bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THICKNESS EFFECTS ON THE EPITAXIAL NATURE OF THE SINGLE-PHASE MULTIFERROIC THIN FILMS
Authors: HUANG A. , TAN S. Y. , SHANNIGRAHI S. R.
Published: June 2009

Multiferroic Bi 0.95 La 0.05 Fe 0.7 Sc 0.3 O 3 (BLFS) thin films with different thicknesses have been prepared on (1 0 0) LaAlO 3 (LAO) substrates using a sol–gel process and annealed in N 2 ambient at 650°C for 5 min. From the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, it was observed that BLFS thin films had (h 0 0)-preferred orientation for the film thickness 63, 125, 186, and 240 nm and became isotropic thereafter. The films developed in-plane epitaxial growth with respect to the substrate. The surface morphology became denser and the surface roughness increased as thickness increased up to 241 nm. The highest dielectric constant observed for the 241 nm thick BLFS film too. No prominent of the leakage current density observed for the film thickness up to 241 nm. However, two fold increase in the leakage current density observed for the film thickness 382 nm. For the BLFS films with thickness 241 nm, we observed the highest dielectric constant (ε) value of 1675 and remnant polarization (Pr) polarization value of 52 μC/cm2 using a sol–gel spin coating process.
Playing the trade-off game
Authors: Raghavan Praveen , Jayapala Murali , Lambrechts Andy , Absar Javed , Catthoor Francky
Published: June 2009

Modern mobile devices need to be extremely energy efficient. Due to the growing complexity of these devices, energy-aware design exploration has become increasingly important. Current exploration tools often do not support energy estimation, or require the design to be very detailed before estimation is possible. It is important to get early feedback on both performance and energy consumption during all phases of the design and at higher abstraction levels. This article presents a unified optimization and exploration framework to explore source-level transformation to processor architecture design space. The proposed retargetable compiler and simulator framework can map applications to a range of processors and memory configurations, simulate, and report detailed performance and energy estimates. An accurate and consistent energy modeling approach is introduced which can estimate the energy consumption of processor and memories at a component level, which can help to guide the design process. Fast energy-aware architecture exploration is illustrated by modeling both state-of-the-art processors as well as other architectures. Various design trade-offs are also illustrated on different academic as well as industrial benchmarks from both the wireless communication and multimedia domain. We also illustrate a design space exploration on different applications and show that there is large trade-off space between application performance, energy consumption, and area. We show that the proposed framework is consistent, accurate, and covers a large design space including various novel low-power extensions in a unified framework.
Scenario-based timing verification of multiprocessor embedded applications
Authors: Das Dipankar , Chakrabarti P. P. , Kumar Rajeev
Published: June 2009

This work presents a static timing-analysis method for verification of scenario-based real-time properties, on graphical task-level models of embedded applications. Scenario-based properties specify timing constraints which must be honored for specific control-flow behaviors and task execution orderings. Static checking of scenario-based properties currently requires computationally expensive model checking methods. Hence the proposed graph-based static timing-analysis algorithm improves upon the state-of-the-art. This is manifested in a significant performance advantage over timed model checking (up to 1000X in several cases), which suffers from state space explosion. The proposed algorithm also employs compositional reasoning and abstraction refinement for handling large problems. We also illustrate methods for using scenario-based timing analysis, which can act as alternatives to traditional timed model checking for verification of timed systems like FDDI and Fischer protocols. We implement this timing verification algorithm as a tool called
SymTime
and present experimental results for SymTime comparing it with SPIN, UPPAAL, and a TCTL model checker for Time Petri Nets, called Romeo.
A memetic approach to the automatic design of high-performance analog integrated circuits
Authors: Liu Bo , Fernández Francisco V. , Gielen Georges , Castro-López R. , Roca E.
Published: June 2009

This article introduces an evolution-based methodology, named memetic single-objective evolutionary algorithm (MSOEA), for automated sizing of high-performance analog integrated circuits. Memetic algorithms may achieve higher global and local search ability by properly combining operators from different standard evolutionary algorithms. By integrating operators from the differential evolution algorithm, from the real-coded genetic algorithm, operators inspired by the simulated annealing algorithm, and a set of constraint handling techniques, MSOEA specializes in handling analog circuit design problems with numerous and tight design constraints. The method has been tested through the sizing of several analog circuits. The results show that design specifications are met and objective functions are highly optimized. Comparisons with available methods like genetic algorithm and differential evolution in conjunction with static penalty functions, as well as with intelligent selection-based differential evolution, are also carried out, showing that the proposed algorithm has important advantages in terms of constraint handling ability and optimization quality.
Selective shielding technique to eliminate crosstalk transitions
Authors: Mutyam Madhu
Published: June 2009

With CMOS process technology scaling to deep submicron level, propagation delay across long on-chip buses is becoming one of the main performance limiting factors in high-performance designs. Propagation delay is very significant when adjacent wires are transitioning in opposite direction as compared to transitioning in the same direction. As opposite transitions on adjacent wires (called as
crosstalk transitions
) have significant impact on propagation delay, several bus encoding techniques have been proposed in literature to eliminate such transitions.

We propose
selective shielding
technique to eliminate crosstalk transitions. We show that the selective shielding technique requires ⌈3
n
/2⌉ wires to encode a
n
-bit bus. SPICE simulations by considering 90nm technology nodes reveal that, for uniformly distributed random data, our technique achieves nearly 39% (21%) delay savings over 10
mm
-length uncoded 32-bit bus for pipelined (nonpipelined) data transmission at the cost of nearly 7% energy overhead.
A mechanistic performance model for superscalar out-of-order processors
Authors: Eyerman Stijn , Eeckhout Lieven , Karkhanis Tejas , Smith James E.
Published: June 2009

A mechanistic model for out-of-order superscalar processors is developed and then applied to the study of microarchitecture resource scaling. The model divides execution time into intervals separated by disruptive miss events such as branch mispredictions and cache misses. Each type of miss event results in characterizable performance behavior for the execution time interval. By considering an interval's type and length (measured in instructions), execution time can be predicted for the interval. Overall execution time is then determined by aggregating the execution time over all intervals. The mechanistic model provides several advantages over prior modeling approaches, and, when estimating performance, it differs from detailed simulation of a 4-wide out-of-order processor by an average of 7%.

The mechanistic model is applied to the general problem of resource scaling in out-of-order superscalar processors. First, we use the model to determine size relationships among microarchitecture structures in a balanced processor design. Second, we use the mechanistic model to study scaling of both pipeline depth and width in balanced processor designs. We corroborate previous results in this area and provide new results. For example, we show that at optimal design points, the pipeline depth times the square root of the processor width is nearly constant. Finally, we consider the behavior of unbalanced, overprovisioned processor designs based on insight gained from the mechanistic model. We show that in certain situations an overprovisioned processor may lead to improved overall performance. Designs where a processor's dispatch width is wider than its issue width are of particular interest.
Not all patterns, but enough
Authors: Mitchell Neil , Runciman Colin
Published: June 2009

We describe an automated analysis of Haskell 98 programs to check statically that, despite the possible use of partial (or non-exhaustive) pattern matching, no pattern-match failure can occur. Our method is an iterative backward analysis using a novel form of pattern-constraint to represent sets of data values. The analysis is defined for a core first-order language to which Haskell 98 programs are reduced. Our analysis tool has been successfully applied to a range of programs, and our techniques seem to scale well. Throughout the paper, methods are represented much as we have implemented them in practice, again in Haskell.
Making monads first-class with template haskell
Authors: Kariotis Pericles S. , Procter Adam M. , Harrison William L.
Published: June 2009

Monads as an organizing principle for programming and semantics are notoriously difficult to grasp, yet they are a central and powerful abstraction in Haskell. This paper introduces a domain-specific language, MonadLab, that simplifies the construction of monads, and describes its implementation in Template Haskell. MonadLab makes monad construction truly first class, meaning that arcane theoretical issues with respect to monad transformers are completely hidden from the programmer. The motivation behind the design of MonadLab is to make monadic programming in Haskell simpler while providing a tool for non-Haskell experts that will assist them in understanding this powerful abstraction.
Comparing libraries for generic programming in haskell
Authors: Rodriguez Alexey , Jeuring Johan , Jansson Patrik , Gerdes Alex , Kiselyov Oleg , Oliveira Bruno C. d. S.
Published: June 2009

Datatype-generic programming is defining functions that depend on the structure, or "shape", of datatypes. It has been around for more than 10 years, and a lot of progress has been made, in particular in the lazy functional programming language Haskell. There are morethan 10 proposals for generic programming libraries orlanguage extensions for Haskell. To compare and characterise the many generic programming libraries in atyped functional language, we introduce a set of criteria and develop a generic programming benchmark: a set of characteristic examples testing various facets of datatype-generic programming. We have implemented the benchmark for nine existing Haskell generic programming libraries and present the evaluation of the libraries. The comparison is useful for reaching a common standard for generic programming, but also for a programmer who has to choose a particular approach for datatype-generic programming.
Super-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Huang Bo , Bates Mark , Zhuang Xiaowei
Published: June 2009

Achieving a spatial resolution that is not limited by the diffraction of light, recent developments of super-resolution fluorescence microscopy techniques allow the observation of many biological structures not resolvable in conventional fluorescence microscopy. New advances in these techniques now give them the ability to image three-dimensional (3D) structures, measure interactions by multicolor colocalization, and record dynamic processes in living cells at the nanometer scale. It is anticipated that super-resolution fluorescence microscopy will become a widely used tool for cell and tissue imaging to provide previously unobserved details of biological structures and processes.
Recognition and Processing of Ubiquitin-Protein Conjugates by the Proteasome
Authors: Finley Daniel
Published: June 2009

The proteasome is an intricate molecular machine, which serves to degrade proteins following their conjugation to ubiquitin. Substrates dock onto the proteasome at its 19-subunit regulatory particle via a diverse set of ubiquitin receptors and are then translocated into an internal chamber within the 28-subunit proteolytic core particle (CP), where they are hydrolyzed. Substrate is threaded into the CP through a narrow gated channel, and thus translocation requires unfolding of the substrate. Six distinct ATPases in the regulatory particle appear to form a ring complex and to drive unfolding as well as translocation. ATP-dependent, degradation-coupled deubiquitination of the substrate is required both for efficient substrate degradation and for preventing the degradation of the ubiquitin tag. However, the proteasome also contains deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that can remove ubiquitin before substrate degradation initiates, thus allowing some substrates to dissociate from the proteasome and escape degradation. Here we examine the key elements of this molecular machine and how they cooperate in the processing of proteolytic substrates.
Regulation and Cellular Roles of Ubiquitin-Specific Deubiquitinating Enzymes
Authors: Reyes-Turcu Francisca E. , Ventii Karen H. , Wilkinson Keith D.
Published: June 2009

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are proteases that process ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like gene products, reverse the modification of proteins by a single ubiquitin(-like) protein, and remodel polyubiquitin(-like) chains on target proteins. The human genome encodes nearly 100 DUBs with specificity for ubiquitin in five gene families. Most DUB activity is cryptic, and conformational rearrangements often occur during the binding of ubiquitin and/or scaffold proteins. DUBs with specificity for ubiquitin contain insertions and extensions modulating DUB substrate specificity, protein-protein interactions, and cellular localization. Binding partners and multiprotein complexes with which DUBs associate modulate DUB activity and substrate specificity. Quantitative studies of activity and protein-protein interactions, together with genetic studies and the advent of RNAi, have led to new insights into the function of yeast and human DUBs. This review discusses ubiquitin-specific DUBs, some of the generalizations emerging from recent studies of the regulation of DUB activity, and their roles in various cellular processes.
RING Domain E3 Ubiquitin Ligases
Authors: Deshaies Raymond J. , Joazeiro Claudio A.P.
Published: June 2009

E3 ligases confer specificity to ubiquitination by recognizing target substrates and mediating transfer of ubiquitin from an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme to substrate. The activity of most E3s is specified by a RING domain, which binds to an E2∼ubiquitin thioester and activates discharge of its ubiquitin cargo. E2-E3 complexes can either monoubiquitinate a substrate lysine or synthesize polyubiquitin chains assembled via different lysine residues of ubiquitin. These modifications can have diverse effects on the substrate, ranging from proteasome-dependent proteolysis to modulation of protein function, structure, assembly, and/or localization. Not surprisingly, RING E3-mediated ubiquitination can be regulated in a number of ways.

RING-based E3s are specified by over 600 human genes, surpassing the 518 protein kinase genes. Accordingly, RING E3s have been linked to the control of many cellular processes and to multiple human diseases. Despite their critical importance, our knowledge of the physiological partners, biological functions, substrates, and mechanism of action for most RING E3s remains at a rudimentary stage.
Cardiac alternans induced by fibroblast-myocyte coupling: mechanistic insights from computational models
Authors: Xie Yuanfang , Garfinkel Alan , Weiss James N. , Qu Zhilin
Published: May 2009

Recent experimental studies have shown that fibroblasts can electrotonically couple to myocytes via gap junctions. In this study, we investigated how this coupling affects action potential and intracellular calcium (Cai) cycling dynamics in simulated fibroblast-myocyte pairs and in two-dimensional tissue with random fibroblast insertions. We show that a fibroblast coupled with a myocyte generates a gap junction current flowing to the myocyte with two main components: an early pulse of transient outward current, similar to the fast transient outward current, and a later background current during the repolarizing phase. Depending on the relative prominence of the two components, fibroblast-myoycte coupling can 1) prolong or shorten action potential duration (APD), 2) promote or suppress APD alternans due to steep APD restitution (voltage driven) and also result in a novel mechanism of APD alternans at slow heart rates, 3) promote Cai-driven alternans and electromechanically discordant alternans, and 4) promote spatially discordant alternans by two mechanisms: by altering conduction velocity restitution and by heterogeneous fibroblast distribution causing electromechanically concordant and discordant alternans in different regions of the tissue. Thus, through their coupling with myocytes, fibroblasts alter repolarization and Caicycling alternans at both the cellular and tissue scales, which may play important roles in arrhythmogenesis in diseased cardiac tissue with fibrosis.
Wall thickness of coronary vessels varies transmurally in the LV but not the RV: implications for local stress distribution
Authors: Choy Jenny Susana , Kassab Ghassan S.
Published: May 2009

Since the right and left ventricles (RV and LV) function under different loading conditions, it is not surprising that they differ in their mechanics (intramyocardial pressure), structure, and metabolism; such differences may also contribute to differences in the coronary vessel wall. Our hypothesis is that intima-media thickness (IMT), IMT-to-radius (IMT-to-R) ratio, and vessel wall stress vary transmurally in the LV, much more than in the RV. Five normal Yorkshire swine were used in this study. The major coronary arteries were cannulated through the aorta and perfusion fixed with 6.25% glutaraldehyde and casted with a catalyzed silicone-elastomer solution. Arterial and venous vessels were obtained from different transmural locations of the RV and LV, processed for histological analysis, and measured with an imaging software. A larger transmural gradient was found for IMT, IMT-to-R ratio, and diastolic circumferential stress in vessels from the LV than the nearly zero transmural slope in the RV. The IMT of arterial vessels in the LV showed a slope of 0.7 ± 0.5 compared with 0.3 ± 0.3 of arterial vessels in the RV ( P ≤ 0.05). The slope for venous vessels in the LV was 0.14 ± 0.14 vs. 0.06 ± 0.05 in the RV. The present data reflect the local structure-function relation, where the significant gradient in intramyocardial pressure in the LV is associated with a significant gradient of IMT and IMT-to-R ratio, unlike the RV. This has important implications for local adaptation of transmural loading on the vessel wall and vascular remodeling when the loading is perturbed in cardiac hypertrophy or heart failure.
Continuation of Periodic Solutions of Dissipative and Conservative Systems: Application to Elastic Pendulum
Authors: Pokorny P.
Published: June 2009

Continuation is an efficient algorithm for finding solutions
of systems of nonlinear algebraic equations where the solutions form a one‐dimensional continuum.
Such systems arise naturally when investigating equilibrium points
and periodic solutions of ordinary differential equations with one parameter. Continuation of isolated periodic solutions of dissipative systems is a well‐established technique. Less attention has been devoted
to continuation of periodic solutions of conservative systems,
where periodic solutions typically form a one‐parameter family.
To specify a single periodic solution, additional condition
must be considered. However, this gives an over‐determined system,
which has no solution when working with approximate numerical
values. We propose a simple algorithm which solves this difficulty by using singular value decomposition of the Jacobian matrix.
This algorithm is applied to the conservative model of elastic pendulum. A branch of
periodic solutions with constant energy is found which is born by the period doubling bifurcation
of vertical oscillations.
The Effect of Different Injection Strategies and Intake Conditions on the Emissions Characteristics in a Diesel Engine
Authors: Gorji-Bandpy M. , Soleimani S. , Ganji D. D.
Published: June 2009

Choosing various injection strategies and intake conditions are potentially effective techniques to reduce exhaust emission from diesel engines. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of different spray incoming angles, different spray cone angles, different injection timing, and different intake temperatures together with emission characteristics on a heavy duty diesel engine via three dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) procedures. Furthermore the effect of multiple injector combustion chamber and its benefits in pollutant reduction is studied. The principal results show the significant differences in soot and generation during combustion between above different strategies.
Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma of the Thigh: An Autopsy Case Report
Authors: Nagano Akihito , Ohno Takatoshi , Nishimoto Yutaka , Yamada Kazunari , Shimizu Katsuji
Published: June 2009

We report a case of extraskeletal osteosarcoma (ESOS) and autopsy findings. A 35-year-old man presented with an ossified tumor in the right thigh and lung metastasis. The lung tumors continued to develop despite multiagent chemotherapy and caused death within 8 months. Autopsy revealed many secondary lesions in the lungs, especially in the left lung. Histopathologically, the primary tumor and one of the secondary tumors showed proliferation of spindle-shaped tumor cells focally forming lace-like osteoid material. Therefore, we made a definite diagnosis of ESOS.
Boundary Stabilization of Memory Type for the Porous‐Thermo‐Elasticity System
Authors: Soufyane Abdelaziz , Afilal Mounir , Chacha Mama
Published: June 2009

We consider the one‐dimensional viscoelastic Porous‐Thermo‐Elastic system. We establish a general decay results. The usual exponential and polynomial decay rates are only special cases.
Association of Lumican Gene with Susceptibility to Pathological Myopia in the Northern Han Ethnic Chinese
Authors: Zhang Fengju , Zhu Tingzhun , Zhou Zhongjun , Wu Yudong , Li Yang
Published: June 2009

Pathological myopia is a severe hereditary ocular disease leading to blindness. It is urgent and very important to find the pathogenesis and therapy for this disease. The purpose of the study is to analyze sequences of lumican and decorin genes with pathological myopia(PM) and control subjects to verify the relationship between lumican, decorin genes and PM in Northern Han Chinese. We collected and analyzed the blood samples of 94 adults (including 12 pedigree cases and 82 sporadic cases) with PM and 90 controls in the northern Han ethnic Chinese. Genotyping was performed by direct sequencing after polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification and allele frequencies were tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences between two groups for three SNPs: rs3759223(C→T)and rs17853500(T→C)of the lumican gene and rs74419(T→C)of decorin gene with (P<.05) for all their genotype distribution and allele frequency. There is no significant difference for incidence of these mutations between pedigree and sporadic group (P>.05). The results suggested that the sequence variants in 5′-regulatory region of lumican gene and 3'UTR of decorin gene were associated significantly with PM in Northern Han Chinese. Further studies are needed to confirm finally whether the two genes are the virulence genes of PM.
Intermittent Behavior and Synchronization of Two Coupled Noisy Driven Oscillators
Authors: dos Santos Ângela Maria , Lopes Sérgio Roberto , Viana Ricardo Luiz
Published: June 2009

The coupled system of two forced Liénard‐type oscillators has applications in diode‐based electric circuits and phenomenological models for the heartbeat. These systems typically exhibit intermittent transitions between laminar and chaotic states; what affects their performance and, since noise is always present in such systems, dynamical models should include these effects. Accordingly, we investigated numerically the effect of noise in two intermittent phenomena: the intermittent transition to synchronized behavior for identical and unidirectionally coupled oscillators, and the intermittent transition to chaos near a periodic window of bidirectionally coupled oscillators. We found that the transition from a nonsynchronized to a synchronized state exhibits a power‐law scaling with exponent 3/2 characterizing on‐off intermittency. The inclusion of noise adds an exponential tail to this scaling.
Modern Geodata Management: Application of Interdisciplinary Interpretation and Visualization in Central America
Authors: Damm T. , Götze H.-J.
Published: June 2009

In the last years new methods of data acquisition and processing in geosciences, inspired by growing computer performance, have led to an increased amount of data, and this development will proceed surely. In this paper we present the conception and technical realization of an interdisciplinary research group's geodata management as a combination of a metadata catalog together with web mapping technology. Clearly related with the storage and retrieval of different datasets is the need of visualization. 3D visualization in geoscientific interpretation is a useful tool, if numerous, heterogenic datasets have to be visualized at the same time. Moreover, advanced sensing technology often generates native three-dimensional datasets. Using a case study from the Collaborative Research Centre “SFB 574”, we present the possibilities of our stereoscopic projection system and want to explain the benefit of 3D visualization for research in general and university education in particular, as low-cost systems become available nowadays.
Awareness and Pharmacotherapy of Hypertension in a Rural Community
Authors: White Fiona , Wang Lexin , Jelinek Herbert
Published: June 2009

Objective: To determine the level of awareness of hypertension and pharmacological management in patients from a rural community of Australia. Subjects and Methods: A total of 665 patients were studied. Thepatients were recruited from Albury-Wodonga and surrounding districts, which are located in a rural area of south-eastern Australia. Demographic information and medical history were recorded for all patients. Clinical data were also recorded. Results: Of the 665 patients, 449 (75%) were hypertensive, and of these 449 hypertensive patients, 195 (43.4%) were aware that they had hypertension. Blood pressure was inadequately controlled in 399 of the hypertensive patients (88.9%) according to the management guidelines of the National Heart Foundation of Australia. Of all the patients who had hypertension, 247 (55.0%) were not receiving antihypertensive therapy. Of those receiving therapy, 132 (65.3%) were being administered only one antihypertensive (monotherapy). The most commonly prescribed antihypertensive classes were angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, diuretics, β-blockers and calcium channel blockers. Conclusion: The level of awareness of hypertension and its management appeared to be poor in hypertensive patients living in this rural Australian community. Actual hypertension control was extremely poor, and a major potential cause of this may be the poor use of anti-hypertensive medications in these patients. Strategies to improve the awareness of hypertension and its required management in patients residing in rural communities are recommended.
Whole-Blood Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism: A Simplified Method by Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Jadaon Mehrez M. , Dashti Ali A. , Lewis Hend L. , Habeeb Fatema M.
Published: June 2009

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to develop a simple, quick and cheap method to process whole-blood samples for the molecular techniques polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) without the use of expensive reagents or sophisticated machines. Materials and Methods: Venous whole-blood samples were collected from 40 individuals. The samples were frozen at –80°C, and then rapidly thawed at 37°C. Each sample was incubated with distilled water, then boiled in a microwave and centrifuged. The supernatant was taken directly for PCR and RFLP. For comparison, PCR and RFLP were performed on DNA purified from the same samples using the phenol-chloroform method and two commercial DNA extraction kits. Results: PCR/RFLP results using the presented method were qualitatively similar to those obtained by DNA extracted using the other three methods. Conclusion: The presented method proved to be a simpler and cheaper way of processing whole-blood samples for PCR and RFLP analyses.
Apolipoprotein E, CI and B Gene Polymorphisms in a Sample of Patients with Coronary Heart Disease in the Kuwaiti Population
Authors: Al-Bustan Suzanne A. , Alkhalaf Moussa , Al-Rashdan Ibrahim , Al-Otaibi Salwa , Al-Baker Eman , Balding David , Alnaqeeb Majed A.
Published: June 2009

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the possible association of clinical variables and apolipoprotein (APOE, APOCI and APOB) polymorphisms with the development of myocardial infraction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in Kuwaitis. Subjects and Methods: APOE, APOCI and APOB genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism in 143 Kuwaiti CHD patients with (n = 88) and without (n = 55) MI and in 122 controls matched for gender and age. Statistical and genetic analyses of the genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies, as well as regression analyses of genetic and clinical variables were done. Results: There was a statistically significant association between CHD and medical history of diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.01), high cholesterol (p < 0.05) and family history of CHD (p < 0.001). A highly significant association (p < 0.001) was found, with an adjusted odds ratio of 9.32, for family history and the development of MI. No significant differences were found for allele or genotype frequencies between CHD patients and controls. Conclusion: The strong effect of family history suggests a major genetic component for the development of CHD in Kuwaitis, but this association does not appear to be related to the APO genes studied here. The results in this study encourages future research into these and other polymorphisms and their potential association with MI and CHD in the Kuwaiti population.
Prediction of Cardiac Events in Patients Having Left Bundle-Branch Block with/without Chest Pain Using Dipyridamole Technetium-99m-Sestamibi Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Authors: Usmani Sharjeel , Khan Haider Ali , Zaman Maseeh-Uz , Niyaz Kashif
Published: June 2009

Objective: To determine the prognostic value of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with dipyridamole stress in patients with preexisting left bundle-branch block (LBBB) with or without chest pain. Subjects and Methods: Seventy-six patients, mean age 53 ± 10 years, with preexisting LBBB underwent technetium-99m-sestamibi perfusion imaging with dipyridamole infusion protocol (0.56 mg/kg). Stress and rest single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images were interpreted by consensus of 2 experienced nuclear medicine physicians and classified as low-risk scans (normal myocardial perfusion scan, small reversible/small fixed defect) and high-risk scans (large, severe, fixed or reversible defect and dilated left ventricle cavity). The patients were followed up for 24 ± 8 months and occurrences of hard cardiac events (infarction or cardiac death) were noted. Results: Of the 76 patients, 52 (68%) had low-risk scans and the remaining 24 (32%) had high-risk scans. In the low-risk group, 1 (1.9%) cardiac death and 2 (3.8%) cases of nonfatal myocardial infarction occurred, while in the high-risk group, 5 (20.8%) suffered cardiac death, and 3 (12.5%) nonfatal myocardial infarction. Overall survival rate was 98.1% in the low-risk group compared with 79.2% in the high-risk group with a significant difference of p = 0.034. Negative predictive value of normal myocardial perfusion scintigraphy for the occurrence of death was 100%. No significant difference in survival rate among patients with or without chest pain (p = 0.31) was observed. Conclusions: Myocardial perfusion imaging with dipyridamole provided important prognostic information in patients with LBBB; it was useful in stratifying the patients according to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and would thus allow the clinician to provide early treatment especially in the high-risk category.
Visual Hallucinations Possibly Associated with Clarithromycin Administration at Therapeutic Dosage in Two Children
Authors: Erkek Nilgun , Senel Saliha , Karacan Candemir
Published: June 2009

Objective: Our aim was to present 2 children with visual hallucinations possibly associated with clarithromycin administration at therapeutic dosage. Subjects and Methods: Two children were admitted to our hospital with sudden onset of visual hallucinations after taking clarithromycin at therapeutic dosage by mouth. Physical examination, laboratory investigations and imaging studies were normal. The symptoms gradually disappeared once the clarithromycin therapy had been discontinued, making us suspect clarithromycin as the agent responsible for the visual hallucinations. They were observed monthly for a year without any symptoms or further treatment. Conclusion: This report highlights hallucinations due to therapeutic doses of clarithromycin therapy as a possible new side effect in children.
A Case of Maturing Perineal Lipoblastoma in an Infant
Authors: Antoniou Dimitris , Soutis Michael , Christopoulos-Geroulanos George , Stefanaki Kalliopi
Published: June 2009

Objective: To report the unusual occurrence of a perineal lipoblastoma presenting as a painless enlarging mass in an infant. Case Presentation and Intervention: A 7-month-old boy presented with a 6-month history of an asymptomatic progressively enlarging perineal mass. Imaging studies were unable to provide a diagnosis. Complete resection of the mass was achieved and there was no recurrence at 18-month follow-up. Histopathologic findings were consistent with a maturing perineal lipoblastoma. Conclusion: This case report serves as a reminder to physicians and especially pediatric surgeons to consider perineal lipoblastoma in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue perineal masses in infancy.
Seroprevalence of Erythrovirus B19 IgG Antibody among Paediatric Patients in Makkah and Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Johargy Ayman
Published: June 2009

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against B19 virus (B19V) in Makkah and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: B19V-specific IgG antibodies were detected by a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in sera of 400 paediatric patients (185 males and 215 females) aged 1–17 years. Results: Of the 400 patients, 80 (20%) had sera positive for B19V-specific IgG. The difference in the prevalence of the antibodies between genders was not statistically significant (p = 0.9). The prevalence of anti-B19V antibodies increased significantly in the age group of 12–17 years as compared to younger patients (37.5 vs. 18% in those aged 1–11 years; p = 0.006). Conclusion: This study indicated a high prevalence of IgG antibodies against B19V in paediatric patients with an increase in age.
Evolution of the Mauthner Axon Cap
Authors: Bierman Hilary S. , Zottoli Steven J. , Hale Melina E.
Published: June 2009

Studies of vertebrate brain evolution have focused primarily on patterns of gene expression or changes in size and organization of major brain regions. The Mauthner cell, an important reticulospinal neuron that functions in the startle response of many species, provides an opportunity for evolutionary comparisons at the cellular level. Despite broad interspecific similarities in Mauthner cell morphology, the motor patterns and startle behaviors it initiates vary markedly. Response diversity has been hypothesized to result, in part, from differences in the structure and function of the Mauthner cell-associated axon cap. We used light microscopy techniques to compare axon cap morphology across a wide range of species, including all four extant basal actinopterygian orders, representatives of a variety of teleost lineages and lungfishes, and we combined our data with published descriptions of axon cap structure. The ‘composite’ axon cap, observed in teleosts, is an organized conglomeration of glia and fibers of inhibitory and excitatory interneurons. Lungfish, amphibian tadpoles and several basal actinopterygian fishes have ‘simple’ axon caps that appear to lack glia and include few fibers. Several other basal actinopterygian fishes have ‘simple-dense’ caps that include greater numbers of fibers than simple caps, but lack the additional elements and organization of composite caps. Phylogenetic mapping shows that through evolution there are discrete transitions in axon cap morphology occurring at the base of gnathostomes, within basal actinopterygians, and at the base of the teleost radiation. Comparing axon cap evolution to the evolution of startle behavior and motor pattern provides insight into the relationship between Mauthner cell-associated structures and their functions in behavior.
Investigating a Correlation between the Results of Transcranial Doppler and the Level of Nerve Growth Factor in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Hydrocephalic Infants: Clinical Study
Authors: Erol Fatih Serhat , Yakar Huseyin , Artas Hakan , Kaplan Metin , Kaman Dilara
Published: June 2009

Objective: In this study, the correlation between the level of nerve growth factor (NGF) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) results has been investigated during preoperative and postoperative periods of hydrocephalic infants. Methods: In the study, 27 patients (11 males and 16 females, aged 0–6 months) with congenital hydrocephalus were studied. CSF levels were obtained from the patients preoperatively and on postoperative days 3 and 30, and TCD was applied. The level of NGF was investigated in CSF by the ELISA method. The pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) were examined in the right middle cerebral artery by TCD. Results: The mean NGF level (0.27 ± 0.48 ng/ml) on the 3rd (NGF3) postoperative day was observed to be higher than the preoperative mean NGF level (NGF0; 0.15 ± 0.16 ng/ml; p < 0.05). The mean NGF level on postoperative day 30 (NGF30; 0.13 ± 0.13 ng/ml) was lower than the mean NGF3 level (p < 0.05). While the mean PI value on postoperative day 30 (PI30; 1.06 ± 0.068) was observed to decrease compared to the preoperative PI (PI0; 1.26 ± 0.83) and the PI on postoperative day 3 (PI3; 1.09 ± 0.063), the mean PI3 value exhibited a drop compared to the PI0 value (p < 0.05). Whereas the mean RI value on postoperative day 30 (RI30; 0.63 ± 0.023) showed a decrease compared to both preoperative mean RI (RI0; 0.70 ± 0.025) and RI on postoperative day 3 (RI3; 0.65 ± 0.021), RI3 displayed a drop compared to RI0 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, no correlation was determined between preoperative and postoperative NGF levels and preoperative and postoperative RI and PI values obtained from TCD examination. However, a positive correlation was found between the following results: preoperative PI and preoperative RI (r = 0.848); PI on postoperative day 3 and RI on postoperative day 3 (r = 0.690), and PI on postoperative day 30 and RI on postoperative day 30 (r = 0.707).
A Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay for the Quantitation of Soluble Human Immunoglobulin G and Albumin in Nanogram Amounts
Authors: Flesch B.K. , Landmann K. , Oschlies I. , Wunderlich M. , Neppert J.
Published: June 2009

Background: Some clinical and experimental questions require quantitation of soluble serum proteins in amounts lower than those which are detectable by radial immunodiffusion (RID) or nephelometry. Materials and Methods: We describe a competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay (CELIA) for the quantitation of minor amounts of soluble human IgG and albumin. Results: The assay enables the detection of IgG and albumin in the range of 5 to 125 ng/ml. Conclusions: Besides its high sensitivity, the main advantage of this double-step technique is that the sample-specific primary antibody is not needed in an enzyme-conjugated form because of the use of a labelled secondary antibody.
Possible Overestimation of Plasma Volume Determined by the Indocyanine Green Dilution Method in the Presence of Protein Leak From Capillary Beds – A Discussion of Two Clinical Cases
Authors: Ishihara H. , Ohkawa H. , Iwakawa T. , Takamura K. , Tsubo T. , Matsuki A.
Published: June 2009

Indocyanine green (ICG) has been demonstrated to be a reliable indicator for the estimation of plasma volume in man. Since this dye is bound to plasma protein when administered intravenously, overestimation of the plasma volume would occur during the presence of protein leak from plasma. However, to our knowledge, up to now no report has described whether or not plasma volume determined by the indocyanine green dilution method (PVICG) is clinically significantly overestimated under such conditions. We report two burned patients who temporally had an unusual large PVICG even though other clinical variables did not support the presence of hypervolemia. From the case described it can be concluded that a possible overestimation of PVICG occurs when the vascular permeability for proteins is increased.
Investigations on Selected Red Cell Concentrates for Toxoplasma and Toxoplasma DNA
Authors: Krüger D. , Weise W. , Bug C. , Janitschke K.
Published: June 2009

Background: The aim of the present study was to detect the occurrence of viable Toxoplasms or the presence of their DNA. Red blood cell concentrates of specific IgM-positive donors were tested in order to estimate if such blood products may have an infectious potential when transfused. Material and Methods: Aliquots of 1,000 red cell concentrates were used to inoculate in vitro cell cultures which were examined microscopically 6-7 days later with fluorescent staining for Toxoplasma gondii. Additionally, after a DNA isolation procedure, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using a part of the sequence of the toxoplasma B1 gene as a target. Dilutions of T. gondii tachyzoites with the red cell concentrate were used as positive controls. Results: Tachyzoites could be detected by in vitro culture even when the inoculum statistically contained only one parasite. About 3 tachyzoites yielded a positive result with the PCR method. All red cell samples investigated gave negative results both in cell culture and PCR. Conclusion: The risk of transmission of Toxoplasms by transfusing red cell concentrates from specific IgM-positive donors can be considered unlikely.
Clinical Features and Treatment of Hereditary and Acquired Plasmin Inhibitor Deficiency
Authors: Hellstern P. , Beeck H.
Published: June 2009

Objective: This review reports on diagnosis, clinical features, and treatment of hereditary and acquired deficiency of plasmin inhibitor. Data Sources: We considered the international literature published since 1978, when the first case of hereditary plasmin inhibitor deficiency had been described. Selection Criteria: The studies reporting on clinical symptoms, prophylaxis, and treatment of bleeding have been completely analyzed. Results: At least 10 homozygous and 40 heterozygous cases of hereditary plasmin inhibitor deficiency have been described so far. Homozygous patients present with a severe hemorrhagic diathesis. Heterozygous patients have only a mild or no bleeding tendency. Bleeding in hereditary plasmin inhibitor deficiency can be effectively treated with antifibrinolytic agents such as tranexamic acid or epsilon aminocaproic acid. Patients with acquired plasmin inhibitor deficiency suffer from underlying diseases accompanied by complex impairment of hemostasis and fibrinolysis. There is no evidence from controlled studies that acquired plasmin inhibitor deficiency alone causes bleeding or crucially aggravates a bleeding tendency. In these patients, aprotinin should be used as an antifibrinolytic instead of tranexamic or epsilon aminocaproic acid, when indicated as a consequence of bleeding and hyperfibrinogenolysis. Controlled studies dealing with the efficacy of the administration of fresh frozen plasma and/or solvent/detergent (S/D)-treated human plasma to patients with complex disorders of hemostasis and fibrinolysis are underway. Conclusions: Hereditary plasmin inhibitor deficiency is a very rare disorder. Bleeding can successfully be managed by antifibrinolytics. Acquired plasmin inhibitor deficiency is a concomitant of complex impairment of hemostasis and fibrinolysis. Antifibrinolytic therapy is indicated when bleeding occurs as a consequence of hyperfibrinogenolysis. In these cases, aprotinin should be preferred. Controlled studies are underway to examine the efficacy of plasmin inhibitor replacement using fresh frozen plasma or S/D-treated plasma.
Notfall- und Massivtransfusion
Authors: Kretschmer V. , Weippert-Kretschmer M. , Karger R.
Published: June 2009

Notfall- und Massivtransfusionen stellen eine besondere Herausforderung an den Kliniker und Transfusionsmediziner dar. Durch die erheblichen Fortschritte in der Präparation und Qualität von Blutkomponenten und Plasmaderivaten innerhalb der letzten 10 Jahre haben sich die spezifischen Risiken einer Massivtransfusion deutlich verringert. Sie korrelieren vor allem mit der Transfusionsgeschwindigkeit (Ersatz eines Blutvolumens innerhalb von 3 bis 4 Stunden) und/oder der Applikation großer Blutvolumina (mindestens 2 Blutvolumina innerhalb 24 Stunden). Mehr noch ist die individuelle Situation des Patienten für den weiteren Verlauf entscheidend. Auf der anderen Seite bringt die Notfalltransfusion eine Reihe spezifischer Risiken mit sich, welche nur durch entsprechende organisatorische Maßnahmen und definierte Substitutionsschemata beherrscht werden können. Diese unterscheiden sich je nachdem, ob Notfalltransfusionen bei Komplikationen im Rahmen elektiver Eingriffe oder bei Notaufnahmen erforderlich werden. Der Beitrag gibt Empfehlungen zur Durch-führung der Notfalltransfusion in diesen unterschiedlichen Situationen, um eine möglichst schnelle, sichere und effektive Blutversorgung der Patienten zu gewährleisten.