bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Some Spelt Wheat Starches as a Renewable Biopolymeric Material
Authors: Gałkowska Dorota , Witczak Teresa , Korus Jarosław , Juszczak Lesław
Published: February 2014

The aim of this work was to analyze selected physical, chemical, thermal, and rheological properties of starches isolated from different spelt wheat varieties. The analyzed starches contained from 22.5 to 24.6 g/100 g of amylose and from 45.9 to 50.6 mg/100 g of phosphorus. Ranges of characteristic gelatinization temperatures, TO, TP, and TE, were 55.7–58.5°C, 61.1–62.6°C, and 67.4–68.2°C, respectively, while gelatinization enthalpy ranged from 8.87 to 9.96 J/g. The pasting curves showed significant differences in pasting characteristics of the starches. The values of maximum viscosity (ηmax) and viscosity after cooling (η50) determined for the starch pastes were in the range of 82.3–100.7 B.U. and 149.3–172.7 B.U., respectively. The starch pastes demonstrated non-Newtonian, shear thinning flow behaviour and thixotropy phenomenon. After cooling the resulting starch gels were characterized by different viscoelastic properties, with a dominance of elastic features (G′>G′′). The starches exhibited different tendency to retrogradation, with its degree (R=ΔHR/ΔHG) in the range of 21.1–37.4%.
Fluorescence Diagnostics of Colon Malignant and Premalignant Lesions Using 5-Aminolevulinic Acid
Authors: Filonenko Elena V. , Kaprin Andrey D. , Raszhivina Antonina A. , Urlova Antonina N. , Nechipai Andrey M.
Published: February 2014

Improvement of colon cancer diagnosis is a very important medical problem. Methods of fluorescence diagnosis (FD) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) have been used in detection of early cancer on the surface of mucosa. The objective of the study was to estimate the effectiveness of FD with 5-ALA in the detection of malignant lesions in the colon. From 2008 to 2010 full examinations have been performed in 78 patients suffering from colon polyps. For the study we used drug Alasens based on 5-ALA. Fluorescence colonoscopy with Alasens was made using the visual assessment of fluorescence images in combination with local fluorescence spectroscopy. The results of FD were compared with those of final histopathological study. The application of the method during colonoscopy allows specifying diagnosis, identifying areas of colon tumors transformation, and also showing a place for targeted biopsy. Sensitivity and specificity of FD with Alasens were 94.9% and 62.5%, respectively. The application of local fluorescence spectroscopy as a step of the combined approach allows increasing the specificity of fluorescence colonoscopy from 62.5% up to 93.7%.
Multishorting Pins PIFA Design for Multiband Communications
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Sajjad , Kim C. Y. , Park J. G.
Published: February 2014

A novel PIFA model with multiple shorting pins is proposed for multiband, low profile wireless applications, which has the ability to work in adverse conditions. The proposed model has a planar radiating sheet, a ground plane, and sides covered with PEC boundaries. The substrate inside theantenna boxis tempered in order to improve the bandwidth and gain. The enhancements applied to the proposed PIFA model show improved characteristics for this PIFA model and make it a versatile candidate for handheld, low profile, and multiband resonant communication devices. Pertinent communication devices are those that work with GSM 850/900, UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100, LTE 2300/2500, and ISM 2400 bands used for Bluetooth and WLAN.
Nano-ZnO Catalyzed Multicomponent One-Pot Synthesis of Novel Spiro(indoline-pyranodioxine) Derivatives
Authors: Sachdeva Harshita , Saroj Rekha , Dwivedi Diksha
Published: February 2014

A simple catalytic protocol for the synthesis of novel spiro[indoline-pyranodioxine] derivatives has been developed using ZnO nanoparticle as an efficient, green, and reusable catalyst. The derivatives are obtained in moderate to excellent yield by one-pot three-component reaction of an isatin, malononitrile/ethylcyanoacetate, and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione in absolute ethanol under conventional heating and microwave irradiation. The catalyst was recovered by filtration from the reaction mixture and reused during five consecutive runs without any apparent loss of activity for the same reaction. The mild reaction conditions and recyclability of the catalyst make it environmentally benign synthetic procedure.
Extremal Inverse Eigenvalue Problem for a Special Kind of Matrices
Authors: Liu Zhibing , Xu Yeying , Wang Kanmin , Xu Chengfeng
Published: February 2014

We consider the following inverse eigenvalue problem: to construct a special kind of matrix (real symmetric doubly arrow matrix) from the minimal and maximal eigenvalues of all its leading principal submatrices. The necessary and sufficient condition for the solvability of the problem is derived. Our results are constructive and they generate algorithmic procedures to construct such matrices.
Dyspnea, Tachycardia, and New Onset Seizure as a Presentation of Wilms Tumor: A Case Report
Authors: Li Linda , Light Jennifer , Marchick Michael , Hoelle Robyn
Published: February 2014

Wilms tumor is found in 1 in 10,000 children and most commonly presents in asymptomatic toddlers whose care givers notice a nontender abdominal mass in the right upper quadrant. This case of Wilms tumor presented as a critically ill eleven-year old with significant tachypnea, dyspnea, vague abdominal pain, intermittent emesis, new onset seizure, metabolic acidosis, and hypoxemia. This is the first case in the literature of Wilms Tumor with cavoatrial involvement and seizure and pulmonary embolism resulting in aggressive resuscitation and treatment. Treatment included anticoagulation, chemotherapy, nephrectomy, and surgical resection of thrombi, followed by adjunctive chemotherapy with pulmonary radiation.
Three-Dimensional Structure and Disposition of the Air Conducting and Gas Exchange Conduits of the Avian Lung: The Domestic Duck (Cairina moschata)
Authors: Makanya A. N. , Kavoi B. M. , Djonov V.
Published: February 2014

The anatomy of the domestic duck lung was studied macroscopically, by casting and by light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy. The lung had four categories of secondary bronchi (SB), namely, the medioventral (MV, 4-5), laterodorsal (LD, 6–10), lateroventral (LV, 2–4), and posterior secondary bronchi (PO, 36–44). The neopulmonic parabronchi formed an intricate feltwork on the ventral third of the lung and inosculated those from the other SB. The lung parenchyma was organized into cylindrical parabronchi separated by thin septa containing blood vessels. Atria were shallow and well-fortified by epithelial ridges reinforced by smooth muscle bundles and gave rise to 2–6 elongate infundibulae. Air capillaries arose either directly from the atria or from infundibulae and were tubular or globular in shape with thin interconnecting branches. The newly described spatial disposition of the conducting air conduits closely resembles that of the chicken. This remarkable similarity between the categories, numbers, and 3D arrangement of the SB in the duck and chicken points to a convergence in function-oriented design. To illuminate airflow dynamics in the avian lung, precise directions of airflow in the various categories of SB and parabronchi need to be characterized.
An Assessment of a Proposed Hybrid Neural Network for Daily Flow Prediction in Arid Climate
Authors: Jajarmizadeh Milad , Harun Sobri , Salarpour Mohsen
Published: February 2014

Rainfall-runoff simulation in hydrology using artificial intelligence presents the nonlinear relationships using neural networks. In this study, a hybrid network presented as a feedforward modular neural network (FF-MNN) has been developed to predict the daily rainfall-runoff of the Roodan watershed at the southern part of Iran. This FF-MNN has three layers—input, hidden, and output. The hidden layer has two types of neural expert or module. Hydrometeorological data of the catchment were collected for 21 years. Heuristic method was used to develop the MNN for exploring daily flow generalization. Two training algorithms, namely, backpropagation with momentum and Levenberg-Marquardt, were used. Sigmoid and linear transfer functions were employed to explore the network’s optimum behavior. Cross-validation and predictive uncertainty assessments were carried out to protect overtiring and overparameterization, respectively. Results showed that the FF-MNN could satisfactorily predict stream flow during testing period. The Nash-Sutcliff coefficient, coefficient of determination, and root mean square error obtained using MNN during training and test periods were 0.85, 0.85, and 39.4 and 0.57, 0.58, and 32.2, respectively. The predictive uncertainties for both periods were 0.39 and 0.44, respectively. Generally, the study showed that the FF-MNN can give promising prediction for rainfall-runoff relations.
A Case of Malignant Pheochromocytoma Detected during Fertility Treatment
Authors: Hagiwara Kazuhisa , Hamano Itsuto , Kusaka Ayumu , Murasawa Hiromi , Tokui Noriko , Imanishi Kengo , Okamoto Akiko , Yamamoto Hayato , Imai Atsushi , Hatakeyama Shingo , Yoneyama Takahiro , Hashimoto Yasuhiro , Koie Takuya , Ohyama Chikara
Published: February 2014

We report a case of malignant pheochromocytoma in a 35-year-old Japanese woman during fertility treatment, successfully treated with surgical excision. The patient recovered without any postoperative problems, and plasma catecholamine levels normalized. At present, 18 months after the operation, there are no signs of relapse.
Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists to Prevent Sudden Death in Heart Failure: Does the Dose Matter?
Authors: Francia Pietro , Palano Francesca , Tocci Giuliano , Adduci Carmen , Ricotta Agnese , Semprini Lorenzo , Caprinozzi Massimo , Balla Cristina , Volpe Massimo
Published: February 2014

International guidelines recommend ICD implantation in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction of any origin only after careful optimization of medical therapy. Indeed, major randomized clinical trials suggest that suboptimal use of fundamental drugs, such as ACE inhibitors (ACE-i) and beta-blockers, may affect ICD shock-free survival, sudden cardiac death (SCD), and overall mortality. While solid evidence in favour of pharmacological therapy based on ACE-i with or without beta-blockers is available, data on SCD in HF patients treated with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are limited. The present paper systematically analyses the impact of ARBs on SCD in HF and reviews the contributory role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) to the establishment of arrhythmic substrates. The following hypothesis is supported: (1) the RAS is a critical component of the electrical remodelling of the failing myocardium, (2) RAS blockade reduces the risk of SCD, and (3) ARBs represent a powerful tool to improve overall survival and possibly reduce the risk of SCD provided that high doses are employed to achieve optimal AT1-receptor blockade.
Identification of Wheat Varieties with a Parallel-Plate Capacitance Sensor Using Fisher’s Linear Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Kandala C. V. K. , Govindarajan K. N. , Puppala N. , Settaluri V. , Reddy R. S.
Published: February 2014

Fisher’s linear discriminant (FLD) models for wheat variety classification were developed and validated. The inputs to the FLD models were the capacitance (C), impedance (Z), and phase angle (θ), measured at two frequencies. Classification of wheat varieties was obtained as output of the FLD models.Zandθof a parallel-plate capacitance system, holding the wheat samples, were measured using an impedance meter, and theCvalue was computed. The best model developed classified the wheat varieties, with accuracy of 95.4%, over the six wheat varieties tested. This method is simple, rapid, and nondestructive and would be useful for the breeders and the peanut industry.
Direct Precipitation and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles
Authors: Moharram A. H. , Mansour S. A. , Hussein M. A. , Rashad M.
Published: February 2014

ZnO nanoparticles are prepared through hydrolysis and condensation of zinc acetate dihydrate by potassium hydroxide in alcoholic medium at low temperatures. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the precursor is made in order to specify the temperature range over which the weight loss and thermal effect are significant. X‐ray diffraction of the as‐prepared specimens shows that the hexagonal (a = 3.2459 Å, c = 5.1999 Å) structure is the predominant crystallographic structure. According to Scherer’s formula, the average size of the nanoparticles is 22.4 ± 0.6 nm. The structural properties of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles have been confirmed using the TEM micrographs. The optical energy gap of the ZnO nanoparticles, as obtained from applying Tauc’s equation, is equal to 3.52 eV, which is higher than that of the bulk material. Absorption peak of the as‐prepared sample is 298 nm which is highly blue shifted as compared to the bulk (360 nm). Large optical energy gap and highly blue shifted absorption edge confirm that the prepared ZnO nanoparticle exhibits strong quantum confinement effect.
A Large-Scale Multibody Manipulator Soft Sensor Model and Experiment Validation
Authors: Ren Wu , Wu Yunxin , Zhang Zhaowei , Hu Fan
Published: February 2014

Stress signal is difficult to obtain in the health monitoring of multibody manipulator. In order to solve this problem, a soft sensor method is presented. In the method, stress signal is considered as dominant variable and angle signal is regarded as auxiliary variable. By establishing the mathematical relationship between them, a soft sensor model is proposed. In the model, the stress information can be deduced by angle information which can be easily measured for such structures by experiments. Finally, test of ground and wall working conditions is done on a multibody manipulator test rig. The results show that the stress calculated by the proposed method is closed to the test one. Thus, the stress signal is easier to get than the traditional method. All of these prove that the model is correct and the method is feasible.
Contactless Electric Igniter for Vehicle to Lower Exhaust Emission and Fuel Consumption
Authors: Shen Chih-Lung , Su Jye-Chau
Published: February 2014

An electric igniter for engine/hybrid vehicles is presented. The igniter comprises a flyback converter, a voltage-stacked capacitor, a PIC-based controller, a differential voltage detector, and an ignition coil, of which structure is non-contact type. Since the electric igniter adopts a capacitor to accumulate energy for engine ignition instead of traditional contacttype approach, it enhances the igniting performance of a spark plug effectively. As a result, combustion efficiency is promoted, fuel consumption is saved, and exhaust emission is reduced. The igniter not only is good for fuel efficiency but also can reduce HC and CO emission significantly, which therefore is an environmentally friendly product. The control core of the igniter is implemented on a single chip, which lowers discrete component count, reduces system volume, and increases reliability. In addition, the ignition timing can be programmed so that a timing regulator can be removed from the proposed system, simplifying its structure. To verify the feasibility and functionality of the igniter, key waveforms are measured and real-car experiments are performed as well.
Amyloid Beta: Multiple Mechanisms of Toxicity and Only Some Protective Effects?
Authors: Carrillo-Mora Paul , Luna Rogelio , Colín-Barenque Laura
Published: February 2014

Amyloid beta (Aβ) is a peptide of 39–43 amino acids found in large amounts and forming deposits in the brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). For this reason, it has been implicated in the pathophysiology of damage observed in this type of dementia. However, the role of Aβin the pathophysiology of AD is not yet precisely understood. Aβhas been experimentally shown to have a wide range of toxic mechanismsin vivoandin vitro, such as excitotoxicity, mitochondrial alterations, synaptic dysfunction, altered calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, and so forth. In contrast, Aβhas also shown some interesting neuroprotective and physiological properties under certain experimental conditions, suggesting that both physiological and pathological roles of Aβmay depend on several factors. In this paper, we reviewed both toxic and protective mechanisms of Aβto further explore what their potential roles could be in the pathophysiology of AD. The complete understanding of such apparently opposed effects will also be an important guide for the therapeutic efforts coming in the future.
Next Generation Sequencing: Potential and Application in Drug Discovery
Authors: Yadav Navneet Kumar , Shukla Pooja , Omer Ankur , Pareek Shruti , Singh R. K.
Published: February 2014

The world has now entered into a new era of genomics because of the continued advancements in the next generation high throughput sequencing technologies, which includes sequencing by synthesis-fluorescent in situ sequencing (FISSEQ), pyrosequencing, sequencing by ligation using polony amplification, supported oligonucleotide detection (SOLiD), sequencing by hybridization along with sequencing by ligation, and nanopore technology. Great impacts of these methods can be seen for solving the genome related problems of plant and animal kingdom that will open the door of a new era of genomics. This may ultimately overcome the Sanger sequencing that ruled for 30 years. NGS is expected to advance and make the drug discovery process more rapid.
On Hermite-Hadamard Type Inequalities for Functions Whose Second Derivatives Absolute Values Are s-Convex
Authors: Chen Feixiang , Liu Xuefei
Published: February 2014

Some new Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities are obtained for functions
whose second derivatives absolute values are s-convex.
The 14 bp Del/Ins HLA-G Polymorphism Is Related with High Blood Pressure in Acute Coronary Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: García-González Ilian Janet , Valle Yeminia , Rivas Fernando , Figuera-Villanueva Luis Eduardo , Muñoz-Valle José Francisco , Flores-Salinas Hector Enrique , Gutiérrez-Amavizca Bianca Ethel , Dávalos-Rodríguez Nory Omayra , Padilla-Gutiérrez Jorge Ramón
Published: February 2014

Immunologic and inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a negative regulator of the immune response. This study evaluates the 14 bp Del/Ins HLA-G polymorphism in ACS and DM2. Three hundred and seventy individuals from Western Mexico were recruited and categorized into three groups: ACS (86), DM2 without coronary complications (70), and healthy subjects (214). Genotyping of the 14 bp Del/Ins HLA-G polymorphism was performed by PCR and Native-PAGE. The most common risk factors were hypertension and overweight in ACS and DM2, respectively. The genetic distribution of the 14 bp Del/Ins HLA-G polymorphism showed no significant differences between groups (P≥0.23). Nonetheless, the Ins/Ins genotype was associated with high blood pressure (HBP) in the DM2 group (ORc = 1.65,P=0.02). The genetic recessive model showed similar findings (ORc = 3.03,P=0.04). No association was found in ACS, with aPof 0.05; nevertheless, the prevalence of Ins/Ins carriers was quite similar to that found in the DM2-HBP group. The 14 bp Del/Ins HLA-G polymorphism was not a susceptibility factor for ACS or DM2; however, the Ins/Ins genotype might have contributed to the development of HBP in the studied groups.
The Role of CD44-Hyaluronic Acid Interaction in Exogenous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Homing to Rat Remnant Kidney
Authors: Bian Xiao-Hui , Zhou Guang-Yu , Wang Li-Ning , Ma Jian-Fei , Fan Qiu-Ling , Liu Na , Bai Yu , Guo Wei , Wang Yan-Qiu , Sun Guang-Ping , He Ping , Yang Xu , Su Xue-Song , Du Feng , Zhao Gui-Feng , Miao Jia-Ning , Ma Li , Zheng Li-Qiang , Li De-Tian , Feng Jiang-Min
Published: February 2014

Background/Aims: The aim of our study was to reveal the role of CD44-Hyaluronic acid (HA) in the homing and improving renal function of systemically transplanted MSCs in chronic renal failure. Methods: First, a remnant kidney model was established in rats and the expression of HA was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting. Next, chemotaxis assay using flow cytometry, and cell migration assay of MSCs were performed in vitro. Then, MSCs were transplanted into rats, thus, sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) group, MSC group and MSC/Anti-CD44 group (n = 8 for all groups). Migration of MSCs to the kidney in these rats was assessed by using cell tracking experiments, and tissue damage was evaluated by morphological analysis using Masson's trichrome staining and periodic acid Schiff staining. Results: HA was significantly observed in 5/6 Nx group, but not in sham group. Meanwhile, HA was discovered induced MSCs migration remarkably (p < 0.05) and anti-CD44 antibody inhibited the migration significantly (p < 0.05) in vitro. In vivo, the GFP-MSCs were observed in MSC group and the cells reduced in MSC/Anti-CD44 groups, especially, in the tubulointerstitium. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that CD44-HA has the potential to induce MSCs homing to injured tissue, while its effect on the ability of MSCs, improving tissue function, is not significant.
ECG Machine QTc Intervals Are Inaccurate in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Thomson B.K.A. , Momciu B. , Huang S.H.S. , Chan C.T. , Urquhart B. , Skanes A. , Krahn A. , Klein G. , Lindsay R.M.
Published: February 2014

Background: Nephrologists need effective screening tools to identify hemodialysis patients at elevated risk for sudden cardiac death, the leading cause of death in this population. QTc intervals longer than 450 ms in males and 470 ms in females, measured by the gold standard tangent method (trueQTc), are prolonged and increase sudden cardiac death in healthy populations and patients with long QT syndrome. Methods: We performed a retrospective ECG and chart review of hemodialysis patients. Our first objective was to determine if machine-measured QTc intervals (macQTc) could be used to identify dialysis patients with prolonged trueQTc. Our second objective was to determine at what macQTc could prolonged trueQTc be confidently diagnosed. Results: macQTc differed from the trueQTc by an average of 16.54 ms, and by at least 20 ms in 46.8, 36.1, 53.6, 50.0 and 57.1% of all, short-hours daily hemodialysis, intermittent conventional hemodialysis, frequent nocturnal hemodialysis and intermittent nocturnal hemodialysis patients, respectively. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of prolonged macQTc predicting prolonged trueQTc was 57.6, 92.6, 79.1 and 81.8%, respectively. Thus, macQTc is inaccurate at predicting the gold standard trueQTc in hemodialysis patients. macQTc greater than 480 ms in hemodialysis patients predicts trueQTc prolongation with a positive predictive value of 95.2%, but with a low sensitivity of 32.3%. Conclusion: In hemodialysis patients, ECG macQTc intervals are insufficiently sensitive or specific to predict prolonged trueQTc intervals, unless >480 ms.
Acoustic and Perceptual Consequences of Clear and Loud Speech
Authors: Tjaden Kris , Richards Emily , Kuo Christina , Wilding Greg , Sussman Joan
Published: February 2014

Objective: Several issues concerning F2 slope in dysarthria were addressed by obtaining speech acoustic measures and judgments of intelligibility for sentences produced in Habitual, Clear and Loud conditions by speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy controls. Patients and Methods: Acoustic measures of average and maximum F2 slope for diphthongs, duration and intensity were obtained. Listeners judged intelligibility using a visual analog scale. Differences in measures among groups and conditions as well as relationships among measures were examined. Results: Average and maximum F2 slope metrics were strongly correlated, but only average F2 slope consistently differed among groups and conditions, with shallower slopes for the PD group and steeper slopes for Clear speech versus Habitual and Loud. Clear and Loud speech were also characterized by lengthened durations, increased intensity and improved intelligibility versus Habitual. F2 slope and intensity were unrelated, and F2 slope was a significant predictor of intelligibility. Conclusion: Average diphthong F2 slope was more sensitive than maximum F2 slope to articulatory mechanism involvement in mild dysarthria in PD. F2 slope holds promise as an objective measure of treatment-related changes in the articulatory mechanism for therapeutic techniques that focus on articulation.
Helminth Infection Alters Mood and Short-Term Memory as well as Levels of Neurotransmitters and Cytokines in the Mouse Hippocampus
Authors: Morales-Montor Jorge , Picazo Ofir , Besedovsky Hugo , Hernández-Bello Romel , López-Griego Lorena , Becerril-Villanueva Enrique , Moreno Julia , Pavón Lenin , Nava-Castro Karen , Camacho-Arroyo Ignacio
Published: February 2014

Helminthic infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in many developing countries, where children bear the greatest health burden. The ability of parasites to cause behavioral changes in the host has been observed in a variety of host-parasite systems, including the Taenia crassiceps-mouse model. In murine cysticercosis, mice exhibit a disruption in the sexual, aggressive and avoidance predator behaviors. Objective: The present study was conducted to characterize short-term memory and depression-like behavior, as well as levels of neurotransmitters and cytokines in the hippocampus of cysticercotic male and female mice. Methods: Cytokines were detected by RT-PCR and neurotransmitters were quantified by HPLC. Results: Chronic cysticercosis infection induced a decrease in short-term memory in both male and female mice, having a more pronounced effect in females. Infected females showed a significant increase in forced swimming tests with a decrease in immobility. In contrast, male mice showed an increment in total activity and ambulation tests. Serotonin levels decreased by 30% in the hippocampus of infected females whereas noradrenaline levels significantly increased in infected males. The hippocampal expression of IL-4 increased in infected female mice, but decreased in infected male mice. Conclusion: Our study suggests that intraperitoneal chronic infection with cysticerci in mice leads to persistent deficits in tasks dependent on the animal's hippocampal function. Our findings are a first approach to elucidating the role of the neuroimmune network in controlling short-term memory and mood in T. crassiceps-infected mice.
Triflusal and Aspirin in the Secondary Prevention of Atherothrombotic Ischemic Stroke: A Very Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Alvarez-Sabín José , Quintana Manuel , Santamarina Estevo , Maisterra Olga
Published: February 2014

Background: The mean follow-up in the clinical trials of antiplatelet drugs in the secondary prevention of ischemic atherothrombotic stroke ranges from 1 to 5.5 years. Thus, the safety and efficacy of these drugs in the very long term is not totally documented. We have assessed the safety and effectiveness of triflusal and aspirin for a very long-term period in the secondary prevention of patients with ischemic atherothrombotic stroke. Methods: Patients with atherothrombotic ischemic stroke, including TIA, who participated in randomized clinical trials of triflusal versus aspirin were included in the study. The period of recruitment was between 1983 and 1999. After finishing their participation in the clinical trials, patients were followed up in the Neurology Department of our hospital. All patients were treated with aspirin or triflusal during a mean period of 17.2 years. Groups were comparable with respect to sex, age, risk factor and etiology of the stroke. Adverse events and vascular events (including stroke recurrence, ischemic heart disease and vascular death) that appeared throughout the study were registered. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package SPSS 15.0 for Windows. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were used to compare treatments. Results: A total of 441 patients (305 men) with a mean age (±SD) of 51.1 ± 12.4 years were included in the study; 288 patients (65.3%) were treated with triflusal and 153 with aspirin. There were no statistically significant differences between aspirin and triflusal concerning new vascular events (72.5 vs. 60.4%; p = 0.28), stroke recurrence (49.7 vs. 46.5%; p = 0.53), ischemic heart events (54.9 vs. 55.6%; p = 0.90), vascular death (25.5 vs. 24%; p = 0.73) and global mortality (42.5 vs. 42%; p = 0.92). The incidence of serious bleeding (upper digestive tract hemorrhage and cerebral hemorrhage) was 18.3% in aspirin-treated patients and 5.5% in triflusal-treated patients (p < 0.001). In reference to other adverse events, no significant differences were found between aspirin and triflusal. Conclusions: In the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke, very long-term treatment with triflusal or aspirin seems to have a similar efficacy, but triflusal is safer with a lower hemorrhagic risk. Triflusal may be an alternative therapy, particularly in patients who present aspirin resistance.
Review of Telehealth Stuttering Management
Authors: Lowe Robyn , O'Brian Sue , Onslow Mark
Published: February 2014

Objective: Telehealth is the use of communication technology to provide health care services by means other than typical in-clinic attendance models. Telehealth is increasingly used for the management of speech, language and communication disorders. The aim of this article is to review telehealth applications to stuttering management. Methods: We conducted a search of peer-reviewed literature for the past 20 years using the Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science database, PubMed: The Bibliographic Database and a search for articles by hand. Results: Outcomes for telehealth stuttering treatment were generally positive, but there may be a compromise of treatment efficiency with telehealth treatment of young children. Our search found no studies dealing with stuttering assessment procedures using telehealth models. No economic analyses of this delivery model have been reported. Conclusion: This review highlights the need for continued research about telehealth for stuttering management. Evidence from research is needed to inform the efficacy of assessment procedures using telehealth methods as well as guide the development of improved treatment procedures. Clinical and technical guidelines are urgently needed to ensure that the evolving and continued use of telehealth to manage stuttering does not compromise the standards of care afforded with standard in-clinic models.
Is There an Indication for Surgical Resection in Colorectal Adenoma?
Authors: Rüth Stefan , Spatz Johann , Anthuber Matthias
Published: February 2014

Background: Due to the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, complete removal of colorectal polyps is essential. Method: This article analyzes the role of surgery in the removal of colorectal adenoma. Results: Nowadays, most adenomas are removed properly by endoscopic methods. Also in the resection of giant polyps and recurrent adenoma endoscopic data is convincing. Therefore, surgical resection of colorectal adenomas is required in the case of endoscopic inaccessibility. Reasons for this may be the location of the polyp, incomplete endoscopic resection, or suspected malignancy. Endoscopic or limited surgical resection of malignant adenomas is acceptable only if ‘low-risk' criteria are fulfilled. Otherwise oncologic radical resection is recommended. In general, radical resection is also necessary in the case of polyps that are not suitable for endoscopic removal, because here the rate of colorectal carcinoma is high. Conclusion: If a surgical approach is necessary, minimally invasive surgery in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon is a suitable option. Adenomas in the lower two thirds of the rectum are suitable for transanal full-thickness resection. This is done by conventional resection or transanal endoscopic microsurgery. The histopathological preparation of these specimens provides diagnostic and therapeutic benefits, particularly compared to piecemeal resection of early carcinoma.
The predictive value of markers of fibrinolysis and endothelial dysfunction in the post thrombotic syndrome
Authors: Rabinovich Anat , Cohen Jacqueline M. , Kahn Susan R.
Published: February 2014

The post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) develops in 20–40% of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) patients. Risk factors for PTS have not been well elucidated. Identification of risk factors would facilitate individualised risk assessment for PTS. We conducted a systematic review to determine whether biomarkers of fibrinolysis or endothelial dysfunction can predict the risk for PTS among DVT patients. Studies were identified by searching the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of science. We included studies published between 1990 and 2013, measured biomarker levels in adult DVT patients, and reported rates of PTS development. Fourteen studies were included: 11 investigated the association between D-dimer and PTS; three examined fibrinogen; two measured von Willebrand factor; one measured plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; one assessed ADAMTS-13 (A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease with Thrombospondin type 1 repeats) and one measured factor XIII activity. Studies varied with regards to inclusion criteria, definition of PTS, time point and method of biomarker measurement. We were unable to meta-analyse results due to marked clinical heterogeneity. Descriptively, a significant association with PTS was found for D-dimer in four studies and factor XIII in one study. Further prospective research is needed to elucidate whether these markers might be useful to predict PTS development.
Patterns of Statin Initiation, Intensification, and Maximization Among Patients Hospitalized With an Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Arnold Suzanne V. , Kosiborod Mikhail , Tang Fengming , Zhao Zhenxiang , Maddox Thomas M. , McCollam Patrick L. , Birt Julie , Spertus John A.
Published: February 2014

Background—

Intensive statins are superior to moderate statins in reducing morbidity and mortality after an acute myocardial infarction. Although studies have documented rates of statin prescription as a quality performance measure, variations in hospitals’ rates of initiating, intensifying, and maximizing statin therapy after acute myocardial infarction are unknown.

Methods and Results—

We assessed statin use at admission and discharge among 4340 acute myocardial infarction patients from 24 US hospitals (2005–2008). Hierarchical models estimated site variation in statin initiation in naïve patients, intensification in those undergoing submaximal therapy, and discharge on maximal therapy (defined as a statin with expected low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering ≥50%) after adjustment for patient factors, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Site variation was explored with a median rate ratio, which estimates the relative difference in risk ratios of 2 hypothetically identical patients at 2 different hospitals. Among statin-naïve patients, 87% without a contraindication were prescribed a statin, with no variability across sites (median rate ratio, 1.02). Among patients who arrived on submaximal statins, 26% had their statin therapy intensified, with modest site variability (median rate ratio, 1.47). Among all patients without a contraindication, 23% were discharged on maximal statin therapy, with substantial hospital variability (median rate ratio, 2.79).

Conclusions—

In a large, multicenter acute myocardial infarction cohort, statin therapy was begun in nearly 90% of patients during hospitalization, with no variability across sites; however, rates of statin intensification and maximization were low and varied substantially across hospitals. Given that more intense statin therapy is associated with better outcomes, changing the existing performance measures to include the intensity of statin therapy may improve care.
Structural Damage and Functional Reorganization in Ipsilesional M1 in Well-Recovered Patients With Subcortical Stroke
Authors: Zhang Jing , Meng Liangliang , Qin Wen , Liu Ningning , Shi Fu-Dong , Yu Chunshui
Published: February 2014

Background and Purpose—

Both structural atrophy and functional reorganization of the primary motor cortex (M1) have been reported in patients with subcortical infarctions affecting the motor pathway. However, the relationship between structural impairment and functional reorganization in M1 remains unclear.

Methods—

Twenty-six patients exhibiting significant recovery after subcortical infarctions were investigated using multimodal MRI techniques. Structural impairment was assessed via cortical thickness, and functional reorganization was analyzed using task-evoked activation, amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, and resting-state functional connectivity.

Results—

Compared with healthy controls, patients with stroke exhibited reduced cortical thickness in the ipsilesional M1; however, this region exhibited increased task-evoked activation, amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, and resting-state functional connectivity in these patients. Patients with stroke demonstrated increased task-evoked activation in another ipsilesional M1 region, in which increased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and resting-state functional connectivity were observed. The structural and functional changes in M1 were located selectively in the ipsilesional hemisphere.

Conclusions—

We provide convincing evidence that indicates extensive functional reorganization in the ipsilesional M1 of patients with chronic subcortical infarctions, including the structurally impaired M1 region.
Ground-Based Remote Sensing of the ABL Structure in Moscow and Its Use to Estimate Pollutant Surface Emission Rates
Authors: Kramar Valery F. , Baykova Evgeniya , Kallistratova Margarita , Kouznetsov Rostislav , Kulichkov Sergei
Published: February 2014

Currently used methods to estimate surface pollutant emissions require a set of specific air-sampling surveys. Data from a network of ground-based sodars and a network of air-quality stations in Moscow, Russia, are used to estimate the emission rates of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO). The sodar network, consisting of three “LATAN-3” Doppler sodars and three “MTP-5” microwave temperature profilers, is used to measure the vertical profiles of vertical and horizontal wind velocity, wind direction, and temperature, which are used to determine the average mixing-layer height. The network of ground-based air-quality stations, consisting of 17 automated stations distributed uniformly across Moscow, continuously measured the CO and NO concentrations. This study focuses on an anticyclonic episode of high surface pressure over Moscow during 30 July–1 August 2012. After sunrise, the solar-induced convection effectively moderated the pollutant levels in the lowest 100–200 m. After sunset, convective mixing stopped and the wind weakened, which allowed CO and NO to reach hazardous levels. With an assumption of an average mixing-layer height of 150 m, the resulting estimate of surface emission of CO is ~6 μg m−2 s−1, whereas that for NO is ~0.6 μg m−2 s−1.
An Eigenfrequency Analysis of Mixed Rossby–Gravity Waves on Barotropic Vortices
Authors: Zhong Wei , Zhang Da-Lin
Published: February 2014

In this study, the linearized, f-plane, shallow-water equations are discretized into a matrix eigenvalue problem to examine the full spectrum of free waves on barotropic (monopolar and hollow) vortices. A typical wave spectrum for weak vortices shows a continuous range between zero and an advective frequency associated with vortex Rossby waves (VRWs) and two discrete ranges at both sides associated with inertio-gravity waves (IGWs). However, when the vortex intensity reaches a critical value, higher-frequency waves will be “red shifted” into the continuous spectrum, while low-frequency waves will be “violet shifted” into the discrete spectrum, leading to the emergence of mixed vortex Rossby–inertio-gravity waves (VRIGWs).

Results show significant (little) radial wavelike structures of perturbation variables for IGWs (VRWs) with greater (much smaller) divergence than vorticity and the hybrid IGW–VRW radial structures with equal amplitudes of vorticity and divergence for mixed VRIGWs. In addition, VRWs only occur within a critical radius at which the perturbation azimuthal velocity is discontinuous. As the azimuthal wavenumber increases, lower-frequency waves tend to exhibit more mixed-wave characteristics, whereas higher-frequency waves will be more of the IGW type. Two-dimensional wave solutions show rapid outward energy dispersion of IGWs and slower dispersion of VRWs and mixed VRIGWs in the core region. These solutions are shown to resemble the previous analytical solutions, except for certain structural differences caused by the critical radius. It is concluded that mixed VRIGWs should be common in the eyewall and spiral rainbands of intense tropical cyclones. Some different wave behaviors associated with the monopolar and hollow vortices are also discussed.
Subseasonal Atmospheric Variability and El Niño Waveguide Warming: Observed Effects of the Madden–Julian Oscillation and Westerly Wind Events*
Authors: Chiodi Andrew M. , Harrison D. E. , Vecchi Gabriel A.
Published: February 2014

Westerly wind events (WWEs) have previously been shown to initiate equatorial Pacific waveguide warming. The relationship between WWEs and Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) activity, as well as the role of MJO events in initiating waveguide warming, is reconsidered here over the 1986–2010 period. WWEs are identified in observations of near-surface zonal winds using an objective scheme. MJO events are defined using a widely used index, and 64 are identified that occur when the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is in its neutral state. Of these MJO events, 43 have one or more embedded WWEs and 21 do not. The evolution of sea surface temperature anomaly over the equatorial Pacific waveguide following the westerly surface wind phase of the MJO over the western equatorial Pacific is examined. Waveguide warming is found for the MJO with WWE events in similar magnitudes as following the WWEs not embedded in an MJO. There is very little statistically significant waveguide warming following MJO events that do not contain an embedded WWE. The observed SST anomaly changes are well reproduced in an ocean general circulation model forced with the respective composite wind stress anomalies. Further, it is found that the occurrence of an MJO event does not significantly affect the likelihood that a WWE will occur. These results extend and confirm the earlier results of Vecchi with a near doubling of the period of study. It is suggested that understanding the sources and predictability of tropical Pacific westerly wind events remains essential to improving predictions of the onset of El Niño events.
Airborne Rain-Rate Measurement with a Wide-Swath Radar Altimeter
Authors: Walsh Edward J. , PopStefanija Ivan , Matrosov Sergey Y. , Zhang Jian , Uhlhorn Eric , Klotz Brad
Published: February 2014

The NOAA Wide-Swath Radar Altimeter (WSRA) uses 80 narrow beams spread over ±30° in the cross-track direction to generate raster lines of sea surface topography at a 10-Hz rate from which sea surface directional wave spectra are produced. A ±14° subset of the backscattered power data associated with the topography measurements is used to produce independent measurements of rain rate and sea surface mean square slope at 10-s intervals. Theoretical calculations of rain attenuation at the WSRA 16.15-GHz operating frequency using measured drop size distributions for both mostly convective and mostly stratiform rainfall demonstrate that the WSRA absorption technique for rain determination is relatively insensitive to both ambient temperature and the characteristics of the drop size distribution, in contrast to reflectivity techniques. The variation of the sea surface radar reflectivity in the vicinity of a hurricane is reviewed. Fluctuations in the sea surface scattering characteristics caused by changes in wind speed or the rain impinging on the surface cannot contaminate the rain measurement because they are calibrated out using the WSRA measurement of mean square slope. WSRA rain measurements from a NOAA WP-3D hurricane research aircraft off the North Carolina coast in Hurricane Irene on 26 August 2011 are compared with those from the stepped frequency microwave radiometer (SFMR) on the aircraft and the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) National Mosaic and Multi-Sensor Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) system.
Evaluation of Medium-Range Forecasts for Hurricane Sandy
Authors: Magnusson Linus , Bidlot Jean-Raymond , Lang Simon T. K. , Thorpe Alan , Wedi Nils , Yamaguchi Munehiko
Published: February 2014

On 30 October 2012 Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the U.S. East Coast with a devastating impact. Here the performance of the ECMWF forecasts (both high resolution and ensemble) are evaluated together with ensemble forecasts from other numerical weather prediction centers, available from The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment (THORPEX) Interactive Grand Global Ensemble (TIGGE) archive. The sensitivity to sea surface temperature (SST) and model resolution for the ECMWF forecasts are explored. The results show that the ECMWF forecasts provided a clear indication of the landfall from 7 days in advance. Comparing ensemble forecasts from different centers, the authors find the ensemble forecasts from ECMWF to be the most consistent in the forecast of the landfall of Sandy on the New Jersey coastline. The impact of the warm SST anomaly off the U.S. East Coast is investigated by running sensitivity experiments with climatological SST instead of persisting the SST anomaly from the analysis. The results show that the SST anomaly had a small effect on Sandy’s track in the forecast, but the forecasts initialized with the warm SST anomaly feature a more intense system in terms of the depth of the cyclone, wind speeds, and precipitation. Furthermore, the role of spatial resolution is investigated by comparing four global simulations, spanning from TL159 (150 km) to TL3999 (5 km) horizontal resolution. Forecasts from 3 and 5 days before the landfall are evaluated. While all resolutions predict Sandy’s landfall, at very high resolution the tropical cyclone intensity and the oceanic wave forecasts are greatly improved.
Lactulose-Mannitol Intestinal Permeability Test: A Useful Screening Test for Adult Coeliac Disease
Authors: Johnston Simon D , Smye Michael , Watson R G Peter , McMillan Stanley A , Trimble Elisabeth R , Love A H Gary
Published: February 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the value of the lactulose-mannitol intestinal permeability test in screening the general adult population for unrecognized enteropathy and latent coeliac disease.

Subjects with positive serology (identified by screening carried out by the Belfast MONICA Project) along with controls were followed-up after 3 years and classified as having transient serology, persistent serology or coeliac disease. A 5-h urine collection was performed following the ingestion of 5 g lactulose, 2 g mannitol and glucose as an osmotic filler. Urinary concentrations of lactulose and mannitol were measured by enzymatic analysis.

Percentage lactulose excretion (%LE) (0·94 versus 0·31, P < 0·001) and lactulose-mannitol excretion ratio (LMER) (0·12 versus 0·02, P < 0·001) were significantly higher in screening-detected coeliac disease subjects compared with MONICA controls. The sensitivity of the permeability test was 87% in the screening situation compared with 81% in the clinical situation. In subjects with persistent and transient serology the LMER did not differ significantly from that of controls.

The lactulose-mannitol test is a useful test for screening the general adult population for coeliac disease. Subjects with persistent and transient serology did not differ from MONICA controls and are unlikely to have latent coeliac disease.