bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parameters for assessing the severity of clinical presentation of hemorrhagic fever with kindey syndrome
Authors: Zivkovic Milovan , Todorovic Zoran , Gajovic Oligica , Nesic Ljiljana , Mihailovic Zeljko
Published: November 2010

Introduction. Hemorrhagic fever with kidney syndrome is an acute infectious
disease of the zoonotic character, which is characterized by the sudden
beginning, high temperature, distinct hemorrhagic syndrome and symptoms and
signs of the acute kidney insufficiency. Hemorrhagic fever with kidney
syndrome can have mild, moderate and severe clinical picture and the
mortality ranges from 5%-15% in our area. The pupose of this study was to
try to present criteria on the basis of which it would be possible to forsee,
on time, the severity of the clinical picture and to recognize the patient
with the most severe disease form. Material and methods. Within the period of
ten years, 87 patients became ill of hemorrhagic fever with kidney syndrome
and were treated at General Hospital in Berane, where they were followed from
the aspect of clinical and laboratory analyses while the serologic
confirmation of the disease was done at the institute of Immunology and
Virology ?Torlak? in Belgrade. Results. The results show that the severity of
the clinical picture can be forseen on time on the basis of the dynamics of
increase of the values of urea and creatinine, duration of the shock
condition, duration of the oliguria less than 300 ml/24h, number of the
collapses, presence of the meningitic syndromes and appearance of the
asciteses and pleuritic hemorrhage. When, on the basis of these parameters,
we classify the patients into the categories of mild, moderate and severe
clinical picture, using the appropriate statistics methods we find out the
differences in duration of the disease as well as in the result of treatment
and number of the dialyzed patients. Conclusion. It is possible to forsee
clinical course in a patient on time by making timely diagnosis and careful
following the clinical and laboratory parameters, important for the result of
treatment.
Evaluation of anesthetic effect of ropivacaine in surgery of chronic periapical lessions
Authors: Tijanic Milos , Buric Nikola , Jovanovic Goran
Published: November 2010

Introduction. Ropivacaine is used in orthopedcs, gyneacology, surgery,
ophtamology, whereas experience about its usage in dentistry is still
limited. The aim of this research was to compare the anesthetic effect
between local anesthetics ropivacaine and bupivacaine, in surgical disposals
of chronical periapical lessions in maxilla. Material and methods. The study
included the patients that had indications for surgical removal of chronical
periapical lessions at one of the frontal teeth of upper jaw. The total total
number of examinees was 60, and they were devided in two groups. Ropivacaine
chloride (0.75%) was used as a local anesthetic in one group (Naropin? 0,75%;
Astra Zeneca), and in the other one bupivacaine chloride (0.5%) (Vexelit?
0,5%; Zdravlje). The autors applied 1,8 ml of block anesthesia for the n.
infraorbitalis (intraoral approach) as well as 0,2 ml of the local anesthetic
from the palatine side for the final branches of n. nasopalatinus in order to
observe the folloving anesthetic parameters. I. Beginning of anesthesia was
followed by the appearence of upper lip numbness. II. Pain rating scale
according to Sisk was used for the objective measurement of the anesthesia
quality. III. The pain intensity during the intervention was measured by
visual analogous scale, on which the patient denoted the intensity of pain he
had felt during the intervention. IV. Duration of anesthetic effect - it is
followed by soft tissues numbness. Results and discussion. After the
ropivacaine application anesthesia effect started in 1.57 min. and after the
usage of bupivacaine in 1.67 min. The mean duration of soft tissue numbness
after the application of ropivacaine was 321 minutes. Bupivacaine had a
shorter anesthetic effect - 296.5 minutes. The quality of anesthesia after
the usage of ropivacaine was assessed by the surgeons with average mark -
1.76. Interventions in which this anesthetic was used were performed with
minimal pain and without additional anesthesia. The quality of anesthesia
after the usage of bupivacaine (3.03) was statistically much worse (p<0.01)
in comparison to ropivacaine. In visual analogous scale where patients
denoted the intensity of pain during the intervention with ropivacaine the
marked average value was 30.1 mm while the average value with usage of
bupivacaine was 41.7 mm. The patients from the control group, where
bupivacaine was used, had much stronger pain, statistically significant
(p<0.05) in comparison to the group where ropivacaine was used. Our results
show that the quality of anesthesia that was attained with 0,5% bupivacaine
was much worse than the quality of anesthesia after the application of 0,75%
ropivacaine. Conclusion. Ropivacaine has a potential to replace bupivacaine
completely in cases when there is the indication for its usage in oral
surgery (longlasting intervention, interventions followed by intensive
postoperational pain, nerve blockade).
Vertical jump as a tool in assessment of muscular power and anaerobic performance
Authors: Ostojic Sergej , Stojanovic Marko , Ahmetovic Zlatko
Published: November 2010

Muscular strength and anaerobic power could be assessed by single and
multiple vertical jump testing procedures. Anaerobic capacity measured by
vertical jump testing is highly correlative with athletic performance, as
compared to other anaerobic testing procedures. The most frequently used
protocol with contact mat or force platform consists of single jump (i.e.
squat jump, drop jump, countermovement jump) and serial jump testing with
different duration. Measured variables include jump height and duration along
with absolute and relative peak muscular power. Several investigators have
clearly shown superior jump performance variables in elite athletes as
compared to non-elite subjects. Differences obtained could be due to genetic
factors and acute or prolonged efects of training regimen.
Venous thromboembolism and oral contraception
Authors: Veljkovic Milena , Popovic Jasmina
Published: November 2010

Introduction. Because of their safety and efficacy, oral contraceptives are
available without prescription in many countries. Monophasic combined oral
contraceptives are a combination of estrogen and progestin taken in constant
amounts. Venous thromboembolism. Combined oral contraceptives slightly
increase the risk of venous thromboemolism, but this event is very rare among
non-pregnant women of reproductive age. The absolute risk rises with age,
obesity, recent surgery and certain forms of thrombophilia. The estrogen
component of combined oral contraceptives increases the synthesis of several
coagulation factors in a dose-dependent manner. Changes of most of these
parameters are very small and there is no evidence that they have any effect
upon the clinical risk of developing venous thrombosis. If a woman has an
inherited coagulation disorder that increases her risk of developing
thrombosis, the risk is increased several fold if she ingests estrogen
containing oral contraception. Conclusion. The increased risk of venous
thromboembolism associated with combined oral contraceptives should have
little impact on healthy women, but may have substantial impact on women with
a history of thromboembolism. Combined oral contraceptive use increases the
risk of venous thromboembolosm in a dose-dependent manner. The absolute risk
of venous thromboembolism rises with age, obesity, recent surgery and certain
forms of thrombophilia, as well.
Tyrosine kinases in etiopathogenesis and therapy of malignant diseases: c-kit activating mutations
Authors: Stankov Karmen , Bogdanovic Gordana , Popovic Stevan
Published: November 2010

Introduction. In the last 15 years, the introduction of molecular biology
methods and techniques for identifying mutations and measuring gene
expression levels of mutated genes since recently, have enabled precise
molecular diagnostics, classification and assessment of prognosis and
therapeutic response of malignant disease to specific therapies. The
increased knowledge of the cancer genome and the introduction of multiple new
technologies in cancer research have significantly improved the drug
discovery process, leading to key success in targeted cancer therapeutics,
including tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the
molecular targeted neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy of various malignancies.
Many more results which are expected from ongoing trials are necessary to
specify the appropriate dosages, stages at which to start the treatment, and
which therapeutic combinations to apply.
Prospects of cardioprotection by volatile anesthetics
Authors: Jovic Miomir , Krivokapic Borislav , Babic Milan , Nezic Dusko , Djukanovic Bosko , Stevanovic Predrag
Published: November 2010

Myocardial ischaemia is followed by some reversibile or ireversibile changes.
The aim of cardioplegia is to protect numerous intracellular processes: to
spare the intracellular energy stores, to reduce the free oxygen radicals
synthesis, to protect the function of the endothelium and myocardial oxygen
balance as well as ionic balance. The crystalloid or blood cardioplegia, with
anterograde or retrograde infusion, is a basic procedure of the
intraoperative cardiac protection. Glucose-insulin-potassium solution was
primarily used in a myocardial infarction. After the first promising results,
some surgical teams started to use the high glucose-insulin-potassium
solution, as a metabolic modulation approach, during a coronary surgery as
addition to cardioplegia. During ischaemia, a number of intracellular
mechanisms deteriorate with bioenergy misbalance and decrease of cellular
functional reserve. In particular, the regulation of contractility in
response to loading, alteration in autocrine or paracrine regulation in
metabolically stressed hearts and acquired, ?learned? tolerance of muscle to
deteriorate perfusion (preconditioning) are examples of a variety of the
cardiac adaptation. The further improvement in the metabolic modulation
during a coronary surgery was made with fluorine ion halogenated volatile
aneasthetics used for anaesthesia. The results of some experimental and
first clinical studies induced a new approach to the modulation of the
intracellular metabolic mechanisms and announced a new concept of anaesthetic
preconditioning in coronary surgery. Large, randomized studies are needed to
evaluate anaesthetic preconditioning and dependence of its efficiency on type
and dose of volatile anaesthetics as well as the role of gene regulation in
cardioprotection.
Investigation of risk factors for acute stress reaction following induced abortion
Authors: Vukelic Jelka , Kapamadzija Aleksandra , Kondic Biljana
Published: November 2010

Introduction. Termination of pregnancy - induced abortion is inevitable in
family planning as the final solution in resolving unwanted pregnancies. It
can be the cause of major physical and phychological concequences on women?s
health. Diverse opinions on psychological consequences of induced abortion
can be found in literature. Material and methods. A prospective study was
performed in order to predict acute stress disorder (ASD) after the induced
abortion and the possibility of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Seven
days after the induced abortion, 40 women had to fill in: 1. a special
questionnaire made for this investigation, with questions linked to some risk
factors inducing stress, 2. Likert?s emotional scale and 3. Bryant?s acute
stress reaction scale. Results. After an induced abortion 52.5% women had ASD
and 32.5% women had PTSD. Women with ASD after the abortion developed more
sense of guilt, irritability, shame, self-judgement, fear from God and
self-hatred. They were less educated, had lower income, they were more
religious, did not approve of abortion and had worse relationship with their
partners after the abortion in comparison to women without ASD. Age, number
of previous abortions and decision to abort did not differ between the two
groups. Discussion and conclusion. Induced abortion represents a predisposing
factor for ASD and PTSD in women. Some psychosocial factors contribute to the
development of stress after abortion. Serbia has a task to reduce the number
of abortions which is very high, in order, to preserve reproductive and
phychological health of women.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy of acute cholecystitis
Authors: Stanisic Veselin , Bakic Milorad , Magdelinic Milorad , Kolasinac Hamdija , Babic Igor
Published: November 2010

Introduction. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a method of choice for surgical
treatment of diseases of gallbladder. Although most surgeons today use
laparoscopic cholecystectomy in treatment of severe acute cholecystitis, most
surgeons still consider acute cholecystitis a relevant contraindication for
laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of ?confused? anatomy and ?severe?
pathology. Aim of the study was to analyze laparoscopic cholecystectomy
outcomes in treatment of acute cholecystitis. Material and methods. A
prospective analysis included 78 patients operated for acute calculose
cholecystitis from Jan 2007 to Dec 2008. We analyzed clinical characteristics
of the course of disease, associated diseases, duration of operation,
operative and postoperative complications, reasons for conversion into open
cholecystectomy. Results. The study indicated a low percentage of operative
and postoperative complications, short stay in hospital, quick recovery and
saving in treatment. The length of preoperative and postoperative
hospitalization was 1.4?0.5 days and 2.5?1.6 days, respectively. 25 (32%)
patients were operated within 72 hours from the onset of symptoms, some
operative difficulties were present in 56 (71%) patients, light
identification of artery and ductus cysticus in 30 (38.5%) patients,
intraoperative lesion of ductus choledohus in 1 (1.3%); in 6 (7.7%) patients
conversion into open cholecystectomy was done, the average duration of
laparascopic cholecystectomy was 58.1?26.2 min. There were no lethal
outcomes. Conclusion. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an efficient and
reliable operative procedure in treatment of acute cholecystitis. It is much
easier to select patients for laparoscopic cholecystectomy when preoperative
risk factors predicting difficulties during the operation are known. An early
conversion into open cholecystectomy is a rational choice of any surgeon when
anatomy is not clear and in cases of advanced inflammatory process in order
to decrease operative and postoperative morbidity.
Cameron lesion: An unusual cause of anemia
Authors: Jovanovic Ivan , Alempijevic Tamara , Popovic Dragan , Kovacevic Nada , Krstic Miodrag
Published: November 2010

Introduction. Cameron lesions are linear gastric ulcers or erosions
positioned on the crests of mucosal folds at the diaphragmatic impression, in
patients with large hiatal hernia, and can cause iron deficiency anaemia.
Case report. We present a case of a 56-year-old woman who was referred to our
institution for further investigation after she was examined in
gastroenterology emergency room (GER) for signs and symptoms of severe
hypochromic microcytic anemia without signs of acute gastrointestinal
bleeding and with no obvious cause of chronic blood loss. Endoscopy showed
linear ulceration at the level of diaphragm-Cameron lesions with large hiated
hernia. She was treated with proton pump inhibitors and iron supplements. The
laparoscopic fundoplication was done. Six months later she was asymptomatic.
Conclusion. Large hiatus hernia may cause iron deficiency anemia due to
occult bleeding from Cameron erosions. The current therapy concept includes
the surgical reconstruction of the hiatus together with gastric
fundoplication in combination with the proton pump inhibitor therapy.
Effects of acepromazine, hydromorphone, or an acepromazine-hydromorphone combination on the degree of sedation in clinically normal dogs
Authors: Hofmeister Erik H. , Chandler Matthew J. , Read Matt R.
Published: November 2010

Objective—To determine the effects of IM administration of acepromazine, hydromorphone, or the acepromazine-hydromorphone combination on degree of sedation in clinically normal dogs and to compare 2 sedation scoring techniques.

Design—Prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled trial.

Animals—46 random-source dogs.

Procedures—Dogs were assigned to receive IM administrations of acepromazine (0.5 mg/kg [0.23 mg/lb]; n = 12), hydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb]; 11), acepromazine-hydromorphone (0.5 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively; 12), or saline (0.9% NaCI) solution (0.05 mL/kg [0.023 mL/lb]; 11). Sedation scores were determined at 0 (time of administration), 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes by use of a subjective scoring system (SSS) and a simple numeric rating scale (NRS).

Results—Acepromazine caused significantly greater sedation than did saline solution at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Acepromazine-hydromorphone caused significantly greater sedation than did saline solution at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes and than did hydromorphone alone at 30 minutes. Hydromorphone alone did not cause significantly greater sedation than did saline solution. All treatments, including saline solution, caused significantly greater sedation at 45 and 60 minutes, compared with sedation at time 0. There was a significant correlation (r2 = 0.72) between scores obtained with the SSS and NRS, but the NRS was less sensitive for detecting clinically important sedation.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Administration of acepromazine or acepromazine-hydromorphone caused sedation in clinically normal dogs, whereas administration of hydromorphone alone did not. The NRS was a less-reliable measure of sedation.
Magnetic resonance imaging features and clinical signs associated with presumptive and confirmed progressive myelomalacia in dogs: 12 cases (1997-2008)
Authors: Okada Midori , Kitagawa Masato , Ito Daisuke , Itou Takuya , Kanayama Kiichi , Sakai Takeo
Published: November 2010

Objective—To characterize clinical signs and findings from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CSF analysis for dogs with progressive myelomalacia (PM) diagnosed on the basis of clinical and histologic features.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—5 dogs with confirmed PM and 7 with presumptive PM evaluated from 1997 through 2008.

Procedures—Medical records of study dogs were reviewed, and clinical signs and MRI and CSF findings were evaluated. A clinical diagnosis of PM was made on the basis of detection of disk-associated spinal cord compression via MRI and progression of clinical signs from initial paraparesis or paraplegia to thoracic limb lower motor neuron paresis to tetraplegia associated with cranial migration of the extent of cutaneous trunci reflex extinction and analgesia, terminating in death due to respiratory paralysis.

Results—All dogs were paraplegic and had signs of lower motor neuron lesions. As revealed by MRI of the vertebral column, the length of abnormal signal intensity was more than 6-fold, compared with the body length of L2. In some dogs, these abnormal MRI findings were observed before PM was clinically diagnosed. The CSF examination revealed hemorrhagic xanthochromia.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—A hyperintense region of the spinal cord > 6 times the length of L2 on T2-weighted imaging might be a characteristic MRI finding of PM. In some dogs, such MRI findings were observed before PM was clinically diagnosed. Progressive myelomalacia may thus be diagnosable at the early stage through MRI and CSF examination before signs of PM develop.
Meningitis, cranial neuritis, and radiculoneuritis associated with Borrelia burgdorferi infection in a horse
Authors: James Frances M. , Engiles Julie B. , Beech Jill
Published: November 2010

Case Description—A 12-year-old Thoroughbred was examined because of signs of depression, neck stiffness, and poor performance.

Clinical Findings—Physical examination revealed that the horse was dull, appeared depressed, was reluctant to raise its neck and head above a horizontal plane, and had a temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F). No radiographic or scintigraphic abnormalities of the neck were found; however, high plasma fibrinogen concentration and relative lymphopenia were identified and the horse was seropositive for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi. Analysis of CSF revealed neutrophilic inflammation, and results of a PCR assay of CSF for B burgdorferi DNA were positive. Immunologic testing revealed severe B-cell lymphopenia and a low serum IgM concentration consistent with common variable immunodeficiency.

Treatment and Outcome—The horse responded well to do×ycycline treatment (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h for 60 days) and returned to normal exercise. However, 60 days after treatment was discontinued, the horse again developed a stiff neck and rapidly progressive neurologic deficits, including severe ataxia and vestibular deficits. The horse's condition deteriorated rapidly despite IV oxytetracycline treatment, and the horse was euthanatized. Postmortem examination revealed leptomeningitis, lymphohistiocytic leptomeningeal vasculitis, cranial neuritis, and peripheral radiculoneuritis with Wallerian degeneration; findings were consistent with a diagnosis of neuroborreliosis.

Clinical Relevance—Nervous system infection with B burgdorferi should be considered in horses with evidence of meningitis and high or equivocal serum anti-B burgdorferi antibody titers. Evaluation of immune function is recommended in adult horses evaluated because of primary bacterial meningitis.
Finite basis problem for 2-testable monoids
Authors: Lee Edmond
Published: November 2010

A monoid S
1 obtained by adjoining a unit element to a 2-testable semigroup S is said to be 2-testable. It is shown that a 2-testable monoid S
1 is either inherently non-finitely based or hereditarily finitely based, depending on whether or not the variety generated by the semigroup S contains the Brandt semigroup of order five. Consequently, it is decidable in quadratic time if a finite 2-testable monoid is finitely based.
An antioxidant probiotic reduces postprandial lipemia and oxidative stress
Authors: Kullisaar Tiiu , Shepetova Jelena , Zilmer Kersti , Songisepp Epp , Rehema Aune , Mikelsaar Marika , Zilmer Mihkel
Published: November 2010

Reducing postprandial oxidative stress (OxS), decreasing postprandial blood triglyceride level (TG) and improving lipoprotein status is likely to have a preventive impact on the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previously we have shown that the antioxidant probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 (DSM14241) is characterized by antiatherogenic effects. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study evaluated the influence of kefir enriched with an antioxidative probiotic L. fermentum ME-3 (LfKef) on postprandial OxS, blood TG response and lipoprotein status. 100 clinically healthy subjects were recruited into the study. Blood parameters of postprandial OxS, TG and lipoprotein status were determined by oxidized LDL, baseline diene conjugation in LDL (BDC-LDL), oxidized LDL complex with beta-2 glycoprotein (Beta2-GPI-oxLDL), paraoxonase (PON) activity, LDL-Chol, HDL-Chol and TG. To evaluate general body postprandial OxS-load we measured 8-isoprostanes (8-EPI) in the urine. Consumption of LfKef significantly reduced the postprandial level of oxidized LDL, BDC-LDL, Beta2-GPI-oxLDL, urinary 8-isoprostanes and postprandial TG and caused a significant increase in HDL-Chol and PON activity. This is the first evidence that kefir enriched with an antioxidant probiotic may have a positive effect on both postprandial OxS and TG response as well as on lipoprotein status.
Hydrothermal synthesis of core-shell structured PS@GdPO4:Tb3+/Ce3+ spherical particles and their luminescence properties
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Xue Yannan , Yu Min
Published: November 2010

Non-aggregated spherical polystyrene (PS) particles were coated with GdPO4:Tb3+/Ce3+ phosphor layers by a conventional hydrothermal synthesis using poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as an additive without further annealing treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), as well as luminescence decay experiments were used to characterise the resulting core-shell structured PS@GdPO4:Tb3+/Ce3+ samples. The results of XRD indicated that the PS particles were successfully coated with the GdPO4:Tb3+/Ce3+ phosphor layers, which could be further verified by the images of FESEM. Under ultraviolet excitation, the PS@GdPO4:Tb3+/Ce3+ phosphors show Tb3+ characteristic emission, i.e. 5D4-7FJ (J = {6, 5, 4, 3}) emission lines with green emission 5D4-7F5 (543 nm) as the most prominent group. The core-shell phosphors so obtained have potential applications in field emission display (FED) and plasma display panels (PDP).
Determination of the enthalpy of fusion of K3NbO2F4
Authors: Kosa Ladislav , Macková Iveta
Published: November 2010

Areas of fusion and crystallization peaks of K3NbO2F4 were measured using the DCS mode of a high-temperature calorimeter (SETARAM 1800 K). On the basis of these quantities, considering the temperature dependence of the calorimeter sensitivity, the value of the fusion enthalpy of K3NbO2F4 of (98 ± 6) kJ mol−1 was determined at the fusion temperature of 1257 K.
Mixture model and Markov random field-based remote sensing image unsupervised clustering method
Authors: Hou Y. , Yang Y. , Rao N. , Lun X. , Lan J.
Published: November 2010

In this paper, a novel method for remote sensing image clustering based on mixture model and Markov random field (MRF) is proposed. A remote sensing image can be considered as Gaussian mixture model. The image clustering result corresponding to the image label field is a MRF. So, the image clustering procedure is transformed to a maximum a posterior (MAP) problem by Bayesian theorem. The intensity difference and the spatial distance between the two pixels in the same clique are introduced into the traditional MRF potential function. The iterative conditional model (ICM) is employed to find the solution of MAP. We use the max entropy criterion to choose the optimal clustering number. In the experiments, the method is compared with the traditional MRF clustering method using ICM and simulated annealing (SA). The results show that this method is better than the traditional MRF model both in noise filtering and miss-classification ratio.
Kava: A Comprehensive Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Psychopharmacology
Authors: Sarris Jerome , LaPorte Emma , Schweitzer Isaac
Published: November 2010

Overview: Kava ( Piper methysticum) is a South Pacific psychotropic plant medicine that has anxiolytic activity. This effect is achieved from modulation of GABA activity via alteration of lipid membrane structure and sodium channel function, monoamine oxidase B inhibition, and noradrenaline and dopamine re-uptake inhibition. Kava is available over the counter in jurisdictions such as the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Due to this, a review of efficacy, safety and clinical recommendations is advised.

Objective: To conduct a comprehensive review of kava, in respect to efficacy, psychopharmacology, and safety, and to provide clinical recommendations for use in psychiatry to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Methods: A review was conducted using the electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library during mid 2010 of search terms relating to kava and GAD. A subsequent forward search was conducted of key papers using Web of Science cited reference search.

Results: The current weight of evidence supports the use of kava in treatment of anxiety with a significant result occurring in four out of six studies reviewed (mean Cohen's d = 1.1). Safety issues should however be considered. Use of traditional water soluble extracts of the rhizome (root) of appropriate kava cultivars is advised, in addition to avoidance of use with alcohol and caution with other psychotropic medications. Avoidance of high doses if driving or operating heavy machinery should be mandatory. For regular users routine liver function tests are advised.

Conclusions: While current evidence supports kava for generalized anxiety, more studies are required to assess comparative efficacy and safety (on the liver, cognition, driving, and sexual effects) versus established pharmaceutical comparators.
Medical Safety
Authors: Neopane Arun K
Published: November 2010

DOI: 10.3126/jnps.v30i3.3912J Nep Paedtr Soc 2010;30(3):127
Anthropometric Assessment for Adolescent Pregnancy: A Descriptive Study on Married Adolescents in Bangladesh
Authors: Haque MN
Published: November 2010

Background: Adolescent childbearing has emerged as a major concern in Bangladesh due to its shorter term adverse effects on both the mothers and babies born to adolescent mothers. Bangladesh is one of the vulnerable countries in the world and the most vulnerable country in South Asian region regarding early motherhood risks. Most of the adolescents pelvis is not mature enough for childbirth and malnutrition may stunt normal growth of adolescent women. But a greater proportion of currently married adolescent women want a child very soon. Hence it is needed to assess adolescent women’s physical and nutritional status for making future pregnancy outcomes safer. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the physical and nutritional status of married adolescent women for pregnancy by calculating prevalence of low weight, low height, stunting and thinness. Methodology: For assessing pre-pregnancy physical and nutritional status of married adolescent women, data extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS)–2004. Based on fundamental anthropometric variables (weight and height), stunting and thinness profile of study population has been prepared. Also, group mean of weight and height, prevalence of low weight (<45kg) and low height (<145 cm) have been calculated. Results: Adolescent women, on average, are at vulnerable for childbirth regarding their weight in the study results. For instance, more than 64% of married non-pregnant adolescent women’s weights are less than 45 kg and more than 15% of married non-pregnant adolescent women belong to height less than 145 cm in Bangladesh. It is also estimated that more than 16% and around 50% of married non-pregnant adolescent women were thin and stunted respectively in Bangladesh. Conclusion: Since early childbearing is a social norm in Bangladesh and many of married adolescent women are not physically fit for pregnancy, so it is necessary to encourage married adolescent women to delay childbearing through community education and by encouraging them to use family planning services. It should be necessary to pay special emphasizes for improving adolescent women’s nutritional status through the country’s Health, Nutrition and Population Sector Program or through National Nutrition Program (NNP). Keywords: Adolescent; Bangladesh; Pregnancy; Stunting; Thinness  DOI: 10.3126/jnps.v30i3.3918J Nep Paedtr Soc 2010;30(3):154-159
Histiocytosis Syndromes of Childhood: A report of four cases
Authors: Ramesh M , Singh V , Ghuliani R , Kapur BN , Singh J , Shankar S
Published: November 2010

Histiocytosis Syndromes of Childhood (HSC) are a group of rare and diverse disorders characterized by aggressive proliferation or accumulation of cells of monocyte - macrophage system of bone marrow. The clinical spectrum of this syndrome is distinctly varied. The exact pathophysiology of HSC is yet to be determined; however, evidence suggests that one of the subtypes, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, is due to decreased Natural Killer cell activity, resulting in increased activation of other T cell subtypes and production of cytokines. We present four cases of HSC managed at our center between October 2008 & February 2010. Key words: Histiocytosis Syndromes of Childhood; Langerhan’s cell Histiocytosis (LCH); Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH); Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS). DOI: 10.3126/jnps.v30i3.3923J Nep Paedtr Soc 2010;30(3):171-174
Medical Harm and Medical Safety
Authors: Adhikari N
Published: November 2010

DOI: 10.3126/jnps.v30i3.3930J Nep Paedtr Soc 2010;30(3):177-181
Phase transition in nanocrystalline iron: Atomistic-level simulations
Authors: Luo Wenhua , Hu Wangyu , Xiao Shifang , Deng Huiqiu , Gao Fei
Published: November 2010

Molecular dynamics simulations, along with the modified analytic embedded atom method, have been employed to study the bcc → fcc phase transition of nanocrystalline iron. The Gibbs free energies of bulk fcc and bcc iron phases are calculated as a function of temperature, and used to determine the bulk phase-transition temperature. Furthermore, the transformation temperature in the nanocrystalline iron, with a mean grain size of 3 nm, is determined to be 975 ± 25 K using the bond-order parameter method. The radial-distribution function and common neighbor analysis are used to understand the phase structure of the nanocrystalline iron and the evolution of local atomic structure. The snapshots of a two atomic layer thick slice provide a visible scenario of structural evolution during phase transition.
Multiscale simulations on the grain growth process in nanostructured materials
Authors: Kamachali Reza Darvishi , Hua Jun , Steinbach Ingo , Hartmaier Alexander
Published: November 2010

In this work, multi-phase field and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to investigate nanoscale grain growth mechanisms. Based on experimental observations, the combination of grain boundary expansion and vacancy diffusion has been considered in the multi-phase field model. The atomistic mechanism of boundary movement and the free volume redistribution during the growth process have been investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. According to the multi-phase field results, linear grain growth in nanostructured materials at low temperature can be explained by vacancy diffusion in the stress field around the grain boundaries. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm the observation of linear grain growth for nanometresized grains. The activation energy of grain boundary motion in this regime has been determined to be of the order of onetenth of the self-diffusion activation energy, which is consistent with experimental data. Based on the simulation results, the transition from linear to normal grain growth is discussed in detail and a criterion for this transition is proposed.
Experimental investigation and thermodynamic modeling of the Cu–Mn–Zn system
Authors: Chang Keke , Xu Honghui , Du Yong , Sun Weihua , Liang Jianlie , Zhang Lijun , Liu Shuhong , Wang Jiong
Published: November 2010

The phase equilibria of the Cu–Mn–Zn system at 550 °C were investigated using 4 diffusion couples and 25 equilibrated alloys. The preliminary phase relations resulting from diffusion couples were used to select the compositions of the equilibrated alloys. The samples were examined by means of X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and electron probe microanalysis. The experimental results show no existence of any ternary compound at 550 °C. The phase separation of the β(CuZn)-phase (bcc_A2 structure based on approximate Cu49Zn51, in wt.%) into β and β2 was observed in the diffusion couple of Cu73Mn27 (in wt.%)/Zn and in the ternary alloy of Cu42.4Mn8.8Zn48.5 (in wt.%). There is a debate on such a phase separation in the literature. An order/disorder (A2/B2) transition was inferred to exist according to the present experimental result. All the experimental phase diagram data available from the literature were critically reviewed. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the Gibbs energies of individual phases in the Cu–Mn–Zn system was then obtained by using the CALPHAD approach taking into account the reliable data from the literature and from the present work. Comprehensive comparisons between the calculated and measured phase diagrams showed that most of the experimental information is satisfactorily accounted for by the present thermodynamic modeling.
Phase reaction of ceria in LPS–SiC with Al2O3–Y2O3and AlN–Y2O3additives
Authors: Pan Z. , Fabrichnaya O. , Schreiber G. , Seifert H. J. , Baney R. H. , Tulenko J. S.
Published: November 2010

Dense SiC with addition of CeO2was obtained by liquid phase sintering using different additives (Y2O3, Al2O3) and (Y2O3, AlN). The total amounts of additives (Al2O3+ Y2O3) and (AlN + Y2O3) were fixed at 10 mass.% and 10 vol.%, respectively. Two different molar ratios of Al2O3:Y2O3additives, 1:1 and 5:3, were selected for investigation. Ratios of AlN:Y2O3were selected as 3:2 and 4:1. Influences of both different ratios of Al2O3:Y2O3and AlN:Y2O3and amounts of CeO2on sintering behaviour were investigated. The phase reaction products were identified by X-ray diffraction and microstructures were investigated using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. In the samples using Al2O3+ Y2O3as sintering additives, the CeO2was dissolved in Y4Al2O9phase during sintering. The oxidation state of Ce4+changed to Ce3+and Ce3+occupies Y3+positions, causing increases in lattice parameters for Y4Al2O9with CeO2content. In samples with AlN + Y2O3as sintering additives, Y10Al2Si3O18and Y2Si3N4O3were formed in the CeO2-free and CeO2containing compositions. During sintering, the CeO2dissolves in oxynitrides via a similar mechanism as in the Y4Al2O9phase.
Perspectives on the Transition from Batch to Continuous Mixing Technologies in the Compounding Industry
Authors: White J. L. , Bumm S. H.
Published: November 2010

During the last quarter of the 20th century, there was a transition from batch to continuous mixing in the polymer and food industries. We present and summarize experimental studies of flows in both internal and continuous mixers. Simulation of flow in these machines is also described. It is argued that the primary reason for this transition was that continuous mixers produce more uniform and better quality mixes, and that this is inherent in their different fluid mechanics. Batch mixers are always starved and largely unpressurized. Their complex fluid mechanics produce non-uniform mixing in the various portions of the compound material. Continuous mixers set up a steady state hydrodynamic flow field generally consisting of alternating regions of pressurized fully filled flow and starved flow. All of the compounds must pass through these regions to reach the die exit and thus possess uniform mixing histories. This uniform deformation history which includes pressurized mixing regions produces superior uniform products.
Investigation of Polymer Stretching Instabilities: Application to Film Blowing
Authors: Laffargue J. , Demay Y. , Agassant J.-F.
Published: November 2010

Film blowing, as other elongational polymer forming processes, may present marked drawing instabilities leading to unacceptable products. But in film blowing, these instabilities are much more complex than for example in fibre spinning: there is no stabilizing effect of the polymer cooling, and the symmetry of the process may be broken, leading in some processing conditions to so called helical instabilities. Stability of the process has been investigated using a strategy inspired from shell or homogeneisation theory: as the classical approach uses a frame locally affixed to the membrane, the equations of the problem are now written in the cartesian laboratory frame.

Making the equations dimensionless introduces naturally a small parameter defined as an aspect ratio (ratio of the film thickness to the bubble radius). Kinematic and stress variables are expanded as a function of this small parameter and introduced in the equations. It leads classically to a sequence of equations at successive orders. This strategy is used to obtain a time dependent membrane model. The stationary solution is equivalent to the one obtained using the classical approach. This model allows to develop a stability analysis, first in the axisymmetric case and then in the non axisymmetric one. Even a crude Newtonian temperature dependent rheology allows to capture qualitatively the observed instability phenomena.
Fabrication of a Nanosize Pattern Embedded Plastic Chip via an Injection Molding Method for Application to an Optical Biosensor
Authors: Kim K. H. , Kim W. , Hong J. C. , Ko H. S. , Kim B. K. , Huh C. , Sung G. Y.
Published: November 2010

We demonstrate a commercialized injection molding method for nano patterning of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for the purpose of mass production of a label-free optical biosensor chip. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images clearly show uniform nanopattern transfer on the plastic chip fabricated by an injection molding method. A uniformly deposited silicon nitride layer having a high refractive index by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique is also observed. A unique characterization method is described wherein optical resonance reflection is used accurately and quickly to characterize the geometrical sensor structure. The authors anticipate that this robust method will provide an excellent means of producing an optical resonance reflection biosensor (ORRB).
Air-coupled Ultrasound for Monitoring the Production of PUR Sandwich Structures
Authors: Siegmund F. , Döring D. , Rheinfurth M. , Haberstroh E. , Busse G.
Published: November 2010

Polyurethane sandwich structures are very useful in construction because of their excellent thermal insulating properties. Even though the chemicophysical processes occurring inside the production line crucially affect the quality of the final product, up to now, they are not monitored at all. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present a new fundamental approach for non-invasively monitoring these processes online by using air-coupled, low-frequency ultrasonic plate waves (“Lamb waves”). Hereby, a foaming cell incorporating the ultrasonic unit was constructed on a laboratory scale. Then, sandwich structures were fabricated with polyurethane consisting of various ratios of the educts di-isocyanate and polyol. Air, instead of liquid was used as the coupling medium to transport the ultrasonic waves that were subsequently monitored. For comparison, tensile strength and microscopic images were analyzed. Most importantly, various wave amplitudes and phases were recorded depending on the actual chemical properties of the polyurethane and its physical state. Consequently, this technique permits the direct and non-invasive tracking of the foaming process thereby avoiding expensive panel replacements.
Effect of Malonic Acid/Calcium Stearate Bicomponent Nucleator on the β-Crystalline Formation in Isotactic Poly(propylene)
Authors: Dou Q.
Published: November 2010

The effect of a new bicomponent β-nucleator composed of malonic acid (MA) and calcium stearate (CaSt) on the formation of the β-crystalline form in isotactic polypropylene (iPP) has been investigated. It has been found that the relative content of the β-crystalline form (k value) of iPP notably increases with the addition of the MA/CaSt mixture, and it attains a maximum value of 0.94 at 0.15% MA/0.30% CaSt. For iPP nucleated with the bicomponent nucleator, the spherulitic size decreases continuously with increasing CaSt dosage. FTIR analysis has shown that an “in situ” reaction may occur between MA and CaSt during melt blending, yielding an effective β-nucleator (calcium malonate, CaMt). The β-nucleation efficiency of an MA/CaSt mixture is higher than that of CaMt itself; this may be ascribed to greater dispersion of the “in situ” produced CaMt in the iPP matrix through the assistance of the CaSt residue and the stearic acid.
Using Quantum Computers for Quantum Simulation
Authors: Brown Katherine L. , Munro William J. , Kendon Vivien M.
Published: November 2010

Numerical simulation of quantum systems is crucial to further our understanding of natural phenomena. Many systems of key interest and importance, in areas such as superconducting materials and quantum chemistry, are thought to be described by models which we cannot solve with sufficient accuracy, neither analytically nor numerically with classical computers. Using a quantum computer to simulate such quantum systems has been viewed as a key application of quantum computation from the very beginning of the field in the 1980s. Moreover, useful results beyond the reach of classical computation are expected to be accessible with fewer than a hundred qubits, making quantum simulation potentially one of the earliest practical applications of quantum computers. In this paper we survey the theoretical and experimental development of quantum simulation using quantum computers, from the first ideas to the intense research efforts currently underway.
Coordination Games and Local Interactions: A Survey of the Game Theoretic Literature
Authors: Weidenholzer Simon
Published: November 2010

We survey the recent literature on coordination games, where there is a conflictbetween risk dominance and payoff dominance. Our main focus is on models of local interactions, where players only interact with small subsets of the overall population rather than with society as a whole. We use Ellison’s [1] Radius-Coradius Theorem to present prominent results on local interactions. Amongst others, we discuss best reply learning in a global- and in a local- interaction framework and best reply learning in multiple location models and in a network formation context. Further, we discuss imitation learning in a localandin a global- interactions setting.
Paradoxical Acceleration of Dithiothreitol-Induced Aggregation of Insulin in the Presence of a Chaperone
Authors: Bumagina Zoya , Gurvits Bella , Artemova Natalya , Muranov Konstantin , Kurganov Boris
Published: November 2010

The kinetics of dithiothreitol (DTT)-induced aggregation of human recombinant insulin and the effect of α-crystallin, a representative of the family of small heat shock proteins, on the aggregation process have been studied using dynamic light scattering technique. Analysis of the distribution of the particles by size measured in the course of aggregation showed that the initial stage of the aggregation process was the stage of formation of the start aggregates with a hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of about 90 nm. When studying the effect of α-crystallin on the rate of DTT-induced aggregation of insulin, it was demonstrated that low concentrations of α-crystallin dramatically accelerated the aggregation process, whereas high concentrations of α-crystallin suppressed insulin aggregation. In the present study, at the molar stoichiometric ratio (insulin:α-crystallin) less than 1:0.5, a pronounced accelerating effect of α-crystallin was observed; whereas a ratio exceeding the value of 1:0.6 caused suppression of insulin aggregation. The mechanisms underlying the dual effect of α-crystallin have been proposed. It is assumed that heterogeneous nucleation occurring on the surface of the α-crystallin particle plays the key role in the paradoxical acceleration of insulin aggregation by α-crystallin that may provide an alternative biologically significant pathway of the aggregation process.
Solvent Vapor Treatment Effects on Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Thin Films and its Application for Interpenetrating Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Hori Tetsuro , Kittichungchit Varutt , Moritou Hiroki , Kubo Hitoshi , Fujii Akihiko , Ozaki Masanori
Published: November 2010

The solvent vapor treatment (SVT) for poly(3-hexylthiophene) (PAT6) films and its application to interpenetrating heterojunction organic solar cells have been studied. It was found that SVT could improve the crystallinity and electrical characteristics of the PAT6 films. We fabricated organic solar cells with an interpenetrating structure of PAT6 and fullerenes utilizing the SVT process, and discuss the improved performance of the solar cells by taking the film crystallinity, optical properties, and morphology into consideration.