bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Mitochondrial Disulfide Relay System: Roles in Oxidative Protein Folding and Beyond
Authors: Fischer Manuel , Riemer Jan
Published: November 2013

Disulfide bond formation drives protein import of most proteins of the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS). The main components of this disulfide relay machinery are the oxidoreductase Mia40 and the sulfhydryl oxidase Erv1/ALR. Their precise functions have been elucidated in molecular detail for the yeast and human enzymesin vitroand in intact cells. However, we still lack knowledge on how Mia40 and Erv1/ALR impact cellular and organism physiology and whether they have functions beyond their role in disulfide bond formation. Here we summarize the principles of oxidation-dependent protein import mediated by the mitochondrial disulfide relay. We proceed by discussing recently described functions of Mia40 in the hypoxia response and of ALR in influencing mitochondrial morphology and its importance for tissue development and embryogenesis. We also include a discussion of the still mysterious function of Erv1/ALR in liver regeneration.
Insulin Therapy with Personal Insulin Pumps and Early Angiopathy in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tołwińska Joanna , Głowińska-Olszewska Barbara , Bossowski Artur
Published: November 2013

Objective. Assessment of the effect of a treatment method change from multiple daily insulin injection (MDI) to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) on the development of early angiopathy in children with T1DM with or without retinopathy.Methods. The study pump group involved 32 diabetic children aged 14.8, with the initial HbA1c level of 8.3%, previously treated by MDI. The patients were examined before pump insertion and after 3 and 6 months of CSII. We assessed HbA1c level, carotid artery intima-media thickness (c-IMT), and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery. The pump group was compared to a group of eight teenagers with diagnosed nonproliferative retinopathy, treated with MDI.Results. HbA1c in the entire group was found to improve in the second and in the third examination. During 6 months of CSII, FMD increased and IMT decreased. Retinopathic adolescents had significantly thicker IMT and lower FMD compared to baseline results of the pump group. Treatment intensification in the retinopathy-free children enhanced these differences.Conclusions. CSII is associated with lower IMT and higher FMD. Whether on the long-run CSII is superior to MDI to delay the occurrence of diabetes late complications remains to be explained.
Precise Alignment of Individual Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Using Dielectrophoresis Method for Development and Fabrication of pH Sensor
Authors: Hashim U. , Low Foo Wah , Liu Wei-Wen
Published: November 2013

Development and fabrication of single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) based pH sensor were reported. The precise alignment of individual SWNT using dielectrophoresis method between the two microgap electrodes was conducted, and the effects of precise alignment of individual SWNT on impedance, long term stability, and capacitance of the sensor were studied. The pH sensor was fabricated using conventional photolithography and wet etching process. The impedance values were found to decrease in the order of distilled water > pH 10 > pH 5 > pH 3 > air. Without the alignment of SWNT, the capacitances values decreased with increasing of pH values at low frequency. All the impedance and capacitance results were highly repeatable.
Spontaneous Twin Pregnancy in Uterus Bicornis Unicollis
Authors: Doruk Arzu , Gozukara Ilay , Burkaş Güneş , Bilik Esin , Dilek Talat Umut Kutlu
Published: November 2013

Abnormal fusion of the Müllerian ducts or failure of resorption of the septum causes varying degrees of congenital uterine malformation. They are often associated with reproductive problems such as miscarriage, premature labour, premature rupture of the membranes, or malpresentation. Twin gestation in a case of bicornuate uterus is extremely rare. A 37-year-old multiparous woman conceived a twin dichorionic diamniotic pregnancy spontaneously. Three-dimensional ultrasound revealed bicornuate uterus with one embryo in each cavity. Perinatal course was uneventful. At 35 weeks of pregnancy, spontaneous labour started and twin babies were delivered by bilateral low transvers caesarean section. Because of the rare occurrence of twin gestation in bicornuate uterus, there is no uniform guideline to manage these cases appropriately. Delivery by planned caesarean section could avoid the possible obstetric complications by dystocia.
Stability and Hopf Bifurcation for a Delayed SIR Epidemic Model with Logistic Growth
Authors: Xue Yakui , Li Tiantian
Published: November 2013

We study a delayed SIR epidemic model and get the threshold value which determines the global dynamics and outcome of the disease. First of all, for anyτ, we show that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable; whenR0<1, the disease will die out. Directly afterwards, we prove that the endemic equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable for anyτ=0; whenR0>1, the disease will persist. However, for anyτ≠0, the existence conditions for Hopf bifurcations at the endemic equilibrium are obtained. Besides, we compare the delayed SIR epidemic model with nonlinear incidence rate to the one with bilinear incidence rate. At last, numerical simulations are performed to illustrate and verify the conclusions.
Fracture of the Atlas through a Synchondrosis of Anterior Arch
Authors: Turk Gamze , Kabakus Ismail M. , Akpinar Erhan
Published: November 2013

Cervical fractures are rare in paediatric population. In younger children, cervical fractures usually occur above the level of C4; whereas in older population, fractures or dislocations more commonly involve the lower cervical spine. Greater elasticity of intervertebral ligaments and also the spinal vertebrae explains why cervical fractures in paediatric ages are rare. The injury usually results from a symmetric or asymmetric axial loading. In paediatric cases, most fractures occur through the synchondroses which are the weakest links of the atlas. The prognosis depends on the severity of the spinal cord injury. In this case, we presented an anterior fracture in synchondrosis of atlas after falling on head treated with cervical collar. There was no neurologic deficit for the following 2 years.
A Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Comparison of Immediate-Release Metoprolol and Extended-Release Metoprolol CR/XL in Patients with Suspected Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized, Open-Label Study
Authors: Karlson Björn W. , Dellborg Mikael , Gullestad Lars , Åberg Jan , Sugg Jennifer , Herlitz Johan
Published: November 2013

Background: Previous metoprolol studies in myocardial infarction patients were performed with immediate-release (IR) metoprolol. This study aims to evaluate if extended-release metoprolol CR/XL once daily gives a similar β-blockade over 24 h compared to multiple dosing of metoprolol IR. Methods: After 2 days of routine metoprolol treatment, 27 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction were randomized to open-label treatment with metoprolol IR (50 mg four times daily or 100 mg twice daily) or metoprolol CR/XL 200 mg once daily for 3 days. Results: Metoprolol CR/XL 200 mg once daily gave more pronounced suppression of peak heart rate, with lower peak and less variation in peak to trough plasma levels. There were no differences in AUC between the CR/XL and IR formulations, although the trough plasma metoprolol levels were comparable for metoprolol CR/XL 200 mg once daily and metoprolol IR 50 mg four times daily, but lower for metoprolol IR 100 mg twice daily. Both treatments were well tolerated. Conclusions: Metoprolol CR/XL 200 mg once daily showed lower peak and less variation in peak to trough plasma levels compared to multiple dosing of metoprolol IR with the same AUC. This was accompanied by a more uniform β-blockade over time, which was reflected by heart rate, and a more pronounced suppression of peak heart rate with similar tolerability. This suggests metoprolol CR/XL may be used as an alternative to metoprolol IR in patients with myocardial infarction.
Microarray Profiling of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma: Identification for Potential Biomarkers and Critical Pathways
Authors: Li Wei , Zhu Wei , Che Jianping , Sun Wei , Liu Min , Peng Bo , Zheng Junhua
Published: November 2013

Aims: The aim of this study was to screen several novel genes associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and analyze the gene functions and signal pathways which were critical to RCCs with DNA microarray. Methods: The gene expression profile of GSE781 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database, including 9 RCC samples and 9 healthy controls. Compared with the control samples, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of RCC was identified the by packages in R. The selected DEGs were further analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was performed using Gene Set Analysis Toolkit and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed with prePPI. Then, pathway enrichment analysis to PPI network was performed using WebGestalt software. Results: A total of 429 DEGs were down-regulated and 418 DEGs were up-regulated in RCC samples compared to healthy controls. A total of 11 remarkable enhanced functions and 13 suppressed functions were identified. PPI nodes of high degrees, such as JAK2, IL8, BMPR2, FN1 and NCR1, were obtained. The DEGs were classified and significantly enriched in cytokine and cytokine receptor pathway. Conclusion: The hub genes we find from RCC samples are not only bio-markers, but also may provide the groundwork for a combination therapy approach for RCCs.
Long Survival of a Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patient Who Received Maintenance Chemotherapy with Irinotecan
Authors: Yagi Yoshitaka , Kim Young Hak , Tajima Noriyuki , Baba Kiichiro , Aihara Kensaku , Soo Hong Hyun , Yamaoka Shinpachi , Mishima Michiaki
Published: November 2013

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 15% of all lung cancers. It is characterized by rapid tumor growth and early metastasis to multiple organs. Response to initial chemotherapy is generally good; however, the majority of patients develop recurrence and the prognosis of such patients is reportedly 2-4 months. Evolution of the treatment for SCLC has stagnated, and cisplatin + etoposide has been the standard chemotherapy for decades. Meanwhile, the combination of cisplatin + irinotecan has demonstrated equivalent efficacy to cisplatin + etoposide. Recently, maintenance chemotherapy has been extensively investigated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and is currently recommended as a standard treatment in clinical guidelines. On the contrary, a maintenance strategy has not been established for SCLC. Here, we describe an SCLC patient who received maintenance chemotherapy with irinotecan for more than 2 years after induction chemotherapy with cisplatin + irinotecan, and survived long term with no recurrence.
Association Between Insomnia Symptoms and Mortality
Authors: Li Yanping , Zhang Xuehong , Winkelman John W. , Redline Susan , Hu Frank B. , Stampfer Meir , Ma Jing , Gao Xiang
Published: November 2013

Background—

Insomnia complaints are common in older adults and may be associated with mortality risk. However, evidence regarding this association is mixed. Thus, we prospectively examined whether men with insomnia symptoms had an increased risk of mortality during 6 years of follow-up.

Methods and Results—

A prospective cohort study of 23 447 US men participating in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and free of cancer, reported on insomnia symptoms in 2004, were followed through 2010. Deaths were identified from state vital statistic records, the National Death Index, family reports, and the postal system. We documented 2025 deaths during 6 years of follow-up (2004–2010). The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios of total mortality were 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.50) for difficulty initiating sleep, 1.09 (95% CI, 0.97–1.24) for difficulty maintaining sleep, 1.04 (95% CI, 0.88–1.22) for early-morning awakenings, and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.05–1.46) for nonrestorative sleep, comparing men with those symptoms most of the time with men without those symptoms, after adjusting for age, lifestyle factors, and presence of common chronic conditions. Men with difficulty initiating sleep and nonrestorative sleep most of the time had a 55% (hazard ratio, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.19–2.04;
P
-trend=0.01) and 32% (hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02–1.72;
P
-trend=0.002) increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, respectively, relative to men without those symptoms.

Conclusion—

Some insomnia symptoms, especially difficulty initiating asleep and nonrestorative sleep, are associated with a modestly higher risk of mortality.
Theatre of Revulsion
Authors: Baudrillard Jean , Marshall Jonathan W.
Published: November 2013

Published for Paris's 1985 Butô Festival, Jean Baudrillard's essay is important to the history of butoh. Responding to dancemakers Carlotta Ikeda and Ko Murobushi, Baudrillard employs three main descriptors: revulsion, convulsion, and repulsion. The dancer shifts from animal to mineral, while the body captures or draws into itself the surrounding space, before violently ejecting it.
The Real Little Ice Age
Authors: White Sam
Published: November 2013

The Little Ice Age is not a dogma. It is an increasingly firm consensus backed by considerable evidence across a variety of sources. To disprove it, or even to call it into question, would mean finding systematic errors in several types of proxy data. Kelly and Ó Gráda have not cleared any of these hurdles, or even come close. The refutation of their arguments demonstrates just how strong the evidence for the Little Ice Age has become and just how important it is for historians to take it seriously.
The Crisis of the Seventeenth Century: The Little Ice Age and the Mystery of the “Great Divergence”
Authors: de Vries Jan
Published: November 2013

Geoffrey Parker's Global Crisis: War, Climate Change and Catastrophe in the Seventeenth Century is the fullest statement of the seventeenth-century crisis to date; it is an epic history with an enormous cast. But the people and institutions that it covers must share the historical stage with another agent of change—the Little Ice Age, which functions as the glue that holds together the era's myriad of events, producing an agricultural, political, and military crisis of global proportions. What is missing in Parker's account is a credible explanation for his version of the “great divergence”—the fact that resolution of the crisis took a different and fateful form in one region of Eurasia but in none of the others. Parker's claims about the Little Ice Age are ultimately testable, but his claim that it laid the basis for the “great divergence” remains mysterious.
A new Odontothrips species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from Iran
Authors: MIRAB-BALOU MAJID , TONG XIAO-LI , WANG JUN , CHEN XUE-XIN
Published: November 2013

Species of the Holartic genus Odontothrips Amyot & Serville (Thripidae: Thripinae) usually breed in the flowers of Fabaceae. Some species cause slight damage to Fabaceae crops (Pitkin 1972), and O. confusus Priesner sometimes produces high populations on alfalfa in Iran (Mirab-balou et al. 2013). The genus includes 31 species in the world (ThripsWiki 2013), of which four have been recorded from Iran (Mirab-balou and Chen 2011). Recently an undescribed species of Odontothrips was collected on flowers of alfalfa, and this is described below. Type specimens are deposited in the collection of Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Ilam University, Iran (ILAMU); and in the Insect Collection, Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, China (SCAU). Full nomenclatural information about Thysanoptera is available on the web (ThripsWiki 2013).
Review of the genus Cystocnemis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) with descriptions of two new species
Authors: MIKHAILOV YURI E. , GUS’KOVA ELENA V.
Published: November 2013

Two new species of Cystocnemis (s. str.) Motschulsky, 1860 namely C. levmedvedevi sp. nov. and C. zintshenkoi sp. nov. are described from the Mongolian Altai (Mongolia, Hovd aimag) and Southern Altai (Kazakhstan, East-Kazakhstan region) respectively. Generic diagnosis as well as key to species and subspecies of Cystocnemis are provided. Zoogeographical affinities of Entomoscelini are discussed.
The mammal type specimens at the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway
Authors: WIIG ØYSTEIN , BACHMANN LUTZ
Published: November 2013

A catalog of mammalian type specimens in the collections of Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway, is presented. All type specimens in the Museum’s mammal collection were revisited and the respective label information was compared with the data provided in the original descriptions. Most taxa were described from type series with no specimen particularly assigned to holotype. The compiled catalog of the type specimens is not intended as a taxonomic revision of the respective taxa, which is why we have not designated lectotypes from the collection’s type series. Specimens that were clearly marked as “the type” in the original description were considered holotypes. The catalog consists of 19 taxa, with the year of authority corrected for three taxa.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of clinicians in promoting physical activity to prostate cancer survivors
Authors: Spellman Claire , Craike Melinda , Livingston Patricia
Published: November 2013

Objectives:

This study examined the knowledge, attitudes and practices of clinicians in promoting physical activity to prostate cancer survivors.

Design:

A purposeful sample was used and cross-sectional data were collected using an anonymous, self-reported online questionnaire or an identical paper-based questionnaire.

Settings:

Health services and online questionnaire.

Methods:

Clinicians were invited to complete the questionnaire which measured their knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to physical activity for their patients.

Results:

Thirty-one clinicians completed a questionnaire. Most participants were men (71%), aged 30–40 years (45.2%), and radiation oncologists (35.5%). Although clinicians recognized the benefits of physical activity for their patients, few always gave advice about physical activity. Advice was verbal in nature, very few provided written material and none referred patients to an exercise specialist. Older age, a belief that physical activity reduces side effects of treatment, higher confidence and disagreement that physical activity has risks were associated with higher frequency of providing physical activity advice. Over half of the clinicians (55%) reported that advising patients on physical activity was not part of their role.

Conclusions:

This study provides preliminary evidence that physical activity advice may not be provided routinely to prostate cancer survivors. It is important for future research to address the involvement of clinicians in physical activity promotion so that holistic care is provided.
Alliances in the Dutch BeweegKuur lifestyle intervention
Authors: den Hartog Franciska , Wagemakers Annemarie , Vaandrager Lenneke , van Dijk Marieke , Koelen Maria A
Published: November 2013

Objective:

BeweegKuur (Exercise Therapy) is a Dutch lifestyle programme in which participants are referred by a general practitioner (GP) to a lifestyle advisor. To support participants, regional and local alliances are established. The present study explored the successes and challenges associated with collaboration processes in local BeweegKuur alliances.

Design:

A qualitative explorative study.

Setting:

The Netherlands Institute for Sports and Physical Activity (NISB) initiated the Building BeweegKuur Alliances project to support local alliances. The BeweegKuur intervention is implemented by over 30 regional and about 150 local alliances throughout the Netherlands.

Method:

12 in-depth interviews were held with coordinators of the alliances, and four focus groups were held with regional and local alliance partners.

Results:

Collaboration within the alliances is perceived as successful in integrating prevention and care. Challenges include the participation of sectors such as the local municipality and the sports sector, and the transition of BeweegKuur participants to local sports facilities.

Conclusion:

This study identifies three general conditions for successful coordinated action: (a) flexible protocols and management that allow for contextual adaptations; (b) making successes and challenges visible using facilitating methods and tools; and (c) time and funding to overcome differences of culture between different sectors, and to build trust.
Making the ideal (local) entrepreneur: Place and the regional development of high-tech entrepreneurial identity
Authors: Gill Rebecca , Larson Gregory S
Published: November 2013

Entrepreneurship research has begun to examine the construction of an occupational identity for entrepreneurs, arguing that this identity is intersected by a variety of discourses, including gender, class and race/ethnicity. Yet, these studies only partially account for the myriad ways that entrepreneurial identity, and occupational identity more broadly, may manifest across the US or globally. In this article, we discuss how high-tech entrepreneurial identities are constructed in conjunction with place-based ‘transcendent’ and ‘locale-specific’ discourses. Empirical results from two studies of high-tech entrepreneurs in the western US demonstrate that place both shapes and constrains the possibilities for constructing an ‘ideal entrepreneurial self’. The implications of our research suggest: (i) the importance of ‘relocating place’ to understand the regional shaping of entrepreneurial identity and occupational identity; (ii) the significance of place serving as a rich organizing discourse for studies of intersectionality; and (iii) the complex ways in which entrepreneurial and occupational identities are shaped by place while simultaneously engaged in ‘place-making’.
Intimate, ambivalent and erotic mentoring: Popular culture and mentor–mentee relational processes in Mad Men
Authors: Buzzanell Patrice M , D’Enbeau Suzy
Published: November 2013

Mentoring centers on the development of another person through career, psychosocial and role modeling support. As popular cultural portrayals and gendered critiques of mentoring show, not all can be categorized as rational, instrumental and positive. There often are unconscious forces that drive particular mentoring arrangements and offer entrée points into mentorship analyses that contrast with rational approaches. Popular culture images provide an arena to critique dominant mentoring practices. Towards this end, we critically examine the award-winning drama Mad Men (Weiner, 2007) and uncover how non-rational mentoring practices are depicted. We argue that characters engage in intimate, ambivalent and erotic mentoring processes in which loyalties shift and neuroses reflect the nature of workplace social relations. Our critique displays characters’ complicity in perpetuating asymmetrical gendered workplace relations through practices that are seemingly non-rational, presumably meritocratic and/or captured by archetypal mentoring relationships.
How Post-colonial Armies Came About: Comparative Perspectives from Asia and Africa
Authors: Barany Zoltan
Published: November 2013

The creation of an army loyal to the state is one of the most important institutional tasks of post-colonial leaders. But how do novice political leaders develop the capacity to subordinate the armed forces to the authority of state institutions? This essay explains alternative methods of formulating post-colonial civil–military relations and explains why four states – India, Pakistan, Ghana, and Tanzania – took such different routes of institutional development. I make two arguments. Firstly, building armed forces that willingly acquiesce to state authority is always a critical issue of regime change – whether to democracy or some other form of government – though it is more difficult to accomplish in some contexts than others. Secondly, the political and socioeconomic contexts in which armies must be built are very different and thus pose dissimilar challenges and tasks to those crafting new armies and civil–military relations. I will assess the power of several variables to explain the disparate outcomes of the four cases: the quality of political leadership and leaders’ approach to the armed forces, the strength of political institutions, ethno-religious and regional policies, civilian control mechanisms, military–societal relations, and foreign influence.
Allogeneic Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation for Periodontal Regeneration
Authors: Du J. , Shan Z. , Ma P. , Wang S. , Fan Z.
Published: November 2013

In this study, we investigated the possibility of using local administration of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) to induce tissue regeneration in periodontal defects in a rat model of periodontitis. BMMSCs isolated from rats were mixed with 0.9% NaCl solution and injected into periodontal defects. Control groups were 0.9% NaCl solution or left untreated. The clinical assessments, x-rays, and histological examinations were used to evaluate the effect. At 12 wks post-transplantation, quantitative analysis revealed average probing bone loss values of 1.2 ± 0.19, 1.6 ± 0.2, and 1.7 ± 0.14; the bone regeneration rate was 53%, 45%, and 44% in the BMMSC+NaCl group, NaCl group, and untreated group, respectively. The clinical assessments, x-rays, and histological examinations revealed significant periodontal tissue regeneration in the BMMSC injection group, compared with the control groups. The ELISA results showed that TNFα, IFNγ, and IL1β were 2,674.88 ± 102.77 pg/mL vs. 3,422.1 ± 51.98 pg/mL, 609.85 ± 25.5 pg/mL vs. 803.79 ± 33.85 pg/mL, and 1,038.46 ± 76.29 pg/mL vs. 1,175.26 ± 105.55 pg/mL in the BMMSC+NaCl group and NaCl group, respectively, indicating that BMMSC injection inhibited the inflammatory factors TNFα, IFNγ, and IL1β. Our results indicate that local administration of BMMSCs can repair defects due to periodontitis, exerting anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions.
Losing Face on Social Media
Authors: Chen Gina Masullo
Published: November 2013

A three-condition (rejection, criticism, control) single-factor experiment ( N = 78) reveals that even relatively minor face-threatening acts of rejection or criticism on a social-networking site similar to Facebook lead to increases in self-reported negative affect and retaliatory aggression, compared with a control. A mediation model demonstrates that face-threatening acts lead to direct effects on negative affect and an indirect affect on retaliatory aggression through negative affect. Findings are discussed in relations to face theory and politeness theory.
Testing Advice Response Theory in Interactions With Friends
Authors: MacGeorge Erina L. , Guntzviller Lisa M. , Hanasono Lisa K. , Feng Bo
Published: November 2013

This study extends and tests advice response theory (ART) by examining message content, message politeness, and advisor characteristics, along with situational and recipient factors as influences on the outcomes of advice. Participants ( N = 244) discussed a real, current problem with a friend, completing measures about the advisor, recipient, and situation prior to the interaction, and assessments of advice message qualities and outcomes immediately after. The findings not only support ART but also indicate the need to consider how evaluations of advice evolve over time.
Prosthetic reconstruction of bicuspid pulmonary valve in tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Sasikumar Navaneetha , Ramanan Sowmya , Rema Krishna Manohar Soman , Kumar Raghavannair Suresh , Subramanyan Raghavan , Cherian Kootturathu Mammen
Published: November 2013

Background

Various techniques have been described for preserving pulmonary valve function in tetralogy of Fallot repair. In selected substrates, the pulmonary valve can be bicuspidized and preserved using polytetrafluoroethylene pericardial membrane.

Methods

This study was a retrospective review of 20 patients aged 11 months to 31 years with tetralogy of Fallot and a bicuspid pulmonary valve (with anteroposterior cusps) who underwent intracardiac repair from August 2010 to January 2013. The anterior cusp was augmented using polytetrafluoroethylene pericardial membrane to preserve the valve hinge. A transannular patch was used in all cases. Data relating to surgical outcome, intensive care unit course, pulmonary regurgitation, and right ventricular outflow tract gradient were collected.

Results

There was no mortality. Predischarge pulmonary regurgitation was ≤grade 2 in 18 (90%) patients. One patient had an outflow gradient >40 mm Hg. On follow-up of 3–24 months, there was no increase in outflow gradient; 18.7% had progression of pulmonary regurgitation.

Conclusion

In selected substrates, this technique is associated with minimization of pulmonary regurgitation and an excellent functional outcome. The utility of this technique needs to be validated over a longer time scale in a larger series.
Thoracic liposarcoma: Resection and chest wall reconstruction
Authors: Carillo Gerardo Andrés Obeso , Ramos Montserrat Blanco , Parga Gonzalo De Castro , Fontan Eva María Garcia , Carretero Miguel Angel Cañizares
Published: November 2013

Liposarcoma is a malignant neoplasm of mesodermal origin derived from adipose tissue. It most often originates in the extremities and retroperitoneum, and less frequently in the head and neck. Liposarcoma involving the chest wall is extremely rare with few reported cases. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, and complete resection is the major factor influencing survival. We describe the case of a 65-year-old man diagnosed with a dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the chest wall, who underwent radical resection and chest wall reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap.
The outcome of surgical management of type A aortic dissection
Authors: Skripochnik Edvard , Friedman Patricia , Michler Robert E , Neragi-Miandoab Siyamek
Published: November 2013

Background

Type A aortic dissection is a serious and fatal condition.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the outcome following repair of ascending aortic dissection in a contemporary cohort of 108 patients with a mean age of 59.5 ± 13.8 years, who were treated between 2006 and 2011. Most patients were male (70, 65%).

Results

Circulatory arrest with a mean duration of 22 ± 16 min was performed in 42 (38.9%) patients. Perioperative mortality was 15.7% ( n = 17). Univariate analysis showed that cardiopulmonary bypass time ( p = 0.0006), age >60 years ( p = 0.028), cardiogenic shock at presentation ( p = 0.02), New York Heart Association class II–IV ( p = 0.038), hemopericardium ( p = 0.0035), and preoperative cerebrovascular accident ( p = 0.02) were predictors of mortality. Multivariate analysis indicated that age >60 years (odds ratio 7.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.52–38.96, p = 0.0136), preoperative cerebrovascular accident (odds ratio 25.2, 95% confidence interval: 2.45–258.9, p = 0.0066), hemopericardium (odds ratio 41.6, 95% confidence interval: 5.38–320.7, p = 0.0003), and cardiopulmonary bypass time (odds ratio 1.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.32–2.57, p = 0.0003) were independent predictors of perioperative mortality. The 1- and 4-year survival was 80% ± 3.8% and 69% ± 5.7%, respectively. Age >60 years (hazard ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–7.9, p = 0.0064) was the only independent predictor of long-term mortality.

Conclusion

Our results identify the major risk factors for perioperative and long-term mortality. Age is an independent risk factor for mortality.
Young adult romantic relationships in Mainland China
Authors: Anderson Jared R. , Johnson Matthew D. , Liu Wenli , Zheng Fuming , Hardy Nathan R. , Lindstrom Rachel A.
Published: November 2013

Guided by the Development of Early Adult Romantic Relationships (DEARR) model (Bryant & Conger, 2002). The current study explores the direct and indirect associations between family of origin functioning and relationship success among Mainland Chinese young adults in romantic relationships ( N = 224). Results from the structural equation model analysis indicated that family dysfunction is negatively related to romantic relationship success directly, and the bootstrap test of indirect effects revealed two significant indirect pathways: (1) family dysfunction to problem solving to relationship success and (2) family dysfunction to depression symptoms to problem solving to relationship success. This model proved a better fit to the data than two plausible alternative models and highlights the potential cross-cultural applicability of the DEARR model. Implications for theory development, intervention, and future research are discussed.
A dynamic state-space analysis of interpersonal emotion regulation in couples who smoke
Authors: Butler Emily A. , Hollenstein Tom , Shoham Varda , Rohrbaugh Michael J.
Published: November 2013

Regulating emotions in interpersonal contexts requires managing one’s own emotion, a partner’s emotion, and the emotional tone of the relationship (e.g., conflict and intimacy). This multifaceted regulatory challenge, often referred to as “relationship-focused coping,” has been associated with health outcomes, but the real-time emotional processes involved are understudied. We use state-space grids (a recently developed graphical method) to investigate dynamic sequences of emotional experience (positive vs. negative) and relationship-focused coping intentions (to protect vs. engage one’s partner) taken from 26 couples in which one or both partners were smokers, while they discussed a health-related disagreement during a nonsmoking baseline and then while smoking. State-space indicators of contingent emotion-coping sequences showed evidence of both successful regulation (associated with improving emotional state) and unsuccessful regulation (associated with worsening emotional state). The pattern of results suggests that interpersonal emotion regulation may interfere with smoking cessation differently depending upon whether one or both partners smoke.
Structural and relational interdependence and entrepreneurial orientation in small and medium-sized enterprises: The mediating role of internal knowledge-sharing
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Dimov Dimo , Thongpapanl Narongsak
Published: November 2013

This article examines the intermediary role of internal knowledge-sharing in the relationship between two aspects of small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) internal organisational context: structural and relational interdependence and their entrepreneurial orientation (EO). With a sample of 146 SMEs, the structural equation modelling results show that higher levels of internal knowledge-sharing associate with stronger EO, and that such knowledge-sharing derives from higher levels of task and reward interdependence, as well as from higher levels of social interaction and trust. The findings also reveal that internal knowledge-sharing fully mediates the relationships between SMEs’ task interdependence and trust with EO. The article contributes to research by highlighting several features of SMEs’ internal environment that can be used to enhance their entrepreneurial postures.
What about new entry? Examining the theorized role of new entry in the entrepreneurial orientation–performance relationship
Authors: Wales William , Wiklund Johan , McKelvie Alexander
Published: November 2013

It has been well over a decade since Lumpkin and Dess first suggested new entry to represent the principal outcome of an entrepreneurial orientation (EO). Yet, little consideration has been given to the implications of conceptualizing new entry as a phenomenon distinct from EO. This article draws attention to inconsistent assumptions concerning the role of new entry across the two dominant conceptualizations of EO, discusses empirical challenges with exploring new entry as an outcome of EO, and provides a longitudinal test of the causal chain linking EO to future new entry behaviors and eventual performance outcomes.
Acute hemodynamic effects of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in postural tachycardia syndrome: A randomized, crossover trial
Authors: Mar Philip L , Raj Vidya , Black Bonnie K , Biaggioni Italo , Shibao Cyndya A , Paranjape Sachin Y , Dupont William D , Robertson David , Raj Satish R
Published: November 2013

Background:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and act at synaptic terminals to increase monoamine neurotransmitters. We hypothesized that they act to increase blood pressure and attenuate reflex tachycardia, thereby improving symptoms. Acute hemodynamic profiles after SSRI administration in POTS patients have not previously been reported.

Methods:

Patients with POTS ( n=39; F=37, 39 ±9 years) underwent a randomized crossover trial with sertraline 50mg and placebo. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure were measured with the patient seated and standing for 10 min prior to drug or placebo administration, and then hourly for 4 h. The primary endpoint was standing heart rate at 4 h.

Results:

At 4 h, standing heart rate and systolic blood pressure were not significantly different between sertraline and placebo. Seated systolic (106±12 mmHg vs. 101±8 mmHg; p=0.041), diastolic (72±8 mmHg vs. 69±8 mmHg; p=0.022), and mean blood pressure (86±9 mmHg vs. 81±9 mmHg; p=0.007) were significantly higher after sertraline administration than placebo. At 4 h, symptoms were worse with sertraline than placebo.

Conclusions:

Sertraline had a modest pressor effect in POTS patients, but this did not translate into a reduced heart rate or improved symptoms.
Autonomous adaptive exploration using realtime online spatiotemporal topic modeling
Authors: Girdhar Yogesh , Giguère Philippe , Dudek Gregory
Published: November 2013

The exploration of dangerous environments such as underwater coral reefs and shipwrecks is a difficult and potentially life-threatening task for humans, which naturally makes the use of an autonomous robotic system very appealing. This paper presents such an autonomous system, which is capable of autonomous exploration, and shows its use in a series of experiments to collect image data in challenging underwater marine environments. We present novel contributions on three fronts. First, we present an online topic-modeling-based technique to describe what is being observed using a low-dimensional semantic descriptor. This descriptor attempts to be invariant to observations of different corals belonging to the same species, or observations of similar types of rocks observed from different viewpoints. Second, we use the topic descriptor to compute the surprise score of the current observation. This is done by maintaining an online summary of observations thus far, and then computing the surprise score as the distance of the current observation from the summary in the topic space. Finally, we present a novel control strategy for an underwater robot that allows for intelligent traversal, hovering over surprising observations, and swimming quickly over previously seen corals and rocks.
Laser Capture Microdissection for the Investigative Pathologist
Authors: Liu H. , McDowell T. L. , Hanson N. E. , Tang X. , Fujimoto J. , Rodriguez-Canales J.
Published: November 2013

An important step in translational research is the validation of molecular findings from in vitro experiments using tissue specimens. However, tissue specimens are complex and contain a multitude of diverse cell populations that interfere with the molecular profiling data of a specific cell type. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) alleviates this issue by providing a valuable tool for the enrichment of a specific cell type within complex tissue samples. However, LCM and molecular analysis from tissue specimens can be complex and challenging due to numerous issues related with the tissue processing and its impact on the integrity of biomolecules in the specimen. The intricate nature of this application highlights the essential role a pathologist plays in translational research by contributing an expertise in histopathology, tissue handling, tissue analysis techniques, and clinical correlation of biological findings. The present review examines key practical aspects in tissue handling, specimen selection, quality control, and sample preparation for LCM and downstream molecular analyses that are a primary objective of the investigative pathologist.
Megaesophagus in Friesian Horses Associated With Muscular Hypertrophy of the Caudal Esophagus
Authors: Komine M. , Langohr I. M. , Kiupel M.
Published: November 2013

Friesian horses have a perceived high rate of congenital or hereditary diseases, including megaesophagus, that may lead to choke and death. A retrospective study was performed to determine the prevalence and pathologic characteristics of esophageal disease in 852 horses, including 17 Friesians, that had been necropsied over a 6-year period at the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Forty-two horses had grossly described esophageal lesions (25 muscular hypertrophy, 7 hemorrhage, 6 megaesophagus, 4 erosion/ulceration, 3 obstruction, 2 tears, 2 secondary neoplasms, 2 lymphoid patches, 1 thin wall, 1 esophagitis). Some of these lesions occurred concurrently in the same horse. Ten of these horses died or were euthanatized because of severe esophageal disease (6 megaesophagus causing tears in 2 horses, 3 esophageal obstruction with food bolus, and 1 esophagitis). All 6 horses with megaesophagus were Friesians. No cause for megaesophagus was noted in the necropsy reports; however, 5 of these 6 Friesians had marked caudal esophageal muscular hypertrophy (wall thickness: 1.9 ± 0.3 cm). Microscopic review of the esophagus of these Friesians confirmed smooth muscle hypertrophy, with no obvious fibrosis, degeneration, or loss of myenteric plexi. Unlike the Friesians, the 4 non-Friesian horses with severe esophageal disease had esophageal obstruction with an intraluminal food bolus or severe esophagitis. None had caudal esophageal muscular hypertrophy. It is concluded that in comparison to other horse breeds, Friesians have a higher prevalence of severe esophageal disease, specifically megaesophagus, that is commonly associated with marked caudal muscular hypertrophy.
Variation in Tibial Tubercle–Trochlear Groove Measurement as a Function of Age, Sex, Size, and Patellar Instability
Authors: Pennock Andrew T. , Alam Milad , Bastrom Tracey
Published: November 2013

Background:

The tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) measurement was developed to quantify morphologic abnormalities about the knee associated with patellar instability and to help guide surgical decision making.

Purpose:

To assess variations in TT-TG as a function of patient age and size in a population of patients with patellar instability compared with those with no instability.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

All patients younger than 20 years who underwent surgery for patellar instability from 2010 to 2012 were included in this retrospective study. A total of 180 patients with no history of patellar instability or patellofemoral complaints were used as a control group. The TT-TG was measured on magnetic resonance axial images using the centers of the tibial tubercle and the trochlear groove. Data were normalized based on patient height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and femur width. Alpha was set at P < .05 to declare significance.

Results:

The average age of the 45 patellar instability patients was 15.4 years (range, 10-18 years), their mean TT-TG was 16.3 mm (range, 6.5-26 mm), and 51% were male. By comparison, the mean age of the control group was 16 years (range, 10-19 years), the mean TT-TG was 11.7 mm (range, 3-22 mm), and 58% were male. The TT-TG and the normalized TT-TG for height, weight, BMI, and femur width were all greater in the patellar instability group compared with the control group ( P ≤ .001). Thirty-one percent of patients had a TT-TG greater than 20 mm in the instability group compared with 3% in the control group ( P < .05, specificity 97%, sensitivity 31%). The TT-TG was found to increase as a function of height in both groups ( r = 0.14, P = .04) and decreased with age only in the instability group ( r = −0.3, P = .04).

Conclusion:

An elevated TT-TG is associated with patellar instability both in pediatric and adolescent patients. However, this measurement varies as a function of patient age and height, with each centimeter in height increasing the TT-TG by 0.12. Normalization of TT-TG to patient height may control for size variations and should be undertaken in the work-up and management of patients with patellar instability.
A Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Study of Dexmedetomidine Versus Midazolam for Intensive Care Unit Sedation
Authors: MacLaren Robert , Preslaski Candice R. , Mueller Scott W. , Kiser Tyree H. , Fish Douglas N. , Lavelle James C. , Malkoski Stephen P.
Published: November 2013

Introduction:

Sedation with dexmedetomidine may facilitate ventilator liberation and limit the occurrence of delirium. No trial has assessed patient recall or the development of psychological outcomes after dexmedetomidine sedation. This pilot study evaluated whether transitioning benzodiazepine sedation to dexmedetomidine alters patient recall and the incidence of anxiety, depression, or acute stress disorder (ASD).

Methods:

This investigation was a randomized, double-blind, single-center study. Existing continuous benzodiazepine sedation was converted to dexmedetomidine or midazolam when patients qualified for daily awakenings. Sedation was titrated to achieve Riker sedation agitation scores of 3 to 4. The intensive care unit (ICU) Stressful Experiences Questionnaire, hospital anxiety and depression scale, and the impact of event scale-revised were administered before hospital discharge to assess recall, anxiety, depression, and manifestations of ASD.

Results:

A total of 11 patients received dexmedetomidine, and 12 patients received midazolam. Median dosing was 0.61 µg/kg/h for 3.5 days for dexmedetomidine and 3.7 mg/h for 3 days for midazolam. Attainment of goal sedation and analgesia was similar; however, more dexmedetomidine patients experienced agitation and pain. The median duration of mechanical ventilation from study drug initiation to extubation was 3.4 days in dexmedetomidine patients and 2.9 days in midazolam patients. Dexmedetomidine patients remembered 18.5 experiences compared with 8.5 in midazolam patients ( P = .015). Rates of anxiety and depression were similar. In all, 5 (62.5%) dexmedetomidine patients and 1 (12.5%) midazolam patient manifested ASD ( P = .063), and 1 dexmedetomidine patient and 5 midazolam patients developed new-onset delirium ( P = .07). Hypotension occurred in 10 (90.9%) dexmedotomidine patients and 6 (50%) midazolam patients ( P = .069).

Conclusions:

Transitioning benzodiazepine sedation to dexmedetomidine when patients qualify for daily awakenings may reduce the development of delirium and facilitate remembrance of ICU experiences but may lead to manifestations of ASD. Monitoring hypotension is required for both the sedatives. Additional comparative studies focusing on the long-term impact of ICU recall and psychological outcomes are needed.