang Bichun , Keppetipola Kavantissa M , Chen Michael
Published: February 2018

Background

Compared with males, females consistently fare worse following mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel ischemic strokes. Understanding why this gender disparity occurs may guide improvements in future treatment strategies. In this study, we aim to determine whether gender differences in cerebral arterial diameter correlate with clinical outcomes following stroke thrombectomy.

Methods

We performed an observational study of consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy at a single, urban tertiary care medical center. Catheter angiographic images were used to manually measure proximal segment arterial diameters in a standardized fashion. Medical record review was used to obtain relevant independent and dependent variables.

Results

Ninety two patients (42 females) between June 2013 and August 2016 met inclusion criteria. Internal carotid artery (ICA) terminus diameters for males and females were 3.08 mm (SD=0.46) and 2.81 mm (SD=0.45), respectively (P=0.01). M1 segment middle cerebral artery (MCA) diameters for males and females were 2.47 mm (SD=0.30) and 2.18 mm (SD=0.31), respectively (P<0.0001). 48% of patients in the upper MCA caliber tertile attained a favorable mRS 90 day value compared with 35% in each of the lower and middle tertiles (P=0.51). Larger MCA diameters correlated with favorable discharge disposition (P=0.21).

Conclusions

These results provide limited evidence that males have larger cerebral arterial diameters than females and that larger arterial diameters may improve the odds for favorable clinical outcomes. If future studies validate these findings, arterial diameter may become a relevant variable in the design of improved thrombectomy strategies.
Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in rectal specimens in women and its association with anal intercourse: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chandra Nastassya L , Broad Claire , Folkard Kate , Town Katy , Harding-Esch Emma M , Woodhall Sarah C , Saunders John M , Sadiq S Tariq , Dunbar J Kevin
Published: February 2018

Objectives

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial STI. Lack of prevalence and risk factor data for rectal chlamydia in women has testing and treatment implications, as azithromycin (a first-line urogenital chlamydia treatment) may be less effective for rectal chlamydia. We conducted a systematic review of studies on women in high-income countries to estimate rectal chlamydia prevalence, concurrency with urogenital chlamydia and associations with reported anal intercourse (AI).

Design

Systematic review and four meta-analyses conducted using random-effects modelling.

Data sources

Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Database were searched for articles published between January 1997 and October 2017.

Eligibility criteria

Studies reporting rectal chlamydia positivity in heterosexual women aged ≥15 years old in high-income countries were included. Studies must have used nucleic acid amplification tests and reported both the total number of women tested for rectal chlamydia and the number of rectal chlamydia infections detected. Conference abstracts, case reports and studies with self-reported diagnoses were excluded. Data extracted included setting, rectal and urogenital chlamydia testing results, AI history, and demographics.

Results

Fourteen eligible studies were identified, all among diverse populations attending sexual health services. Among routine clinic-attending women, summary rectal chlamydia positivity was 6.0% (95% CI 3.2% to 8.9%); summary concurrent rectal chlamydia infection was 68.1% in those who tested positive for urogenital chlamydia (95% CI 56.6% to 79.6%); and of those who tested negative for urogenital chlamydia, 2.2% (95% CI 0% to 5.2%) were positive for rectal chlamydia. Reported AI was not associated with rectal chlamydia (summary risk ratio 0.90; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.10).

Conclusions

High levels of rectal chlamydia infection have been shown in women with urogenital chlamydia infection. The absence of association between reported AI and rectal chlamydia suggests AI is not an adequate indicator for rectal testing. Further work is needed to determine policy and practice for routine rectal testing in women.
Recurrent pyoderma and its underlying primary diseases: a retrospective evaluation of 157 dogs
Authors: Seckerdieck Florian , Mueller Ralf S
Published: February 2018

Bacterial pyoderma is common in small animal practice. Usually there is an associated underlying disease, but little is known about the prevalence of underlying diseases in dogs with recurrent pyoderma. The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency of the different underlying diseases in dogs with recurrent pyoderma. In total, 157 animals with recurrent pyoderma were identified in hospital records from 2008 to 2013 and the data analysed for primary diseases. The time between recurrences, the type of clinical signs and the age at pyoderma onset were also evaluated. At least one primary disease was found in 107 dogs. Allergies were the primary cause in 63 dogs, environmental allergy was the most frequent (n=45) and was often associated with other allergies, followed by hypothyroidism (n=12) and hyperadrenocorticism (n=6). Sixteen dogs with recurrent pyoderma suffered from demodicosis. In young dogs with recurrent pyoderma an allergy work‐up combined with deep skin scrapings should lead to a diagnosis of the underlying disease in most of the cases. In dogs in which pyoderma began in middle or old age, hormonal testing and ruling out a possible flea infestation should be the first steps.
Congruence subgroups of braid groups
Authors: Stylianakis Charalampos
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we give a description of the generators of the prime level congruence subgroups of braid groups. Also, we give a new presentation of the symplectic group over a finite field, and we calculate the symmetric quotients of the prime level congruence subgroups of braid groups. Finally, we find a finite generating set for the level-3 congruence subgroup of the braid group on three strands.
A new approach to bounds on mixing
Authors: Léger Flavien
Published: February 2018

We consider mixing by incompressible flows. In 2003, Bressan stated a conjecture concerning a bound on the mixing achieved by the flow in terms of an [Formula: see text] norm of the velocity field. Existing results in the literature use an [Formula: see text] norm with [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we introduce a new approach to prove such results. It recovers most of the existing results and offers new perspective on the problem. Our approach makes use of a recent harmonic analysis estimate from Seeger, Smart and Street.
Finite-dimensional coagulation-fragmentation dynamics
Authors: Carr Jack , Alghamdi Matab , Duncan Dugald B.
Published: February 2018

We examine a finite-dimensional truncation of the discrete coagulation-fragmentation equations that is designed to allow mass to escape from the system into clusters larger than those in the truncated problem. The aim is to model within a finite system the process of gelation, which is a type of phase transition observed in aerosols, colloids, etc. The main result is a centre manifold calculation that gives the asymptotic behaviour of the truncated model as time [Formula: see text]. Detailed numerical results show that truncated system solutions are often very close to this centre manifold, and the range of validity of the truncated system as a model of the full infinite problem is explored for systems with and without gelation. The latter cases are mass conserving, and we provide an estimate using quantities from the centre manifold calculations of the time period and the truncated system can be used for before loss of mass which is apparent. We also include some observations on how numerical approximation can be made more reliable and efficient.
Predators–prey models with competition, Part I: Existence, bifurcation and qualitative properties
Authors: Berestycki Henri , Zilio Alessandro
Published: February 2018

We study a mathematical model of environments populated by both preys and predators, with the possibility for predators to actively compete for the territory. For this model we study existence and uniqueness of solutions, and their asymptotic properties in time, showing that the solutions have different behavior depending on the choice of the parameters. We also construct heterogeneous stationary solutions and study the limits of strong competition and abundant resources. We then use these information to study some properties such as the existence of solutions that maximize the total population of predators. We prove that in some regimes the optimal solution for the size of the total population contains two or more groups of competing predators.
Generalized unit and unitary Cayley graphs of finite rings
Authors: Tamizh Chelvam T. , Anukumar Kathirvel S.
Published: February 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite commutative ring with nonzero identity and [Formula: see text] be the set of all units of [Formula: see text] The graph [Formula: see text] is the simple undirected graph with vertex set [Formula: see text] in which two distinct vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are adjacent if and only if there exists a unit element [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is a unit in [Formula: see text] In this paper, we obtain degree of all vertices in [Formula: see text] and in turn provide a necessary and sufficient condition for [Formula: see text] to be Eulerian. Also, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for the complement [Formula: see text] to be Eulerian, Hamiltonian and planar.
The fundamental Lepage form in variational theory for submanifolds
Authors: Urban Zbyněk , Brajerčík Ján
Published: February 2018

The multiple-integral variational functionals for finite-dimensional immersed submanifolds are studied by means of the fundamental Lepage equivalent of a homogeneous Lagrangian, which can be regarded as a generalization of the well-known Hilbert form in the classical mechanics. The notion of a Lepage form is extended to manifolds of regular velocities and plays a basic role in formulation of the variational theory for submanifolds. The theory is illustrated on the minimal submanifolds problem, including analysis of conservation law equations.
Photochemical Synthesis of Naked Palladium Nanoparticles
Authors: Ajo Petri , Puranen Johanna , Nieminen Harri , Vartiainen Erik , Colussi Agustín
Published: February 2018

Palladium nanoparticles are widely used in catalysis, sensors, coatings and hydrogen storage devices. This paper reports the one-pot photochemical reduction of Pd(II) alcohol solutions into Pd0 nanoparticle suspensions. The synthesis involves the reduction of [PdCl4][Formula: see text] dissolved in EtOH/2-PrOH mixtures by the ketyl radicals (Me)2(HO)C[Formula: see text] generated from 254[Formula: see text]nm irradiation, in the absence of other chemical reducing agents. Clusters of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm Pd0 particles thus produced could be separated from their suspensions by microfiltration. Preliminary tests are reported on the catalytic potential of such particles for the thermal dehydrogenation of alcohols.
A new coding/decoding algorithm using Fibonacci numbers
Authors: Taş Ni̇hal , Uçar Sümeyra , Özgür Ni̇hal Yilmaz , Kaymak Öznur Öztunç
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we present a new method of coding/decoding algorithms using Fibonacci [Formula: see text]-matrices. This method is based on the blocked message matrices. The main advantage of our model is the encryption of each message matrix with different keys. Our approach will not only increase the security of information but also has high correct ability.
Performance Study of Small Capacity Solar Autonomous Absorption Air-Conditioning System Coupled with a Low-Energy Residential Building Under Batna (Algeria) Climate
Authors: Ammari Et-Tahir , Aksas Mounir , Benmachiche Abdelmoumene H.
Published: February 2018

Solar absorption cooling technology has enormous potential for air-conditioning applications as the need for cooling coincides mostly with the availability of solar radiation. Due to the geographical nature and vast territory of Algeria and the presence of many isolated rural areas, there is a great need for autonomous systems that use only solar energy without auxiliary boiler to meet the cooling demand in summer. In this study, we propose a dynamic simulation model for solar autonomous absorption air-conditioning systems developed using the TRNSYS-EES software. The model used to study the feasibility and evaluate the functioning of the system under Batna, Algeria weather conditions. The proposed system uses solar thermal flat plate collectors to drive a small capacity single-effect LiBr/water absorption chiller to meet the cooling demand of a typical low-energy residential building covering a total floor area of 120[Formula: see text]m2. A model of 4.5[Formula: see text]kW commercial absorption chiller has been modeled with EES software. The validation results showed excellent agreement between the prediction and the experimental data ([Formula: see text]) and proved the model ability to predict the performance of the chiller. The analysis of dynamic results indicates that the proposed system and selected size enable the chiller to work for a duration of up to 10[Formula: see text]h a day. This allowed ensuring a sufficient and continuous cold water supply (between 8[Formula: see text]C and 18[Formula: see text]C) and maintaining the comfort temperature between 26[Formula: see text]C and 28[Formula: see text]C.
Two-Phase Flow Patterns and Evaporation Heat Transfer of R134a in a Vertical Narrow Rectangular Channel
Authors: Cho Hoheum , Jige Daisuke , Miyata Hiromasa , Inoue Norihiro
Published: February 2018

This study experimentally investigated the flow pattern, void fraction, and evaporation heat transfer characteristic of R134a upward flow in a vertical narrow rectangular channel having a hydraulic diameter of 0.99[Formula: see text]mm, resembling a plate heat exchanger. Experiments were performed with mass velocities and vapor quality ranging between 30–200[Formula: see text]kgm[Formula: see text]s[Formula: see text] and 0.05–0.9, respectively, at a saturation temperature of 15[Formula: see text]C. Flow patterns were classified into bubble, slug, churn, and annular flows. The void fraction increased with increasing quality, and decreased with decreasing mass velocity in the low-quality region. Further, the influence of flow inlet/outlet positions remarkably appeared when the superficial gas velocity was low. The observed flow patterns and the measured void fraction were compared to that in previous studies. The effects of mass velocity and heat flux on the evaporation heat transfer coefficient were small, and the heat transfer through the thin liquid film was dominant.
Condensation Frosting Characteristics of SAM-Coated Nanostructured Superhydrophobic Surface
Authors: Jeong Chan Ho , Lee Seong Hyuk
Published: February 2018

The present study aims to experimentally investigate the condensation frosting characteristics of the SAM-coated superhydrophobic surfaces under various environmental conditions. The extensive experiments were carried out under the well-controlled conditions with the surface temperature ranging from [Formula: see text]C to [Formula: see text]C, the relative humidity of 60%, and the air temperature of 24[Formula: see text]C. The dynamics of condensation frosting was analyzed from the captured images by using CMOS camera. From the results, it was found that even if the substrate remained at a subfreezing temperature, the spontaneous freezing of supercooled condensates did not occur because of the free energy barrier of ice embryo at the interface of the substrate-supercooled droplet. The onset of condensate freezing was also triggered by probabilistic ice nucleation. In particular, the delay of the onset time of freezing was found for the nanostructured superhydrophobic surface and substantially dependent on the coolant temperature. Moreover, it observed the presence of an inter-droplet ice bridging between a frozen droplet and neighboring supercooled droplets.
On the quasi-Ablowitz–Segur and quasi-Hastings–McLeod solutions of the inhomogeneous Painlevé II equation
Authors: Dai Dan , Hu Weiying
Published: February 2018

We consider the quasi-Ablowitz–Segur and quasi-Hastings–McLeod solutions of the inhomogeneous Painlevé II equation [Formula: see text] These solutions are obtained from the classical Ablowitz–Segur (AS) and Hastings–McLeod (HM) solutions via the Bäcklund transformation, and satisfy the same asymptotic behaviors when [Formula: see text]. For [Formula: see text], we show that the quasi-Ablowitz–Segur (qAS) and quasi-Hastings–McLeod (qHM) solutions possess [Formula: see text] simple poles on the real axis, which rigorously justifies the numerical results in Fornberg and Weideman (A computational exploration of the second Painlevé equation, Found. Comput. Math. 14(5) (2014) 985–1016).
A Generation Lost in the Bazaar
Authors: Kamp Poul-Henning
Published: February 2018

Thirteen years ago, Eric Raymond’s book "The Cathedral and the Bazaar" (O’Reilly Media, 2001) redefined our vocabulary and all but promised an end to the waterfall model and big software companies, thanks to the new grass-roots open source software development movement. I found the book thought provoking, but it did not convince me. On the other hand, being deeply involved in open source, I couldn’t help but think that it would be nice if he was right.
Energy Cooperation in Battery-Free Wireless Communications with Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting
Authors: Li He , Ota Kaoru , Dong Mianxiong
Published: February 2018

Radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting techniques are becoming a potential method to power battery-free wireless networks. In RF energy harvesting communications, energy cooperation enables shaping and optimization of the energy arrivals at the energy-receiving node to improve the overall system performance. In this article, we propose an energy cooperation scheme that enables energy cooperation in battery-free wireless networks with RF harvesting. We first study the battery-free wireless network with RF energy harvesting and then state the problem that optimizing the system performance with limited harvesting energy through new energy cooperation protocol. Finally, from the extensive simulation results, our energy cooperation protocol performs better than the original battery-free wireless network solution.
Arabic Speech Act Recognition Techniques
Authors: Sherkawi Lina , Ghneim Nada , Dakkak Oumayma Al
Published: February 2018

This article presents rule-based and statistical-based techniques for Arabic speech act recognition. The proposed techniques classify an utterance into Arabic speech act categories based on three criteria: surface features, cue words, and contextual information. A rule-based expert system has been developed in a bootstrapping manner based on the fact that Arabic language syntax is inherently rule-based. Various machine-learning algorithms have been used to detect Arabic speech act categories: Decision Tree, Naïve Bayes, Neural Network, and SVM. We compare the experimental results for both techniques (machine-learning and rule-based expert systems). Using a corpus of 1,500 sentences, the rule-based expert system achieved an accuracy rate of 98.92%, while the Decision Tree, Naïve Bayes, Neural Network, and SVM achieved an accuracy rate of 97.09%, 96.48%, 93.50%, and 93.70%, respectively.
Modeling Spatial Social Complex Networks for Dynamical Processes
Authors: Wickramasinghe Shandeepa , Onyerikwu Onyekachukwu , Sun Jie , ben-Avraham Daniel
Published: February 2018

The study of social networks—where people are located, geographically, and how they might be connected to one another—is a current hot topic of interest, because of its immediate relevance to important applications, from devising efficient immunization techniques for the arrest of epidemics to the design of better transportation and city planning paradigms to the understanding of how rumors and opinions spread and take shape over time. We develop a Spatial Social Complex Network (SSCN) model that captures not only essential connectivity features of real‐life social networks, including a heavy‐tailed degree distribution and high clustering, but also the spatial location of individuals, reproducing Zipf’s law for the distribution of city populations as well as other observed hallmarks. We then simulate Milgram’s Small‐World experiment on our SSCN model, obtaining good qualitative agreement with the known results and shedding light on the role played by various network attributes and the strategies used by the players in the game. This demonstrates the potential of the SSCN model for the simulation and study of the many social processes mentioned above, where both connectivity and geography play a role in the dynamics.
An Autopsy Case of Misdiagnosed Wernicke’s Syndrome after Intragastric Balloon Therapy
Authors: Vellante Paola , Carnevale Aldo , D’Ovidio Cristian
Published: February 2018

Intragastric balloon (IGB) therapy is a widely used technique to counter obesity, and it is known to be safe and effective. Although there can be a high rate of side effects following IGB therapy, most are self-healing and they are mainly accommodative in nature. Few cases of Wernicke’s syndrome under IGB therapy have been described in the literature, and to the best of our knowledge, none have been fatal. We present here a case of a 51-year-old woman who underwent IGB therapy over 8 months. Late diagnosed Wernicke’s syndrome that first appeared as lower limb neuropathy progressively immobilized the patient, until she required bed rest. Finally, a major complication of pneumonia caused her death. Wernicke’s syndrome has been mainly related to bariatric surgery techniques, but it must also be linked to IGB therapy (and also to other restrictive weight-loss interventions). As the use of IGB therapy spreads, the literature must alert physicians to this complication. Wernicke’s syndrome is a severe but reversible condition when diagnosed and treated early.
Ischemic Stroke in an HIV Positive Patient: An Initial Presentation of Neurosyphilis
Authors: Jan Kalimullah , Hoe Hui Min Rebecca , Seow Yen Tan , Ravindra Singh Shekhawat
Published: February 2018

Ischemic stroke occurring in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) needs to be approached with a vast differential diagnosis in mind. We report a case of middle-aged male patient with immune reconstituted HIV on therapy without known cardiovascular risk factors who had a right middle cerebral artery territory infarct. After a thorough evaluation, he received a final diagnosis of neurosyphilis-associated vasculitis leading to stroke. He recovered without any neurological deficits following treatment with intravenous benzylpenicillin. Neurosyphilis is an easily diagnosed and treatable cause of a stroke that can be an initial presentation of neurosyphilis but requires a high index of suspicion.
A Comparative Analysis of the Predictive Abilities of Economic Complexity Metrics Using International Trade Network
Authors: Liao Hao , Vidmer Alexandre
Published: February 2018

The complex networks approach has proven to be an effective tool to understand and predict the evolution of a wide range of complex systems. In this work, we consider the network representing the exchange of goods between countries: the international trade network. According to the type of goods they export, the complex networks approach allows inferring which countries will have a bigger growth compared to others. The aim of this work is to study three different methods characterizing the complex networks and study their behaviour on two main topics. Can the method predict the economic evolution of a country? What happens to those methods when we merge the economies?
Cutaneous Adnexal Cylindroma of Breast: Epithelial Immunoreactivities for GATA-3, Mammaglobin, and E-Cadherin Do Not Equate to a Mammary Ductal Neoplasm
Authors: Halima A. , Pannunzio A. M. , Erstine E. M. , Ko J. S. , Bergfeld W. F. , Malaya R. M. , Frankel M. B. , Calhoun B. C. , Sturgis C. D.
Published: February 2018

Cylindromas are benign epithelial neoplasms derived from cutaneous eccrine adnexal structures. These tumors are most commonly encountered on the head, neck, and scalp of older women. In rare instances, solitary cylindromas may arise at other body sites. In the current case, a cylindroma of the skin of the breast was diagnosed by complete excision. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the tumor cells to be immunoreactive with cytokeratin AE1/3, cytokeratin 5/6, cytokeratin 7, p63, and SOX10. The neoplastic cells were also noted to be immunoreactive with markers typically expected to be positive in ductal epithelium of the breast including GATA3, mammaglobin, and E-cadherin. The case emphasizes the importance of correlating clinical setting, imaging studies, patient history, and careful microscopic evaluation in arriving at an accurate diagnosis. This case also illustrates the point that not all “breast” tumors that are confirmed to be positive for GATA3, mammaglobin, and E-cadherin are derived from mammary ducts.
Analysis of Medical Opinions about the Nonrealization of Autopsies in a Mexican Hospital Using Association Rules and Bayesian Networks
Authors: Rubio Delgado Elayne , Rodríguez-Mazahua Lisbeth , Palet Guzmán José Antonio , Cervantes Jair , Cervantes José Luis Sánchez , Peláez-Camarena Silvestre Gustavo , López-Chau Asdrúbal
Published: February 2018

This research identifies the factors influencing the reduction of autopsies in a hospital of Veracruz. The study is based on the application of data mining techniques such as association rules and Bayesian networks in data sets obtained from opinions of physicians. We analyzed, for the exploration and extraction of the knowledge, algorithms like Apriori, FPGrowth, PredictiveApriori, Tertius, J48, NaiveBayes, MultilayerPerceptron, and BayesNet, all of them provided by the API of WEKA. To generate mining models and present the new knowledge in natural language, we also developed a web application. The results presented in this study are those obtained from the best-evaluated algorithms, which have been validated by specialists in the field of pathology.
Experimental Study on Mechanical and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Rock Samples under Different Stress Paths
Authors: Qin Tao , Sun Hongru , Liu Heng , Zhang Junwen , Li Tao , Liu Gang , Liu Zhenwen
Published: February 2018

A series of tests on characteristics of acoustic emission have been performed on sandstone under uniaxial, conventional, and triaxial conditions and the unloading confining pressure path. The failure mode of rock specimen has been scanned by CT and a three‐dimensional reconstruction was made. The differences on characteristics of AE, mechanics, and the failure mode of sandstone during the failure process under three paths are studied. The results show that the deformation of rock specimen is bigger, and axial strain and circumferential strain have a deformation platform at peak point of stress under the unloading confining pressure path. Characteristics of AE ringing are significantly affected by the confining pressure and stress path. AE ringing counts peak value, and accumulative ringing on the breaking moment as well as cumulative release energy is higher, which indicates that the rock failure is more violent under the unloading confining pressure path. The failure mode of rock specimen was dominated by shear failure under the conventional triaxial stress path. The tension failure is the main form at a lower initial value of unloading confining pressure, and the shear failure is more prominent at a higher initial value of unloading confining pressure.
Micrometer-Sized Titanium Particles Induce Aseptic Loosening in Rabbit Knee
Authors: Xu Hao , Guo Cui-cui , Gao Zheng-yu , Wang Chang-yao , Zhang Hai-ning , Lv Cheng-yu , Yin Zi-yan , Wang Ying-zhen
Published: February 2018

Wear debris induced aseptic loosening is the leading cause of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) failure. The complex mechanism of aseptic loosening has been a major issue for introducing effective prevention and treatment methods, so a simplified yet efficient rabbit model was established to address this concern with the use of micrometer-sized titanium particles. 20 New Zealand white rabbits were selected and divided into two groups (control = 10, study = 10). A TKA surgery was then performed for each of them, with implantation of a titanium rod prosthesis which was coated evenly with micrometer-sized titanium in the study group and nothing in the control group, into right femoral medullary cavity. After 12 weeks, all the animals were euthanized and X-ray analyses, H&E staining, Goldner Masson trichrome staining, Von Kossa staining, PCR, and Western blotting of some specific mRNAs and proteins in the interface membrane tissues around the prosthesis were carried out. The implantation of a titanium rod prosthesis coated with 20 μm titanium particles into the femoral medullary cavity of rabbits caused continuous titanium particle stimulation around the prosthesis, effectively inducing osteolysis and aseptic loosening. Titanium particle-induced macrophages produce multiple inflammatory factors able to activate osteoclast differentiation through the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway, resulting in osteolysis while suppressing the function of osteoblasts and reducing bone ingrowth around the prosthesis. This model simulated the implantation and loosening process of an artificial prosthesis, which is an ideal etiological model to study the aseptic prosthetic loosening.
Symphysis Pubis Osteomyelitis: An Uncommon Complication after Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy—Case Description with Literature Review
Authors: Degheili Jad A. , Mansour Mazen M. , Nasr Rami W.
Published: February 2018

Prostate cancer is the most common solid cancer among American men. Although there are various modalities for treatment, including radical prostatectomy among many others, the former is, nevertheless, not without any accompanied complications. Other than the well-known surgical complications such as erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and voiding dysfunction, osteomyelitis of the symphysis pubis is not a well-understood complication, with various hypotheses explaining its pathogenesis. Although osteomyelitis of the pubis symphysis has been reported after endoscopic urological procedures such as transurethral resection of the prostate, it has rarely been reported after robotic surgeries. We hereby report, to the best of our knowledge, the first osteomyelitis of the pubis symphysis, after robotic prostatectomy, in a patient with prostate cancer and no previous radiation therapy.
Aortitis as a Rare Cause of Aortic Aneurysm and Valve Regurgitation: Is Repair Precluded?
Authors: Porras Carlos , Sanchez-Espin Gemma , Such Miguel , Sánchez-Ramos Jesús , Bautista-Pavés Alicia , Martín-de la Fuente Pilar , Ruiz Josefa , Ortego-Centeno Norberto , Rodríguez-Bailón Isabel , Melero José María
Published: February 2018

Aortitis is an infrequent cause of aortic root dilatation and aortic valve regurgitation. Valve-sparing procedures have been proposed, but there is not clear evidence of which is the treatment of choice. We report the case of a 38-year-old pregnant lady with a diagnosis of idiopathic aortitis associated with aortic root aneurysm and severe aortic valve regurgitation.
Transient Abnormalities in Masking Tuning Curve in Early Progressive Hearing Loss Mouse Model
Authors: Souchal Marion , Labanca Ludimila , Alves da Silva Carvalho Sirley , Macedo de Resende Luciana , Blavignac Christelle , Avan Paul , Giraudet Fabrice
Published: February 2018

Damage to cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) usually affects frequency selectivity in proportion to hearing threshold increase. However, the current clinical heuristics that attributes poor hearing performance despite near-normal auditory sensitivity to auditory neuropathy or “hidden” synaptopathy overlooks possible underlying OHC impairment. Here, we document the part played by OHCs in influencing suprathreshold auditory performance in the presence of noise in a mouse model of progressive hair cell degeneration, the CD1 strain, at postnatal day 18–30 stages when high-frequency auditory thresholds remained near-normal. Nonetheless, total loss of high-frequency distortion product otoacoustic emissions pointed to nonfunctioning basal OHCs. This “discordant profile” came with a huge low-frequency shift of masking tuning curves that plot the level of interfering sound necessary to mask the response to a probe tone, against interfering frequency. Histology revealed intense OHC hair bundle abnormalities in the basal cochlea uncharacteristically associated with OHC survival and preserved coupling with the tectorial membrane. This pattern dismisses the superficial diagnosis of “hidden” neuropathy while underpinning a disorganization of cochlear frequency mapping with optimistic high-frequency auditory thresholds perhaps because responses to high frequencies are apically shifted. The audiometric advantage of frequency transposition is offset by enhanced masking by low-frequency sounds, a finding essential for guiding rehabilitation.
Exploration of Complex Dynamics for Cournot Oligopoly Game with Differentiated Products
Authors: Askar S. S. , EL-Wakeel Mona F. , Alrodaini M. A.
Published: February 2018

This paper proposes a Cournot game organized by three competing firms adopting bounded rationality. According to the marginal profit in the past time step, each firm tries to update its production using local knowledge. In this game, a firm’s preference is represented by a utility function that is derived from a constant elasticity of substitution (CES) production function. The game is modeled by a 3‐dimensional discrete dynamical system. The equilibria of the system are numerically studied to detect their complex characteristics due to difficulty to get an explicit form for those equilibria. For the proposed utility function, some cases with different value parameters are considered. Numerical simulations are used to provide an experimental evidence for the complex behavior of the evolution of the system. The obtained results show that the system loses its stability due to different types of bifurcations.
Oral Health of Lipjan Convicts: Kosovo Prison House
Authors: Zajmi Luljeta , Begzati Agim , Sejdini Milaim , Berisha Nora , Krasniqi Lumnije
Published: February 2018

Objectives. The oral health services of the prison population are considered more complex than those of the general population. The aim of this study was to examine the oral health status (the DMFT index and OHI index) and to evaluate the relation between the oral health and risk factors of inmates of this population, thus identifying the dental health status of inmates by gender, age, and the duration of their sentence. Materials and Methods. Our study has included a total number of 150 inmates, of both genders, from Lipjan prison house in Kosovo. Results. Oral health condition of inmates in Lipjan prison house is severe; the average value of DMFT is 8.44: for minors 6.22, while for adults 9.55. The assessment of DMFT index within the recruited inmates in our study shows that the mean rate of oral cure was 3.21, while the mean extraction value and caries were 3.55 and 3.58, respectively. The mean plaque test value was 1.44. Conclusion. Based on this research, we have concluded that the oral health condition of the inmates in Lipjan prison is not good, due to the presence of different risk factors among them.
Dural Plasmacytoma with Meningeal Myelomatosis in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Gascón Nieves , Pérez-Montero Héctor , Guardado Sandra , D’Ambrosi Rafael , Cabeza María Ángeles , Pérez-Regadera José Fermín
Published: February 2018

Here, we describe the case of a 66-year-old male diagnosed with multiple myeloma who presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a right solid extra-axial parieto-occipital lesion with typical characteristics of meningeal myelomatosis. Biopsy was performed, which diagnosed a dural plasmacytoma. Because of this, we started concomitant therapy with radiotherapy and lenalidomide, but the patient has a poor response to treatment and died few weeks after its initiation. Myelomatous involvement of the dura mater is a rare occurrence, given that only few cases were reported in the English literature. This presentation confers an ominous prognosis and must be a suspect diagnosis in patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma presenting neurological symptoms.
Anesthetic Considerations for an Adult Patient with Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome Undergoing Open Heart Surgery
Authors: Viehmeyer S. , Gabriel P. , Bauer K. , Bauer S. , Sodian R. , Hilberath J. N.
Published: February 2018

Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (FSS) or “whistling face” syndrome is a rare congenital disorder complicated by characteristic facial deformities and muscular contractures. We report on a 64-year-old male patient presenting for surgical replacement of his aortic valve and review the available literature on anesthetic considerations and perioperative management principles. FSS frequently poses a significant challenge to airway management and gaining vascular access. Moreover, these patients are reportedly at risk for developing malignant hyperthermia (MH) or neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
A 34-Week Size Uterus with a Complete Hydatidiform Mole: Hook Effect and Severe Anemia with No Vaginal Bleeding
Authors: McLaren Rodney , Bayya Vijaya , Irani Mohamad
Published: February 2018

Complete hydatidiform mole is an abnormal pregnancy that usually presents with vaginal bleeding and markedly elevated serum ß-hCG levels. We report a rare case of complete hydatidiform mole occurring in a 16-year-old nulligravid who presented with a 34-week size uterus and a relatively low serum ß-hCG level (722 IU/L)—likely related to the “hook effect”—and severe anemia (hemoglobin: 6.1 g/dL) despite the absence of vaginal bleeding. She also reported right flank pain and was diagnosed with moderate right hydronephrosis owing to the compression exerted by the enlarged uterus on the right ureter. The patient received a total of 6 units of packed red blood cells and was managed by dilation and evacuation followed by serial monitoring of serum ß-hCG levels. Therefore, complete mole can present with symptoms related to an enlarged uterus and severe anemia before the occurrence of vaginal bleeding. It is also important to note that a negative urine pregnancy test or relatively low serum ß-hCG level should prompt repeating the measurement on diluted sample to prevent the “hook effect.”
Systemic Infection of Nicotiana benthamiana with Potato virus X Nanoparticles Presenting a Fluorescent iLOV Polypeptide Fused Directly to the Coat Protein
Authors: Röder Juliane , Dickmeis Christina , Fischer Rainer , Commandeur Ulrich
Published: February 2018

Plant virus-based nanoparticles can be produced in plants on a large scale and are easily modified to introduce new functions, making them suitable for applications such as vaccination and drug delivery, tissue engineering, and in vivo imaging. The latter is often achieved using green fluorescent protein and its derivatives, but the monovalent fluorescent protein iLOV is smaller and more robust. Here, we fused the iLOV polypeptide to the N-terminus of the Potato virus X (PVX) coat protein, directly or via the Foot-and-mouth disease virus 2A sequence, for expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. Direct fusion of the iLOV polypeptide did not prevent the assembly or systemic spread of the virus and we verified the presence of fusion proteins and iLOV hybrid virus particles in leaf extracts. Compared to wild-type PVX virions, the PVX particles displaying the iLOV peptide showed an atypical, intertwined morphology. Our results confirm that a direct fusion of the iLOV fluorescent protein to filamentous PVX nanoparticles offers a promising tool for imaging applications.
Vibration Reduction for a Flexible Arm Using Magnetorheological Elastomer Vibration Absorber
Authors: Bian Yushu , Liang Xuefeng , Gao Zhihui
Published: February 2018

The application of the magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) to nonlinear vibration control for a flexible arm is investigated in this paper. A semiactive control method is suggested to reduce vibration via the internal resonance and the MRE. To establish a vibration energy transfer channel, a tuned vibration absorber based on the MRE is developed. Through adjusting the coil current, the frequency of the vibration absorber can be readily controlled by the external magnetic field, thereby maintaining the internal resonance condition with the flexible arm. By the perturbation analysis, it is proven that the internal resonance can be successfully established between the flexible arm and the MRE vibration absorber, and the vibration energy of the flexible arm can be transferred to and dissipated by the MRE vibration absorber. Through numerical simulations, virtual prototyping simulations, and experimental investigation, it is verified that the proposed method and the suggested MRE vibration absorber are effective in controlling nonlinear vibration of the flexible arm.
Statins Synergize with Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors for Treatment of Medulloblastoma
Authors: Gordon Renata E. , Zhang Li , Peri Suraj , Kuo Yin-Ming , Du Fang , Egleston Brian L. , Ng Jessica M. Y. , Andrews Andrew J. , Astsaturov Igor , Curran Tom , Yang Zeng-Jie
Published: February 2018

Purpose: The role of cholesterol biosynthesis in hedgehog pathway activity and progression of hedgehog pathway medulloblastoma (Hh-MB) were examined in vivo. Statins, commonly used cholesterol-lowering agents, were utilized to validate cholesterol biosynthesis as a therapeutic target for Hh-MB.

Experimental Design: Bioinformatic analysis was performed to evaluate the association between cholesterol biosynthesis with hedgehog group medulloblastoma in human biospecimens. Alterations in hedgehog signaling were evaluated in medulloblastoma cells after inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis. The progression of endogenous medulloblastoma in mice was examined after genetic blockage of cholesterol biosynthesis in tumor cells. Statins alone, or in combination with vismodegib (an FDA-approved Smoothened antagonist), were utilized to inhibit medulloblastoma growth in vivo.

Results: Cholesterol biosynthesis was markedly enhanced in Hh-MB from both humans and mice. Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis dramatically decreased Hh pathway activity and reduced proliferation of medulloblastoma cells. Statins effectively inhibited medulloblastoma growth in vivo and functioned synergistically in combination with vismodegib.

Conclusions: Cholesterol biosynthesis is required for Smoothened activity in the hedgehog pathway, and it is indispensable for the growth of Hh-MB. Targeting cholesterol biosynthesis represents a promising strategy for treatment of Hh-MB. Clin Cancer Res; 24(6); 1375–88. ©2018 AACR.
Incentives for Blood Donation: A Discrete Choice Experiment to Analyze Extrinsic Motivation
Authors: Sadler Andrew , Shi Ling , Bethge Susanne , Mühlbacher Axel
Published: February 2018

Background: Demographic trends affect size and age structure of populations. One of the consequences will be an increasing need for blood products to treat age-related diseases. Donation services rely on voluntariness and charitable motivation. It might be questioned whether there will be sufficient blood supply with voluntary donation. The present study focused on elicitation of preferences for incentives and aimed to contribute to the discussion on how to increase donation rates. Methods: A self-administered discrete choice experiment (DCE) was applied. Respondents were repeatedly asked to choose between hypothetical blood donation centers. In case of reluctance to receiving incentives a none-option was included. Random parameter logit (RPL) and latent class models (LCM) were used for analysis. Results: The study sample included 416 college students from the US and Germany. Choice decisions were significantly influenced by the characteristics of the donation center in the DCE. Incentives most preferred were monetary compensation, paid leave, and blood screening test. LCM identified subgroups with preference heterogeneity. Small subgroups indicated moderate to strong aversion to incentives. Conclusion: The majority of the sample positively responded to incentives and indicated a willingness to accept incentives. In face of future challenges, the judicious use and appropriate utilization of incentives might be an option to motivate potential donors and should be open to discussion.
Preclinical Evaluation of the NeVaTM Stent Retriever: Safety and Efficacy in the Swine Thrombectomy Model
Authors: Ulm Arthur J. , Khachatryan Tigran , Grigorian Arthur , Nogueira Raul G.
Published: February 2018

Background: A novel stent retriever device with an enhanced radial force profile, enlarged offset openings, and a closed distal end has been developed. Objective: Evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the NeVaTM thrombectomy device in animal model of thrombo-occlusive disease. Materials and Methods: Seven swine were used in safety and efficacy studies. Thrombo-occlusive disease was modeled using 4 emboli morphologies; 2 distinct models of autologous whole blood thrombi, plasma-enriched thrombi, and Onyx® emboli. A total of 35 vascular occlusions and retrievals were performed using emboli of variable sizes. Pre- and post-modified thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia (mTICI) scores, number of retrievals, and the presence of angiographic complications were recorded. In the safety study, a total of 6 clot retrievals were completed and the vascular territory examined grossly and harvested for histopathological evaluation. A semiquantitative vasospasm study was performed. Radial force testing was performed on NeVaTM and control devices for comparison. Results: Near-full or full reperfusion (mTICI 2b/3) was achieved in 34/35 occlusions after a mean of 1.2 passes. Full reperfusion (TICI 3) was achieved in 17/17 of whole blood clot occlusions (ranging between 10 and 20 mm) after a mean of 1.06 passes. The rate of mTICI 2b/3 reperfusion was 10/11 (mean, 1.6 passes) and 5/5 (mean, 1.0 passes) for Onyx® and plasma-enriched clot emboli, respectively. Histopathological vessel injury and vasospasm scores were comparable to predicate studies. Radial force curves demonstrated increased expansive radial force and similar compressive radial force compared to predicate devices. Conclusions: Our preclinical results support the use of the NeVaTM device in a clinical trial to determine if this novel design improves upon current stent retriever outcomes.
Widespread Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia Treated with Topical Interferon Alpha-2b
Authors: Patel Hershel , Jeang Lauren J. , Shah Ankit , Espana Edgar M. , Margo Curtis E.
Published: February 2018

Purpose: To emphasize the importance of staging ocular surface squamous neoplasia when contemplating use of topical interferon alpha-2b alone. Cases: Two patients with 360 degrees of limbal involvement. Results: Two patients with in situ squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva and clinical involvement of the entire limbus were treated with topical interferon alpha-2b. Thorough examination and multiple biopsies excluded invasive disease. The patients had complete response to therapy. Conclusion: Widespread intraepithelial squamous neoplasia involving the entire limbus can be successfully treated with topical therapies. Biopsy plays a role in excluding invasive disease. Interferon alpha-2b is a preferable agent to start with because it is well tolerated. Since long-term risks of recurrence are unknown, appropriate monitoring is essential.