bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aortopexy for Innominate Artery Tracheal Compression in Children
Authors: Wine Todd M. , Colman Kathryn L. , Mehta Deepak K. , Maguire Raymond C. , Morell Victor O. , Simons Jeffrey P.
Published: March 2013

Objectives

(1) Evaluate the presentation, diagnostic workup, and outcomes of contemporary surgical intervention for airway obstruction from innominate artery tracheal compression in children. (2) Assess the significance of synchronous airway lesions in the treatment of innominate artery tracheal compression.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care children's hospital.

Methods

This study is a retrospective medical record review of 26 consecutive children who underwent aortopexy for innominate artery tracheal compression at a tertiary care children's hospital. Presenting symptoms, diagnostic workup, presence of synchronous airway lesions, length of hospitalization, and treatment outcomes were examined.

Results

Twenty‐six patients (17 male, 65%) were included in the study. All were diagnosed with bronchoscopy and confirmed with radiographic imaging. Median age at diagnosis and surgery was 9.7 and 10.0 months, respectively. Presenting symptoms included noisy breathing (93%), cough (78%), dyspnea (44%), apnea (44%), cyanosis (19%), and recurrent respiratory infections (15%). Average degree of tracheal compression was 71% (SD, 12%). Fifteen of 26 (58%) patients had synchronous airway lesions, including mild laryngomalacia and subglottic stenosis. Median length of stay was 2 days. Median follow‐up was 10 months. Subjective improvement occurred in all 21 patients for whom follow‐up information was available.

Conclusion

Anterior tracheal vascular compression can cause a variety of airway symptoms. Mild synchronous airway lesions are common and do not prevent successful aortopexy. Aortopexy is a viable treatment option for symptomatic anterior tracheal vascular compression from the innominate artery.
Simultaneous prediction of punitive and rehabilitation-oriented attitudes towards probation
Authors: Butter René , Hermanns Jo , Menger Anneke
Published: March 2013

The concepts punitiveness and rehabilitation orientation in the general public are generally measured by rather broad attitude items that are not directly related to probation. In this study, two separate attitude scales were used that were tailor-made for the probation context and therefore have a high ecological validity. These ‘ecological scales’ were each analysed with the same predictor set. Cognitive emotive variables showed incremental prediction above demographics. Higher knowledge of probation and more satisfaction with society are related to a higher preference for rehabilitation. Less knowledge of probation and a higher feeling of victimization are related to a more punitive attitude.
Factors affecting responses of children with autism spectrum disorder to yes/no questions
Authors: Funazaki Yasuhiro , Oi Manabu
Published: March 2013

This study aimed to clarify factors related to difficulties in responding to yes/ no questions (Y/N-Qs) among 52 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 41 boys and 11 girls aged between 3:5–16:0 years. Participants completed the Tanaka–Binet Intelligence Scale V, the Picture Vocabulary Test: Revised (PVT-R), and the Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Autism Society Japan Rating Scale (PARS). A yes/ no test, developed for this study, included two types of task: a naming true/false task and a request-intention task. For the naming true/false task, clear yes/ no responses accounted for 60% of responses among preschool children and more than 90% of responses among school-aged children in the normal IQ and mildly cognitively-impaired groups. In contrast, clear yes/ no responses accounted for less than 30% of responses in the moderately cognitively-impaired group, and less than 1% in the severely cognitively-impaired group. For the request-intention task, clear yes/ no responses were higher than for naming true/false tasks. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that scores of PARS, estimated mental age, vocabulary age according to the PVT-R, and IQ are associated with clear yes/ no responses. These findings appear to indicate that ability or inability to respond to Y/N-Qs follows a developmental pattern in children with ASD.
Epizootic Neoplasia of the Lateral Line System of Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in New York’s Finger Lakes
Authors: Spitsbergen J. M. , Frattini S. A. , Bowser P. R. , Getchell R. G. , Coffee L. L. , Wolfe M. J. , Fisher J. P. , Marinovic S. J. , Harr K. E.
Published: March 2013

This article documents an epizootic of inflammation and neoplasia selectively affecting the lateral line system of lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush) in 4 Finger Lakes in New York from 1985 to 1994. We studied more than 100 cases of this disease. Tumors occurred in 8% (5/64) of mature and 21% (3/14) of immature lake trout in the most severely affected lake. Lesions consisted of 1 or more neoplasm(s) in association with lymphocytic inflammation, multifocal erosions, and ulcerations of the epidermis along the lateral line. Lesions progressed from inflammatory to neoplastic, with 2-year-old lake trout showing locally extensive, intense lymphocytic infiltrates; 2- to 3-year-old fish having multiple, variably sized white masses up to 3 mm in diameter; and fish over 5 years old exhibiting 1 or more white, cerebriform masses greater than 1 cm in diameter. Histologic diagnoses of the tumors were predominantly spindle cell sarcomas or benign or malignant peripheral nerve sheath neoplasms, with fewer epitheliomas and carcinomas. Prevalence estimates did not vary significantly between sexes or season. The cause of this epizootic remains unclear. Tumor transmission trials, virus isolation procedures, and ultrastructural study of lesions failed to reveal evidence of a viral etiology. The Finger Lakes in which the disease occurred did not receive substantially more chemical pollution than unaffected lakes in the same chain during the epizootic, making an environmental carcinogen an unlikely primary cause of the epizootic. A hereditary component, however, may have contributed to this syndrome since only fish of the Seneca Lake strain were affected.
Soil chemistry and pollution study of a closed landfill site at Ampar Tenang, Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Adnan Siti Nur Syahirah Binti , Yusoff Sumiani , Chua Yan Piaw
Published: March 2013

A total of 20 landfills are located in State of Selangor, Malaysia. This includes the Ampar Tenang landfill site, which was closed on 26 January 2010. It was reported that the landfill has been upgraded to a level I type of sanitary classification. However, the dumpsite area is not being covered according to the classification. In addition, municipal solid waste was dumped directly on top of the unlined natural alluvium formation. This does not only contaminate surface and subsurface soils, but also initiates the potential risk of groundwater pollution. Based on previous studies, the Ampar Tenang soil has been proven to no longer be capable of preventing pollution migration. In this study, metal concentrations of soil samples up to 30 m depth were analyzed based on statistical analysis. It is very significant because research of this type has not been carried out before. The subsurface soils were significantly polluted by arsenic (As), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and aluminium (Al). As and Pb exceeded the safe limit values of 5.90 mg/kg and 31.00 mg/kg, respectively, based on Provincial Sediment Quality Guidelines for Metals and the Interim Sediment Quality Values. Furthermore, only Cu concentrations showed a significantly decreasing trend with increasing depth. Most metals were found on clay-type soils based on the cluster analysis method. Moreover, the analysis also differentiates two clusters: cluster I—Pb, As, zinc, Cu, manganese, calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium and Fe; cluster II—Al. Different clustering may suggest a different contamination source of metals.
Antimutagenic and genoprotective effects of Saraca asoca bark extract
Authors: Nag Debarati , Ghosh Manosij , Mukherjee Anita
Published: March 2013

Aim of the study:

Traditionally herbal formulations have been used effectively for the management of disorders that are now being accepted worldwide. Saraca asoca bark extract (SAE) finds use in traditional herbal medicine. In the present study, SAE were studied for their antioxidant, antimutagenic, and antigenotoxic properties.

Methods:

SAE were evaluated for antimutagenic property in Salmonella strains (TA97a, TA98, TA100, and TA102), in the presence and absence of metabolic activation (S9). The SAE was also studied for antigenotoxic property against cyclophosphamide (CP) in Swiss albino male mice in vivo. The extract was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results:

The study reveals antimutagenic property of the bark extract in Salmonella strains in the presence and absence of metabolic activation (S9). The study reports antigenotoxic property of the bark extract against CP in vivo. Thiobarbituric acid reactive species assay on the bark extract revealed antioxidant property. HPLC revealed the presence of two peaks corresponding to gallic acid and (−)-epicatechin, respectively.

Conclusion:

The study clearly reveals the antimutagenic and antigenotoxic properties of SAE.
Assessment of Control in Typical Childhood Absence Epilepsy
Authors: Desai Jay , Mitchell Wendy G.
Published: March 2013

We report relevant results of a survey that was aimed at understanding current practice variations in the assessment of control of typical childhood absence epilepsy.
Percutaneous Intraperitoneal Catheters in Neonates Following Open Heart Surgery
Authors: Averbuch Noa , Birk Einat , Frenkel Georgy , Gogia Omar , Shulman Orit Manor , Bruckheimer Elchanan , Nachum Elchanan , Amir Gabriel
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Ascitic fluid in the peritoneal cavity may severely impair respiratory and renal function following neonatal heart surgery. It has been our practice to liberally insert percutaneous peritoneal catheters (PPCs) in order to manage fluid balance and thereby improve ventilatory function. We herein report our experience with PPC.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of charts of all surviving neonates that underwent PPC insertion from January 2007 through March 2010. Charts were reviewed for demographic and clinical variables from the preoperative, operative, and postoperative periods.

Results:

A total of 1268 patients underwent surgery, 292 (23%) were neonates. 17 (5.8%) patients required PPC. Mean age and weight were 16 days and 3.1 kg, respectively. Mean amount drained upon insertion was 55 ± 46 ml. Catheters were maintained for a mean of 5 days and drained an average of 201 ml on the first postinsertion day. Ventilatory settings did not change significantly prior to and postcatheter insertion (respiratory rate [29 ± 3.8 vs 28.7 ± 3.9; P = .93], inspiratory pressures [26.3 ± 3.6 vs 26.1 ± 3.3 cm H2O; P = .34], and fraction of inspired oxygen [0.66 ± 0.21 vs 0.63 ± 0.18; P = .53]). Carbon dioxide values decreased significantly (43.2 ± 9.7 vs 37 ± 4.9 mm Hg; P = .01), and PO2 values increased (78 ± 69 vs 104 ± 57 mm Hg; P = .05).

Conclusions:

The PPC insertion can be easily performed at the bedside with minimal complications. Fluid balance management is facilitated, and ventilation is improved. The PPC insertion is a valuable addition to the armamentarium of the physician treating neonates in the intensive care unit after complex congenital heart surgery.
Improving the Mathematical Content Knowledge of General and Special Educators
Authors: Faulkner Valerie N. , Cain Chris R.
Published: March 2013

Student performance in mathematics has been linked to the mathematical knowledge of the teacher. Based on this finding, a 5-day professional development module was created to improve teachers’ mathematical knowledge and their understanding of number sense. We found no difference prior to the professional development in mathematical content knowledge for teaching mathematics (CKTM) between special education teachers (at the K-12 level) and general education teachers (K-6). Results revealed that participating teachers made significant gains in mathematical CKTM. Implications and recommendations for professional development in mathematics are provided.
Synthesis of novel imide-functionalized fluorinated benzoxazines and properties of their thermosets
Authors: Gao Yu , Huang Farong , Yuan Qiaolong , Zhou Yan , Du Lei
Published: March 2013

In this study, two novel imide-functionalized fluorinated benzoxazines, N,N′-bis( N-phenylacetylene-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzoxazinyl)-(4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidene)bisphthalimide (6FIBZ-apa) and N,N′-bis( N-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzoxazinyl)-(4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidene)bisphthalimide (6FIBZ-a), were successfully synthesized. The structures of the benzoxazines were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. The novel benzoxazines were easily dissolved in common organic solvents. The differential scanning calorimetric curve of 6FIBZ-apa showed only a single exothermic peak since oxazine ring-opening and acetylene addition polymerization occurred simultaneously in the same temperature range. The introduction of rigid and thermally stable imide moiety led to rigid molecular structure, thus resulting in an increase in the glass transition temperature and improvement in thermal stability. The thermal properties were further improved significantly by the incorporation of cross-linkable acetylene groups to increase the cross-linking density as evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis.
Design and microfabrication of a compliant microgripper using nonbrittle and biocompatible material
Authors: Barazandeh F , NazariNejad S , Nadafi RDB , MehdiAbadi A Moobed , Ghasemi Z
Published: March 2013

This article presents the design and fabrication of a monolithic compliant microgripper. This research has mostly focused on the process of design, the finite element analysis, the fabrication method and use of a genetic algorithm method to solve the nonlinear kinematic equations and estimate the proper dimensions of the design. This new architecture of the microgripper enables it to apply a variable force to a wide range of micro-objects handled in microassembly, micromanipulation and also in biomedical applications such as artificial fertilization. The microgripper was designed to be normally open. Two shape memory alloy actuators close the jaws. To achieve the tasks, the most proper size has been considered to be 8 × 8 mm, with thickness of 250 µm. Polyethylene terephthalate has been used as the structural material. It is not brittle and is less sensitive to shock compared with silicon-based grippers; furthermore, its fabrication cost is less and it does not lose precision.
Exact solution for nonlocal axial buckling of linear carbon nanotube hetero-junctions
Authors: Arani A Ghorbanpour , Kolahchi R
Published: March 2013

CNT hetero-junctions offer the possibility of being used in micro-electromechanical systems and nano-electromechanical systems. However, in the present work, nonlocal axial buckling analysis of linear CNT hetero-junctions based on Euler–Bernoulli beam (EBB) model is investigated. In order to mathematically model a linear CNT hetero-junction, a CNT with two segments is considered. The constitutive equations are derived based on the Eringen's theory for various boundary conditions, namely clamped–clamped (C–C), clamped–pinned (C–P) and pinned–pinned (P–P). An analytical approach is applied to obtain the dimensionless buckling load of the CNT hetero-junctions. A detailed parametric study is conducted to elucidate the influences of the small-scale coefficient, homogeneity parameter, boundary conditions and CNT length of each segment on the axial buckling of the linear CNT hetero-junctions. The results indicate that the length of each segment and homogeneity parameter have a significant effect on the buckling load of the CNT hetero-junctions and should therefore be considered in its optimum design. Furthermore, the results are in good agreement with the previous researches.
Non-volatile particle characteristics of a light-duty diesel engine with pilot injections and exhaust gas recirculation
Authors: Zhang Jun , Ma Xiao , Xu Hongming , Price Phil , Shuai Shijin
Published: March 2013

A pilot injection has been used widely in diesel engines for the control of nitrogen oxide emissions and noise. However, very little information on the characteristics of particulate matter emissions with a pilot injection is available. In this paper, the non-volatile particle emissions of a light-duty common-rail production diesel engine under the impact of a pilot injection are studied in terms of the particle number concentration and the particle size distribution with the measurements taken with a scanning mobility particle sizer. For various key parameters such as the fuel quantity and the injection timing, the results illustrate how a pilot injection alongside a main injection could affect particulate matter emissions, which are also shown to be closely related to the engine mode and the exhaust gas recirculation level. It is revealed that advancing the pilot injection generally reduces the number and size of particles in both the accumulation mode and the nucleation mode. It is also found that an increase in the pilot fuel quantity increases the total number and size of particles, with a significant impact on the number of accumulation-mode particles, which overwhelms the decrease in the number of nucleation-mode particles.
Basic Traits Predict the Prevalence of Personality Disorder Across the Life Span
Authors: Vachon David D. , Lynam Donald R. , Widiger Thomas A. , Miller Joshua D. , McCrae Robert R. , Costa Paul T.
Published: March 2013

Personality disorders (PDs) may be better understood in terms of dimensions of general personality functioning rather than as discrete categorical conditions. Personality-trait descriptions of PDs are robust across methods and settings, and PD assessments based on trait measures show good construct validity. The study reported here extends research showing that basic traits (e.g., impulsiveness, warmth, straightforwardness, modesty, and deliberation) can re-create the epidemiological characteristics associated with PDs. Specifically, we used normative changes in absolute trait levels to simulate age-related differences in the prevalence of psychopathy in a forensic setting. Results demonstrated that trait information predicts the rate of decline for psychopathy over the life span; discriminates the decline of psychopathy from that of a similar disorder, antisocial PD; and accurately predicts the differential decline of subfactors of psychopathy. These findings suggest that basic traits provide a parsimonious account of PD prevalence across the life span.
Alexithymia, Not Autism, Predicts Poor Recognition of Emotional Facial Expressions
Authors: Cook Richard , Brewer Rebecca , Shah Punit , Bird Geoffrey
Published: March 2013

Despite considerable research into whether face perception is impaired in autistic individuals, clear answers have proved elusive. In the present study, we sought to determine whether co-occurring alexithymia (characterized by difficulties interpreting emotional states) may be responsible for face-perception deficits previously attributed to autism. Two experiments were conducted using psychophysical procedures to determine the relative contributions of alexithymia and autism to identity and expression recognition. Experiment 1 showed that alexithymia correlates strongly with the precision of expression attributions, whereas autism severity was unrelated to expression-recognition ability. Experiment 2 confirmed that alexithymia is not associated with impaired ability to detect expression variation; instead, results suggested that alexithymia is associated with difficulties interpreting intact sensory descriptions. Neither alexithymia nor autism was associated with biased or imprecise identity attributions. These findings accord with the hypothesis that the emotional symptoms of autism are in fact due to co-occurring alexithymia and that existing diagnostic criteria may need to be revised.
Cell therapy research and innovation
Authors: Burningham Sarah
Published: March 2013

This paper discusses the privacy challenges associated with cell therapy research and related innovations. A review of privacy issues identified in the academic literature reveals both theoretical and practical challenges. The author considers the governance of privacy issues in this context by Canadian legislative, jurisprudential and ethical privacy frameworks, paying particular attention to the application of data protection legislation to tissue research. The author briefly examines relevant international instruments and the approaches by the United Kingdom and the United States. The current Canadian regulatory framework, as applied to cell therapy research, fails to provide robust, comprehensive privacy protection.
Psychopathic-Like Traits Among Detained Female Adolescents
Authors: Colins Olivier F. , Bijttebier Patricia , Broekaert Eric , Andershed Henrik
Published: March 2013

This study examined the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Antisocial Process Screening Device–Self-Report (APSD-SR), the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI), and the YPI–Short Version (YPI-SV) in detained female adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. The proposed three-factor structure of the YPI and YPI-SV was replicated, whereas the proposed three-factor structure of the APSD-SR or alternate models did not yield adequate fit. Overall, reliability indices for the YPI and YPI-SV were higher than those reported for the APSD-SR. APSD-SR and YPI scales were positively related with each other, except the affective dimensions of the instruments. All questionnaires showed good criterion validity but the YPI’s factor structure and reliability was superior to the APSD-SR. This superiority is not because of the larger number of items in the YPI, because we also demonstrated that the factor structure and reliability of the YPI-SV was better than that of the APSD-SR.
Estimates of Homicide-Suicides Among the Elderly, 1968 to 1975
Authors: Bridges F. Stephen
Published: March 2013

This article describes homicide-suicide among those aged 65 years and older in the United States using archival data from 1968 to 1975. Comparisons were made between 184 homicide-suicides and 400 randomly selected victims of all other types of homicide. The findings indicate that homicide-suicides occurred predominantly in the family unit, especially involving female spouses, and among White victims and offenders. Handguns and other firearms were the weapon of choice in homicide-suicides.
Effects of texture patterns on hydrodynamic and mixed lubrication characteristics
Authors: Imai Norio , Kato Takahisa
Published: March 2013

Surface texturing effects on the friction characteristics under hydrodynamic and mixed lubrication conditions are investigated experimentally and theoretically. The experiments are conducted by using a ring-on-plate type test rig, where a ring with a flat ring end is rotated against the plate with the engraved texture patterns of longitudinal, transverse and herringbone grooves and of square dimples. It is found that the friction characteristics significantly depend on the texture patterns even though the depth and the groove area ratio are identical in all the texture patterns; among them, the herringbone grooves show the lowest friction coefficients under any lubricating conditions. On the one hand, it is found that the longitudinal grooves and the square dimples effectively reduce the friction; on the other hand, the transverse grooves hardly reduce the friction. The experiments are compared with the calculations and it is found that higher pressure is generated with the herringbone grooves than other patterns, which avoids solid contact and results in friction reduction.
Evaluating change in mobility in people with multiple sclerosis: relative responsiveness of four clinical measures
Authors: Freeman Jennifer , Walters Richard , Ingram Wendy , Slade Anita , Hobart Jeremy , Zajicek John
Published: March 2013

Background and objectives:

Determining responsiveness of measures across different samples and settings is important for selecting measures of mobility and understanding multiple sclerosis (MS) study results. Currently such information is limited.

Methods:

This exploratory study examined the relative responsiveness of four mobility measures (walking velocity, 6-minute walk distance, Rivermead Mobility Index and MS Walking Scale) in a community sample ( n = 70), after three annual assessments. Distribution based estimates and anchor-based methods (comparison against transition questions) determined responsiveness. A head-to-head comparison was made.

Results:

While variations in individuals occurred, the group mean change scores for all measures was small, suggesting that there was minimal deterioration in the total sample. Consistent with this, total sample Effect Size (ES) was negligible to small (ES −0.32 to +0.03) for all measures. Differentiation between sub-groups, defined by the participants’ perception of change in mobility over the past year (transition questions), showed that some instruments could detect clinically significant changes (small sample sizes limited this interpretation). Correlation analyses between change scores demonstrated that these measures captured related, but different information ( r < 0.364).

Conclusions:

The measures were broadly comparable in detecting mobility changes in this community sample. These correlations highlight that in selection of measures, one should also consider the discrete mobility dimension that the intervention intends to impact.
Visual analysis design to support research into movement and use of space in Tallinn: A case study
Authors: Zhang Qiuju , Slingsby Aidan , Dykes Jason , Wood Jo , Kraak Menno-Jan , Blok Connie A. , Ahas Rein
Published: March 2013

We designed and applied interactive visualisation to help an urban study group investigate how suburban residents in the Tallinn Metropolitan Area (Estonia) use space in the city. We used mobile phone positioning data collected from suburban residents together with their socio-economic characteristics. Land-use data provided geo-context that helped characterise visited locations by suburban residents. Our interactive visualisation design was informed by a set of research questions framed as identification, localisation and comparison tasks. The resulting prototype offers five linked and coordinated views of spatial, temporal, socio-economic characteristics and land-use aspects of data. Brushing, sorting and filtering provide visual means to identify similarities between individuals and facilitate the identification, localisation and comparison of patterns of use of urban space. The urban study group was able to use the prototype to explore their data and address their research questions in a more flexible way than previously possible. Initial feedback was positive. The prototype was found to support the research and facilitate the discovery of patterns and relations among groups of participants and their movements.
Fuels for short sea shipping: A comparative assessment with focus on environmental impact
Authors: Bengtsson Selma K , Fridell Erik , Andersson Karin E
Published: March 2013

Short sea shipping is facing harder requirements on exhaust emissions in the coming years as stricter regulations are enforced in some regions of the world. In addition, shortage of conventional fuels as well as restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions makes the search for new fuels of interest. The objective of this article is to assess important characteristics to evaluate when selecting fuels for short sea shipping. The following four criteria are considered: (1) local and regional environmental impacts, (2) overall environmental impact, (3) infrastructure and (4) fuel cost and competition with other transport modes. Special focus is put on environmental impact, and life cycle assessment is used for the environmental assessment. The fuels compared in this study are heavy fuel oil, marine gas oil, biomass-to-liquid fuel, rapeseed methyl ester, liquefied natural gas and liquefied biogas. This study shows that liquefied natural gas will reduce the local and regional environmental impacts more relative to the other fuels investigated here. Furthermore, liquefied biogas is found to be the most preferable if all environmental impact categories are considered. This study also highlights the importance to consider other impact categories for short sea shipping compared to deep sea shipping and shows that NOX emission is the dominant contributor to all assessed environmental impact categories with local and regional impacts.
Technology-Driven Interventions for Caregivers of Persons With Dementia
Authors: Godwin Kyler M. , Mills Whitney L. , Anderson Jane A. , Kunik Mark E.
Published: March 2013

Caregiving for a person with dementia can lead to physical and psychological morbidity. Technology-driven interventions hold the promise of convenient, low-cost methods of delivering psychosocial interventions. This systematic review examined the efficacy of technology-driven interventions for caregivers of persons with dementia. A search of Ovid Medline, PsychInfo, and EBSCO from 1990 to May 2012 resulted in the identification of 295 articles. After removal of duplicates, 271 articles were reviewed, based on the abstract and title alone; 32 were relevant or could not be fully assessed without assessing the entire article. Eight fully satisfied the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Each of these had some positive findings. However, there was large variability in the content and delivery of the interventions and inconsistency in measurement and variability of outcomes. Future studies should employ randomized control trial methodology and measure outcomes with commonly used measures to ensure feasibility of comparisons across the studies.
Learning to Live With a Loved One With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Banningh Liesbeth W. A. Joosten-Weyn , Vernooij-Dassen Myrra J. F. J. , Vullings Marjon , Prins Judith B. , Rikkert Marcel G. M. Olde , Kessels Roy P. C.
Published: March 2013

This controlled study examines the efficacy of a comprehensive group program aimed at care partners of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which comprises elements of psychoeducation, cognitive rehabilitation, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Pre- and posttreatment quantitative and qualitative data were collected in the significant others of 84 patients with MCI, 27 of whom had first been assigned to a waiting list, thus serving as their own control group. Also, the significant others rated their sense of competence, well-being, distress, acceptance, helplessness, and awareness. Quantitative data analysis did not reveal statistically significant differences between the control and the intervention condition, but qualitative results suggest that at program completion the significant others reported gains in knowledge, insight, acceptance, and coping skills. In the present sample of significant others, the group intervention was not proven effective. Suggestions for program adjustments and alternative outcome measures are discussed.
Probabilistic fatigue life analysis of welded steel plate railway bridge girders using S–N curve approach
Authors: Rao K Balaji , Anoop MB , Raghava G , Prakash M , Rajadurai A
Published: March 2013

In this article, a generalized procedure for estimating probabilistic fatigue life of steel plate railway bridge girders with welded connections, considering plate breathing and a loading spectrum, is presented. The procedure combines the probabilistic S–N curve with Palmgren-Miner’s fatigue damage accumulation rule. One of the features of the study is determination of effect of the modeling error associated with the S–N curve on estimation on the fatigue life of bridge girders. Expressions for probability density functions of number of cycles to failure and accumulated fatigue damage are obtained in the closed form and Monte Carlo simulation, for the cases of without and with modeling error considered in fatigue life estimation, respectively. The use of the proposed procedure is illustrated by considering two railway plate girder bridges designed according to Indian Railway Standards. From the results obtained, it is noted that plate breathing is an important mechanism to be considered while estimating the fatigue life of the railway bridges. The results of the present investigation clearly bring out the importance of carrying out fatigue reliability analysis of different bridge spans, while establishing railway line reliability (as reliability of the weakest span would govern the line reliability).
Hepatitis C virus impairs TLR3 signaling and inhibits IFN-λ 1 expression in human hepatoma cell line
Authors: Wang Yizhong , Li Jieliang , Wang Xu , Ye Li , Zhou Yu , Thomas Rebecca M , Ho Wenzhe
Published: March 2013

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) activation plays an important role in the innate immune responses to viral infections. We show here that the activation of TLR3 signaling pathway by poly I:C, a synthetic mimic of dsRNA, could induce high-level expression of interferon (IFN)- λ1 in a hepatoma cell line. The induced IFN-λ1 contributed to poly I:C-mediated inhibition of hepatitis C virus (HCV) Japanese fulminant hepatitis-1 (JFH-1) replication in Huh7 cells. This inhibitory effect of poly I:C on HCV replication, however, was compromised by HCV infection of Huh7 cells. Investigation of the mechanisms showed that HCV infection suppressed the expression of poly I:C-induced IFN-λ1 and IFN-stimulated genes [ IFN-stimulated gene 56 ( ISG-56), myxovirus resistance A (MxA) and 2′- 5′- oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS-1))], the key antiviral elements in IFN signaling pathway. Among the HCV nonstructural (NS) proteins tested, NS3/4A, NS5A and NS5B had the ability to inhibit poly I:C-induced IFN-λ1 expression in Huh7 cells. These observations provide the experimental evidence that HCV and its proteins impair TLR3 signaling and inhibit intracellular IFN-λ1/ISG expression in a hepatoma cell line, which may account for HCV persistence in the liver.
Involvement of GRIM-19 in apoptosis induced in H5N1 virus-infected human macrophages
Authors: Ekchariyawat Peeraya , Thitithanyanont Arunee , Sirisinha Stitaya , Utaisincharoen Pongsak
Published: March 2013

The fatal H5N1 infection has a high mortality rate among infected patients. The pathogenesis of H5N1 viral infection is associated with the ability of the virus to induce apoptotic cell death. However, the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induced by H5N1 remains unclear. In the present study we demonstrate that H5N1 virus is able to up-regulate the expression of gene associated with retinoid and interferon induced mortality-19 (GRIM-19) in human monocyte-derived macrophages (hMDMs). GRIM-19 has been identified as a novel gene with apoptotic effects in virus-infected cells. The percentage of apoptotic cells is significantly decreased in H5N1-infected GRIM-19 depleted hMDMs, which is also associated with a decrease of BH3-interacting domain death agonist cleavage and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) release to the cytosol. These results suggested the involvement of GRIM-19 in apoptosis induced by H5N1 virus. Furthermore, neutralizing-IFN-β Ab is able to suppress GRIM-19 expression in H5N1-infected cells resulting in a decrease in apoptotic cell number, indicating that IFN-β secreted by H5N1-infected hMDMs regulates GRIM-19 expression leading to apoptosis. Altogether, the results presented here provide additional insight on the regulatory mechanism of H5N1 viral-induced apoptotic cell death in hMDMs.
Susceptibility for Depression in Current and Retired Student Athletes
Authors: Weigand Sabrina , Cohen Jared , Merenstein Daniel
Published: March 2013

Background:

Depression, a disabling mental disorder, adversely affects work, sleeping and eating habits, and family. Research does not exist on depression among athletes who have recently graduated from college and retired from their sport after exhausting their collegiate eligibility.

Hypothesis:

Changes in lifestyle and loss of personal identity, which follow college athletics, would put former college athletes at an increased risk for depression.

Methods:

A survey was sent to former (n = 163) and current (n = 117) college athletes to correlate depression and retirement from athletics.

Results:

Depression levels were significantly higher ( P = 0.03) in current college athletes (16.77%, n = 27) compared with former, graduated college athletes (8.03%, n = 9).

Conclusion:

Completion of college sports may not increase levels of depression. There is a need for increased awareness, education, screening, and intervention for depression in college athletes.

Clinical Relevance:

This study suggests that student athletes’ depression levels should be monitored during their participation in college sports.
The six-hour rule for testis fixation in testicular torsion: is it history?
Authors: Hadway Paul , Reynard John M
Published: March 2013

Objectives:

To explore the historical and recent evidence behind the urological rule that operative management within six hours of pain onset in testicular torsion is necessary for organ salvage To use this information to guide those involved in related medico-legal cases

Methods:

Focused search of the PubMed database. Translation from German to English of the sentinel work of Hellner from 1933.

Results:

Hellner’s canine studies showed that complete ischaemia of the testis beyond six hours resulted in necrosis and then atrophy. He also showed that the degree of torsion was a key determinant of outcome with organ salvage possible at up to 24 hours when the twist was less than 3600. Recent clinical series support these findings and suggest a success rate of ≥98% when exploration is performed within six hours. Testicular salvage may be as good as 89% when surgery is delayed to 12 hours. Related medico-legal cases may consider whether the operative delay was causative in testicular loss, and where liability may lie for any such delay. Specific literature in this area is sparse.

Conclusion:

Hellner’s work explains the basis of the six hour rule and its application remains valid in today’s clinical practice. Surgical exploration is indicated out to 24 hours, however, given that testes can still be saved and that the degree of torsion cannot be gleaned pre-operatively. Medico-legally, we believe that an operative delay of up to 8 hours is probably safe when considering the causation of testicular loss, but more data are needed. Liability is more complex in that many factors can contribute to the delay and may be beyond the control of the doctor or hospital.
EZH2 overexpression in natural killer/T-cell lymphoma confers growth advantage independently of histone methyltransferase activity
Authors: Yan Junli , Ng Siok-Bian , Tay Jim Liang-Seah , Lin Baohong , Koh Tze Loong , Tan Joy , Selvarajan Viknesvaran , Liu Shaw-Cheng , Bi Chonglei , Wang Shi , Choo Shoa-Nian , Shimizu Norio , Huang Gaofeng , Yu Qiang , Chng Wee-Joo
Published: March 2013

Key Points

This study has uncovered an oncogenic role of EZH2 independent of its methyltransferase activity in NKTL. This study suggests that targeting EZH2 may have therapeutic usefulness in NKTL.
Self-reported headache among the employees of a Swiss university hospital: prevalence, disability, current treatment, and economic impact
Authors: Sokolovic Emina , Riederer Franz , Szucs Thomas , Agosti Reto , Sándor Peter Stefan
Published: March 2013

Background

The objectives of this cross-sectional, observational study were to determine the prevalence of self-reported headache among the employees of the large Swiss university hospital, to measure the impact of headache using the MIDAS questionnaire, to assess current treatment and to estimate economic burden of headache considering indirect costs.

Methods

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed internally to 2000 randomly selected employees of the University Hospital Zurich.

Results

1210 employees (60.5%) responded. Of the 1192 (98.5%) employees who provided sufficiently complete information, 723 (61%) reported at least one headache type in the last three months. The prevalence of migraine, and tension-type headache was 20% and 50%, respectively. Regarding the occupational groups, there was a trend that healthcare staff, administration employees, and medical technicians suffered more from headaches than physicians, correcting for age and sex. The economic consequences of lost productivity were calculated to amount to approximately 14 million Swiss Francs (9.5 million EUR), representing 3.2% of the overall annual expenditure of the hospital for personnel.

Conclusion

Headache is highly prevalent among university hospital employees, with significant economic impact.
Genotype-phenotype matching analysis of 38 Lactococcus lactisstrains using random forest methods
Authors: Bayjanov Jumamurat R , Starrenburg Marjo JC , van der Sijde Marijke R , Siezen Roland J , van Hijum Sacha AFT
Published: March 2013

Background

Lactococcus lactis is used in dairy food fermentation and for the efficient production of industrially relevant enzymes. The genome content and different phenotypes have been determined for multiple L. lactis strains in order to understand intra-species genotype and phenotype diversity and annotate gene functions. In this study, we identified relations between gene presence and a collection of 207 phenotypes across 38 L. lactis strains of dairy and plant origin. Gene occurrence and phenotype data were used in an iterative gene selection procedure, based on the Random Forest algorithm, to identify genotype-phenotype relations.

Results

A total of 1388 gene-phenotype relations were found, of which some confirmed known gene-phenotype relations, such as the importance of arabinose utilization genes only for strains of plant origin. We also identified a gene cluster related to growth on melibiose, a plant disaccharide; this cluster is present only in melibiose-positive strains and can be used as a genetic marker in trait improvement. Additionally, several novel gene-phenotype relations were uncovered, for instance, genes related to arsenite resistance or arginine metabolism.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that genotype-phenotype matching by integrating large data sets provides the possibility to identify gene-phenotype relations, possibly improve gene function annotation and identified relations can be used for screening bacterial culture collections for desired phenotypes. In addition to all gene-phenotype relations, we also provide coherent phenotype data for 38 Lactococcus strains assessed in 207 different phenotyping experiments, which to our knowledge is the largest to date for the Lactococcus lactis species.
Type IV collagen stimulates pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration, and inhibits apoptosis through an autocrine loop
Authors: Öhlund Daniel , Franklin Oskar , Lundberg Erik , Lundin Christina , Sund Malin
Published: March 2013

Background

Pancreatic cancer shows a highly aggressive and infiltrative growth pattern and is characterized by an abundant tumor stroma known to interact with the cancer cells, and to influence tumor growth and drug resistance. Cancer cells actively take part in the production of extracellular matrix proteins, which then become deposited into the tumor stroma. Type IV collagen, an important component of the basement membrane, is highly expressed by pancreatic cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, the cellular effects of type IV collagen produced by the cancer cells were characterized.

Methods

The expression of type IV collagen and its integrin receptors were examined in vivo in human pancreatic cancer tissue. The cellular effects of type IV collagen were studied in pancreatic cancer cell lines by reducing type IV collagen expression through RNA interference and by functional receptor blocking of integrins and their binding-sites on the type IV collagen molecule.

Results

We show that type IV collagen is expressed close to the cancer cells in vivo, forming basement membrane like structures on the cancer cell surface that colocalize with the integrin receptors. Furthermore, the interaction between type IV collagen produced by the cancer cell, and integrins on the surface of the cancer cells, are important for continuous cancer cell growth, maintenance of a migratory phenotype, and for avoiding apoptosis.

Conclusion

We show that type IV collagen provides essential cell survival signals to the pancreatic cancer cells through an autocrine loop.
53BP1 expression is a modifier of the prognostic value of lymph node ratio and CA 19–9 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ausborn Natalie L , Wang Tong , Wentz Sabrina C , Washington Mary Kay , Merchant Nipun B , Zhao Zhiguo , Shyr Yu , Chakravarthy Anuradha Bapsi , Xia Fen
Published: March 2013

Background

53BP1 binds to the tumor suppressor p53 and has a key role in DNA damage response and repair. Low 53BP1 expression has been associated with decreased survival in breast cancer and has been shown to interact with several prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer. The role of 53BP1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has yet to be determined. We aimed to investigate whether 53BP1 levels interact with established prognostic factors in PDAC.

Methods

106 patients for whom there was tissue available at time of surgical resection for PDAC were included. A tissue microarray was constructed using surgical specimens, stained with antibodies to 53BP1, and scored for expression intensity. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to investigate the association between 53BP1 and patient survival with known prognostic factors for survival.

Results

The association of 53BP1 with several established prognostic factors was examined, including stage, tumor grade, surgical margin, peripancreatic extension, lymph node ratio (LNR), and CA 19–9. We found that 53BP1 modified the effects of known prognostic variables including LNR and CA 19–9 on survival outcomes. When 53BP1 intensity was low, increased LNR was associated with decreased OS (HR 4.84, 95% CI (2.26, 10.37),p<0.001) and high CA19-9 was associated with decreased OS (HR 1.72, 95% CI (1.18, 2.51),p=0.005). When 53BP1 intensity was high, LNR and CA19-9 were no longer associated with OS (p=0.958 andp=0.606, respectively).

Conclusions

In this study, 53BP1, a key player in DNA damage response and repair, was found to modify the prognostic value of two established prognostic factors, LNR and CA 19–9, suggesting 53BP1 may alter tumor behavior and ultimately impact how we interpret the value of other prognostic factors.