bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoperative single-dose methylprednisolone versus placebo after major liver resection in adults: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bressan Alexsander K , Roberts Derek J , Bhatti Sana U , Dixon Elijah , Sutherland Francis R , Bathe Oliver F , Ball Chad G
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Although randomised controlled trials have demonstrated that preoperative glucocorticoids may improve postoperative surrogate outcomes among patients undergoing major liver resection, evidence supporting improved patient-important outcomes is lacking. This superiority trial aims to evaluate the effect of administration of a bolus of the glucocorticoid methylprednisolone versus placebo during induction of anaesthesia on postoperative morbidity among adults undergoing elective major liver resection.

Methods and analysis

This will be a randomised, dual-arm, parallel-group, superiority trial. All consecutive adults presenting to a large Canadian tertiary care hospital who consent to undergo major liver resection will be included. Patients aged <18 years and those currently receiving systemic corticosteroid therapy will be excluded. We will randomly allocate participants to a preoperative 500 mg intravenous bolus of methylprednisolone versus placebo. Surgical team members and outcome assessors will be blinded to treatment allocation status. The primary outcome measure will be postoperative complications. Secondary outcome measures will include mortality, the incidence of several specific postoperative complications, and blood levels of select proinflammatory cytokines, acute-phase proteins, and laboratory liver enzymes or function tests on postoperative days 0, 1, 2 and 5. The incidence of postoperative complications and mortality will be compared using Fisher's exact test, while the above laboratory measures will be compared using mixed-effects models with a subject-specific random intercept.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial will evaluate the protective effect of a single preoperative dose of methylprednisolone on the hazard of postoperative complications. A report releasing study results will be submitted for publication in an appropriate journal, approximately 3 months after finishing the data collection.

Trial registration number

NCT01997658; Pre-results.
Adverse events relating to dispensing errors
Authors: Diesel Gillian , Davis Giles
Published: October 2015

Gillian Diesel and Giles Davis of the pharmacovigilance unit at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate review reports of adverse events associated with dispensing errors received by the VMD between 2000 and 2014.
Supporting practice managers
Authors: Wiseman Helen
Published: October 2015

With more than 75 practice managers working in its practices across the UK, CVS recently launched a bespoke training programme to support these ‘pivotal members of the practice team’. The company's human resources director, Helen Wiseman, describes the group's approach
Generalized uncertainty principle corrections to the simple harmonic oscillator in phase space
Authors: Das Saurya , Robbins Matthew P.G. , Walton Mark A.
Published: October 2015

We compute Wigner functions for the harmonic oscillator including corrections from generalized uncertainty principles (GUPs), and study the corresponding marginal probability densities and other properties. We show that the GUP corrections to the Wigner functions can be significant, and comment on their potential measurability in the laboratory.
Local extinction risk of three species of lizard from Patagonia as a result of global warming
Authors: Kubisch E.L. , Corbalán V. , Ibargüengoytía N.R. , Sinervo B.
Published: October 2015

Recently, Sinervo et al. (2010, Science, 328: 894–899) reported declines of lizard biodiversity due to local warming trends and altered thermal niches. Herein, we applied the Sinervo et al. (2010) physiological model to predict the local extinction risk of three species of lizard from Patagonia. Whereas the previous model used a single equation (for the extinctions of Blue Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus serrifer Cope, 1866) in the Yucatan Peninsula) relating environmental temperatures (Te) to hours of restriction (i.e., the period when lizards are forced into retreat sites because environmental temperatures are too high), we measured habitat-specific equations for the Te values of each species. We analyzed the vulnerability of Darwin’s Ground Gecko (Homonota darwinii Boulenger, 1885), Bariloche Lizard (Liolaemus pictus (Duméril and Bibron, 1837)), and Mountain Slope Lizard (Liolaemus elongatus Koslowsky, 1896) to climate change considering thermal physiological constraints on activity during the reproductive period. While Sinervo et al. (2010) predicted that the Phyllodactylidae family will not suffer from impacts of climate change, our physiological model predicted that 20% of the H. darwinii populations could become extinct by 2080. The physiological model also predicted that 15% of L. pictus populations and 26.5% of L. elongatus populations could become extinct by 2080. The most vulnerable populations are those located near the northern and eastern boundaries of their distributions.
Novel Application of Natural Anisole Compounds as Enhancers for Transdermal Delivery of Ligustrazine
Authors: Zhang Wen-Jun , Wang Jiao-Ying , Li Hui , He Xin , Zhang Run-Qi , Zhang Chun-Feng , Li Fei , Yang Zhong-Lin , Wang Chong-Zhi , Yuan Chun-Su
Published: October 2015

To improve the transdermal delivery of ligustrazine, Foeniculum vulgare food origin anisole compounds were employed as promoters. Transdermal fluxes of ligustrazine were determined by Franz-type diffusion cells. Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectra were used to detect the biophysical changes of the stratum corneum and to explore the mechanism of permeation enhancement. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to monitor the morphological changes of the skin. Among the three anisoles, anisic acid increased the penetration flux of ligustrazine significantly. The ligustrazine flux with anisic acid (11.9 μg/cm2/h) was higher than that any other group (p < 0.05). Spectra observations revealed that these anisole enhancers were able to disturb and extract the stratum corneum lipids. In addition, apparent density was used to describe the desquamation extent of the scutella. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the permeation enhancement of ligustrazine, including disturbing and extracting stratum corneum lipid, forming a competitive hydrogen bond. All data suggested that anisole compounds could be a group of safe and active penetration enhancers for transdermal delivery of ligustrazine.
A CubeSat for Calibrating Ground-Based and Sub-Orbital Millimeter-Wave Polarimeters (CalSat)
Authors: Johnson Bradley R. , Vourch Clement J. , Drysdale Timothy D. , Kalman Andrew , Fujikawa Steve , Keating Brian , Kaufman Jon
Published: October 2015

We describe a low-cost, open-access, CubeSat-based calibration instrument that is designed to support ground-based and sub-orbital experiments searching for various polarization signals in the cosmic microwave background (CMB). All modern CMB polarization experiments require a robust calibration program that will allow the effects of instrument-induced signals to be mitigated during data analysis. A bright, compact and linearly polarized astrophysical source with polarization properties known to adequate precision does not exist. Therefore, we designed a space-based millimeter-wave calibration instrument, called CalSat, to serve as an open-access calibrator, and this paper describes the results of our design study. The calibration source on board CalSat is composed of five “tones” with one each at 47.1, 80.0, 140, 249 and 309[Formula: see text]GHz. The five tones we chose are well matched to (i) the observation windows in the atmospheric transmittance spectra, (ii) the spectral bands commonly used in polarimeters by the CMB community and (iii) the Amateur Satellite Service bands in the Table of Frequency Allocations used by the Federal Communications Commission. CalSat would be placed in a polar orbit allowing visibility from observatories in the Northern Hemisphere, such as Mauna Kea in Hawaii and Summit Station in Greenland, and the Southern Hemisphere, such as the Atacama Desert in Chile and the South Pole. CalSat also would be observable by balloon-borne instruments launched from a range of locations around the world. This global visibility makes CalSat the only source that can be observed by all terrestrial and sub-orbital observatories, thereby providing a universal standard that permits comparison between experiments using appreciably different measurement approaches.
Fast numerical method for pricing of variable annuities with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit under optimal withdrawal strategy
Authors: Luo Xiaolin , Shevchenko Pavel V.
Published: October 2015

A variable annuity contract with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB) promises to return the entire initial investment through cash withdrawals during the policy life plus the remaining account balance at maturity, regardless of the portfolio performance. Under the optimal withdrawal strategy of a policyholder, the pricing of variable annuities with GMWB becomes an optimal stochastic control problem. So far in the literature these contracts have only been evaluated by solving partial differential equations (PDE) using the finite difference method. The well-known least-squares or similar Monte Carlo methods cannot be applied to pricing these contracts because the paths of the underlying wealth process are affected by optimal cash withdrawals (control variables) and thus cannot be simulated forward in time. In this paper, we present a very efficient new algorithm for pricing these contracts in the case when transition density of the underlying asset between withdrawal dates or its moments are known. This algorithm relies on computing the expected contract value through a high order Gauss–Hermite quadrature applied on a cubic spline interpolation. Numerical results from the new algorithm for a series of GMWB contract are then presented, in comparison with results using the finite difference method solving corresponding PDE. The comparison demonstrates that the new algorithm produces results in very close agreement with those of the finite difference method, but at the same time it is significantly faster; virtually instant results on a standard desktop PC.
Scenario optimization technique for the assessment of downside-risk and investable portfolios in post-financial crisis
Authors: Al Janabi Mazin A. M.
Published: October 2015

The aim of this paper is to develop an optimization technique for the assessment of downside-risk limits and investable financial portfolios under crisis-driven outlooks subject to applying meaningful financial and operational constraints. The simulation and testing methods are based on the renowned concept of liquidity-adjusted value-at-risk (LVaR) along with the development of an optimization risk-algorithm utilizing matrix–algebra technique. With the purpose of demonstrating the effectiveness of LVaR and stress-testing techniques, real-world quantitative analysis of structured equity portfolios are depicted for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) financial markets. To this end, several structural simulations studies are accomplished with the goal of establishing realistic financial modeling algorithm for the calculation of downside-risk parameters and to empirically assess portfolio managers' optimal and investable portfolios. The developed methodology and risk valuation algorithms can aid in advancing risk assessment and portfolio management practices in emerging markets, particularly in the wake of the most recent credit crunch and the subsequent financial turmoil.
Patience vs. impatience of traders: Formation of the value-at-price distribution through competition for liquidity
Authors: Lerner Peter
Published: October 2015

The ability to postpone one's execution in the market without penalty in search of a better price is an important strategic advantage in high-frequency trading. To elucidate competition between traders one has to formulate to a quantitative theory of formation of the execution price from market expectations and quotes. Equilibrium theory was provided in 2005 by Foucault, Kadan and Kandel. I derive an asymptotic distribution of the bids/offers as a function of the ratio of patient and impatient traders using the dynamic version of the Foucault, Kadan and Kandel limit order book (LOB) model. Our version of the LOB model allows stylized, but sufficiently realistic representation of the trading markets. In particular, dynamic LOB allows simulation of the distribution of execution times and spreads from high-frequency quotes. Significant analytic progress is made toward framing of short-term trading as competition for immediacy of execution between traders under imperfect information. The results are qualitatively compared with empirical volume-at-price distribution of highly liquid stocks.
Self-financing strategy expression in general shape limit order book with market impacts in continuous time
Authors: Saito Taiga
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we extend the self-financing strategy expression in the linear supply curve model with market impacts by Roch (2011) and Cetin et al. (2004) to a non-linear case. Option hedging with liquidity costs and market impacts has been a key issue since the financial crises. We generalize the continuous time expression of a self-financing strategy in the linear supply curve model with market impacts proposed by Roch (2011) and Cetin et al. (2004), which is a useful result when one considers an option hedging strategy under an illiquid market, to a non-linear case. After showing an expression of the maximum price to when a hedger buys a certain amount under the non-linear supply curve, we define a non-linear market impact and show the self-financing expression under the non-linear supply curve model with market impacts. We also show examples of the strategy in non-linear supply curves observed in practice.
Direct renal effects of a fructose-enriched diet: interaction with high salt intake
Authors: Ares Gustavo R. , Ortiz Pablo A.
Published: October 2015

Consumption of fructose has increased during the last 50 years. Excessive fructose consumption has a detrimental effect on mammalian health but the mechanisms remain unclear. In humans, a direct relationship exists between dietary intake of added sugars and increased risk for cardiovascular disease mortality (52). While the causes for this are unclear, we recently showed that fructose provided in the drinking water induces a salt-dependent increase in blood pressure in Sprague-Dawley rats in a matter of days (6). However, little is known about the effects of fructose in renal salt handling and whether combined intake of high fructose and salt can lead to salt-sensitive hypertension before the development of metabolic abnormalities. The long-term (more than 4 wk) adverse effects of fructose intake on renal function are not just due to fructose but are also secondary to alterations in metabolism which may have an impact on renal function. This minireview focuses on the acute effect of fructose intake and its effect on salt regulation, as they affect blood pressure.
NKT cell modulates NAFLD potentiation of metabolic oxidative stress-induced mesangial cell activation and proximal tubular toxicity
Authors: Alhasson Firas , Dattaroy Diptadip , Das Suvarthi , Chandrashekaran Varun , Seth Ratanesh Kumar , Schnellmann Rick G. , Chatterjee Saurabh
Published: October 2015

Obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are associated with the development and progression of chronic kidney disease. We recently showed that NAFLD induces liver-specific cytochrome P-450 (CYP)2E1-mediated metabolic oxidative stress after administration of the CYP2E1 substrate bromodichloromethane (BDCM) (Seth RK, Das S, Kumar A, Chanda A, Kadiiska MB, Michelotti G, Manautou J, Diehl AM, Chatterjee S. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 274: 42–54, 2014; Seth RK, Kumar A, Das S, Kadiiska MB, Michelotti G, Diehl AM, Chatterjee S. Toxicol Sci 134:291–303, 2013). The present study examined the effects of CYP2E1-mediated oxidative stress in NAFLD leading to kidney toxicity. Mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 wk to induce NAFLD. NAFLD mice were exposed to BDCM, a CYP2E1 substrate, for 4 wk. NAFLD + BDCM increased CYP2E1-mediated lipid peroxidation in proximal tubular cells compared with mice with NAFLD alone or BDCM-treated lean mice, thus ruling out the exclusive role of BDCM. Lipid peroxidation increased IL-1β, TNF-α, and interferon-γ. In parallel, mesangial cell activation was observed by increased α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor-β, which was blocked by the CYP2E1 inhibitor diallyl sulphide both in vivo and in vitro. Mice lacking natural killer T cells (CD1d knockout mice) showed elevated (>4-fold) proinflammatory mediator release, increased Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and PDGF2 mRNA, and mesangial cell activation in the kidney. Finally, NAFLD CD1D knockout mice treated with BDCM exhibited increased high mobility group box 1 and Fas ligand levels and TUNEL-positive nuclei, indicating that higher cell death was attenuated in TLR4 knockout mice. Tubular cells showed increased cell death and cytokine release when incubated with activated mesangial cells. In summary, an underlying condition of progressive NAFLD causes renal immunotoxicity and aberrant glomerular function possibly through high mobility group box 1-dependent TLR4 signaling and mesangial cell activation, which, in turn, is modulated by intrinsic CD1D-dependent natural killer T cells.
Muscle coordination limits efficiency and power output of human limb movement under a wide range of mechanical demands
Authors: Blake Ollie M. , Wakeling James M.
Published: October 2015

This study investigated the influence of cycle frequency and workload on muscle coordination and the ensuing relationship with mechanical efficiency and power output of human limb movement. Eleven trained cyclists completed an array of cycle frequency (cadence)-power output conditions while excitation from 10 leg muscles and power output were recorded. Mechanical efficiency was maximized at increasing cadences for increasing power outputs and corresponded to muscle coordination and muscle fiber type recruitment that minimized both the total muscle excitation across all muscles and the ineffective pedal forces. Also, maximum efficiency was characterized by muscle coordination at the top and bottom of the pedal cycle and progressive excitation through the uniarticulate knee, hip, and ankle muscles. Inefficiencies were characterized by excessive excitation of biarticulate muscles and larger duty cycles. Power output and efficiency were limited by the duration of muscle excitation beyond a critical cadence (120–140 rpm), with larger duty cycles and disproportionate increases in muscle excitation suggesting deteriorating muscle coordination and limitations of the activation-deactivation capabilities. Most muscles displayed systematic phase shifts of the muscle excitation relative to the pedal cycle that were dependent on cadence and, to a lesser extent, power output. Phase shifts were different for each muscle, thereby altering their mechanical contribution to the pedaling action. This study shows that muscle coordination is a key determinant of mechanical efficiency and power output of limb movement across a wide range of mechanical demands and that the excitation and coordination of the muscles is limited at very high cycle frequencies.
Molecular Identification and Susceptibility of Clinically RelevantScedosporiumspp. in China
Authors: Wang Hong , Wan Zhe , Li Ruoyu , Lu Qiaoyun , Yu Jin
Published: October 2015

As various new sibling species within theScedosporiumspp. have been described recently, this study was conducted to investigate distribution and antifungal susceptibility profiles of the different species ofScedosporiumspp. in China. Twenty-one clinical strains ofScedosporiumfrom China and two strains from Japan were reidentified by MLSA. The analysis included BT2, CAL, RPB, SOD, and ACT and the combination of the five loci.Pseudallescheria boydiicomplex (17 strains) andS. apiospermum(6 strains) were identified.P. boydiicomplex included four closely related subgroups:P. boydii(9 strains),P. ellipsoidea(6 strains),P. fusoidea(1 strain), andP. angusta(1 strain). There were no significant differences in MICs for neither VOR, POS, nor AMB over all the five species in study. For itraconazole, intraspecific diversity was evident.
Pauci-Immune Necrotizing and Crescentic Glomerulonephritis with Membranous Lupus Nephritis, Fifteen Years after Initial Diagnosis of Secondary Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Burkhart Ryan , Shah Nina , Abel Michael , Oliver James D. , Lewin Matthew
Published: October 2015

Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is usually immune complex mediated and may have multiple different presentations. Pauci-immune necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN) refers to extensive glomerular inflammation with few or no immune deposits that may result in rapid decline in renal function. We report a case of a 79-year-old Hispanic male with a history of secondary membranous nephropathy (diagnosed by renal biopsy 15 years previously) who was admitted with acute kidney injury and active urinary sediment. P-ANCA titers and anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies were positive. The renal biopsy was diagnostic for NCGN superimposed on a secondary membranous nephropathy. A previous diagnosis of SLE based on American College of Rheumatology criteria was discovered via Veteran’s Administration records review after the completion of treatment for pauci-immune NCGN. ANCAs are detected in 20–31% of patients with SLE. There may be an association between SLE and ANCA seropositivity. In patients with lupus nephritis and biopsy findings of necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis, without significant immune complex deposition, ANCA testing should be performed. In patients with secondary membranous nephropathy SLE should be excluded.
Lung Segmentation in 4D CT Volumes Based on Robust Active Shape Model Matching
Authors: Gill Gurman , Beichel Reinhard R.
Published: October 2015

Dynamic and longitudinal lung CT imaging produce 4D lung image data sets, enabling applications like radiation treatment planning or assessment of response to treatment of lung diseases. In this paper, we present a 4D lung segmentation method that mutually utilizes all individual CT volumes to derive segmentations for each CT data set. Our approach is based on a 3D robust active shape model and extends it to fully utilize 4D lung image data sets. This yields an initial segmentation for the 4D volume, which is then refined by using a 4D optimal surface finding algorithm. The approach was evaluated on a diverse set of 152 CT scans of normal and diseased lungs, consisting of total lung capacity and functional residual capacity scan pairs. In addition, a comparison to a 3D segmentation method and a registration based 4D lung segmentation approach was performed. The proposed 4D method obtained an average Dice coefficient of0.9773±0.0254, which was statistically significantly better (pvalue≪0.001) than the 3D method (0.9659±0.0517). Compared to the registration based 4D method, our method obtained better or similar performance, but was 58.6% faster. Also, the method can be easily expanded to process 4D CT data sets consisting of several volumes.
Protective Effect of Tetrandrine on Sodium Taurocholate-Induced Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Wu Xian-lin , Li Jie-xing , Li Zhen-dong , Liu Da-sheng , Lu Su-hong , Liu Kang-li , Duan Hong-yan , Luo Yu-hong
Published: October 2015

Tet is a type of alkaloid extracted fromStephania tetrandra, and it has recently been demonstrated that Tet can protect against inflammation and free radical injury and inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators. The present study was designed to observe the protective effect of Tet on sodium taurocholate-induced severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The rat model of SAP was induced by retrograde bile duct injection of sodium taurocholate and then treated with Verapamil and Tet. The results showed that Tet can reduce NF-κB activation in pancreas issue, inhibit the SAP cascade, and improve SAP through inducing pancreas acinar cell apoptosis and stabilizing intracellular calcium in the pancreas, thus mitigating the damage to the pancreas. Our study revealed that Tet may reduce systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS) to protect against damage, and these roles may be mediated through the NF-κB pathway to improve the proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory imbalance.
Evaluation of Podoplanin in Oral Leukoplakia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Patil Ashok , Patil Kishor , Tupsakhare Suyog , Gabhane Mahesh , Sonune Shrikant , Kandalgaonkar Shilpa
Published: October 2015

Background. Recent studies have demonstrated that podoplanin was expressed in some dysplastic lesions adjacent to primary oral cancers suggesting that podoplanin expression may occur in early oral tumorigenesis and lymphangiogenesis and therefore is related to tumor growth. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of podoplanin as a biomarker for cancer risk assessment in oral leukoplakia and correlation of podoplanin expression with grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).Materials and Methods. In the present retrospective study, podoplanin expression was investigated immunohistochemically in 40 patients each of oral leukoplakia and OSCC. The scores were analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey HSD.Results. By applying one-way ANOVA test, there was a highly significant increase of the podoplanin expression from mild to severe dysplasia and from well to poorly differentiated OSCC (P<0.01). Statistically highly significant difference was present between scores of mild to moderate dysplasia, moderate to severe dysplasia, well to poorly differentiated OSCC, and moderately to poorly differentiated OSCC (Tukey HSD test,P<0.01).Conclusion. Podoplanin can be used as a biomarker for early oral tumorigenesis and for malignant transformation risk assessment of premalignant lesions and as a tumor progression biomarker for advanced grades of OSCC.
Willingness to Adopt Telemedicine in Major Iraqi Hospitals: A Pilot Study
Authors: Abd Ghani Mohd Khanapi , Jaber Mustafa Musa
Published: October 2015

The Iraqi healthcare services are struggling to regain their lost momentum. Many physicians and nurses left Iraq because of the current situation in the country. Despite plans of calling back the skilled health workforce, they are still worried by the disadvantages of their return. Hence, technology plays a central role in taking advantage of their profession through the use of telemedicine. Studying the factors that affect the implementation of telemedicine is necessary. Telemedicine covers network services, policy makers, and patient understanding. A framework that includes the influencing factors in adopting telemedicine in Iraq was developed in this study. A questionnaire was distributed among physicians in Baghdad Medical City to examine the hypothesis on each factor. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was utilized to verify the reliability of the questionnaire and Cronbach’s alpha test shows that the factors have values more than 0.7, which are standard.
Successful Treatment of Leukemic Mature B-Cell Lymphoid Neoplasm with Similar Features to Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma Possessing Aberrant Myeloid Markers
Authors: Imashuku Shinsaku , Kudo Naoko , Kubo Kagekatsu , Saigo Katsuyasu
Published: October 2015

In splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL), there are cases that cannot accurately be classified as such because of overlapping morphologic and/or immunophenotypic features. We report here a 76-year-old Japanese female, who showed leukemic B-cell lymphoproliferative disease possessing characteristic features identified for SMZL. The patient was leukemic with white blood cell counts 49,400/µL (abnormal cells, 78.5%) and neoplastic cells were characterized by aberrant expression of myeloid markers with CD19+CD13+(64.2%) and CD20+CD11c+(25.1%). Considering her history of previous chemotherapy and systemic leukemic phase of the disease, we treated the patient without performing splenectomy, with successful use of a combination of rituximab/bendamustine hydrochloride and of rituximab/cladribine. The patient has been in a complete remission longer than 44 months, with no detectable M-protein.
Secondary Radial Nerve Palsy after Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis of a Distal Humeral Shaft Fracture
Authors: Bichsel Ursina , Nyffeler Richard Walter
Published: October 2015

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis is a widely used procedure for the treatment of fractures of the femur and the tibia. For a short time it is also used for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures. Among other advantages, the ambassadors of this technique emphasize the lower risk of nerve injuries when compared to open reduction and internal fixation. We report the case of secondary radial nerve palsy caused by percutaneous fixation of a plate above the antecubital fold. The nerve did not recover and the patient needed a tendon transfer to regain active extension of the fingers. This case points to the importance of adequate exposure of the bone and plate if a humeral shaft fracture extends far distally.
Vision Health-Related Quality of Life in Chinese Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Zuo Lei , Zou Haidong , Zhang Jianhong , Fei Xinfeng , Xu Xun
Published: October 2015

This cross-sectional study evaluated VRQOL in Chinese glaucoma patients and the potential factors influencing VRQOL. The VRQOL was assessed using the Chinese-version low vision quality of life questionnaire. Visual field loss was classified by the Hodapp-Parrish-Anderson method. The correlations of VRQOL to the best corrected visual acuity and the VF loss were investigated. The potential impact factors to VRQOL of glaucoma patients were screened by single factor analysis and were further analyzed by multiple regression analysis. There were significant differences in VRQOL scores between mild VF loss group and moderate VF loss group, moderate VF loss group and severe VF loss group, and mild VF loss group and severe VF loss group according to the better eye. In multiple linear regression, the binocular weighted average BCVA significantly affected the VRQOL scores. Binocular MD was the second influencing factor. In logistic regression, binocular severe VF loss and stroke were significantly associated with abnormal VRQOL. Education was the next influencing factor. This study showed that visual acuity correlated linearly with VRQOL, and VF loss might reach a certain level, correlating with abnormal VRQOL scores. Stroke was significantly associated with abnormal VRQOL.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A Case Control Study in Nepalese Population
Authors: KC Rajendra , Khatiwada Saroj , Deo Mehta Kishun , Pandey Pratikshya , Lamsal Madhab , Majhi Shankhar
Published: October 2015

Objectives. To assess cardiovascular risk factors in Nepalese population with subclinical hypothyroidism as compared to age and sex matched controls.Materials and Methods. A case control study was conducted among 200 subjects (100 subclinical hypothyroid and 100 euthyroid) at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. Demographic and anthropometric variables including systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were taken. Blood samples were assayed for serum free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP).Results. Subclinical hypothyroid patients had significantly higher diastolic BP, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and hs-CRP than controls. The odds ratio of having hypercholesterolemia (>200 mg/dL), low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dL), undesirable LDL-cholesterol (>100 mg/dL), high hs-CRP (>1 mg/L), and high diastolic BP (>80 mmHg) and being overweight (BMI ≥ 23 Kg/m2) in subclinical hypothyroidism was 2.29 (95% CI; 1.2–4.38,p=0.011), 1.73 (95% CI; 0.82–3.62,p=0.141), 3.04 (95% CI; 1.66–5.56,p<0.001), 2.02 (95% CI; 1.12–3.64,p=0.018), 3.35 (95% CI; 1.72–6.55,p<0.001), and 0.9 (95% CI; 0.48–1.67,p=0.753), respectively, as compared to controls.Conclusion. Subclinical hypothyroid patients are associated with higher risk for cardiovascular disease than euthyroid subjects.
Utilities for High-Throughput Analysis of B-Cell Clonal Lineages
Authors: Lees William D. , Shepherd Adrian J.
Published: October 2015

There are at present few tools available to assist with the determination and analysis of B-cell lineage trees from next-generation sequencing data. Here we present two utilities that support automated large-scale analysis and the creation of publication-quality results. The tools are available on the web and are also available for download so that they can be integrated into an automated pipeline. Critically, and in contrast to previously published tools, these utilities can be used with any suitable phylogenetic inference method and with any antibody germline library and hence are species-independent.
In VitroBehavior of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells on Poly(ε-caprolactone) Film for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Romagnoli Cecilia , Zonefrati Roberto , Galli Gianna , Puppi Dario , Pirosa Alessandro , Chiellini Federica , Martelli Francesco Saverio , Tanini Annalisa , Brandi Maria Luisa
Published: October 2015

Bone tissue engineering is an emerging field, representing one of the most exciting challenges for scientists and clinicians. The possibility of combining mesenchymal stem cells and scaffolds to create engineered tissues has brought attention to a large variety of biomaterials in combination with osteoprogenitor cells able to promote and regenerate bone tissue. Human adipose tissue is officially recognized as an easily accessible source of mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs), a significant factor for use in tissue regenerative medicine. In this study, we analyze the behavior of a clonal finite cell line derived from human adipose tissue seeded on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) film, prepared by solvent casting. PCL polymer is chosen for its good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical properties. We observe that AMSCs are able to adhere to the biomaterial and remain viable for the entire experimental period. Moreover, we show that the proliferation process and osteogenic activity of AMSCs are maintained on the biofilm, demonstrating that the selected biomaterial ensures cell colonization and the development of an extracellular mineralized matrix. The results of this study highlight that AMSCs and PCL film can be used as a suitable model to support regeneration of new bone for future tissue engineering strategies.
The Influence of Pier Stiffness Ratio on the Failure Modes of Masonry Structures
Authors: Wang Yanru , Feng Xuegang , Fu Bin
Published: October 2015

Masonry structure is the main form of Chinese urban and rural housing construction structure. And heavy casualties and huge economic losses are caused by the damages of masonry structures in the previous destructive earthquake. So the failure modes of masonry structures are analyzed in the paper. ABAQUS software was used; and the Xuankou High School Student Dormitory of masonry structure in Yingxiu town, severely damaged under the Wenchuan earthquake, was taken for example. The influence of the stiffness ratio of pier between windows and spandrel on the failure modes of masonry structures is discussed. The results show that the failure modes in the earthquake could be changed by controlling the stiffness ratio. Suitable stiffness ratio helps proper design of masonry structures.
Thermal Error Modeling Method for a CNC Machine Tool Feed Drive System
Authors: Liu Kuo , Sun Mingjia , Wu Yuliang , Zhu Tiejun
Published: October 2015

The disadvantages of the common current thermal error modeling methods for CNC machine tool feed drive systems were analyzed, such as the requirement of many temperature sensors to reach high accuracy and poor applicability of different moving states. A new robust modeling method based on the heat transfer theory is proposed, and the procedure of the thermal tests for a feed drive system is presented. Multiple regression method and robust modeling method based on the heat transfer theory were, respectively, used to establish a thermal error model, and a pointer automatic optimizer was used to optimize the parameters in the robust model. A compensation simulation was conducted under five different moving states using these two modeling methods, and the advantages of the robust modeling method were proved. Finally, the compensation effect of the robust modeling method was verified under a random moving state on a vertical machining center.
Recent Developments in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery: Evolution or Revolution?
Authors: Marullo Antonino G. M. , Irace Francesco G. , Vitulli Piergiusto , Peruzzi Mariangela , Rose David , D’Ascoli Riccardo , Iaccarino Alessandra , Pisani Angelo , De Carlo Carlotta , Mazzesi Giuseppe , Barretta Antonio , Greco Ernesto
Published: October 2015

Intraluminal aortic clamping has been achieved until now by means of a sophisticated device consisting of a three-lumen catheter named Endoclamp, which allows at the same time occlusion of the aorta, antegrade delivering of cardioplegia, and venting through the aortic root. This tool has shown important advantages allowing aortic occlusion and perfusate delivering without a direct contact with ascending aorta reducing meanwhile the risk of traumatic and/or iatrogenic injuries. Recently, a new device (Intraclude catheter) with the same characteristics and properties has been proposed and introduced in clinical practice. The aim of this paper is to investigate the differences between Endoclamp and Intraclude catheters and to analyze the advantages advocated by this new device for intraluminal aortic occlusion since it is noticeable as these new technological tools are gaining more and more attractiveness due to their appraised clinical efficacy.
Pneumatosis Intestinalis in a Patient with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Authors: Mangaonkar Abhishek , Mansour Joshua , Keen Ryan , Kukkadapu Tarun , Chintalapally Rohini , Kota Vamsi
Published: October 2015

Pneumatosis Intestinalis is a rare condition characterized by the presence of gas within the intestinal wall. We describe a case of a 33-year-old woman with acute promyelocytic leukemia who developed nausea and nonbloody diarrhea. CT showed intramural air in transverse and descending colon. Patient clinically improved with conservative management.
Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn: A Case Report of a Term Infant Presenting with Malaise and Fever at Age of 9 Weeks
Authors: Chikaodinaka Ayuk Adaeze , Jude Anikene Chukwuemeka
Published: October 2015

Background. Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SFN) is a rare, temporary, self-limited pathology affecting adipose tissue of full-term or postmature neonates. It is a rare entity especially in Nigeria and usually occurs in the first weeks following a complicated delivery. Because it is not very common, diagnosis is easily missed. It may resolve spontaneously without sequelae but patients need to be followed up because of development of late complications especially hypercalcemia. We report a case of SFN of the newborn noted within one week of birth and highlight the need for proper prompt diagnosis and the need for follow-up to assess possible complications.
Circulating Cytokine Levels as Markers of Inflammation in Philadelphia Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Diagnostic and Prognostic Interest
Authors: Mondet Julie , Hussein Kais , Mossuz Pascal
Published: October 2015

Cytokines are well known mediators of numerous physiological and pathological processes. They contribute to the regulation of normal hematopoiesis but increasing data suggest that they also have a clinical impact in some hematopoietic malignancies. In particular, there is evidence that cytokines are implicated in the functional symptoms of Philadelphia negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph− MPNs), suggesting that evaluation of circulating levels of cytokines could be of clinical interest for the characterization of patients at the time of diagnosis and for disease prognosis. In this review, we present the current knowledge on alteration of circulating cytokine profiles in MPNs and their role in myelofibrosis pathogenesis. Phenotypic correlation, prognostic value of cytokines, and impact of JAK inhibitors are also discussed.
Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Steroidal Thiosemicarbazone Platinum (Pt(II)) Complexes
Authors: Huang Yanmin , Kong Erbin , Gan Chunfang , Liu Zhiping , Lin Qifu , Cui Jianguo
Published: October 2015

Steroidal compounds exhibit particular physiological activities. In this paper, some steroidal thiosemicarbazones platinum (Pt(II)) complexes were synthesized by the condensation of steroidal ketones with thiosemicarbazide using estrone, chenodeoxycholic acid, and 7-deoxycholic acid as starting materials and complexation of steroidal thiosesemicarbazones with Pt(II). The complexes were characterized by IR, NMR, and MS, and their antiproliferative activities were evaluated. The results showed that some steroidal thiosemicarbazones platinum (Pt(II)) complexes displayed moderate cytotoxicity to HeLa and Bel-7404 cells. Thereinto, complex6showed an excellent inhibited selectivity to HeLa cells with an IC50value of 9.2 μM and SI value of 21.7. At the same time, all compounds were almost inactive to HEK293T (normal kidney epithelial cells). The information obtained from the studies may be useful for the design of novel chemotherapeutic drugs.
Risk and Resilience Analysis of Complex Network Systems Considering Cascading Failure and Recovery Strategy Based on Coupled Map Lattices
Authors: Ren Fuchun , Zhao Tingdi , Wang Hongli
Published: October 2015

Risk and resilience are important and challenging issues in complex network systems since a single failure may trigger a whole collapse of the systems due to cascading effect. New theories, models, and methods are urgently demanded to deal with this challenge. In this paper, a coupled map lattices (CML) based approach is adopted to analyze the risk of cascading process in Watts-Strogatz (WS) small-world network and Barabási and Albert (BA) scale-free network, respectively. Then, to achieve an effective and robust system and provide guidance in countering the cascading failure, a modified CML model with recovery strategy factor is proposed. Numerical simulations are put forward based on small-world CML and scale-free CML. The simulation results reveal that appropriate recovery strategies would significantly improve the resilience of networks.
Sagittal and Frontal Plane Evaluation of the Whole Spine and Clinical Outcomes after Vertebral Fractures
Authors: Topalidou A. , Tzagarakis G. , Balalis K. , Ziogas K. , Papaioannou A.
Published: October 2015

Although it is known that a change in any level of the spine alters biomechanics, there are not many studies to evaluate the spine as a whole in both sagittal and frontal planes. This prospective cohort study evaluates the morphology and mobility of the entire spine in patients with vertebral fractures. The Treatment Group consisted of 43 patients who underwent percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty or percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty plus fixation. The Control Group consisted of 39 healthy subjects. Spinal Mouse was used for the assessment of the curvatures and the mobility of the spine. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Index. The measurements were recorded at 15 days and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Regarding the curvatures and mobility in sagittal plane, a statistically significant increase appeared early at 3 months, for lumbar curve, spinopelvic angulation, and overall trunk inclination. In the frontal plane, most of the improvements were recorded after 6 months. Patients with osteoporotic fracture showed statistically significant lower mean value than patients with traumatic fracture. Pain and disability index showed early improvements. This study provides a comprehensive and complete picture of the functionality of the spine in patients treated with percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty.
Clinical Validation of Adjusted Corneal Power in Patients with Previous Myopic Lasik Surgery
Authors: Camps Vicente J. , Piñero David P. , Mateo Veronica , García Celia , Artola Alberto , Pérez-Cambrodi Rafael , Ruiz-Fortes Pedro
Published: October 2015

Purpose. To validate clinically a new method for estimating the corneal power (Pc) using a variable keratometric index (nkadj) in eyes with previous laser refractive surgery.Setting. University of Alicante and Medimar International Hospital (Oftalmar), Alicante, (Spain).Design. Retrospective case series.Methods. This retrospective study comprised 62 eyes of 62 patients that had undergone myopic LASIK surgery. An algorithm for the calculation ofnkadjwas used for the estimation of the adjusted keratometric corneal power (Pkadj). This value was compared with the classical keratometric corneal power (Pk), the True Net Power (TNP), and the Gaussian corneal power (PcGauss). Likewise,Pkadjwas compared with other previously described methods.Results. Differences betweenPcGaussandPcvalues obtained with all methods evaluated were statistically significant (p<0.01). Differences betweenPkadjandPcGausswere in the limit of clinical significance (p<0.01, loA [−0.33,0.60] D). Differences betweenPkadjand TNP were not statistically and clinically significant (p=0.319, loA [−0.50,0.44] D). Differences betweenPkadjand previously described methods were statistically significant (p<0.01), except withPcHaigisL(p=0.09, loA [−0.37,0.29] D).Conclusion. The use of the adjusted keratometric index (nkadj) is a valid method to estimate the central corneal power in corneas with previous myopic laser refractive surgery, providing results comparable toPcHaigisL.
Loss Aversion, Adaptive Beliefs, and Asset Pricing Dynamics
Authors: Selim Kamal Samy , Okasha Ahmed , Ezzat Heba M.
Published: October 2015

We study asset pricing dynamics in artificial financial markets model. The financial market is populated with agents following two heterogeneous trading beliefs, the technical and the fundamental prediction rules. Agents switch between trading rules with respect to their past performance. The agents are loss averse over asset price fluctuations. Loss aversion behaviour depends on the past performance of the trading strategies in terms of an evolutionary fitness measure. We propose a novel application of the prospect theory to agent-based modelling, and by simulation, the effect of evolutionary fitness measure on adaptive belief system is investigated. For comparison, we study pricing dynamics of a financial market populated with chartists perceive losses and gains symmetrically. One of our contributions is validating the agent-based models using real financial data of the Egyptian Stock Exchange. We find that our framework can explain important stylized facts in financial time series, such as random walk price behaviour, bubbles and crashes, fat-tailed return distributions, power-law tails in the distribution of returns, excess volatility, volatility clustering, the absence of autocorrelation in raw returns, and the power-law autocorrelations in absolute returns. In addition to this, we find that loss aversion improves market quality and market stability.