bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of CD44v6 and integrin-β1 for the prognosis evaluation of pancreatic cancer patients after cryosurgery
Authors: Zhou Gang , Chiu David , Qin Dajiang , Niu Lizhi , Cai Jinlei , He Lihua , Tan Dongfeng , Xu Kecheng
Published: September 2013

Background

Many previous studies demonstrated that cell adhesion molecules CD44v6 and integrin-β1 had been extensively investigated as potential prognostic markers of various cancers. However, data in PC are scarce.

Methods

We now investigate CD44v6 and integrin-β1 mRNA expression in PBMC by a triplex real-time RT-PCR assay and protein expression in plasma by ELISA. All specimens were collected from 54 PC patients who received the treatment of cryosurgery as well as 20 healthy individuals (control).

Results

The mRNA and protein expression levels of CD44v6 and integrin-β1 in patients were significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05). The high CD44v6 mRNA and protein expression were significantly correlated with clinical stage, tumor differentiation, LNM, liver metastasis and decreased median DFS (P<0.05), while the high integrin-β1 mRNA and protein expression were significantly correlated with clinical stage, LNM, liver metastasis and decreased median DFS (P<0.05). Clinical stage, LNM, liver metastasis, CD44v6 mRNA and protein expression were the independent predictors of survival in PC patients (P<0.05). Moreover, CD44v6 and integrin-β1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly decreased in patients in 3 months after cryosurgery (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in CD44v6 mRNA and protein expression between patients in 3 months after cryosurgery and control group (P>0.05).

Conclusion

CD44v6 and integrin-β1 mRNA and protein expression in blood may serve as biomarkers for the development and metastasis of PC, and as prognostic indicators for PC. They may become useful predictors in assessing outcome of PC patients after cryosurgery.

Virtual slides

The virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/4035308681009006
Lingual orthodontics for children and adolescents: improvement of the indirect bonding protocol
Authors: Beyling Frauke , Schwestka-Polly Rainer , Wiechmann Dirk
Published: September 2013

Introduction

Demineralization of the dental enamel is a finding associated with fixed orthodontic treatment. When an indirect bonding procedure is used in children and adolescents the area beneath the bracket base may be affected.

Aim

To evaluate if the addition of an extra layer of a hydrophilic resin, to a conventional indirect bonding protocol, can reduce the incidence of demineralization beneath the bracket base.

Methods

40 patients under 18 years of age were treated with completely customized lingual appliances. Two different bonding protocols were used either with or without the application of an additional layer of hydrophilic resin. Demineralization beneath the bracket base, after de-bonding, was evaluated by standardized intra-oral photographs.

Results

The addition of an extra layer of a hydrophilic resin helps to reduce the number of demineralized areas beneath the bracket bases significantly (three times less). The severity of the few remaining defects were minor and without any clinical consequence.

Conclusion

When bonding a completely customized lingual appliance in children and adolescents, an extra layer of a hydrophilic resin should be added to the teeth.
Rapamycin increases survival in ALS mice lacking mature lymphocytes
Authors: Staats Kim A , Hernandez Sara , Schönefeldt Susann , Bento-Abreu André , Dooley James , Van Damme Philip , Liston Adrian , Robberecht Wim , Van Den Bosch Ludo
Published: September 2013

Background

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating progressive neurodegenerative disease. Disease pathophysiology is complex and not yet fully understood, but is proposed to include the accumulation of misfolded proteins, as aggregates are present in spinal cords from ALS patients and in ALS model organisms. Increasing autophagy is hypothesized to be protective in ALS as it removes these aggregates. Rapamycin is frequently used to increase autophagy, but is also a potent immune suppressor. To properly assess the role of rapamycin-induced autophagy, the immune suppressive role of rapamycin should be negated.

Findings

Autophagy is increased in the spinal cord of ALS mice. Dietary supplementation of rapamycin increases autophagy, but does not increase the survival of mutant SOD1 mice. To measure the effect of rapamycin in ALS independent of immunosuppression, we tested the effect of rapamycin in ALS mice deficient of mature lymphocytes. Our results show that rapamycin moderately increases the survival of these ALS mice deficient of mature lymphocytes.

Conclusions

Rapamycin could suppress protective immune responses while enhancing protective autophagy reactions during the ALS disease process. While these opposing effects can cancel each other out, the use of immunodeficient mice allows segregation of effects. Our results indicate that maximal therapeutic benefit may be achieved through the use of compounds that enhance autophagy without causing immune suppression.
The CARE guidelines: consensus-based clinical case reporting guideline development
Authors: Gagnier Joel J , Kienle Gunver , Altman Douglas G , Moher David , Sox Harold , Riley David ,   the CARE Group
Published: September 2013

Background

A case report is a narrative that describes, for medical, scientific, or educational purposes, a medical problem experienced by one or more patients. Case reports written without guidance from reporting standards are insufficiently rigorous to guide clinical practice or to inform clinical study design.

Primary Objective. Develop, disseminate, and implement systematic reporting guidelines for case reports.

Methods

We used a three-phase consensus process consisting of (1) pre-meeting literature review and interviews to generate items for the reporting guidelines, (2) a face-to-face consensus meeting to draft the reporting guidelines, and (3) post-meeting feedback, review, and pilot testing, followed by finalization of the case report guidelines.

Results

This consensus process involved 27 participants and resulted in a 13-item checklist—a reporting guideline for case reports. The primary items of the checklist are title, key words, abstract, introduction, patient information, clinical findings, timeline, diagnostic assessment, therapeutic interventions, follow-up and outcomes, discussion, patient perspective, and informed consent.

Conclusions

We believe the implementation of the CARE (CAse REport) guidelines by medical journals will improve the completeness and transparency of published case reports and that the systematic aggregation of information from case reports will inform clinical study design, provide early signals of effectiveness and harms, and improve healthcare delivery.
Improvement of n-butanol tolerance in Escherichia coliby membrane-targeted tilapia metallothionein
Authors: Chin Wei-Chih , Lin Kuo-Hsing , Chang Jui-Jen , Huang Chieh-Chen
Published: September 2013

Background

Though n-butanol has been proposed as a potential transportation biofuel, its toxicity often causes oxidative stress in the host microorganism and is considered one of the bottlenecks preventing its efficient mass production.

Results

To relieve the oxidative stress in the host cell, metallothioneins (MTs), which are known as scavengers for reactive oxygen species (ROS), were engineered in E. coli hosts for both cytosolic and outer-membrane-targeted (osmoregulatory membrane protein OmpC fused) expression. Metallothioneins from human (HMT), mouse (MMT), and tilapia fish (TMT) were tested. The host strain expressing membrane-targeted TMT showed the greatest ability to reduce oxidative stresses induced by n-butanol, ethanol, furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and nickel. The same strain also allowed for an increased growth rate of recombinant E. coli under n-butanol stress. Further experiments indicated that the TMT-fused OmpC protein could not only function in ROS scavenging but also regulate either glycine betaine (GB) or glucose uptake via osmosis, and the dual functional fusion protein could contribute in an enhancement of the host microorganism’s growth rate.

Conclusions

The abilities of scavenging intracellular or extracellular ROS by these engineering E. coli were examined, and TMT show the best ability among three MTs. Additionally, the membrane-targeted fusion protein, OmpC-TMT, improved host tolerance up to 1.5% n-butanol above that of TMT which is only 1%. These results presented indicate potential novel approaches for engineering stress tolerant microorganism strains.
The predicted secretome and transmembranome of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae
Authors: Schicht Sabine , Qi Weihong , Poveda Lucy , Strube Christina
Published: September 2013

Background

The worldwide distributed hematophagous poultry red miteDermanyssus gallinae(De Geer, 1778) is one of the most important pests of poultry. Even though 35 acaricide compounds are available, control ofD. gallinaeremains difficult due to acaricide resistances as well as food safety regulations. The current study was carried out to identify putative excretory/secretory (pES) proteins ofD. gallinaesince these proteins play an important role in the host-parasite interaction and therefore represent potential targets for the development of novel intervention strategies. Additionally, putative transmembrane proteins (pTM) ofD. gallinaewere analyzed as representatives of this protein group also serve as promising targets for new control strategies.

Methods

D. gallinaepES and pTM protein prediction was based on putative protein sequences of whole transcriptome data which was parsed to different bioinformatical servers (SignalP, SecretomeP, TMHMM and TargetP). Subsequently, pES and pTM protein sequences were functionally annotated by different computational tools.

Results

Computational analysis of theD. gallinaeproteins identified 3,091 pES (5.6%) and 7,361 pTM proteins (13.4%). A significant proportion of pES proteins are considered to be involved in blood feeding and digestion such as salivary proteins, proteases, lipases and carbohydrases. The cysteine proteases cathepsin D and L as well as legumain, enzymes that cleave hemoglobin during blood digestion of the near related ticks, represented 6 of the top-30 BLASTP matches of the poultry red mite’s secretome. Identified pTM proteins may be involved in many important biological processes including cell signaling, transport of membrane-impermeable molecules and cell recognition. Ninjurin-like proteins, whose functions in mites are still unknown, represent the most frequently occurring pTM.

Conclusion

The current study is the first providing a mite’s secretome as well as transmembranome and provides valuable insights intoD. gallinaepES and pTM proteins operating in different metabolic pathways. Identifying a variety of molecules putatively involved in blood feeding may significantly contribute to the development of new therapeutic targets or vaccines against this poultry pest.
Expectantly waiting: A survey of thyroid surgery wait times among Canadian Otolaryngologists
Authors: Brake Maria , Moore Paige , Taylor S Mark , Trites Jonathan , Murray Scott , Hart Rob
Published: September 2013

Background

Our objective is to highlight discrepancies between actual wait times and perceived appropriate wait times for various thyroid pathologies among Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgeons in Canada; and to identify specific diagnoses/pathologies where wait times could be improved.

Methods

A questionnaire was distributed to all practicing CSO-HNS members. Questions focused on actual wait times for initial consults and surgery within individual practices, in the setting of various thyroid pathologies. Respondents were also asked to state wait times that they felt were appropriate for each scenario. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to determine statistically significant differences between actual and appropriate wait times.

Results

For most scenarios, the actual wait times were significantly longer than most physicians felt were appropriate; these scenarios included time to initial consult for undiagnosed nodules, time to surgery for confirmed malignancies, and time to completion thyroidectomy for surgically confirmed malignancies.

Conclusions

Wait times for thyroid consults and surgeries in Canada are longer than physicians feel are appropriate. The authors hope that this survey may spur a move towards a national consensus on appropriate wait times for the treatment of thyroid pathology.
Recent advances in application of chitosan in fuel cells
Authors: Vaghari Hamideh , Jafarizadeh-Malmiri Hoda , Berenjian Aydin , Anarjan Navideh
Published: September 2013

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices which convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Fuel cells have attracted attention due to their potential as a promising alternative to traditional power sources. More recently, efficient and environmentally benign biopolymer “chitosan” have been extensively investigated as a novel material for its application in fuel cells. This biopolymer can be used in both membrane electrolyte and electrode in various fuel cells such as alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells and biofuel cells. This review provides an overview of main available fuel cells following by application of chitosan as novel biopolymer in fuel cells technology. Recent achievements are included and recommendations are also given for areas of future research.
Handgrip and quadriceps muscle endurance testing in young adults
Authors: White Ciara , Dixon Kimberley , Samuel Dinesh , Stokes Maria
Published: September 2013

Background

Grip strength is widely used for estimating whole body strength but there is a lack of information relating to grip endurance. Comparison between endurance of different muscle groups has received little attention. The main aim of the present study was to determine the endurance characteristics of hand grip and quadriceps muscles in healthy young adults and then to examine the association between fatigability of the two muscle groups.

Methods

Twenty one healthy participants (8 males and 13 females) aged 18–35 years were studied. A maximal intermittent endurance test, consisting of 12 isometric contractions held for 3 seconds separated by 5 second rest periods, was utilised to measure muscle endurance. A Biodex isokinetic dynamometer and Jamar dynamometer were used to assess quadriceps and hand grip respectively. The mean of first (M1) and last (M2) three repetitions was calculated. Fatigue index values were calculated for both muscle groups by the 1st peak torque (PT) minus the last (12th) PT, divided by the 1st PT multiplied by 100.

Results

Quadriceps torque (M1:197.3 ± 65.2 Nm; M2:163.1 ± 47.6 Nm) and grip strength (M1:33.6 ± 9.9 Kg; M2:25.2 ± 8.1 Kg) both declined significantly during the 12 repetitions (p < 0.05). Hand grip showed a significantly higher mean fatigue index of 30% compared to 18% in the quadriceps (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Quadriceps showed better fatigability than hand grip. The findings therefore indicate caution against using grip endurance as a surrogate measure of quadriceps endurance. Further research is warranted to confirm observed differences between genders and to study endurance in different age groups.
Low-dose protocol of the spiral CT in orthodontics: comparative evaluation of entrance skin dose with traditional X-ray techniques
Authors: Cordasco Giancarlo , Portelli Marco , Militi Angela , Nucera Riccardo , Giudice Antonino Lo , Gatto Elda , Lucchese Alessandra
Published: September 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of radiation doses absorbed by soft tissues (entrance skin dose) with a low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) protocol compared to conventional X-ray techniques commonly used in orthodontics.

Methods

The amount of skin dose has been evaluated using a tissue-equivalent head-neck radiotherapy humanoid phantom with thermoluminescent dosimeters placed at the level of eye lens, parotid glands, and thyroid glands. CT images have been taken using a Sensation 16 Siemens CT scan and a low-dose protocol (15 mAs, 1 pitch, 2.5 mGy (CTDIvol), 80 kV, 1-mm slice thickness).

Results

The difference in image quality between traditional X-ray techniques and low-dose spiral CT was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference in mean absorbed dose instead was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Our protocol allows a more accurate orthodontic diagnosis without an increase of radiological risk for the patients in comparison to traditional X-ray techniques.
Bacterial lipopolysaccharides form procollagen-endotoxin complexes that trigger cartilage inflammation and degeneration: implications for the development of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lorenz Wolfgang , Buhrmann Constanze , Mobasheri Ali , Lueders Cora , Shakibaei Mehdi
Published: September 2013

Introduction

We have previously reported that bacterial toxins, especially endotoxins such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), might be important causative agents in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in an in vitro model that simulates the potential effects of residing in damp buildings. Since numerous inflammatory processes are linked with the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), we investigated in detail the effects of LPS on the NF-κB pathway and the postulated formation of procollagen-endotoxin complexes.

Methods

An in vitro model of human chondrocytes was used to investigate LPS-mediated inflammatory signaling.

Results

Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that LPS physically interact with collagen type II in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and anti-collagen type II significantly reduced this interaction. BMS-345541 (a specific inhibitor of IκB kinase (IKK)) or wortmannin (a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K)) inhibited the LPS-induced degradation of the ECM and apoptosis in chondrocytes. This effect was completely inhibited by combining BMS-345541 and wortmannin. Furthermore, BMS-345541 and/or wortmannin suppressed the LPS-induced upregulation of catabolic enzymes that mediate ECM degradation (matrix metalloproteinases-9, -13), cyclooxygenase-2 and apoptosis (activated caspase-3). These proteins are regulated by NF-κB, suggesting that the NF-κB and PI-3K pathways are involved in LPS-induced cartilage degradation. The induction of NF-κB correlated with activation of IκBα kinase, IκBα phosphorylation, IκBα degradation, p65 phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation. Further upstream, LPS induced the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and bound with TLR4, indicating that LPS acts through TLR4.

Conclusion

These results suggest that molecular associations between LPS/TLR4/collagen type II in chondrocytes upregulate the NF-κB and PI-3K signaling pathways and activate proinflammatory activity.
A genome-wide association study of chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer patients
Authors: Chung Suyoun , Low Siew-Kee , Zembutsu Hitoshi , Takahashi Atsushi , Kubo Michiaki , Sasa Mitsunori , Nakamura Yusuke
Published: September 2013

Introduction

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is one of the most common adverse events caused by conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, yet there has been very little progress in the prevention or treatment of this side effect. Although this is not a life-threatening event, alopecia is very psychologically difficult for many women to manage. In order to improve the quality of life for these women, it is important to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and develop ways to effectively prevent and/or treat it. To identify the genetic risk factors associated with chemotherapy-induced alopecia, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using DNA samples from breast cancer patients who were treated with chemotherapy.

Methods

We performed a case-control association study of 303 individuals who developed grade 2 alopecia, and compared them with 880 breast cancer patients who did not show hair loss after being treated with conventional chemotherapy. In addition, we separately analyzed a subset of patients who received specific combination therapies by GWASs and applied the weighted genetic risk scoring (wGRS) system to investigate the cumulative effects of the associated SNPs.

Results

We identified an SNP significantly associated with drug-induced grade 2 alopecia (rs3820706 in CACNB4 (calcium channel voltage-dependent subunit beta 4) on 2q23, P = 8.13 × 10-9, OR = 3.71) and detected several SNPs that showed some suggestive associations by subgroup analyses. We also classified patients into four groups on the basis of wGRS analysis and found that patients who classified in the highest risk group showed 443 times higher risk of antimicrotubule agents-induced alopecia than the lowest risk group.

Conclusions

Our study suggests several associated genes and should shed some light on the molecular mechanism of alopecia in chemotherapy-treated breast cancer patients and hopefully will contribute to development of interventions that will improve the quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients.
Even Mild Hyperlactatemia Is Associated with Increased Mortality in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Rishu Asgar H , Khan Raymond , Al-Dorzi Hasan M , Tamim Hani M , Al-Qahtani Saad , Al-Ghamdi Ghassan , Arabi Yaseen M
Published: September 2013

Introduction

The clinical significance of elevation of lactate levels within the reference range is not well studied. The objective of this study was to determine the best cutoff threshold for serum lactate within the reference range (0.01 to 2.00 mM) that best discriminated between survivors and nonsurvivors of critical illness and to examine the association between relative hyperlactatemia (lactate above the identified threshold) and mortality.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to the medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care academic center. Youden index was calculated to identify the best lactate cutoff threshold that discriminated between survivors and nonsurvivors. Patients with lactate above the identified threshold were defined as having relative hyperlactatemia. Multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for baseline variables, was performed to determine the relationship between the above two ranges of lactate levels and mortality. In addition, a test of interaction was performed to assess the effect of selected subgroups on the association between relative hyperlactatemia and hospital mortality.

Results

During the study period, 2,157 patients were included in the study with mean lactate of 1.3 ± 0.4 mM, age of 55.1 ± 20.3 years, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score of 22.1 ± 8.2. Vasopressors were required in 42.4%. Lactate of 1.35 mM was found to be the best cutoff threshold for the whole cohort. Relative hyperlactatemia was associated with increased hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29 to 1.98), and ICU mortality (aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.26 to 2.17) compared with a lactate level of 0.01 to 1.35 mM. This association was consistent among all examined subgroups.

Conclusions

Relative hyperlactatemia (lactate of 1.36 to 2.00 mM) within the first 24 hours of ICU admission is an independent predictor of hospital and ICU mortality in critically ill patients.
Systemic endotoxin activity correlates with clot formation: an observational study in patients with early systemic inflammation and sepsis
Authors: Koch Alexander , Meesters Michael Isaäc , Scheller Bertram , Boer Christa , Zacharowski Kai
Published: September 2013

Introduction

Inflammation and coagulation are closely linked, and both can be triggered by endotoxin. Thrombelastometry and impedance aggregometry are of diagnostic and predictive value in critically ill patients. In this observational study we investigated the correlation of endotoxin activity with thrombelasometric and aggregometric variables in patients with systemic inflammation.

Methods

Based on a daily screening on a tertiary academic surgical ICU, patients, as soon as they fulfilled two or more criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), were included. In whole blood we performed endotoxin activity (EA) assay, thrombelastometry (ROTEM®) and impendance aggregometry (Multiplate®).

Results

In total, 49 patients were included with a broad spread of EA levels of (median (minimum to maximum)) 0.27 (0.01 to 0.72), allowing expedient correlative analysis. Clot formation time (CFT) (263 s (60 to 1,438 s)) and clotting time (CT) (1,008 s (53 to 1,481 s)) showed a significant negative correlation with EA level (r = -0.38 (P < 0.005) and r = -0.29 (P < 0.05)). Positive correlations were found for alpha-angle (50° (17 to 78°), r = 0.40 (P < 0.005)) and maximum clot firmness (MCF) (55 mm (5/76), r = 0.27 (P < 0.05)). No significant correlations were found between Lysis Index at 60 minutes (LI60) and EA levels. There was no correlation between EA level and aggregometric values, or classical coagulation parameters.

Conclusions

In patients with systemic inflammation, increasing endotoxin concentrations correlate with increased clot formation.
Comprehensive evaluation of differential gene expression analysis methods for RNA-seq data
Authors: Rapaport Franck , Khanin Raya , Liang Yupu , Pirun Mono , Krek Azra , Zumbo Paul , Mason Christopher E , Socci Nicholas D , Betel Doron
Published: September 2013

A large number of computational methods have been developed for analyzing differential gene expression in RNA-seq data. We describe a comprehensive evaluation of common methods using the SEQC benchmark dataset and ENCODE data. We consider a number of key features, including normalization, accuracy of differential expression detection and differential expression analysis when one condition has no detectable expression. We find significant differences among the methods, but note that array-based methods adapted to RNA-seq data perform comparably to methods designed for RNA-seq. Our results demonstrate that increasing the number of replicate samples significantly improves detection power over increased sequencing depth.
The End of the War on Terror and the Future of US Counterterrorism
Authors: Nordenman Magnus
Published: September 2013

The “Global War on Terror” came to dominate US foreign policy in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The effort served as a guiding light for how the United States interacted with friends, allies, and adversaries and deeply influenced US priorities around the globe, in general, and in the wider Middle East, in particular. While it will likely never be announced as concluded, the Global War on Terror is effectively over, due to four separate but related reasons: the killing of Osama bin Laden, the perceived failure of counterinsurgency as an effective policy instrument, the significant costs of the effort, and the Arab Awakening. This does not mean, however, that the United States will no longer pursue counterterrorists. Drones and special forces have emerged as the key tools in US counterterrorism, and the United States is likely to continue pursuing terrorist cells and high-value targets aggressively across the globe for decades to come using these means. However, this practice should be viewed as one of many defense efforts that the United States carries out on a regular basis in order to guard the full range of US interests. Elements of the emerging US counterterrorism effort remain problematic, but the end of the Global War on Terror nevertheless presents Washington with a window of opportunity to reorder its relations with the nations and peoples of the Middle East and North Africa and frees up resources for the United States to tackle other emerging strategic priorities, such as the shift of global power to the Pacific, the revival of the US economy, and security challenges such as energy security and cyber defense.
Tectal etiology for irrepressible saccades: a case study in a Rhesus monkey
Authors: Gnadt James W , Noto Christopher T , Kanwal Jagmeet S
Published: September 2013

Brain circuits controlling eye movements are widely distributed and complex. The etiology of irrepressible square wave saccades is not fully understood and is likely different for different neuropathologies. In a previous study, spontaneously occurring irrepressible saccades were noted after a cerebrovascular accident that damaged the rostral superior colliculus (SC) and its commissure in a Rhesus monkey. Here, we tracked and quantified the development of similar symptoms in a Rhesus monkey caused by a lesion in the rostromedial SC and its commissure. We documented the changes in these saccadic intrusions while the monkey attempted fixation of a target on three consecutive days post-onset. On the first day, eye jerk amplitude was ~10 degrees and the direction was ~30 degrees above the left horizontal meridian. On the second day, the amplitude decreased to 6.5 degrees and the direction shifted towards vertical, ~20 degrees to the left of the vertical meridian. Size, but not direction, of the eye jerks continued to decrease until intrusions dissipated within one month. Histological examination after ~6 months from the first appearance of the intrusions revealed a lesion in the commissure of the SC. Results from this and the previous study confirm the involvement of the commissure of the SC as the common target for triggering this neuropathy. Our data suggest that commissural fibers play an important role in maintaining normal visual stability. Interrupting the commissure between the two superior colliculi causes saccadic intrusions in the form of irrepressible jerking of the eyes, probably by disrupting inhibitory signals transmitted through the commissure. Furthermore, disappearance of the symptoms suggests that inhibitory fields within the SC are plastic and can expand, possibly via inputs from inter-collicular and nigrotectal pathways.
The effects of high-fat diet, branched-chain amino acids and exercise on female C57BL/6 mouse Achilles tendon biomechanical properties
Authors: Boivin G. P. , Platt K. M. , Corbett J. , Reeves J. , Hardy A. L. , Elenes E. Y. , Charnigo R. J. , Hunter S. A. , Pearson K. J.
Published: September 2013

Objectives

The goals of this study were: 1) to determine if high-fat diet (HFD) feeding in female mice would negatively impact biomechanical and histologic consequences on the Achilles tendon and quadriceps muscle; and 2) to investigate whether exercise and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation would affect these parameters or attenuate any negative consequences resulting from HFD consumption.

Methods

We examined the effects of 16 weeks of 60% HFD feeding, voluntary exercise (free choice wheel running) and BCAA administration in female C57BL/6 mice. The Achilles tendons and quadriceps muscles were removed at the end of the experiment and assessed histologically and biomechanically.

Results

HFD feeding significantly decreased the Achilles tendon modulus without histological alterations. BCAA administration significantly decreased the stiffness of Achilles tendons in the exercised normal diet mice. Exercise partially ameliorated both the weight gain and glucose levels in the HFD-fed mice, led to a significant decrease in the maximum load of the Achilles tendon, and an increase in the average fibril diameter of the quadriceps femoris muscle. There were significant correlations between body weight and several biomechanical properties, demonstrating the importance of controlling obesity for maintaining healthy tendon properties.

Conclusions

In summary, this study showed a significant impact of obesity and body weight on tendon biomechanical properties with limited effects of exercise and BCAAs. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2013;2:186–92.
Actinomycosis: an unusual cause of unresectable rectal cancer
Authors: Grey T , Lindsay K , Bhowmick A
Published: September 2013

We present a very unusual case of a woman with an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) who developed pelvic actinomycosis during long course chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer, which presented a significant diagnostic challenge and eventually rendered the cancer unresectable. IUCDs are often implicated in the development of pelvic actinomycosis but there is no current evidence or guideline to suggest that they should be removed prior to oncological treatment. Owing to the devastating consequences of this combination of disease, we suggest that it may be prudent to remove IUCDs in this setting.
Three-dimensional assessment of hand outcome
Authors: Pearl RA , Belcher HJCR
Published: September 2013

Introduction

Patient reported outcome measures are central to National Health Service quality of care assessments. This study investigated the benefit of elective hand surgery by the simultaneous analysis of pain, function and appearance, using a three-dimensional (3D) graphical model for evaluating and presenting outcome.

Methods

A total of 188 patients scheduled for surgery completed pre- and postoperative questionnaires grading the severity of their pain, dysfunction and deformity of their hand(s). Scores were plotted on a 3D graph to demonstrate the degree of ‘normalisation’ following surgery.

Results

Surgical groups included: nerve compression (n=53), Dupuytren’s disease (n=51), trigger finger (n=20), ganglion (n=17) or other lump (n=21), trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis (n=10), rheumatoid disease (n=5) and other pathology (n=13). A significant improvement towards normality was seen after surgery in each group except for patients with rheumatoid disease.

Conclusions

This study provides a simple, visual representation of hand surgery outcome by plotting patient scores for pain, function and appearance simultaneously on a 3D graph.
Into Africa: Basic Surgical Skills Trainingin Northern Tanzania
Authors: Doran CMC , Foxall-Smith MA , Ngayomela I , Thomas WEG , Smith FCT
Published: September 2013

The intercollegiate Basic surgical skills (BSS) course is a rite of passage for UK surgical trainees and this approach to teaching skills is used in daily practice to ensure our trainees develop good surgical techniques and habits. We take it for granted that formal courses are delivered by the surgical royal colleges and now via the schools of surgery; however, this form of teaching is only now being introduced throughout other parts of the world. On the back of the success achieved by BSS in the UK, it has been successfully implemented in over 45 countries, including Barbados, 2 El Salvador, 3 Jordan 4 and dubai 5 in the past 5 years alone. The Education department of the RCS recently visited Tanzania to encourage inception of a surgical skills course programme.
Saints and Sinners: Arthur Espie Porritt
Authors: Beasley Wyn
Published: September 2013

Arthur Porritt, whose adventures, accolades and achievements spanned the globe, was both a surgeon himself and the son of a surgeon. His father, Ernest Edward Porritt, qualified in Edinburgh, became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1898, and practised in Wanganui in new zealand, where Arthur was born on 10 August 1900. His mother, Ivy McKenzie, died in 1914, when Arthur was in his first year at Wanganui Collegiate School; and when his father shortly went overseas to serve in the First World War, the boy became a boarder. The future Olympian distinguished himself as athletics champion, a member of the First XV and a prefect; and for a year after leaving school himself, he taught at a boys' school.
Ahead of the game
Authors: Williams Norman
Published: September 2013

As an avid sports fan I was euphoric after the amazing win (demolition!) by the British and Irish Lions of the Aussies in the third and final test to give the visitors the series. I thought this could not get any better but then came the Herculean efforts of Andy Murray to win the Wimbledon Men's Singles title and Chris Froome to win the Tour de France. However, despite these monumental achievements, in my mind these were eclipsed by the bravery and integrity of over 98 per cent of surgeons in England, who gave consent for their individual outcome data from 9 surgical audits to be published.
the International Advisory Board at the Royal College of Surgeons
Authors: Bircher Martin , Parker Mike
Published: September 2013

The International Advisory Board (IAB) was created at the College in 2009 to coordinate and enhance the College's international activities. At the outset the question was posed as to whether we pursue an active overseas strategy? We believe the answer is a resounding 'yes'. Nearly 25 per cent of our membership is from overseas. We believe we owe all our members a commitment not only to advance standards of healthcare within the UK but also across the world.
Complex facial reconstruction in the developing world
Authors: McGurk Mark , McClenaghan Fiona
Published: September 2013

Ethiopia is a country of over 91,000,000, making it the second most populous in Africa. doctors are 1 in 36,000 of the population (compared with 1 in 400 in the UK) and 43 per cent are based in the capital, Addis Ababa, which comprises only 5 per cent of the population. As a result, healthcare in rural areas is practically nonexistent. Ethiopia is one of the many developing countries that welcome surgical missions in order to meet the demands of complex patients who would otherwise be unable to access healthcare. In 2001 Project Harar was set up with the aim of funding surgical missions to provide facial reconstruction for children and young people suffering from facial deformity in Ethiopia.
Diplomacy of the Kurdish territorial nation
Authors: Talhami Ghada Hashem
Published: September 2013

This article argues that focusing on the foreign policy choices of the Kurdish leadership since Mulla Mustafa Barzani began seeking autonomy within Iraq will shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the Kurdish national movement. This essay sketches the rise of the Kurdish-American and Kurdish-Israeli alliances which aided the Kurds during the American occupation of Iraq. Due to Kurdish desire to consolidate their control over the hydrocarbon resources of their region, Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government find themselves locked in a dangerous struggle, which involves Turkey, Iran and Israel. Particular attention is paid to the refractory nature of these alliances and the implications of Kurdish Iraqi autonomy to the Kurdish communities of the region.
Change or more of the same? Obama and Iraq
Authors: Terry Janice J.
Published: September 2013

This article traces the changes in US foreign policy towards Iraq under the Obama presidency. Although Obama adopted a less aggressive and more cautious approach to Iraq than that of George W. Bush, the long-term interests and goals of the United States in Iraq remained much the same. In the ongoing struggle between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurds the United States is caught in the middle while trying to appease both sides. In addition, the involvement of the U.S. petroleum industry in Iraq is of particular importance to the United States and this long-term interest remains the same whether a Republican or Democrat is in the White House.
The United States’ withdrawal from Iraq: Challenges and results
Authors: Aljanabi Basim Karim Swidan
Published: September 2013

This essay examines the internal repercussions for Iraq of the US withdrawal. They can be summarized as the lack of a national political agenda that could lead to a unified Iraqi state; the absence of an Iraqi-centered army with national sovereignty as its main concern; failure to resolve conflicts between the Iraqi center and its periphery about a number of issues, including oil and gas; lack of clarity in the Constitution, especially paragraphs that deal with sectarianism and ethnic quotas; and a failure to resolve administrative and financial corruption.
Site specificity in the age of intermediality (with thanks to Michael Snow)
Authors: Marchessault Janine
Published: September 2013

This article addresses the materialist screen works of Canadian artist Michael Snow. It argues that Snow’s lifelong experimentations with different media technologies have always encompassed a rigorous and precise understanding of the phenomenology of the different viewing situations in which his works are seen. Two aspects of Snow’s practice are singled out as inherently connected: medium specificity and audiency. Snow’s artworks provide us with unique opportunities to grasp the complexities of changing forms of intermediality and spectatorship at a time when media are more fluid and ephemeral than ever before.
Kant and Bolzano on Analyticity
Authors: Rusnock Paul
Published: September 2013

Abstract: The history of speculation on a notion or notions called analyticity, now usually characterized as truth in virtue of meanings and independently of fact, is often viewed from the perspective of the Quine-Carnap dispute. Previous characterizations, due to Kant, Frege and others, are then seen as being of a piece with Carnap’s various definitions of analyticity, and thus open to Quine’s objections. Seen from this point of view, Bolzano’s claims about analyticity appear downright bizarre: for on his conception, analyticity is not only non-linguistic, but also independent of both apriority and necessity. In this paper, it is argued that the problem lies not with Bolzano, but rather with the received historical account, especially its interpretation of Kant.
State of photonics-related industry in Japan: Digital economy is creating a deep integration in East Asia
Authors: Tatsuno Kimio
Published: September 2013

Future challenges and problems of Japanese photonics-related industries are discussed by analyzing the statistics of domestic photonics production trend in Japan from the aspects of offshoring and deep integration taking place in East Asia due to the growing of the global digital economy. Mobile phone, digital camera, semiconductor stepper, and fiber to the X. X is home, buildings, factories, shops, government (FTTX) are case studied, and the utilization of the information and communication technology (ICT), together with a free trade policy, is expected for the future challenges.
Solving the Endogeneity Problem in Empirical Cost Functions: An Application to US Banks
Authors: Lijesen Mark G.
Published: September 2013

Empirical cost functions tend to ignore that firm differences in output levels depend on differences in cost levels and hence suffer from an endogeneity problem. We argue that traditional solutions for the endogeneity problem are insufficient for solving the problem and propose a structural approach to solve the problem. We apply both the traditional and the alternative models to panel data on large banks and found that a hybrid version yields results that are fully compatible with economic theory, whereas the traditional model provides theoretically incorrect in-sample predictions of scale elasticities.
Annotating the meaning of discourse connectives in multilingual corpora
Authors: Zufferey Sandrine , Degand Liesbeth
Published: September 2013

Discourse connectives are lexical items indicating coherence relations between discourse segments. Even though many languages possess a whole range of connectives, important divergences exist cross-linguistically in the number of connectives that are used to express a given relation. For this reason, connectives are not easily paired with a univocal translation equivalent across languages. This paper is a first attempt to design a reliable method to annotate the meaning of discourse connectives cross-linguistically using corpus data. We present the methodological choices made to reach this aim and report three annotation experiments using the framework of the Penn Discourse Tree Bank.
Study of Phase Distribution of a Liquid-Solid Circulating Fluidized Bed Reactor Using Abductive Network Modeling Approach
Authors: Razzak Shaikh A.
Published: September 2013

This communication deals with the Abductive Network modeling approach to investigate the phase holdup distributions of a liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed (LSCFB) system. The Abductive Network model is developed/trained using experimental data collected from a pilot scale LSCFB reactor involving 500-μm size glass beads and water as solid and liquid phases, respectively. The trained Abductive Network model successfully predicted experimental phase holdups of the LSCFB riser under different operating parameters. It is observed that the model predicted cross-sectional average of solids holdups in the axial directions and radial flow structure are well agreement with the experimental values. The statistical performance indicators including the mean absolute error (~4.67%) and the correlation coefficient (0.992) also show favorable indications of the suitability of Abductive Network modeling approach in predicting the solids holdup of the LSCFB system.
Tumor photothermolysis: using carbon nanomaterials for cancer therapy
Authors: Sawdon Alicia , Weydemeyer Ethan , Peng Ching-An
Published: September 2013

Carbon nanomaterials have unique physicochemical properties based solely on their small size, which makes them ideal for nano-oncology. While there have been tremendous advances in the current treatment of high-risk cancers, conventional treatment still causes harm to the surrounding healthy tissue. Carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanohorns, and graphenes have been increasingly used in the field of cancer photothermal therapy. Through surface functionalization, carbon nanomaterials can be specifically targeted to the tumorous tissue allowing for an increase in therapeutic potential. The unique photo-electron transfer features of carbon nanomaterials coupled with functional moieties, is proving useful for their use in the photothermolysis of cancer cells.
Danish humor in cross-cultural professional settings: linguistic and social aspects
Authors: Lundquist Lita
Published: September 2013

The specificities of national humor are often mentioned in humor research, but seldom explained in depth. This article concerns two studies, which reveal that Danish humor (as used in professional settings) is judged by Danes and non-Danes alike as ironic, self-ironic, sarcastic, and direct, with no limits or taboos. These characteristics of Danish humor are analyzed here using two different theoretical frameworks: linguistics – where an explanation is found in certain type-specific features of the Danish language, namely the dialogical particles typical of the Nordic languages in general – and the historico-sociological approach proposed by Norbert Elias. According to Elias, the mentality of a people has been molded through an ongoing historical process of civilization. The civilizing process specific to Danish society has engendered a “campfire mentality”, leading up to the egalitarian, consensual welfare state. Work relationships in Denmark are based on a horizontal, flat structure with low power distance, a structure for which management researchers actually recommend the use of humor, irony and self-irony. Finally, the specificities of Danish humor are linked to a low degree of gelotophobia, the fear of being laughed at, among Danes.
Effects of physical stimulation of spontaneous arteriolar vasomotion in patients of various ages undergoing rehabilitation
Authors: Klopp Rainer Christian , Niemer Wolfgang , Schulz Jörg
Published: September 2013

On two samples of rehabilitation patients of different age groups (approx. 38 years and approx. 51 years), via a placebo-controlled study series using representative features of microcirculation, the complementary therapeutic success of additional treatment complementing the biorhythmically defined physical vasomotion stimulation was determined. The results showed that in older rehabilitation patients the amounts of characteristic microcirculatory changes were greater than in younger persons undergoing rehabilitation, but they would subside faster after termination of the additional treatment than in the younger group.