bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differentiating Small (≤1 cm) Focal Liver Lesions as Metastases or Cysts by means of Computed Tomography: A Case-Study to Illustrate a Fuzzy Logic-Based Method to Assess the Impact of Diagnostic Confidence on Radiological Diagnosis
Authors: Girometti Rossano , Fabris Francesco , Sgarro Andrea , Zanella Gloria , Pullini Serena , Cereser Lorenzo , Como Giuseppe , Zuiani Chiara , Bazzocchi Massimo
Published: January 2014

Purpose. To quantify the impact of diagnostic confidence on radiological diagnosis with a fuzzy logic-based method.Materials and Methods. Twenty-two oncologic patients with 20 cysts and 30 metastases ≤1 cm in size found at 64-row computed tomography were included. Two readers (R1/R2) expressed diagnoses as a subjective level of confidenceP(d)in malignancy within the interval [0,1] rather than on a “crisp” basis (malignant/benign); confidence in benignancy was1-p(d). When cross-tabulating data according to the standard of reference,2×2table cells resulted from the aggregation betweenp(d)/1-p(d)and final diagnosis. We then assessed (i) readers diagnostic performance on a fuzzy and crisp basis; (ii) the “divergence”δ(F,C)(%) as a measure of how confidence impacted on crisp diagnosis.Results. Diagnoses expressed with lower confidence increased fuzzy false positives compared to crisp ones (from 0 to 0.2 for R1; from 1 to 2.4 for R2). Crisp/fuzzy accuracy was 94.0%/93.6% (R1) and 94.0/91.6% (R2).δ(F,C)(%) was larger in the case of the less experienced reader (R2) (up to +7.95% for specificity). According to simulations,δ(F,C)(%) was negative/positive depending on the level of confidence in incorrect diagnoses.Conclusion.Fuzzy evaluation shows a measurable effect of uncertainty on radiological diagnoses.
p104 Binds to Rac1 and Reduces Its Activity during Myotube Differentiation of C2C12 Cell
Authors: Choi Ki Young , Lee Min Sup , Cho Young Jun , Jeong Myong Ho , Han Seung Jin , Hong Seung Hwan
Published: January 2014

The p104 protein inhibits cellular proliferation when overexpressed in NIH3T3 cells and has been shown to associate with p85α, Grb2, and PLCγ1. In order to isolate other proteins that interact with p104, yeast two-hybrid screening was performed. Rac1 was identified as a binding partner of p104 and the interaction between p104 and Rac1 was confirmed by immunoprecipitation. Using a glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assay with various p104 fragments, the 814–848 amino acid residue at the carboxyl-terminal region of p104 was identified as the key component to interact with Rac1. The CrkII which is involved in the Rac1-mediated cellular response was also found to interact with p104 protein. NIH3T3 cells which overexpressed p104 showed a decrease of Rac1 activity. However, neither the proline-rich domain mutant, which is unable to interact with CrkII, nor the carboxy-terminal deletion mutant could attenuate Rac1 activity. During the differentiation of myoblasts, the amount of p104 protein as well as transcript level was increased. The overexpression of p104 enhanced myotube differentiation, whereas siRNA of p104 reversed this process. In this process, more Rac1 and CrkII were bound to increased p104. Based on these results, we conclude that p104 is involved in muscle cell differentiation by modulating the Rac1 activity.
Induction of Apoptosis in Human Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines by Ebselen via Enhancing the Endogenous Reactive Oxygen Species Production
Authors: Zhang Liang , Zhou Liwei , Du Jia , Li Mengxia , Qian Chengyuan , Cheng Yi , Peng Yang , Xie Jiayin , Wang Dong
Published: January 2014

Ebselen a selenoorganic compound showing glutathione peroxidase like activity is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent. Its cytoprotective activity has been investigated in recent years. However, experimental evidence also shows that ebselen causes cell death in several cancer cell types whose mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we examined the effect of ebselen on multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines in vitro. The results showed that ebselen significantly enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accompanied by cell viability decrease and apoptosis rate increase. Further studies revealed that ebselen can induce Bax redistribution from the cytosol to mitochondria leading to mitochondrial membrane potential ΔΨm changes and cytochrome C release from the mitochondria to cytosol. Furtherly, we found that exogenous addition of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) completely diminished the cell damage induced by ebselen. This result suggests that relatively high concentration of ebselen can induce MM cells apoptosis in culture by enhancing the production of endogenous ROS and triggering mitochondria mediated apoptotic pathway.
Vigor forIn VitroCulture Traits inS. melongena  ×  S. aethiopicumHybrids with Potential as Rootstocks for Eggplant
Authors: Calvo-Asensio Irene , Prohens Jaime , Gisbert Carmina
Published: January 2014

Hybrids ofSolanum melongenaandS. aethiopicumare of interest as rootstocks of eggplant, as they are highly vigorous and can incorporate resistance to several diseases. However, hybridization between both species is difficult. Therefore, protocols forin vitroculture are of great interest for their micropropagation and biotechnological breeding. We assessed the organogenesis response from leaf explants in four interspecific hybrids and in their parents testing two organogenic media: SIM-A, containing 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin, and SIM-B, which contains thidiazuron. A higher regeneration capacity in the hybrids compared to their parents was observed. Whereas in interspecific hybrids and in one accession ofS. melongenasimilar regeneration rates were observed for SIM-A and SIM-B, higher regeneration was found in the rest of genotypes when thidiazuron was used. Rooting ability in the interspecific hybrids was lower inin vitromicropropagated plants (35–60%) than in plants regenerated from explants (100%). The addition of indolbutiric acid (1 mg L−1) induced roots in nonrooted genotypes. In summary, we have adjustedin vitroculture conditions for regenerating and rootingS. melongena×S. aethiopicumhybrids. We have also demonstrated that these hybrids are heterotic for regeneration, which may be of interest for basic science studies.
Chemoenzymatic Epoxidation of Alkenes and Reusability Study of the Phenylacetic Acid
Authors: Abdulmalek Emilia , Arumugam Mahashanon , Mizan Hanis Nabillah , Abdul Rahman Mohd. Basyaruddin , Basri Mahiran , Salleh Abu Bakar
Published: January 2014

Here, we focused on a simple enzymatic epoxidation of alkenes using lipase and phenylacetic acid. The immobilisedCandida antarcticalipase B, Novozym 435 was used to catalyse the formation of peroxy acid instantly from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and phenylacetic acid. The peroxy phenylacetic acid generated was then utilised directly forin situoxidation of alkenes. A variety of alkenes were oxidised with this system, resulting in 75–99% yield of the respective epoxides. On the other hand, the phenylacetic acid was recovered from the reaction media and reused for more epoxidation. Interestingly, the waste phenylacetic acid had the ability to be reused for epoxidation of the 1-nonene to 1-nonene oxide, giving an excellent yield of 90%.
Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of a Commercially Pure Cancellous-Structured Titanium Press Fit Total Hip Prosthetic Stem: Ten-Year Followup of the “Natural Hip” Femoral Stem
Authors: Pace Thomas B. , Karegeannes James C. , Palmer M. Jason , Tanner Stephanie L. , Snider Rebecca G.
Published: January 2014

This study evaluates the outcomes of 92 hip arthroplasties using a press fit, tapered, split tip, proximally porous ingrowth (CSTi) femoral stem (Zimmer Natural Hip) in consecutive hip arthroplasty patients followed for an average of ten years postoperatively (range 5–16 years). Patients were functionally and radiographically evaluated using Harris Hip Scores and plain radiographs assessing postarthroplasty groin or thigh pain and radiographic signs of stem subsidence, proximal femoral fixation, stress shielding, and related calcar resorption. At followup of 5–10 years, the incidence of groin pain and thigh pain was 9.1% and 3.6%, respectively. This incidence improved over time. Beyond 10 years of followup, groin pain was 2.7% and thigh pain zero. In 89% of cases, there was solid contact between the calcar and the undersurface of the stem collar. Five cases were revised for instability (5.4%). The Harris Hip Scores and the incidence of thigh or groin pain were very favorable compared to other reported press fit total hip arthroplasty stems and not significantly different across a broad age range. There were no cases of stem loosening of failure of bony ingrowth into the stem.
Why Do Tetrapropylammonium Chloride and Sulphate Salts Destabilize the Native State of Globular Proteins?
Authors: Graziano Giuseppe
Published: January 2014

It has recently been shown that aqueous solutions of tetrapropylammonium chloride and sulphate salts destabilize the folded conformation of Trp-peptides (Dempsey et al., 2011). This result is rationalized by the application of a statistical thermodynamic approach (Graziano, 2010). It is shown that the magnitude of the solvent-excluded volume effect, the main contribution for the native state stability, decreases in both aqueous 2 M TPACl solution and aqueous 1 M TPA2SO4solution. This happens because TPA+ions are so large in size and interact so weakly with water molecules, due to their very low charge density, to be able to counteract the electrostrictive effect of chloride and sulphate ions on the water structure, so that the density of their aqueous solutions is smaller or only slightly larger than that of water.
The Nonfragile Controller with Covariance Constraint for Stable Motion of Quadruped Search-Rescue Robot
Authors: Wang Peng , Li Jixiang , Zhang Yuan
Published: January 2014

The problem of a stable motion for the quadruped search-rescue robots is described as a variance constrained uncertainty in the discrete systems. According to the model structure of the quadruped search-rescue robot, the kinematics of the robot is analyzed on the basis of the D- H parameter. Each joint of the robot angular velocity is planned using the Jacobian matrix, because the angular velocity is directly related to the stability of walking based on the ADAMS simulation. The nonfragile control method with the covariance constraint is proposed for the gait motion control of the quadruped search-rescue robot. The motion state feedback controller and the covariance upper bounds can be given by the solutions of the linear matrix inequalities (LMI), which makes the system satisfy the covariance constrain theory. The results given by LMI indicate that the proposed control method is correct and effective.
A Study of I-Function of Several Complex Variables
Authors: Jayarama Prathima , Theke Madam Vasudevan Nambisan , Kurumujji Shantha Kumari
Published: January 2014

The aim of this paper is to introduce a natural generalization of the well-known,
interesting, and useful Fox H-function into generalized function of several variables,
namely, the I-function of ‘‘r’’ variables. For r=1, we get the I-function introduced
and studied by Arjun Rathie (1997) and, for r=2, we get I-function of two variables introduced
very recently by ShanthaKumari et al. (2012). Convergent conditions,
elementary properties, and special cases have also been given. The results presented in
this paper generalize the results of H-function of ‘‘r’’ variables available in the literature.
Risk Factors for Behavioral Abnormalities in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Apostolova Liana G. , Di Li Jie , Duffy Erin L. , Brook Jenny , Elashoff David , Tseng Chi-Hong , Fairbanks Lynn , Cummings Jeffrey L.
Published: January 2014

Background: Behavioral symptoms are common in both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: We analyzed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire data of 3,456 MCI and 2,641 mild AD National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center database participants. Using factor analysis and logistic regression we estimated the effects of age, sex, race, education, Mini-Mental State Examination, functional impairment, marital status and family history on the presence of behavioral symptoms. We also compared the observed prevalence of behavioral symptoms between amnestic and nonamnestic MCI. Results: Four factors were identified: affective behaviors (depression, apathy and anxiety); distress/tension behaviors (irritability and agitation); impulse control behaviors (disinhibition, elation and aberrant motor behavior), and psychotic behaviors (delusions and hallucinations). Male gender was significantly associated with all factors. Younger age was associated with a higher prevalence of distress/tension, impulse control and psychotic behaviors. Being married was protective against psychotic behaviors. Lower education was associated with the presence of distress/tension behaviors. Caucasians showed a higher prevalence of affective behaviors. Functional impairment was strongly associated with all behavioral abnormalities. Amnestic MCI patients had more elation and agitation relative to nonamnestic MCI patients. Conclusions: Younger age, male gender and greater functional impairment were associated with higher overall presence of behavioral abnormalities in MCI and mild AD. Marital status, lower education and race had an effect on selected behaviors.
Cerebral Microbleeds and Fatigue in Stroke
Authors: Tang Wai Kwong , Liu Xiang Xin , Chen Yang Kun , Abrigo Jill , Chu Winnie Chiu Wing , Mok Vincent Chung Tong , Ungvari Gabor S. , Wong Ka Sing
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose: Poststroke fatigue (PSF) is a frequent and persistent problem in stroke survivors. The neuroanatomical model of PSF remains unclear. This study examined the association between PSF and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). Methods: The sample comprised 199 patients with acute ischemic stroke. A psychiatrist who was blind to the subjects' radiological data administered the Chinese version of the Fatigue Severity Scale. PSF was defined as a Fatigue Severity Scale score of 4.0 or more. The locations of CMBs were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging within 7 days of admission. Results: Of the 199 patients screened, 47 (23.6%) had PSF. The PSF group had a higher Geriatric Depression Scale score (p < 0.001) and a trend for a higher age (p = 0.074). The proportion of patients with deep CMBs was significantly higher in the PSF group (66.0 vs. 48.7%; p = 0.038). The presence of deep CMBs was a significant independent predictor of PSF with an odds ratio of 2.68 (p = 0.016). Conclusion: The results suggest that deep CMBs are associated with a higher risk of PSF. Further studies are needed to clarify whether CMBs affect the clinical presentation, treatment response and outcome of PSF.
Association of Prostate Size and Perioperative Morbidity in Thulium:YAG Vapoenucleation of the Prostate
Authors: Netsch Christopher , Tiburtius Christian , Bach Thorsten , Knipper Sophie , Gross Andreas J.
Published: January 2014

Objective: To evaluate the association between perioperative morbidity and prostate size in patients with benign prostatic obstruction treated with thulium:YAG vapoenucleation of the prostate (ThuVEP). Methods: 687 patients were prospectively analyzed. Prostate size was <40 ml in 196 (group A), 40-79 ml in 336 (group B) and ≥80 ml in 155 (group C) patients. Results: The mean prostate sizes were 27.94 ± 6.77, 54.38 ± 10.54 and 109.8 ± 28.31 ml for groups A, B and C, respectively (p < 0.001). Hemoglobin loss (g/dl) differed significantly among group A (1.09 ± 1.02), group B (1.28 ± 1.27) and group C (1.62 ± 1.49) (p < 0.001). The correlation between hemoglobin loss and prostate size was very weak in all patients (r = 0.13, p ≤ 0.001). Peak urinary flow rates and post-voiding residual urine improved significantly (p < 0.001) without differences among the groups. The incidence of complications was low and not different among the groups (acute urinary retention 8%, urinary tract infection 4.66%, secondary apical resection 2.91%, transfusion rate 2.03%). Conclusions: Perioperative morbidity and micturition improvement are not associated with prostate size in ThuVEP.
IGFBP-3 Promoter Polymorphism -202A>C (rs2854774) Contributes to Prostate Cancer Risk: Evidence Based on 9,482 Subjects
Authors: Ding Qi , Shi Ying , Fan Bo , Fan Zhijiang , Wang Jing
Published: January 2014

Objective: Evidence suggests that insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) might play a role in the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa). To date, several studies have been conducted to investigate the association between IGFBP-3 -202A>C polymorphism and PCa risk in humans. However, the results remain inconclusive and inconsistent. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis of all eligible case-control studies. Methods: We used odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the association. Results: 16 studies from 10 articles that included a total of 4,602 PCa cases and 4,880 controls were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the IGFBP-3 -A>C polymorphism was associated with a significant increase in PCa risk. The variant homozygote genotype CC of IGFBP-3 -202A>C polymorphism was associated with a significantly increased risk in homozygote comparison (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.07-1.38, I2 = 36.10%) and recessive model (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.00-1.22, I2 = 15.60%). In the stratified analysis, the risk remained for studies in Asian men and hospital-based studies. Conclusions: These results suggested that the IGFBP-3 -202A>C polymorphism might contribute to PCa susceptibility, especially in Asian men and hospital-based studies. Further studies are needed to confirm the relationship.
An Experimental Model of Urethral Stricture in Rabbits Using Holmium Laser under Urethroscopic Direct Visualization
Authors: Hu Wei-Feng , Li Cui-Ling , Zhang Hui-Ping , Li Ting-Ting , Zeng Xiao-Yong
Published: January 2014

Objective: To establish an experimental rabbit model of urethral stricture using holmium laser under direct urethroscopic visualization. Methods: Sixteen adult male New Zealand rabbits were divided into equally-sized control and experimental groups. All rabbits underwent retrograde urethrography and transurethral endoscopy with a 7.5 F urethroscope after intramuscular anesthetic injection. We used a holmium:YAG laser to injure the distal urethra in all rabbits in the experimental group under direct visualization. Thirty days after surgery, all animals were evaluated with retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy. The flow rate of the isolated urethras was measured to evaluate urethral stricture formation. Results: One rabbit in the experimental group (12.5%) died of infection 4 days after surgery. Thirty days after surgery, retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy revealed strictures in all seven surviving rabbits (87.5%) in the experimental group. The mean flow rate of the isolated urethras was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion: A rabbit model of urethral stricture can be successfully established using holmium laser under direct urethroscopic visualization, providing an ideal object for research concerning the pathogenesis and molecular biology of urethral strictures.
Impact of the Change in Urinary and Sexual Function on Health-Related Quality of Life after Once Daily Low-Dose Mirodenafil Treatment in Patients with Organic Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Lee Dong Sup , Choe Hyun-Sop , Kim Sae Woong , Jung Kee Uk , Lee Seung-Ju
Published: January 2014

Objective: We aimed to evaluate whether changes in urinary and sexual function can influence health-related quality of life. Patients and Methods: Out of 54 recruited patients, 36 were enrolled, and data for 30 participants with erectile dysfunction were available. At baseline and after 1 and 2 months, each participant completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). Uroflowmetry, post-voiding residual volume and the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test were performed at baseline and at the study's conclusion. Results: Compared with baseline, the IPSS, IIEF-15, peak urinary flow rate, NPT parameters and mental component of the SF-36 exhibited significant improvement at the study's conclusion. Among the symptomatic parameters, the changes in the storage and erectile function parameters contributed significantly to the change in the mental component score on the SF-36 (p = 0.007, R2 = 0.502). Conclusions: The daily administration of low-dose mirodenafil (50 mg) produced improvements in urinary and erectile function with or without sexual stimulation. Furthermore, this therapy enhanced the mental component of health-related quality of life by improving storage and erectile symptoms.
Efficacy and Safety of Platinum Combination Chemotherapy Re-Challenge for Relapsed Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer after Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy of Cisplatin plus Vinorelbine
Authors: Imai Hisao , Shukuya Takehito , Yoshino Reiko , Muraki Keiko , Mori Keita , Ono Akira , Akamatsu Hiroaki , Taira Tetsuhiko , Kenmotsu Hirotsugu , Naito Tateaki , Murakami Haruyasu , Tomizawa Yoshio , Takahashi Toshiaki , Takahashi Kazuhisa , Saito Ryusei , Yamamoto Nobuyuki
Published: January 2014

Background: There is no standard therapy for relapsed patients who have received postoperative platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy for resected non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the efficacy and safety of platinum combination chemotherapy re-challenge for such patients. Methods: Medical records from 3 institutes from April 2005 to July 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent complete surgical resection were eligible if they received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin plus vinorelbine once and then re-challenge with platinum combination chemotherapy. Results: Sixteen patients were enrolled in this study. After re-challenge with platinum combination chemotherapy, we observed an overall response rate of 31.2% (5/16) and a disease control rate of 81.2% (13/16). Median progression-free survival and overall survival from the start of the re-administration of platinum combination chemotherapy were 6.5 and 28.0 months, respectively. Frequently observed severe adverse events (≥grade 3) included neutropenia (31.2%), thrombocytopenia (31.2%), leukopenia (12.5%) and hyponatremia (12.5%). Frequently observed non-hematological toxicities (≥grade 2) were anorexia (37.5%) and nausea (37.5%). Conclusion: Re-challenge with platinum combination chemotherapy was effective and safe; therefore, this therapy should be considered as a treatment option for relapsed patients after postoperative cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy for resected NSCLC.
Effect of Inhibiting Malonyl-CoA Decarboxylase on Cardiac Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Authors: Wu Hongquan , Zhu Que , Cai Min , Tong Xin , Liu Dichuan , Huang Jing , Yang Gang , Jiang Yonghong
Published: January 2014

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of inhibiting malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD) on cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. We used an ultrasound (US)-mediated microbubble (MB) approach for targeted delivery of a microRNA (miRNA) interference plasmid to the myocardium to silence MCD expression. Methods: Five pairs of RNA interference sequences were screened and ranked according to their highest inhibition rates in HEK293 cells. The plasmid with the highest inhibition rate was transfected by US into the rat myocardium after mixing with lipid MB. Twelve and 16 weeks after MI, cardiac function was measured by echocardiography, and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) and high-energy phosphate levels were monitored in the myocardium before and after transfection. Results: Ejection fraction (EF) decreased by 16% in the control MI group, while it decreased by 8% in the MCD inhibition group that utilized the US-mediated MB approach. Concomitant with the improved EF, high-energy phosphates were increased and lactic acid was decreased in the left ventricle (LV), with no changes in triglyceride or GLUT-4 levels. Conclusions: Inhibiting MCD by an US-mediated injection of miRNA into the rat myocardium increased energy reserves in the LV after MI, most likely by limiting lactic acidosis and improving cardiac function without increasing lipid toxicity.
Karyotype and Chromosome Variability in the Armadillo Chaetophractus villosus in Argentina
Authors: Rossi L.F. , Luaces J.P. , Alonso F.M. , Merani M.S.
Published: January 2014

Karyotype and cytotype variations for the large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) were studied throughout the species' Argentine distribution. Peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures of 421 animals were used to obtain mitotic metaphases. Preparations were subjected to conventional staining, G- and C-banding, and FISH involving a telomeric probe. Meiotic analysis was performed on testis material from 10 adults. Spermatocytes were examined for synaptonemal complexes in microspreads. The karyotype (2n = 60 XX/XY; FN = 84 without XY) showed an autosomal complement of 6 metacentric and 7 submetacentric chromosomes; the remainder was acrocentric. The X chromosome was submetacentric and the Y acrocentric. Centromeric C+ marks were observed in all chromosomes except pair 16. Three NOR signals were detected in 6q, 12p, and 26p. Two chromosomal rearrangements were characterized in chromosome pair 1 a pericentric inversion seen in the material from Jacinto Aráuz, General Madariaga and Pellegrini and a deletion in the material from Loma Verde. Interstitial telomeric signals were observed in chromosome pairs 4, 12, 16, and 26. Pachytene spermatocyte analysis confirmed the basic chromosome number and morphologies observed in mitotic karyotypes. The evolution of C. villosus involved chromosomal rearrangements as recorded for other species of its superorder. The present results establish the basis for the cytogenetic characterization of this species.
Late-Life Effects of Chronic Methamphetamine Exposure during Puberty on Behaviour and Corticostriatal Mono-Amines in Social Isolation-Reared Rats
Authors: Strauss Laetitia , Brink Christiaan B. , Möller Marisa , Stein Dan J. , Harvey Brian H.
Published: January 2014

Chronic methamphetamine (MA) abuse results in an acute psychosis indistinguishable from paranoid schizophrenia. However, less is known of the interaction between MA use and environmental insults, and how this contributes to late-onset psychopathology. Using social isolation rearing (SIR), a neurodevelopmental animal model of schizophrenia, we investigated the association between changes in corticostriatal mono-amines and putative behaviours related to MA-induced psychosis in isolation and group-housed rats following chronic MA or saline exposure. Weaned male offspring of MA-naive female Wistar rats, either group- or isolation-housed from postnatal day (PND) +21, received saline (2 ml/kg s.c. b.i.d.) or an escalating dose of MA (0.2-6 mg/kg s.c. b.i.d.) for 16 days from PND +35 to +50. On PND +78, offspring were tested for deficits in social interactive behaviour (SIB) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle, with frontal cortex and striatum harvested for the assessment of mono-amine concentrations. SIR significantly reduced rearing time, staying together, approaching and anogenital sniffing (outward-directed SIB), but increased self-grooming and locomotor activity (self-directed SIB), and also induced profound deficits in PPI. Pubertal MA exposure in group-housed animals also induced similar alterations in outward- and self-directed SIB and reduced PPI. Combined MA + SIR exposure evoked a similarly intense behavioural response as SIR or MA separately, with no exacerbation evident. Neither treatment separately nor together affected corticostriatal serotonin or noradrenaline levels, although frontal cortical dopamine (DA) levels were significantly increased in SIR and MA + group-housed animals. A trend towards further elevated frontal cortical DA was noted in the MA + SIR treatment group. Striatal DA was unaltered by all treatments. This study provides the first evidence that chronic pubertal MA exposure evokes postpubertal psychosis-like behaviours in rats of similar intensity to that induced by a neurodevelopmental animal model of schizophrenia (SIR). Moreover, the study is unique in that these behavioural changes occur together with associated changes in frontal cortical but not striatal DA, without affecting other mono-amines, and strongly implicates frontal cortical DA changes in the psychotogenic effects of early-life MA exposure or environmental insult. Although MA exposure in animals with a history of environmental insult (i.e. MA + SIR) has similar effects, combined exposure was not additive with regard to behavioural or neurochemical changes. We conclude that a ceiling effect or compensatory mechanisms prevent more pronounced neurobehavioural deficits occurring following MA + SIR treatment, at least under the current study conditions.
Photodynamic Therapy in Subfoveal and Juxtafoveal Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization: A 10-year Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Varano Monica , Iacono Pierluigi , Giorno Paola , Chiaravalloti Adele , Parravano Mariacristina
Published: January 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in eyes with subfoveal and juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia. The study was a single-center, 10-year analysis on 19 eyes. Patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, slit-lamp examination, ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography. Eyes with subfoveal CNV (7 eyes, 37%) progressively worsened during the 10-year follow-up from 0.68 ± 0.26 to 0.80 ± 0.47 logMAR, while in the eyes with juxtafoveal CNV (12 eyes, 63%) BCVA improved from 0.59 ± 0.42 to 0.33 ± 0.27 logMAR. Prevalence and extension of chorioretinal atrophy (CRA) were greater in eyes with subfoveal compared with juxtafoveal CNV (84 vs. 66%, respectively) and enlargement (10.05 ± 6.7 vs. 3.53 ± 4.7 mm2, respectively). Our results confirm the limited long-term effectiveness of PDT in myopic subfoveal CNV. Satisfactory results can be achieved in juxtafoveal CNV with a better visual outcome and a minor CRA extension.
Association between High Antitumor Activity of Oxaliplatin and Cyclophosphamide and Constitutional GSTM1 Homozygous Deletion in an Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patient
Authors: Gataa Ithar , Emile George , Loriot Marie-Anne , Goldwasser François , Alexandre Jérôme
Published: January 2014

Background: Although the efficiency of oxaliplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer has been demonstrated, it is not commonly used. In cells, oxaliplatin is metabolized by the enzymes belonging to the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) family. Case: A 55-year-old woman with advanced ovarian cancer received 6 cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin after debulking surgery. Six months later, she experienced a clinical recurrence. A second-line chemotherapy combining 500 mg/m2 cyclophosphamide with 100 mg/m2 oxaliplatin was initiated and maintained for 10 cycles. The patient thus experienced a second complete remission that lasted for 6 years. We found that she had deficient GSTM1 enzyme activity with homozygous deletion and normal GSTP1 and GSTT1 activities. Conclusion: The association of a homozygous deletion of GSTM1 with hypersensitivity to oxaliplatin and cyclophosphamide combination chemotherapy has not been described to date in ovarian cancer. Further study of its potential interest to personalized second-line therapy in these patients is called for.
Respiratory Function and Near Infrared Spectroscopy Recording during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in an Extremely Preterm Newborn
Authors: Li Elliott S. , Cheung Po-Yin , Pichler Gerhard , Aziz Khalid , Schmölzer Georg M.
Published: January 2014

We describe a case highlighting several controversial and important topics regarding neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Current neonatal guidelines recommend a 3:1 compression:ventilation ratio; however, the most effective ratio of delivering chest compressions (CC) remains controversial. We report a case of a male infant at 24 weeks' postmenstrual age weighing 650 g on a background of preterm labor. At initial assessment the infant appeared floppy and apneic with a heart rate (HR) of 50-60 beats/min. Mask ventilation was ineffective, thus continuous CC (90/min) with asynchronous ventilations (60/min) was started. HR, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, cerebral oxygenation, respiratory function, and exhaled carbon dioxide (ECO2) were continuously measured during CPR. Return of spontaneous circulation defined as HR >60/min was achieved after 90 s of CPR. Mask leak significantly increased during CC. During bradycardia (HR ∼50/min), ECO2 indicated correct tube placement and an increase of ECO2 >12 mm Hg was associated with rapid increase in HR >60/min.
Successful Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy with Cisplatin plus Vinorelbine for Locally Advanced Thymic Carcinoma
Authors: Fukushima Toshirou , Tateishi Kazunari , Hanaoka Masayuki , Koiwai Keiichirou , Sasaki Shigeru , Koizumi Tomonobu
Published: January 2014

Little information is available about the usefulness of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced thymic carcinoma due to a rare anterior mediastinal tumor. We experienced a case of locally advanced thymic carcinoma that responded well to concurrent thoracic radiotherapy combined with cisplatin plus vinorelbine chemotherapy. The patient showed remarkable tumor regression and has remained disease free for over 4 years following combined therapy. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy seems to be effective for locally advanced thymic carcinoma, and cisplatin plus vinorelbine could be an alternative chemotherapy regimen in combination with thoracic radiotherapy in patients with thymic carcinoma.
Gastrointestinal Endometriosis Causing Subacute Intestinal Obstruction with Gradual Development of Weight Loss and Misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Soumekh Amir , Nagler Jerry
Published: January 2014

Both endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are commonly found in young women and the diagnosis of either is challenging. Alarm symptoms can exclude the diagnosis of IBS, but their onset may be insidious and often no evidence of organic disease may be found. We present a patient with a 4-year history of presumed IBS, absent gynecological symptoms, negative gastrointestinal as well as gynecological testing who developed the only alarm symptom of weight loss and was eventually found to have endometriosis of the small intestine. This case illustrates the need for constant vigilance in patients with IBS.
Recurrent Upside-Down Stomach after Endoscopic Repositioning and Gastropexy Treated by Laparoscopic Surgery
Authors: Toyota Kazuhiro , Sugawara Yuji , Hatano Yu
Published: January 2014

Patients with an upside-down stomach usually receive surgical treatment. In high-risk patients, endoscopic repositioning and gastropexy can be performed. However, the risk of recurrence after endoscopic treatment is not known. We treated a case of recurrent upside-down stomach after endoscopic therapy that indicated the limits of endoscopic treatment and risk of recurrence. An 88-year-old woman was treated three times for vomiting in the past. She presented to our hospital with periodic vomiting and an inability to eat, and a diagnosis of upside-down stomach was made. Endoscopic repositioning and gastropexy were performed. The anterior stomach wall was fixed to the abdominal wall in three places as widely as possible. Following treatment, she became symptom-free. Three months later, she was hospitalized again because of a recurrent upside-down stomach. Laparoscopic repair of hernias and gastropexy was performed. Using a laparoscope, two causes of recurrence were found. One cause was that the range of adherence between the stomach and the abdominal wall was narrow (from the antrum only to the lower corpus of stomach), so the upper corpus of stomach was rotated and herniated into the esophageal hiatus. The other cause was adhesion between the omentum and the esophageal hiatus which caused the stomach to rotate and repeatedly become herniated. Although endoscopic treatment for upside-down stomach can be a useful alternative method in high-risk patients, its ability to prevent recurrence is limited. Moreover, a repeated case caused by adhesions has risks of recurrence.
Suspected de novo Hepatitis B in a Patient Receiving Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Therapy for the Treatment of Crohn's Disease
Authors: Ishida Tetsuya , Nagamatsu Hideyasu , Ueo Tetsuya , Narita Ryoichi , Takahashi Ken , Urabe Masaki , Yanai Yuka , Togo Kazumi
Published: January 2014

We report a 45-year-old female patient who developed acute hepatic disorder during anti-tumor necrosis factor α therapy for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). She was diagnosed as colonic CD and placed on infliximab (IFX). She was negative for hepatitis B surface antigen at the initiation of IFX therapy, but developed acute hepatitis after the 30th administration of IFX 4 years and 1 month after the first administration. She was suspected to have had occult hepatitis B virus infection before IFX therapy, and de novo hepatitis B was considered the most likely diagnosis. Hepatitis subsided after discontinuation of anti-tumor necrosis factor α therapy and initiation of treatment with entecavir. She started to receive adalimumab to prevent relapse of CD. She has continued maintenance therapy with entecavir and adalimumab and has since been asymptomatic. As de novo hepatitis B may be fatal, virological testing for hepatitis B is essential for patients who are being considered for treatment that may weaken the immune system.
Isodon delavayi (Ocimeae, Nepetoideae, Lamiaceae): a new species from Yunnan Province, Southwest China
Authors: Yaping Chen , Guoxiong Hu , Chunlei Xiang
Published: January 2014

Isodon delavayi (Lamiaceae), a new and distinct species found in Mt. Yangyu of Yunnan Province, is described and illustrated. It is similar to I. scoparius and I. pharicus, but differs from the former by its much branched and shorter stems, entire leaves, and ovate-triangular calyx lobes, and from the latter by its entire and glabrous leaves, obsolete petiole, and less flowered cymes. Microfeatures of leaf epidermis, pollen grains, and mericarps of the new species are also presented.
Frequency Analysis of Nonidentically Distributed Hydrometeorological Extremes Associated with Large-Scale Climate Variability Applied to South Korea
Authors: Lee Taesam , Jeong Changsam
Published: January 2014

In the frequency analyses of extreme hydrometeorological events, the restriction of statistical independence and identical distribution (iid) from year to year ensures that all observations are from the same population. In recent decades, the iid assumption for extreme events has been shown to be invalid in many cases because long-term climate variability resulting from phenomena such as the Pacific decadal variability and El Niño–Southern Oscillation may induce varying meteorological systems such as persistent wet years and dry years. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to propose a new parameter estimation method for probability distribution models to more accurately predict the magnitude of future extreme events when the iid assumption of probability distributions for large-scale climate variability is not adequate. The proposed parameter estimation is based on a metaheuristic approach and is derived from the objective function of the rth power probability-weighted sum of observations in increasing order. The combination of two distributions, gamma and generalized extreme value (GEV), was fitted to the GEV distribution in a simulation study. In addition, a case study examining the annual hourly maximum precipitation of all stations in South Korea was performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. The results of the simulation study and case study indicate that the proposed metaheuristic parameter estimation method is an effective alternative for accurately selecting the rth power when the iid assumption of extreme hydrometeorological events is not valid for large-scale climate variability. The maximum likelihood estimate is more accurate with a low mixing probability, and the probability-weighted moment method is a moderately effective option.
Temporal Downscaling and Statistical Analysis of Rainfall across a Topographic Transect in Northwest Mexico
Authors: Mascaro Giuseppe , Vivoni Enrique R. , Gochis David J. , Watts Christopher J. , Rodriguez Julio C.
Published: January 2014

In this study a temporal statistical downscaling scheme of rainfall is calibrated using observations from 2007 to 2010 at eight sites located along a 14-km topographic transect of 784 m in elevation in northwest Mexico. For this purpose, the rainfall statistical properties over a wide range of temporal scales (3 months–1 min) for the summer (July–September) and winter (November–March) seasons are first analyzed. Rainfall accumulation is found not to be significantly correlated with elevation in either season, and a strong diurnal cycle is found to be present only in summer, peaking in the late afternoon. Winter rainfall events are highly correlated between individual stations across the transect even at short aggregation times (<30 min), and summer storms are more localized in space and time. Spectral and scale invariance analyses showed the presence of three (two) scaling regimes in summer (winter), which are associated with typical meteorological phenomena of the corresponding time scales (frontal systems and relatively isolated convective systems). These analyses formed the basis for calibrating a temporal downscaling model to disaggregate daily precipitation to hourly resolution in the summer season, based on scale invariance and multifractal theory. In this downscaling scheme, a modulation function was used to reproduce the time heterogeneity introduced by the diurnal cycle. The model showed adequate performances in reproducing the small-scale observed precipitation variability. Results of this work are useful for the interpretation of storm-generation mechanisms in the region, and for creating hourly rainfall time series from daily rainfall data, obtained from observations or simulated by climate, meteorological, or other statistical models.
The Origins of Late-Twentieth-Century Variations in the Large-Scale North Atlantic Circulation
Authors: Yeager Stephen , Danabasoglu Gokhan
Published: January 2014

Surface forcing perturbation experiments are examined to identify the key forcing elements associated with late-twentieth-century interannual-to-decadal Atlantic circulation variability as simulated in an ocean–sea ice hindcast configuration of the Community Earth System Model, version 1 (CESM1). Buoyancy forcing accounts for most of the decadal variability in both the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and the subpolar gyre circulation, and the key drivers of these basin-scale circulation changes are found to be the turbulent buoyancy fluxes: evaporation as well as the latent and sensible heat fluxes. These three fluxes account for almost all of the decadal AMOC variability in the North Atlantic, even when applied only over the Labrador Sea region. Year-to-year changes in surface momentum forcing explain most of the interannual AMOC variability at all latitudes as well as most of the decadal variability south of the equator. The observed strengthening of Southern Ocean westerly winds accounts for much of the simulated AMOC variability between 30°S and the equator but very little of the recent AMOC change in the North Atlantic. Ultimately, the strengthening of the North Atlantic overturning circulation between the 1970s and 1990s, which contributed to a pronounced SST increase at subpolar latitudes, is explained almost entirely by trends in the atmospheric surface state over the Labrador Sea.
Seasonal Variations of Subtropical Precipitation Associated with the Southern Annular Mode
Authors: Hendon Harry H. , Lim Eun-Pa , Nguyen Hanh
Published: January 2014

Seasonal variations of subtropical precipitation anomalies associated with the southern annular mode (SAM) are explored for the period 1979–2011. In all seasons, high-polarity SAM, which refers to a poleward-shifted eddy-driven westerly jet, results in increased precipitation in high latitudes and decreased precipitation in midlatitudes as a result of the concomitant poleward shift of the midlatitude storm track. In addition, during spring–autumn, high SAM also results in increased rainfall in the subtropics. This subtropical precipitation anomaly is absent during winter. This seasonal variation of the response of subtropical precipitation to the SAM is shown to be consistent with the seasonal variation of the eddy-induced divergent meridional circulation in the subtropics (strong in summer and weak in winter). The lack of an induced divergent meridional circulation in the subtropics during winter is attributed to the presence of the wintertime subtropical jet, which causes a broad latitudinal span of eddy momentum flux divergence due primarily to higher phase speed eddies breaking poleward of the subtropical jet and lower speed eddies not breaking until they reach the equatorward flank of the subtropical jet. During the other seasons, when the subtropical jet is less distinctive, the critical line for both high and low speed eddies is on the equatorward flank of the single jet and so breaking in the subtropics occurs over a narrow range of latitudes. The implications of these findings for the seasonality of future subtropical climate change, in which a shift to high SAM in all seasons is expected to be promoted, are discussed.
Democratic citizenship: Responsible life in a free society
Authors: Power F. Clark , Scott Sarah E.
Published: January 2014

The Convention on the Rights of Child charges educators not only to respect children’s rights but also to prepare children to develop as responsible citizens in a free society. The Convention enriches the perspective of school psychologists by emphasizing the need to respect children’s rights while also promoting their competencies as political agents. The Convention also opens up new possibilities for school psychologists to collaborate with teachers and administrators in providing more effective civic education. Civic education should teach children not only about democratic institutions but also how to live democratically in their everyday lives. To this end civic education should not be limited to a course within the formal curriculum of the school. Schools ought to provide children with experiences of democratic governance by giving them the opportunity to make and enforce school rules and policies. School psychologists should help teachers to involve students in deliberations that affect their lives and to see discipline or classroom management as much more than a matter of establishing order through social control. With proper guidance and support children can learn how to deliberate together to uphold the rights of all and to pursue the common good.