bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of topical administration of latanoprost, timolol, or a combination of latanoprost and timolol on intraocular pressure, pupil size, and heart rate in clinically normal dogs
Authors: Smith Lynsey N. , Miller Paul E. , Felchle Lisa M.
Published: September 2010

Objective—To determine effects after topical administration of latanoprost, timolol, or a commercially available latanoprosttimolol combination twice daily on intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil size (PS), and heart rate (HR) in clinically normal dogs.

Animals—17 clinically normal dogs.

Procedures—A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed with a treatment (n = 9) and saline (0.9% NaCl) solution group (8). Each dog in the treatment group received 3 treatments (latanoprost, timolol, and the latanoprost-timolol combination), with a 14-day washout period between treatments. Baseline values were established on day 1 of each treatment period. On days 2 through 5, drugs were administered topically every 12 hours to 1 eye of each dog in the treatment group. In both groups, IOP PS, and HR were measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 9 hours on days 2 and 5.

Results—Eyes treated with latanoprost or the latanoprost-timolol combination had a significant decrease in IOP and a significantly smaller PS, compared with results for dogs receiving only timolol or dogs in the saline solution group. Timolol and the latanoprost-timolol combination both significantly lowered HR, compared with HR following administration of latanoprost and the saline solution.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Topical administration of latanoprost alone was as effective at lowering IOP as was administration of the latanoprost-timolol combination when both were given every 12 hours to clinically normal dogs. Timolol, either alone or in combination with latanoprost, appeared to have little or no effect on IOP in clinically normal dogs but was associated with a reduction in HR. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:1055–1061)
Effect of the reproductive state of female alpacas on embryonic mortality rate
Authors: Bravo P. Walter , Diaz Daniel , Alarcón Virgilio , Ordoñez Cesar
Published: September 2010

Objective—To study the effect of the reproductive state of female alpacas (ie, maiden [never bred before], barren [bred but failed to conceive or maintain pregnancy in previous breeding season], or gave birth and currently lactating) on embryonic mortality rate.

Animals—167 female alpacas (54 lactating, 44 barren, and 69 maiden) that ovulated following a single breeding.

Procedures—During the first 45 days following breeding, female alpacas underwent periodic transrectal ultrasonography to determine the presence or absence of an embryonic vesicle. Serum progesterone concentrations were determined during the same period. Embryonic survival rate was analyzed for each group of females (lactating, barren, and maiden).

Results—The presence of an embryonic vesicle or embryo was positively associated with high serum progesterone concentrations (> 2 ng/mL). The embryonic mortality rate in barren females (21/44 [47.7%]) was significantly higher than in maiden (20/69 [29.0%]) and lactating (16/54 [29.6%]) females. In females that underwent embryonic loss (n = 57), 3 patterns of events in terms of serum progesterone concentrations were identified: concomitant decrease of serum progesterone concentration and embryonic loss (24/57 [42.1%]), decrease in serum progesterone concentration before embryonic loss (12/57 [21.1%]), and persistent serum progesterone concentrations beyond embryonic loss (21/57 [36.8%]). Patterns of serum progesterone concentration and embryonic loss did not differ significantly among lactating, barren, and maiden female alpacas.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Embryonic loss in alpacas occurred without any discernible pattern in serum progesterone concentrations. Barren female alpacas had the highest embryonic mortality rate. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:1096–1099)
Temporal-spatial gait analysis by use of a portable walkway system in healthy Labrador Retrievers at a walk
Authors: Light Victoria A. , Steiss Janet E. , Montgomery Ron D. , Rumph Paul F. , Wright James C.
Published: September 2010

Objective—To establish a protocol to collect temporal-spatial gait analysis variables by use of a portable walkway system in Labrador Retrievers at a walk and to determine reference values.

Animals—56 healthy Labrador Retrievers.

Procedures—6 passes across the walkway (3 passes in each direction) were recorded. Inclusion criteria for a pass were that the dog was at a walk (velocity, 60.0 to 90.0 cm/s) and had minimal head turning. The first 3 passes that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed for each dog.

Results—Mean stride length was 88.4 cm. Mean stance time (ST) of forelimbs and hind limbs was 0.62 and 0.56 seconds, respectively. Mean stance time percentage (ST%; proportion of stance time to total gait cycle time) for forelimbs and hind limbs was 55.6% and 50.2%, respectively. Mean total pressure index (TPI) of forelimbs and hind limbs was 27.1 and 17.4, respectively. Mean number of sensors (NS) activated by each paw strike of forelimbs and hind limbs was 17 and 13, respectively. Mean forelimb-to-hind limb symmetry ratios were 1.11 (ST), 1.10 (ST%), 1.62 (TPI), and 1.37 (NS). Symmetry ratios for left limbs to right limbs, left forelimb to right forelimb, and left hind limb to right hind limb were 1.00.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—A protocol for collection of temporal-spatial gait analysis variables with a portable walkway system in Labrador Retrievers at a walk was developed, and reference values for variables and symmetry ratios were reported. Further research will determine the extent to which symmetry ratios differ in dogs with orthopedic disorders. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:997–1002)
Generalizations of Jensen-Steffensen and related integral inequalities for superquadratic functions
Authors: Abramovich Shoshana , Ivelić Slavica , Pečarić Josip
Published: September 2010

We present integral versions of some recently proved results which improve the Jensen-Steffensen and related inequalities for superquadratic functions. For superquadratic functions which are not convex we get inequalities analogous to the integral Jensen-Steffensen inequality for convex functions. Therefore, we get refinements of all the results which use only the convexity of these functions. One of the inequalities that we obtain for a superquadratic function φ is $$
\bar y \geqslant \phi \left( {\bar x} \right) + \frac{1}
{{\lambda \left( \beta \right) - \lambda \left( \alpha \right)}}\int_\alpha ^\beta {\phi \left( {\left| {f\left( t \right) - \bar x} \right|} \right)d\lambda \left( t \right)}
$$, where $$
\bar x = \frac{1}
{{\lambda \left( \beta \right) - \lambda \left( \alpha \right)}}\int_\alpha ^\beta {f\left( t \right)d\lambda \left( t \right)}
$$ and $$
\bar y = \frac{1}
{{\lambda \left( \beta \right) - \lambda \left( \alpha \right)}}\int_\alpha ^\beta {\phi \left( {f\left( t \right)} \right)d\lambda \left( t \right)}
$$ which under suitable conditions like those satisfied by functions of power equal or more than 2, is a refinement of the Jensen-Steffensen-Boas inequality. We also prove related results of Mercer’s type.
Trans-Risk - An Integrated Method for Risk Management in Transport
Authors: Jamroz Kazimierz , Kadziński Adam , Chruzik Katarzyna , Szymanek Andrzej , Gucma Lucjan , Skorupski Jacek
Published: September 2010

Trans-Risk - An Integrated Method for Risk Management in Transport

Many attempts have been made at risk management integration in other spheres of life. A review of risk management in the modes of transport shows some substantial differences in the terminology and the detailed rules and applications of risk management. As a result, it is important to try and integrate risk management methods in transport. This paper presents the results of the work of an interdisciplinary team working on integrating the methods of risk management. The members represented the four modes of transport listed in the project called Integrated System of Transport Safety ZEUS. The paper presents the background conditions for the integration of risk management in transport and a concept of an integrated method for risk management called TRANS-RISK.
Functioning and Disability in Patients With Hip Osteoarthritis With Mild to Moderate Pain
Authors: Rydevik Karin , Fernandes Linda , Nordsletten Lars , Risberg May Arna
Published: September 2010

Study Design

Cross-sectional study.

Objective

To compare functioning and disability in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) not candidates for surgery, to a matched control group, and thereby to examine the relationship between the functioning and disability components used in this study in patients with hip OA.

Backgrund

It is well know that patients with severe hip OA have deficits in functioning and disability. However, in patients with hip OA not candidates for surgery, the knowledge regarding functioning and disability is sparse.

Methods

Twenty-six patients (12 men, 14 women; mean age, 60 years) with radiographic and symptomatic hip OA were matched to 26 controls without hip pain. The following variables were measured: muscle strength using isokinetic peak force, hip passive range of motion, submaximal aerobic capacity using a cycling test, walking ability using the 6-minute walk test, self-reported pain, stiffness, and physical function using the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, and health-related quality of life using the SF-36.

Results

The patients with hip OA had mild to moderate pain, as indicated by the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, and significantly lower knee extension strength (mean difference [95% confidence interval {CI}]: −19.5 [−34.3, −4.7] Nm). Hip range of motion was significantly less in the patients with hip OA, with mean (95% CI) differences of −10° (−14°, −6°) for extension, −18° (−26°, −11°) for flexion, −9° (−14°, −4°) for abduction, −2° (−5°, 0°) for adduction, −16° (−23°, −9°) for internal rotation, and −21° (−28°, −14°) for external rotation. The patients with hip OA walked a significantly shorter distance in 6 minutes (mean difference, −75 m; 95% CI: −131, −20 m). There were no significant differences in hip extension/flexion, knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion/plantar flexion muscle strength, or aerobic capacity between the 2 groups. There were significant associations between body function and activity components.

Conclusion

Physical therapists should consider including quadriceps-strengthening and hip range-of-motion exercises when developing rehabilitation programs for patients with hip OA, with mild to moderate pain, aiming to improve functioning and reduce disability. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2010;40(10):616–624. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3346
Marketing the Modern Egyptian Girl
Authors: Russell Mona
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the development of advertising for soap and clothing in Egypt between the late nineteenth century and 1936, when women’s bodies evolved from non-representation to mobilized political figures to highly sexualized objects used to market commodities. In many respects Modern Egyptian Girl was no different from her sisters worldwide. She appeared in the postwar period and was associated with a variety of commodities. Depicted as white and Europeanized, her Egyptian incarnation coincided with the emergence of similar political iconography. The male elite desired to appear civilized before the world and to simultaneously marginalize its politicized New Women. Advertising facilitated this goal by turning New Women into consuming “girls” at a time when elite women were transitioning from private to public commerce.
Drama is the Cure for Gossip: Television's Turn to Theatricality in a Time of Media Transition
Authors: De Kosnik Abigail
Published: September 2010

This article examines a number of currently airing television dramas and comedies (Gossip Girl, Mad Men, In Treatment, and Glee) that depict theatricality – live performance – as a means by which characters achieve self-realization and authenticity. Television today may be interested in presenting theatricality as what Michel Foucault calls a “technology of the self” as a way to distinguish TV from the Internet. The Internet is largely comprised of gossip, and social media demand that all of us carefully safeguard our online reputations, lest we fall victim to unfounded rumours posted by anonymous users. Contemporary television narratives offer the fantasy of “easy identity,” as characters spontaneously discover their “real selves” by engaging in theatrical performances and clearly communicate who they “really are” to others, with only positive results. Television thus uses theatricality as a means of establishing its ongoing appeal in an Internet era.
Reduction and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with posterior fixation versus transsacral cage fusion in situ with posterior fixation in the treatment of Grade 2 adult isthmic spondylolisthesis in the lumbosacral spine
Authors: Gong Kai , Wang Zhe , Luo Zhuojing
Published: September 2010

Object

In situ transsacral fusion in the treatment of low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis has rarely been reported. The authors treated 13 cases of L-5 Grade 2 isthmic spondylolisthesis associated with collapsed disc space and osteoporosis by using transsacral fusion and fixation, and compared its clinical and radiological outcomes with the results of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and instrumental reduction in 21 patients.

Methods

The authors retrospectively analyzed 21 patients in Group A who were treated with reduction and TLIF, and 13 patients in Group B who were treated with transsacral cage fusion. Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale scores of back and leg pain were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. Radiological parameters for assessment included the percentage of slippage, whole lumbar lordosis, and lumbosacral angle. Operative data, fusion rate, and perioperative complications were recorded as well.

Results

The mean operation time and blood loss in Group B was less than that in Group A. Both groups realized good recovery from previous symptoms. The decrease in back and leg pain after surgery was significant within each group, without much difference between the 2 groups. No significant differences were found in lumbosacral angle, whole lumbar lordosis, visual analog scale score, and Oswestry Disability Index score between the 2 groups after surgery. The solid fusion rate was 95.2% in Group A and 92.3% in Group B. In Group A, 2 patients suffered from graft site pain, 1 had a superficial infection, and 1 had screw loosening; in Group B, dural tears were found in 2 patients, transient S-1 paresthesia in 2, and extensor hallucis longus muscle weakness in 1.

Conclusions

For patients with a collapsed disc space and poor bone quality, posterior in situ transsacral cage fusion may be used as an alternative to the TLIF procedure. The short-term clinical and radiological outcomes in the transsacral cage group were comparable with those in the TLIF group, although with a relatively higher neurological complication rate.
Micro-computed tomography–based highly automated 3D segmentation of the rat spine for quantitative analysis of metastatic disease
Authors: Hojjat Seyed-Parsa , Hardisty Michael R. , Whyne Cari M.
Published: September 2010

Noninvasive evaluation of metastatic disease in the spine has generally been limited to 2D qualitative or semiquantitative analysis techniques. This study aims to develop and evaluate a highly automated micro-CT–based quantitative analysis tool that can measure the architectural impact of metastatic involvement in whole vertebrae. Micro-CT analysis of rat whole vertebrae was conducted using a combination of demons deformable registration, level set curvature evolution, and intensity based thresholding techniques along with upsampling and edge enhancement techniques. The algorithm was applied to 6 lumbar vertebrae (L1–3) from 6 rnu/rnu rats (3 healthy rats and 3 with metastatic involvement). Osteolytic metastatic involvement was modeled via MT1 human breast cancer cells. Excellent volumetric concurrency was achieved in comparing the automated micro-CT–based segmentations of the whole vertebrae, trabecular centrums, and individual trabecular networks to manual segmentations (98.9%, 96.1%, and 98.3%, respectively; 6 specimens), and the automated segmentations were achieved in a fraction of the time. The algorithm successfully accounted for discontinuities in the cortical shell caused by vasculature and osteolytic destruction. As such, this work demonstrates the potential of this highly automated segmentation tool to permit rapid precise quantitative structural analysis of the spine with minimum user interaction in the analysis of both healthy and pathological (metastatically involved) vertebrae. Future optimization and the incorporation of lower-resolution imaging parameters may allow automated analysis of clinical CT–based measures in addition to preclinical micro-CT–based analyses of the structural impact and progression of pathological processes in the spine.
Increased incidence of cage migration and nonunion in instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with bioabsorbable cages
Authors: Smith Arien J. , Arginteanu Marc , Moore Frank , Steinberger Alfred , Camins Martin
Published: September 2010

Object

Recent advances in the field of spinal implants have led to the development of the bioabsorbable interbody cage. Although much has been written about their advantageous characteristics, little has been reported regarding complications associated with these cages. The authors conducted this prospective cohort study to compare fusion and complication rates in patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with carbon fiber cages versus biodegradable cages made from 70/30 poly(l-lactide-co-d,l-lactide) (PLDLA).

Methods

Between January 2005 and May 2006, 81 patients with various degenerative and/or structural pathologies affecting the lumbar spine underwent single- or multilevel TLIF with posterior segmental pedicle screw fixation using implants made of carbon fiber (37 patients) or 70/30 PLDLA (44 patients). Clinical and radiological follow-up was performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, and is ongoing. The incidence of nonunion, screw breakage, and cage migration were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

There was no significant difference in demographic data between the 2 groups, the mean number of lumbar levels operated, or distribution of the levels operated. There was a significantly increased incidence of nonunion (8 patients, 18.2%) and cage migrations (8 patients, 18.2%) in patients receiving the PLDLA implants compared with carbon fiber implants (no patients) (p = 0.006 and 0.007, respectively). There was no significant difference in demographic data between patients with cage migration and the rest of the patient population. Five of the 8 cases of migration occurred at the L5–S1 level while the remaining 3 occurred at the L4–5 level. The mean time to implant failure was 9.3 months.

Conclusions

This study showed an increased incidence of nonunion (18.2%) and postsurgical cage migration (18.2%) in patients undergoing TLIF with biodegradable cages versus carbon fiber implants (0%) (p = 0.006 and 0.007, respectively).
A retrospective analysis of pedicle screws in contact with the great vessels
Authors: Foxx Kenneth C. , Kwak Roy C. , Latzman Jonathan M. , Samadani Uzma
Published: September 2010

Object

Pedicle screws placed in the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine occasionally come in contact with the aorta, vena cava, or iliac vessels. When such screws are seen on postoperative imaging in an asymptomatic patient, the surgeon must decide whether it is riskier to revise the screw or to observe it. The authors hypothesized that the incidence of screw placement causing perioperative vessel injury is low and, further, that screws placed in contact with major vessels do not always result in vessel injury.

Methods

A retrospective review of the operative records of 182 consecutive patients undergoing thoracic, lumbar, and lumbosacral pedicle screw fusion was performed to determine the frequency of intraoperative vessel injury. Postoperative imaging for 107 patients was available to determine the incidence of screws in contact with major vessels. Charts were examined to determine if any adverse sequelae had resulted from malpositioned screws. Patient outcomes were documented.

Results

There were no intraoperative vessel injuries or deaths in 182 consecutive operations. One hundred seven patients with available postoperative films had 680 pedicle screws placed between T-3 and the sacrum during 115 operations. No patient had arterial screw penetration or deformation on postoperative imaging. Thirty-three of the 680 inserted screws were in contact with a major vessel on routine postoperative imaging. The contacted vessels included the aorta (4 cases), the iliac artery (7 cases), and the iliac veins (22 cases). Patients were followed up until death or November 2009, for a mean follow-up of 44 months (median 44 months, range 5–109 months). None of the patients with vessel contact was noted to suffer symptoms or sequelae as a result of vessel contact. Radiographic follow-up as long as 50 months after surgery revealed no detectable vessel abnormality at the contacted site.

Conclusions

Placing pedicle screws in contact with major vessels is a known risk of spinal surgery. The risk of repositioning a screw in contact with a major vessel but causing no symptoms must be weighed against the relative risk of leaving it in place.
Emerging clinical imaging techniques for cerebral cavernous malformations: a systematic review
Authors: Campbell Peter G. , Jabbour Pascal , Yadla Sanjay , Awad Issam A.
Published: September 2010

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are divided into sporadic and familial forms. For clinical imaging, T2-weighted gradient-echo sequences have been shown to be more sensitive than conventional sequences. Recently more advanced imaging techniques such as high-field and susceptibility-weighted MR imaging have been employed for the evaluation of CCMs. Furthermore, diffusion tensor imaging and functional MR imaging have been applied to the preoperative and intraoperative management of these lesions. In this paper, the authors attempt to provide a concise review of the emerging imaging methods used in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CCMs.
Complete versus anterior two-thirds corpus callosotomy in children: analysis of outcome
Authors: Jalilian Laleh , Limbrick David D. , Steger-May Karen , Johnston Jim , Powers Alex K. , Smyth Matthew D.
Published: September 2010

Object

The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of anterior versus complete sectioning of the corpus callosum in children suffering from medically refractory epilepsy. The authors report seizure outcome in patients who underwent anterior two-thirds or complete corpus callosotomy (CC) during the period 1995–2008 at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Methods

The medical records of 27 children and adolescents with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were retrospectively evaluated with respect to seizure status, anticonvulsant outcomes, and subjective results. Preoperatively, patients suffered from a variety of seizure types that occurred daily, weekly, or episodically. The male/female ratio was 19:8, and patients ranged in age between 3 and 19 years (mean 9.93 years). Seizure outcome, parental assessment of daily function, and changes in the number of prescribed antiepileptic drugs were all assessed.

Results

Fifteen patients underwent an initial anterior two-thirds CC, and 12 underwent a complete CC. Of the 15 patients who underwent an anterior CC, 7 went on to receive a posterior CC. Seizure control was superior in children undergoing a complete CC (91%, Class I–III) versus an anterior two-thirds CC (75%, Class I–III). Seizure types most affected by CC included atonic, myoclonic, and absence. The number of postoperative antiepileptic drugs did not significantly change following CC in either the anterior only or complete groups. One patient experienced a transient disconnection syndrome that resolved within 4 weeks, and 4 patients experienced mild hemiparesis and speech delays that resolved with therapy. Three patients experienced surgical complications requiring a second operation. The overall daily function and attentiveness of the patients improved.

Conclusions

A complete CC should be considered as the initial procedure in lower-functioning children afflicted by absence, atonic, or myoclonic seizures. Severely affected higher-functioning children may also benefit from a complete CC, without clinically significant disconnection syndromes. A completion posterior CC may benefit patients in whom a prior anterior CC has failed.
Postnatal erythropoietin treatment mitigates neural cell loss after systemic prenatal hypoxic-ischemic injury
Authors: Mazur Marcus , Miller Robert H. , Robinson Shenandoah
Published: September 2010

Object

Brain injury from preterm birth predisposes children to cerebral palsy, epilepsy, cognitive delay, and behavioral abnormalities. The CNS injury often begins before the early birth, which hinders diagnosis and concurrent treatment. Safe, effective postnatal interventions are urgently needed to minimize these chronic neurological deficits. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a pleiotropic neuroprotective cytokine, but the biological basis of its efficacy in the damaged developing brain remains unclear. Coordinated expression of EPO ligand and receptor expression occurs during CNS development to promote neural cell survival. The authors propose that prenatal third trimester global hypoxiaischemia disrupts the developmentally regulated expression of neural cell EPO signaling, and predisposes neural cells to death. Furthermore, the authors suggest that neonatal exogenous recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) administration can restore the mismatch of EPO ligand and receptor levels, and enhance neural cell survival.

Methods

Transient systemic hypoxia-ischemia (TSHI) on embryonic Day 18 in rats mimics human early-thirdtrimester placental insufficiency. This model was used to test the authors' hypothesis using a novel clinically relevant paradigm of prenatal injury on embryonic Day 18, neonatal systemic rhEPO administration initiated 4 days after injury on postnatal Day 1, and histological, biochemical, and functional analyses in neonatal, juvenile, and adult rats.

Results

The results showed that prenatal TSHI upregulates brain EPO receptors, but not EPO ligand. Sustained EPO receptor upregulation was pronounced on oligodendroglial lineage cells and neurons, neural cell populations particularly prone to loss from CNS injury due to preterm birth. Postnatal rhEPO administration after prenatal TSHI minimized histological damage and rescued oligodendrocytes and γ-aminobutyric acidergic interneurons. Myelin basic protein expression in adult rats after insult was reduced compared with sham controls, but could be restored to near normal levels by neonatal rhEPO treatment. Erythropoietin-treated TSHI rats performed significantly better than their saline-treated peers as adults in motor skills tests, and showed significant seizure threshold restoration using a pentylenetetrazole increasing-dose paradigm.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that neonatal rhEPO administration in a novel clinically relevant paradigm initiated 4 days after a global prenatal hypoxic-ischemic insult in rats rescues neural cells, and induces lasting histological and functional improvement in adult rats.
Upregulation of transmembrane endothelial junction proteins in human cerebral cavernous malformations
Authors: Burkhardt Jan-Karl , Schmidt Dörthe , Schoenauer Roman , Brokopp Chad , Agarkova Irina , Bozinov Oliver , Bertalanffy Helmut , Hoerstrup Simon P.
Published: September 2010

Object

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are among the most prevalent cerebrovascular malformations, and endothelial cells seem to play a major role in the disease. However, the underlying mechanisms, including endothelial intercellular communication, have not yet been fully elucidated. In this article, the authors focus on the endothelial junction proteins CD31, VE-cadherin, and occludin as important factors for functional cell-cell contacts known as vascular adhesion molecules and adherence and tight junctions.

Methods

Thirteen human CCM specimens and 6 control tissue specimens were cryopreserved and examined for the presence of VE-cadherin, occludin, and CD31 by immunofluorescence staining. Protein quantification was performed by triplicate measurements using western blot analysis.

Results

Immunofluorescent analyses of the CCM sections revealed a discontinuous pattern of dilated microvessels and capillaries as well as increased expression of occludin, VE-cadherin, and CD31 in the intima and in the enclosed parenchymal tissue compared with controls. Protein quantification confirmed these findings by showing upregulation of the levels of these proteins up to 2–6 times.

Conclusions

A protocol enabling the molecular and morphological examination of the intercellular contact proteins in human CCM was validated. The abnormal and discontinuous pattern in these endothelial cell–contact proteins compared with control tissue explains the loose intercellular junctions that are considered to be one of the causes of CCM-associated bleeding or transendothelial oozing of erythrocytes. Despite the small number of specimens, this study demonstrates for the first time a quantitative analysis of endothelial junction proteins in human CCM.
Patient-assessed satisfaction and outcome after microsurgical resection of cavernomas causing epilepsy
Authors: Van Gompel Jamie J. , Marsh W. Richard , Meyer Fredric B. , Worrell Gregory A.
Published: September 2010

Object

Microsurgical resection of supratentorial cavernomas associated with intractable epilepsy is performed frequently. Despite its common occurrence, little is known about patient perceptions of microsurgical resection for cavernomas. This survey study was performed to investigate patient perceived outcome after surgery for cavernomas associated with intractable epilepsy.

Methods

The authors' surgical database was searched for cavernoma resection performed between 1971 and July of 2006. Of the initial 173 patients identified, 102 met criteria for medically intractable seizures. These 102 patients were then mailed a survey to determine follow-up and patient satisfaction. Thirty-nine surveys were returned as undeliverable, and 30 (48%) of the remaining 63 patients responded.

Results

The average age at surgery for patients responding to this survey was 40 ± 16 years compared with 35 ± 15 years for all 102 patients. At prolonged follow-up, 87% of patients reported being seizure-free. Of those with seizures, 2 (7%) reported being nearly seizure-free (rare disabling seizures), 2 (7%) believed they had a worthwhile improvement in seizure frequency, and no patient (0%) in this series believed they did not have a worthwhile improvement in seizure frequency. Ninety percent of responders stated they definitely, and 10% probably, would have surgery again. No patient responded that they probably or definitely would not have epilepsy surgery. Mean clinical follow-up was 36 ± 8 months and survey follow-up was 97 ± 13 months for these 30 patients. Use of the mail-in survey increased follow-up length 2.7 times longer compared with clinical follow-up.

Conclusions

It is clear from this select group of survey responders that patients undergoing surgery for cavernomas associated with medically intractable epilepsy are happy they underwent surgery (100%) and had excellent surgical outcomes (87% seizure-free) at prolonged follow-up of 97 ± 13 months. These survey results support that microsurgical resection for cavernomas is highly effective and significantly improves these patients' quality of life.
Symptomatic spontaneous vertebrobasilar dissections in children: review of 29 consecutive cases
Authors: Songsaeng Dittapong , Srivatanakul Kittipong , Krings Timo , Geibprasert Sasikhan , Ozanne Augustin , Lasjaunias Pierre
Published: September 2010

Object

The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical presentation, morphological characteristics, angio-architecture, and outcome of vertebrobasilar dissection (VBD) in the pediatric population.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed 29 consecutive cases involving children younger than 16 years of age who were diagnosed with symptomatic VBDs. Data were gathered with respect to the patient's age, sex, clinical history, associated underlying disease, and symptoms (headache, vertigo) as well as the location of the dissection and the imaging appearance.

Results

The patients' mean age was 8.24 years (range 2 months–15 years). There was an overall 3:1 male predominance, although among children older than 8 years, girls and boys were similarly affected. Hemorrhagic dissections occurred in 10 of 29 cases. In nonhemorrhagic dissections, stroke occurred in 16 cases, with the most common presenting symptoms being headaches and vertigo; in the other 3 cases, mass effect due to a chronic dissecting aneurysm was present. In 7 children an underlying vessel wall disease was found. The location of the dissection was extradural in 11 cases and intradural in the remainder. There was no preference with respect to side. The basilar artery was affected in 9 patients.

Conclusions

The imaging appearance and clinical presentation of symptomatic VBDs in the pediatric population differs from that in adults. Boys are more often affected, especially at younger ages, and hemorrhagic presentation is more common, presumably owing to the fact that the basilar artery is more commonly involved. Depending on the pathogenetic mechanism underlying the dissection, different clinical symptoms will evolve, necessitating individually tailored treatment.
Development and Evaluation of Liposomes for Topical Delivery of Tacrolimus (Fk-506)
Authors: Patel S. S. , Patel M. S. , Salampure S. , Vishwanath B. , Patel N. M.
Published: September 2010

In the present work Tacrolimus loaded liposomal systems were developed and evaluated for their topical delivery. Neutral multilamellar liposomes (MLVs) were prepared by thin film hydration method. The amount of drug loaded into vesicles ranged from 4.4 mg per 115mg to 8.2mg per 140mg of total lipid. Entrapment efficiency of tacrolimus in liposomes was studied by altering the amount of cholesterol ratio to lipid ratio. After performing stability study at different temperatures (4, 25, and 37°C) was affirms that drug leakage increased at higher temperature. The in-vitro permeation study shows significant reduced permeation with tacrolimus liposomes compared with free tacrolimus in propylene glycol. The animal study carried out on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) model in rats showed that 0.03% tacrolimus liposomal gel exhibited similar activity when compared with 0.03% marketed tacrolimus ointment. It is also likely that tacrolimus liposomal gel which leads no visible or palpable residue when applied on skin would be more appealing to patients than conventional ointment. Overall study suggests that tacrolimus can be effectively incorporated in liposomes and can be used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.  Keywords: Tacrolimus; Multilamellar vesicle; Allergic contact dermatitis.   © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.3258               J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 587-598  (2010)
Ion-Exchange Resins as Controlled Drug Delivery Carriers
Authors: Srikanth M. V. , Sunil S. A. , Rao N. S. , Uhumwangho M. U. , Ramana Murthy K. V.
Published: September 2010

Ion exchange resins (IER) are insoluble polymers that contain acidic or basic functional groups and have the ability to exchange counter-ions within aqueous solutions surrounding them. Based on the nature of the exchangeable ion of the resin as a cation or anion, it is classified as cationic or anionic exchange resins, respectively. The efficacy of ion exchange resins mainly depends upon their physical properties such as degree of cross-linking, porosity, acid base strength, stability, purity and particle size. Modified release of drugs from resinate (drug-resin complexes) is another potential application of ion exchange resins.  Due to the versatile utility of ion exchange resins, they are being used for various drug delivery and therapeutic applications. Resins used are polymers that contain appropriately substituted acidic groups, such as carboxylic and sulfonic for cation exchangers; or basic groups, such as quaternary ammonium group for anion exchangers. This review addresses different types of ion exchange resin, their properties, the chemistry; role of IER in controlled drug delivery systems, its therapeutic applications, methods of preparation of IER along with their resonates. Keywords: Anion exchange; Cation exchange; Resin; Controlled release; Resinates; Drug delivery. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.4991               J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 599-613 (2010)
Remedies for Breach of Contract
Authors: McBryde William W
Published: September 2010

This paper,first presented on 21 October 1995 at ajoint seminar ofthe Scottish Law Commission and the Faculty of Law, University of Edinburgh, on the subject of breach of contract, is a critical survey of the remedies available in Scots law for breach of contract. It considers interest, specific implement, interdict, breach of contract, the mutuality principle, damages and penalty clauses.
Detection and Functional Evaluation of −262A/T and −188A/G Polymorphisms of SLAM Gene in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: YOU YI , WANG ZHE , DENG GUO-HONG , LIU YI , HAO FEI
Published: September 2010

Objective.

Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) has been related to the pathology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through regulation of T cell-dependent humoral immune responses. We investigated the functional associations of the −262A/T and −188A/G polymorphisms of SLAM in Chinese patients with SLE.

Methods.

Genotyping of −262A/T (rs2295614) and −188A/G (rs2295613) in SLAM was carried out in 248 cases and 278 controls. Promoter activities of haplotypes on the SLAM gene were evaluated with the dual-luciferase reporter system. The mRNA expressions of SLAM on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of SLE patients with different genotypes were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results.

Frequencies of −262A allele and −188G allele were significantly higher in SLE patients than in controls. Haplotype analysis and multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with the AG/AG haplotype had increased susceptibility to SLE (p = 0.002, OR 1.478, 95% CI 1.152–1.897). In response to PHA stimulation, the SLAM mRNA expression on PBMC of SLE patients was significantly higher in −262A-188G haplotype homozygotes compared with −262A-188G heterozygotes and individuals with other genotypes.

Conclusion.

Our findings suggest that −262A-188G haplotype in the SLAM gene promoter contributes to the risk of SLE by increasing the expression of SLAM.
Early Predictors of Juvenile Sacroiliitis in Enthesitis-related Arthritis
Authors: PAGNINI ILARIA , SAVELLI SARA , MATUCCI-CERINIC MARCO , FONDA CLAUDIO , CIMAZ ROLANDO , SIMONINI GABRIELE
Published: September 2010

Objective.

To identify early predictors of sacroiliac (SI) involvement in a cohort of patients with enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA).

Methods.

During a 7-year followup period, all consecutive patients fulfilling the ILAR classification criteria for ERA were enrolled. Data collected included demographic, clinical and laboratory variables at disease onset, at the onset of inflammatory back pain, and at the last available followup visit. Pelvis radiographs and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for SI joints were obtained simultaneously in all patients who developed inflammatory back pain.

Results.

Fifty-nine children with ERA were studied; 40 male, 19 female; median age at disease onset 9 years 4 months (range 6 yrs 6 mo – 13 yrs 3 mo). At a median interval after disease onset of 1 year 3 months, 21 children reported symptoms of inflammatory back pain. In all cases, radiographs of SI joints were negative, while dynamic MRI revealed acute sacroiliitis in 17 cases. Multivariate analysis showed that the early predictors of SI were the number of active joints (p < 0.03) and the number of active entheses (p < 0.001) at onset.

Conclusion.

In our cohort, roughly 30% of children with ERA/juvenile idiopathic arthritis develop clinical and MRI evidence of sacroiliitis, detectable with dynamic MRI as early as 1 year after disease onset. Additional data from larger case series are needed to assess the specificity and sensitivity of this technique in the early phase of the disease and to confirm the rate of SI involvement reported in this cohort.
Deterioration of Heart Rate Recovery Index in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: DOGDU ORHAN , YARLIOGLUES MIKAIL , KAYA MEHMET GUNGOR , ARDIC IDRIS , OGUZHAN NILUFER , AKPEK MAHMUT , SAHIN OMER , AKYOL LUTFI , KELESOGLU SABAN , KOC FATIH , OZDOGRU IBRAHIM , OGUZHAN ABDURRAHMAN
Published: September 2010

Objective.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder resulting in multisystemic inflammatory damage. It is reported that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are responsible for 20%–30% of deaths in patients with SLE. Heart rate recovery after exercise is a function of vagal reactivation, and its impairment is an independent prognostic indicator for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the heart rate recovery index in patients with SLE.

Methods.

The study population included 48 patients with SLE (35 women, mean age 46.3 ± 12.8 yrs, mean disease duration 6.0 ± 2.3 yrs) and 44 healthy controls (30 women, mean age 45.7 ± 12.9 yrs). Basal electrocardiography, echocardiography, and treadmill exercise testing were performed on all patients and controls. The heart rate recovery index was defined as the reduction in the heart rate from the rate at peak exercise to the rate at the first minute (HRR1), second minute (HRR2), third minute (HRR3), and fifth minute (HRR5) after stopping exercise stress testing.

Results.

There were significant differences in HRR1 and HRR2 indices between patients with SLE and the control group (24.1 ± 6.5 vs 33.3 ± 9.3; p < 0.001, and 44.6 ± 13.3 vs 53.7 ± 9.9; p < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, HRR3 and HRR5 indices of the recovery period were lower in patients with SLE, compared with indices in the control group (57.6 ± 13.0 vs 64.9 ± 11.7; p = 0.006, and 67.2 ± 12.3 vs 75.0 ± 15.4; p = 0.009, respectively). Effort capacity was markedly lower (9.0 ± 1.9 vs 11.1 ± 2.3 metabolic equivalents; p = 0.001, respectively) among the patients with SLE.

Conclusion.

The heart rate recovery index is deteriorated in patients with SLE. When the prognostic significance of the heart rate recovery index is considered, these results may contribute to explain the increased occurrence of cardiac death. It points to the importance of the heart rate recovery index in the identification of high-risk patients.
Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Liver Diseases: State of the Art and New Perspectives
Authors: Piscaglia Anna Chiara , Campanale Mariachiara , Gasbarrini Antonio , Gasbarrini Giovanni
Published: September 2010

Millions of patients worldwide suffer from end-stage liver pathologies, whose only curative therapy is liver transplantation (OLT). Given the donor organ shortage, alternatives to OLT have been evaluated, including cell therapies. Hepatocyte transplantation has been attempted to cure metabolic liver disorders and end-stage liver diseases. The evaluation of its efficacy is complicated by the shortage of human hepatocytes and their difficult expansion and cryopreservation. Recent advances in cell biology have led to the concept of “regenerative medicine”, based on the therapeutic potential of stem cells (SCs). Different types of SCs are theoretically eligible for liver cell replacement. These include embryonic and fetal SCs, induced pluripotent cells, annex SCs, endogenous liver SCs, and extrahepatic adult SCs. Aim of this paper is to critically analyze the possible sources of SCs suitable for liver repopulation and the results of the clinical trials that have been published until now.
New Directions in Simulation, Control and Analysis for Interfaces and Free Boundaries
Authors: Elliott Charles M. , Giga Yoshikazu , Hinze Michael , Styles Vanessa
Published: September 2010

The field of mathematical and numerical analysis of systems of nonlinear partial differential equations involving interfaces and free boundaries is a flourishing area of research. Many such systems arise from mathematical models in material science, fluid dynamics and biology, for example phase separation in alloys, epitaxial growth, dynamics of multiphase fluids, evolution of cell membranes and in industrial processes such as crystal growth. The governing equations for the dynamics of the interfaces in many of these applications involve surface tension expressed in terms of the mean curvature and a driving force. Here the forcing terms depend on variables that are solutions of additional partial differential equations which hold either on the interface itself or in the surrounding bulk regions. Often in applications of these mathematical models, suitable performance indices and appropriate control actions have to be specified. Mathematically this leads to optimization problems with partial differential equation constraints including free boundaries. Because of the maturity of the field of computational free boundary problems it is now timely to consider such control problems. In order to carry out design, control and simulation of such problems interaction is required between distinct mathematical fields such as analysis, modeling, computation and optimization. By bringing together leading experts and young researchers from these separate fields we intended to develop novel research directions in applied and computational mathematics. The aim of the workshop here was to focus on emerging new themes and developments in these fields and to establish and extend links between them.
Optimal Constants in the Theory of Sobolev Spaces and PDEs
Authors: Cianchi Andrea , Esteban Maria J. , Kawohl Bernd
Published: September 2010

Recent research activities on sharp constants and optimal inequalities have shown their impact on a deeper understanding of geometric, analytical and other phenomena in the context of partial differential equations and mathematical physics. These intrinsic questions have applications not only to a-priori estimates or spectral theory but also to numerics, economics, optimization, etc.
C*-Algebren
Authors: Anantharaman-Delaroche Claire , Echterhoff Siegfried , Rørdam Mikael , Voiculescu Dan-Virgil
Published: September 2010

The theory of C*-algebras plays a major role in many areas of modern mathematics, like Non-commutative Geometry, Dynamical Systems, Harmonic Analysis, and Topology, to name a few. The aim of the conference “C*-algebras” is to bring together experts from all those areas to provide a present day picture and to initiate new cooperations in this fast growing mathematical field.
Combinatorial Representation Theory
Authors: Bessenrodt Christine , Brenti Francesco , Kleshchev Alexander S. , Ram Arun
Published: September 2010

The workshop brought together researchers from different fields in representation theory and algebraic combinatorics for a fruitful interaction. New results, methods and developments ranging from classical and modular representation theory, the theory of symmetric functions and Lie theory to cluster algebras and connections to physics and geometry were discussed.