bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complicated urinary infection and extrapulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Bacci Marcelo Rodrigues , Namura José Jorge , Lera Andrea Thaumaturgo
Published: December 2012

Approximately 30% of the world population presents with tuberculosis. In developed countries, genitourinary manifestation is responsible for over 40% of extrapulmonary cases. Genitourinary tuberculosis is often  diagnosed in the later stage due to the fact that the symptoms are non-specific and technical difficulties to isolate the tubercle bacillus through bacilloscopy or culture in specific medium are many. We present a case of a 47-year-old African-American woman with relapsing urinary infection and sterile pyuria. After a 4 four-year evolution, the patient developed functional exclusion of the right kidney as a consequence of chronic pyelonephritis. The investigation result for alcohol-acid bacillus resistant in urine was positive along with the culture forMycobacterium tuberculosis.
Management of a pregnant woman with common variable immunodeficiency and previous reactions to intravenous IgG administration
Authors: Danieli Maria Giovanna , Moretti Romina , Pettinari Lucia , Gambini Simona
Published: December 2012

Common variable immunodeficiency is the most common symptomatic primary immunodeficiency in adulthood. Pregnant women with common variable immunodeficiency have different needs from other patients with the same disease. Because of immature state of the fetal and neonatal immune system, transplacental transfer of immunoglobulin G (IgG) has a relevant role in protecting the infant. We here report on a high-risk pregnant woman with common variable immunodeficiency with adverse reactions to intravenous immunoglobulin that was successfully rescued with a new Ig human intravenous, 10% liquid preparation. The treatment was tailored to the health status and characteristics of the patient. The new product was safe and well tolerated. The mother did not report any infections during pregnancy and the baby had a healthy course with ‘protective’ serum IgG levels. Our case is a further demonstration that intravenous immunoglobulin tolerability in patients with immunodeficiency could be linked to a product's characteristics.
One-pot synthesis of dihydrobenzisoxazoles from hydroxylamines, acetylenedicarboxylates, and arynes via in situ generation of nitrones
Authors: Li Pan , Wu Chunrui , Zhao Jingjing , Li Yang , Xue Weichao , Shi Feng
Published: December 2012

Aryne [3 + 2] cycloaddition with nitrones generated in situ from the addition of hydroxylamines to acetylenedicarboxylates affords moderate to good yields of dihydrobenzisoxazoles. This reaction extends the current scope of aryne cycloaddition to include in situ generated nitrones and produces functionalized dihydrobenzisoxazoles with a quaternary center.
Individual variability in the movement behaviour of juvenile Atlantic salmon
Authors: Roy Mathieu L. , Roy André G. , Grant James W.A. , Bergeron Normand E.
Published: December 2012

Stream-dwelling salmonid populations are generally thought to be composed of both relatively mobile and sedentary individuals, but this conclusion is primarily based on results obtained from recapture methods with low temporal resolution. In this study, the mobility of 50 juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was monitored using a large array of passive integrated transponder antennas buried in the bed of a natural stream. Fish locations were recorded at a high frequency for a period of 3 months in a 65 m reach. Four types of daily behaviour were identified: stationary (detected primarily at one location), sedentary (limited movement between a few locations), floater (frequent movements in a restricted home range), and wanderer (movements across the reach). Most individuals exhibited low mobility on most days, but also showed occasional bouts of high mobility. Between-individual variability accounted for only 12%–17% of the variability in the mobility data. High mobility was more frequent at low flow, but no difference was observed between the summer (12–18 °C) and the autumn (4–12 °C). Individual variation on a daily basis suggested that movement behaviour is a response to changing environmental conditions rather than an individual behavioural trait.
In Vivo and In Vitro Environmental Effects on Mammalian Oocyte Quality
Authors: Krisher Rebecca L.
Published: December 2012

The oocyte is at the center of the equation that results in female fertility. Many factors influence oocyte quality, including external factors such as maternal nutrition, stress, and environmental exposures, as well as ovarian factors such as steroids, intercellular communication, antral follicle count, and follicular fluid composition. These influences are interconnected; changes in the external environment of the female translate into ovarian changes that affect the oocyte. The lengthy period during which the oocyte remains arrested in the ovary provides ample time and opportunity for environmental factors to take their toll. An appropriate environment for growth and maturation of the oocyte, in vivo and in vitro, is critical to ensure optimal oocyte quality, which determines the success of fertilization and preimplantation embryo development, and has long-term implications for implantation, fetal growth, and offspring health.
Socioeconomic Status and Health: Mediating and Moderating Factors
Authors: Chen Edith , Miller Gregory E.
Published: December 2012

Health disparities (differences in health by socioeconomic groups) are a pressing issue in our society. This article provides an overview of a multilevel approach that seeks to understand the mechanisms underlying health disparities by considering factors at the individual, family, and neighborhood levels. In addition, we describe an approach to connecting these factors to various levels of biological processes (systemic inflammation, cellular processes, and genomic pathways) that drive disease pathophysiology. In the second half of the article, we address the question of why some low-socioeconomic-status (low-SES) individuals manage to maintain good physical health. We identify naturally occurring psychosocial factors that help buffer these individuals from adverse physiological responses and pathogenic processes leading to chronic disease. What is protective for low-SES individuals is not the same as what is protective for high-SES individuals, and this needs to be taken into account in interventions aimed at reducing health disparities.
Heterogeneity in Single-Molecule Observables in the Study of Supercooled Liquids
Authors: Kaufman Laura J.
Published: December 2012

Bulk approaches to studying heterogeneous systems obscure important details, as they report average behavior rather than the distribution of behaviors in such environments. Small-molecule and polymeric supercooled liquids, which display heterogeneity in their dynamics without an underlying structural heterogeneity that sets those dynamics, are important constituents of this category of condensed matter systems. A variety of approaches have been devised to unravel ensemble averaging in supercooled liquids. This review focuses on the ultimate subensemble approach, single-molecule measurements, as they have been applied to the study of supercooled liquids. We detail how three key experimental observables (single-molecule probe rotation, translation, and fluorescence lifetime) have been employed to provide detail on dynamic heterogeneity in supercooled liquids. Special attention is given to the potential for, but also the challenges in, discriminating spatial and temporal heterogeneity and detailing the length scales and timescales of heterogeneity in these systems.
Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorder in Coeliac Disease: A Case Report and Review
Authors: Lim Dennis N. F. , Wilkins Annelise , Horton Laura Elizabeth , Ahmad Ishfaq , lo Polito Catherine , Phillips Chris
Published: December 2012

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder is a rare disorder characterised by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. There are various gastrointestinal manifestations with eosinophilic ascites being the most unusual and rare presentation. Diagnosis requires high index of suspicion and exclusion of various disorders associated with peripheral eosinophilia. There are no previous case reports to suggest an association between eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder and coeliac disease in adults. We report a case of eosinophilic ascites and gastroenteritis in a 30-year-old woman with a known history of coeliac disease who responded dramatically to a course of steroids.
Traditional Chinese Medicine-Based Network Pharmacology Could Lead to New Multicompound Drug Discovery
Authors: Li Jian , Lu Cheng , Jiang Miao , Niu Xuyan , Guo Hongtao , Li Li , Bian Zhaoxiang , Lin Na , Lu Aiping
Published: December 2012

Current strategies for drug discovery have reached a bottleneck where the paradigm is generally “one gene, one drug, one disease.” However, using holistic and systemic views, network pharmacology may be the next paradigm in drug discovery. Based on network pharmacology, a combinational drug with two or more compounds could offer beneficial synergistic effects for complex diseases. Interestingly, traditional chinese medicine (TCM) has been practicing holistic views for over 3,000 years, and its distinguished feature is using herbal formulas to treat diseases based on the unique pattern classification. Though TCM herbal formulas are acknowledged as a great source for drug discovery, no drug discovery strategies compatible with the multidimensional complexities of TCM herbal formulas have been developed. In this paper, we highlighted some novel paradigms in TCM-based network pharmacology and new drug discovery. A multiple compound drug can be discovered by merging herbal formula-based pharmacological networks with TCM pattern-based disease molecular networks. Herbal formulas would be a source for multiple compound drug candidates, and the TCM pattern in the disease would be an indication for a new drug.
Spontaneous Rupture of the Omental Artery Treated by Transcatheter Arterial Embolization
Authors: Takahashi Masamichi , Matsuoka Yujiro , Yasutake Tsuyoshi , Abe Hiroyuki , Sugiyama Kazuhiro , Oyama Kazuyuki
Published: December 2012

Intra-abdominal hemorrhage caused by omental artery rupture is a rare condition. There are few reports on the treatment of omental artery rupture with only transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). A 27-year-old man presented to our emergency room with upper abdominal pain that suddenly occurred during sleep. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed fluid collection in the peritoneal cavity and a left subphrenic hematoma with extravasation. Celiac angiography revealed extravasation from the omental artery, which arose from the proximal left gastroepiploic artery. A microcatheter was advanced into the left gastroepiploic artery and around the culprit artery bifurcation, which was embolized by inserting coils. The postoperative course was uneventful without worsening of anemia or abdominal symptoms. The patient was discharged after the absence of extravasation was confirmed by contrast-enhanced CT. Although surgical therapy has often been performed for omental bleeding, TAE, which is less invasive and has the advantage of simultaneous diagnosis and treatment, should be attempted as the first-choice therapy.
Multiobjective Two-Stage Stochastic Programming Problems with Interval Discrete Random Variables
Authors: Barik S. K. , Biswal M. P. , Chakravarty D.
Published: December 2012

Most of the real-life decision-making problems have more than one conflicting and incommensurable objective functions. In this paper, we present a multiobjective two-stage stochastic linear programming problem considering some parameters of the linear constraints as interval type discrete random variables with known probability distribution. Randomness of the discrete intervals are considered for the model parameters. Further, the concepts of best optimum and worst optimum solution are analyzed in two-stage stochastic programming. To solve the stated problem, first we remove the randomness of the problem and formulate an equivalent deterministic linear programming model with multiobjective interval coefficients. Then the deterministic multiobjective model is solved using weighting method, where we apply the solution procedure of interval linear programming technique. We obtain the upper and lower bound of the objective function as the best and the worst value, respectively. It highlights the possible risk involved in the decision-making tool. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the proposed solution procedure.
Formulation of LDL Targeted Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Loaded with Paclitaxel: A Detailed Study of Preparation, Freeze Drying Condition, and In Vitro Cytotoxicity
Authors: Emami Jaber , Rezazadeh Mahboubeh , Varshosaz Jaleh , Tabbakhian Majid , Aslani Abolfazl
Published: December 2012

In the present study, cholesterol nanostructured lipid carriers with various oleic acid content loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) were prepared by solvent emulsification‐diffusion method using a Taguchi design. Size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, and release percent of NLCs were measured. The results indicated that the most effective factors on the size were oleic acid content and surfactant percent. Zeta potential was more affected by the drug content. Drug to‐ lipid weight ratio was the most effective factor on entrapment efficiency and drug release from NLC. In the present work, the effect of lyophilization on the particle size and release properties of NLCs was also evaluated. The results revealed no differences between the characteristics of NLCs before and after freeze drying by using 25% w/w sorbitol as cryoprotectant. Cytotoxicity studies indicate that PTX associated with the NLC is also effective in HT‐29 cell lines and enters the cancer cells selectively through the LDL receptor endocytic pathway. The IC50 values of free PTX solubilized in Cremophor EL and NLC‐born PTX after 72 h exposure were 8.32 ± 1.35 ng/mL and 5.24 ± 0.96 ng/mL, respectively.
Differences in the Nonuse of any Contraception and Use of Specific Contraceptive Methods in HIV Positive and HIV Negative Rwandan Women
Authors: Adedimeji Adebola A. , Hoover Donald R. , Shi Qiuhu , Cohen Mardge H. , Gard Tracy , Anastos Kathryn
Published: December 2012

Contraception can reduce the dual burden of high fertility and high HIV prevalence in sub-Sahara Africa, but significant barriers remain regarding access and use. We describe factors associated with nonuse of contraception and with use of specific contraceptive methods in HIV positive and HIV negative Rwandan women. Data from 395 HIV-positive and 76 HIV-negative women who desired no pregnancy in the previous 6 months were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to identify clinical and demographic characteristics that predict contraceptive use. Differences in contraceptive methods used were dependent on marital/partner status, partner’s knowledge of a woman’s HIV status, and age. Overall, condoms, abstinence, and hormonal methods were the most used, though differences existed by HIV status. Less than 10% of women both HIV+ and HIV− used no contraception. Important differences exist between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women with regard to contraceptive method use that should be addressed by interventions seeking to improve contraceptive prevalence.
Bioprocessing of “Hair Waste” byPaecilomyces lilacinusas a Source of a Bleach-Stable, Alkaline, and Thermostable Keratinase with Potential Application as a Laundry Detergent Additive: Characterization and Wash Performance Analysis
Authors: Cavello Ivana A. , Hours Roque A. , Cavalitto Sebastián F.
Published: December 2012

Paecilomyces lilacinus(Thom) Samson LPS 876, a locally isolated fungal strain, was grown on minimal mineral medium containing “hair waste,” a residue from the hair-saving unhairing process, and produced a protease with keratinolytic activity. This enzyme was biochemically characterized. The optimum reaction conditions, determined with a response surface methodology, were 60°C and pH 6.0. It was remarkably stable in a wide range of pHs and temperatures. Addition of Ca2+, Mg2+, or sorbitol was found to be effective in increasing thermal stability of the protease. PMSF and Hg2+inhibited the proteolytic activity indicating the presence of a thiol-dependent serine protease. It showed high stability toward surfactants, bleaching agents, and solvents. It was also compatible with commercial detergents (7 mg/mL) such as Ariel, Skip, Drive, and Ace, retaining more than 70% of its proteolytic activity in all detergents after 1 h of incubation at 40°C. Wash performance analysis revealed that this protease could effectively remove blood stains. From these properties, this enzyme may be considered as a potential candidate for future use in biotechnological processes, as well as in the formulation of laundry detergents.
The Efficacy of Exposure and Response Prevention for Geriatric Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Clinical Case Illustration
Authors: Jones Mairwen K. , Wootton Bethany M. , Vaccaro Lisa D.
Published: December 2012

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most frequently occurring psychiatric conditions in older adults. While exposure and response prevention (ERP) is considered the most effective psychological treatment for children and adults with OCD, research investigating its effectiveness for older adults is scarce. This clinical case study investigates the effectiveness of ERP in an 80-year-old man with a 65-year history of OCD. The client received 14 individual, 50-minute ERP treatment sessions. Clinician-based Y-BOCS scores reduced by 65% from 20 (moderate) at pretreatment to 7 (subclinical) at 7-month posttreatment followup. OCI-R total scores reduced by 45% from 38 at baseline to 21 at 7-month follow-up. Despite his long history of the disorder, ERP was effective and well tolerated. The application of ERP for older adults with OCD, including age-specific modifications that may be required for this treatment approach, is discussed.
Prevention of Preeclampsia
Authors: Bezerra Maia e Holanda Moura Sammya , Marques Lopes Laudelino , Murthi Padma , da Silva Costa Fabricio
Published: December 2012

Preeclampsia (PE) affects around 2–5% of pregnant women. It is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. In an attempt to prevent preeclampsia, many strategies based on antenatal care, change in lifestyle, nutritional supplementation, and drugs have been studied. The aim of this paper is to review recent evidence about primary and secondary prevention of preeclampsia.
Preventing Long-Term Risk of Obesity for Two Generations: Prenatal Physical Activity Is Part of the Puzzle
Authors: Ruchat Stephanie-May , Mottola Michelle F.
Published: December 2012

Background. The period surrounding pregnancy has been identified as a risk period for overweight/obesity in both mother and child because of excessive gestational weight gain (GWG). The promotion of a healthy GWG is therefore of paramount importance in the context of the prevention of obesity in the current and next generations.Objective. To provide a comprehensive overview of the effect of prenatal physical activity interventions, alone or in combination with nutritional counselling, on GWG and to address whether preventing excessive GWG decreases the incidence of infant high birth weight and/or postpartum weight retention.Method. A search of the PubMed database was conducted to identify all relevant studies. Nineteen studies were included in this review: 13 interventions combining physical activity, nutrition, and GWG counselling and 6 interventions including physical activity alone.Results. Prenatal lifestyle interventions promoting healthy eating and physical activity habits appear to be the most effective approach to prevent excessive GWG. Achievement of appropriate GWG may also decrease the incidence of high infant birth weight and postpartum weight retention.Conclusion. Healthy eating habits during pregnancy, combined with an active lifestyle, may be important elements in the prevention of long-term risk of obesity for two generations.
A Rare Corticotroph-Secreting Tumor with Coexisting Prolactin and Growth Hormone Staining Cells
Authors: Kannan Subramanian , Staugaitis Susan M. , Weil Robert J. , Hatipoglu Betul
Published: December 2012

Pituitary adenomas can express and secrete different hormones. Expression of pituitary hormones in nonneoplastic pituitary cells is regulated by different transcription factors. Some pituitary adenomas show plurihormonal expression. The most commonly reported plurihormonal adenomas are composed of somatotrophs, lactotrophs, thyrotrophs and gonadotrophs. Pituitary adenomas composed of both corticotroph and somatolactotroph secreting cells are not common because transcription factors regulating the expression of these hormones are different. We report a rare case of pituitary adenoma with concomitant corticotroph, prolactin, and growth hormone staining cells, review literature on similar cases, and discuss possible biological mechanisms underlying these plurihormonal tumors.
Stochastic PDEs and Infinite Horizon Backward Doubly Stochastic Differential Equations
Authors: Zhu Bo , Han Baoyan
Published: December 2012

We give a sufficient condition on the coefficients of a class of infinite horizon BDSDEs, under which the infinite horizon BDSDEs have a unique solution for any given square integrable terminal values. We also show continuous dependence theorem and convergence theorem for this kind of equations. A probabilistic interpretation for solutions to a class of stochastic partial differential equations is given.
Conditional Inactivation ofPtenwithEGFROverexpression in Schwann Cells Models Sporadic MPNST
Authors: Keng Vincent W. , Watson Adrienne L. , Rahrmann Eric P. , Li Hua , Tschida Barbara R. , Moriarity Branden S. , Choi Kwangmin , Rizvi Tilat A. , Collins Margaret H. , Wallace Margaret R. , Ratner Nancy , Largaespada David A.
Published: December 2012

The genetic mechanisms involved in the transformation from a benign neurofibroma to a malignant sarcoma in patients with neurofibromatosis-type-1- (NF1-)associated or sporadic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) remain unclear. It is hypothesized that many genetic changes are involved in transformation. Recently, it has been shown that bothphosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN) andepidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) play important roles in the initiation of peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs). In human MPNSTs,PTENexpression is often reduced, whileEGFRexpression is often induced. We tested if these two genes cooperate in the evolution of PNSTs. Transgenic mice were generated carrying conditional floxed alleles ofPten, andEGFRwas expressed under the control of the 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide3′phosphodiesterase(Cnp) promoter and adesert hedgehog(Dhh) regulatory element driving Cre recombinase transgenic mice (Dhh-Cre). Complete loss ofPtenandEGFRoverexpression in Schwann cells led to the development of high-grade PNSTs.In vitroexperiments using immortalized human Schwann cells demonstrated that loss ofPTENand overexpression ofEGFRcooperate to increase cellular proliferation and anchorage-independent colony formation. This mouse model can rapidly recapitulate PNST onset and progression to high-grade PNSTs, as seen in sporadic MPNST patients.
Alterations in Monocyte CD16 in Association with Diabetes Complications
Authors: Min Danqing , Brooks Belinda , Wong Jencia , Salomon Robert , Bao Wensheng , Harrisberg Brian , Twigg Stephen M. , Yue Dennis K. , McLennan Susan V.
Published: December 2012

Monocytes express many cell surface markers indicative of their inflammatory and activation status. Whether these markers are affected by diabetes and its complications is not known and was investigated in this study. Blood was obtained from 22 nondiabetic and 43 diabetic subjects with a duration of diabetes >10 years, including 25 without and 18 with clinically significant complications. The number of CD45+CD14+monocytes and the percentage expressing the proinflammatory marker CD16 were determined by flow cytometry. Other markers of monocyte activation and expression of chemokine receptors were also examined. The relationship between monocyte CD16 and clinical data, selected cytokines, and chemokines was also investigated. Diabetes had no effect on total white cell number but increased monocyte number. Diabetes also significantly decreased the number of CD16+monocytes but only in those with diabetic complications. Other markers of monocyte activation status and chemokine receptors were not affected by diabetes or complications status. Diabetes induced plasma proinflammatory cytokines and they were lower in diabetic subjects with complications compared to those without complications. These results suggest that the circulating monocyte phenotype is altered by diabetic complications status. These changes may be causally related to and could potentially be used to predict susceptibility to diabetic complications.
Minefield Mapping Using Cooperative Multirobot Systems
Authors: Khamis Alaa , ElGindy Asser
Published: December 2012

This paper presents a team-theoretic approach to cooperative multirobot systems. The individual actions of the robots are controlled by the Belief-Desire-Intention model to endow the robots with theknow-howneeded to execute these actions deliberately. The cooperative behaviors between the heterogeneous robots are governed by the Team-Log theory to endow all the robots in the team with theknow-how-to-cooperateand determine the team members’ commitments to each other despite their different types, properties, and goals. The proposed approach is tested for validity with the real life problem of minefield mapping. Different minefield sweeping strategies are studied to control the mobility of the mobile sweepers within the minefield in order to maximize the area coverage and improve picture compilation capability of the multirobot system.
Effect of Diacetyl Monoxime Thiosemicarbazone on the Corrosion of Aged 18 Ni 250 Grade Maraging Steel in Sulphuric Acid Solution
Authors: Poornima T. , Nayak Jagannath , Shetty A. Nityananda
Published: December 2012

The corrosion inhibition of the aged 18 Ni 250 grade maraging steel in 0.5 M sulphuric acid by diacetyl monoxime thiosemicarbazone (DAMTSC) at 303–323 K has been investigated by potentiodynamic polarization, EIS, and SEM techniques. Good inhibition efficiency of DAMTSC was revealed even at low concentrations, which increased with the increase in DAMTSC concentration and decreased with the increase in temperature. The activation energies, , as well as other thermodynamic parameters (; ; ), were evaluated and discussed. The adsorption of DAMTSC on the aged maraging steel surface was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and shows mixed type inhibition behavior.
SNP Markers and Their Impact on Plant Breeding
Authors: Mammadov Jafar , Aggarwal Rajat , Buyyarapu Ramesh , Kumpatla Siva
Published: December 2012

The use of molecular markers has revolutionized the pace and precision of plant genetic analysis which in turn facilitated the implementation of molecular breeding of crops. The last three decades have seen tremendous advances in the evolution of marker systems and the respective detection platforms. Markers based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have rapidly gained the center stage of molecular genetics during the recent years due to their abundance in the genomes and their amenability for high-throughput detection formats and platforms. Computational approaches dominate SNP discovery methods due to the ever-increasing sequence information in public databases; however, complex genomes pose special challenges in the identification of informative SNPs warranting alternative strategies in those crops. Many genotyping platforms and chemistries have become available making the use of SNPs even more attractive and efficient. This paper provides a review of historical and current efforts in the development, validation, and application of SNP markers in QTL/gene discovery and plant breeding by discussing key experimental strategies and cases exemplifying their impact.
Utility of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire and Pulse Oximetry as Screening Tools in Pediatric Patients with Suspected Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Peña-Zarza Jose A. , Osona-Rodriguez de Torres Borja , Gil-Sanchez Jose Antonio , Figuerola-Mulet Joan
Published: December 2012

Objective. To assess the screening tools in snoring patients.Material and Methods. A retrospective review of data was conducted from children between 2 and 15 years old who were referred on suspicion of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea (OSAH) between June 2008 and June 2011. We excluded patients with significant comorbidities. Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), physical exam (PE), and pulse-oximetry data were collected and correlated with the results of the nightly polygraph at home.Results. We selected 98 patients. The 22-item version of the PSQ had sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 36.8%. The overall value of the clinic predictor of OSAH (PSQ and PE together) exhibited an increased specificity 57.6% with 94.6% of sensitivity. The nocturnal home oximetry method used alone was very specific, 92.1%, but had a lower sensitivity, 77.1%. The set of clinical assessment tools used together with pulse-oximetry screening provided excellent specificity 98.1% and a positive predictive value 94.1% globally. The performance of this screening tool is related with the severity of OSAH and accuracy is better in moderate and severe cases.Conclusion. The combination of clinical assessment and pulse-oximetry screening can provide a sufficient diagnostic approach for pediatric patients with suspected OSAH at least in moderate and severe cases.
A Fuzzy Rule-Based Expert System for Evaluating Intellectual Capital
Authors: Zarandi Mohammad Hossein Fazel , Mohammadhasan Neda , Bastani Susan
Published: December 2012

A fuzzy rule-based expert system is developed for evaluating intellectual capital. A fuzzy linguistic approach assists managers to understand and evaluate the level of each intellectual capital item. The proposed fuzzy rule-based expert system applies fuzzy linguistic variables to express the level of qualitative evaluation and criteria of experts. Feasibility of the proposed model is demonstrated by the result of intellectual capital performance evaluation for a sample company.
Effect of Coenzyme-Q10 on Doxorubicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats
Authors: El-Sheikh Azza A. K. , Morsy Mohamed A. , Mahmoud Marwa M. , Rifaai Rehab A. , Abdelrahman Aly M.
Published: December 2012

Nephrotoxicity is one of the limiting factors for using doxorubicin (Dox) as an anticancer chemotherapeutic. Here, we investigated possible protective effect of coenzyme-Q10 (CoQ10) on Dox-induced nephrotoxicity and the mechanisms involved. Two doses (10 and 100 mg/kg) of CoQ10 were administered orally to rats for 8 days, in the presence or absence of nephrotoxicity induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of Dox (15 mg/kg) at day 4 of the experiment. Our results showed that the low dose of CoQ10 succeeded in reversing Dox-induced nephrotoxicity to control levels (e.g., levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, concentrations of renal reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde, catalase activity and caspase 3 expression, and renal histopathology). Alternatively, the high dose of CoQ10 showed no superior nephroprotection over the low dose, as there were no significant improvements in renal histopathology, catalase activity, or caspase 3 expression compared to the Dox-treated group. Interestingly, the high dose of CoQ10 alone significantly decreased renal GSH level as well as catalase activity and caused a mild induction of caspase 3 expression compared to control, probably due to a prooxidant effect at this dose of CoQ10. We conclude that CoQ10 protects from Dox-induced nephrotoxicity with a precaution to dosage adjustment.
Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, and Biological Activities of Metal Complexes of 4‐((4‐Chlorophenyl)diazenyl)‐2‐((p-tolylimino)methyl)phenol
Authors: Anitha C. , Sheela C. D. , Tharmaraj P. , Hema V. V.
Published: December 2012

Azo Schiff base complexes of VO(II), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) have been synthesized from 4‐((4‐chlorophenyl)diazenyl)‐2‐((p‐tolylimino)methyl)phenol (CDTMP). The nature of bonding and the structural features of the complexes have been deduced from elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, UV‐Vis, 1H‐NMR, EPR, mass, SEM, and fluorescence spectral studies. Spectroscopic and other analytical studies reveal square‐planar geometry for copper, square‐pyramidal geometry for oxovanadium, and octahedral geometry for other complexes. The EPR spectra of copper(II) complex in DMSO at 300 K and 77 K were recorded, and its salient features are reported. Antimicrobial studies against several microorganisms indicate that the complexes are more potent bactericides and fungicides than the ligand. The electrochemical behavior of the copper(II) complex was studied by cyclic voltammetry. All the synthesized compounds can serve as potential photoactive materials as indicated from their characteristic fluorescence properties. The second harmonic conversion efficiency of the synthesized azo Schiff base was found to be higher than that of urea and KDP (potassium dihydrogen phosphate). SEM image of copper(II) complex implies the crystalline state and surface morphology of the complex.
Comparison of the Effects between Intravitreal and Periocular Injections of Adenoviral Vectored Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor on Suppressing Choroidal Neovascularization in Rats
Authors: Yan Hua , Cui Jing , Wang Ying , Yu Yanping
Published: December 2012

Purpose: To compare the effects between intravitreal and periocular injections of adenoviral vectored pigment epithelium-derived factor (AdPEDF) on suppressing established choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rats. Methods: Sixty-eight female BN rats (136 eyes) aged 6–8 weeks were involved in this study. The CNV animal models were created with laser photocoagulation. After CNV, 16 rats underwent intravitreal injection with AdPEDF 1 µl (group A), 16 rats received intravitreal injection with control vector (AdNull) 1 µl (group B), 16 rats had periocular injection with AdPEDF 1 µl (group C), and 16 rats had periocular injection with AdNull 1 µl (group D). The effects between intravitreal and periocular AdPEDF injections on suppressing established CNV in rats were compared and evaluated by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), maximal thickness of CNV, histopathology and transferase-mediated uridine nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after treatment. Results: (1) There were no significant changes in leakage in groups A and C 3 days after injection compared with that before injection seen by FFA (p > 0.05). The leakages in groups A and C decreased significantly 7 days after injection compared with that before injection (p < 0.05). (2) There was no significant difference in the incidence of CNV between groups A and B, as well as groups C and D 3 days after injection (p > 0.05). The incidence of CNV decreased significantly in group A compared with that in group B 7, 14 and 28 days after injection (p < 0.01). CNV retained fibrovascular proliferation in groups B and D 7 days after injection. (3) The maximal thickness of CNV in groups A and C diminished significantly compared with that in the control group after injection, and it still diminished with time (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in maximal thickness of CNV between 14 and 28 days after injection of AdPEDF (p > 0.05). The maximal thickness of CNV in group A was larger than that in group C 3 days after injection (p < 0.05), yet it was smaller than that in group C 14 and 28 days after injection (p < 0.05). (4) Histopathologically, a great deal of CNV was shown 3 days after injection of AdPEDF or AdNull. CNV decreased significantly with lumen diminution 14 days after injection of AdPEDF. (5) TUNEL cells appeared in groups A and C 7, 14 and 28 days after injection, and there were no TUNEL cells in groups B and D. TUNEL cells were not seen in choroidal inherent vascular endothelial cells in all groups. Conclusion: Compared with the effect of periocular AdPEDF injection on suppressing established CNV in rats, the effect of intravitreal injection started slowly, but lasted longer. The effect appeared on day 7, reached the peak on day 14 and remained stable on day 28 after the treatment.
Modeling of Diseases of Retinal Ischemia in vitro: Possible Participation of Autocrine Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling
Authors: Yan Ying , He Tao , Shen Yin , Chen Xiao , Diao Bo , Li Zhi , Zhou Fang , Xing Yi-Qiao
Published: December 2012

Purpose: To establish and evaluate a novel in vitro model of retinal ischemia, and to determine whether an autocrine pathway of retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMVECs) by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling plays a role based on this model. Methods: Primary RMVECs were isolated from the retinas of C57/BL6J rats and identified by an evaluation for FITC-marked CD31. The hypoxia models were established with the biobag at the time of 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, and evaluated with a blood-gas analyzer. The control groups were incubated under normoxic conditions for the same length of time. Cell proliferation was evaluated by the CCK-8 method. Apoptosis was assayed using a flow cytometry method. RNA and protein expressions of VEGF-A, VEGFR-2 and iNOs were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Results: The results of blood-gas analysis showed that when the cultures were exposed to hypoxia for more than 2 h, the pO2 was below 4.5 kPa, pCO2 and pH shifted slightly. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that the expressions of VEGF-A, VEGFR-2 and iNOs mRNA in hypoxic groups increased in comparison to those in the normoxia groups (p < 0.01) and the expression of mRNA increased significantly in a time-dependent fashion in the hypoxic groups (p < 0.01), peaking at 48 h, and then decreasing. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of relative proteins ranked in this order. CCK-8 analysis revealed that the proliferative capacity of RMVECs in the hypoxic groups was significantly higher than those in the normoxic groups at each time point (p < 0.05). At 48 h, the proliferative capacity was highest in the hypoxia groups (p < 0.05). Data acquisition from flow cytometry showed that cell survival rates in the hypoxic groups were higher than those in the normoxic groups and apoptosis rates dropped accordingly. The survival rate was highest at 48 h. Conclusion: These findings suggested that a novel in vitro model of retinal ischemia using the biobag had a good authenticity. According to the well-established in vitro hypoxia model by the biobag, RMVECs include the requisite elements for an autocrine pathway that may serve to amplify the angiogenic effects of VEGF.
Prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury in the General Adult Population: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Frost R. Brock , Farrer Thomas J. , Primosch Mark , Hedges Dawson W.
Published: December 2012

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public-health concern. To understand the extent of TBI, it is important to assess the prevalence of TBI in the general population. However, the prevalence of TBI in the general population can be difficult to measure because of differing definitions of TBI, differing TBI severity levels, and underreporting of sport-related TBI. Additionally, prevalence reports vary from study to study. In this present study, we used meta-analytic methods to estimate the prevalence of TBI in the adult general population. Across 15 studies, all originating from developed countries, which included 25,134 adults, 12% had a history of TBI. Men had more than twice the odds of having had a TBI than did women, suggesting that male gender is a risk factor for TBI. The adverse behavioral, cognitive and psychiatric effects associated with TBI coupled with the high prevalence of TBI identified in this study indicate that TBI is a considerable public and personal-health problem.
New Infectious Etiologies for Posterior Uveitis
Authors: Khairallah Moncef , Kahloun Rim , Ben Yahia Salim , Jelliti Bechir , Messaoud Riadh
Published: December 2012

Emergent and resurgent arthropod vector-borne diseases are major causes of systemic morbidity and death and expanding worldwide. Among them, viral and bacterial agents including West Nile virus, Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Rift Valley fever, and rickettsioses have been recently associated with an array of ocular manifestations. These include anterior uveitis, retinitis, chorioretinitis, retinal vasculitis and optic nerve involvement. Proper clinical diagnosis of any of these infectious diseases is based on epidemiological data, history, systemic symptoms and signs, and the pattern of ocular involvement. The diagnosis is usually confirmed by the detection of a specific antibody in serum. Ocular involvement associated with emergent infections usually has a self-limited course, but it can result in persistent visual impairment. There is currently no proven specific treatment for arboviral diseases, and therapy is mostly supportive. Vaccination for humans against these viruses is still in the research phase. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for rickettsial diseases. Prevention, including public measures to reduce the number of mosquitoes and personal protection, remains the mainstay for arthropod vector disease control. Influenza A (H1N1) virus was responsible for a pandemic human influenza in 2009, and was recently associated with various posterior segment changes.
Prostaglandin E2 Enhances Proliferation, Dedifferentiation and Stem-Like Properties of Rat Retinal Müller Glial Cells in vitro
Authors: Wang Lin , Lang Li-Li , Wang Ye , Shi Sheng , Liu Lin
Published: December 2012

Aims: To investigate the differences of gene expression in rat retinal Müller glial cells after basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) treatment, and to explore the function of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the proliferation and dedifferentiation of rat retinal Müller glial cells. Materials and Methods: A gene expression profile in rat retinal Müller glial cells after bFGF treatment, matching untreated cells, was conducted using gene array technology. The candidate gene selection was performed on GenMAPP/MAPPFinder. The functional effects of PGE2 on the proliferation and dedifferentiation of Müller cells were further investigated. Results: Gene array analysis identified that 298 genes were upregulated and 293 genes were downregulated. The GenMAPP/MAPPFinder results showed that the PG biosynthetic process had the highest correlation (Z score 8.803) with the stem cell characteristics of Müller cells. The quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results showed that PGE2 can significantly upregulate the expression of cyclin D1 in Müller cells. Also, the bromodeoxyuridine and flow cytometry results showed that PGE2 can significantly increase the proportion of Müller cells in S phase. Furthermore, qRT-PCR showed that the expressions of nestin (a marker of neural stem/precursor cells) and Pax6 (a marker of retinal stem/precursor cells) were significantly upregulated by PGE2 stimulation, and similar results were obtained by immunofluorescence staining. Conclusion: PGE2 may enhance the proliferation, dedifferentiation, and stem-like properties of rat retinal Müller glial cells in vitro.
Environmental Control and Control of the Environment: The Basis of Longevity in Bivalves
Authors: Abele Doris , Philipp Eva
Published: December 2012

Longevity and ageing are two sides of a coin, leaving the question open as to which one is the cause and which one the effect. At the individual level, the physiological rate of ageing determines the length of life (= individual longevity, as long as death results from old age and not from disease or other impacts). Individual longevity depends on the direct influence of environmental conditions with respect to nutrition, and the possibility for and timing of reproduction, as well as on the energetic costs animals invest in behavioural and physiological stress defence. All these environmental effectors influence hormonal and cellular signalling pathways that modify the individual physiological condition, the reproductive strategy, and the rate of ageing. At the species level, longevity (= maximum lifespan) is the result of an evolutionary process and, thus, largely determined by the species' behavioural and physiological adaptations to its ecological niche. Specifically, reproductive and breeding strategies have to be optimized in relation to local environmental conditions in different habitats. As a result of adaptive and evolutionary processes, species longevity is genetically underpinned, not necessarily by a few ageing genes, but by an evolutionary process that has hierarchically shaped and optimized species genomes to function in a specific niche or environmental system. Importantly, investigations and reviews attempting to unravel the mechanistic basis of the ageing process need to differentiate clearly between the evolutionary process shaping longevity at the species level and the regulatory mechanisms that alter the individual rate of ageing.
Priorities of Ophthalmic Research
Authors: Spaeth George L.
Published: December 2012

The purpose of research is to uncover truths, that is to describe reality validly. But all truths are not equally generalizable, and all research is not equally justifiable. For example, the value of a study that requires an N of 100,000 to reach statistical significance (a presumed truth) is likely to be far less than that of a study requiring only an N of 10. Furthermore, the value of research is related to the relevance of the finding to the ‘great issues’. In the field of health, the two great issues are function and feeling – the capacity to act and the quality of life. Investigators, universities, mentors, and funding sources need to consider truthfully whether a proposed research project is directed towards uncovering a relevant truth, one that has a reasonable chance of improving function and/or feeling, or leading to findings that will improve function or feeling. The development of a useless or harmful product, the publication of an irrelevant paper, the support of a ‘brilliant investigator’, and the development of a prestigious department are not adequate justifications for performing research. The consequences of the present system – driven by financial gain, power, and prestige – are exemplified in the comparison of the large amount of funds being expended to improve cataract surgery (which is already an incredibly successful procedure), yet at the same time almost no funds are being spent to study how to detect people with glaucoma who will go blind, fully 1% of the world’s population.
Hearing Loss and Heavy Metal Toxicity in a Nicaraguan Mining Community: Audiological Results and Case Reports
Authors: Saunders J.E. , Jastrzembski B.G. , Buckey J.C. , Enriquez D. , MacKenzie T.A. , Karagas M.R.
Published: December 2012

We measured fingernail metal levels, Békésy-type pure-tone thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) levels in 59 subjects residing in the gold mining community of Bonanza, Nicaragua. Auditory testing revealed widespread hearing loss in the cohort. Nail metal concentrations (mercury, lead, aluminum, manganese and arsenic) far exceeded reference levels. No relationship was found between metal levels and auditory test results for the group as a whole. Statistically significant relationships were found between DPOAE response amplitudes and metal concentrations in a subgroup with less than 40 h per week of significant noise exposure; however, conclusions regarding these relationships should be tempered by the large number of analyses performed. Several young individuals with high metal levels reported neurological symptoms and had poor hearing. The data suggest that metal levels in artisanal mining communities present a significant public health problem and may affect hearing.