bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GENERALIZED ARITHMETICAL FUNCTIONS OF THREE VARIABLES
Authors: SCHWAB EMIL DANIEL
Published: November 2010

The paper is devoted to the study of some properties of generalized arithmetical functions extended to the case of three variables. The convolution in this case is a convolution of the incidence algebra of a Möbius category in the sense of Leroux. This category is a two-sided analogue of the poset (it is viewed as a category) of positive integers ordered by divisibility.
TSUNAMI MITIGATION EFFORTS WITH pTA IN WEST SUMATRA PROVINCE, INDONESIA
Authors: MUHARI ABDUL , IMAMURA FUMIHIKO , NATAWIDJAJA DANNY HILMAN , DIPOSAPTONO SUBANDONO , LATIEF HAMZAH , POST JOACHIM , ISMAIL FEBRIN A.
Published: November 2010

This paper describes tsunami disaster mitigation in the West Sumatra region with participatory technology assessment (pTA), which promotes direct interaction among member and experts to discuss issues and reach consensus for mitigation through provision of information and knowledge of science and technology. Two areas were examined: Padang, the capital city; and Painan city, a town in southern West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Tsunami have damaged these areas at least three times: in 1797, a 5–10-m-high tsunami wave height hit the area; in 1833, a 3–4-m-high tsunami came; and in 2007, an 8.4 Mw earthquake generated a local tsunami with maximum wave height of 1.5 m, as observed near Painan. Because of the high level of tsunami risk resulting from its flat topographic conditions, their respective populations of 820,000 people and 15,000 people are developing tsunami mitigation efforts with support of national institutions and international experts. These cities had different starting points and approaches. Efforts were introduced to produce official tsunami hazards maps. Insights from these lessons and ideas arising from the ongoing process after the 2007 South Sumatra and 2009 Padang earthquakes are discussed herein.
TIME-DOMAIN INTERPOLATION ON GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNIT
Authors: LI XIQI , SHI GUOHUA , ZHANG YUDONG
Published: November 2010

The signal processing speed of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) has become a bottleneck in a lot of medical applications. Recently, a time-domain interpolation method was proposed. This method can get better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) but much-reduced signal processing time in SD-OCT data processing as compared with the commonly used zero-padding interpolation method. Additionally, the resampled data can be obtained by a few data and coefficients in the cutoff window. Thus, a lot of interpolations can be performed simultaneously. So, this interpolation method is suitable for parallel computing. By using graphics processing unit (GPU) and the compute unified device architecture (CUDA) program model, time-domain interpolation can be accelerated significantly. The computing capability can be achieved more than 250,000 A-lines, 200,000 A-lines, and 160,000 A-lines in a second for 2,048 pixel OCT when the cutoff length is L = 11, L = 21, and L = 31, respectively. A frame SD-OCT data (400A-lines × 2,048 pixel per line) is acquired and processed on GPU in real time. The results show that signal processing time of SD-OCT can be finished in 6.223 ms when the cutoff length L = 21, which is much faster than that on central processing unit (CPU). Real-time signal processing of acquired data can be realized.
Importance and regulation of the colonic mucus barrier in a mouse model of colitis
Authors: Petersson J. , Schreiber O. , Hansson G. C. , Gendler S. J. , Velcich A. , Lundberg J. O. , Roos S. , Holm L. , Phillipson M.
Published: November 2010

The colonic mucus layer serves as an important barrier and prevents colonic bacteria from invading the mucosa and cause inflammation. The regulation of colonic mucus secretion is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the mucus barrier in induction of colitis. Furthermore, regulation of mucus secretion by luminal bacterial products was studied. The colon of anesthetized Muc2−/−, Muc1−/−, wild-type (wt), and germ-free mice was exteriorized, the mucosal surface was visualized, and mucus thickness was measured with micropipettes. Colitis was induced by DSS (dextran sodium sulfate, 3%, in drinking water), and disease activity index (DAI) was assessed daily. The colonic mucosa of germ-free and conventionally housed mice was exposed to the bacterial products LPS (lipopolysaccharide) and PGN (peptidoglycan). After DSS induction of colitis, the thickness of the firmly adherent mucus layer was significantly thinner after 5 days and onward, which paralleled the increment of DAI. Muc2−/−mice, which lacked firmly adherent mucus, were predisposed to colitis, whereas Muc1−/−mice were protected with significantly lower DAI by DSS compared with wt mice. The mucus barrier increased in Muc1−/−mice in response to DSS, whereas significantly fewer T cells were recruited to the inflamed colon. Mice housed under germ-free conditions had an extremely thin adherent colonic mucus layer, but when exposed to bacterial products (PGN or LPS) the thickness of the adherent mucus layer was quickly restored to levels observed in conventionally housed mice. This study demonstrates a correlation between decreasing mucus barrier and increasing clinical symptoms during onset of colitis. Mice lacking colonic mucus (Muc2−/−) were hypersensitive to DSS-induced colitis, whereas Muc1−/−were protected, probably through the ability to increase the mucus barrier but also by decreased T cell recruitment to the afflicted site. Furthermore, the ability of bacteria to regulate the thickness of the colonic mucus was demonstrated.
Human muscle protein turnover—why is it so variable?
Authors: Smith Gordon I. , Patterson Bruce W. , Mittendorfer Bettina
Published: November 2010

We undertook a comprehensive review of the literature to unravel the nature of the variability in the reported rate of human muscle protein synthesis. We analyzed the results from studies that report the protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR) in the vastus lateralis in healthy, nonobese, untrained adults ≤50 yr of age in the postabsorptive state at rest by using the primed, constant tracer amino acid infusion method according to experimental design characteristics. We hypothesized that if the variability is methodological (rather than physiological) in nature, systematic clustering of FSR values would be evident, and outliers would become apparent. Overall, as expected, the mixed muscle protein FSR values were significantly ( P < 0.001) greater when the muscle vs. the plasma free amino acid enrichment is used as the surrogate precursor pool enrichment, and the average mixed muscle protein FSR values were significantly greater ( P = 0.05) than the myofibrillar/myosin heavy chain FSR values. The within-study variability (i.e., population variance) was somewhat smaller in studies that used plasma amino acid/ketoacid enrichments vs. muscle free amino acid enrichment (∼24 vs. ∼31%), but this was not apparent in all circumstances. Furthermore, the between-study consistency of measured FSR values (i.e., interquartile range) was inversely correlated with the average duration between biopsies. Aside from that, the variation in reported FSR values could not be explained by differences in the experimental design and analytical methods, and none of the most commonly used approaches stood out as clearly superior in terms of consistency of results and/or within-study variability. We conclude that the variability in reported values is in part due to 1) differences in experimental design (e.g., choice of precursor pool) and 2) considerable within-subject variability. The summary of the results from our analysis can be used as guidelines for “normal” average basal FSR values at rest in healthy adults.
Long-term post-pneumonectomy pulmonary adaptation following all-trans-retinoic acid supplementation
Authors: Ravikumar Priya , Dane D. Merrill , McDonough Paul , Yilmaz Cuneyt , Estrera Aaron S. , Hsia Connie C. W.
Published: November 2010

In adult dogs following right pneumonectomy (PNX) and receiving all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) supplementation for 4 mo, we found modestly enhanced alveolar-capillary growth in the remaining lung without enhanced resting lung function ( J Appl Physiol 96: 1080–1089 and 96: 1090–1096, 2004). Since alveolar remodeling progresses beyond this period and the lipid-soluble RA continues to be released from tissue stores, we hypothesized that RA supplementation may exert additional long-term effects. To examine this issue, adult male litter-matched foxhounds underwent right PNX followed by RA supplementation (2 mg/kg po 4 days/wk, n = 6) or placebo ( n = 4) for 4 mo. Cardiopulmonary function was measured at rest and during exercise at 4 and 20 mo post-PNX. The remaining lung was fixed under a constant airway pressure for morphometric analysis. Comparing RA treatment to placebo controls, there were no differences in aerobic capacity, cardiopulmonary function, or lung volume at rest or exercise. Alveolar-capillary basal lamina thickness and mean harmonic thickness of air-blood diffusion barrier were 23–29% higher. The prevalence of double-capillary profiles remained 82% higher. Absolute volumes of septal interstitium, collagen fibers, cells, and matrix were 32% higher; the relative volumes of other septal components and alveolar-capillary surface areas expressed as ratios to control values were up to 24% higher. Thus RA supplementation following right PNX modestly and persistently enhanced long-term alveolar-capillary structural dimensions, especially the deposition of interstitial and connective tissue elements, in such a way that caused a net increase in barrier resistance to diffusion without improving lung mechanics or gas exchange.
Pathologic Fractures: A Neglected Clinical Feature of Parathyroid Adenoma
Authors: Abshirini Hassan , Rashidi Iran , Saki Nader
Published: November 2010

The pattern of clinical presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) has changed dramatically from a severe disease to an asymptomatic condition in Western countries. The story is completely different in Eastern countries. Bone and joint related sign and symptoms like bone pain and multiple fractures are common in these patients. Imaging and nuclear medicine studies will be helpful specially in patient who candidate for surgical removal of the abnormal parathyroid gland. Here, we present a 48-year-old man with multiple typical fractures in long bones and a single adenoma in his right inferior parathyroid gland. pHPT is a severe, symptomatic disease with serious complications and high morbidity in Iran. Advanced skeletal disease is the most common pattern of presentation.
A Conscious Sedation Protocol for Videolaryngostroboscopy in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Anne Samantha , Borland Lawrence M. , Haibeck Laura , Dohar Joseph E.
Published: November 2010

Objective. To determine best sedation protocol for videolaryngostroboscopy in children unable to tolerate non-sedated evaluation.Materials and Methods.Consecutive case series of 10 children with voice disturbances, unable to tolerate nonsedated videolaryngostroboscopy at an academic tertiary care children’s hospital. Flexible fiberoptic videolaryngostroboscopy was performed and interpreted by pediatric otolaryngologist and speech and language pathologist. Sedation was administered with newly described protocol that allowed functional portion of evaluation.Main Outcome Measures: ability to follow commands and tolerate flexible fiberoptic videolaryngostroboscopy.Secondary Outcome Measures: total phonation time, complications, need for subsequent videolaryngostroboscopic attempts, clinical outcomes, and follow-up.Results. 10 children underwent procedure under conscious sedation. 9/10 children were able to perform simple tasks and maintain adequate phonation time to complete stroboscopic exam. 1/10 patients failed to complete exam because of crying during entire exam. Mean exam time was 2 minutes 52 seconds (SD 86 seconds), phonation time is 1 minute 44 seconds (SD 60 seconds), and number of tasks completed was 10.5 (SD 8.6).Conclusions. Conscious sedation for videolaryngostroboscopy can be safely and effectively performed in children unable to comply with nonsedated examination. Such studies provide valuable diagnostic information to make a diagnosis and to devise a treatment plan.
An Empirical Study of Social Networks Metrics in Object-Oriented Software
Authors: Concas Giulio , Marchesi Michele , Murgia Alessandro , Tonelli Roberto
Published: November 2010

We study the application to object-oriented software of new metrics, derived from Social Network Analysis. Social Networks metrics, as for instance, the EGO metrics, allow to identify the role of each single node in the information flow through the network, being related to software modules and their dependencies. These metrics are compared with other traditional software metrics, like the Chidamber-Kemerer suite, and software graph metrics. We examine the empirical distributions of all the metrics, bugs included, across the software modules of several releases of two large Java systems, Eclipse and Netbeans. We provide analytical distribution functions suitable for describing and studying the observed distributions. We study also correlations among metrics and bugs. We found that the empirical distributions systematically show fat-tails for all the metrics. Moreover, the various metric distributions look very similar and consistent across all system releases and are also very similar in both the studied systems. These features appear to be typical properties of these software metrics.
Diffractive X-Ray Telescopes
Authors: Skinner Gerald K.
Published: November 2010

Diffractive X-ray telescopes using zone plates, phase Fresnel lenses, or
related optical elements have the potential to provide astronomers with true
imaging capability with resolution several orders of magnitude better than
available in any other waveband. Lenses that would be relatively easy to
fabricate could have an angular resolution of the order of microarcseconds
or even better, that would allow, for example, imaging of the distorted spacetime
in the immediate vicinity of the supermassive black holes in the center
of active galaxies What then is precluding their immediate adoption? Extremely
long focal lengths, very limited bandwidth, and difficulty stabilizing
the image are the main problems. The history and status of the development
of such lenses is reviewed here and the prospects for managing the challenges
that they present are discussed.
The Effect of a Sublethal Temperature Elevation on the Structure of Bacterial Communities Associated with the CoralPorites compressa
Authors: Salerno Jennifer L. , Reineman Dan R. , Gates Ruth D. , Rappé Michael S.
Published: November 2010

Evidence points to a link between environmental stressors, coral-associated bacteria, and coral disease; however, few studies have examined the details of this relationship under tightly controlled experimental conditions. To address this gap, an array of closed-system, precision-controlled experimental aquaria were used to investigate the effects of an abrupt 1°C above summer ambient temperature increase on the bacterial community structure and photophysiology ofPorites compressacorals. While the temperature treatment rapidly impacted the photophysiology of the coral host, it did not elicit a statistically significant shift in bacterial community structure from control, untreated corals as determined by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 16S rRNA genes. Two of three coral colonies harbored more closely related bacterial communities at the time of collection and, despite statistically significant shifts in bacterial community structure for both control and treatment corals during the 10-day acclimation period, maintained this relationship over the course of the experiment. The experimental design used in this study proved to be a robust, reproducible system for investigating coral microbiology in an aquarium setting.
Characterization of Human Antigenic Proteins SchS21 and SchS34 from Stachybotrys chartarum
Authors: Shi Chunhua , Smith Myron L. , Miller J. David
Published: November 2010

Background:SchS21 and SchS34 are proteins from Stachybotrys chartarum sensu latto that are antigenic in goats, mice and humans. Monoclonal antibodies to these proteins react with spores of S. chartarum and S. chlorohalonata but do not cross-react with a diverse taxonomic and ecological array of other fungi. Methods: Based on partial sequences of the 21- and 34-kDa proteins, obtained from tandem mass spectra and Edman degradation, degenerate primers were designed for touchdown PCR and the resulting amplicons were sequenced. Subsequently, inverse-PCR was used to obtain genomic DNA sequences encoding SchS21 and SchS34. RT-PCR products were sequenced to predict the mature protein sequences of SchS21 and SchS34. Based on the speculation that SchS21 protein was a DNase, the enzymatic properties were investigated. Results: Sequences of 435 and 666 bp in length were obtained from SchS21 and SchS34 cDNAs. The SchS21 open reading frame encodes a mature protein of 144 amino acids, while that of SchS34 is 221 amino acids in length. SchS21 is a secretory, alkaline, Mg-dependent exodeoxyribonuclease, while SchS34 is a secretory protein of unknown function. His-tagged forms of the mature SchS21 and SchS34 proteins were separately overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified using Ni-NTA columns (0.5 mg/l yield). Conclusions: Based on Western blots, the expressed proteins were similar in molecular weight and bound to the respective monoclonal antibodies to SchS21 and SchS34 proteins from S. chartarum. Interactions with human sera IgE confirmed the expressed forms of SchS21 and SchS34 as naturally occurring allergens.
Food Allergy in Ghanaian Schoolchildren: Data on Sensitization and Reported Food Allergy
Authors: Obeng Benedicta B. , Amoah Abena S. , Larbi Irene A. , Yazdanbakhsh Maria , van Ree Ronald , Boakye Daniel A. , Hartgers Franca C.
Published: November 2010

Background: Epidemiological data on food allergy are scarce in African countries. We studied the prevalence of food sensitization in Ghanaian schoolchildren. Methods: Children (5–16 years; n = 1,714) from 9 Ghanaian schools were given parental consent to participate in the study. Adverse reactions and food consumption were determined by a questionnaire and atopy by skin prick testing (SPT) to peanut and 6 fruits. Subjects with positive SPTs were considered cases (n = 43) and matched with at least 1 control (n = 84), using age, sex, and school as matching criteria. Serum samples from case-control sets were analyzed for specific IgE (sIgE) to foods that elicited a positive SPT response in cases. Results: Overall, 11% of 1,407 children reported adverse reactions to foods, and 5% of 1,431 children showed a positive SPT reaction mostly directed against peanut and pineapple (both 2%). Although there was a positive association between adverse reactions and SPT responses to any food allergen in the urban children (adjusted OR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.2–10.8), most of the reported adverse reactions were not in children showing an SPT reaction to the specific food item. sIgE sensitization was very variable for the different foods, ranging from 0 to 100% in cases, and from 0 to 25% among controls. High IgE levels for a food item significantly increased the risk of SPT positivity to any food item in the urban, but not in the rural, schoolchildren. Conclusions: Specific foods were identified to be allergenic in Ghana. We show a good association between SPT and sIgE in urban, but not in rural, schoolchildren. However, there was no clear association between reported adverse reactions to food and SPT or sIgE.
Food-Specific IgG4 Lack Diagnostic Value in Adult Patients with Chronic Urticaria and Other Suspected Allergy Skin Symptoms
Authors: Antico A. , Pagani M. , Vescovi P.P. , Bonadonna P. , Senna G.
Published: November 2010

Background: Specific IgG4 dosing against food is proposed to the public by a lot of commercial laboratories as a reliable method to diagnose food intolerance. Actually, few data on IgG4 responses to foods in adults are available in the literature. In this study we evaluated the clinical utility of specific IgG4 dosing against food in adult patients with suspected food allergy/intolerance. Methods: A case series of 73 adult patients with suspected food allergy and clinical manifestations of chronic urticaria or other allergy-supposed skin symptoms were tested for specific IgG4 against foods. An open food challenge was carried out for all IgG4-positive food. All positive open tests were controlled by double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge. Results: Forty-five patients (62%) were IgG4 positive for a number of foods, mainly egg, milk, casein and wheat. None of the patients with IgG4-positive testing showed adverse reactions, neither immediate nor delayed, to the corresponding food. Conclusions: In adult patients, testing for specific IgG4 lacks clinical utility for the diagnosis of food allergy or intolerance. Dosing of IgG4 should not be part of the diagnosis and therapy of adult patients with allergy-like skin diseases.
Cytologic Characteristics and β-Catenin Immunocytochemistry on Smear Slide of Cribriform-Morular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Koo Ja Seung , Jung Woohee , Hong Soon Won
Published: November 2010

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristic cytologic features of the cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (CVPTC) and to find out the possibility of a preoperative diagnosis of CVPTC in fine needle aspiration (FNA). Study Design: A retrospective review of cytologic features of 5 patients who were diagnosed with CVPTC after thyroidectomy and underwent preoperative FNA was performed. In addition, β-catenin immunocytochemistry on a smear slide was applied. Results: All cases showed a high cellularity smear, cribriform architecture, ovoid/columnar cells, obvious nucleoli, and nuclear groove. Epithelial morules were observed in 4 (80%) cases. All cases demonstrated a nuclear and cytoplasmic expression in β-catenin immunocytochemistry applied to a smear slide. Conclusion: Preoperative diagnosis of CVPTC can be made by cytologic features of cribriform architecture, epithelial morule, and columnar cells in FNA and β-catenin immunocytochemistry on a smear slide showing a nuclear and cytoplasm expression.
Significance of Peritoneal Washing Cytopathology in Ovarian Carcinomas and Tumors of Low Malignant Potential: A Quality Control Study with Literature Review
Authors: Kaçar Özkara Sevgiye
Published: November 2010

Objective: The author evaluated a consecutive group of peritoneal washings (PWs) performed in the evaluation of adnexal masses to determine whether the conventional histopathologic prognostic parameters significantly affect the tumor detection rate using this procedure. Study Design: Cytopathologic reports from all PWs performed over a 13-year (1996–2008) period in the evaluation of malignant and borderline ovarian tumors were reviewed and correlated with those of the synchronously obtained histopathologic specimens. Tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) were separated for analysis. Statistical significance was determined using the χ2 test. Results: In the study, a total of 134 PWs were associated with primary epithelial malignant tumors (n = 114) or tumors of LMP (n = 20) involving the ovary. The positive PW cytopathology rates for clear cell (83.3%), undifferentiated (80.0%), and serous carcinomas (65.7%) were higher than the overall average positive rate (62.3%) for all histopathologic subtypes. In contrast, endometrioid (41.2%) and mucinous (45.5%) carcinomas had markedly lower cytopathology-positive rates than the overall average positive rate (p = 0.118). As expected, PWs were found to be significantly more likely to yield malignant cells in higher-grade (grades II + III, 71.1%, p = 0.002) and higher-stage (stages III + IV) tumors (76.6%, p = 0.000) than in lower-grade (grade I, 38.7%) and lower-stage (stages I + II) tumors (32.4%) and also in tumors with lymph node involvement (72.7%, p = 0.021) than in tumors without lymph node involvement (46.7%) and in bilateral tumors (74.6%, p = 0.004) than in unilateral tumors (42.9%). The positive cytopathology rates for the PWs of the corresponding primary ovarian carcinomas with prominent pleomorphism (81.0%, p = 0.007), with high mitotic score (80.0%, p = 0.006) and solid architecture (72.9%, p = 0.122) were also higher than the overall average positive rate. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and efficiency for the ovarian carcinoma (n = 114) cases were 72.3, 85, 95.8, 39.5 and 74.6%, respectively. The positive cytopathology rate for the PWs of the serous tumors of LMP (7.1%) was higher than that of the mucinous tumors of LMP (0.0%) and the overall average positive cytopathology rate (5.0%) for the ovarian tumors with LMP. The calculated sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and efficiency for tumors of LMP were 33.3, 100, 100, 89.5, and 90%, respectively. Conclusion: PW cytopathology results correlate significantly with almost all of the conventional histopathologic prognostic parameters and the cyto-histomorphologic parameters of the corresponding primary ovarian carcinomas. The positive cytopathology rates also differ according to the histopathologic subtypes. False negativity and ‘false positivity?’ was significantly correlated with tumor grade.
Contribution of Intraoperative Cytology to the Diagnosis of Ovarian Lesions
Authors: Alvarez Santín Carmen , Sica Adela , Melesi Silvia , Feijó Alicia , Garrido Griselle , Rodríguez Alvarez Carmen
Published: November 2010

Objective: To analyze the performance of intraoperative cytological diagnosis and its contribution to enhance the diagnostic concordance of intraoperative procedures with definitive histological diagnosis in ovarian lesions. Descriptions of cytologic features of some ovarian lesions as seen in imprint and smear specimens are documented. Advantages and limitations of cytological specimens are underscored. Study Design: We performed a retrospective review of intraoperative consultations of ovarian neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions of 337 cases identified from the pathologic records of our laboratory. All cases evaluated had intraoperative cytological imprint or smear specimens. The intraoperative diagnosis transmitted to the surgeon was the combined result of a thorough macroscopic study of the surgical specimens, frozen section analysis of tissue samples obtained from the most representative areas, evaluation of smear and imprint cytological specimens, and cyto-histological correlation. The intraoperative diagnosis was compared with the final histological diagnosis. Blinded review of cytological slides in discrepant cases was carried out. Results: Final histological diagnosis showed 268 benign lesions, 49 malignant tumors and 20 borderline epithelial tumors. Diagnostic accuracy was 97%, sensitivity 93%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 91% and negative predictive value 98%. After the cytological review of the discrepant cases, accuracy increased to 98.5%, specificity to 100%, and positive predictive value to 100%. The sensitivity and negative predictive values did not change, remaining 93 and 98%, respectively. The proportion of false positives dropped from 7 (2.1%) to 0, and the proportion of false negatives from 9 (2.7%) to 5 (1.5%). The new values showed significant differences for specificity (p = 0.0401), positive predictive value (p = 0.0479) and for the proportion of false positives (p = 0.0226). Cytologic evaluation contributed with wider sampling of tumors and excellent cyto-morphological details. Conclusion: Adding cytological evaluation of imprint and smear specimens and cyto-histologic correlation to the traditional gross examination and frozen sections results in better correlation of the intraoperative consultation with the definitive histological diagnosis. In this series cytology was more accurate than frozen sections in some cases. Cytological evaluation of imprints and smears should be considered an important complementary tool in the setting of intraoperative consultation.
Technical Aspects of Core Needle Biopsy and Fine Needle Aspiration in the Diagnosis of Bone Lesions
Authors: Santini-Araujo Eduardo , Olvi Liliana G. , Muscolo Domingo Luis , Velan Osvaldo , Gonzalez Maria L. , Cabrini Rómulo Luis
Published: November 2010

Objective: Percutaneous needle biopsy is an effective and safe technique for obtaining diagnostic material from bone lesions. Study Design: We describe the technical details of fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy performed in our laboratory of orthopedic pathology. Results: With these procedures, we obtained accurate diagnosis in 83% of 7,375 cases, sent by different orthopedic centers in our country, over a period of 21 years (1986–2007). Conclusion: We describe the percutaneous needle procedure (fine needle aspiration, core needle biopsy), the handling of the materials in detail, the different cytological techniques, as well as the advantages of the procedures and how to avoid its disadvantages. We believe that accurate diagnosis with bone needle biopsy mainly depends on the training of the surgical cytologist and the pathologist, who must integrate all the knowledge on the clinical data, image diagnosis, histological procedures and the experience in the histopathological interpretation of bone lesions.
Rapid Staining and Immediate Interpretation of Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology for Palpable Breast Lesions: Diagnostic Accuracy, Mammographic, Ultrasonographic and Histopathologic Correlations
Authors: Liew Phui-Ly , Liu Tse-Jia , Hsieh Mao-Chih , Lin Hsiu-Pen , Lu Ching-Fang , Yao Min-Szu , Chen Chi-Long
Published: November 2010

Objective: We investigated the role and turn around time of rapid staining and immediate interpretation of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for women with palpable breast lesions. Study Design: A total of 408 FNAC specimens from 400 patients with palpable breast lesions was analyzed for immediate interpretation and preliminary cytologic diagnosis. All cytological diagnoses were correlated with subsequent alcohol-fixed Papanicolaou-stained slides, mammographic, ultrasonographic and histopathological findings. Results: Of the 408 specimens, 243 (59.6%) were interpreted as benign, 37 (9.0%) atypical, 22 (5.4%) suspicious, 68 (16.7%) malignant, and 38 (9.3%) unsatisfactory. 132 of 408 (32.4%) had subsequent surgical procedures; the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 88.5, 100, 100, 81.9 and 92.4%, respectively. The average turn around time was 8.6 min. Mammographic results were available in 242 (59.3%) cases, with 112 (46.3%) undergoing surgical excision. In correlation with mammography and surgical pathology, the false-positive rate, false-negative rate, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 1.9, 10.5, 98.1, 89.5 and 95.8%, respectively. Conclusions: Rapid FNAC interpretation is a useful, effective diagnostic method for palpable breast lesions in our healthcare environment.
Liquid-Based Thin-Layer Cytology Can Be Routinely Used in Samples Obtained via Fiberoptic Bronchoscope
Authors: Kobayashi Yukihiro , Uehara Takeshi , Ota Hiroyoshi
Published: November 2010

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate liquid-based preparations (LBP) as a replacement for conventional smears (CS) of bronchial brushing (BB) and transbronchial fine-needle aspiration (TBNA) samples obtained via fiberoptic bronchoscope. Study Design: Bronchial brushing and TBNA samples were obtained from 62 and 33 patients by fiberoptic bronchoscopy, respectively. Liquid-based preparations were prepared from needle rinse after initial CS preparation. We compared cellularity, cell morphology, and background between the LBP and CS slides. Results: Correspondence rates between LBP and CS diagnoses in the above 3 categories were 90.3% in the BB and 97.0% in the TBNA samples. If suspicious cases were regarded as malignant, correspondence rates reached 98.4 and 100%, respectively. Histological diagnoses by LBP were mostly the same as those by CS and by biopsy or operation samples. Morphologically, cells and nuclei were shrunk in the LBP; however, the shrinking was not severe enough to influence cytological diagnoses. Blood background and air-drying, which were observed on many of the CS slides, were not detected on the LBP slides. Conclusion: It is possible to use LBP for routine laboratory processing of BB and TBNA samples as a replacement for CS.
Aspiration Cytology of Ovarian Cystic Masses: Histologic Correlation and Review of the Literature
Authors: Cole Lisa , Mount Sharon , Nuzzo Erica , Wong Cheung
Published: November 2010

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of cytologic evaluation of ovarian cystic masses. Study Design: Sixty-seven ovarian cystic masses with fine needle aspiration cytology and concurrent or subsequent cystectomy/oophorectomy with histology were examined. Correlations with malignancy were made with 4 parameters: serum CA-125, radiographic size and architecture, and cytology. Results: Histologic examination of the 67 cases revealed 10 malignancies including 3 primary ovarian carcinomas, 2 metastatic neoplasms, and 5 borderline tumors. In the 10 malignant cases, the cytologic diagnoses were that of benign (n = 2), benign but non-diagnostic/paucicellular (n = 3), and atypical/malignant (n = 5), giving an overall sensitivity for cytology of 50%. However, there were no false positives (specificity of 100%). Reasons for the low sensitivity of cytology were the paucicellular nature of aspirate (n = 3), focality of ovarian borderline tumors (n = 5), and surface involvement by metastatic cancer (n = 2). The 4 parameters were independent of one another and none proved to have significant correlation with malignancy (p > 0.05). Thirty-nine percent of the aspirates had low cellularity (6% non-diagnostic/33% pauci-cellular). Conclusions: Cytology was the only parameter with 100% specificity and 100% positive predictive value. However, paucicellular specimens are a common problem in aspiration from this site.
Rapid Pre-Screening Is More Sensitive in Liquid-Based Cytology than in Conventional Smears
Authors: Dudding Nick , Renshaw Andrew A. , Ellis Kay
Published: November 2010

Rapid pre-screening (RPS) is a useful tool to measure and improve performance in the cytology laboratory. Whether RPS is more or less effective in liquid-based cytology than in conventional smears is unknown. We compared the estimated sensitivity in a laboratory of 11 cytotechnologists which converted from conventional smears to SurePath™ (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J., USA) liquid based cytology. In the 9 months prior to conversion, 23,286 smears were screened compared with 30,610 smears in the 12 months immediately after conversion. The estimated sensitivity of rapid pre-screening for 90 s improved significantly with liquid based cytology for all abnormalities (58.7 vs. 68.7%, p < 0.001), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance + low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (52.6 vs. 63.1%, p < 0.001), and high-grade squamous intra-epithelial alone (76.2 vs. 85%, p < 0.001). Histologic follow up for 156 cases identified by rapid pre-screening of SurePath slides showed 32 (21%) cases of CIN1 or greater and 18 cases (12%) with CIN3 or worse. We conclude that rapid pre-screening is significantly more sensitive in liquid-based cytology compared with conventional smears, and detects significant lesions that are missed by routine screening.
Clinical Utility and Diagnostic Accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration of Pancreatic Lesions: Saudi Arabian Experience
Authors: Raddaoui Emad
Published: November 2010

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has emerged as a new and effective tool in the evaluation of pancreatic mass lesions. It has proven to be a safe, accurate, and reliable diagnostic procedure and should be performed in centers with experienced gastroenterologists and cytopathologists for optimum results. In this study, we elaborate on our experience of specimen adequacy criteria, overall efficiency of the technique, and the cytomorphologic features of various pancreatic lesions. Patients and Methods: EUS-FNA of the pancreas and subsequent surgical and/or clinical follow-up of all cases performed at King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2006 to January 2010, were retrospectively reviewed. Diff-Quik and Papanicolaou staining methods were used. Immunohistochemistry stains on cell-block preparations were applied whenever available and required. A total of 43 aspirates from 42 patients were available for retrospective review, including 37 (86%) adequate/diagnostic and 6 (14%) inadequate/non-diagnostic cases. The diagnostic group included 17 (46%) malignant and 20 (54%) benign cases. Of the malignant category (17 cases), 11 (65%) were diagnosed as positive for adenocarcinoma, 4 (23%) as neuroendocrine tumor, 1 (6%) as solid pseudo-papillary neoplasm, and 1 (6%) as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The benign category (20 cases) included 5 (25%) cysts/pseudo-cysts, 8 (40%) non-specific pancreatitis, 4 (20%) granulomatous/tuberculous pancreatitis, 1 (5%) benign neoplasm, and 2 (10%) benign not otherwise specified, both were proven to be false-negative cases. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rate for the diagnosis of cancers were 74, 100, and 86%, respectively. No false-positive results were reported. All malignant cases showed characteristic cytomorphologic features that were sufficient for their diagnosis. Conclusion: EUS-FNA in adequate samples is an efficient and accurate modality in the diagnosis of pancreatic lesions. Applying immunohistochemical studies on cell-block preparation can facilitate the final, definitive, and specific diagnosis of some difficult pancreatic neoplasms.
Comparison of Self-Collected and Clinician-Collected Materials for Cervical Cytology and Human Papillomavirus Genotyping: Analysis by Linear Array Assay
Authors: Yoshida Tomomi , Sano Takaaki , Takada Nami , Kanuma Tatsuya , Inoue Hiroshi , Itoh Teruko , Yazaki Chiaki , Obara Mitsuo , Fukuda Toshio
Published: November 2010

Objective: This study compared the usefulness of self-collected (SC) and clinician-collected (CC) materials for cervical cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping. Study Design: Fifty women with previous positive cytology and who were undergoing regular checkups were included in the study. CC samples were collected using a Cervex-Brush Combi with liquid-based cytology. One month later, SC material was acquired using the Rovers Viba-brush vaginal sampler, and fixed at home. Thin-layer specimens were prepared from both samples and HPV status was analyzed using a linear array. Results: A total of 37/50 CC (74%) and 41/50 SC (82%) cases were positive for HPV. Pap tests identified high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 11 (22%) and seven (14%) patients, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 19 (38%) and 16 (32%), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance in 2 (4%) and 0 patients, and NILM (negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy) in 18 (36%) and 27 (54%) patients in the CC and SC groups, respectively. Conclusions: SC material had a lower positive cytology rate, but a higher HPV-positive rate than CC material. These results suggest that a combination of Pap and HPV tests on SC material may provide a diagnostic strategy with high sensitivity and specificity.
Thyroid Cytopathology: Bethesda and Beyond
Authors: Ali Syed Z.
Published: November 2010

Thyroid nodules are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Although the overwhelming majority of them turn out to be benign, the small subset of cancerous nodules needs to be accurately identified for optimal and timely surgical management. Fine-needle aspiration has proven to be the most valuable diagnostic modality for pre-operative distinction of benign from malignant nodules. The recently introduced and much anticipated Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) has standardized our diagnostic approach to reporting and cytomorphological criteria. TBSRTC has well-defined and rational management algorithms with implicit risk of malignancy in each of the 6 diagnostic categories. Recently published data supports the clinical utility and wide acceptance of TBSRTC by both practicing pathologists and clinicians. The problematic category of ‘indeterminate’ cytopathologic diagnoses has led to the discovery and development of unique and useful molecular markers, such as BRAF, which have displayed promising potential in recently published studies. As a result of the publication of TBSRTC, in 2009 the American Thyroid Association revised its clinical guidelines for the management of patients with thyroid disease and TBSRTC offers a useful source of information for the pathologist as well.
Les complétives en arabe classique: entre parataxe et hypotaxe
Authors: Ben Gharbia Abdeljabbar
Published: November 2010

Nous sommes parti dans cet article de la hiérarchie sémantique des différentes classes des verbes introducteurs de complétives propositionnelles, proposée par le linguiste cognitiviste Givón Talmy. Nous avons revu partiellement cette hiérarchie, notamment pour ce qui concerne le milieu et le bas de l’échelle de liage, et ce à partir des données de l’arabe classique1. Cette révision nous a permis de montrer que le liage sémantique est reflété par le degré d’intégration syntaxique, que l’emploi du muāri manūb (l’inaccompli subjonctif) après an est dû à sa valeur modale, qui permet de situer un processus dans la sphère subjective du possible et de l’éventuel. Cette étude nous a conduit enfin à nous intéresser aux particules an et anna, et à montrer qu’elles ne sont pas des connecteurs subordonnants, mais des opérateurs nominalisateurs qui permettent à un processus d’être conceptualisé comme un objet pour occuper les positions syntaxiques réservées d’ordinaire aux syntagmes nominaux dans une construction propositionnelle plus grande. Tous ces constats nous ont permis de revoir l’opposition entre parataxe et hypotaxe, et de considérer que la nominalisation des processus par le biais des particules an et anna représente un procédé intermédiaire de complexification.
Saints and Social Justice in Morocco: An Ethnographic Case of the Mythic Court of Sidi Šamharūš
Authors: Maarouf Mohammed
Published: November 2010

This ethnography of the saint protector of the High Atlas Sidi Šamharūš explores how Moroccan pilgrims use their own popular idioms of justice to understand and construct their relationship with saints and the political system they represent. Enduring the lack of justice in their social world, Moroccan subalterns go to saints to seek mythic justice. As maraboutic clients, they do not perceive social justice as part of the real world they belong to, that is as a human right to be struggled for or a principle pertinent to a ruling state that should be accountable to its citizens for the administration of justice. Instead, it is believed to be an occult gift that relates to the anonymous power of saints and spirits who possess the miracle to make it true. The cultural construction of justice as a sacred gift offered by saintly figures emanates from a form of licensed cultural therapeutic resistance constituting possession rituals and trance dances performed essentially by the poor to relieve their social world from tension and conflict; for them it is an escape to the miraculous to look for extraordinary solutions to ameliorate their social conditions.
“This Strange Disease”: Adolescent Transference and the Analyst’s sExual Orientation
Authors: Burton John K. , Gilmore Karen
Published: November 2010

The treatment of adolescents by gay analysts is uncharted territory regarding the impact of the analyst’s sexuality on the analytic process. Since a core challenge of adolescence involves the integration of the adult sexual body, gender role, and reproductive capacities into evolving identity, and since adolescents seek objects in their environment to facilitate both identity formation and the establishment of autonomy from primary objects, the analyst’s sexual orientation is arguably a potent influence on the outcome of adolescent development. However, because sexual orientation is a less visible characteristic of the analyst than gender, race, or age, for example, the line between reality and fantasy is less clearly demarcated. This brings up special considerations regarding discovery and disclosure in the treatment. To explore these issues, the case of a late adolescent girl in treatment with a gay male analyst is presented. In this treatment, the question of the analyst’s sexual orientation, and the demand by the patient for the analyst’s self-disclosure, became a transference nucleus around which the patient’s individual dynamics and adolescent dilemmas could be explored and clarified.
Micromeasurement of Cavity Lining, Using Ultraviolet and Reflected Light, and the Effect of the Liner on Marginal Penetration, Evaluated with Ca45
Authors: Dolven Robert C.
Published: November 2010

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

MESURATION DEL REVESTIMENTO DE CAVITATES CON LE UTILISATION DE LUMINE ULTRAVIOLETTE E RE- FLECTITE, E LE EFFECTO DEL REVESTIENTE SUPER LE PENETRATION MARGINAL EVALUTATE CON CA45.- Le spissitate del revestiente super le pariete del cavitate pareva esser relationate con le permeabilitate del dentina. Iste permeabilitate esseva rendite manifeste per le presentia del fluorescente revestiente de cavitates Copalite in le tubulos e per un oleosolubile colorante penetrative (un fraction naphthic) le qual, quando applicate a un secate superficie dental, se diffundeva prestemente usque al junction de dentina con adamante. Le constatationes revelava que tanto le etate del dente como etiam le textura superficial exerce un influentia super le penetration.
Citrate Synthase Activity in Periodontal Tissues
Authors: Honjo Kunio , Tsukamoto Yoshinobu , Nakamura Ryo , Tsunemitsu Akira , Matsumura Toshiharu
Published: November 2010

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

ACTIVITATE DE SYNTHASE DE CITRATO IN Tissu PERIODONTAL.—Con le utilisation del sensibile e convenibile essayo a fissura per ester thiolic, le activitate de synthase de citrato (EC 4.1.3.7; oxaloacetato-lyase de citrato) esseva determinate in le fractiones supematante de gingiva, osso alveolar, e altere tissus de porco de India. Cortice de femore, osso alveolar, gingiva, hepate, e ren possedeva approximativemente 1/60, 1/33, 1/24, 1/12, e 1/4, respectivemente, le activitate medie per mg de extrahite proteina cardiac. Le activitate exprimite a base de unitates de peso de tissu humide esseva etiam le plus alte pro le corde. Illo de osso alveolar e de gingiva esseva approximativemente 1/440 e 1/40, respectivemente, del correspondente valor trovate pro le corde.
Generation Cycle of Oral Epithelium in 400-Day-Old Mice
Authors: Toto Patrick D. , Dhawan Ajit S.
Published: November 2010

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

CYCLO GFNFRATORI DEL EPITHELIO ORAL IN MUSES DE 400 DIES DE ETATE.-Cinquanta-quatro muses C57 de 400 dies de etate esseva subjicite al injection de thymidina a tritium, e autoradiogrammas esseva preparate ab le lingua, le palato, e le mucosa buccal. Le distribution del frequentia de marcate figuras mitotic esseva determinate a base de specimens obtenite a intervallos de duo horas durante 100 horas post le administration de thymidina a tritium. Le stadios del cyclo generatori esseva: synthese de acido deoxyribonucleic-8 horas, G 2—20 minutas, tempore mitotic—40 minutas, e interphase—approximativemente 80 horas.