bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microvascular decompression after failed Gamma Knife surgery for trigeminal neuralgia: a safe and effective rescue therapy?
Authors: Sekula Raymond F. , Frederickson Andrew M. , Jannetta Peter J. , Bhatia Sanjay , Quigley Matthew R.
Published: February 2010

Object

Stereotactic radiosurgical rhizolysis using Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) is an increasingly popular treatment for medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia. Because of the increasing use of GKS for trigeminal neuralgia, clinicians are faced with the problem of choosing a subsequent treatment plan if GKS fails. This study was conducted to identify whether microvascular decompression (MVD) is a safe and effective treatment for patients who experience trigeminal neuralgia symptoms after GKS.

Methods

From their records, the authors identified 29 consecutive patients who, over a 2-year period, underwent MVD following failed GKS. During MVD, data regarding thickened arachnoid, adhesions between vessels and the trigeminal nerve, and trigeminal nerve atrophy/discoloration were noted. Outcome and complication data were also recorded.

Results

The MVD procedure was completed in 28 patients (97%). Trigeminal nerve atrophy was noted in 14 patients (48%). A thickened arachnoid was noted in 1 patient (3%). Adhesions between vessels and the trigeminal nerve were noted in 6 patients (21%) and prevented MVD in 1 patient. At last follow-up, 15 patients (54%) reported an excellent outcome after MVD, 1 (4%) reported a good outcome, 2 (7%) reported a fair outcome, and 10 patients (36%) reported a poor outcome. After MVD, new or worsened facial numbness occurred in 6 patients (21%). Additionally, 3 patients (11%) developed new or worsened troubling dysesthesias.

Conclusions

Thickened arachnoid, adhesions between vessels and the trigeminal nerve, and trigeminal nerve atrophy/discoloration due to GKS did not prevent completion of MVD. An MVD is an appropriate and safe “rescue” therapy following GKS, although the risks of numbness and troubling dysesthesias appear to be higher than with MVD alone.
Alteration of thrombospondin-1 and -2 in rat brains following experimental intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Zhou Hua-Jun , Zhang Hai-Nan , Tang Tao , Zhong Jian-Hua , Qi Yong , Luo Jie-Kun , Lin Yuan , Yang Qi-Dong , Li Xing-Qun
Published: February 2010

Object

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is among the most intractable forms of stroke. Angiogenesis, an orchestrated balance between proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, is a fundamental process to brain development and repair by new blood vessel formation from preexisting ones and can be induced by ICH. Thrombospondin (TSP)–1 and TSP-2 are naturally occurring antiangiogenic factors. The aim of this study was to observe their expression in rat brains with ICH.

Methods

Intracerebral hemorrhage was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by stereotactic injection of collagenase VII or autologous blood into the right globus pallidus. The expression of TSP-1 and -2 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis.

Results

After the induction of ICH, some TSP1- or TSP2-immunoreactive microvessels resided around the hematoma for ~ 7 days and extended into a clot thereafter. Cerebral endothelial cells expressed the TSPs. The expression of TSP-1 and TSP-2 mRNA peaked at 4 and 14 days after collagenase-induced ICH, respectively.

Conclusions

Findings in this study suggest that ICH can alter the expression of TSP-1 and TSP-2, which may be involved in modulating angiogenesis in brains following ICH.
Nuclear Translocation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B in First Trimester Deciduas and Chorionic Villi in Early Spontaneous Miscarriage Women
Authors: Wang Li-qin , Yu Xue-wen , Yan Chun-fang , Wang Xiang
Published: February 2010

The nuclear factor kappa B is widely expressed in the distinct subpopulations of chorionic villi and deciduas of first-trimester pregnancies. We examined the cellular distribution and expression of nuclear factor kappa B in the human first-trimester chorionic villi and deciduas of women with early spontaneous miscarriage and viable pregnancy by confocal laser scanning microscope and immunohistochemistry. There is a greater nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B is restricted to villous stromal cells, decidual stromal cells, glandular epithelial cells and vessel endothelial cells in early spontaneous miscarriage than in viable pregnancies. Collectively these observations suggest that over-activation of nuclear factor kappa B has a relationship with early spontaneous miscarriages.
Novel Neuroprotective Strategies in Ischemic Retinal Lesions
Authors: Szabadfi Krisztina , Mester Laszlo , Reglodi Dora , Kiss Peter , Babai Norbert , Racz Boglarka , Kovacs Krisztina , Szabo Aliz , Tamas Andrea , Gabriel Robert , Atlasz Tamas
Published: February 2010

Retinal ischemia can be effectively modeled by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, which leads to chronic hypoperfusion-induced degeneration in the entire rat retina. The complex pathways leading to retinal cell death offer a complex approach of neuroprotective strategies. In the present review we summarize recent findings with different neuroprotective candidate molecules. We describe the protective effects of intravitreal treatment with: (i) urocortin 2; (ii) a mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener, diazoxide; (iii) a neurotrophic factor, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide; and (iv) a novel poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (HO3089). The retinoprotective effects are demonstrated with morphological description and effects on apoptotic pathways using molecular biological techniques.
Cement and Concrete Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Authors: Raki Laila , Beaudoin James , Alizadeh Rouhollah , Makar Jon , Sato Taijiro
Published: February 2010

Concrete science is a multidisciplinary area of research where nanotechnology potentially offers the opportunity to enhance the understanding of concrete behavior, to engineer its properties and to lower production and ecological cost of construction materials. Recent work at the National Research Council Canada in the area of concrete materials research has shown the potential of improving concrete properties by modifying the structure of cement hydrates, addition of nanoparticles and nanotubes and controlling the delivery of admixtures. This article will focus on a review of these innovative achievements.
Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin at Mesoporous Carbon Modified Electrode
Authors: Pei Supeng , Qu Song , Zhang Yongming
Published: February 2010

The novel highly ordered mesoporous carbon (known as FDU-15), prepared by the organic-organic self-assembly method was been used for first time for the immobilization of hemoglobin (Hb) and its bioelectrochemical properties were studied. The resulting Hb/FDU-15 film provided a favorable microenvironment for Hb to perform direct electron transfers at the electrode. The immobilized Hb also displayed its good electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The results demonstrate that mesoporous carbon FDU-15 can improve the Hb loading with retention of its bioactivity and greatly promote the direct electron transfer, which can be attributed to its high specific surface area, uniform ordered porous structure, suitable pore size and biocompatibility. Our present study may provide an alternative way for the construction of nanostructure biofunctional surfaces and pave the way for its application to biosensors.
Ensuring the Continuity of Care of Cardiorespiratory Diseases at Home
Authors: Tzavaras A. , Botsivaly M. , Koutsourakis K. , Spyropoulos B.
Published: February 2010

Objectives: A significant portion of care related to cardiorespiratory diseases is provided at home, usually but not exclusively, after the discharge of a patient from hospital. It is the purpose of the present study to present the technical means which we have developed, in order to support the adaptation of the continuity of care of cardiorespiratory diseases at home.

Methods: We have developed an integrated system that includes: first, a prototype laptop-based portable monitoring system that comprises low-cost commercially available components, which enable the periodical or continuous monitoring of vital signs at home; second, software supporting medical decision-making related to tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, as well as fuzzy-rules-based software supporting home-ventilation optimization; third, a typical continuity of care record (CCR) adapted to support also the creation of a homecare plan; and finally, a prototype ontology, based upon the HL7 clinical document architecture (CDA), serving as basis for the development of semantically annotated web services that allow for the exchange and retrieval of homecare information.

Results: The flexible design and the adaptable data-exchange mechanism of the developed system result in a useful and standard-compliant tool, for cardiorespiratory disease-related homecare.

Conclusions: The ongoing laboratory testing of the system shows that it is able to contribute to an effective and low-cost package solution, supporting patient supervision and treatment. Furthermore, semantic web technologies prove to be the perfect solution for both the conceptualization of a continuity of care data exchange procedure and for the integration of the structured medical data.
Understanding the Impact of Sex Offender Registration: An Examination of Changes in Offense Type and the Predictors of Recidivism among Registered Sex Offenders
Authors: Armstrong Todd , Katz Charles M. , Webb Vincent
Published: February 2010

This study uses a random sample ( N = 244) of registered sex offenders taken in a large southwestern city. Within a post-registration period that averaged approximately 5.5 years, 46.72% of the sample was rearrested for any crime. During the same post-registration period, 20.08% of the sample had an arrest charge for a sex offense. The relative frequency of charges for sexual assault and child sex crimes was lower at post-registration, while the relative frequency of charges for other sex crimes was slightly higher. Prior arrest and sex offender levels were the most consistent predictors of post-registration recidivism.
Organizational Approaches to Drug Law Enforcement by Local Police Departments in the United States: Specialized Drug Units and Participation in Multi-Agency Drug Task Forces
Authors: Lombardo Robert M. , Olson David E.
Published: February 2010

This paper examines the factors associated with the decision of local police departments in the United States to operate specialized drug units or to participate in multi-jurisdictional drug task forces. Combining data from the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) Survey, the 2000 Census, and the Uniform Crime Report, we use both bivariate and multivariate methods to conduct the analysis. The findings indicate that county-level agencies, those with other formalized drug control efforts, high levels of violent crime, high degrees of task specialization and formalization, and high proportions of the resident population accounted for by renters were more likely to operate drug units, participate in multi-agency drug task forces, and allocate more officers per capita to these efforts.
“It'll Never Happen”: Racial Integration in California Men's Prisons
Authors: Lindsey Tonya D.
Published: February 2010

For much of its history, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has segregated inmates upon their arrival to a prison reception center according to race category. Inmates also participate in this segregation by maintaining their own and other inmates' adherence to rules known as “politics.” Presently, as a result of a mediated legal agreement, the CDCR agreed to implement the Integrated Housing Program to racially integrate their adult, male inmates in two-man cells. Using logistic regression analysis, this study reveals patterns in the willingness of inmates to racially integrate. Contrary to inmates' and officers' beliefs, results suggest that race category is not a significant predictor of inmates' willingness to integrate. Instead results show that inmates with safety concerns and those who are older are more willing to participate in integration and gang members are less willing to do so. A discussion of the results points to the importance of analyses that include those processed in the criminal justice system. Doing so provides important evidence that can inform criminal justice policy and practice.
Fall Risk in Community-Dwelling Elderly Cancer Survivors: A Predictive Model for Gerontological Nurses
Authors: Spoelstra Sandra , Given Barbara , von Eye Alexander , Given Charles
Published: February 2010

The aim of this predictive study was to test a structural model to establish predictors of fall risk in elderly cancer survivors. An aging and nursing model of care was synthesized and used to examine the Minimum Data Set for 6,912 low-income older adult participants in a community setting in the midwestern United States. Data analysis established relationships among fall risk and age, race/ethnicity, history of a previous fall, depression, pain, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, incontinence, vision, and cognitive status. Factors leading to fall risk can direct nursing activities that have the potential to prevent falls, thus improving older adults' quality of life.
Exotropic Drift and Ocular Alignment After Surgical Correction for Intermittent Exotropia
Authors: Leow Po-Lin , Ko Simon T. C. , Wu Patrick K. W. , Chan Clement W. N.
Published: February 2010

Purpose:

To evaluate changes in the angle of deviation over time and compare the motor success rate with different initial postoperative deviation in patients undergoing surgical correction for intermittent exotropia.

Methods:

Forty-eight patients aged between 1 and 10 years who underwent bilateral lateral rectus recession for intermittent exotropia were retrospectively evaluated. Preoperative and postoperative ocular deviations at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months were analyzed. Full surgical correction was attempted in all patients. Motor success was defined as ocular deviation within 10 prism diopters of orthophoria at 6 months postoperatively.

Results:

The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 3 years. Although most patients had exotropic drift, this drift was greater in patients with initial esotropia (86.7%) and orthophoria (70.0%) compared to patients with exotropia (26.1%). Motor success was achieved in 29 (60.4%) patients. There was no statistical difference between ocular alignment at 1 week postoperatively and final motor success (
P
= .782). There was good correlation between ocular alignment at 1 week and 6 months postoperatively (ρ = 0.585,
P
< .001). Age and preoperative deviation were not found to be associated with motor success.

Conclusions:

The success rate appears to be unaffected by initial ocular alignment, suggesting that deliberate initial overcorrection may be unnecessary. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term stability of this alignment.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2010;47:12–16.]
High Measured Intraocular Pressure in Children With Recessive Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy
Authors: Khan Arif O. , Al-Shehah Abdulmajid , Ghadhfan Faisal E.
Published: February 2010

Purpose:

To report the phenomenon of high measured intraocular pressure in recessive congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy.

Methods:

A case series was retrospectively reviewed.

Results:

Five infants with significant congenital corneal haze had increased measured intraocular pressure that remained high despite drug treatment and surgery to decrease intraocular pressure. The clinical diagnosis of recessive congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy without glaucoma was made based on the absence of buphthalmos, a distinct pattern of mosaic corneal haze with significant corneal thickness, and absence of cupping in healthy-appearing optic nerve heads.

Conclusion:

Intraocular pressure can be falsely elevated in some children with recessive congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy, leading to confusion with congenital glaucoma.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2010;47:29–33.]
Corneal Collagen Cross-linking With Riboflavin and UVA Irradiation in Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
Authors: Spadea Leopoldo
Published: February 2010

PURPOSE:

To report the results of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) with riboflavin and ultraviolet A irradiation in a patient affected by pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD).

METHODS:

A 43-year-old man with bilateral PMD underwent CXL in the left eye. The treatment was performed in standard fashion with the exception of slightly inferior decentration of the 9-mm–diameter irradiated area preserving an untreated surface area 1 mm from the limbus.

RESULTS:

Epithelial regrowth was complete after 4 days' use of a bandage soft contact lens. No side effects or damage to the limbal region were observed during re-epithelialization or during follow-up. Corrected distance visual acuity improved from 20/200 to 20/63 at 3 months and was stable through the 12-month interval. Keratometric astigmatism showed a 1.40-diopter (D) reduction and the power of ectasia apex decreased from 82.00 D to 78.00 D.

CONCLUSIONS:

Corneal collagen CXL was a safe tool in the management of PMD, improving some parameters in advanced stages of the disease. [
J Refract Surg
. 2010;26:375–377.]
Transpupillary Thermotherapy of Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Pathologic Myopia
Authors: Nabawi Khaled S. , Shaarawi Ashraf S.
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To assess the safety and effectiveness of transpupillary thermotherapy treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane secondary to pathologic myopia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Seventy-four patients (74 eyes) with pathologic myopia underwent transpupillary thermotherapy treatment using a 3.0-mm spot size, 1-minute duration, and 520-mW power delivered through a contact lens. Clinical evaluation included measurement of best-corrected Snellen visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus color photography, and fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS:

Sixty-four eyes (86%) received one treatment session. Six eyes (8%) improved 0.1 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) visual acuity post-treatment, 10 eyes (13.5%) lost more than 0.2 LogMAR acuity, and another 10 eyes (13.5%) lost 0.1 LogMAR acuity. The remaining 48 eyes (65%) had unchanged visual acuity after the last follow-up visit.

CONCLUSION:

Transpupillary thermotherapy preserves vision in patients with choroidal neovascular membrane associated with pathologic myopia. Younger patients and eyes with higher refractive error are more likely to benefit from treatment.

[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2010;41:12–17.]
Effects of Intravitreal Erythropoietin Therapy for Patients With Chronic and Progressive Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Li Weiye , Sinclair Stephen H. , Xu Guo-Tong
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To determine the effects of intravitreal injections of erythropoietin in eyes with severe, chronic diabetic macular edema, 5 eyes of 5 patients underwent injections of rHuEPO alpha (EPO).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

All eyes had progressive vision loss and persistent or worsening edema with prior multi-modal treatment. EPO (5U/50 µL) was injected intravitreally every 6 weeks for three doses and followed for an additional 6 weeks with complete ocular examinations, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and central field acuity perimetry.

RESULTS:

Visual acuity of all patients was subjectively improved by 3 or more lines in 3 eyes and 1 line in 2 eyes. Visual acuity improved to a larger extent than anatomic improvement by OCT. Clearing of hard exudates but only minor improvement in leakage on fluorescein angiography was observed. Improvement in vision occurred within 1 week after the first injection and was maintained until the end point of the current case series (at 18 weeks after the first injection).

CONCLUSION:

This case series seems to show a short-term positive response to EPO for a specific group of patients with chronic diabetic macular edema who were unresponsive to currently available therapies.

[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2010;41:18–25.]
Boundary Detection Errors on Optical Coherence Tomography Images in Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Schneider Miklos , Seres Andras , Borgulya Gabor , Nemeth Janos
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To study the incidence of boundary detection errors produced by optical coherence tomography measurements in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

One hundred sixteen eyes with diabetic retinopathy of 64 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus were included in this retrospective study. The StratusOCT instrument (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) with the macular thickness map protocol was used for the examinations. After data acquisition, each scan was analyzed using the retinal thickness (single eye) protocol to evaluate whether there was any misdetection of the retinal boundaries.

RESULTS:

Boundary detection errors were found in 35.3% of eyes. The majority of artifacts were those caused by hard exudates (41.5%), followed by cystoid macular edema (31.7%) and proliferation (17.0%).

CONCLUSION:

Occurrence of artifacts with optical coherence tomography measurements in cases of diabetic retinopathy is not a rare phenomenon and verification of quantitative measurements is strongly recommended.

[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2010;41:54–59.]
Comparison of Torsional and Microburst Longitudinal Phacoemulsification: A Prospective, Randomized, Masked Clinical Trial
Authors: Vasavada Abhay R. , Raj Shetal M. , Patel Udayan , Vasavada Vaishali , Vasavada Viraj
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To compare intraoperative performance and postoperative outcome of three phacoemulsification technologies in patients undergoing microcoaxial phacoemulsification through 2.2-mm corneal incisions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The prospective, randomized, single-masked study included 360 eyes randomly assigned to torsional (Infiniti Vision System; Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX), microburst with longitudinal (Infiniti), or microburst with longitudinal (Legacy Everest, Alcon Laboratories) ultrasound. Assessments included surgical clock time, fluid volume, and intraoperative complications, central corneal thickness on day 1 and months 1 and 3 postoperatively, and endothelial cell density at 3 months postoperatively. Comparisons among groups were conducted.

RESULTS:

Torsional ultrasound required significantly less surgical clock time and fluid volume than the other groups. There were no intraoperative complications. Change in central corneal thickness and endothelial cell loss was significantly lower in the torsional ultrasound group at all postoperative visits (
P
< .001, Kruskal–Wallis test) compared to microburst longitudinal ultrasound modalities.

CONCLUSION:

Torsional ultrasound demonstrated quantitatively superior intraoperative performance and showed less increase in corneal thickness and less endothelial cell loss compared to microburst longitudinal ultrasound.

[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2010;41:109–114.]
Assessment and Comparison of Anterior Chamber Dimensions Using Various Imaging Techniques
Authors: Dinc Umut Asli , Oncel Banu , Gorgun Ebru , Yenerel Melda Nursal , Alimgil Levent
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To assess and compare the horizontal dimensions of the anterior chamber by different anterior segment imaging techniques.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Eighty eyes of 40 patients without any ocular disease or previous ocular surgery were recruited and three consecutive measurements of internal anterior chamber diameter and white-to-white distance (WTW) parameters were determined.

RESULTS:

Mean internal anterior chamber diameter was 11.80 ± 0.39, 11.56 ± 0.47, and 11.61 ± 0.58 mm with Visante-OCT, SL-OCT, and Pentacam, respectively. Mean WTW distance was 11.87 ± 0.35 and 11.65 ± 0.32 mm by IOLMaster and OrbscanIIz, respectively. There was no significant difference between Visante-OCT and Pentacam, IOLMaster, and OrbscanIIz (
P
= .125, .918, and .314). However, detection of mean internal anterior chamber diameter was significantly greater by Visante-OCT than SL-OCT (
P
= .026). All devices displayed a high intrasession repeatability (repeated measured ANOVA,
P
> .05).

CONCLUSION:

Internal anterior chamber diameter measurements using Visante-OCT, SL-OCT, and Pentacam, and WTW measurements using IOLMaster and OrbscanIIz were easy to handle and demonstrated good repeatability. Although similar results of horizontal anterior chamber diameter were determined by Visante-OCT, Pentacam, IOLMaster, and OrbscanIIz, the inter-device differences should be considered during clinical practice.

[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2010;41:115–122.]
Real-Time Ultrasound Elastographic Imaging of Ocular and Periocular Tissues: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Detorakis Efstathios T. , Drakonaki Eleni E. , Tsilimbaris Miltiadis K. , Pallikaris Ioannis G. , Giarmenitis Spiridon
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

This study examines the value of ultrasound elastography for the examination of ocular and periocular structures.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

Five patients, aged 22 to 75 years, who each had one blind eye were included. Patients underwent ultrasound elastography of their blind eye and periocular tissues using a 7–13 MHz probe. Strain grayscale and color-coded elastographic maps were recorded. In the former, a quantitative assessment of signal intensity (corresponding to elastic properties) for specific anatomical structures was performed.

RESULTS:

Anterior vitreous displayed intermediate elasticity, whereas posterior vitreous displayed low elasticity. Medial and lateral rectus muscle elasticity was higher in primary position than in adduction or abduction.

CONCLUSION:

The pattern of elastic imaging in the vitreous cavity could be attributed to posterior vitreous detachment, whereas that of medial and lateral rectus muscles may be related to the level of muscle fiber strain.

[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2010;41:135–141.]
Design and Implementation of a Virtual Calculation Centre (VCC) for Engineering Students
Authors: Mokri Alaeddine
Published: February 2010

Most of the academic institutions in all over the world provide their attendees with databases where courses and other materials could be uploaded, downloaded and checked by the faculty and students. Those materials are mostly PDF files, MS Word files, MS power point presentations or downloadable computer programs. Even though those databases are very beneficial, they need to be improved to meet the studentsâ?? needs, especially in engineering faculties where students may need thermo-physical properties of some substances, charts, diagrams, conversion factors and so forth. In addition, many students see it cumbersome downloading and installing a computer program that they do not need often in their studies. As an attempt to satisfy the academic community needs in the faculty of Engineering in Abou Bekr Belkaid University (Tlemcen, Algeria), we had to devise some Web technologies and techniques to design an interactive virtual space wherein many engineering-related Web applications are accessible on-line. Students and professors can access on-line to properties of many substances, convert physical quantities from and into a variety of units, exploit computer programs on-line without installing them, generate tables and charts, and also, they can use diagrams on-line by means of the mouse. The set of those applications is called a Virtual Calculation Center. This paper goes through the different services that could be implemented in a Virtual Calculation Center, and describes the techniques and technologies used to build those applications.
Antibiotic Resistance inStaphylococcus aureusand Coagulase Negative Staphylococci Isolated from Goats with Subclinical Mastitis
Authors: Virdis Salvatore , Scarano Christian , Cossu Francesca , Spanu Vincenzo , Spanu Carlo , De Santis Enrico Pietro Luigi
Published: February 2010

Antimicrobial resistance patterns and gene coding for methicillin resistance (mecA) were determined in 25S. aureusand 75 Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS) strains isolates from half-udder milk samples collected from goats with subclinical mastitis. Fourteen (56.0%)S. aureusand thirty-one (41.3%) CNS isolates were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents.S. aureusshowed the highest resistance rate against kanamycin (28.0%), oxytetracycline (16.0%), and ampicillin (12.0%). The CNS tested were more frequently resistant to ampicillin (36.0%) and kanamycin (6.7%). Multiple antimicrobial resistance was observed in eight isolates, and oneStaphylococcus epidermidiswas found to be resistant to six antibiotics. ThemecAgene was not found in any of the tested isolates. Single resistance againstβ-lactamics or aminoglicosides is the most common trait observed while multiresistance is less frequent.
Application of the Ibis-T5000 Pan-Orthopoxvirus Assay to Quantitatively Detect Monkeypox Viral Loads in Clinical Specimens from Macaques Experimentally Infected with Aerosolized Monkeypox Virus
Authors: Grant Rebecca J. , Baldwin Carson D. , Nalca Aysegul , Zoll Scott , Blyn Lawrence B. , Eshoo Mark W. , Matthews Heather , Sampath Rangarajan , Whitehouse Chris A.
Published: February 2010

Monkeypox virus (MPXV), a member of the family Poxviridae and genus Orthopoxvirus, causes a smallpox-like disease in humans. A previously described pan-Orthopoxvirus assay, based on a broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS), was evaluated for its ability to detect MPXV from spiked human and aerosol-infected cynomolgous macaque (Macaca fascicularis) samples. Detection of MPXV DNA from macaque tissue, blood, and spiked human blood by the PCR/ESI-MS pan-Orthopoxvirus assay was comparable, albeit at slightly higher levels, to the current gold standard method of real-time PCR with the pan-Orthopoxvirus assay and had a limit of detection of 200 plaque-forming units. Furthermore, the platform was able to distinguish MPXV and vaccinia viruses that were spiked into macaque blood samples at various concentrations. This platform provides a new tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of orthopoxviral loads during vaccine or antiviral studies, but also could provide rapid identification during natural outbreaks or bioterrorism attacks.
Association between Nutritional Status and Severity of Dengue Infection in Children in El Salvador
Authors: Marón Gabriela M. , Clará A. Wilfrido , Diddle John Wesley , Pleités Ernesto B. , Miller Laura , MacDonald Gene , Adderson Elisabeth E.
Published: February 2010

Clinical observations and some studies suggest that dengue virus infection is more severe among children with better nutritional status. We examined the nutritional status of children in El Salvador and its relationship between this and the severity of dengue infection. Z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age of children with dengue fever (66), dengue hemorrhagic fever (62), and healthy controls (74) were compared. There were no differences in weight-for-age or BMI-for-age Z-scores between the three groups. Children with dengue fever had a greater height-for-age than healthy controls but no significant differences in rates of stunting. There was no difference in height between children with dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Excess nutrition does not appear to be a risk factor for severe forms of dengue infection in El Salvador, nor does malnutrition appear to be predictive of good outcomes.
High Complexity of Plasmodium vivax Infections in Symptomatic Patients from a Rural Community in Central Vietnam Detected by Microsatellite Genotyping
Authors: Eede Peter Van den , Erhart Annette , Auwera Gert Van der , Overmeir Chantal Van , Thang Ngo Duc , Hung Le Xuan , Anné Jozef , D’Alessandro Umberto
Published: February 2010

Fourteen published and three newly identified polymorphic microsatellites were used to genotype 69 Plasmodium vivax samples obtained from 39 patients detected over a period of two years who lived in a rural community of central Vietnam. All samples were polyclonal with an average expected heterozygosity of 0.86. Among the 39 patients, 16 experienced 1–5 recurrent episodes of P. vivax malaria, most of them (83%) with a different genotype profile compared with previous infections. The minimal set of microsatellites required for differentiating the genotype profiles of the recurrent infections compared with the full set of 17 microsatellites was explored. A combination of five markers was sufficient to identify all recurrent infections with an unrelated or different genotype profile compared with all previous episodes.
Avian Communal Roosts as Amplification Foci for West Nile Virus in Urban Areas in Northeastern United States
Authors: Diuk-Wasser Maria A. , Molaei Goudarz , Simpson Jennifer E. , Folsom-O’Keefe Corrine M. , Armstrong Philip M. , Andreadis and Theodore G.
Published: February 2010

West Nile virus (WNV) perpetuates in an enzootic transmission cycle involving Culex mosquitoes and virus-competent avian hosts. In the northeastern United States, the enzootic vectors, Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans, feed preferentially on American robins (Turdus migratorius), suggesting a key role for this bird species in the WNV transmission cycle. We examined the role of American robin communal roosts as virus amplification foci in greater New Haven, Connecticut. Robin communal roosts were located by radio tracking. After mid-August, when most robins were using the roosts, Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans fed often on robins and were significantly more infected with WNV at communal roosts than at non-roosting sites. We also identified 6.4% human-derived blood meals in Aedes vexans in communal roosts. Our results indicate that communal roosts act as late-season amplification foci facilitating transmission to humans because of high infection rates, high abundance, and feeding patterns of enzootic and bridge vectors.
The Incidence, Characteristics, and Presentation of Dengue Virus Infections during Infancy
Authors: Capeding Rosario Z. , Brion Job D. , Caponpon Mercydina M. , Gibbons Robert V. , Jarman Richard G. , Yoon In-Kyu , Libraty Daniel H.
Published: February 2010

Infants are a vulnerable and unique population at risk for dengue in endemic areas. This report describes the incidence and presenting clinical features of infant dengue virus (DENV) infections from a prospective community-based study performed between January 2007 and May 2009 in the Philippines. DENV3 was the predominant infecting serotype over a wide spectrum of disease severity, ranging from inapparent infection to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). In 2007, the incidence of inapparent DENV infections during infancy was 103 per 1,000 persons person-years and 6-fold higher than symptomatic dengue. The age-specific incidence of infant DHF was 0.5 per 1,000 persons over the age of 3–8 months, and it disappeared by age 9 months. A febrile seizure, macular rash, petechiae, and lower platelet count were presenting clinical features associated with DENV infection among infants with acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses. Community-based studies can help to delineate the incidence rates, disease spectrum, and clinical features of DENV infections during infancy.
Identification of Small‐Molecule Scaffolds for P450 Inhibitors
Authors: von Kries Jens P. , Warrier Thulasi , Podust Larissa M.
Published: February 2010

Mycobacterium tuberculosiscytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) attract ongoing interest for their pharmacological development potential, driving direct screening efforts against potential CYP targets with the ultimate goal of developing potent CYP‐specific inhibitors and/or molecular probes to addressM. tuberculosisbiology. The property of CYP enzymes to shift the ferric heme Fe Soret band in response to ligand binding provides the basis for an experimental platform for high‐throughput screening (HTS) of compound libraries to select chemotypes with high binding affinities to the target. Promising compounds can be evaluated in in vitro assays or in vivo disease models and further characterized by x‐ray crystallography, leading to optimization strategies to assist drug design. Protocols are provided for compound library screening, analysis of inhibitory potential, and co‐crystallization with the target CYP, as well as expression and purification of soluble CYP enzymes.Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 16:17.4.1‐17.4.25. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ultrafast Imaging and the Phase Problem for Inelastic X‐Ray Scattering
Authors: Abbamonte Peter , Wong Gerard C. L. , Cahill David G. , Reed James P. , Coridan Robert H. , Schmidt Nathan W. , Lai Ghee Hwee , Joe Young Il , Casa Diego
Published: February 2010

A new method for imaging ultrafast dynamics in condensed matter using inelastic X‐ray scattering (IXS) is described. Using the concepts of causality and irreversibility a general solution to the inverse scattering problem (or “phase problem”) for IXS is illustrated, which enables direct imaging of dynamics of the electron density with resolutions of ∼1 attosecond (10−18 s) in time and <1 Å in space. This method is not just Fourier transformation of the IXS data, but a means to impose causality on the data and reconstruct the charge propagator. The method can also be applied to inelastic electron or neutron scattering. A general outline of phenomena that can and cannot be studied with this technique and an outlook for the future is provided.
Endogenous neurosteroid synthesis modulates seizure frequency
Authors: Lawrence Courtney , Martin Brandon Scott , Sun Chengsan , Williamson John , Kapur Jaideep
Published: February 2010

Inhibitory neurosteroids, molecules generated in glia from circulating steroid hormones and de novo from cholesterol, keep seizures in check in epileptic animals. They can enhance inhibitory transmission mediated by gamma‐aminobutyric acid receptors and have anticonvulsant action. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:689–693
Efficient Evaluation of Ranking Procedures when the Number of Units is Large, with Application to SNP Identification
Authors: Louis Thomas A. , Ruczinski Ingo
Published: February 2010

Simulation‐based assessment is a popular and frequently necessary approach for evaluating statistical procedures. Sometimes overlooked is the ability to take advantage of underlying mathematical relations and we focus on this aspect. We show how to take advantage of large‐sample theory when conducting a simulation using the analysis of genomic data as a motivating example. The approach uses convergence results to provide an approximation to smaller‐sample results, results that are available only by simulation. We consider evaluating and comparing various ranking‐based methods for identifying the most highly associated SNPs in a genome‐wide association study, derive integral equation representations of the pre‐posterior distribution of percentiles produced by three ranking methods, and provide examples comparing performance. These results are of interest in their own right and set the framework for a more extensive set of comparisons.
Robust and classical PLS regression compared
Authors: Liebmann Bettina , Filzmoser Peter , Varmuza Kurt
Published: February 2010

Classical PLS regression is a well‐established technique in multivariate data analysis. Since classical PLS is known to be severely affected by the presence of outliers in the data or deviations from normality, several PLS regression methods with robust behavior towards data contamination have been proposed. We compare the performance of the classical SIMPLS approach with the partial robust M regression (PRM). Both methods are applied to three different data sets including outliers intentionally created. A simulated data set with known true model parameters allows insight in the modeling performance with increasing data contamination. QSPR data are modified with a cluster of outlying observations. A third data set from near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is likely to include noise and experimental errors already in the original variables, and is further contaminated with outliers. To provide a sound comparison of the considered methods we apply repeated double cross validation. This validation procedure judiciously optimizes the model complexity (number of PLS components) and estimates the models' prediction performance based on test‐set predicted errors. All studied robust regression models outperform the classical PLS models when outlying observations are present in the data. For uncontaminated data, the prediction performances of both the classical and the robust models are in the same range. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unaliasing of aliased line component frequencies
Authors: Moghtaderi Azadeh , Takahara Glen , Thomson David J.
Published: February 2010

This paper is concerned with undoing aliasing effects, which arise from discretely sampling a continuous‐time stochastic process. Such effects are manifested in the frequency‐domain relationships between the sampled and original processes. The authors describe a general technique to undo aliasing effects, given two processes, one being a time‐delayed version of the other. The technique is based on the observations that certain phase information between the two processes is unaffected by sampling, is completely determined by the (known) time delay, and contains sufficient information to undo aliasing effects. The authors illustrate their technique with a simulation example. The theoretical model is motivated by the helioseismological problem of determining modes of solar pressure waves. The authors apply their technique to solar radio data, and conclude that certain low‐frequency modes known in the helioseismology literature are likely the result of aliasing effects. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 38: 116–135; 2010 © 2010 Statistical Society of Canada
Immunohistochemical surrogate markers of breast cancer molecular classes predicts response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Bhargava Rohit , Beriwal Sushil , Dabbs David J. , Ozbek Umut , Soran Atilla , Johnson Ronald R. , Brufsky Adam M. , Lembersky Barry C. , Ahrendt Gretchen M.
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

Complete pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is predominantly seen in “ERBB2” and “basal‐like” tumors using expression profiling. We hypothesize that a similar response could be predicted using semiquantitative immunohistochemistry for estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).

METHODS:

ER, PR, and HER2 were used to classify 359 tumors treated with NACT into 6 groups: luminal A (strong ER+, HER2 negative), luminal B (weak to moderate ER+, HER2 negative), triple negative (negative for ER, PR, and HER2), ERBB2 (negative for ER and PR, but HER2+), luminal A‐HER2 hybrid (strong ER+ and HER2+), and luminal B‐HER2 hybrid (weak to moderate ER+ and HER2+). Complete pathologic response was defined as absence of invasive carcinoma in the breast and regional lymph nodes.

RESULTS:

Thirteen percent (48 of 359) demonstrated complete pathologic response. The highest rate of complete pathologic response was seen in ERBB2 (33%; 19 of 57) and triple negative (30%; 24 of 79) tumor classes. Among the ER+ “molecular” group, the highest rate of complete pathologic response was seen among luminal B‐HER2 hybrid tumors, 8% (2 of 24). Remainder of ER+ tumors demonstrated a very low rate of complete pathologic response, 1.5% (3 of 198). The 5‐year survival for patients achieving complete pathologic response was 96% compared with 75% in patients that failed to achieve complete pathologic response. The overall survival was worse in the ER‐negative group (ERBB2 and triple negative) compared with the ER‐positive group.

CONCLUSIONS:

We confirm the recently defined “triple negative paradox,” or rather “hormone receptor negative paradox,” that despite the best response to NACT, ERBB2 and triple negative tumors show the worst overall survival because of higher relapse among those with residual disease. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Nurses provide valuable proxy assessment of the health‐related quality of life of children with Hodgkin disease
Authors: Klaassen Robert J. , Barr Ronald D. , Hughes Joanna , Rogers Paul , Anderson Ronald , Grundy Paul , Ali S. Kaiser , Yanofsky Rochelle , Abla Oussama , Silva Mariana , Carret Anne‐Sophie , Cappelli Mario
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

We prospectively compared the proxy reporting of health‐related quality of life (HRQL) by parents and nurses of children with Hodgkin disease to see how well they correlated with the children's report.

METHODS:

Children with all stages of Hodgkin disease, their parents, and the clinic nurse were all asked to complete 4 different HRQL measures at 4 time points: 2 weeks after the first course of chemotherapy, on the third day of the second course of chemotherapy, during the third week of radiation, and 1 year after diagnosis.

RESULTS:

Fifty‐one patients from 12 centers across Canada were enrolled in the study between May 1, 2002 and March 31, 2005. Two patients were excluded. The children's Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) generic scores increased from 64 at base line to 81 at the end of the study. There was substantial agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.6) among the participants' scores at most time points except when the child was actively receiving inpatient chemotherapy. At that time, there was only fair to moderate agreement between the child and parent, with the parents on average rating the PedsQL generic score 5 points lower than the child. The nurses still had substantial agreement at that time point with the PedsQL generic and cancer module as well as the EuroQol EQ‐5D visual analogue scale visual analogue scale.

CONCLUSIONS:

Over the course of treatment for Hodgkin disease, there was substantial agreement among the parent's, nurse's, and children's reported HRQL scores. Nurses contribute valuable additional information as proxy respondents. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Conditions for using FRAP as a quantitative technique—Influence of the bleaching protocol
Authors: Trembecka Dominika O. , Kuzak Mateusz , Dobrucki Jurek W.
Published: February 2010

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a tool widely used in studies of dynamic behavior of fluorescently‐tagged proteins in live cells. We have analyzed published data on dynamics of various nuclear proteins and note that FRAP protocols and methods of data analysis vary between laboratories. A question arises if the experimental protocol can influence the recovery times. To establish if the FRAP protocol can influence fluorescence half‐recovery times, we used various FRAP protocols and studied the dynamics of a GFP‐tagged H1 (linker) histone. We demonstrate that fluorescence half‐recovery times depend on the bleaching protocol, including the photon flux of the bleaching light. Thus, we conclude that due to differences between protocols and ways of analyzing data, the existing body of information on mobility of various nuclear proteins does not permit direct comparisons between experiments from different laboratories. To exploit a full potential of FRAP as a quantitative technique, there is a need to establish ground rules for photobleaching protocols and adopt a consistent way of data analysis. © 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry