bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probing Structural Variability at the N Terminus of the TSH Receptor with a Murine Monoclonal Antibody That Distinguishes between Two Receptor Conformational Forms
Authors: Hamidi Sepehr , Chen Chun-Rong , Murali Ramachandran , McLachlan Sandra M. , Rapoport Basil
Published: November 2012

Despite elucidation of the crystal structure of M22, a human thyroid-stimulating autoantibody (TSAb) bound to the TSH receptor (TSHR) leucine-rich repeat domain (LRD), the mechanism by which TSAs activate the TSHR and cause Graves’ disease remains unknown. A nonstimulatory murine monoclonal antibody, 3BD10, and TSAb interact with the LRD N-terminal cysteine cluster and reciprocally distinguish between two different LRD conformational forms. To study this remarkable phenomenon, we investigated properties of 3BD10, which has a linear epitopic component. By synthetic peptide ELISA, we identified 3BD10 binding to TSHR amino acids E34, E35, and D36 within TSHR cysteine-bonded loop 2 (C31-C41), which includes R38, the most N-terminal contact residue of TSAb M22. On flow cytometry, despite not contributing to the 3BD10 and M22 epitopes, chimeric substitution (but not deletion) of TSHR cysteine-bonded loop 1 (C24-C29) eliminated 3BD10 binding to the TSHR ectodomain (ECD) expressed on the cell surface, as found previously for TSAb including M22. Furthermore, 3BD10 did not recognize all cell surface TSHR ECDs, consistent with recognition of only one conformational receptor form. Reversion to wild-type of small components of the loop 1 chimeric substitution partially restored 3BD10 binding to the TSHR-ECD but not to synthetic peptides tested by ELISA. Molecular modeling supports the concept that modification of TSHR C-bonded loop 1 influences loop 2 conformation as well as LRD residues further downstream. In conclusion, the present study with mouse monoclonal antibody 3BD10 confirms TSHR conformational heterogeneity and suggests that the N-terminal cysteine cluster may contribute to this structural variability.
Activation of Membrane-Associated Estrogen Receptors Decreases Food and Water Intake in Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Santollo Jessica , Marshall Anikó , Daniels Derek
Published: November 2012

Estradiol (E2) decreases food and water intake in a variety of species, including rats. Available evidence suggests that this is mediated by genomic mechanisms that are most often attributed to nuclear estrogen receptors. More recent studies indicate that membrane-associated estrogen receptors (mERs) also can influence gene expression through the activation of transcription factors, yet it is unclear whether mERs are involved in mediating the hypophagic and antidipsetic effects of E2. In the present experiments, we injected E2 or a membrane-impermeable form of E2 (E2-BSA) into the lateral cerebral ventricle of ovariectomized female rats and evaluated the effect on 23 h food and water intake. First, we found that higher doses of E2 were necessary to reduce water intake than were sufficient to reduce food intake. Analysis of drinking microstructure revealed that the decrease in water intake after E2 treatment was mediated by both a decrease in burst number and burst size. Next, the activation of mERs with E2-BSA decreased both overnight food and water intake and analysis of drinking microstructure indicated that the decreased water intake resulted from a decrease in burst number. Finally, E2-BSA did not condition a taste aversion, suggesting that the inhibitory effects on food and water intake were not secondary to malaise. Together these findings suggest that activation of mERs is sufficient to decrease food and water intake in female rats.
Humans, geometric similarity and the Froude number: is ‘‘reasonably close’’ really close enough?
Authors: Kramer Patricia Ann , Sylvester Adam D.
Published: November 2012

Understanding locomotor energetics is imperative, because energy expended during locomotion, a requisite feature of primate subsistence, is lost to reproduction. Although metabolic energy expenditure can only be measured in extant species, using the equations of motion to calculate mechanical energy expenditure offers unlimited opportunities to explore energy expenditure, particularly in extinct species on which empirical experimentation is impossible. Variability, either within or between groups, can manifest as changes in size and/or shape. Isometric scaling (or geometric similarity) requires that all dimensions change equally among all individuals, a condition that will not be met in naturally developing populations. The Froude number (Fr), with lower limb (or hindlimb) length as the characteristic length, has been used to compensate for differences in size, but does not account for differences in shape.

To determine whether or not shape matters at the intraspecific level, we used a mechanical model that had properties that mimic human variation in shape. We varied crural index and limb segment circumferences (and consequently, mass and inertial parameters) among nine populations that included 19 individuals that were of different size. Our goal in the current work is to understand whether shape variation changes mechanical energy sufficiently enough to make shape a critical factor in mechanical and metabolic energy assessments.

Our results reaffirm that size does not affect mass-specific mechanical cost of transport (Alexander and Jayes, 1983) among geometrically similar individuals walking at equal Fr. The known shape differences among modern humans, however, produce sufficiently large differences in internal and external work to account for much of the observed variation in metabolic energy expenditure, if mechanical energy is correlated with metabolic energy. Any species or other group that exhibits shape differences should be affected similarly to that which we establish for humans. Unfortunately, we currently do not have a simple method to control or adjust for size–shape differences in individuals that are not geometrically similar, although musculoskeletal modeling is a viable, and promising, alternative. In mouse-to-elephant comparisons, size differences could represent the largest source of morphological variation, and isometric scaling factors such as Fr can compensate for much of the variability. Within species, however, shape differences may dominate morphological variation and Fr is not designed to compensate for shape differences. In other words, those shape differences that are “reasonably close” at the mouse-to-elephant level may become grossly different for within-species energetic comparisons.
Towards a bioinformatics of patterning: a computational approach to understanding regulative morphogenesis
Authors: Lobo Daniel , Malone Taylor J. , Levin Michael
Published: November 2012

The mechanisms underlying the regenerative abilities of certain model species are of central importance to the basic understanding of pattern formation. Complex organisms such as planaria and salamanders exhibit an exceptional capacity to regenerate complete body regions and organs from amputated pieces. However, despite the outstanding bottom-up efforts of molecular biologists and bioinformatics focused at the level of gene sequence, no comprehensive mechanistic model exists that can account for more than one or two aspects of regeneration. The development of computational approaches that help scientists identify constructive models of pattern regulation is held back by the lack of both flexible morphological representations and a repository for the experimental procedures and their results (altered pattern formation). No formal representation or computational tools exist to efficiently store, search, or mine the available knowledge from regenerative experiments, inhibiting fundamental insights from this huge dataset. To overcome these problems, we present here a new class of ontology to encode formally and unambiguously a very wide range of possible morphologies, manipulations, and experiments. This formalism will pave the way for top-down approaches for the discovery of comprehensive models of regeneration. We chose the planarian regeneration dataset to illustrate a proof-of-principle of this novel bioinformatics of shape; we developed a software tool to facilitate the formalization and mining of the planarian experimental knowledge, and cured a database containing all of the experiments from the principal publications on planarian regeneration. These resources are freely available for the regeneration community and will readily assist researchers in identifying specific functional data in planarian experiments. More importantly, these applications illustrate the presented framework for formalizing knowledge about functional perturbations of morphogenesis, which is widely applicable to numerous model systems beyond regenerating planaria, and can be extended to many aspects of functional developmental, regenerative, and evolutionary biology.
Synthesis and Solvatochromic Properties of Azulene-substituted Donor–Acceptor-type Polymethine Dyes
Authors: Shoji Taku , Yamamoto Atsuyo , Inoue Yuta , Shimomura Erika , Ito Shunji , Higashi Junya , Morita Noboru
Published: November 2012

The synthesis of azulene-substituted polymethine dyes 3–6 was established by the Zincke-type ring-opening reaction of pyridinium salt 2 with several secondary amines, followed by the alumina-catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation reaction with malononitrile. The intramolecular charge-transfer interactions from both azulene and amine moieties to dicyanomethylidene acceptor unit were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy.
Sorafenib suppresses the rapid progress of hepatocellular carcinoma after insufficient radiofrequency ablation therapy: An experimentin vivo
Authors: Xu Ming , Xie Xiao-hua , Xie Xiao-yan , Xu Zuo-feng , Liu Guang-jian , Zheng Yan-ling , Huang Guang-liang , Wang Wei , Zheng Shu-guang , Lü Ming-de
Published: November 2012

Background

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely applied treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but insufficient RFA can promote rapid progression of the residual tumor through the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) pathway. Although sorafenib has been successfully applied to advanced HCC, the use of sorafenib in residual tumor cells after RFA has rarely been tested.

Purpose

To evaluate the potential role of sorafenib as an adjunct to RFA to reduce the recurrence rate after insufficient RFA.

Material and Methods

Xenograft tumors of SMMC 7721 were created by subcutaneously inoculating nude mice with hepatoma cells (5× 106cells per mouse). Fourteen days after inoculation, all mice were divided into three groups (control group [sham puncture], RFA group, and RFA combined with sorafenib treatment group) with six mice in each group. Each group was given a different treatment procedure. After treatment, the volume of the tumors was calculated from the resected specimens. The mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1a and VEGFA was quantified by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis. The micro-vessel density (MVD) was determined by CD34 immunohistochemistry.

Results

Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that, compared to the RFA group, HIF-1α and VEGFA expression were significantly decreased in the group that received RFA combined with sorafenib treatment ( P < 0.05). By comparing the control group with the RFA group, we found that insufficient RFA promoted HIF-1α and VEGFA expression ( P < 0.05). Similar results were obtained for MVD expression. Additionally, the combination of RFA with sorafenib therapy resulted in a synergistic reduction in tumor growth compared to insufficient RFA and sham puncture ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Sorafenib was able to inhibit the expression of HIF-1α and VEGFA, and sorafenib was able to increase time to recurrence when used as an adjunct to RFA.
Dual-source CT coronary angiography involving injection protocol with iodine load tailored to patient body weight and body mass index: Estimation of optimal contrast material dose
Authors: Zhu Xiaomei , Zhu Yinsu , Xu Hai , Yang Guanyu , Tang Lijun , Xu Yi
Published: November 2012

Background

Body mass index (BMI) has a positive linear influence on arterial attenuation at coronary CT angiography involving injection protocol with dose linearly tailored to body weight (BW). Excessive contrast material may inadvertently be given in heavier patients when the dose is determined by BW only.

Purpose

To investigate the effect of injection protocol with dose of contrast material (CM) tailored to BW and BMI on coronary arterial attenuation, contrast-to-noise ratio, and image noise at dual-source CT coronary angiography (DSCT-CA).

Material and Methods

A total of 233 consecutive patients (mean age, 60.2 years) undergoing DSCT-CA were included. Image acquisition protocol was standardized (120 kV, 380 mAs, and retrospective electrocardiograph-triggered DSCT-CA). CM dosage calculation was randomly categorized into groups: a BW group and a BW-BMI group. CM flow rate in both groups was calculated as dosage divided by scan time plus 8 s. Correlations between BW, BMI, and attenuations of ascending aorta (AA) above coronary ostia, left main coronary artery (LM), proximal right coronary artery (RCA), left anterior descending (LAD), and left circumflex artery (LCX), contrast to noise ratio of LM (LMCNR) and RCA (RCACNR), and image noise were evaluated with simple linear regression for two groups individually.

Results

In BW group, attenuations of AA and coronary arteries showed positive linear correlations to BW and BMI. In contrast, no relationships were found in BW-BMI group. LMCNR and RCACNR were inversely determined by BW and BMI in both groups. Image noise increased with BW and BMI increasing in two groups.

Conclusion

BMI has a positive linear influence on arterial attenuation with fixed iodine per BW. The injection protocol with CM dose tailored to BW and BMI is reasonable during DSCT-CA.
Ovarian adenofibromas and cystadenofibromas: Magnetic resonance imaging findings including diffusion-weighted imaging
Authors: Takeuchi Mayumi , Matsuzaki Kenji , Harada Masafumi
Published: November 2012

Background

Ovarian adenofibromas (AF) and cystadenofibromas (CAF) belong to the surface epithelial-stromal tumors, and may appear as solid, or solid and cystic masses mimicking ovarian cancers.

Purpose

To evaluate the capability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement for the diagnosis of ovarian AF/CAF.

Material and Methods

Magnetic resonance manifestations of 13 cases of ovarian AF/CAF were retrospectively evaluated. DWI was obtained in all 13 lesions, and mean ADC values in 11 lesions were compared with those in solid portions of 27 ovarian cancers.

Results

Neither case with AF/CAF revealed high signal intensity on DWI, whereas all ovarian cancers showed high signal intensity on DWI. The ADC values in the solid portions of AF/CAF were significantly higher than those of ovarian cancers ( P < 0.001). A cut-off value of 1.20 × 10–3 mm2/s for AF/CAF had a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 93%, positive predictive value of 82%, and negative predictive value of 93%.

Conclusion

DWI with ADC measurement may be helpful in differentiating AF/CAF from ovarian cancers.
Patients with a history of arson admitted to medium security: characteristics on admission and follow-up postdischarge
Authors: Hollin Clive R , Davies Steffan , Duggan Conor , Huband Nick , McCarthy Lucy , Clarke Martin
Published: November 2012

Patients who set fires are a perennial cause of concern with psychiatric services although perhaps rather neglected in the clinical research literature. The current study considered the characteristics on admission of 129 patients, 93 men and 36 women, with a known history of arson who had been admitted to a medium secure psychiatric hospital. The distinguishing characteristics of the sample were high numbers of patients with extensive criminal histories, most probably due to high levels of prison transfer and a higher occurrence of mental illness than psychopathic disorder. Aside from return to prison, most patients were discharged either to another psychiatric hospital or directly to the community. There was a high rate of re-conviction after discharge, mainly for minor offences, with about one in 10 of discharged patients committing arson. It was established, however, that not all incidents of arson led to a prosecution. It is concluded that there are weaknesses in the areas of both risk assessment and evidence-based treatment for arsonists.
Responsiveness of individual questions from the venous clinical severity score and the Aberdeen varicose vein questionnaire
Authors: Lattimer C R , Kalodiki E , Azzam M , Geroulakos G
Published: November 2012

Objectives

The venous clinical severity score (VCSS) and the Aberdeen varicose vein questionnaire (AVVQ) improve after treating chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The aim was to examine how and why they improve by evaluating the change in each individual question.

Methods

This was an analysis on prospectively collected data from a clinical study on 100 patients (58% female) with CVI (C2 = 34, C3 = 14, C4a = 29, C4b = 9, C5 = 7, C6 = 7) who were randomized to endovenous laser ablation ( n = 50) or foam sclerotherapy ( n = 50). The change scores (performance) of each question of the VCSS (questions 1–10) and the AVVQ (questions 1–13) were calculated by subtracting the score at three weeks, and three months, from the pre-treatment score.

Results

Both the median, interquartile range (IQR), VCSS and the AVVQ scores improved from 6 (4) and 21.4 (15.1) at baseline to 3 (4) and 18.6 (12.1) at three weeks ( P < 0.0005, P = 0.031) to 2 (3) and 8.8 (13.6) at three months, ( P < 0.0005, P < 0.0005), respectively. The performance of the first three questions of the VCSS (pain, extent of varicosities, oedema) were the most contributory to the overall score. Questions 5, 7, 8, 9 on ulceration improved the most individually but did not contribute significantly to the overall score. Questions 5, 9 of the AVVQ on stocking use and ulceration failed to contribute statistically to the overall improvement at three months.

Conclusion

The majority of the individual questions of the VCSS and AVVQ responded to change. However, the cause of a poor response was multifactorial with statistical dilution playing a significant role. Stratification of patients according to ulceration may allow better comparisons.
Anterior deltoid deficiency in reverse total shoulder replacement
Authors: Gulotta L. V. , Choi D. , Marinello P. , Wright T. , Cordasco F. A. , Craig E. V. , Warren R. F.
Published: November 2012

Reverse total shoulder replacement (RTSR) depends on adequate deltoid function for a successful outcome. However, the anterior deltoid and/or axillary nerve may be damaged due to prior procedures or injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the compensatory muscle forces required for scapular plane elevation following RTSR when the anterior deltoid is deficient. The soft tissues were removed from six cadaver shoulders, except for tendon attachments. After implantation of the RTSR, the shoulders were mounted on a custom-made shoulder simulator to determine the mean force in each muscle required to achieve 30° and 60° of scapular plane elevation. Two conditions were tested: 1) Control with an absent supraspinatus and infraspinatus; and 2) Control with anterior deltoid deficiency. Anterior deltoid deficiency resulted in a mean increase of 195% in subscapularis force at 30° when compared with the control (p = 0.02). At 60°, the subscapularis force increased a mean of 82% (p < 0.001) and the middle deltoid force increased a mean of 26% (p = 0.04).

Scapular plane elevation may still be possible following an RTSR in the setting of anterior deltoid deficiency. When the anterior deltoid is deficient, there is a compensatory increase in the force required by the subscapularis and middle deltoid. Attempts to preserve the subscapularis, if present, might maximise post-operative function.
Increased one-year risk of symptomatic venous thromboembolism following total hip replacement
Authors: Pedersen A. B. , Johnsen S. P. , Sørensen H. T.
Published: November 2012

We examined the one-year risk of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) following primary total hip replacement (THR) among Danish patients and a comparison cohort from the general population. From the Danish Hip Arthroplasty Registry we identified all primary THRs performed in Denmark between 1995 and 2010 (n = 85 965). In all, 97% of patients undergoing THR received low-molecular-weight heparin products during hospitalisation. Through the Danish Civil Registration System we sampled a comparison cohort who had not undergone THR from the general population (n = 257 895). Among the patients undergoing THR, the risk of symptomatic VTE was 0.79% between 0 and 90 days after surgery and 0.29% between 91 and 365 days after surgery. In the comparison cohort the corresponding risks were 0.05% and 0.12%, respectively. The adjusted relative risks of symptomatic VTE among patients undergoing THR were 15.84 (95% confidence interval (CI) 13.12 to 19.12) during the first 90 days after surgery and 2.41 (95% CI 2.04 to 2.85) during 91 to 365 days after surgery, compared with the comparison cohort. The relative risk of VTE was elevated irrespective of the gender, age and level of comorbidity at the time of THR.

We concluded that THR was associated with an increased risk of symptomatic VTE up to one year after surgery compared with the general population, although the absolute risk is small.
Development of the osseous and cartilaginous acetabular index in normal children and those with developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: Li L. Y. , Zhang L. J. , Li Q. W. , Zhao Q. , Jia J. Y. , Huang T.
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of the osseous acetabular index (OAI) and cartilaginous acetabular index (CAI) using MRI. The OAI and CAI were measured on the coronal MR images of the hip in 81 children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), with a mean age of 19.6 months (3 to 70), and 241 normal control children with a mean age of 5.1 years (1 month to 12.5 years). Additionally the developmental patterns of the OAI and CAI in normal children were determined by age-based cross-sectional analysis.

Unlike the OAI, the normal CAI decreased rapidly from a mean of 10.17° (sd 1.60) to a mean of 8.25° (sd 1.90) within the first two years of life, and then remained constant at a mean of 8.04° (sd 1.65) until adolescence. Although no difference in OAI was found between the uninvolved hips in children with unilateral DDH and normal hips (p = 0.639), the CAI was significantly different between them both (p < 0.001). The normal CAI has fully formed at birth, and is maintained constantly throughout childhood. The CAI in the unaffected hips in children with unilateral DDH is also mildly dysplastic.
Osteology
Authors: IJpma F. F. A. , ten Duis H. J. , van Gulik T. M.
Published: November 2012

A comprehensive study of osteology remains a cornerstone of current orthopaedic and traumatological education. Osteology was already established as an important part of surgical education by the 16thcentury. In order to teach anatomy and osteology, the corpses of executed criminals were dissected by the praelector anatomiae of the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons. Magnificent anatomical atlases preserve the knowledge obtained from these dissections. We present an overview of the most authoritative works of Vesalius, Bidloo, Cheselden, and Albinus authored in the 16th, 17thand 18thcenturies. At that time a knowledge of osteology was necessary to pass the ‘master-exam’ in order to become a surgeon, and anatomical teaching was traditionally based on the practice of dissection. In the modern era, anatomical dissection and illustrations are largely being replaced by three-dimensional imaging and computer simulations, with an unfortunate trend in current curricula away from the established teaching technique of dissection. Education through the practice of dissection, particularly for future surgeons, remains integral to the development of tissue handling techniques, understanding of anatomical variation, and furthering of spatial awareness skills. With this review, we seek to remind contemporary surgeons of the lessons we can learn from our predecessors who valued education through anatomical dissection.
Role of glutaminyl cyclases in thyroid carcinomas
Authors: Kehlen Astrid , Haegele Monique , Menge Katja , Gans Kathrin , Immel Uta-Dorothee , Hoang-Vu Cuong , Klonisch Thomas , Demuth Hans-Ulrich
Published: November 2012

CCL2 is a chemokine known to recruit monocytes/macrophages to sites of inflammation. CCL2 is also associated with tumor progression in several cancer types. Recently, we showed that the N-terminus of CCL2 is modified to a pyroglutamate (pE)-residue by both glutaminyl cyclases (QC (QPCT)) and its isoenzyme (isoQC (QPCTL)). The pE-residue increases stability against N-terminal degradation by aminopeptidases. Here, we report an upregulation ofQPCTexpression in tissues of patients with thyroid carcinomas compared with goiter tissues, whereasQPCTLwas not regulated. In thyroid carcinoma cell lines,QPCTgene expression correlates with the mRNA levels of its substrateCCL2. BothQPCTandCCL2are regulated in a NF-κB-dependent pathway shown by stimulation with TNFa and IL1b as well as by inhibition with the IKK2 inhibitor and RNAi ofp50. In the culture supernatant of thyroid carcinoma cells, equal amounts of pECCL2 and total CCL2 were detected by two ELISAs discriminating between total CCL2 and pECCL2, concluding that all CCL2 is secreted as pECCL2. Activation of the CCL2/CCR2 pathway by recombinant CCL2 increased tumor cell migration of FTC238 cells in scratch assays as well as thyroid carcinoma cell-derived CCL2-induced migration of monocytic THP1 cells. Suppression of CCL2 signaling by CCR2 antagonist, IKK2 inhibitor, andQPCTRNAi reduced FTC238 cell growth measured by WST8 proliferation assays. Our results reveal new evidence for a novel role of QC in thyroid carcinomas and provide an intriguing rationale for the use of QC inhibitors as a means of blocking pECCL2 formation and preventing thyroid cancer metastasis.
Pediatric Tuberculosis at Beijing Children’s Hospital: 2002–2010
Authors: Wu Xi-Rong , Yin Qing-Qin , Jiao An-Xia , Xu Bao-Ping , Sun Lin , Jiao Wei-Wei , Xiao Jing , Miao Qing , Shen Chen , Liu Fang , Shen Dan , Shen Adong
Published: November 2012

OBJECTIVE:

Our aim was to describe the patient characteristics, clinical–epidemiological profile, and treatment outcome of childhood tuberculosis (TB).

METHODS:

A retrospective, descriptive study was undertaken of 1212 children aged 0 to 18 years admitted to Beijing Children’s Hospital for the treatment of TB from January 2002 to December 2010. Statistical significance of category variables was evaluated by using Fisher’s exact test.

RESULTS:

Fifty-four percent of patients had extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), 38.8% had tuberculous meningitis, and 31.3% had disseminated TB. The last 2 types were defined as severe TB. Most patients with TB (81.6%) were cured or completed treatment. There were more patients aged <5 years and from rural areas with EPTB than with pulmonary tuberculosis. More severe cases of TB were found in patients aged <1 year than other less severe types of TB. Patients with no bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination and a contact history at home had a significantly risk of contracting severe TB. Children aged <1 year and those with severe TB were more likely to have poor treatment outcomes (failed to improve or died). Among those with EPTB, only 61.3% and 61.1% had positive results on the purified protein derivative tuberculin skin test and chest radiograph, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this referral hospital setting, more pediatric EPTB and severe TB patients were found among children aged <1 year. Age <1 year and having severe TB were risk factors for treatment failure. Thus, prevention and health care in pediatric TB should focus on both EPTB and severe TB.
Patterns and Costs of Health Care Use of Children With Medical Complexity
Authors: Cohen Eyal , Berry Jay G. , Camacho Ximena , Anderson Geoff , Wodchis Walter , Guttmann Astrid
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Health care use of children with medical complexity (CMC), such as those with neurologic impairment or other complex chronic conditions (CCCs) and those with technology assistance (TA), is not well understood. The objective of the study was to evaluate health care utilization and costs in a population-based sample of CMC in Ontario, Canada.

METHODS:

Hospital discharge data from 2005 through 2007 identified CMC. Complete health system use and costs were analyzed over the subsequent 2-year period.

RESULTS:

The study identified 15 771 hospitalized CMC (0.67% of children in Ontario); 10 340 (65.6%) had single-organ CCC, 1063 (6.7%) multiorgan CCC, 4368 (27.6%) neurologic impairment, and 1863 (11.8%) had TA. CMC saw a median of 13 outpatient physicians and 6 distinct subspecialists. Thirty-six percent received home care services. Thirty-day readmission varied from 12.6% (single CCC without TA) to 23.7% (multiple CCC with TA). CMC accounted for almost one-third of child health spending. Rehospitalization accounted for the largest proportion of subsequent costs (27.2%), followed by home care (11.3%) and physician services (6.0%). Home care costs were a much larger proportion of costs in children with TA. Children with multiple CCC with TA had costs 3.5 times higher than children with a single CCC without TA.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although a small proportion of the population, CMC account for a substantial proportion of health care costs. CMC make multiple transitions across providers and care settings and CMC with TA have higher costs and home care use. Initiatives to improve their health outcomes and decrease costs need to focus on the entire continuum of care.
Pediatric Inflatable Bouncer–Related Injuries in the United States, 1990–2010
Authors: Thompson Meghan C. , Chounthirath Thiphalak , Xiang Huiyun , Smith Gary A.
Published: November 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate inflatable bouncer–related injuries to children in the United States.

METHODS:

Records were analyzed from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for patients ≤17 years old treated in US emergency departments (EDs) for inflatable bouncer–related injuries from 1990 to 2010.

RESULTS:

An estimated 64 657 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32 420–96 893) children ≤17 years of age with inflatable bouncer–related injuries were treated in US EDs from 1990 to 2010. From 1995 to 2010, there was a statistically significant 15-fold increase in the number and rate of these injuries, with an average annual rate of 5.28 injuries per 100 000 US children (95% CI: 2.62–7.95). The increase was more rapid during recent years, with the annual injury number and rate more than doubling between 2008 and 2010. In 2010, a total of 31 children per day were treated in US EDs for an inflatable bouncer–related injury, which equals a child every 46 minutes nationally. A majority of patients were male (54.6%), and the mean patient age was 7.50 years (95% CI: 7.17–7.83). Most injuries were fractures (27.5%) and strains or sprains (27.3%), and most injuries occurred to the lower (32.9%) or upper (29.7%) extremities. Most injuries occurred at a place of sports or recreation (43.7%) or at home (37.5%), and 3.4% of injured children were hospitalized or kept for <24 hours for observation.

CONCLUSIONS:

The number and rate of pediatric inflatable bouncer–related injuries have increased rapidly in recent years. This increase, along with similarities to trampoline-related injuries, underscores the need for guidelines for safer bouncer usage and improvements in bouncer design to prevent these injuries among children.
Health Care of Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Authors:   COUNCIL ON FOSTER CARE, ADOPTION, AND KINSHIP CARE AND COMMITTEE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD, Jaudes Paula K. , Szilagyi Moira Ann , Fierson Walter , Harmon David A. , High Pamela , Jaudes Paula K. , Jones V. Faye , Lee Paul J. , Nalven Lisa Maxine , Prock Lisa Albers , Sagor Linda Davidson , Schulte Elaine E. , Springer Sarah H. , Tonniges Tom , High Pamela E. , Donoghue Elaine , Fussell Jill J. , Gleason Mary Margaret , Jaudes Paula K. , Jones Veronnie F. , Rubin David , Schulte Elaine E.
Published: November 2012

This Policy Statement was reaffirmed July 2023.

Youth transitioning out of foster care face significant medical and mental health care needs. Unfortunately, these youth rarely receive the services they need because of lack of health insurance. Through many policies and programs, the federal government has taken steps to support older youth in foster care and those aging out. The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Pub L No. 110-354) requires states to work with youth to develop a transition plan that addresses issues such as health insurance. In addition, beginning in 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Pub L No. 111-148) makes youth aging out of foster care eligible for Medicaid coverage until age 26 years, regardless of income. Pediatricians can support youth aging out of foster care by working collaboratively with the child welfare agency in their state to ensure that the ongoing health needs of transitioning youth are met.
Measurement of thermal conductivity of building insulation foams by modulated differential scanning calorimetry — Critical review & observations
Authors: Masson J.-F. , Bundalo-Perc S. , Mukhopadhyaya P.
Published: November 2012

The rise in energy prices, the need to conserve energy and the pressure to protect the environment promote the development of innovative eco-friendly thermal insulating foams for building applications. In this quest, a rapid and accurate method to measure the thermal conductivity of new foams is required during the research and product development stage. Temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) provides thermal conductivity values from heat capacity measurements on cylindrical samples less than about 20 mg in weight. This method is the basis of the ASTM E1952 standard method “Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Diffusivity by Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry”. In this work, the MDSC and the ASTM E1952 test methods are applied to thermal insulating foams used in construction applications. Measurements on polystyrene, polyurethane, and polyisocyanurate insulations demonstrate that MDSC possesses excellent repeatability, but its application through ASTM E 1952 provides inaccurate thermal conductivity values. Two sources of errors were identified, 1) the use of nitrogen as a purge gas, and 2) the use of an equation that inaccurately relates the measured heat capacity to thermal conductivity. Methods around these difficulties exist, but they remain untested with insulating foams.
Carbon Nanotubes in Physiological Environment
Authors: Cué R. , Del Bosque G. , Sanchez A.
Published: November 2012

To fully accomplish all promises and hopes on clinical applications of carbon nanotubes, it is crucial to understand their interactions with physiological environment. One of these applications is polymer fillers, and it is important to review the toxicology of carbon nanotubes themselves because some polymer matrices may be biodegradable. Therefore, the interactions with organic molecules such as water, electrolytes, and proteins are reviewed and results of multiple studies on cellular interaction, cytotoxicity, immune response, biodistribution, and biopersistence are further presented. Finally, a section describing the interaction of polymer matrices with carbon nanotube reinforcements and the physiological environment is presented.
In vitro Evaluation of Arabinoxylan Gels as an Oral Delivery System for Insulin
Authors: Carvajal-Millan E. , Berlanga-Reyes C. , Rascón-Chu A. , Martínez-López A. L. , Márquez-Escalante J. A. , Campa-Mada A. C. , Martínez-Robinson K. G.
Published: November 2012

Arabinoxylan gels are receiving increasing attention as oral delivery systems of biomolecules for therapeutic purposes. The aim of this research was to evaluate arabinoxylan gels as an oral delivery system for insulin, representing a painless therapy for diabetics. Gels at two concentrations of arabinoxylan were prepared (2.5 and 3.5 % w/v). One concentration of insulin (0.05 % w/v) entrapped in the arabinoxylan gels was investigated. At the end of gelation elasticity (G’) values were 11 and 20 for gels at 2.5 and 3.5% (w/v) in arabinoxylan, respectively. The presence of insulin in the gels did not affect the values of G’. The apparent diffusion coefficient for insulin decreased from 1.30 x 10-7 to 1.09 x 10-7 cm2/s when the concentration of arabinoxylan in the gel increased from 2.5 to 3.5% (w/v). The percentage of proteolysis for insulin entrapped in the gels at 2.5 and 3.5% in arabinoxylan (w/v) were 35 and 17%, respectively, in relation to 100% hydrolysis of insulin in solution. Results indicate that arabinoxylan gels could be potential candidates as oral delivery systems for insulin.
Nanopore Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials with Properties of Cell Regeneration: Physicochemical and Morphological Characterization
Authors: Hernandez M. A. , Rojas F. , Hernández F. , Salgado M. A.
Published: November 2012

Organic nanoparticles were deposited on LTA, ZSM5, FAU, clinoptilolite zeolites and montmorillonite clay forming a group of hybrid materials. The nanoparticles were analyzed by GC-Mass and proceed from the active phase of a plant constituted by 1.2 benzenedicarboxylic acid (66.1%), mono (2 ethilester) (66.1%), hexadecanoic acid (74.9%), and Y-isosterol (81.4%). Each of the hybrid materials was characterized by XRD, SEM and EDS. Additionally; the materials obtained were analyzed by high resolution adsorption (HRAD). The N2adsorption isotherms at 76 K obtained in the presence or absence of nanoparticles showed an Ia character for (LTA, FAU and ZSM5) synthetic zeolites, whilst (clinoptilolite) natural zeolite and clay (montmorillonite) showed a type II-IV character. The adsorption capacity of these substrates was analyzed by means of the Lagnmuir, de Boer, and Gursvitch rule approachs. The supermicropores present were measured by the NLDFT approach. The results indicated that the growth of nanoparticles in zeolites resulted in the emergence and opening of emerging pores of different geometry. However, in the case of ZSM5 and LTA zeolites their porosities were blocked by the nanoparticles.
Absorbency of Superabsorbent Polymers in Cementitious Environments
Authors: Esteves Luis P. , Jensen Ole M.
Published: November 2012

Optimal use of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in cement-based materials relies on knowledge on how SAP absorbency is influenced by different physical and chemical parameters. These parameters include salt concentration in the pore fluid, temperature of the system and SAP particle size. The present work shows experimental results on this and presents a new technique to measure the swelling of SAP particles. This new technique is compared with existing techniques that have been recently proposed for the measurement of pore fluid absorption by superabsorbent polymers. It is seen that the concentration of Na+, K+, Ca2+, OH-, and SO2-, in the exposure liquid influences the maximum absorption of SAP. Even very low concentrations of these may reduce the absorption to a third of the value measured in pure water at room temperature. Additionally, the influence of the SAP absorption on the ionic composition of the exposure liquid is investigated with atomic absorption spectroscopy. The paper provides the reader with knowledge about the absorption capacity of SAP in a cementitious environment, and how the absorption process may influence the cement pore fluid.
A New Smart Additive of Reinforced Concrete Based on Modified Hydrotalcites: Preparation, Characterization and Anticorrosion Applications
Authors: Yang Zhengxian , Fischer Hartmut , Polder Rob
Published: November 2012

A carbonate form of Mg-Al-hydrotalcite and its p-aminobenzoate (pAB) modified derivative (i.e.,Mg(2)Al-pAB) were synthesized and characterized by means of XRD and FT-IR. The anticorrosion behavior was evaluated based on open circuit potential (OCP) of carbon steel in simulated concrete pore solution and chloride-exchange experiments. The preliminary results shown in this study demonstrated that ion-exchange indeed occurred between chlorides and the intercalated pAB anions in Mg(2)Al-pAB structure, thereby reducing the free chloride concentration in simulated concrete pore solution. The simultaneously released inhibitive pAB anions were found to exhibit the envisaged inhibiting effect and caused corrosion initiation of the steel shifting to a higher chloride concentration than without the modified hydrotalcites.
Water Cement Ratio – A Fresh Relook
Authors: Babu K. Ganesh , Prasad R. Durga
Published: November 2012

The paper attempts to present a panoramic view of the water cement ratio strength relations adopted by a few national bodies and look at the appropriateness of them while keeping in mind the enormous number of variables that could influence them. These relations are also compared with a couple of databases reported to assess the efficacy of each of these in ensuring a reasonable prediction capability. This in a way will pave the way for an effective use of the cement in concrete leading to significant optimization of the concrete composite.
Electrically flat/optically rough substrates for efficiencies above 10% in n-i-p thin-film silicon solar cells
Authors: Söderström Karin , Bugnon Grégory , Haug Franz-Josef , Ballif Christophe
Published: November 2012

Substrates with extremely low roughness to allow the growth of good-quality silicon material but that nevertheless present high light trapping properties are presented. In a first application, silver reflectors are used in single and tandem-junction amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells. High initial (stable) efficiencies of 10.4 % (8.1 %) for single-junction a-Si:H cells on glass and 11.1 % (9.2 %) for tandem-junction a-Si:H/a-Si:H cells on plastic are obtained. A second application better suited to multi-junction solar cells based on microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) solar cells is presented: the substrate consists of rough zinc oxide (ZnO) grown on a flat silver reflector which is covered with a-Si:H; polishing of this structure yields an a-Si:H/ZnO interface that provides high light scattering even though the cell is deposited on a flat interface. We present results of ∼ 4-μm-thick μc-Si:H solar cells prepared on such substrates with high open-circuit voltages of 520 mV. A large relative efficiency gain of 20% is observed compared to a co-deposited cell grown directly on an optimized textured substrate.
Light Wavelength Effects on Performance of a-Si:H PIN Photodiodes
Authors: Wu Shu-Hsien , Kuo Yue , Lin Chi-Chou
Published: November 2012

Light effects on the performance of the a-Si:H PIN photodiode has been studied. The leakage current-voltage and capacitance-voltage curves under the red, green and blue light illuminations were measured. The apparent charge storage density in the negative voltage range was quantified from the capacitance-voltage curve; charges in the positive voltage range were estimated from the leakage current-voltage curve. A comparison of charge storage capacities of diodes with different intrinsic layer thicknesses is also presented. The diode under the long wavelength light illumination condition stored more charges than that under the short wavelength light illumination condition because the former could penetrate the intrinsic a-Si:H layer deeper than the latter could. The leakage current and charge storage capacity of the diode are determined by the generation of electron-hole pairs, the depletion of charges in the intrinsic layer, and the supply of charges from the electrodes. The number of incident photons is critical to the process.
Effect of Nickel Silicide Induced Dopant Segregation on Vertical Silicon Nanowire Diode Performance
Authors: Lu W. , Pey K. L. , Singh N. , Leong K. C. , Liu Q. , Gan C. L. , Lo G. Q. , Kwong D. -L. , Tan C. S.
Published: November 2012

In this work, Dopant Segregated Schottky Barrier (DSSB) and Schottky Barrier (SB) vertical silicon nanowire (VSiNW) diodes were fabricated on p-type Si substrate using CMOS-compatible processes to investigate the effects of segregated dopants at the silicide/silicon interface and different annealing processes on nickel silicide formation in DSSB VSiNW diodes. With segregated dopants at the silicide/silicon interface, VSiNW diodes showed higher on-current, due to an enhanced carrier tunneling, and much lower leakage current. This can be attributed to the altered energy bands caused by the accumulated Arsenic dopants at the interface. Moreover, DSSB VSiNW diodes also gave ideality factor much closer to unity and exhibited lower electron SBH (ΦBn) than SB VSiNW diodes. This proved that interfacial accumulated dopants could impede the inhomogeneous nature of the Schottky diodes and simultaneously, minimize the effect of Fermi level pinning and ionization of surface defect states. Comparing the impact of different silicide formation annealing using DSSB VSiNW diodes, the 2-step anneal process reduces the silicide intrusion length within the SiNW by ~ 5X and the silicide interface was smooth along the (100) direction. Furthermore, the 2-step DSSB VSiNW diode also exhibited much lower leakage current and an ideality factor much closer to unity, as compared to 1-step DSSB VSiNW diode.
Very Thin Micromorph Tandem Solar Cells Deposited at Low Substrate Temperature
Authors: de Jong M.M. , Rath J.K. , Schropp R.E.I.
Published: November 2012

As an alternative to crystalline silicon or thin film solar cells on rigid glass substrates, we aim to fabricate amorphous silicon (a-Si)/nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) tandem thin film solar cells on cheap flexible substrates. We have chosen polycarbonate as the superstrate and adapted the a-Si and nc-Si deposition processes for deposition at a maximum temperature of 130°. Because a-Si deposited at low temperatures has a high band gap, we were able to fabricate very thin (<1.2 μm) a-Si/nc-Si solar cells, because the high band gap of the a-Si shifts the current generation more towards the bottom cell, allowing for a much thinner (900 nm) bottom cell. The somewhat lower Jsc of the complete cell is partly compensated by a higher Vocwhich results in an initial conversion efficiency of 9.5% for the low temperature tandem solar cells on glass.
VLS Growth of III-V Semiconductor Nanowires on Graphene Layers
Authors: Tateno K. , Takagi D. , Zhang G. , Gotoh H. , Hibino H. , Sogawa T.
Published: November 2012

GaP, GaAs, and InP nanowires were grown on graphitic layers by the vapor-liquid-solid method in a metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy chamber. On graphene/SiC(0001), Au particles as catalyst were formed at the steps by controlling the Au deposition rate and the annealing temperature in a low-energy electron microscopy system. GaP nanowires were grown on this substrate, and it was found that vertical nanowires were formed at the steps of the surface. We also performed GaP, GaAs, and InP nanowire growth on graphite substrates. Free-standing nanowires were obtained for all three materials, although they were vertically, diagonally, and laterally-oriented at the same time. The results suggested that the growth at the steps is the key to growing nanowires vertically on graphene surface.