bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Casting a Shadow from Flesh to Canvas: Claudia Rankine's Plot and the Gendered Textual Body
Authors: Newcomer Caitlin E.
Published: December 2014

This essay examines Claudia Rankine's long poem Plot (2001) in light of its status as one of a number of postsixties poetic texts authored by women that explore complicated questions surrounding the relationships among maternity, the female body, and innovative poetics. Plot intervenes in two overlapping conversations. On the one hand, it continues a tradition of women's poetic experimentation that seeks to revalue pregnancy and motherhood as viable topics for poetry while resisting sentimentalized and restrictive narratives through formal innovation; on the other, it continues and extends feminist poetic traditions that emphasize both the physical and biological and the linguistic and cultural by crafting a long poem whose structure is necessarily “female” through its reliance on an individual woman's mental, temporal, and bodily/biological experiences as formal determinants. This essay argues that Plot is unique for the way it not only uses the biological as a formal determinant but also uses this focus to blur the lines between the physical and the textual body, in the process questioning both cultural narratives of pregnancy and the construction of poetic genre (specifically in terms of the long poem) in addition to traditional tropes that co-opt gestation as a synonym for (typically masculine) literary production.
Southern Mother, Lethal Fetus; Or, How Birth Control Makes a Modernist Out of Flannery O'connor
Authors: Wilson Aimee Armande
Published: December 2014

This essay argues that the presence of birth control in a narrative interrupts generic conventions by conditioning modernist subjectivities. The symbolic possibilities of birth control carry the promise and threat of rupture. In the case of Flannery O'Connor's short story “A Stroke of Good Fortune” (1955), these possibilities disrupt both a character's identity and what we might call the identity of an O'Connor text. Critics generally read the story as a failed attempt to portray the Catholic plea against, as O'Connor put it, the “rejection of life at the source.” Recognizing the story's contraceptive disruptions allows us to see it as a modernist text rather than a narrative failure. Reading the story in this light situates modernist aesthetics within larger cultural debates about reproductive rights and civil liberties at the same time that it reveals a surprising statement about contraception. This is not to say that the story rejects contraception as a practice, as might be expected from the pen of the devoutly Catholic O'Connor. Rather, the story derides the claim that birth control is a panacea. “A Stroke” shows that birth control can be used to create oppressive, even Gothic, situations if women do not wield the control denoted by the name.
Trans-Ing Disability Poetry at the Confluence
Authors: Kuppers Petra
Published: December 2014

This essay offers a poetics of trans-ing at the confluence of disability culture and trans cultural expression, indigenous naming of the land and performance trance. It discusses work by genderqueer poet Eli Clare and by Anishinaabe poet Margaret Noodin before analyzing the process of a translatory videopoem collaboration between Denise Leto and Petra Kuppers. One difference is not the same as another, but between experimental poetics, assemblage, and occupied land, we sound in the waters.
Voice, Performance, and Border Crossings
Authors: Johnson Dominic
Published: December 2014

In this excerpt of an interview held in 2013, artist Tobaron Waxman discusses their artwork and its relationship to the politics and limits of transgender representation. Rather than relying on the body as the sign of trans, Waxman's recent performance work explores ways to evoke transformation, boundaries, and negotiations of power through a focus on gesture, movement, and the voice as a site of regulation and its resistance. This work also engages with the politics of nationalism and ethnicity, which Waxman sets in relation to other policing and transgressing of borders.
Photoisomerization of trans-Stilbene in Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Importance of Solute–Polymer Interactions
Authors: Hirata Yoshinori
Published: December 2014

We have measured the polarized absorption and picosecond transient absorption spectra of trans-stilbene in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films. We found that the dichroic ratio in the first absorption band and the lifetime of the S1 state increased as the hold-time was increased. The hold-time is the duration in which sample films were kept wet before they were dried. For similar values of the hold-time, the absorption spectra showed a red shift and slight sharpening. These results indicate that during the hold-time, solute–polymer interactions become strong; these interactions not only act as the orienting force during film stretching but also act as friction that opposes isomerization.
The role of femoral neck anteversion in the development of osteoarthritis in dysplastic hips
Authors: Li H. , Wang Y. , Oni J. K. , Qu X. , Li T. , Zeng Y. , Liu F. , Zhu Z.
Published: December 2014

There have been several studies examining the association between the morphological characteristics seen in acetabular dysplasia and the incidence of the osteoarthritis (OA).

However, most studies focus mainly on acetabular morphological analysis, and few studies have scrutinised the effect of femoral morphology. In this study we enrolled 36 patients with bilateral acetabular dysplasia and early or mid-stage OA in one hip and no OA in the contralateral hip. CT scans were performed from the iliac crest to 2 cm inferior to the tibial tuberosity, and the morphological characteristics of both acetabulum and femur were studied.

In addition, 200 hips in 100 healthy volunteer Chinese adults formed a control group. The results showed that the dysplastic group with OA had a significantly larger femoral neck anteversion and a significantly shorter abductor lever arm than both the dysplastic group without OA and the controls. Femoral neck anteversion had a significant negative correlation with the length of the abductor lever arm and we conclude that it may contribute to the development of OA in dysplastic hips.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1586–93.
Heterotopic ossification after surgery for distal humeral fractures
Authors: Foruria A. M. , Lawrence T. M. , Augustin S. , Morrey B. F. , Sanchez-Sotelo J.
Published: December 2014

We retrospectively reviewed 89 consecutive patients (45 men and 44 women) with a mean age at the time of injury of 58 years (18 to 97) who had undergone external fixation after sustaining a unilateral fracture of the distal humerus. Our objectives were to determine the incidence of heterotopic ossification (HO); identify risk factors associated with the development of HO; and characterise the location, severity and resultant functional impairment attributable to the presence of HO.

HO was identified in 37 elbows (42%), mostly around the humerus and along the course of the medial collateral ligament. HO was hazy immature in five elbows (13.5%), mature discrete in 20 (54%), extensive mature in 10 (27%), and complete bone bridges were present in two elbows (5.5%). Mild functional impairment occurred in eight patients, moderate in 27 and severe in two. HO was associated with less extension (p = 0.032) and less overall flexion-to-extension movement (p = 0.022); the flexion-to-extension arc was < 100º in 21 elbows (57%) with HO compared with 18 elbows (35%) without HO (p = 0.03). HO was removed surgically in seven elbows.

The development of HO was significantly associated with sustaining a head injury (p = 0.015), delayed internal fixation (p = 0.027), the method of fracture fixation (p = 0.039) and the use of bone graft or substitute (p = 0.02).HO continues to be a substantial complication after internal fixation for distal humerus fractures.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1681–7.
Orthopaedic training the world over
Authors: Lewis C. , Mauffrey C. , Lewis A. C. , Whiting F.
Published: December 2014

There are significant differences in the methods and styles of orthopaedic surgical training between continents, all with the aim to produce competent consultant surgeons, but the differences in training content and pathway are vast. We review and contrast the key differences between three continents.
Mitral Valve Surgery in 6 Patients after Failed MitraClip Therapy
Authors: Monsefi Nadejda , Zierer Andreas , Khalil Mahmud , Ay Mahmut , Beiras-Fernandez Andres , Moritz Anton , Stock Ulrich Alfred
Published: December 2014

The MitraClip percutaneous mitral valve repair system, developed as an option for percutaneous mitral repair, was clinically introduced in 2007. From 2010 through 2012, 6 of our patients underwent mitral valve surgery after MitraClip failure. Their mean age was 75 ± 7.7 years (range, 62–87 yr). Three had undergone cardiac surgery previously. In 5 of the 6 patients, mitral regurgitation recurred after initially successful MitraClip deployment and was the indication for surgery. The mean interval between MitraClip implantation and surgery was 106 ± 86 days (range, 0–238 d).

Mitral valve repair was feasible in 3 patients; the others underwent valve replacement. All the patients underwent additional cardiac procedures, because the MitraClip worsened existing conditions. Echocardiograms revealed sufficient valvular repairs. Two patients died during hospitalization, one of cerebral infarction and the other of bowel ischemia.

Mitral valve repair after failed MitraClip therapy can be complex and a surgical challenge. Careful consideration should be given to appropriate patient selection for MitraClip therapy, because the MitraClip can cause existing pathologic valvular conditions to deteriorate substantially. The interval between MitraClip failure and corrective surgery should be as short as possible. The primary indication is an issue of ongoing discussion.
Pheochromocytoma-Induced Atrial Tachycardia Leading to Cardiogenic Shock and Cardiac Arrest: Resolution with Atrioventricular Node Ablation and Pacemaker Placement
Authors: Shawa Hassan , Bajaj Mandeep , Cunningham Glenn R.
Published: December 2014

Pheochromocytoma should be considered in young patients who have acute cardiac decompensation, even if they have no history of hypertension. Atrioventricular node ablation and pacemaker placement should be considered for stabilizing pheochromocytoma patients with cardiogenic shock due to atrial tachyarrhythmias.

A 38-year-old black woman presented with cardiogenic shock (left ventricular ejection fraction, <0.15) that did not respond to the placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump. A TandemHeart® Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device was inserted emergently. After atrioventricular node ablation and placement of a temporary pacemaker, the TandemHeart was removed. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a pheochromocytoma. After placement of a permanent pacemaker, the patient underwent a right adrenalectomy.

This is, to our knowledge, the first reported case of pheochromocytoma-induced atrial tachyarrhythmia that led to cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest unresolved by the placement of 2 different ventricular assist devices, but that was completely reversed by radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular node and the placement of a temporary pacemaker. We present the patient's clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings, and we review the relevant literature.
Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysms: Review and Update
Authors: Crawley Patricia D. , Mahlow William Jeremy , Huntsinger D. Russell , Afiniwala Swara , Wortham Dale C.
Published: December 2014

Giant coronary artery aneurysms are rare, with a reported prevalence of 0.02% to 0.2%. Causative factors include atherosclerosis, Takayasu arteritis, congenital disorders, Kawasaki disease, and percutaneous coronary intervention. Most giant coronary artery aneurysms are asymptomatic, but some patients present with angina pectoris, sudden death, fistula formation, pericardial tamponade, compression of surrounding structures, or congestive heart failure. Clinical sequelae include thrombus formation, embolization, fistula formation, and rupture. Surgical correction is generally accepted as the preferred treatment for giant coronary artery aneurysms. We present an illustrative case of a giant 70 × 40-mm coronary artery aneurysm in a 56-year-old man who declined surgery and died one month later. In addition, we provide a review of the medical literature on giant coronary artery aneurysms.
Current Use of Fractional Flow Reserve: A Nationwide Survey
Authors: Hannawi Bashar , Lam Wilson W. , Wang Suwei , Younis George A.
Published: December 2014

Major medical society guidelines recommend the measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) as an aid in choosing percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with stable coronary artery disease. We investigated the measurement of FFR among interventionalists, analyzing operators' attributes and decision-making processes to reveal differences in their applications of FFR and the reasons for those differences. An electronic survey study of 1,089 interventionalists was performed from 2 February through 6 March 2012, yielding 255 responses. Most respondents were >45 years old (58%), worked primarily in a community hospital (59%), and performed 10 to 30 cases per month (52%). More than half (145/253, 57%) used FFR measurement in less than one third of cases, and 39 of 253 (15%) never used it. There were no differences in use of FFR by age, practice location, or angiogram volume (P >0.05 for all). Respondents used FFR measurement more frequently than intravascular ultrasonography (73% vs 60%) to help guide the decision to stent (P <0.01). Operators reported that their primary reasons for not using FFR were lack of availability (47%) and problems with reimbursement (39%). There was no difference in FFR use by operator age, practice setting, or case volume.
Brachiocephalic Artery Cannulation in Proximal Aortic Surgery that Requires Circulatory Arrest
Authors: Unal Mehmet , Yilmaz Oguz , Akar Ilker , Ince Ilker , Aslan Cemal , Koc Fatih , Kafali Haluk
Published: December 2014

The brachiocephalic artery is an alternative cannulation site in the repair of ascending aortic lesions that require circulatory arrest. We evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this technique.

Proximal aortic surgery was performed in 32 patients from 2006 through 2012 via brachiocephalic artery cannulation and circulatory arrest. Twenty-four (75%) of the patients were men. The mean age was 48.69 ± 9.43 years (range, 30–68 yr). Twelve had type I dissection, 2 had type II dissection, and 18 had true aneurysms of the ascending aorta. All operations were performed through a median sternotomy. The arterial cannula was inserted through an 8-mm vascular graft anastomosed to the brachiocephalic artery in an end-to-side fashion. In dissections, the distal anastomosis was performed without clamping the aorta. The patients were cooled to 24 °C, and circulatory arrest was established. The brachiocephalic and left carotid arteries were clamped, and antegrade cerebral perfusion was started at a rate of 10 mL/kg/min. Cardiopulmonary bypass was resumed after completion of the distal anastomosis and the initiation of rewarming. The proximal anastomosis was then performed.

None of the patients sustained a major neurologic deficit, but 5 patients experienced transient postoperative agitation (<24 hr). There were 2 early deaths (6.25%), on the 3rd and the 11th postoperative days, both unrelated to the cannulation technique.

Brachiocephalic artery cannulation through a graft can be a safe and effective technique in proximal aortic surgical procedures that require circulatory arrest.
Sholem Aleichem in Weimar Berlin: The Cultural Semiotics of Eastern European Jewish Performances
Authors: Zer-Zion Shelly
Published: December 2014

Am 28. April 1928 begann die Gastspielreise des Moskauer jiddischen Theaters GOSET in Berlin mit »200.000«, einer jiddischen Bühnenadaption von Shalom Aleichems Dos Groyse Gevin, die von Berliner Kritikern hochgelobt wurde. 1929 kam Habima zum dritten Mal nach Berlin und war beim lokalen Publikum bereits renommiert. Habimas Repertoire bestand unter anderem aus »Der Schatz«, einer hebräischen Adaption von Shalom Aleichems Di Gold Greber. In Gegensatz zu den Reaktionen auf Habimas vorherige Aufführungen wurde dieses Stück mit Empörung aufgenommen. Dieser Artikel bespricht die polarisierte Rezeption dieser beiden Shalom Aleichem Theateraufführungen in Berlin und untersucht, wie die Spannung zwischen der jiddischen und der hebräischen Shalom Aleichems Aufführung den die deutsch-jüdische Identität betreffenden Diskurs animierte.
Silphos as an efficient heterogeneous reagent for the synthesis of 2-azetidinones
Authors: Zarei Maaroof , Jarrahpour Aliasghar
Published: December 2014

This report provides a description of an efficient and simple procedure for the synthesis of 2-azetidinones via a one-pot reaction of imines and carboxylic acids in the presence of silicaphosphine at room temperature. The reagent is cheap and stable. The yields are good to excellent, and the reaction conditions are mild.
Regioselective one-pot synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives
Authors: Gümüş Ayşegül , Uçur Sibel
Published: December 2014

The one-pot synthesis of novel 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives derived from homopropargyl alcohol backbones has been accomplished. Triazoles are obtained in good yields from a variety of readily available aromatic and aliphatic halides without isolation of potentially unstable organic azide intermediates.
Filtration model of plastic flow
Authors: Sarychev Vladimir D. , Nevskii Sergey A. , Cheremushkina Elena V. , Gromov Victor E. , Aifantis Elias C.
Published: December 2014

A filtration model for plastic flow based on the idea of a deformed material considered as a two-phase heterogeneous medium has been suggested. In this approach, the wave displacement is regarded as a shock transition in the medium. One of the phases (the excited one) is responsible for system restructuring, and the other phase (the normal one) is unrelated to structural transformations. The plastic wave is the result of the interaction of these two phases. The governing equations for the filtration model are obtained. They include the laws of momentum and mass conservation, as well as the filtration ratio of the phases.
Arrhythmias in the Heart Transplant Patient
Authors: Hamon David , Taleski Jane , Vaseghi Marmar , Shivkumar Kalyanam , Boyle Noel G ,   UCLA Cardiac
                        Arrhythmia Center, UCLA Health System, David Geffen School of Medicine at
                        UCLA, Los Angeles, US,   Department of
                        Cardiac Electrophysiology, University Clinic of Cardiology, University of
                        St. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of
                        Macedonia,   UCLA Cardiac
                        Arrhythmia Center, UCLA Health System, David Geffen School of Medicine at
                        UCLA, Los Angeles, US,   UCLA Cardiac
                        Arrhythmia Center, UCLA Health System, David Geffen School of Medicine at
                        UCLA, Los Angeles, US,   UCLA Cardiac
                        Arrhythmia Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 100 UCLA Medical
                        Plaza, Suite 660, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, US. E:
                        NBoyle@mednet.ucla.edu
Published: December 2014

Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) is currently the most effective
long-term therapy for patients with end-stage cardiac disease, even as left
ventricular devices show markedly improved outcomes. As surgical techniques
and immunosuppressive regimens have been refined, short-term mortality
caused by sepsis has decreased, while morbidity caused by repeated rejection
episodes and vasculopathy has increased, and is often manifested by
arrhythmias. These chronic transplant complications require early and
aggressive multidisciplinary treatment. Understanding the relationship
between arrhythmias and these complications in the acute and chronic stages
following OHT is critical in improving patient prognosis, as arrhythmias may
be the earliest or sole presentation. Finally, decentralised/denervated
hearts represent a unique opportunity to investigate the underlying
mechanisms of arrhythmias.
Basics of programming exercises using health and fitness technology in physical education pupils of secondary schools
Authors: Verkhovska M.V.
Published: December 2014

Purpose : to present a framework for programming model classes using athletic health technologies at physical training lessons to pupils of general education schools. Material : the information base on research constitute official documents of the governing bodies of the European Union for the development of sports education. Also - the curricula and training programs for teachers of physical training, training programs on physical training of general educational institutions, research papers, reference and encyclopaedias, periodicals, national and foreign publications. The study involved 178 teachers of physical culture. Results : The general education schools were given the right choice of the existing options of training and education. Also - the construction of new ones. Therefore, the logical focus is physical education teachers to use technology in improving physical fitness physical training lessons, changing the concept of sports orientation of physical training on wellness. This concept aims at developing various curricula, development and testing of new technologies and more. Conclusions : Programming exercises using athletic health technologies do not change the logic of the training and educational process. They cancel stringent regulatory and authoritarian school programs, form the subject of a positive motivation to contribute to improving and training effect, adjust the health status of all participants.
Individualization of forming health culture in schoolchildren of Polish schools
Authors: Yermakova T.S.
Published: December 2014

The aim is to highlight the issues of gender education and individual characteristics of schoolchildren in the formation of their health culture due to school conditions. Material: content analysis of domestic and foreign authors. Results . Determined that the peculiarities of forming health culture of schoolchildren make for the specifics of school age (primary school age - 6/7 - 10/11 years; teen school age - 12/13 - 15/16 years). It is found that the level of formation of health culture in childhood will depend on the next person’s lifestyle, the level of his personal potential. Gender approach in pedagogy can overcome entrenched negative gender stereotypes, to develop a set of approaches aimed at helping children to easily go through the process of socialization and gender identity. Conclusions: information about formation schoolchildren health culture should be provided necessarily considering age and individual characteristics of schoolchildren, because otherwise it can be confusing for them and as a consequence is not only beneficial, but also harm.
Professional applied physical training of future specialists of agricultural production
Authors: Karabanov Y.A.
Published: December 2014

Purpose : develop and experimentally prove the contents, methods and forms of physical training of future specialists of agricultural production. This takes into account advanced course of professional applied physical preparation means kettlebell sport. Material : The study involved 141 students. Duration of study is 5 years. Results : It was found that a significant increase in indicators of flexibility, strength, coordination abilities of students promoted the use of exercises using weights of different weights. Confirmed the legitimacy of the use of such means of physical education for the development of muscle strength of the upper body, back, legs, abdominals. These muscles are the most loaded in the performance of professional activities of mechanical engineers. Conclusions : The program meets the basic criteria for the formation of curriculum for physical education. The program promotes the development of professional applications of physical qualities, motor skills and improve physical performance of students.
Nutsedge (Cyperusspp.) Control in Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Using Fallow-Period Weed Management and Fumigation for Two Years
Authors: Miller M. Ryan , Dittmar Peter J. , Vallad Gary E. , Ferrell Jason A.
Published: December 2014

Integrated management programs are becoming increasingly necessary for nutsedge control in the absence of methyl bromide. In 2012, field studies were established and maintained for a period of 2 yr at two locations to evaluate the additive effect of fallow programs and preplant fumigants for nutsedge control in bell pepper. The study included eight fallow programs consisting of eight combinations of glyphosate (G) and cultivation (C), and two fumigants; 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin, dimethyl-disulfide + chloropicrin, and a nontreated check. All fallow programs provided greater late-season control of nutsedge compared to the nontreated, with the greatest control of nutsedge observed with glyphosate fb (followed by) glyphosate (GG) and glyphosate fb cultivation fb glyphosate (GCG) fallow programs. Fumigation provided additional nutsedge control in single-input fallow programs. Increased marketable yield was observed in 2012 with the application of either fumigant compared to a nonfumigated control. Furthermore, increased marketable yield was observed with more intensive fallow programs in 2013. Nutsedge control in bell pepper was significantly increased when a fallow program was used in combination with other weed-management practices.
Credits
Authors: Waddell James
Published: December 2014

Credits.
Morphometric analysis of collagen and inflammatory cells in periodontal disease
Authors: Golijanin Ranko , Kujundzic Bojan , Milosavljevic Zoran , Milovanovic Dragan , Andjelkovic Zlatibor , Obrenovic Miroslav , Nikolic Radivoje
Published: December 2014

Background/Aim. Periodontal disease affects gingival tissue and supporting
apparatus of the teeth leading to its decay. The aim of this study was to
highlight and precisely determine histological changes in the gum tissue.
Methods. Gingival biopsy samples from 53 healthy and parodontopathy-affected
patients were used. Clinical staging of the disease was performed. Tissue
specimens were fixed and routinely processed. Sections, 5 ?m thin, were
stained with hematoxylin and eosin, histochemical Van-Gieson for the collagen
content, Spicer method for mast-cells and immunochemical method with
anti-CD68 and anti-CD38 for the labelling of the macrophages and
plasma-cells. Morphometric analysis was performed by a M42 test system.
Results. While the disease advanced, collagen and fibroblast volume density
decreased almost twice in the severe cases compared to the control ones, but
a significant variation was observed within the investigated groups. The
mast-cell number increased nearly two times, while the macrophage content was
up to three times higher in severe parodontopathy than in healthy gingival
tissue. However, the relative proportion of these cells stayed around 6% in
all cases. Plasma-cells had the most prominent increase in the number (over 8
times) compared to the control, but again, a variation within investigated
groups was very high. Conclusion. Gingival tissue destruction caused by
inflammatory process leads to significant changes in collagen density and
population of resident connective tissue cells. Although inflammatory cells
dominated with the disease advancing, a high variation within the same
investigated groups suggests fluctuation of the pathological process.

 This article has been corrected. Link to the correction 10.2298/VSP1704391E
Functional recovery of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy treated with coronary artery bypass surgery and concomitant intramyocardial bone marrow mononuclear cell implantation: A long term follow-up study
Authors: Trifunovic Zoran , Obradovic Slobodan , Balint Bela , Ilic Radoje , Vukic Zoran , Sisic Marija , Kostic Jelena , Rusovic Sinisa , Dobric Milan , Ostojic Gordana
Published: December 2014

Background/Aim. Intramyocardial bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC)
implantation concomitant to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery
as an option for regenerative therapy in chronic ischemic heart failure was
tested in a very few number of studies, with not consistent conclusions
regarding improvement in left ventricular function, and with a follow-up
period between 6 months and 1 year. This study was focused on testing of the
hypothesis that intramyocardial BMMNC implantation, concomitant to CABG
surgery in ischemic cardiomyopathy patients, leads to better postoperative
long-term results regarding the primary endpoint of conditional
status-functional capacity and the secondary endpoint of mortality than CABG
surgery alone in a median follow-up period of 5 years. Methods. A total of
30 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and the median left ventricular
ejection fraction (LVEF) of 35.9 ? 4.7% were prospectively and randomly
enrolled in a single center interventional, open labeled clinical trial as
two groups: group I of 15 patients designated as the study group to receive
CABG surgery and intramyocardial implantation of BMMNC and group II of 15
patients as the control group to receive only the CABG procedure. All the
patients in both groups received the average of 3.4 ? 0.7 implanted coronary
grafts, and all of them received the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to
the left anterior descending (LAD) and autovenous to other coronaries.
Results. The group with BMMNC and CABG had the average of 17.5 ? 3.8
injections of BMMNC suspension with the average number of injected bone
marrow mononuclear cells of 70.7 ? 32.4 ? 106 in the total average volume of
5.7 ? 1.5 mL. In this volume the average count of CD34+ and CD133+ cells was
3.96 ? 2.77 ? 106 and 2.65 ? 1.71 ? 106, respectively. All the patients were
followed up in 2.5 to 7.5 years (median, 5 years). At the end of the
follow-up period, significantly more patients from the group that received
BMMNC were in the functional class I compared to the CABG only group (14/15
vs 5/15; p = 0.002). After 6 months the results on 6-minute walk test
(6-MWT) were significantly different between the groups (435 m in the BMMNC
and CABG group and 315 m in the CABG only group; p = 0.001), and continued
to be preserved and improved on the final follow-up (520 m in the BMMNC and
CABG group vs 343 m in the CABG only group; p < 0.001). Cardiovascular
mortality was also significantly reduced in the BMMNC and CABG group (p =
0.049). Conclusion. Implanatation of BMMNC concomitant to CABG is a safe and
feasible procedure that demonstates not only the improved functional
capacity but also a reduced cardiac mortality in a 5-year follow-up in
patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy scheduled for CABG surgery.
The role of Alk-1 and Alk-5 in the mechanosensing of chondrocytes
Authors: Sanz-Ramos Patricia , Dotor Javier , Izal-Azcárate Iñigo
Published: December 2014

We aim to demonstrate the role of Alk receptors in the response of hydrogel expansion. Chondrocytes from rat knees were cultured onto plastic and hydrogel surfaces. Alk-1 and Alk-5 were overexpressed or silenced and the effects on cells during expansion were tested and confirmed using peptide inhibitors for TGFβ. Overexpression of Alk-5 and silencing of Alk-1 led to a loss of the chondrocyte phenotype, proving that they are key regulators of chondrocyte mechanosensing. An analysis of the gene expression profile during the expansion of these modified cartilage cells in plastic showed a better maintenance of the chondrocyte phenotype, at least during the first passages. These passages were also assayed in a mouse model of intramuscular chondrogenesis. Our findings indicate that these two receptors are important mediators in the response of chondrocytes to changes in the mechanical environment, making them suitable targets for modulating chondrogenesis. Inhibition of TGFβ could also be effective in improving chondrocyte activity in aged or expanded cells that overexpress Alk-1.
Optimization of PCR Conditions for DNA Amplification of Common Buckwheat Using EST Primers
Authors: Joshi Bal K. , Okuno Kazutoshi , Ohsawa Ryo , Hara Takashi
Published: December 2014

Under optimal conditions the PCR reaction is very efficient; microgram quantities may be synthesized from a single molecule of substrate DNA. DNA of four lines of common buckwheat (Kyusu, Canada, Miyazaki and Botansoba) was used to optimize PCR reaction and cycling program of 26 primers for DNA amplification of common buckwheat. Annealing temperature (Ta), PCR cycle number and MgCl2 concentration were considered optimum if the single clear band was observed. Of the 26 primers Ta of only 10 primers could be optimized. Three primer pairs performed best at Ta of 54°C. The optimum concentration of MgCl2 was found to be 1.5mM for all primer pairs. Similarly the number of PCR cycles was found to be 40 for all 10 primer pairs except for primer pair 57. Optimized PCR conditions were used for subsequent studies such as transferability of EST primers to other Fagopyrum species and construction of linkage map.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 1-6DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v8i0.11563
Use of Fertilizers and Lime for Enhancing Productivity of Maize Genotypes in Western Hill of Nepal
Authors: Adhikary Bishnu H. , Karki Krishna B.
Published: December 2014

Farmers' field experiment was conducted at Outreach sites in Tanahun and Palpa districts of Western Nepal with the objectives of evaluating the effects of fertilizers and agricultural lime on grain production of the local and improved (Manakamana-1) maize varieties during summer season of year 2003 and 2004. Farmer's practice (without fertilizers) and with   fertilizer 60: 30: 30 kg (N: P2O5: K2O) per hectare with or without agricultural lime (4 t ha-1), were the treatments in experimental study that was conducted in factorial RCB design with four farmers as replications. The results revealed that response of fertilizers and agricultural lime was observed significant plant growth and kernels production including varieties in both sites of Palpa and Tanahun districts. The highest grain yield of 5.1 t ha-1 was produced by the local variety when the crop was supplied with 60:30:30 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 along with 4 t ha-1 of agricultural lime in Tanahun. Manakamana-1 variety produced the maximum grain yield (4.45 t ha-1) with the same level of fertilization. The two district mean grain yield result indicated that the highest grain yield of 3.9 t ha-1 was produced when the crop was supplied with 60: 30: 30 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 with agri-lime. Hence it is suggested that to increase maize productivity in the hills irrespective of the maize variety application of fertilizers (60: 30: 30) with agricultural lime (4 t ha-1) is needed.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 42-49DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v8i0.11578
Management of Leaf Blight of Garlic with Fungicides in Central Tarai of Nepal
Authors: Chaurasia Prem C.P. , Prasad Jang B. , Mandal Aanandi
Published: December 2014

Management of purple blotch in garlic was carried out in 2005/06 and 2006/07 at horticultural farm of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Parwanipur in Complete Randomized Block Design with three replications. First year’s results indicated insignificant effect of fungicides on Percentage Disease Intensity (PDI) of purple blotch disease of garlic as number of sprays used seemed to be inadequate. Second year’s result revealed that two sprays of Bavistin @ 0.2% had lowest PDI value but at par to other different number of sprays of different fungicides except no spray of fungicide. Bulb yield was highest in two sprays of Dithane M-45 @ 0.3% followed by two sprays of Krinoxyl @ 0.15%, three sprays of Blitox-50 @ 0.3%. Plant height was insignificant and highest bulb weight was found with three sprays of Blitox-50 followed by two sprays of Bavistin. Two year’s combined results indicated that two sprays of Bavistin @ 0.2% had lowest PDI value and all others PDI values were at par except control. The highest bulb yield was given by two sprays of Dithane M-45 followed by three sprays of Bavistin. Plant height and bulb weight were insignificant. It can be recommended that purple blotch disease can be managed by spraying Bavistin @ 0.2% thrice at 15 days interval or any other tested fungicides to have less disease, higher bulb yield and more economic return.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 63-66DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v8i0.11582
Identification of Suitable Planting Method for Potato + Maize Intercropping System in the Hill of Eastern Nepal
Authors: Barakoti Tanka P.
Published: December 2014

Field experiments to identify suitable planting method under potato + maize system in the  high hill (2200 m) of eastern Nepal Sindhuwa, Dhankuta, was conducted during 2000 and  2001 seasons for the potato variety Hale and maize variety Ganesh 1. Of the different  planting methods tested, significantly the highest yield of potato (15.5 t/ha) was recorded  from the alternate row planting followed by recommended practice and flat row planting.  Early emergence (by 7-12 days) was in farmers' practice, whereas uniform plants (1-5  scale) observed in flat row and double row planting. Maize did not follow this trend.  Double row and farmer's practice favored good ground coverage (80-95%) by potato  plants, which attained height from 49.8cm (farmer's practice) to 56.8 cm (flat row).  Number of main stems/plant was higher in all treatments, except farmer's practice. Similar  trend was followed in tuber numbers. Maturity of crops did not depend on planting  methods. Final stand of potato ranged between 46.9 (alternate row) and 68.6 thousand/ha  (farmer's practice). Late blight and bacterial wilt infection was higher in the farmers'  practice. The height of maize plants was significantly differed between sole cropping (220  cm), which yielded higher followed by alternate row (183 cm) and flat row plantings.  Gross income from maize and potato was higher in flat row planting. The data revealed that  alternate row and flat row planting methods were superior over the common farmers'  practice and the recommended practice, so the identified planting methods were  recommended.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 113-119DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v8i0.11604
Pollen and Spikelet Analysis in F1 Rice Hybrids and their Parents
Authors: Joshi Bal K. , Subedi Laxmi P. , Gurung Santa B. , Sharma Ram C.
Published: December 2014

Pollen analysis can be used to discriminate between different species, identify possible  interspecies hybrids, identify restorer and maintainer lines, useful to study genetics of  restorer gene, interaction between chromosome and cytoplasm and relationship between  parents. Pollen abortion system of male sterility is an important tool in hybrid rice  production and spikelet is the major yield components. Nine improved cultivars, six  landraces and three wild aborted cytoplasmic-genetic male sterile (CMS) lines were used to  analyze pollen and spikelet in F1 rice hybrids and their parents. The frequency of pollen  categories and its relationship to spikelet fertility were investigated. Pollen sterility of the  F1s was determined by staining pollen grains in 1% potassium iodide-iodine (I-KI) solution.  Spikelet fertility was determined by counting the total number of seed set in proportion to  the total number of spikelets. Correlation and regression coefficients for some traits were  computed. In hybrids, pollen fertility ranged from 0.5 to 82% and spikelet fertility from 0 to  87%. Pollen fertility varied from 28 to 97%, while spikelet fertility from 73 to 91% in pollen  parents. The highest and the lowest percentages of pollen fertility were found in Chaite-6  and Chiunde cultivars respectively. Spikelet fertility percentage varied widely among  hybrids and many hybrids had lower spikelet fertility percentage than their parents.  Therefore, it is of practical importance to understand the causes of high spikelet sterility in  hybrids for possible increase in spikelet fertility. Highly significant positive correlation was  found between stained round fertile (SRF) pollen and spikelet fertility. The positive value of  correlation and regression coefficient on SRF and spikelet fertility were found between F1  and mid parent, and F1 and male parent. High fertility of cross may be due to the presence of  a wide compatibility gene or restorer genes in the cultivar. Lower pollen and spikelet  fertility of the crosses was attributed to effect of the genetic background of the tester parent. Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 120-126 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v8i0.11605
Targeting glioblastoma cancer stem cells: the next great hope?
Authors: Khan Imad Saeed , Ehtesham Moneeb
Published: December 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor and is notorious for its poor prognosis. The highly invasive nature of GBM and its inherent resistance to therapy lead to very high rates of recurrence. Recently, a small cohort of tumor cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs), has been recognized as a subset of tumor cells with self-renewal ability and multilineage capacity. These properties, along with the remarkable tumorigenicity of CSCs, are thought to account for the high rates of tumor recurrence after treatment. Recent research has been geared toward understanding the unique biological characteristics of CSCs to enable development of targeted therapy. Strategies include inhibition of CSC-specific pathways and receptors; agents that increase sensitivity of CSCs to chemotherapy and radiotherapy; CSC differentiation agents; and CSC-specific immunotherapy, virotherapy, and gene therapy. These approaches could inform the development of newer therapeutics for GBM.
A novel 4-aminoantipyrine-Pd(II) complex catalyzes Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides
Authors: Contreras-Celedón Claudia Araceli , Mendoza-Rayo Darío , Rincón-Medina José A , Chacón-García Luis
Published: December 2014

A simple and efficient catalytic system based on a Pd complex of 4-aminoantipyrine, 4-AAP–Pd(II), was found to be highly active for Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of aryl iodides and bromides with phenylboronic acids under mild reaction conditions. Good to excellent product yields from the cross-coupling reaction can be achieved when the reaction is carried out in ethanol, in the open air, using low loading of 4-AAP–Pd(II) as a precatalyst, and in the presence of aqueous K2CO3 as the base. A variety of functional groups are tolerated.
Preparing and Ensuring Competency of New Nurse Planners
Authors: LeFebvre Kristine B.
Published: December 2014

The addition of a nurse planner to a provider unit requires orientation to ensure understanding and adherence to accreditation criteria. After assessing new nurse planners’ needs and experience, orientation can involve the use of different resources, mentorship, and competency verification. Communication is essential to address issues and maintain accreditation standards.

J Contin Educ Nurs.
2014;45(12):525–527.
Comparison of Astigmatic Correction After Femtosecond Lenticule Extraction and Wavefront-Guided LASIK for Myopic Astigmatism
Authors: Ali Mohamed A. , Kobashi Hidenaga , Kamiya Kazutaka , Igarashi Akihito , Miyake Toshiyuki , Elewa Mohamed Ehab M. , Komatsu Mari , Shimizu Kimiya
Published: December 2014

PURPOSE:

To compare postoperative astigmatic correction between femtosecond lenticule extraction (FLEx) and wavefront-guided LASIK in eyes with myopic astigmatism.

METHODS:

Fifty-eight eyes of 41 patients undergoing FLEx and 49 eyes of 29 patients undergoing wavefront-guided LASIK to correct myopic astigmatism were examined. Visual acuity, cylindrical refraction, predictability of the astigmatic correction, and astigmatic vector components were compared between groups 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS:

There was no statistically significant difference in manifest cylindrical refraction (
P
= .08) or percentage of eyes within ±0.50 diopter (D) of its refraction (
P
= .11) between the surgical procedures. The index of success in FLEx was statistically significantly better than that of wavefront-guided LASIK (
P
= .02), although there was no significant difference between the groups in other indices (eg, surgically induced astigmatism, target-induced astigmatism, astigmatic correction index, angle of error, difference vector, and flattening index). Subgroup analysis showed that FLEx had a better index of success (
P
= .02) and difference vector (
P
= .04) than wavefront-guided LASIK in the low cylinder subgroup; the angle of error in FLEx was significantly smaller than that of wavefront-guided LASIK in the moderate cylinder subgroup (
P
= .03).

CONCLUSIONS:

Both FLEx and wavefront-guided LASIK worked well for the correction of myopic astigmatism by the 6-month follow-up visit. Although FLEx had a better index of success than wavefront-guided LASIK when using vector analysis, it appears equivalent to wavefront-guided LASIK in terms of visual acuity and the correction of astigmatism.

[
J Refract Surg
. 2014;30(12):806–811.]
A Comparison of LASIK Flap Thickness and Morphology Between the Intralase 60- and 150-kHz Femtosecond Lasers
Authors: Yu Charles Q. , Manche Edward E.
Published: December 2014

PURPOSE:

To prospectively compare the achieved thickness and consistency of LASIK flaps created with a 60- and 150-kHz femtosecond laser.

METHODS:

One hundred twenty eyes of 60 patients with myopia were treated with LASIK. One eye had flap created by the Intralase FS 60-kHz femtosecond laser (Abbott Medical Optics, Abbott Park, IL) and the fellow eye was treated with the IntraLase iFS 150-kHz femtosecond laser (Abbott Medical Optics). Eyes were randomized according to ocular dominance. Flap morphology and measurements were taken with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) at the 1-month postoperative visit.

RESULTS:

AS-OCT showed similar regular planar morphologies in both groups. The mean thickness of the flaps in the FS 60 group was significantly higher than that of the iFS 150 group (105.4 ± 3.9
μ
m vs 103.9 ± 4.8
μ
m,
P
= .009). The mean deviation from targeted flap thickness was not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

The Intralase iFS 150-kHz femtosecond laser creates flaps of similar thickness and uniformity to the Intralase FS 60-kHz femtosecond laser.

[
J Refract Surg
. 2014;30(12):827–830.]
Accelerated Photoactivated Chromophore for Keratitis–Corneal Collagen Cross-linking as a First-line and Sole Treatment in Early Fungal Keratitis
Authors: Tabibian David , Richoz Olivier , Riat Arnaud , Schrenzel Jacques , Hafezi Farhad
Published: December 2014

PURPOSE:

To report the use of accelerated photoactivated chromophore for keratitis–corneal collagen cross-linking (PACK-CXL) as a first-line treatment in a patient with an atypical fungal keratitis.

METHODS:

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS:

A patient who presented with a painful peripheral corneal infiltrate underwent PACK-CXL with a local limited abrasion and accelerated ultraviolet-A irradiation at 365 μm and 9 mW/cm
2
for 10 minutes. Cultures grew
Aureobasidium pullulans
. The corneal epithelium closed completely within 3 days and the infiltrate was completely eradicated without administration of antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONS:

Accelerated PACK-CXL was successfully used as a first-line and sole treatment in a case of early fungal keratitis caused by
Aureobasidium pullulans
. Further characterization of the antifungal effect of PACK-CXL is needed in prospective studies.

[
J Refract Surg
. 2014;30(12):855–857.]