bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation ofChineseHealthLiteracyScale forDiabetes
Authors: Leung Angela YM , Lou Vivian WQ , Cheung Mike KT , Chan Sophia SC , Chi Iris
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectives

To develop and to test the psychometric properties of theChineseHealthLiteracyScale forDiabetes.

Background

Patients with diabetes encounter many challenges when making health decisions in their daily lives, as they have access to many different kinds of health information. Health literacy issues are new topics inChinese society. Without a valid and reliable instrument inChinese, it is difficult to measure the level of health literacy and promote the concept of health literacy inChinese societies.

Design

A methodological study with a sample of 137 patients with type 2 diabetes aged 65 years or older.

Method

ChineseHealthLiteracyScale forDiabetes was developed with reference to the revised Bloom's taxonomy model. Psychometric tests (content validity, item analysis, construct validity, discriminative ability and test–retest reliability) were conducted. Correlations betweenChineseHealthLiteracyScale forDiabetes and four relevant measures were tested.Cronbach's alpha and alpha if item deleted were calculated to assess internal consistency.

Results

Cronbach's alpha forChineseHealthLiteracyScale forDiabetes and its four subscales (remembering, understanding, applying and analysing) were 0·884, 0·885, 0·667, 0·654 and 0·717, respectively. TheChineseHealthLiteracyScale forDiabetes was significantly correlated with theDiabeticKnowledgeScale (r = 0·398,p < 0·001), theDiabeticManagementSelf‐EfficacyScale (r = 0·257,p < 0·001), thePreschool andPrimaryChineseLiteracyScale (r = 0·822,p < 0·001) and theChineseValue ofLearningScale (r = 0·303,p < 0·001). It took an average of seven minutes to complete this 34‐item instrument.

Conclusion

The findings of this study support theChineseHealthLiteracyScale forDiabetes as a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the health literacy ofChinese patients with diabetes.

Relevance to clinical practice

We recommend that clinicians use this tool to assess patients' health literacy before conducting any kind of health promotion.
Migration of the Talented: Can Europe Catch Up with the U.S.?
Authors: MECHTENBERG LYDIA , STRAUSZ ROLAND
Published: November 2012

We develop a model to analyze migration of highly talented individuals within and into Europe. First, we show that if transferability of human capital is endogenous, i.e., if high migration flows and high human capital transferability are mutually interdependent, Europe might be trapped in a low‐migration equilibrium. Second, we show that high mobility within a Federation is necessary to attract highly talented immigrants into the Federation. We study in how far and in what way the European public policy behind the Bologna and the Lisbon Process can contribute to higher mobility in Europe.
Nighttime sleep characteristics of hospitalized school‐age children with cancer
Authors: Linder Lauri A. , Christian Becky J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe group and individual characteristics of nighttime sleep–wake patterns among school‐age children with cancer receiving inpatient chemotherapy.

Design and Methods

This multiple‐case study used wrist actigraphs and sleep diaries to measure sleep for three nights in 15 children with cancer.

Results

Nighttime sleep was less than that required for healthy school‐age children and was marked by frequent awakenings. Individual variation in sleep characteristics was evident.

Practice Implications

Interventions to promote nighttime sleep in the hospital include system‐based and individualized efforts to minimize disruptions and support children's home sleep routines.
Stochastic and deterministic processes regulate spatio‐temporal variation in seed bank diversity
Authors: Royo Alejandro A. , Ristau Todd E.
Published: November 2012

Question

Seed banks often serve as reservoirs of taxonomic and genetic diversity that buffer plant populations and influence post‐disturbance vegetation trajectories; yet evaluating their importance requires understanding how their composition varies within and across spatial and temporal scales (α‐ and β‐diversity). Shifts in seed bank diversity are strongly governed by the deterministic role of differential seed longevities. Nevertheless, spatio‐temporal variability in propagule depletion from and recruitment into seed banks may alter both α‐ and β‐diversity. Here, we ask to what degree deterministic seed exhaustion, stochasticity in recruitment and mortality, or both, shape α‐ and β‐diversity?

Location

Temperate hardwood forest stands of varying ages in northernPennsylvania,USA.

Methods

We surveyed the seed bank and herbaceous vegetation communities at 39 sites and examined whether the species richness, abundance and composition of either community differs among and within sites of increasing age ranging from 43 to 106 yr old. We explored how α‐diversity (species richness) and abundance (percentage cover, seed density) varied across the chronosequence age using regression analyses. We analysed differences in β‐diversity (community composition) using permutational multivariate analyses (i.e.PERMANOVA,PERMDISP). Finally, we tested whether community composition of the herbaceous layer and seed bank communities exhibited nestedness, where nestedness refers to the degree to which less species‐rich sites are a non‐random subset of more species‐rich sites.

Results

We found seed bank α‐diversity and abundance consistently declined across a gradient of increasingly older sites. Moreover, nestedness analyses indicated species composition at older sites represented a subset of the species found at younger sites characterized by species with persistent seeds. Nevertheless, seed bank communities demonstrated divergent compositional trajectories, whereby older sites were increasingly dissimilar, not only from younger sites, but also from each other.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that even in assemblages strongly structured by deterministic forces, such as seed banks, minor stochastic differences in colonization and extinction events may increase β‐diversity over time. Therefore, we argue deterministic and stochastic processes are complementary factors governing post‐disturbance turnover in species assemblages, and suggest that seed banks contribute to species‘ persistence and overall forest community diversity across space and time.
Eye tracking infants: Investigating the role of attention during learning on recognition memory
Authors: TAYLOR GEMMA , HERBERT JANE S.
Published: November 2012

Taylor, G. & Herbert, J.S. (2013). Eye tracking infants: Investigating the role of attention during learning on recognition memory. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 54, 14–19.

In the present study, eye tracker methodology was used to explore whether there were age‐related changes in the focus of infant attention during a learning event and subsequent recognition memory for event features. Six‐ and 9‐month old infants watched a video of an adult demonstrating a sequence of actions with an object while visual attention was recorded using an eye tracker. At both ages, attention was focused primarily on the object and person, with the background attended to for approximately 12% of their viewing time. Recognition memory for the person, object and background from the video was assessed immediately using a Visual Paired Comparison procedure. Despite focusing on the central features while watching the target video, infants showed only limited evidence of recognition memory for the individual components of the event. Taken together, these findings suggest that the early age‐related changes in memory performance seen in the literature may not be the result of age‐related changes in attentional focus during encoding.
Bullying in work groups: The impact of leadership
Authors: NIELSEN MORTEN BIRKELAND
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study is to examine whether and how laissez‐faire, transformational, and authentic leadership styles are related to the occurrence of bullying in work groups. It is hypothesized that the investigated leadership styles have direct associations, as well as indirect associations through group cohesion and safety perceptions, with indicators of bullying among subordinates. Using a cross‐sectional survey design, the variables were assessed in a randomly selected sample comprising 594 seafarers from two Norwegian shipping companies. Laissez‐faire leadership was associated with an increased risk of exposure to bullying behavior, self‐labeled victimization from bullying, and perpetrated bullying. Transformational leadership and authentic leadership were related to decreased risk of exposure to bullying behavior. Authentic leadership contributed to the variance in bullying beyond laissez‐faire and transformational leadership. Analyses of indirect effects showed that the association between transformational leadership and bullying was fully mediated through safety perceptions, whereas a partial indirect association through safety perceptions was found for authentic leadership. This study makes a significant contribution to the literature by providing evidence for how leadership styles predict workplace bullying. The findings highlight the importance of recruiting, developing, and training leaders who promote both positive psychological capacities and positive perceptions among their subordinates.
Thermal cautery of the canine third eyelid for treatment of cartilage eversion
Authors: Allbaugh Rachel A. , Stuhr Charles M.
Published: November 2012

Objective

To present a novel, minimally invasive technique for everted third eyelid cartilage correction in dogs that employs the use of low‐energy cautery to remodel the cartilage.

Procedures

Twelve eyes of ten dogs had cautery performed under general anesthesia to correct everted third eyelid cartilage. The tip of a handheld cautery unit or an electrocautery handpiece was applied to the bulbar conjunctival surface of the third eyelid at the central location of cartilage convexity and treated to effect. This resulted in gradual conjunctival contraction and cartilage softening that remodeled the third eyelid to return to a more normal, physiologic position. When the tips of the cartilage bar were also curled, cautery was briefly applied to the convex surface to straighten the cartilage in a similar manner.

Results

Blanching of the conjunctiva at the site of treatment occurred. Char was sometimes present and was gently removed with a scalpel blade to improve postoperative patient comfort. Mild conjunctival hyperemia was noted in a few patients for 1–2 days after surgery, but there were no signs of discomfort or eyelid swelling. All dogs had good results in terms of cartilage correction with no recurrence; however, one of the Great Danes that had concurrent third eyelid gland prolapse required gland replacement surgery.

Conclusions

Thermal cautery is a simple, inexpensive means of correcting third eyelid cartilage eversion in dogs with a high rate of success that preserves normal tissue while restoring function.
Synchronization and desynchronization in epilepsy: controversies and hypotheses
Authors: Jiruska Premysl , de Curtis Marco , Jefferys John G. R. , Schevon Catherine A. , Schiff Steven J. , Schindler Kaspar
Published: November 2012

Abstract Epilepsy has been historically seen as a functional brain disorder associated with excessive synchronization of large neuronal populations leading to a hypersynchronous state. Recent evidence showed that epileptiform phenomena, particularly seizures, result from complex interactions between neuronal networks characterized by heterogeneity of neuronal firing and dynamical evolution of synchronization. Desynchronization is often observed preceding seizures or during their early stages; in contrast, high levels of synchronization observed towards the end of seizures may facilitate termination. In this review we discuss cellular and network mechanisms responsible for such complex changes in synchronization. Recent work has identified cell‐type‐specific inhibitory and excitatory interactions, the dichotomy between neuronal firing and the non‐local measurement of local field potentials distant to that firing, and the reflection of the neuronal dark matter problem in non‐firing neurons active in seizures. These recent advances have challenged long‐established views and are leading to a more rigorous and realistic understanding of the pathophysiology of epilepsy.
Modeling of inductively coupled plasma Ar/Cl2/N2 plasma discharge: Effect of N2 on the plasma properties
Authors: Chanson Romain , Rhallabi Ahmed , Fernandez Marie Claude , Cardinaud Christophe , Landesman Jean Pierre
Published: November 2012

A global kinetic model of Cl2/Ar/N2 plasma discharge has been developed, which allows calculation of the densities and fluxes of all neutral and charged species considered in the reaction scheme, as well as the electron temperature, as a function of the operating conditions. In this work, the results from the global model are first compared to the calculations given by other models. Our simulation results are focused on the effect of nitrogen adding to the Cl2/Ar plasma mixture, which impacts both neutral and charged species transport phenomena. The N2 percentage is varied to the detriment of Cl2 by keeping the total flow rates of Cl2 and N2 constant. In order to better understand the impact of N2 addition to the Cl2/Ar gas mixture, the authors analyzed the output plasma parameters calculated from the model for different N2 flow rate percentages. Indeed, the simulation results show a decrease in electron density and an increase in electron temperature with increasing percentage of N2. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of electronegativity, Cl2 and N2 dissociation, and positive ion to neutral flux ratio evolution by varying percentage of N2. Such parameters have a direct effect on the etching anisotropy of the materials during the etching process.
Effect of in situ hydrogen plasma treatment on zinc oxide grown using low temperature atomic layer deposition
Authors: Jung Tae-Hoon , Park Jin-Seong , Kim Dong-Ho , Jeong Yongsoo , Park Sung-Gyu , Kwon Jung-Dae
Published: November 2012

Zinc oxide (ZnO) films under in situ hydrogen plasma were deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD) at an extremely low temperature (100 °C). Diethyl zinc ((C2H5)2Zn) and deionized water were used as the zinc and oxygen source, respectively. The growth rate of the ZnO films decreased to 1.26 and 1.06 Å/cycle due to changes in the hydrogen plasma treatment power and exposure time, respectively. The resistivity of the ZnO films decreased to 7.6 × 10−4 Ω cm, even at 100 °C, with a very high carrier concentration (1.4 × 1021 cm−3) due to the increasing oxygen deficiencies in the ZnO films. The carrier mobility was decreased slightly to 8.6 cm2/Vs via grain boundary scattering due to the enhanced polycrystallization. Based on the x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the carrier concentration and mobility were strongly correlated to the oxygen deficiency and crystallinity, respectively. In addition, the in situ hydrogen plasma in the ZnO ALD had an important role in sequentially generating oxygen deficiencies and enhancing polycrystal growth.
Atomic-scale silicon etching control using pulsed Cl2 plasma
Authors: Petit-Etienne Camille , Darnon Maxime , Bodart Paul , Fouchier Marc , Cunge Gilles , Pargon Erwine , Vallier Laurent , Joubert Olivier , Banna Samer
Published: November 2012

Plasma etching has been a key driver of miniaturization technologies toward smaller and more powerful devices in the semiconductor industry. Thin layers involved in complex stacks of materials are approaching the atomic level. Furthermore, new categories of devices have complex architectures, leading to new challenges in terms of plasma etching. New plasma processes that are capable to etch ultra-thin layers of materials with control at the atomic level are now required. In this paper, the authors demonstrate that Si etching in Cl2 plasma using plasma pulsing is a promising way to decrease the plasma-induced damage of materials. A controlled etch rate of 0.2 nm min−1 is reported by pulsing the chlorine plasma at very low duty cycles. Using quasi-in-situ angle resolved XPS analyses, they show that the surface of crystalline silicon is less chlorinated, the amorphization of the top crystalline silicon surface is decreased, and the chamber wall are less sputtered in pulsed plasmas compared to continuous wave plasmas. This is attributed to the lower density of radicals, lower ion flux, and lower V-UV flux when the plasma is pulsed.
Performance comparison of front- and back-illuminated AlGaN-based metal–semiconductor–metal solar-blind ultraviolet photodetectors
Authors: Wang Guosheng , Xie Feng , Lu Hai , Chen Dunjun , Zhang Rong , Zheng Youdou , Li Liang , Zhou Jianjun
Published: November 2012

In this work, AlGaN-based metal–semiconductor–metal solar-blind ultraviolet photodetectors (PDs) with low dark current were fabricated on sapphire substrates. In both front- and back-illumination operation modes, the PDs exhibited sharp photoresponse cutoffs at ∼280 nm with solar-blind/ultraviolet rejection ratios of more than 103. The quantum efficiency of the back-illuminated PD was observed to generally be higher than that of the front-illuminated PD. Nevertheless, at very low bias range, the front-illuminated PD exhibited greater photoresponsivity. The observed performance differences of the PDs in the different illumination modes are discussed in terms of surface reflectivity and photocarrier collection efficiency.
Measured vs simulated portal images for low MU fields on three accelerator types: Possible consequences for 2D portal dosimetry
Authors: Podesta Mark , Nijsten Sebastiaan M. J. J. G. , Snaith Julia , Orlandini Marc , Lustberg Tim , Emans Davy , Aland Trent , Verhaegen Frank
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

As external beam treatment plans become more dynamic and the dose to normal tissue is further constrained, treatments may consist of a larger number of beams, each delivering smaller doses (or monitor units, MU), in, e.g., volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Electronic portal imaging devices (EPID) may be used to verify external beam treatments on integrated fractions as well as in a more time dependant manner such as field by field. For treatment verification performed during a fraction (e.g., individual fields or VMAT control points), the lower limit of EPID measurement capability becomes important. The authors quantified the signal and timing accuracy of EPID images for low MU intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and conformal fields.

Methods:

EPID images were collected from three different vendorˈs accelerators for low MU fields and compared to expected images. Simulations were performed to replicate the EPID acquisition pattern and to enhance the understanding of EPID readout schemes.

Results:

Large discrepancies between observed and predicted images were noted due to an under‐response to single low MU fields. It is shown that a variability of up to 37% can be observed for low MU fields in clinically used EPID acquisition modes and that the majority of this variability can be accounted for by the readout scheme, integration, and timing of EPID acquisitions. Simulations have confirmed the causes of the discrepancies. The occurrence and extent of the variation has been estimated for clinical settings.

Conclusions:

Incorrect absolute EPID signals collected for low MU fields in external beam treatments will negatively affect quantitative applications such as individual field based EPID dosimetry, typically appearing as an underdose, unless corrections to currently employed EPID readout schemes are made.
Characterization of tumor vasculature distributions in central and peripheral regions based on Doppler ultrasound
Authors: Chen Jia‐Jiun , Fu Sheng‐Yung , Chiang Chi‐Shiun , Hong Ji‐Hong , Yeh Chih‐Kuang
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

Tumor heterogeneity is a major obstacle to therapy, and thus, how to achieve the maximal therapeutic gain in tumor suppression is an important issue. To accomplish this goal, assessing changes in tumor behaviors before treatment is helpful for physicians to adjust treatment schedules. In this study, the authors longitudinally and spatially investigated tumor perfusion and vascular density by power Doppler imaging and immunohistochemical analysis, respectively. Moreover, the authors developed a method to describe quantitatively the spatial distribution of the vasculature within the central and peripheral regions of tumors.

Methods:

Tumor perfusion was estimated by power Doppler images at an operating frequency of 25 MHz. To avoid the attenuation effect of such high‐frequency ultrasound, murine tumors were subcutaneously transplanted into the thighs of mice and then monitored for 11 days. The tumors were removed at various time intervals for immunohistochemical analysis of their vascular density using CD31 staining. The spatial characteristics of the tumor vasculature were quantified by aγ value, which characterizes the rate at which vascular signals increase with the fractional sizes of the peripheral area within the tumor.

Results:

During tumor progression, the volume of tumor perfusion in the power Doppler images was strongly correlated with the vascular density determined by immunohistochemical analysis. In addition, theγ value significantly decreased with increased tumor size in the power Doppler images but not in the immunohistochemical analysis.

Conclusions:

Although the tumor perfusion and vascular density estimates showed good temporal correlations during tumor progression, they did not show good spatial correlations due to tumor perfusion patterns changing from homogeneous to heterogeneous. In contrast to the perfusion patterns, the vascular density of the tumor remained uniformly distributed. In the present study, no necrosis regions were found in the tumor experiments. Furthermore, the measurement ofγ value is a simple method for assessing the vasculatures of spatial distribution within tumors.
The Allergen in the Dust
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: November 2012

The bacterial protein flagellin can promote allergic asthma by activating Toll-like receptor 5.
Link between Geographical Origin and Occurrence of Brucella abortus Biovars in Cow and Water Buffalo Herds
Authors: Borriello Giorgia , Peletto Simone , Lucibelli Maria G. , Acutis Pier L. , Ercolini Danilo , Galiero Giorgio
Published: November 2012

Sixty-three
Brucella
isolates from water buffaloes and cattle slaughtered within the Italian national plan for brucellosis control were characterized by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Genotyping indicated a strong influence of geographic origin on the
Brucella abortus
biovar distribution in areas where brucellosis is endemic and highlighted the importance of rigorous management procedures aimed at avoiding inter- and intraherd spreading of pathogens.
Identification of
Borrelia burgdorferi ospC
Genotypes in Host Tissue and Feeding Ticks by Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms
Authors: Tsao Kimberly , Bent Stephen J. , Fish Durland
Published: November 2012

We developed a high-throughput method based on terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T-RFLP) to identify
ospC
genotypes from field-collected samples of
Borrelia burgdorferi
. We first validated the method by analyzing
B. burgdorferi ospC
previously identified by sequencing. We then analyzed and compared
ospC
genotypes detected from ear biopsy tissue from natural populations of the white-footed mouse, a major
B. burgdorferi
reservoir host species in the eastern United States, and larval ticks feeding on those individual mice. The T-RFLP method enabled us to distinguish all 17
ospC
genotypes tested, as well as mixed samples containing more than one genotype. Analysis costs compare favorably to those of alternative
ospC
identification methods. The T-RFLP method will facilitate large-scale field studies to advance our understanding of genotype-specific transmission patterns.
Distinct Roles of Phenol-Soluble Modulins in Spreading of Staphylococcus aureus on Wet Surfaces
Authors: Tsompanidou Eleni , Denham Emma L. , Becher Dörte , de Jong Anne , Buist Girbe , van Oosten Marleen , Manson Willem L. , Back Jaap Willem , van Dijl Jan Maarten , Dreisbach Annette
Published: November 2012

The human pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
is renowned for the rapid colonization of contaminated wounds, medical implants, and food products. Nevertheless, little is known about the mechanisms that allow
S. aureus
to colonize the respective wet surfaces. The present studies were therefore aimed at identifying factors used by
S. aureus
cells to spread over wet surfaces, starting either from planktonic or biofilm-associated states. Through proteomics analyses we pinpoint phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) as prime facilitators of the spreading process. To dissect the roles of the eight PSMs produced by
S. aureus
, these peptides were chemically synthesized and tested in spreading assays with different
psm
mutant strains. The results show that PSMα3 and PSMγ are the strongest facilitators of spreading both for planktonic cells and cells in catheter-associated biofilms. Compared to the six other PSMs of
S. aureus
, PSMα3 and PSMγ combine strong surfactant activities with a relatively low overall hydropathicity. Importantly, we show that PSM-mediated motility of
S. aureus
facilitates the rapid colonization of wet surfaces next to catheters and the colonization of fresh meat.
M-Ficolin Binds Selectively to the Capsular Polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotypes 19B and 19C and of a Streptococcus mitis Strain
Authors: Kjaer Troels R. , Hansen Annette G. , Sørensen Uffe B. S. , Holm Anne T. , Sørensen Grith L. , Jensenius Jens C. , Thiel Steffen
Published: November 2012

The three human ficolins (H-, L-, and M-ficolins) and mannan-binding lectin are pattern recognition molecules of the innate immune system mediating activation of the lectin pathway of the complement system. These four human proteins bind to some microorganisms and may be involved in the resolution of infections. We investigated binding selectivity by examining the binding of M-ficolin to a panel of more than 100 different streptococcal strains (
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and
Streptococcus mitis
), each expressing distinct polysaccharide structures. M-ficolin binding was observed for three strains only: strains of the pneumococcal serotypes 19B and 19C and a single
S. mitis
strain expressing a similar polysaccharide structure. The bound M-ficolin, in association with MASP-2, mediated the cleavage of complement factor C4. Binding to the bacteria was inhibitable by
N
-acetylglucosamine, indicating that the interaction with the bacterial surface takes place via the fibrinogen-like domain. The common
N
-acetylmannosamine residue present in the structures of the four capsular polysaccharides of group 19 is linked via a phosphodiester bond. This residue is apparently not a ligand for M-ficolin, since the lectin binds to two of the group 19 polysaccharides only. M-ficolin bound strongly to serotype 19B and 19C polysaccharides. In contrast to those of serotypes 19A and 19F, serotype 19B and 19C polysaccharides contain an extra
N
-acetylmannosamine residue linked via glycoside linkage only. Thus, this extra residue seems to be the M-ficolin ligand. In conclusion, we were able to demonstrate specific binding of M-ficolin to some capsular polysaccharides of the opportunistic pathogen
S. pneumoniae
and of the commensal bacterium
S. mitis
.
Pregnancy outcome in a woman with prune belly syndrome
Authors: Hillman R Tyler , Garabedian Matthew James , Wallerstein Robert J
Published: November 2012

Prune belly syndrome is a rare congenital syndrome that primarily affects male fetuses. Affected men are universally infertile; however, there is a paucity of information published on the reproductive potential of affected women. Pregnancy outcomes in affected women have not been described in the literature. We describe the case of pregnancy in an affected woman. Her pregnancy progressed without complication. Her fetus had no stigmata of the syndrome. Her labour and delivery were, however, complicated by a prolonged second stage of labour and need for vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery.
Pinch-off syndrome: transection of implantable central venous access device
Authors: Sugimoto Takuya , Nagata Hiroshi , Hayashi Ken , Kano Nobuyasu
Published: November 2012

As the population of people with cancer increases so does the number of patients who take chemotherapy. Majority of them are administered parentally continuously. Implantable central venous catheter device is a good choice for those patients; however, severe complication would occur concerning the devices. Pinch-off syndrome is one of the most severe complications. The authors report a severe case of pinch-off syndrome. The patient with the implantable central venous device could not take chemotherapy because the device occluded. Further examination revealed the transection of the catheter. The transected fragment of the catheter in the heart was successfully removed by using a loop snare placed through the right femoral vein.
Extremely elevated CA-125 in benign ovarian disease due to stretch of the peritoneum
Authors: Tolman Christine J , Vaid Tejasvini , Schreuder Henk W R
Published: November 2012

Serum concentrations of CA-125 are rarely elevated beyond 1000 U/ml in benign conditions of the ovary in postmenopausal women. In this report, the authors present an unusual case of a 78-year-old woman with an extremely elevated CA-125 concentration of 2897 U/ml without the presence of a malignancy, ascites or pleural effusion. Imaging revealed a large intra-abdominal cystic mass with irregular solid deviations on CT scan, most likely arising from an ovary. Exploratory laparotomy was performed with suspicion of ovarian cancer but histopathological analysis revealed benign serous cystic adenofibroma. This case report highlights the diagnostic challenge of extremely increased levels of CA-125 in postmenopausal women. A possible explanation for this CA-125 elevation could be the mechanical stretch of the peritoneum.
Cytomegalovirus encephalitis in an immunocompetent child: a sceptic diagnosis
Authors: Belo Filipa , Mendes Isabel , Calha Manuela , Mendonça Carla
Published: November 2012

The authors present the case of an apparently immunocompetent 9-year-old child with probable cytomegalovirus encephalitis. The clinical picture was characterised by fever, frontal headache and behavioural changes, associated with visual and auditory hallucinations. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biochemistry and brain CT were normal. Electroencephalography showed left temporal paroxysmal activity. Diagnosis was based on cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA detection on the CSF by PCR. Acyclovir and ceftriaxone were given until herpes simplex virus (HSV) and bacterial encephalitis were ruled out. Rapid resolution of fever and complete clinical recovery was observed. Remarkably, anti-CMV serum antibodies were not detected on admission or until 6 months later. This discrepancy led us to question the presence of an impaired specific host humoral response, immune evasion by the virus or a false-positive result for CMV DNA in CSF.
Tonsillar follicular lymphoma in a child
Authors: Amit Sonal , Purwar Neetu , Agarwal Asha , Lalchandani Devendra
Published: November 2012

Follicular lymphomas (FL) are among the most common non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in adults. However, they are rare in children making up less than 3% of paediatric NHL cases. They occur most commonly in the head and neck region, lymph nodes or tonsils, with occasional extra-nodal occurrences. Distinction of FL from potentially clonal but, reactive follicular hyperplasia is important. We report a case of a 6-year-old male child presenting with night stridor since 6 months. Clinical examination revealed asymmetrical enlargement of the left tonsil. Routine left tonsillectomy was performed and the specimen was sent for histopathological examination. Diagnosis of follicular lymphoma was made on histopathological examination and further confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
Atraumatic quadriceps tendon tear associated with calcific tendonitis
Authors: Abram Simon G F , Sharma Akash D , Arvind Chinnakonda
Published: November 2012

Calcific tendonitis of the quadriceps tendon is an uncommon condition. We present the first case of a quadriceps tendon tear associated with calcific tendonitis. In this case, the patient presented with symptoms mimicking a rupture of the quadriceps tendon. This case illustrates that although calcific tendonitis of the quadriceps is a rare condition it is not benign and should be considered when investigating acute symptoms associated with the extensor mechanism of the knee.
Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma with pulmonary tumour embolism
Authors: Abdulaziz Salman , Geddawy Mohammed , Al Efraij Khalid , Jamil Mouhamad Ghyath
Published: November 2012

Pulmonary tumour embolism is a known complication of cancer disease. To date, pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma has been described once with this entity. We report a case of pulmonary tumour embolism diagnosed in the operation room after cardiac arrest of a 30-year-old male patient who had surgical amputation of his right upper limb due to recurrent sarcoma, mandating urgent and successful embolectomy.
Iliopsoas coccidioidomycotic abscess with associated intra-abdominal extension in an immunocompetent patient
Authors: McGwire Bradford , Marr Brendan , Zhou Xiao-Ping , Ayers Leona
Published: November 2012

Exposure to the fungal pathogenCoccidioides immitisin normal hosts causes primarily self-limited pulmonary disease. We report a case of an immunocompetent patient who developed aCoccidioides-associated iliopsoas abscess with rare intra-abdominal dissemination at least one decade after primary exposure in an area endemic for this fungus.
Infrapatellar bursitis withMycobacterium malmoenserelated to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in an HIV-positive patient
Authors: Leth Steffen , Jensen-Fangel Søren
Published: November 2012

The immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after starting antiretroviral treatment for HIV infection can be caused by a great variety of pathogens. Among these are non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), withMycobacterium aviumcomplex being the most commonly described finding. Antimycobacterial treatment of NTM in cases of IRIS is controversial. We report the case of a 39-year-old man diagnosed with HIV-1 infection during admission to hospital withPneumocystis jiroveciipneumonia (PCP) and a CD4 cell count of 60/μl. The patient started antiretroviral treatment and made an uneventful recovery from the PCP diagnosis, but was readmitted after 2.5 months with a purulent infrapatellar bursitis on the left knee. A surgical prodedure was performed andMycobacterium malmoensewas grown from the pus from the bursa. The patient recovered without supplemental antimycobacterial treament. To our knowledge, this is the first report on IRIS caused byM malmoense.
Unilateral facial palsy in an infant: an unusual presentation of familial multiple cerebral cavernous malformation
Authors: Zakaria Zaitun , Kaliaperumal Chandrasekaran , Caird John , Sattar Mohammad
Published: November 2012

Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) in infants tends to have genetic predisposition. These cavernomas have a progressive course of events and associated neurological symptoms with increase in age. They most commonly present with seizure and syndrome of increased intracranial pressure comprising of headache, vomiting and focal neurological signs. We describe a case of a 7-month-old infant who presented with an acute onset of right facial paralysis with a background of familial CCM. The CT and MRI scan revealed fresh haemorrhage in the right cerebellar and pontine cavernomas with surrounding oedema and no evidence of obstructive hydrocephalus. These two cavernomas re-bled in a week duration causing episodes of incessant crying and irritability. After discussing the pros and cons of treatment, owing to stable clinical status, the patient is currently been managed conservatively.
Stroke mimic: an interesting case of repetitive conversion disorder
Authors: Segal Jonathan , Lam Alison , Dubrey Simon William , Vasileiadis Evangelos
Published: November 2012

Stroke mimics can account for up to 5% of all acute stroke presentations.They are more frequent in those under 50 years of age, with some estimates of prevalence as high as 21% of acute stroke presentations in this age group. We describe a case of repetitive stroke mimic episodes, the recognised associated precipitants, diagnostic clues and management.
Prediction of hepatic plasma clearance in vivo from gel-entrapped rat and human hepatocytes
Authors: Yin Jian , Qiu Hongxia , Dai Jing , Lu Yanhua , Zhao Rong , Chen Li , Meng Qin
Published: November 2012

This paper aimed to evaluate the applicability of gel-entrapped rat and human hepatocytes in the prediction of hepatic plasma clearance (CLh,plasma) in vivo. The in vitro intrinsic clearances (CLint,in vitro) for the selected compounds were determined from the substrate disappearance rate, and further used to predict CLh,plasma using 3 classical mathematical models (well-stirred, parallel-tube, and dispersion) and disregarding drug binding. As a result, the predicted values from gel-entrapped rat hepatocytes were mostly within 2 SE of the literature data with a high correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.88–0.91. The predicted data with human hepatocytes also fitted well with the clinical data, indicating a high accuracy in prediction of in-vivo clearance. With respect to the mathematical model for predicting CLh,plasma, the parallel-tube and dispersion models produced a better prediction than the well-stirred model, and we suggest using the parallel-tube model because it is less complex mathematically. In conclusion, gel-entrapped hepatocytes predicted the drug clearance well and seemed to be a useful tool in the process of drug discovery.
Revised mechanism for the hydrolysis of ethers in aqueous acid
Authors: Cox Robin A.
Published: November 2012

It has been shown recently that many supposed reaction intermediates in aqueous media do not have lifetimes long enough for them to serve this purpose. Among these are oxygen-protonated species where the positive charge is not delocalized, primary and secondary carbocations, and the commonly written species H3O+ and HO–. This means that the mechanisms for many of the organic reactions that take place in aqueous media are in need of revision. This paper concerns the acid hydrolysis of simple ethers, many of which cannot form carbocations stable enough to exist in water. Rather than an A1 process in which an oxygen-protonated species dissociates into an alcohol and a carbocation, which is then quenched by water, or an A2 process in which a water molecule or another nucleophilic species assists in this, the mechanism for most ethers is a general-acid-catalyzed process in which proton transfer to oxygen is concerted with C–O bond cleavage in cases where a stable carbocation can exist, or additionally concerted with nucleophilic attack for those cases in which stable carbocation formation is not possible. All of the cases for which rate constant data could be found in the literature are analyzed and discussed in this paper, with the exception of the hydrolyses of several azoethers, where additional hydrolysis mechanisms are possible. These will be discussed in a subsequent paper.
ON A CLASS OF SEMIPERFECT RINGS
Authors: THUYET LE VAN , DAN PHAN , DUNG BANH DUC
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we investigate semiperfect rings over which every finitely generated right module is a direct sum of a projective module and a singular module. As applications, we obtain several characterizations of right co-Harada rings.
MINIMAL DECOMPOSITION OF BINARY FORMS WITH RESPECT TO TANGENTIAL PROJECTIONS
Authors: BALLICO E. , BERNARDI A.
Published: November 2012

Let C ⊂ ℙn+1 be a rational normal curve and let X ⊂ ℙn be one of its tangential projection. We describe the X-rank of a point P ∈ ℙn in terms of the schemes evincing the C-rank or the border C-rank of the preimage of P.
AEROTHERMOELASTIC MODEL OF PANEL FLUTTER WITH CONSIDERATION OF THE HISTORY EFFECTS OF AERODYNAMIC HEATING
Authors: LI KAILUN , ZHANG JIAZHONG , MEI GUANHUA
Published: November 2012

An improved aerothermoelastic flutter model of an infinitely long isotropic panel is proposed to investigate the complex dynamic behaviors of panel structures in supersonic flow. Considering the history effects of aerodynamic heating, a new model suitable for numerical computation of the temperature distribution in the panel is presented and proved mathematically. Then, the internal force and moment in the panel induced by thermal stress are accurately introduced into the existing panel flutter model. Finally, some numerical analyses based on the Galerkin procedure are presented, in combination with the presented aerothermoelastic model which is based on von Karman large deflection plate theory. From the numerical results, it is found that the effects of the aerodynamic heating and its history are significant and complicated, since they can induce, intensify, or change the oscillation behaviors of the panel. Furthermore, a rich variety of nonlinear dynamic behaviors, such as instabilities and chaos in the panel flutter model, are captured and analyzed, by bifurcation analysis and the maximum Lyapunov exponent in nonlinear dynamics. As a conclusion, it can be drawn that the model presented could be used to study the aerothermoelastic dynamics accurately and feasibly.
Age sensitizes the kidney to heme protein-induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Nath Karl A. , Grande Joseph P. , Farrugia Gianrico , Croatt Anthony J. , Belcher John D. , Hebbel Robert P. , Vercellotti Gregory M. , Katusic Zvonimir S.
Published: November 2012

Age increases the risk for ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI). We questioned whether a similar age-dependent injury occurs following exposure to hemoglobin, a known nephrotoxin. Old mice (∼16 mo old), but not young mice (∼6 mo old), when administered hemoglobin, exhibited marked elevation in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine, and acute tubular necrosis with prominent tubular cast formation. The aged kidney exhibited induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and other genes/proteins that may protect against heme-mediated renal injury, including ferritin, ferroportin, haptoglobin, and hemopexin. Old mice did not evince induction of HO-2 mRNA by hemoglobin, whereas a modest induction of HO-2 mRNA was observed in young mice. To determine the functional significance of HO-2 in heme protein-induced AKI, we administered hemoglobin to relatively young HO-2+/+and HO-2−/−mice: HO-2−/−mice, compared with HO-2+/+mice, exhibited greater renal dysfunction and histologic injury when administered hemoglobin. In addition to failing to elicit a protective system such as HO-2 in response to hemoglobin, old mice exhibited an exaggerated maladaptive response typified by markedly greater induction of the nephrotoxic cytokine IL-6 (130-fold increase vs. 10-fold increase in mRNA in young mice). We conclude that aged mice, unlike relatively younger mice, are exquisitely sensitive to the nephrotoxicity of hemoglobin, an effect attended by a failure to induce HO-2 mRNA and a fulminant upregulation of IL-6. Age thus markedly augments the sensitivity of the kidney to heme proteins, and HO-2 confers resistance to such insults.
Baroreflex physiology studied in healthy subjects with very infrequent muscle sympathetic bursts
Authors: Diedrich André , Crossman Alexandra A. , Beightol Larry A. , Tahvanainen Kari U. O. , Kuusela Tom A. , Ertl Andrew C. , Eckberg Dwain L.
Published: November 2012

Because it is likely that, in healthy human subjects, baroreflex mechanisms operate continuously, independent of experimental interventions, we asked the question, In what ways might study of unprovoked, very infrequent muscle sympathetic bursts inform baroreflex physiology? We closely examined arterial pressure and R-R interval responses of 11 supine healthy young subjects to arterial pressure ramps triggered by large isolated muscle sympathetic bursts. We triggered data collection sweeps on the beginnings of sympathetic bursts and plotted changes of arterial pressure (finger volume clamp or intra-arterial) and R-R intervals occurring before as well as after the sympathetic triggers. We estimated baroreflex gain from regression of R-R intervals on systolic pressures after sympathetic bursts and from the transfer function between cross-spectra of systolic pressure and R-R intervals at low frequencies. Isolated muscle sympathetic bursts were preceded by arterial pressure reductions. Baroreflex gain, calculated with linear regression of R-R intervals on systolic pressures after bursts, was virtually identical to baroreflex gain, calculated with the cross-spectral modulus [mean and (range): 24 (7–43) vs. 24 (8–45) ms/mmHg], and highly significant, according to linear regression ( r2= 0.91, P = 0.001). Our results indicate that 1) since infrequent human muscle sympathetic bursts are almost deterministically preceded by arterial pressure reductions, their occurrence likely reflects simple baroreflex physiology, and 2) the noninvasive low-frequency modulus reliably reproduces gains derived from R-R interval responses to arterial pressure ramps triggered by infrequent muscle sympathetic bursts.
A multidisciplinary approach to overreaching detection in endurance trained athletes
Authors: Le Meur Yann , Hausswirth Christophe , Natta Françoise , Couturier Antoine , Bignet Frank , Vidal Pierre Paul
Published: November 2012

In sport, high training load required to reach peak performance pushes human adaptation to their limits. In that process, athletes may experience general fatigue, impaired performance, and may be identified as overreached (OR). When this state lasts for several months, an overtraining syndrome is diagnosed (OT). Until now, no variable per se can detect OR, a requirement to prevent the transition from OR to OT. It encouraged us to further investigate OR using a multivariate approach, including physiological, biomechanical, cognitive, and perceptive monitoring. Twenty-four highly trained triathletes were separated into an overload group and a normo-trained group (NT) during 3 wk of training. Given the decrement of their running performance, 11 triathletes were diagnosed as OR after this period. A discriminant analysis showed that the changes of eight parameters measured during a maximal incremental test could explain 98.2% of the OR state (lactatemia, heart rate, biomechanical parameters and effort perception). Variations in heart rate and lactatemia were the two most discriminating factors. When the multifactorial analysis was restricted to these variables, the classification score reached 89.5%. Catecholamines and creatine kinase concentrations at rest did not change significantly in both groups. Running pattern was preserved and cognitive performance decrement was observed only at exhaustion in OR subjects. This study showed that monitoring various variables is required to prevent the transition between NT and OR. It emphasized that an OR index, which combines heart rate and blood lactate concentration changes after a strenuous training period, could be helpful to routinely detect OR.