bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated care pathway for diabetes identified in pregnancy
Authors: Jeffrys Amanda , Webster Danny , Gardner Mary , Douek Isy , Fox Robert
Published: April 2010

We developed an integrated care pathway for diabetes identified in pregnancy largely based on National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) CG063 - Diabetes in Pregnancy (2008). As well as providing the integrated care pathway (ICP) for clinicians to consider using in their units, this article describes the process used, and the lessons learned, during the project. The ICP runs from the point of diagnosis to the early postnatal period. It covers glycaemic management, care of diabetic complications, obstetric care (antenatal and intrapartum), thromboprophylaxis and influenza vaccination. It is used by physicians, obstetricians, dieticians, specialist diabetes nurses and specialist midwives. An audit showed a high degree of compliance with a care bundle derived from NICE CG063 (2008). We felt that it systemized our clinical processes and reduced errors of omission. Alongside the production of the ICP, a patient information leaflet was written to support women in making choices during pregnancy and afterwards.
The use of survival analysis for clinical pathways
Authors: Kul Seval
Published: April 2010

Although clinical pathways have been popular for many years, predominant approaches to the analysis of pathways have been based on frequently used statistical methods (i.e. comparison of two groups with parametric and non-parametric tests). More discussions on using advanced statistical methods to analyse clinical pathway data and the statistical framework of clinical pathways are necessary. Survival analysis is one advanced statistical method, which is a collection of statistical procedures for data analysis for which the outcome variable of interest is time until an event occurs. Survival analysis can be used in many applied fields, such as medicine, biology, public health and epidemiology. Clinical pathways also produce data suitable for application to survival analysis when the primary variable of the research is time until the predefined event occurs. In this study, survival analysis and how it can be used to analyze clinical pathways are explained in the application of real pathway data.
Integrated care pathways - the touchstone of an integrated service delivery model for Ireland
Authors: Doocey A , Reddy W
Published: April 2010

While health-care reform across many developed countries includes the objective of achieving integrated health care as a key goal, there is no one delivery model available on which all systems can draw upon to support the achievement of integrated health care. The evidence to date highlights thateven in the most advanced health-care systems, there is a substantial gap between what is known to work and what is provided. This paper discusses the potential for integrated care pathways (ICPs) to contribute to the reform agenda in Ireland to achieve effective and sustainable integrated service delivery. There is significant evidence to suggest that ICPs can play a critical role in supporting this agenda but we must first understand if they are fit for purpose and what the critical factors are that underpin their success or failure.
What competencies are needed by operational managers in managing care pathways?
Authors: Verkerk-Geelhoed Jeannette , Van Zelm Ruben
Published: April 2010

Within the Belgian-Dutch Clinical Pathway Network, there is a need for research concerning the management of care pathways in care processes. The purpose of this research is to develop a list of required competencies for operational managers regarding the process management of care pathways by means of a literature review. A search in Pubmed/Medline, Embase and Cinahl was carried out between 2001 and 2006. Twenty-three articles were found and 10 of them were included. The study describes experiences of professionals, in relation to tasks and skills. These descriptions are compared and connected to the competencies according to the Schouten & Nelissen Competence Model. The results are combined in order to create competencies for the operational manager to manage care pathways. These factors can be influenced by managers if they have the appropriate competencies.
Kaizen and Stochastic Networks Support the Investigation of Aircraft Failures
Authors: Cohen Izack
Published: April 2010

Investigating the causes of aircraft failures and preventing their reoccurrence are crucial to achieving and maintaining a high flight safety level; technical failure-analysis teams usually perform these functions. We developed and applied a dual-phased process to improve the investigative procedures that these teams use. In the first phase we used a Kaizen method to reconstruct the investigation process. In the second phase we created a simulation model of the resulting stochastic processing network to evaluate alternative configurations. The results indicated a significant improvement in throughput time and investigation quality. In addition, this unique improvement process could be adapted for use by the many organizations that concurrently run several types of jobs (or projects) in a stochastic and dynamic environment.
A Review of Operations Research in Mine Planning
Authors: Newman Alexandra M. , Rubio Enrique , Caro Rodrigo , Weintraub Andrés , Eurek Kelly
Published: April 2010

Applications of operations research to mine planning date back to the 1960s. Since that time, optimization and simulation, in particular, have been applied to both surface and underground mine planning problems, including mine design, long- and short-term production scheduling, equipment selection, and dispatching, inter alia. In this paper, we review several decades of such literature with a particular emphasis on more recent work, suggestions for emerging areas, and highlights of successful industry applications.
Applied Materials Uses Operations Research to Design Its Service and Parts Network
Authors: Şen Alper , Bhatia Deepak , Doğan Koray
Published: April 2010

Applied Materials Inc. is the global leader in nanomanufacturing technology solutions. It has a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service, and software products and supports its customers worldwide with an extensive service and parts network with more than 100 locations. At the end of 2006, Applied Materials decided to evaluate and rationalize the design of its North American network. It set up a detailed optimization model (including 50,000 parts) to develop a network and distribution strategy. To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale multiechelon network-design model that incorporates safety stock inventory costs while considering the effects of lead time and risk pooling. The company used the model's recommendations to reduce costs while maintaining or improving its service to customers. The recommendations included simplifying the distribution network by consolidating depot locations for specific customers and skipping an echelon for others, thus leading to a projected inventory reduction of $10 million. The company is currently implementing these recommendations and has already eliminated five depots. Applied Materials estimates that during the first year of implementation, inventory reductions of $5.24 million and total savings of $1.1 million can be attributed to these network changes.
Optimizing Schedules for Maritime Humanitarian Cooperative Engagements from a United States Navy Sea Base
Authors: Salmerón Javier , Kline Jeffrey , Densham Greta Spitz
Published: April 2010

This paper introduces Global Fleet Station Mission Planner (GFSMP), an optimization tool to aid in mission planning and the scheduling of humanitarian assistance missions for the US Navy. GFSMP helps fleet staffs to examine how one naval ship, which was deployed for an extended period (e.g., six months), with embarked teams can best provide humanitarian assistance. We illustrate the application of GFSMP using notional data from the fall 2007 Gulf of Guinea African Partnership Station demonstration, which the Commander, US Naval Forces Europe–Commander, Sixth Fleet developed, and by its use in the Trident Warrior 2009 exercise, which the Commander of the US Second Fleet conducted. In contrast to manual planning GFSMP's solutions significantly improve total mission value achieved and reduce costs. Equally important, GFSMP quickly provides decision makers with courses of action, including partial rescheduling of existing plans, in response to exigent changes.

“Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.” William Penn, American colonial leader (1644–1718)
Gallbladder torsion presenting as chest pain
Authors: Ferguson Henry John Murray , Bhalerao Satish
Published: April 2010

While acute torsion of the gallbladder is an uncommon pathology, as this case demonstrates, it can present with sudden onset of chest pain, and must be borne in mind as a differential diagnosis in this patient demographic if early recognition and definitive management are to be made possible.
Amoebic-induced ileal stricturing: a case report
Authors: Ahmed Muneer
Published: April 2010

A case of small bowel obstruction resulting from amoebic-induced ileal stricturing is presented.
Pseudomonal breast infection
Authors: Harji DP , Rastall S , Catchpole C , Bright-Thomas R , Thrush S
Published: April 2010

Breast infection and breast sepsis secondary to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is uncommon. We report two cases of pseudomonal breast infection leading to septic shock and abscess formation in women with non-responding breast infection. The management of breast infection is broad-spectrum antibiotics and ultrasound with aspiration of any collection. To treat breast infection effectively, the causative organism must be isolated to enable appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) positive anal B cell lymphoma: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Siddique Khurram , Bhandari Santosh , Harinath Gandra
Published: April 2010

This case report is on a very rare case of giant anal canal ulcer with rectal prolapse causing total faecal incontinence. An elderly patient in her eighties presented to the emergency department with complaints of a mass protruding thorough anus along with fresh rectal bleeding. Examination revealed a large ulcer measuring 6 cm × 8 cm involving the entire anal canal with rectal prolapse. Here, we discuss the management of this patient with a rare cause of giant anal canal ulceration.
Primary mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the pancreas
Authors: Bu Xianmin , Dai Xianwei
Published: April 2010

Extraskeletal chondrosarcomas are rare and there is only one reported case of primary pancreatic chondrosarcoma. We report the case of a 34-year-old woman with a 6-month history of abdominal pain and distention. Radiological studies indicated a mass in the pancreas, and exploratory laparotomy revealed a tumour of the pancreas extending to the hepatic vessels and hepatoduodenal ligament. The mass was completely excised, and the histopathological diagnosis was primary mesenchymal pancreatic chondrosarcoma. Tumour recurred at follow-up 52 months postoperatively.
The genus Pseudo-nitzschia (Bacillariophyceae) in Greek coastal waters
Authors: Moschandreou Kimon K. , Nikolaidis Georgios
Published: April 2010

We conducted a first study of Pseudo-nitzschia species and their morphological variability in the main shellfish farming and harvesting areas of Greece between 2004 and 2008. Water samples were collected and preserved, and unialgal cultures of Pseudo-nitzschia species were established. Both preserved and culture material of 12 taxa were examined by transmission electron microscopy and included P. delicatissima, P. fraudulenta, P. galaxiae, P. mannii, P. multistriata, P. pseudodelicatissima, P. pungens, P. subfraudulenta, one morphospecies similar to P. dolorosa and one strain corresponding to a P. delicatissima-like morphotype (all new records for Greek coastal waters); in addition, we found two previously recorded species, viz., P. calliantha and P. multiseries. We present ultrastructural descriptions and morphometric data for the local populations studied.
The occurrence of Laurencia marilzae (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) in Brazil based on morphological and molecular data
Authors: Rocha-Jorge Renato , Cassano Valéria , Oliveira Mariana Cabral , Fujii Mutue Toyota
Published: April 2010

Laurencia marilzae is recorded for the first time from the western Atlantic Ocean; it was found in Laje de Santos Marine State Park, São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. The specimens were collected in the rocky subtidal zone from 7 to 15 m depth. The most distinctive characteristic of this species is the presence of corps en cerise in all cells of the thallus, including cortex, medulla, and trichoblasts. The phylogenetic position of the species was inferred by analysis of the chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene sequences from 43 taxa, using two other rhodomelacean taxa and two members of the Ceramiaceae as outgroups. Within the Laurencia assemblage, L. marilzae from Brazil and from the Canary Islands (type locality) formed a distinctive lineage sister to all other Laurencia species analyzed. Male plants are described for the first time. This study expands the geographical distribution of L. marilzae to the western Atlantic Ocean.
Restoration of Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows through seed propagation: germination in vitro, seedling culture and field transplants
Authors: Zarranz Maite E. , González-Henríquez Nieves , García-Jiménez Pilar , Robaina Rafael R.
Published: April 2010

Cymodocea nodosa, a marine angiosperm, an ecosystem engineer in the Mediterranean Sea and the Northwest Atlantic Ocean; however, as in other seagrasses meadows worldwide, the swards are actually declining due to increasing human pressures. Hence, we have developed an effective propagation methodology that provides C. nodosa seedlings for seagrass meadow restoration and conservation. This method consists of: i) germination of wild-collected seeds under hyposaline conditions, ii) acclimation of germinated seedling in tanks (1.6 m3) until there are two shoots per seedling (∼ 30 days), and iii) transplantation of acclimated seedlings to the field in dense groups. Our field outplants withstood herbivore activity and physical disturbance during the winter season, and propagated vegetatively, resulting in the spread and establishment of a new patch that has persisted for nine months.
Evaluation of a panel of circulating DNA, RNA and protein potential markers for pathologies of pregnancy
Authors: Galbiati Silvia , Causarano Vincenza , Pinzani Pamela , Francesca Salvianti , Orlando Claudio , Smid Maddalena , Pasi Federica , Castiglioni Maria T. , Cavoretto Paolo , Rovere-Querini Patrizia , Pedroni Silvia , Calza Stefano , Ferrari Maurizio , Cremonesi Laura
Published: April 2010

Background: Among markers of pregnancy complications, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA, long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) protein and fetal and total DNA had been reported to be increased in the plasma of women with overt preeclampsia (PE). We developed an optimized protocol to evaluate whether concentrations of CRH mRNA, PTX3 mRNA and protein, fetal and/or total DNA are increased in fetal growth restriction (FGR), and whether they predict complications of pregnancy.

Methods: The protocol included a preamplification step to enrich rare mRNA species. CRH and PTX3 mRNA, DNA and PTX3 protein were measured in the plasma of women with PE or FGR, in women at risk of developing these pathologies and in healthy women matched for gestational age.

Results:
CRH mRNA, fetal and/or total DNA and PTX3 protein were significantly increased in women with overt PE when compared to controls. Pregnant women who later developed PE or FGR during pregnancy showed total DNA levels that were significantly increased before the onset of both pathologies, while RNA markers were increased only in women who later developed PE.

Conclusions: Our protocol for plasma RNA quantification may allow for the extension of a panel of predictive markers to be investigated in larger patient cohorts.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:791–4.
Development and preparation of a new serum protein reference material: feasibility studies and processing
Authors: Zegers Ingrid , Schreiber Wiebke , Linstead Sarah , Lammers Manfred , McCusker Matthew , Muñoz Amalia , Itoh Yoshi , Merlini Giampaolo , Trapmann Stefanie , Emons Hendrik , Sheldon Joanna , Schimmel Heinz
Published: April 2010

Background: The availability of matrix reference materials is essential for the standardisation of (immuno)assays used to measure proteins. The reference material ERM-DA470 (previously called CRM470) certified in 1993 has led to a large degree of harmonisation of these assays. A new serum protein reference material has now been produced (ERM-DA470k). It is intended to replace ERM-DA470, and will additionally be certified for β2-microglobulin (B2M).

Methods: Serum from 390 healthy donors was pooled and processed so as to stabilise, delipidate and ‘maturate’ it. Purified C-reactive protein (CRP) and recombinant B2M were added. Pilot batches were produced to study the stability, homogeneity, and commutability of the material. On the basis of the results with the trial batches it was decided to proceed with the processing of the main batch of a candidate reference material.

Results: Two pilot batches were produced and the processed and spiked serum lyophilised after filling (1 mL). The B2M in the material was shown to be stable and commutable. For CRP, it was discovered that freeze-drying led to a decrease in measurable protein. The main batch of candidate reference material was produced and fulfilled the required criteria in terms of optical transparency, homogeneity and stability.

Conclusions: A new serum protein reference material has been produced with the properties required for a serum protein reference material for 14 proteins. An apparent loss of CRP of approximately 20% was observed upon freeze-drying of the material.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:805–13.
Effect of Permeant Water on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Exhumed GCLs
Authors: Scalia Joseph , Benson Craig H.
Published: April 2010

Hydraulic conductivity tests were performed on geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) exhumed from composite barriers (i.e., geomembrane over GCL) in four landfill covers using three dilute permeant waters: type II deionized water (DW), 0.01M CaCl2 (so called “standard water” (SW)), and a typical water having average characteristics of eluent from cover soils (“average water” (AW)). Depending on the exhumed state of the GCL, very different (up to four orders of magnitude) hydraulic conductivities were obtained with DW, AW, and SW. When macroscopic features were present in the GCL, similar hydraulic conductivities (1×10−9–2×10−7 m/s) were obtained with SW and AW, but lower hydraulic conductivities were obtained with DW (1×10−11–3×10−10 m/s). For GCLs without macroscopic features, much higher hydraulic conductivities were obtained with SW (1×10−9–2×10−7 m/s) than AW or DW (<2×10−11 m/s) if the exhumed GCL had lower water content (<46 %), whereas similar hydraulic conductivities (<5×10−11 m/s) were obtained with all three waters if the GCL had higher water content (>53 %). For GCLs with lower water contents, permeation with AW or DW had minimal effect on the composition of bound cations. In contrast, permeation with SW reduced the mole fraction of monovalent bound cations. These findings demonstrate that the chemistry of the permeant water can have a significant effect on the hydraulic conductivity of exhumed GCLs even when the permeant water is dilute. To simulate typical conditions, a solution containing 1.3 mM NaCl and 0.8 mM CaCl2 is recommended as the permeant water (73.8 mg of anhydrous NaCl and 87.0 mg of anhydrous CaCl2/L DW). A conservative assessment of hydraulic conductivity can be obtained using 0.3 mM NaCl and 1.9 mM CaCl2 (15.5 mg of anhydrous NaCl and 214.6 mg CaCl2/L DW).
Challenge of Analytical Characterization of Biofuels
Authors: Nadkarni R. A. Kishore
Published: April 2010

For a number of analytical tests required in the biodiesels or ethanol-fuel product specifications, the scope of these test methods does not include such alternative energy sources. Thus, it is not clear that these methods are applicable to biofuels without any modifications to take care of the different matrices. Examples are given where the modifications have been implemented in the test methods and other cases where such research and development work is still required before using the methods for biofuels.
Symposium zu: Günter Dux, Warum denn Gerechtigkeit. Die Logik des Kapitals. Die Politik im Widerstreit mit der Ökonomie
Authors: Berger Peter A. , Klärner Andreas , Vobruba Georg , Schmidt Volker H.
Published: April 2010

Günter Dux, Warum denn Gerechtigkeit. Die Logik des Kapitals. Die Politik im Widerstreit mit der Ökonomie. Weilerswist: Velbrück 2008.
"No insignificant creature": Thomas Hardy's Ethical Turn
Authors: Cohn Elisha
Published: April 2010

Elisha Cohn, "'No insignificant creature': Thomas Hardy's Ethical Turn" (pp. 494–520)

This essay examines the limitations of ethically motivated representations of animals in Victorian realism. As many critics have argued, evolutionary theory's challenge to human supremacy had the potential to alter radically literature's focus on individual subjectivity and social ideals. In particular, the new relevance of animals to human life threatened to deflate the human moral ideals. The treatment of animals in Victorian literature is rarely interpreted as exploring evolution's radically anti-humanist implications. More often, animals are thought to function as objects of sympathy in a larger project of constructing middle-class subjectivity. As i argue, it is important to account for the relationship between the sympathetic and the anti-humanist representation of animals in Victorian works. The changing role of animals in Thomas Hardy's works highlights the disconnect between the radical implications that critics see in evolutionist thought and the way in which animals in Victorian writings are usually construed as objects of sympathy. Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891) places these two approaches in conversation by shifting emphasis from a destabilizing lyricism associated with human-animal affinity to a more distanced narrative stance associated with human autonomy, sympathy, responsibility, and critique. Examining how Hardy grounds his ethically motivated expectations of stable human agency after having seemingly dispensed with them suggests the need for a distinction between a lyrical, evolutionist aesthetic and an ethical aesthetic. This approach also offers insight into the enabling conditions—and limitations—shaping sympathetic agency in defense of animal lives. In examining the intersections between Hardy's work and recent approaches to theories of animality, particularly those based on Gilles Deleuze's concept of becoming-animal, Tess helps us to rethink the theory, to understand why ethical claims require boundaries between species, and on what basis these boundaries can be legitimated.
A nyelv fejlődése - a fejlődés nyelve
Authors: Csépe Valéria
Published: April 2010

Egyre több adat utal arra, hogy az érés és fejlődés egymást
követő szakaszaiban eltérő a hallási és nyelvi környezetre mutatott érzékenység.A
nyelvi tapasztalat és az agyi érés, fejlődés kölcsönhatása legjobban az
idegtudomány különböző módszereivel ta__
A szorongás és a védekező magatartás kognitív neuropszichológiai mechanizmusai II.
Authors: Kállai János
Published: April 2010

A szorongásos zavarok biopszichológiai természetéről szóló
tudományos beszámolók megerősítik azt az álláspontot, miszerint a szorongás nem
a hibásan működő agy terméke, hanem olyan interperszonális kapcsolati zavar,
mely jelentősen befolyásolja azoknak az idegrendszeri hálózatoknak a működését,
melyek hozzásegítik a személyt a kellemes és a ke__
Az „egészséghit-modell” magyarországi vizsgálata intravénás droghasználók körében
Authors: Márványkövi Ferenc , Melles Katalin , Rácz József
Published: April 2010

Az intravénás droghasználatból
fakadó eszköz- és tűmegosztás komoly közegészségügyi következményeket von maga
után. Az egészséghit-modell az előbbiekkel kapcsolatos preventív viselkedés
leírására alkalmas: Apreventív viselkedés tekintetében racionális döntést
feltételez a kockázatos viselkedést folytatók részéről.Vizsgálatunkban e modell
használhatóságát tanulmányoztuk magyarországi injekciós droghasználók körében.
121 „utcai”, azaz nem kezelt injekciós droghasználóval készült strukturált
interjú, amely a megkérdezettek szociodemográfiai jellemzői mellett injekciós
és szexuális kockázati viselkedéseit, valamint az egészséghit-modell
összetevőit vizsgálta: a kockázatnak való fogékonyságot, sebezhetőséget, a
kockázat súlyosságát, a preventív viselkedés akadályát és előnyeit, valamint az
„én­hatékonyságot” tartalmazták. Az eredmények szerint az egészséghit-modell
három dimenziója (én­haté­kony­ság, a kockázatirántiészlelt fogékonyság, a preventív
viselkedés kivitelezésének nehézsége), valamintahasznált drogok számavolt összefüggésbe hozhatóa_s
Az autizmusban jelentkező repetitív viselkedések egy lehetséges új funkciója
Authors: Németh Georgina
Published: April 2010

A repetitív
viselkedések több neurológiai, pszichiátriai diagnózisú betegség és különböző
fejlődési zavarok esetén is megjelennek, ám bizonyos fajtái kimondottan
autizmusspecifikusnak tekinthetők. Egyes elméletek –a neurológiai, biokémiai
deficitből fakadó –mechanizmusok viselkedéses következményének tekintik ezeket,
mások különb__
Interjú a 60 éves László Jánossal
Authors: Fülöp Márta
Published: April 2010

Prof. dr. László János a Magyar Tudományos Akadémia
Pszichológiai Intézetének tudományos tanácsadója, a Pécsi Tudományegyetem
Pszichológiai Intézetének igazgatója, az egyetem Pszichol__
Könyvismertetések
Authors: Kállai János , Takács Endre , Pléh Csaba , Tófalvy Tamás
Published: April 2010

GyöngyösiKissEnikő–OláhAttila(szerk.):

Vázlatok a személyiségről. A személyiség-lélektan
alapvető irányzatainak tükrében
(Kállai János) 381GeoffreyMiller:
A párválasztó agy. A párválasztás szerepe
az emberi agy evolúciójában
(Takács Endre)    384Block, Ned:
Consciousness,
function, and representation. Collected papers. Vol. 1
(Pléh Csaba)  388CsibraGergely–GergelyGyörgy(szerk.):
Ember és
kultúra. A kulturális tudás eredete és átadásának mechanizmusai
(Tófalvy
Tamás)     390s
A turócszentmártoni Szent Márton-templom késő reneszánsz és barokk funerális emlékei (16–17. század)
Authors: Ludiková Zuzana , Mikó Árpád , Pálffy Géza
Published: April 2010

The parish church of Turócszentmárton (Martin, Slovakia) was the main burial place of the Szklabinya and Blatnica lines of the Révay family in the 16–17th centuries. The members of the Hungarian aristocratic family who were buried here were the hereditary holders of the ispán's and chief ispán's offices in Turóc county (lat. perpetuus et supremus comes comitatus Turociensis). Few original funerary monuments survive in the church: there is a single figural tombstone (Ferenc Révay I, †1553) and a painted and gilded funeral coat of arms (Pál Révay I, †1635). The funeral arms of crown guard Péter Révay (†1622) is only known from archive photos, and the only information about the funeral banners is gleaned from collections of inscriptions especially from a collection discovered in the last time in the manuscriptcollection of the University Library in Bratislava. Ferenc Révay's effigy in relief shown in secular attire is rare in the sepulchral art of the Hungarian Kingdom (two analogies are propalatine i.e. a chief justice of the Hungarian Kingdom, Imre Czobor of Czoborszentmihály's tombstone [†1581] in Sasvár [Šaštín] and László Kubinyi's [†1598] in Galánta [Galanta]), but the funeral coats of arms fit in well with pieces found in Nagyszombat (Trnava), Lőcse (Levoča), Csetnek (Štítnik), etc.
“Gyöngyházbúl való pelikán forma…” Rákóczi László csészéje Hamburgban
Authors: Grotte András
Published: April 2010

The mother-of-pearl cup in a silver mount with a lid adorned with a pelican was first mentioned in the 1704 inventory of the properties of Erzsébet Rákóczi (1645–1707). Presumably inherited from her father László Rákóczi, the goldsmith's object passed to the treasury of the Pálffy family after Erzsébet's death, in 1713, only to disappear from the sources for centuries. In 1907 it was published und sold together with the collection of architect Kálmán Giergl, then it appeared in Germany in 1956. Since 1957 it has been preserved in the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg. The type of vessel, technique and style allow the assumption that the cup was made in West Europe, perhaps England or the Low Countries around 1630, originally with another lid ornament. It probably came to Hungary via the wedding of Zsigmond Rákóczi and Henriette of Pfalz in 1651. After the early death of the spouses, probably Zsigmond Rákóczi's mother Zsuzsanna Lórántffy had the pelican created for the cup and gave it as a nuptial present to her nephew László Rákóczi when he married Calvinist Erzsébet Bánffy in 1654.
Pyoderma gangrenosum treated successfully with visilizumab in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Lőrincz Magdolna , Kleszky Miklós , Szalóki Jr. Tibor , Szalóki Tibor
Published: April 2010

A pyoderma gangraenosum a legismertebb IBD-vel asszociált bőrbetegség, leggyakrabban az IBD aktív fázisában alakul ki. A visilizumab (Nuvion, PDL Bio Pharma, Amerikai Egyesült Államok) egy IgG2 típusú monoklonális antitest, amely a T-lymphocyták felszíni CD3 receptorának epszilon-láncához kötődik, csökkenti a perifériás vérben lévő nyugvó T-sejteken a CXCR-3-mediált kemotaxist, valamint az aktivált T-sejtek gyors apoptózisát idézi elő.
Esetismertetés:
a 40 éves férfi beteget az utóbbi közel 20 évben több mint 30 alkalommal kezelték bőrgyógyászaton ekzemának, illetve mycosisnak vélt alsó végtagi bőrelváltozások miatt. 1996 óta ismert colitis ulcerosája. Orális vagy szisztémás szteroidkezelésben 1997 óta részesül, amelynek az évek során számos szövődménye alakult ki. A pyoderma gangraenosum diagnózisát 2005-ben állították fel. 2006-ban a beteg egy gyógyszervizsgálatban vett részt, amelynek során két alkalommal 375 mcg visilizumabot kapott (5 mcg/ttkg) intravénásan. Hat hónappal a kezelés után a bőrelváltozások csaknem teljesen behámosodtak. Pyodermás bőrtünetek azóta sem jelentkeztek.
Következtetés:
az eset alapján felmerül, hogy a pyoderma gangraenosum etiológiájában kóros T-sejt-válasz játszhat szerepet. Súlyos colitis ulcerosa kezelésében a visilizumab nem váltotta be a hozzá fűzött reményeket, azonban a pyoderma gangraenosum esetében egy új terápiás lehetőséget jelenthet.
Chronic venous disease. A state of art
Authors: Sándor Tamás
Published: April 2010

Az európai lakosság egyharmadát érintő krónikus vénás betegségnek jelentős társadalmi, gazdasági kihatása van. Egyre inkább bizonyítható, hogy a vénafal strukturális átépülését két tényező okozza: a nagy vénás nyomás következtében létrejött áramlási zavar és egy progresszív gyulladásos láncreakció. A mikrocirkulációban a „fehérvérsejtcsapda” és a leukocyta-endothel interakció vezet bőrelváltozásokhoz, lábszárfekélyhez. A CEAP-osztályozás teszi lehetővé az egész világon a betegség egységes értelmezését, az egyes osztályok leírását. A gyakorló orvos számára a duplex scan ad értékes segítséget a pontos diagnózis felállításához, a kezelés irányításához. Ez az ultrahangvizsgálat számos, hasznos információt ad az alsó végtag vénás rendszeréről, kimutatja a reflux jelenlétét és helyét, a proximalis vénák esetleges elzáródását. A kezelés lehetőségei: konzervatív bázisterápia – beleértve a kompressziót, venoaktív gyógyszereket, vénás tornát, tanácsadást és gondozást –, a műtéti kezelés és a szklerotizáció. Világszerte gyorsan terjednek az új, ígéretes terápiás módszerek: a rádiófrekvenciával vagy lézerrel végzett endovénás beavatkozások és a habszkleroterápia.
Quantum Simulation of C-V and I-V Characteristics in Ge and III-V Materials/High-κ MOS Devices
Authors: Moreau Mathieu , Munteanu Daniela , Autran Jean-Luc , Bellenger Florence , Mitard Jérome , Houssa Michel
Published: April 2010

We present a one-dimensional simulation study of the capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics in MOS devices with high mobility semiconductors (Ge and III-V materials) and non-conventional gate stack with high-κ dielectrics. The C-V quantum simulation code self-consistently solves the Schrödinger and Poisson equations and the electron transport through the gate stack is computed using the non-equilibrium Green’s function formalism (NEGF). Simulated C-V characteristics are successfully confronted to experimental data for various MOS structures with different semiconductors and dielectric stacks. Simulation of I-V characteristics reveals that gate leakage current strongly depends on gate stacks and substrate materials and predicts low leakage current for future CMOS devices with high mobility materials and high-κ dielectrics.
Dosimetric Assessment of Mono-Crystalline CVD Diamonds Exposed to Beta and Ultraviolet Radiation
Authors: Pedroza-Montero Martín , Meléndrez-Amavizca Rodrigo , Preciado-Flores Sandra , Chernov Valery , Barboza-Flores Marcelino
Published: April 2010

Polycrystalline and mono-crystalline CVD diamonds have been investigated in relation to radiation dosimetry applications. In this work we report results on the thermoluminescence (TL), afterglow (AG) and dosimetric performance on two mono-crystalline CVD diamonds containing boron and silicon as doping materials. The samples were exposed to beta (Sr90/Y90) in the dose range of 0.07-8.26 Gy and UV light in the range of 200-400 nm, followed in both cases, by TL and AG read-outs. The boron doped sample exhibited one main TL peak at 130 °C and some overlapped peaks around 250 °C and the silicon doped samples exhibited two TL peaks around 148 and 286 °C after the crystals were subjected to beta radiation. UV radiation exposed samples showed two main TL peaks around 139 oC for boron doped, with overlapped components in the high temperature side, and at 220 and 355 oC for silicon doped samples. The integrated TL and AG intensities reached saturation around to 3.0 and 1.0 Gy in boron and silicon doped samples, respectively. The AG signal from boron doped samples reached saturation for around 60 s of 230 nm UV light irradiation and the silicon doped sample showed a linear response up to 10 minutes of 300 nm UV exposure with no apparent saturation for higher irradiation times. The TL/AG behavior of the present CVD diamond indicates the promising applications of these materials as TL/AG dosimeter for ionizing and UV radiation.
General Active Quality Factor Control of Electromechanical Quartz Resonator
Authors: Jahng Junghoon , Lee Manhee , Jhe Wonho
Published: April 2010

We present generalized theoretical analysis and experimental realization of active quality factor control for the self-oscillating quartz tuning-fork (QTF). The quality factor Q and resonance frequency can be controlled by adding a phase shifted signal of proper gain with respect to the QTF motion. It is demonstrated that the analysis of QTF can be extended to other quartz resonators which are analyzed by an equivalent circuit-a combination of a parallel circuit of an harmonic L-R-C and a stray capacitance C0. Finally, we suggest the prospect of several applications by using the active Q control of QTF such as increasing force sensitivity, reducing scanning time in scanning probe microscopy, and feedback cooling of electromechanical resonator.
Zn Doped Nanocrystalline CuCl Thin Films for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: K.Vijayaraghavan Rajani , Olabanji Lucas F , Alam Md. Monjarul , Daniels Stephen , J. McNally Patrick
Published: April 2010

We report on the use of Zn as an n-type dopant in CuCl thin films for optoelectronic applications, wherein maximum n-type doping of the order of 1018 cm -3 has been achieved. Zn doped nanocrystalline CuCl thin films are successfully deposited on glass and Si substrates by pulsed dc magnetron sputtering. Structural and morphological properties are investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), respectively. The conductivity of the CuCl:Zn films is examined using the four point probe technique. An order of magnitude increase in the conductivity of CuCl, by the doping with Zn is reported herein. The doped CuCl films display strong room temperature cathodoluminescence (CL) at λ˜ 385nm, which is similar to that of the undoped films. Hall Effect measurements show an n-type conductivity of the doped films.
Defect Photoluminescence of TiO2 Nanotubes
Authors: McHale Jeanne Louise , Mercado Candy C.
Published: April 2010

Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy of nanocrystalline TiO2 using ultraviolet light excitation reveals a range of intra-bandgap defect states which emit at visible wavelengths. In this study we use 350 nm excitation to probe the luminescent defect states of TiO2 nanotubes fabricated by anodization of titanium. The nanotubes show a broad visible luminescence from 450 to 700 nm with a peak at 520-550 nm or 2.4-2.3 eV. The intensity of nanotube PL is orders of magnitude lower than that of nanoparticulate anatase and P25 (mixed-phase anatase/rutile) films of comparable thickness. Similar to the PL of the nanoparticles, the nanotube PL is increased by vacuum annealing. The nature of the nanotube defects is investigated through shifts in the intensity and shape of the PL spectra in hole or electron scavenging environments. We find the PL intensity of the nanotubes to be less dependent on environment than that of conventional TiO2 nanoparticles. We conclude that there are two inter-related reasons for decreased intensity and decreased environmental dependence of PL from TiO2 nanotubes as compared to nanoparticles: decreased density of defect states and improved carrier transport.
A and B mode ultrasonography in preoperative evaluation of lens and posterior segment of dogs eyes with cataract
Authors: Martins Bianca C. , Rodrigues Jr Emilio F. , Souza Ana L.G. , Almeida Denise E. , Brito Fábio L.C. , Canola Júlio C. , Brooks Dennis , Laus José L.
Published: April 2010

Ultrasonography of the lens and posterior segment is an indispensable step in the preoperative evaluation of dogs with cataracts, since ophthalmoscopy is not feasible when there is opacification of the lens. This study evaluated the echographic conditions of cataractous lens and fundus of the eye in dogs affected by cataracts. The study was conducted in 30 dogs (56 eyes), 10 males and 20 females, with different types of cataracts at different stages of development. Echography in A and B modes, simultaneously, was carried out for the examination of the lens and posterior segment. The examinations revealed anterior cortical, posterior cortical and nuclear cataract in 12 eyes (21.4%), anterior cortical, posterior cortical, nuclear and posterior capsular in 23 eyes (41%), anterior cortical, posterior cortical and posterior capsular cataract in one eye (1.7%), anterior cortical and nuclear cataract in one eye (1.7%), anterior cortical, nuclear and posterior capsular cataract in five eyes (8.9%), and anterior cortical cataract in seven eyes (12.5%). Abnormal ultrasonographic alterations were observed in the posterior segment in 26 eyes evaluated (46.4%). Vitreal degeneration was detected in 12 eyes (21.4%), images of vitreal exudate or hemorrhage in seven eyes (12.5%), persistence of hyaloid artery in four eyes (7.1%) and lens subluxation in three eyes (5.3%). The results obtained reiterate the importance of ultrasonography in canine patients presented for cataract surgery given that alterations of the posterior segment are difficult to identify in a clinical examination when the lens is opacified.
Lufenuron no tratamento da dermatofitose em gatos?
Authors: Ramadinha Regina R. , Reis Romeika K. , Campos Sergio G. , Ribeiro Sabrina S. , Peixoto Paulo V.
Published: April 2010

Em função de controvérsias sobre a eficácia do lufenuron no tratamento da dermatofitose causada por Microsporum canis, o efeito da droga foi avaliado em 46 gatos (30 com lesões cutâneas e 16 portadores assintomáticos) atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. O diagnóstico foi estabelecido através da lâmpada de Wood, da cultura fúngica e, adicionalmente, na maioria dos animais sintomáticos, pela avaliação histopatológica da pele. Os animais foram tratados com 120mg/kg de lufenuron, a cada 21 dias (quatro doses); a droga mostrou-se eficaz no tratamento de 29 dos 30 felinos que apresentaram a forma clínica da dermatofitose, bem como no de todos os animais assintomáticos. O único felino que não teve cura clínica completa havia recebido várias doses de dexametasona antes do inicio do tratamento. Em um animal gestante, foram utilizadas duas doses do lufenuron e não foi observada qualquer alteração clínica e morfológica nos filhotes. Nenhum dos animais tratados teve qualquer reação adversa ao medicamento. Vinte dias após o último tratamento, o exame micológico resultou negativo em 45 dos felinos estudados (98%). Embora o lufenuron tenha o custo um pouco mais elevado do que o do cetoconazol, é uma droga que apresenta praticidade e margem de segurança bem maiores. Vale ressaltar que o sucesso do tratamento está diretamente relacionado à correta utilização da droga, assim como a perfeita higienização do ambiente e dos utensílios dos animais.
Canine distemper virus detection in asymptomatic and non vaccinated dogs
Authors: Del Puerto Helen L. , Vasconcelos Anilton C. , Moro Luciana , Alves Fabiana , Braz Gissandra F. , Martins Almir S.
Published: April 2010

A quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed canine distemper virus presence in peripheral blood samples from asymptomatic and non vaccinated dogs. Samples from eleven domestic dogs with no signs of canine distemper and not vaccinated at the month of collection were used. Canine distemper virus vaccine samples in VERO cells were used as positive controls. RNA was isolated with Trizol®, and treated with a TURBO DNA-free kit. Primers were designed for canine distemper virus nucleocapsid protein coding region fragment amplification (84 bp). Canine b-actin (93 bp) was utilized as the endogenous control for normalization. Quantitative results of real time PCR generated by ABI Prism 7000 SDS Software showed that 54.5% of dogs with asymptomatic canine distemper were positive for canine distemper virus. Dissociation curves confirmed the specificity of the real time PCR fragments. This technique could detect even a few copies of viral RNA and identificate subclinically infected dogs providing accurate diagnosis of this disease at an early stage.
Risk factors and presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in dogs from the coast of São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: Silva Rodrigo Costa da , Souza Luiz Carlos de , Langoni Hélio , Tanaka Erika Maemi , Lima Vanessa Yuri de , Silva Aristeu Vieira da
Published: April 2010

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii and affects warm-blooded vertebrates, including pets and man. Dogs are epidemio-logically important since they act as sentinels for the infection in humans. The present study aimed to determine the presence of antibodies to T. gondii in 205 serum samples from dogs in Ubatuba, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, through indirect immunofluorescence reaction (IFAT), as well as the risk factors related to toxoplasmosis in the animals such as breed, age, sex, access to outdoors, homemade food ingestion, access to untreated water, and contact with rodents. Toxoplasmosis-positive samples accounted for 52/205 (25.4%), with titers ranging from 16 to 256. The serological results presented significant association (P<0.05) with homemade food ingestion (45/118; 38.1%; CI95% 29.9%-47.2%) (OR=7.0; CI95% 3.0-16.6), and with access to outdoors where those that do not have access to the street were prevalent (37/121; 30.6%; CI95% 23.1%-39.3%) (OR=0.5; CI95% 0.2-1.0). These results show that toxoplasmosis in this region is related to problems of sanitary education, mainly concerning the appropriate cooking of foods, since most positive animals did not show significant association with the presence of rodents or untreated water consumption but showed, instead association with ingestion of homemade food. Thus, toxoplasmosis is a public health problem in the studied region, and sanitary measures are needed to control the infection due to the strict relationship between man and dog and the presented risk factors
Effects of weight loss on the cardiac parameters of obese dogs
Authors: Neto Gláucia B.P. , Brunetto Márcio A. , Sousa Marlos G. , Carciofi Aulus C. , Camacho Aparecido A.
Published: April 2010

Obesity is one of the most frequent nutritional problems in companion animals and can lead to severe health problems in dogs and cats, such as cardiovascular diseases. This research aimed to evaluate the structural and functional cardiac changes after weight loss in obese dogs. Eighteen obese healthy dogs were assigned into three different groups, according with their initial body weight: Group I (dogs up to 15 kg), Group II (dogs weighing between 15.1 and 30 kg), and Group III (dogs weighing over 30 kg). The animals were submitted to a caloric restriction weight-loss program until they lose 15% of the body weight. The M-mode echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and blood pressure evaluations were performed before the diet has started and after the dogs have reached the target weight. Data showed a decrease in left ventricular free wall thickness during diastole and systole in Group III, decrease in the systolic blood pressure in Group III, and also in the mean blood pressure in Group II. It was possible to conclude that the weight loss program can reverse structural cardiac changes such as left ventricle eccentric hypertrophy in dogs weighing more than 30 kg, and decrease the arterial blood pressure in obese dogs.
Subluxação atlantoaxial em 14 cães (2003-2008)
Authors: Beckmann Diego V. , Mazzanti Alexandre , Santini Giancarlo , Santos Rosmarini P. , Festugato Rafael , Pelizzari Charles R. , Polidoro Neto Dakir , Baumhardt Raquel
Published: April 2010

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um estudo retrospectivo dos casos de subluxação atlantoaxial em cães, por meio de consulta dos registros neurológicos do Hospital Veterinário Universitário (HVU), entre os anos de 2003 e 2008. Foram identificados a raça, o sexo, a idade, a etiologia, os sinais neurológicos, a duração dos sinais clínicos, o tratamento empregado, a resposta ao tratamento, o tempo de recuperação, a recidiva e a relação entre a duração dos sinais clínicos e a recuperação pós-operatória. Foram feitos o diagnóstico de subluxação atlantoaxial em 14 cães, sendo as raças Poodle (35,7%), Pinscher (21,4%) e Yorkshire Terrier (21,4%) as mais acometidas e a maioria (92,8%) com idade inferior a 24 meses. A principal causa da instabilidade foi a agenesia do processo odontoide do áxis (71,4%) e os sinais clínicos variaram desde hiperestesia cervical até tetraparesia não ambulatória. O tratamento predominante foi o cirúrgico, que demonstrou ser eficaz com recuperação satisfatória em 90% dos casos e menor possibilidade de recidiva, quando comparado ao trata,mento clínico. O tempo de recuperação predominante foi de 30-60 dias após a cirurgia, não existindo relação deste com a duração dos sinais clínicos.