bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge of patients’ visual experience during cataract surgery: a survey of eye doctors in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Tauqir Mohammad Zain , Chaudhry Tanveer Anjum , Mumtaz Sehreen , Ahmad Khabir 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Several recent studies have recommended that ophthalmologists must be aware of the visual sensations (and their associated anxiety/fear) experienced by patients undergoing cataract surgery. We assessed the knowledge of a group of eye doctors in Pakistan regarding these phenomena.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional survey. Eye doctors (ophthalmologists, residents and medical officers) attending the Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan Annual Conference 2011, in Karachi were invited to participate in the study. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to examine their knowledge of visual sensations and their associated anxiety/fear experienced by patients during cataract surgery. Simple frequencies and proportions were calculated to describe the data.

Results
A total of 150 ophthalmologists, residents and medical officers were invited to participate in the study. Of these, 68 (45.3%) responded. The mean age (±SD) of the participants was 42.9 (13.2) years. The proportion of participants who thought that patients could experience visual sensations during cataract surgery under regional anaesthesia was 89.7% and that under topical anaesthesia was 73.5%. The most frequently cited sensations included: light perception, changes in light brightness, movements, instruments and surgeon’s hands or fingers.
The eye doctors estimated that 38.9% and 64.3% patients would see at least something during cataract surgery under regional anaesthesia and topical anaesthesia, respectively. They also believed that 24.2%-36.9% of patients may experience anxiety/fear as a result of visual sensations during such surgery. Approximately half of the eye doctors did not think that retained vision was a source of fear or anxiety for the patients. While most of them acknowledged the importance of preoperative counselling in helping to alleviate such fear/anxiety, the majority of them did not regularly counsel their patients on what to expect during the surgery.

Conclusion
Our study reveals that a significant proportion of eye doctors do not have adequate knowledge of the visual phenomenon and their associated anxiety or fear, that patients can experience during cataract surgery. Targeted educational interventions are needed to increase awareness of this phenomenon among eye care professionals.
Urethral obstruction from dislodged bladder Diverticulum stones: a case report
Authors: Okeke Linus I , Takure Augustine O , Adebayo Sikiru A , Oluyemi Olukayode Y , Oyelekan Abimbola AA 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Secondary urethral stone although rare, commonly arises from the kidneys, bladder or are seen in patients with urethral stricture. These stones are either found in the posterior or anterior urethra and do result in acute urinary retention. We report urethral obstruction from dislodged bladder diverticulum stones. This to our knowledge is the first report from Nigeria and in English literature.

Case presentation
A 69 year old, male, Nigerian with clinical and radiological features of acute urinary retention, benign prostate enlargement and bladder diverticulum. He had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and was lost to follow up. He re-presented with retained urethral catheter of 4months duration. The catheter was removed but attempt at re-passing the catheter failed and a suprapubic cystostomy was performed. Clinical examination and plain radiograph of the penis confirmed anterior and posterior urethral stones. He had meatotomy and antegrade manual stone extraction with no urethra injury.

Conclusions
Urethral obstruction can result from inadequate treatment of patient with benign prostate enlargement and bladder diverticulum stones. Surgeons in resource limited environment should be conversant with transurethral resection of the prostate and cystolithotripsy or open prostatectomy and diverticulectomy.
Dual fluorescent labelling of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum for the analysis of the ABC type transporter pfmdr2
Authors: Rosental Benyamin , Hadad Uzi , Sinay Rosa , Braiman Alex , Porgador Angel , Pollack Yaakov 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe study of thePlasmodium falciparumheavy metal transporter genepfmdr2employed radioactive labelled heavy metal. As the use of radioactive isotopes shrank considerably during the last few years, resulting in the cessation of the production of some isotopes, amongst them Cadmium109which was used for that purpose, a different approach had to be developed. Herein, a dual fluorescent labelling of heavy metals accumulation in theP. falciparumparasite is proposed as an alternative to the use of radioactive labelled heavy metals.MethodsPlasmodium falciparumCd resistant and sensitive strains at the trophozoite stage were used in this study. The cells were cultured at different CdCl2concentrations and for different time periods followed by staining of the infected red blood cells with Fluo-3/AM for Cd detection and Hoechst 33342 for parasite DNA labelling. The fluorescent analysis was done by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.ResultsThe results show that the sensitive strain has a higher Fluo-3/AM fluorescence in a Cd concentration and time dependent manner, whereas in the resistant strain Fluo-3/AM fluorescence levels were negligible and increased only at high concentrations of Cd and at long incubation periods, but to a much lesser extent than the sensitive strain.No Cd uptake is observed in uninfected red blood cells populations originating from cultures infected with either sensitive or resistant strain. In addition, confocal microscopy overlay of Fluo-3/AM and Hoechst staining shows that the Cd metal accumulates in the parasite itself.ConclusionsThe dual fluorescent labelling is a valid method for detecting heavy metal accumulation inP. falciparum. Furthermore, in contrast to the use of radioactive labelled heavy metal, the fluorescent labelling enables us to differentiate between the different populations existing in aP. falciparuminfected red blood cells cultures and thus actually study a phenomenon at the level of a single cell.
Curvature-driven diffusion-based mathematical image registration models
Authors: Akinlar Mehmet Ali , Kurulay Muhammet , Secer Aydin , Celenk Mehmet 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
This paper introduces several mathematical image registration models. Image registration, an ill-posed optimization problem, is formulated as the minimization of the sum of an image similarity metric and a regularization term. Curvature-driven diffusion-based techniques, in particular Perona-Malik, anisotropic diffusion, mean curvature motion (MCM), affine invariant MCM (AIMCM), are employed as a regularization term in this optimal control formulation. Adopting the steepest-descent marching with an artificial time t, Euler-Lagrange (EL) equations with homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions are obtained. These EL equations are approximately solved by the explicit Petrov-Galerkin scheme. The method is applied to the registration of brain MR images of size

257
×
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. Computational results indicate that all these regularization terms produce similarly good registration quality but that the cost associated with the AIMCM approach is, on average, less than that for the others.

MSC:68U10, 65D18, 65J05, 97N40.
Pandemic influenza A virus codon usage revisited: biases, adaptation and implications for vaccine strain development
Authors: Goñi Natalia , Iriarte Andrés , Comas Victoria , Soñora Martín , Moreno Pilar , Moratorio Gonzalo , Musto Héctor , Cristina Juan 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a member of the family Orthomyxoviridae and contains eight segments of a single-stranded RNA genome with negative polarity. The first influenza pandemic of this century was declared in April of 2009, with the emergence of a novel H1N1 IAV strain (H1N1pdm) in Mexico and USA. Understanding the extent and causes of biases in codon usage is essential to the understanding of viral evolution. A comprehensive study to investigate the effect of selection pressure imposed by the human host on the codon usage of an emerging, pandemic IAV strain and the trends in viral codon usage involved over the pandemic time period is much needed.

Results
We performed a comprehensive codon usage analysis of 310 IAV strains from the pandemic of 2009. Highly biased codon usage for Ala, Arg, Pro, Thr and Ser were found. Codon usage is strongly influenced by underlying biases in base composition. When correspondence analysis (COA) on relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) is applied, the distribution of IAV ORFs in the plane defined by the first two major dimensional factors showed that different strains are located at different places, suggesting that IAV codon usage also reflects an evolutionary process.

Conclusions
A general association between codon usage bias, base composition and poor adaptation of the virus to the respective host tRNA pool, suggests that mutational pressure is the main force shaping H1N1 pdm IAV codon usage. A dynamic process is observed in the variation of codon usage of the strains enrolled in these studies. These results suggest a balance of mutational bias and natural selection, which allow the virus to explore and re-adapt its codon usage to different environments. Recoding of IAV taking into account codon bias, base composition and adaptation to host tRNA may provide important clues to develop new and appropriate vaccines.
Determination of the full-genome sequence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) SAAS-FX17 and use as a reference to identify putative HEV genotype 4 virulence determinants
Authors: Zhu Yumin , Yu Xiaoming , Huang Fenfen , Yu Ruisong , Dong Shijuan , Si Fusheng , Zhang Yuanshu , Li Zhen 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Four major genotypes of hepatitis E virus (HEV), the causative agent of hepatitis E, have so far been recognized. While genotypes 3 and 4 are both zoonotic, the disease symptoms caused by the latter tend to be more severe. To examine if specific nucleotide/amino acid variations between genotypes 3 and 4 play a role in determining the severity of hepatitis E disease, the complete genome of one swine HEV genotype 4 isolate, SAAS-FX17, was determined and compared with other genotype 4 and genotype 3 genomes to identify putative HEV genotype 4 virulence determinants.

Results
A total of 42 conformable nt/aa variations between genotype 3 and 4 HEVs were detected, of which 19 were proposed to be potential disease severity determinants for genotype 4 strains.

Conclusions
One potential determinant was located in each of the 5'-UTR and 3'-UTR, 3 and 12 within ORF1 and ORF2 respectively, and 2 in the junction region.
Association of age at menarche with metabolic syndrome and its components in rural Bangladeshi women
Authors: Akter Shamima , Jesmin Subrina , Islam Mazedul , Sultana Sayeeda Nusrat , Okazaki Osamu , Hiroe Michiaki , Moroi Masao , Mizutani Taro 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Early age at menarche is associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome in both China and the West. However, little is known about the impact of age at menarche and metabolic syndrome in South Asian women, including those from low-income country, where age at menarche is also falling. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether age at menarche is inversely associated with metabolic syndrome in Bangladeshi women, who are mostly poor and have limited access to and or poor health care facilities.

Methods
This community-based cross-sectional study was performed using 1423 women aged between 15–75 years from rural Bangladesh in 2009 and 2010. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to standard NCEP-ATP III criteria. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between age at menarche and metabolic syndrome, with adjustment of potential confounding variables, including age, education, marital status, tobacco users, use of contraceptives and number of pregnancies.

Results
Early onset of menarche (<12 years) as compared to late onset (>13 years) was found to be associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio=1.55; 95 % confidence interval =1.05-2.30). Age at onset of menarche was also inversely associated with prevalence of high triglycerides (P for trend <0.01) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P for trend = 0.01), but positively associated with prevalence of high fasting blood glucose (P for trend =0.02). However, no significant association was found between age at menarche, high blood pressure and elevated waist circumference.

Conclusion
Early onset of menarche might promote or trigger development of metabolic syndrome. Thus, knowledge of the history of age at onset of menarche may be critical in identifying women at risk of developing metabolic syndrome and those likely to benefit the most from early interventions.
An ovine in vitro model for chondrocyte-based scaffold-assisted cartilage grafts
Authors: Endres Michaela , Neumann Katja , Zhou Bei , Freymann Undine , Pretzel David , Stoffel Marcus , Kinne Raimund W , Kaps Christian 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Scaffold-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation is an effective clinical procedure for cartilage repair. From the regulatory point of view, the ovine model is one of the suggested large animal models for pre-clinical studies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the in vitro re-differentiation capacity of expanded ovine chondrocytes in biomechanically characterized polyglycolic acid (PGA)/fibrin biomaterials for scaffold-assisted cartilage repair.

Methods
Ovine chondrocytes harvested from adult articular cartilage were expanded in monolayer and re-assembled three-dimensionally in PGA-fibrin scaffolds. De- and re-differentiation of ovine chondrocytes in PGA-fibrin scaffolds was assessed by histological and immuno-histochemical staining as well as by real-time gene expression analysis of typical cartilage marker molecules and the matrix-remodelling enzymes matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -1, -2 and −13 as well as their inhibitors. PGA scaffolds characteristics including degradation and stiffness were analysed by electron microscopy and biomechanical testing.

Results
Histological, immuno-histochemical and gene expression analysis showed that dedifferentiated chondrocytes re-differentiate in PGA-fibrin scaffolds and form a cartilaginous matrix. Re-differentiation was accompanied by the induction of type II collagen and aggrecan, while MMP expression decreased in prolonged tissue culture. Electron microscopy and biomechanical tests revealed that the non-woven PGA scaffold shows a textile structure with high tensile strength of 3.6 N/mm2 and a stiffness of up to 0.44 N/mm2, when combined with gel-like fibrin.

Conclusion
These data suggest that PGA-fibrin is suited as a mechanically stable support structure for scaffold-assisted chondrocyte grafts, initiating chondrogenic re-differentiation of expanded chondrocytes.
Association of a missense mutation in the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor gene (LHCGR) with superovulation traits in Chinese Holstein heifers
Authors: Yu Yong , Pang Yunwei , Zhao Haichao , Xu Xiaoling , Wu Zhonghong , An Lei , Tian Jianhui 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Upon binding luteinizing hormone in the ovary, the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) is necessary for follicular maturation and ovulation, as well as luteal function. We detected mutations in the LHCGR gene and evaluated their association with superovulation.

Methods
Using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing, we examined polymorphisms in LHCGR and the genotypes associated with superovulation traits in 127 Chinese Holstein heifers.

Results
A G/T polymorphism (ss52050737) in exon 11 was significantly associated with the total number of ova and the number of transferable embryos.

Conclusions

LHCGR may be a new predictor for superovulation in Chinese Holstein heifers.
Effect of Partial Fluorination in the Myristoyl Groups on Thermal and Interfacial Properties of Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine
Authors: Yoshino Masaru , Takahashi Hiroshi , Takagi Toshiyuki , Baba Teruhiko , Morita Kohei , Amii Hideki , Kanamori Toshiyuki , Sonoyama Masashi 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
A novel partially fluorinated analog of DMPC, diF4H10-PC, was synthesized, and its thermal and interfacial properties were compared with those of DMPC. By fluorine substitution in the terminal butyl segment in the myristoyl group of DMPC, the novel partially fluorinated diF4H10-PC membrane shows higher stability and larger occupied area, while remarkable decrease in the phase transition temperature and more hydrophilic properties in the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface region were observed.
A Four-spin Cobalt-radical Complex: Structure and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Wang Chao , Wang Ya L , Ma Yue , Wang Qing L , Li Li C , Liao Dai Z 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
A new complex {[Co(hfac)2]2(4P3NIT)2}·CHCl3 (1) (hfac: hexafluoroacetylacetonate, 4P3NIT: 2-[3-(4-pyridyl)phenyl]-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) has been synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. The single-crystal structure revealed that two 4P3NIT molecules and two [Co(hfac)2] units construct a four-spin rectangle-like molecule. Effective-spin approach was also employed to evaluate the magnetic coupling J1 and J2 within this four-spin unit. The best fitting result gives J1 = −23.41 cm−1, J2 = 3.18 cm−1, which indicate the antiferromagnetic interaction between the Co(II) ion and directly bonded radical, and weak ferromagnetic interaction between the central Co(II) ion and organic radical through the pathway of pyridyl and phenyl ring.
Structural Formation Ability of Peptide Secondary Structure on Silica Biomineralization
Authors: Kuno Tatsuya , Nonoyama Takayuki , Hirao Kiyoshi , Kato Katsuya 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
To investigate the influence of the secondary structure of peptide on silica biomineralization, α-helix and β-sheet conformational peptides were synthesized and applied as catalyst in silica biomineralization.
Whole spine CT for evaluation of scoliosis in children: Feasibility of sub-milliSievert scanning protocol
Authors: Kalra Mannudeep K , Quick Petter , Singh Sarabjeet , Sandborg Michael , Persson Anders 
Published: November 2012

Background Optimization of CT radiation dose is important for children due to their higher risk of radiationinduced adverse effects. Anatomical structures with high inherent contrast, such as bones can be imaged at very low radiation doses by optimizing scan parameters. Purpose To assess feasibility of sub-milliSievert whole spine CT scanning protocol for evaluation of scoliosis in children. Material and Methods With approval of the ethical board, we performed whole spine CT for evaluation of scoliosis in 22 children (age range, 3-18 years; mean age, 13 years; 13 girls, 9 boys) on a 128-slice dual source multidetector-row CT scanner. Lowest possible quality reference mAs value (image quality factor for xy-z automatic exposure control or xyz-AEC, CARE Dose 4D) was selected on a per patient basis. Remaining parameters were held constant at 3.0:1 pitch, 128 × 0.6 mm detector collimation, 115.2 mm table feed per gantry rotation, 100 kVp, and 1 and 3 mm reconstructed sections. Average mAs, projected estimated dose savings with AEC, computed tomography dose index volume (CTDI vol), and dose length product (DLP) were recorded. Artifacts were graded on a four-point scale (1, no artifacts; 4, severe artifacts). Ability to identify vertebral and pedicular contours, and measure pedicular width and degree of vertebral rotation was graded on a three-point scale (1, unacceptable; 3, excellent). Results All CT examinations were deemed as reliable for identifying vertebral and pedicular contours as well as for measuring pedicular width (5.9 ± 1.6 mm) and degree of vertebral rotation (28.7±23.4°). Mean objective image noise and signal to noise ratio (SNR) were 57.5±21.5 and 4.7±2.3, respectively. With a mean quality reference mAs of 13, the scanner employed an average actual effective mAs of 10±3.8 (range, 6–18 mAs) with an estimated radiation dose saving of 43.5±16.3% with xyz-AEC compared with fixed mAs. The mean CTDI, DLP, and estimated effective doses were 0.4±0.1 mGy (0.2–0.7 mGy), 21±10 mGy.cm (8–41 mGy.cm), and 0.3±0.1 mSv (0.12–0.64 mSv), respectively. Conclusion Radiation dose for whole spine CT for evaluation of scoliosis in children can be minimized to less than one-third of a milliSievert while maintaining diagnostic image quality.
Heterogeneity of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Status and Mutations of KRAS/PIK3CA in Circulating Tumor Cells of Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Gasch Christin , Bauernhofer Thomas , Pichler Martin , Langer-Freitag Sabine , Reeh Matthias , Seifert Adrian M , Mauermann Oliver , Izbicki Jakob R , Pantel Klaus , Riethdorf Sabine 
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND
Molecular characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is pivotal to increasing the diagnostic specificity of CTC assays and investigating therapeutic targets and their downstream pathways on CTCs. We focused on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and genes relevant for its inhibition in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS
We used the CellSearch® system for CTC detection in peripheral blood samples from 49 patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) and 32 patients with nonmetastatic CRC (nmCRC). We assessed EGFR expression in 741 CTCs from 27 patients with mCRC and 6 patients with nmCRC using a fluorescein-conjugated antibody with the CellSearch Epithelial Cell Kit. DNA of a single CTC isolated by micromanipulation was propagated by whole-genome amplification and analyzed by quantitative PCR for EGFR gene amplification and sequencing for KRAS (v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog), BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1), and PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit α) mutations.

RESULTS
At least 2 CTCs were detected in 24 of 49 patients with mCRC and 7 of 32 patients with nmCRC. In 7 of 33 patients, CTCs with increased EGFR expression were identified. Heterogeneity in EGFR expression was observed between CTCs from the same patient. EGFR gene amplification was found in 7 of 26 CTCs from 3 patients. The investigated BRAF gene locus was not mutated in 44 analyzed CTCs, whereas KRAS mutations were detected in 5 of 15 CTCs from 1 patient and PIK3CA mutations in 14 of 36 CTCs from 4 patients.

CONCLUSIONS
Molecular characterization of single CTCs demonstrated considerable intra- and interpatient heterogeneity of EGFR expression and genetic alterations in EGFR, KRAS, and PIK3CA, possibly explaining the variable response rates to EGFR inhibition in patients with CRC.